The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 54

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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 054
…I’ve lost my mind. This man isn’t even a Priest!
‘I got so caught up in that thought, I just blurted it out.’
I hurried to apologize and smooth things over, but Cassandro stared directly at me.
His inscrutable expression made me tense without meaning to, and I couldn’t bring myself to speak easily.
“There is none.”
“…I suppose not.”
I finally opened my mouth.
“I’m sorry. I haven’t been to the Grand Cathedral in so long that I got overexcited and said something foolish…”
“Foolish…”
“Yes, it was foolish. Even you’d agree it’s a question that makes no sense, wouldn’t you?”
I laughed awkwardly and quickly changed direction. Nora, who had been following, asked with a puzzled expression.
“It seems like Cassandro might like someone. Why did you suddenly ask that…?”
“It’s not like that.”
I stopped walking and spoke.
“Let’s go see the Archbishop.”
“The Archbishop?”
I really didn’t feel like tormenting the Priests with stern questions again.
“I need to ask him something.”
There was an indirect way to verify the answer to the question I’d asked Formoso earlier.
When I sought out Formoso, he muttered with a dazed expression of utter surprise.
“I never expected you to seek me out again.”
“I need to ask you something.”
“Anything at all.”
“Archbishop.”
I asked with the most harmless expression I could muster.
“Have you ever lied to me, even once?”
Formoso stared at me, then shook his head.
“Not even once. I have no reason to do such a thing to you, do I?”
[That’s a lie.]
He lied to me without batting an eye? He’s quite the accomplished actor.
In that moment, an involuntary laugh escaped me. Formoso narrowed his brows and asked.
“Is this because of what happened earlier…?”
“Of course not. The truth is, I wanted to see your face once more. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, and I’m delighted.”
I countered with an equally seamless lie, and Formoso’s expression went blank. I raised the corners of my mouth and asked.
“Does it sound like a lie?”
“I wonder.”
Formoso murmured.
“It hardly matters. If that’s what you say, then that’s what it must be.”
“You trust me far too much.”
“Of course not? No one would ever suspect the Saint of telling lies.”
“Thank you for seeing me in such a favorable light. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”
“You as well, Saint.”
Formoso lifted the corners of his mouth in a smile and offered his farewell. I nodded and turned away.
‘That man is nothing but a liar.’
I couldn’t be certain whether his earlier response to me was truthful or not.
‘He’s not someone who tells a lie or two in passing.’
I would need to carefully scrutinize everything Formoso said from now on.
* * *
As I stepped into my room after so long, an indescribable sense of comfort washed over me.
I had barely collapsed onto the bed when Nora arrived with a meal. Ah, the fasting prayer had ended.
Asparagus purée soup and thin white bread. Atop it lay ricotta cheese drizzled with olive oil.
I could see steamed fish with lemon dill butter and thinly sliced ham grilled to perfection. Finally, a basket of ripe strawberries.
“That’s quite a lot.”
“The fasting prayer has ended, so you should eat at least this much.”
Though it was rather embarrassing that I’d only fasted for a few days, I said nothing and took a bite of the bread first.
‘Now that I think about it, didn’t I promise to make bread for Cassandro?’
I had completely forgotten my vow to teach him the greatness of carbohydrates.
Since Formoso’s fasting period had just ended, now seemed like the perfect time. And I could apologize for my earlier slip of the tongue.
“Nora, I’d like to bake some bread.”
“Bread? Are you planning to take it to the Poorhouse?”
“No, not the Poorhouse… I want to distribute it to the Holy Knight Order.”
I answered with a hint of embarrassment, and Nora’s expression showed surprise. I found myself adding more.
“Commander Cassandro barely eats bread. I think it’s because our bread here doesn’t suit his palate, so I want to let him taste truly delicious bread.”
“Well, the bread we bake at the Temple is certainly coarse and plain, but…”
Nora tilted her head as she spoke.
“I don’t think that’s why the Commander doesn’t eat it. He’s always been that way. Perhaps it’s simply because he’s watching his weight?”
“Well, that might be true. But how can anyone live without eating bread? Once you try the bread I bake, you’ll love it too.”
Nora’s expression showed disbelief.
“You always bake whole wheat bread, Saint.”
“This time will be different. Come on, let’s go to the Kitchen.”
But the moment we stepped outside, I ran directly into Cassandro.
From the look of things, he seemed to have been waiting here the whole time, which startled me.
“Didn’t you leave?”
“Ah.”
Cassandro fell silent for a moment before responding.
“Your leg has not been healed for long, so I thought you might require assistance.”
And here I was asking such mischievous questions of such a kind man. Sudden self-reproach washed over me.
“Thank you for thinking of me. But I’m truly fine now.”
I deliberately moved my feet in a little step in front of him to prove it.
But it seemed my newly healed legs weren’t quite ready for such exertion.
My foot stumbled for a moment, and before I could even panic, Cassandro’s firm grip steadied my shoulder.
“I understand perfectly well. There’s no need to push yourself. Please be careful for the time being.”
“…Thank you.”
“Where are you headed? I’ll escort you there.”
“The Kitchen.”
Cassandro nodded in acknowledgment.
“Your fasting prayers have ended, so it’s only natural you’d feel hungry.”
I was utterly flabbergasted.
No, I didn’t even fast for that long in the first place! What kind of glutton does he take me for?
“I’m not going because I’m hungry.”
“I understand.”
“…You actually believe me, right?”
“Yes.”
I thought he was continuing to tease me, but his expression was surprisingly serious.
“If the Saint says so, then that must be the case.”
Faced with such unwavering faith, I had nothing more to say. I headed toward the Kitchen with Cassandro.
“You must be quite busy from now on. I’ve taken up so much of your time lately.”
“There’s no need to say such things. Protecting the Saint is my duty.”
“Still, as Commander of the Knight Order, you must have accumulated work.”
Indeed, there was no better moment than now to express my gratitude by gifting him bread. Very well—I’d bake something so delicious it would astound him.
“You can look forward to it.”
I spoke with meaningful intent, and Cassandro’s expression grew puzzled before he bowed and withdrew. Nora spoke with a look of concern.
“How can you say such things? Even if whole wheat bread tastes good…”
“I’m not making whole wheat bread. I’m making bread loaded with butter.”
“Really?”
Nora’s eyes sparkled with delight. Of course—eating nothing but whole wheat bread day after day must have grown tiresome for her palate. I chuckled and spoke warmly.
“You can look forward to it too.”
After obtaining permission to use the Kitchen, I checked the ingredients. Fortunately, everything I needed was available, so I could begin first thing tomorrow.
The next morning, after breakfast, I went straight to the Kitchen. With Nora’s help beside me, the work seemed to progress quickly.
“B-butter? That much goes in?”
“Of course. That’s where the flavor comes from. Go ahead and add plenty.”
Nora made a doubtful expression but generously added butter to the dough.
After four or five hours had passed, the aroma of butter permeated the entire Kitchen.
“It smells absolutely delicious.”
Nora placed the bread in a basket, her expression brimming with anticipation.
Unable to contain her desire to taste it, I gently brought a freshly baked cookie to her lips.
“Oh, Saint. But this is meant as a gift for the Knight Order…”
“I made it for you as well. Don’t be shy—eat it.”
At those words, Nora’s mouth opened slightly. Soon after tasting the cookie, her eyes widened in wonder.
“How is it?”
“It’s, it’s the taste of heaven.”
Coming from someone of the Temple, that was the highest praise one could offer. Good—I was certain everyone would be satisfied with this.
We carried baskets filled with bread and pastries toward the building where the Holy Knight Order was staying.
Since it was precisely the time for a snack break, I anticipated an enthusiastic reception. Yet when we arrived, the place stood completely empty.
“They’re currently conducting group training at the Training Ground.”
Following the servant’s explanation, we made our way to the Training Ground. Nora spoke while perspiration streamed down her face.
“Summer must be approaching. It’s already hot during the day, and they’re training outside.”
“There’s no helping it. They can’t very well train indoors either.”
The sound of shouted commands suggested we were drawing near.
However, when we reached the Training Ground, we were confronted with a bewildering sight.
“Come on, come on, come on!”
“Louder!”
The knights were all in the midst of training. Cassandro stood at the front, directing them. The bewildering part was….
Except for Cassandro and the Vice Commander beside him, every single knight had removed their shirts.

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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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