The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 109

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Saint is Such a Good Liar! Episode 109
Wait, what’s this? Don’t tell me this man dislikes Cassandro too?
“Is there a particular reason?”
“Last time, you took only him as your escort. Have you forgotten what happened?”
He was referring to the cave-in at the Demon Temple. I sighed and came to Cassandro’s defense.
“To be precise, that was my fault. I told you the problem was detonating explosives in the cave.”
“Don’t you see? The real problem is that the Saint allowed such a situation to arise in the first place!”
Formoso raised his voice before me for the first time.
Startled, I looked at him and found his expression utterly rigid.
“Last time it was a matter that had to be kept confidential, but this time is different. Take several Holy Knights with you. Everything the Saint does represents the Cathedral, so such precautions are hardly excessive.”
“Archbishop, I thought I mentioned that the volunteer work was for public relations purposes. I don’t usually go to the Slums laden with escorts like that.”
“This time the situation is different. What if Count Birelli were a Demon Worshipper?”
“Archbishop, taking so many escorts might make it look as though we’re intimidating him.”
“My mind will not change. This time you won’t be able to sway me.”
Formoso spoke with finality.
I understood his concern given what had happened before, but still, bringing several Holy Knights all the way to Birelli seemed unnecessarily cumbersome. And this time I was bringing Nora as well.
I was about to open my mouth to persuade him further
“Follow the Archbishop’s words, Saint.”
A different voice cut in from behind. Cassandro was entering the room. Formoso’s brow furrowed.
“Forgive my rudeness. I came to see the Archbishop and felt compelled to interject.”
“Are you admitting your own incompetence?”
The words tumbled out in a rush of irritation, and I regretted them instantly—but Cassandro simply nodded.
“Yes.”
“Don’t take that seriously. Who would believe that? Last time was just an accident…!”
“Because I failed to protect the Saint in that accident, I deserved disciplinary action. I was only able to keep my position thanks to the Archbishop’s and the Saint’s mercy.”
Cassandro continued, his voice flat.
“I will have the Vice Commander and several elite knights accompany us this time. There will be no mishap.”
“How fortunate that you two are so perfectly aligned.”
I let out a hollow laugh, eyes moving between Cassandro and Formoso.
“If I dig in my heels any further, I’ll only look unreasonable. Fine. I’ll defer to both of your judgment.”
I stood up sharply and fixed Cassandro with a glare.
“We’ll need to hurry. I’m planning to leave tomorrow.”
As I left Formoso’s room, I found myself inexplicably angry.
It was strange. Why was I so upset? There was no real reason to be. It was just a matter of taking an escort, after all.
I heard footsteps approaching from behind, and I suddenly stopped walking.
There was only one man who would follow me all this way without daring to lay a hand on my shoulder.
I halted where I stood and turned around.
It was Cassandro, as expected. I pressed my lips together briefly, then spoke.
“What is it?”
……
“You chased after me because you had something to say, didn’t you? Go ahead.”
“Are you angry?”
He was watching me with that characteristic sharpness, cutting straight to my state, and for some reason his gaze felt irksome.
“And if I am?”
“I don’t understand why you would be.”
I didn’t fully understand it myself, but I tried to explain my feelings as rationally as possible.
“It feels like you keep taking blame for things that aren’t your fault. I believe in assigning responsibility accurately. That’s what upsets me.”
“Then the last incident was indeed my responsibility.”
Cassandro spoke without expression.
“Saint, I should have stopped you then. Blinded by the hope that we could resolve the matter, I put you in danger. That was unmistakably my fault.”
“You brought it on yourself. If you’d tried to stop me, I would’ve just done it alone and in secret—wouldn’t I?”
I smiled crookedly, then my expression hardened.
“I hate that you’re admitting to incompetence you never had, just because of me. To me, that’s a lie. You’ve never been incompetent.”
I saw with my own eyes how you obliterated countless enemies with nothing but a short sword.
What infuriated me was that this man acted as though that achievement had never existed.
Isn’t the usual way to highlight merit and conceal fault? Why do you insist on doing the opposite?
“Why are you making me into the kind of person who tricks you into lying? You should have said that was an accident, and that this time would be different.”
“I lack confidence.”
Cassandro answered steadily.
“Last time I was confident. That not a single hair on the Saint’s head would come to harm.”
“…….”
“I grew arrogant, and it broke me.”
That spare confession felt less like resignation or remorse than a crushing weight of guilt. I bit my lip.
“Are you going to tell the next Saint the same thing? If she ever has to go somewhere alone, will you refuse her orders because ‘the last Saint was injured when she did that’?”
“That’s…….”
Cassandro hesitated, as though the right words wouldn’t come.
Then he said something shocking.
“It has nothing to do with you, Saint.”
My jaw fell slack.
Cassandro seemed to realize the moment the words left him, reaching to soften them. But I was faster.
“So I’m just a five-year contract. Got it.”
“Saint, that’s not what I meant——”
“I’m curious what you’ll say when I take a whole retinue of Holy Knights with me next time and come back wounded.”
I cut him off bitterly and turned away sharply. I’d expected him to follow, but he didn’t. How cold-hearted of him.
“I didn’t think you were this frightening, Cassandro. Fine — just as the King said, I’m nothing but a temporary master. Is that it?”
“Don’t be angry with me, Saint. I didn’t mean it in such a cruel way.”
“You should take my side, Nora, not his. Besides, I’m not even your temporary master.”
I’d been petulant without thinking, and only then did I realize it. I sighed. Why am I like this?
“No, I’m sorry. I was too emotional.”
“On the contrary, I think it’s wonderful to see you like this.”
Nora laughed with exaggerated warmth, smoothing over my wounded pride.
“You always suppress your feelings so strictly, Saint, that sometimes I worry about you.”
“I don’t do that at all. Cassandro is just the one who upset me this time.”
I sighed and changed the subject.
“In any case, my plan to leave tomorrow hasn’t changed. Are you coming with me?”
“Of course. Wherever you go, I’ll follow.”
“That’s reassuring. We’re not going for pleasure, but Birelli should have some good restaurants.”
“We’ll think about that once the work is done.”
I watched a smile bloom at the corner of her mouth, and found myself smiling back.

* * *
That evening, Nora handed me a sheet of paper — the list of Holy Knights who would accompany me to Birelli tomorrow.
Among all the names, Cassandro’s was notably absent. I smirked and nodded curtly.
“Very safe, then. Reassuring.”
“It would be good to sleep early, Saint. We leave first thing in the morning.”
“All right.”
I had only supper and went to bed straightaway. Yet my stomach remained unsettled, and sleep wouldn’t come easily.
This won’t do. I should take a walk.
Not wanting to wake Nora, who was sleeping soundly, I stepped outside alone. Deep in the night, the soft chirring of crickets filled the Grand Cathedral with quiet.
‘This is good.’
I was walking peacefully, savoring the tranquility, when I heard a sound from somewhere. It came from the Training Ground.
Was someone really training at this hour?
Startled, I moved toward it and saw Cassandro practicing with his sword.
That was when his gaze found me.
“……Saint?”
……Of course, he was shirtless again.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————