The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 16

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Saint Is Such a Good Liar! Episode 016
As I stepped into the Santino Residence, I noticed the guests in the parlor exchange startled glances at my arrival.
“Saint, oh, you’ve come?”
“Ah, please, do sit down.”
Everyone’s eyes darted toward the Santino Noblewoman, their expressions betraying the assumption that she must have turned me away.
I smiled sweetly and fixed my gaze upon the woman seated at the center.
“Saint…!”
Lumiel stared at me with eyes that seemed to have already shed a hundred tears of sorrow, as though fresh ones might spill at any moment.
One would think from her gaze alone that I was her long-lost beloved. Of course, I answered her affection with an equally sorrowful smile.
“Lady….”
And I offered a casual greeting.
“It has been quite some time. I trust you have been well?”
Though truthfully, I had seen her just a week prior. Lumiel nodded quickly.
“I have been well….”
In that instant, Lumiel bit her lip and shook her head.
“I fear I have not been well….”
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Her pitiful appearance was enough to stir compassion in anyone who beheld it.
“…Lady.”
I drew a sorrowful sigh and stepped closer to Lumiel.
“I have been so….”
“I can forgive you, Lady.”
And as she parted her lips to speak, I moved swiftly to seize the moment.
“I am trying to forgive you.”
I grasped her hand firmly and whispered.
“For I have been taught thus: love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.”
“What? Saint, I…!”
“Then shall the Lord repay in your stead. He shall send rain upon the righteous and drought upon the wicked.”
I cut off Lumiel’s bewildered attempt to interject and turned to address the other guests.
“You have all been taught this doctrine as well, have you not?”
Though the scripture itself was true, everyone nodded while casting nervous glances at Lumiel.
For by my words, I had effectively declared myself righteous and her wicked.
“Saint, are you now calling me wicked?”
Just as I had anticipated, Lumiel seized upon this point. As sympathy began to bloom in everyone’s hearts at her sorrowful question, I whispered in a voice dripping with compassion.
“How could I? I merely speak of the Lord’s teachings. Any person might fall prey to temptation in a moment of weakness. To condemn someone as wicked for a single mistake seems far too harsh a judgment for us fragile mortals to bear.”
I concluded with a gentle smile.
“Of course, there are those with steadfast hearts who overcome such temptations. But not everyone possesses such strength.”
It was a subtle insinuation that she was not among those of unwavering virtue.
Lumiel’s jaw trembled slightly before tensing with barely contained fury—a reaction visible only to me, much to my satisfaction.
“His Majesty is someone I love dearly, so I understand he might appear attractive to you as well. I acknowledge this. However….”
The lies I’d told so far probably hadn’t even filled 0.5% of the gauge.
A quick mental calculation suggested I was ready to deliver the final blow.
I bit down hard on my lip.
“Ugh.”
Oh, I’d bitten too hard. My lip stung as it split, and I tasted blood pooling in my mouth.
I needed better control. I started to hide my contorted eyes, then paused. Wait—I hadn’t cried yet, had I?
“Hic…!”
The pain was sharp enough that tears came easily. Adding a pitiful whimper to the display, I heard gasps of alarm ripple through the room before they rushed to console me.
“Saint, are you… are you alright?”
“Please, take my handkerchief.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry…”
I swayed as though I could barely support my own weight, apologizing profusely.
“I’m sorry, Santino Noblewoman. I seem to have ruined the atmosphere of our gathering…”
“No, Saint! It’s absolutely not your fault!”
The Santino Noblewoman, who had been sitting on pins and needles all evening, finally pulled me into her arms.
I let my sobs grow louder against her chest.
“Virtuous one. No… I don’t think my presence here is doing any good. I should leave.”
“Please don’t, Saint. If you go like this, my heart will be so troubled.”
“No. I cannot disturb the joy of everyone gathered here any longer. I…”
[Lie Gauge increased by 1%]
[Current Gauge: 11.0%]
[Daily quota achieved]
There it was—my cheat code, Lumiel! Her flustered expression was absolutely endearing.
‘I would have regretted missing this.’
I quickly composed my features and spoke in the most measured tone I could manage.
“It seems my discipline is lacking, so I must devote myself more earnestly to prayer.”
Then I fled the gathering in haste.
I could see the Santino Noblewoman chasing after me from a distance, but she stopped abruptly as the gap widened.
Good. The lie gauge was already full anyway, and I had no desire to face Lumiel directly.
“Let’s go back.”
I boarded the carriage while concealing my cheerful mood, but instead of closing the door, Cassandro leaned his upper body inside.
Then he stared intently at my face. Feeling exposed, I turned my head toward the window, only for someone to climb into the carriage.
“Saint.”
“…”
“Look this way, please.”
“It’s nothing serious…— Ah!”
Someone grasped both my cheeks and turned my face forward.
Nora withdrew her hands from my cheeks with a satisfied expression. What was this?
“It really is nothing serious.”
Sighing as though he had no intention of hearing any excuses, Cassandro retrieved something from his pocket.
It was ointment. He skillfully squeezed some onto his palm, then met my gaze.
“Forgive me.”
I nodded, and his long, delicate fingers—hardly befitting a knight—brushed across my lower lip.
As the medicine seeped in, the stinging intensified. My eyes narrowed in discomfort, yet he calmly tended to the wound as he spoke.
“Even in boots, a bit of mud splashes through.”
“I cannot avoid the path I must walk simply because I fear mud.”
At those words, Cassandro stared at me intently before murmuring.
“I wonder what path you walk.”
“That sounds like you once understood.”
“There was no need to try. Everything was far too visible.”
“Which makes it vulnerable to attack. I intend to take a different route—through mud and mire. My body will grow dirtier, but it will be far safer.”
I fell silent for a moment before adding.
“If you wish not to follow, you may keep to the original path. If you prefer, I shall send you back to the Holy Kingdom.”
“I will follow.”
He answered at once. I replied with a crooked smile.
“I just said it is not a beautiful, sunlit flower path.”
“I prefer such paths too. Ones where the body grows soiled.”
“You look like a young master raised in wealth without hardship.”
My unguarded murmur drew a meaningful laugh from Cassandro.
Only then did I realize I had been too familiar with him, so I turned my head away. Cassandro withdrew, and the carriage departed.

* * *
“The Archbishop seeks you.”
Hardly had I returned to the Temple when I heard this. We were hardly so close that he should summon me at every turn.
My gauge was already full; I had no need to face that displeased expression. I smiled brightly and declined.
“Tell him I shall visit tomorrow. I am unwell today.”
Back in my room, I actually lay in bed to avoid becoming a liar.
Since my schedule had finished early for once, I would not leave this bed today.
“Um, Your Holiness….”
Or so I thought.
“The Archbishop has arrived.”
Nora spoke as I lay freshly bathed upon the bed. My brow furrowed beneath closed eyes.
‘One must know when to feign ignorance.’
I had clearly refused. Why had he come anyway?
I answered without opening my eyes.
“Tell him I am sleeping.”
“Oh, did I wake you?”
A shameless voice reached me from nearby.
Again. Knowing yet pretending not to know.
Then again, he was always the sort to disregard my wishes entirely.
When I finally opened my eyes and turned my head, Formoso—impeccably dressed in pristine white vestments—was approaching me.
Unable to remain seated, I pushed myself up, and Formoso hastily moved to support me by the arm.
As naturally as if it were routine, I brushed away his hand from my shoulder and offered a thin smile.
Where do you think you’re touching? How revolting.

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