The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 67

—————
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 067
Sergio headed straight to the Public Security Office. The chief of the Public Security Office rushed out in a panic upon seeing him.
“C-Cassini Duke, sir. You’ve arrived.”
“I heard the Criminal who hit my sister and fled has been caught.”
“Ah, yes. That is… we’re interrogating him now, but he refuses to open his mouth at all.”
“Would it be alright if I interrogated him directly?”
“That… well, it’s against protocol…”
The chief, who had been at a loss, quickly fell silent upon seeing Sergio’s face.
He was soon escorted down to the Basement.
Seeing the Criminal’s unblemished face after what he’d done to leave Lumiel on death’s door, rage surged from my core. Without a moment to think, my fist flew forward.
“C-Cassini Duke, sir!”
Sergio swung his fists as though reason itself had been paralyzed.
The Criminal’s stubborn silence only fueled his fury further. The urge to tear out his throat welled up uncontrollably, but—
“P-please, stop. I’ll die at this rate!”
Finally, just before the Criminal lost consciousness, Sergio restrained himself.
Right. I can’t let him die this easily.
Sergio breathed heavily and demanded.
“Speak. Who ordered you to do this?”
He had aimed precisely at the carriage and charged. Moreover, the moment of impact, he fled without even looking back.
It was clear someone had ordered this. Heat rose to the crown of my head.
“Tell me now!”
Was this the work of a noble faction? Among them, who had the audacity to attempt something like this? My thoughts raced—
The man opened his mouth.
“The Saint… will surely pray for me…”
He smiled grotesquely, spouting incomprehensible words.
“I… I have passed judgment on the woman who dared to steal the Saint’s place…!”
“That makes no sense whatsoever…!”
But before Sergio could question further, blood poured from the Criminal’s lips.
The interrogator hastily checked the Criminal’s pulse, then shook his head.
“It appears he bit through his own tongue.”
* * *
“S-Saint…”
The moment I woke in the morning, Nora’s expression was dark. I asked with a puzzled look.
“What is it, Nora?”
“That is… I have news to tell you.”
“Go ahead, tell me.”
Why does she look so serious? Even after I finished speaking, Nora hesitated for a long moment before opening her mouth.
“They say the Criminal who hit the Cassini Noblewoman’s carriage and fled has been caught.”
“That’s good news.”
“…No, it isn’t. That Criminal accused the Saint of being the culprit before he died.”
My eyes widened. Nora continued with an awkward expression.
“There are people from the Public Security Office here right now. Cassandro is holding them back, but….”
“Let me go out. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
I dressed in my holy vestments and stepped outside, where I could see Public Security Office investigators facing off against Cassandro.
“Surely we can’t investigate a saint in this manner….”
“I’m here.”
As I appeared, everyone quickly bowed their heads. I waved my hand and got straight to the point.
“I’ve heard the gist of it. The criminal behind the Cassini Noblewoman’s carriage accident has named me as the mastermind?”
“That’s somewhat ambiguous. Whether he acted on your orders or carried out this deed independently for your sake….”
“The former is certainly not the case. I can swear on my honor.”
My firm statement made everyone grow solemn. Of course, that was the atmosphere they expected.
After a brief silence, one investigator spoke up.
“Since the deceased criminal has named you as the mastermind, an investigation is necessary, even if merely procedural. It will be beneficial for you as well.”
“Of course there should be no sacred ground in an investigation. I too wish to prove my innocence. However….”
“What is the matter?”
At that moment, Formoso entered the corridor. He appeared to have been out since morning.
Seeing me together with the investigators, he furrowed his brow.
“Please grant me time to speak with the saint. Would that be possible?”
I couldn’t imagine what the two of us would have to discuss.
Still, I followed Formoso toward his room.
“I will protect you.”
The moment we were alone, Formoso spoke with such solemnity. I let out a soft laugh and replied.
“There’s no need to protect me. I’ve never done anything that would require protection.”
“I believe in your innocence, of course….”
Formoso sighed. The trailing end of his words irritated me.
“The Cassini Duke won’t remain idle. No matter how much of a saint you are….”
“He can’t prioritize me over his own sister.”
Formoso looked at me with worried eyes, perhaps thinking I’d spoken with self-deprecation.
“When a storm comes, you simply need to lie low for a moment.”
What was he getting at? As I stared at Formoso, he continued gently.
“Apologize to the Cassini Noblewoman and withdraw for a time. Then….”
“Everyone will think I’m the real culprit.”
More precisely, Lumiel would seize this opportunity and make it so.
‘Could this be a coincidence?’
Lumiel appears in Rose Square, rumors spread that she’s the true saint, and then the saint, feeling threatened, attempts to eliminate her….
‘But to suspect that Lumiel orchestrated all of this… she nearly died.’
No matter how sincere she is about framing Justitia, surely she wouldn’t do something so insane?
Actually, it’s entirely possible. After all, she’s the woman who laughed while throwing herself down the Staircase. Thinking of Justitia’s past before regression, I quickly found myself agreeing.
“Actually, this works out well for me….”
At my murmur, Formoso narrowed one brow as he looked at me. I smiled faintly and asked him a question.
“An apology, you said? I can do that. If the Cassini Duke were to grow angry with me and cut off his donations to the Temple, that would be quite the disaster.”
“Your Holiness, that is not why I spoke to you.”
“I know.”
I leaned closer to Formoso and whispered.
“You’re concerned for me. That I might become entangled in something unseemly. Isn’t that right?”
Formoso nodded.
“I do not wish to see your honor tarnished. I will prevent it by any means necessary.”
He meant the Temple’s honor, not mine. So that’s why he forced an apology from Justitia before the regression—because she was innocent?
Ah, and yesterday, when Lumiel was revealed to be a heretic despite being a true saint, perhaps he turned a blind eye because the Church’s dignity would suffer.
If the Temple means so much to you, I’d love to destroy it.
“I don’t want that either. So please, don’t worry. This matter won’t bring any harm to the Grand Cathedral.”
I met Formoso’s gaze and spoke with measured clarity.
“I can do anything for the Temple.”
Then I stepped outside and faced the investigators directly. I asked them without hesitation.
“What will happen to me? Do I need to go to the Public Security Office?”
“No. You simply need to answer a few questions.”
“Very well. I’ll have you shown to the Reception Room.”
As I began to walk, Cassandro followed with obvious reluctance. I paused and turned back to him.
“You need not accompany me.”
“Your Holiness, my duty is——”
“I know. To protect me.”
I reassured him with a smile.
“But right now, the only person who can protect me here is myself. There’s nothing to worry about, so please attend to your other duties.”
Cassandro looked displeased, but ultimately bowed and withdrew.
I went to the Reception Room with the investigators and answered their questions.
Whether I knew anything about the dead criminal, my whereabouts at the time in question, and so forth.
It was all perfunctory, and I could sense their lack of genuine investigative zeal—a consequence of my being a saint.
Who would trust such an investigation? I wanted to scold them to conduct their work with proper diligence.
“I’ve answered all your questions faithfully. What happens now?”
“If there is no connection between the dead criminal and your Holiness, the case will be closed as is.”
“I see.”
That won’t do. If this matter ends so quietly.
I saw them out with a smile. Formoso approached my side.
“Thank you for your time.”
“Think nothing of it. I simply answered truthfully.”
I spoke quietly.
“But Archbishop, I fear this will not be enough to appease the Duke’s anger.”
“You need only remain in seclusion until the Cassini Duke’s wrath subsides.”
“Of course.”
[Lie Gauge increased by 0.1%]
[Current Gauge: 54.7%]
“The monthly mass is coming up this very week. You won’t be able to attend that either?”
“Of course. I’d recommend refraining from any direct contact with others starting today.”
Wouldn’t that only make everyone suspect me more? His advice seemed utterly devoid of concern for my wellbeing, and I let out a hollow laugh.
“Understood.”
The gauge rose again. Of course, I had no intention of following a single word Formoso said.

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