The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 69

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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 069
“It does seem that way.”
Formoso replied with an air of nonchalance.
“The King’s side would be better suited to the ‘real’ one, after all.”
Even as I spoke those words, a wave of bitterness rose in my throat, but there was nothing I could do about it. To him, the Saint had always been real, but the entire world saw her as Lumiel.
“What does that matter? Either way, the Saint right now is Justitia.”
Watching Alfonso brush off the matter so casually, as if all my efforts meant nothing, Formoso found himself momentarily stunned.
This was the man who had been watching the distance between them ever since Lumiel appeared—and now he was saying such things?
Formoso nearly let a harsh word slip out, but he barely caught himself and redirected the conversation.
“Please return for now. It doesn’t seem wise for you to meet with the Saint at this moment. People will begin to think the Saint is hiding behind the King.”
“So that’s why she’s been in seclusion—to avoid seeing me?”
“Yes.”
Despite Formoso’s lie, Alfonso didn’t seem particularly displeased.
“Ah, how clever. I hadn’t thought that far ahead… as expected.”
He even seemed to be in good spirits, which only deepened Formoso’s confusion.
“But you’ll attend the monthly Mass, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
Formoso sent Alfonso away with a lie delivered so naturally that he scarcely seemed to notice. Only then did Formoso find peace again.
Curiously, the Saint had fallen into crisis right after Alfonso’s proposal. It all felt like the will of God guiding everything toward the right path.
He didn’t know what wind had blown to make Alfonso suddenly decide on marriage, but Alfonso had always been a man for whom his own well-being came first.
‘At this rate, the engagement will be broken.’
The Saint, unable to rely on her cold-hearted brother or her betrothed, would remain in the Temple, and then I could continue living as I do now.
As the Saint, in the Temple. With him.
Now, finally, all circumstances were unfolding according to his will. At last, peace had settled in his heart.
And not long after, the monthly Mass arrived.
“The Saint will not be attending today’s monthly Mass.”
Formoso continued speaking to the murmuring congregation with a benevolent smile.
“As you know, there was an unfortunate incident recently. She has decided to do this as an act of atonement and repentance…”
At that very moment, the firmly closed doors opened. The Cathedral doors that never opened until the Mass was finished.
“I apologize for being late.”
And there stood Justitia, dressed in her sacred vestments.
Formoso stared at her in complete shock, unable to believe his eyes.
Justitia approached the pulpit where he stood with a radiant smile.
“It seemed this would be the last blessing prayer, so I simply couldn’t miss it.”
Last?
At her sudden words, the Cathedral stirred with unease. Formoso himself couldn’t immediately comprehend what Justitia was saying.
Before he could even ask, Justitia continued speaking.
“Everyone, please be silent. Now I shall begin the blessing prayer.”
Though everyone remained confused even at those words, once Justitia began the blessing prayer, none dared to speak.
From then on, Justitia continued the prayer without once looking in Formoso’s direction.
The moment Formoso realized it was deliberate avoidance, his heart began to race with unease.
A final blessing prayer? As if she intended to step down from the position of Saint after this prayer concluded….
That couldn’t possibly be.
“I believe your grace shall accompany us today, tomorrow, and along every path we walk henceforth. May it be so.”
“May it be so.”
The congregation’s response marking the end of the prayer rang out in unison. Then a brief silence enveloped the Cathedral.
Now everyone stared at Justitia with expressions demanding she answer her cryptic opening words.
“My dear faithful, the reason today is my final blessing prayer is….”
Justitia opened her mouth with a faint smile gracing her face.
“I intend to step down from my position as Saint, effective today.”
* * *
Murmurs rippled through the Cathedral. Everyone wore dumbfounded expressions, unable to comprehend my words.
Formoso’s expression was particularly striking.
Of course, he must have believed Justitia would never relinquish this position. Under normal circumstances, that would have been true.
For Lumiel, who had no family to return to, the Temple was as good as home. Formoso had surely relied on that assumption.
“S-Saint!”
Someone raised their hand and called out boldly.
“Why have you made such a sudden decision? Has this been discussed with the Archbishop?”
Of course not, but.
I nodded.
“Of course.”
“Saint!”
Behind the status window that had appeared for the first time in ages, Formoso’s cry echoed like a scream.
I turned my head with a smile.
“What is it, Archbishop?”
“Why are you telling such a lie? You never discussed this matter with me at all.”
“A lie? But you said it yourself. That it would be good to show an attitude of repentance regarding this matter.”
I turned to face Formoso and smiled broadly.
“No matter how I think about it, I can’t imagine a better form of repentance than this.”
Formoso’s expression twisted.
I turned away from that sight and looked forward again.
“I heard that the perpetrator of the Cassini Noblewoman’s carriage accident was one of my followers. I cannot fathom how someone claiming to follow me could commit acts that contradict the Barion Faith.”
I sighed deeply and continued.
“That too is the result of my failure to guide the faithful onto the righteous path. Therefore, I take full responsibility and wish to step down from my position as Saint.”
“Then, the position of Saint is….”
“The position of Saint was never mine to begin with—it belonged to the Cassini Noblewoman.”
I located Lumiel precisely within the crowd and pointed to her.
“My lady, will you come with me?”
Lumiel took a labored step forward and eventually approached my side, her face looking as though she might burst into tears at any moment.
“I always thought that whenever the true owner appeared, I should yield this position. I believe that is the arrangement of Barion, who made me a Saint.”
I beamed at the congregation and extended my hand toward them.
“Everyone, I would like to ask for your applause and encouragement for our new Saint.”
They all froze momentarily, their expressions bewildered. But someone quick-witted began clapping, and the herd mentality drew applause from the other worshippers.
Soon the Cathedral filled with the sound of clapping. Yet Lumiel’s expression remained troubled. I couldn’t understand it.
“Why do you look like that?”
I whispered in a voice only Lumiel could hear.
“Isn’t this the situation you orchestrated? You should be delighted.”
Unless a Saint had grounds for disqualification, replacing or resigning from the position wasn’t easy—but thanks to Lumiel laying this groundwork, everything had become simple.
Of course, simply announcing it this way wouldn’t immediately change the Saint, but people needed a symbolic event to recognize the transition.
Since the original Saint was Lumiel anyway, there would be no complications, and everyone, including the Temple, would accept it quickly.
“….”
Lumiel said nothing, then whispered after a long pause.
“This isn’t what I wanted.”
Then she repeated it loudly, as if for everyone to hear.
“This isn’t what I wanted!”
It sounded so genuine that I barely suppressed a laugh.
“Saint, please take back what you said. I never intended to take your position….”
“As I said, it’s not taking—it’s reclaiming.”
I cut off Lumiel’s words and smiled faintly.
“For the past seven years, I’ve been waiting for you to return. Now no one will ever dare threaten you again.”
I embraced Lumiel with a wistful expression, then addressed the congregation.
“Then I wish you all health and happiness. May God’s grace always be with you.”
And I left that place, leaving Lumiel behind.
Everyone stepped aside for me, their expressions uncertain. Alfonso and Sergio were no exception.
They won’t believe it. Stepping down as Saint in this manner was unprecedented. Perhaps they think I’m joking.
Then I’ll have to show them I’m serious.

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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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