The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 77

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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 077
A chill ran down my spine. He laughed? Wasn’t displeasure the natural response in such a situation?
Something felt off about it all.
“Let’s head back to the mansion. Just pack four boxes of macarons.”
“Four boxes?”
“One for me, one for Polia, one for my brother, and one for the noblewoman.”
“I understand the first three, but why purchase macarons for Cassini Noblewoman as well?”
I would have preferred to skip that too, but seeing Nora’s reluctant expression, I ended up buying two additional boxes for her before leaving the cafe. It was an extravagant expense.
“Is it alright to spend so much money?”
Nora’s concern came belatedly as she asked from inside the carriage. I let out a small laugh and replied.
“Isn’t your worry coming a bit late?”
“Oh, I got so dazzled by the macarons.”
“It’s fine. My brother doesn’t pinch pennies over money matters.”
Even when I was at the Cathedral, Formoso never begrudged my spending, but as a saint, there simply weren’t many places to use large sums.
“Think of it as spending all the money I couldn’t use at the Cathedral here.”
“Hehe, I’ll still exercise restraint for a while.”
Watching Nora’s happiness, I made a mental note to scout out another dessert cafe soon.
* * *
Upon arriving at Cassini Mansion and stepping out of the carriage, I encountered an unexpected person.
“…Cassandro?”
Why on earth was this man here?
My confusion didn’t last long. Formoso’s carriage was parked beside Cassandro’s.
Ah, so this was the appointment he’d mentioned.
“Nora, could you deliver the macarons to Polia and come back?”
Wanting to avoid an awkward encounter with Formoso, I sent Nora ahead and faced Cassandro.
“You’ve brought the Archbishop?”
“Yes.”
I’d expected him to come eventually, and now he finally had. I was about to enter the mansion without much concern when—
“If you would rather not, there is no obligation to comply.”
Turning at the voice from behind, Cassandro looked at me and repeated his cryptic words.
“I respect the Saint’s choice.”
“You’ve always been that way. I appreciate it.”
Assuming it was naturally about my return as a saint, I responded casually and moved toward the mansion.
“It has been a long time, Saint.”
Formoso, whom I met in the reception room, looked even thinner than the last time I’d seen him.
He’d always been slender, but now he appeared so gaunt that a light push might topple him over.
“Have you been well?”
“I have, but it seems the Archbishop has not fared as well.”
“Ah.”
Formoso laughed weakly.
“I haven’t been eating well, truth be told. Ever since the Saint left the Cathedral, I’ve had no appetite whatsoever.”
“Oh dear.”
I arranged my expression into one of genuine concern.
“Still, you mustn’t neglect your meals. Seeing you so gaunt troubles me for your health.”
[That’s a lie.]
[Lie Gauge increased by 0.1%]
[Current Gauge: 69.2%]
How absurd. Even fasting, holy power maintains one’s appearance in perfect health.
He must have deliberately refrained from using his holy power just to garner my sympathy.
“If you’ve come regarding my return to the Cathedral, I’m afraid—”
“I came to propose something different.”
“No, that won’t be necessary. I—”
“Saint.”
Formoso cut me off decisively, his gaze fixed upon me.
“Listen. Children are being abducted.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“We’ve received reports. It seems children have been disappearing en masse from several orphanages recently.”
I furrowed my brow and asked.
“Has this been reported to the Public Security Office?”
“Of course. They requested our investigative cooperation first.”
“But the Temple doesn’t typically intervene in such matters unless it involves heresy or demon worship—”
I paused mid-sentence and looked at Formoso.
“Is that what this is?”
“It’s merely suspicion at this point. Cases of mass child disappearances have occurred throughout history—”
Formoso trailed off uncomfortably, as if reluctant to continue.
Of course, I’m aware that heretics and demon worshippers in this region have committed the crime of human sacrifice using children.
But that all happened long ago, and surely no faction has grown powerful enough recently to perpetrate such acts?
“We should also consider the possibility they’ve been sold into slavery.”
“Yes, the Public Security Office says they’re focusing their investigation in that direction.”
Formoso nodded.
“However, when it comes to heretics and demon worshippers, the Temple is more expert than they are. That’s why they’ve sought our cooperation.”
“And why have you come to me?”
“We would like you to investigate this matter alongside us. As you know, in Scalia, there are precious few who can wield holy power meaningfully—”
“The Archbishop, myself, and the Cassini Noblewoman, that’s all.”
I interrupted Formoso and spoke.
“So it needn’t be me specifically.”
“Are you saying you’ll turn a blind eye to children in danger?”
“That’s not what I meant—”
His leap in logic made me furrow my brow.
“I’m simply suggesting that if holy power is necessary for this investigation, it would be wise to seek the Noblewoman’s assistance as well, not just mine.”
“But he’s an outsider, so it’s a matter that must be kept confidential.”
“I’m an outsider now too.”
Recalling what Cassandro had told me, my words came out sharper than I intended. Formoso shook his head.
“You were once with the Cathedral, so I find you far more trustworthy, Your Holiness.”
That argument held considerable weight—especially now that I harbored some lingering doubts about Lumiel.
“But if you ultimately refuse, Your Holiness, what more can I do? You’re someone who doesn’t let herself be held back even now. I have no intention of forcing you.”
The last remark sounded somewhat sarcastic. I exhaled and opened my mouth.
“If this is a matter of security, then my participation in this investigation should also be kept confidential. Promise me it has nothing to do with my return.”
“…Of course. If that’s what you wish.”
“Fine. I’ll lend my strength. What do I need to do?”
Children were disappearing—not something trivial—and I knew I’d feel uneasy even if I refused.
“It’s not widely known, but sacred power possesses an ability to borrow another’s sight.”
In simpler terms, it was the ability to see exactly what another person sees. But why was he bringing this up now?
“The areas where reports have come in all share a common trait—they’re slums near the Monastery. Following this pattern, the next kidnapping will likely occur at the Morto Orphanage in the Fiore District.”
“So if I stay at the Morto Orphanage and the children fall into danger…”
“We would learn the criminals’ hideout through the children’s eyes.”
I fell silent, caught off guard.
“It would be more effective to simply restrict the children’s outings and minimize harm.”
“We don’t know how long the criminals will remain active, so we can’t keep doing that indefinitely.”
His logic wasn’t flawed, but I felt deeply uncomfortable. It sounded like he was suggesting we use the children as bait.
“Archbishop, there’s no guarantee we’ll even locate the criminals’ hideout this way. They’re not fools—they’ll obviously blindfold the children and move them.”
Some inexplicable urgency made my voice turn irritable despite myself.
“Even if we’re lucky enough to discover their hideout, we can’t guarantee the safety of the children used as bait.”
“True, but what else can we do? It’s merely a small sacrifice to prevent greater loss.”
So sacrificing a few is acceptable if it saves many? Logically, it wasn’t wrong, but I despised the thought of accepting it.
As I fell silent, unable to articulate my refusal, Formoso sighed softly as if understanding my heart, and grasped my hand.
“Of course I know this troubles you, Your Holiness. But you can’t become a child yourself, so there’s no helping it. We need contact with the criminal to even begin unraveling this case.”
[You can become a child.]
My status window suddenly appeared. The abruptness startled me, and then another status window materialized.

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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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