The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 87

—————
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 087
“…Justitia?”
“….”
“Is that you, Justitia?”
No answer came. Yet I heard the faintest sound of fingertips tapping against stone.
In that same instant, Cassandro moved with frenzied urgency, tearing away the rocks as though possessed.
The cramped space widened, and the interior came into sharper view.
Justitia, huddled in a crouch, offered a faint smile as our eyes met.
“Well, Captain….”
Far more gaunt than when I’d last seen her, Justitia spoke in a rare, playful tone.
“You look even more handsome in the light.”
Cassandro’s throat tightened at her weakened voice, yet this was no moment to let tears fall.
He clenched his teeth, forced his lips upward, and grasped Justitia’s hand.
“You are beautiful, Justitia.”
“A lie. I must look absolutely dreadful right now….”
In that moment, Justitia’s body tilted sideways.
Cassandro caught her swiftly, then swallowed a cry of anguish. Her emaciated frame felt like blades piercing his chest.
“You always shine, in my eyes.”
Cassandro squeezed his eyes shut and murmured the words, then surveyed the children’s condition.
All appeared malnourished and weakened, yet mercifully, none bore signs of grave injury.
“D-did you come to rescue us? Can we go home now?”
One child asked him with desperate eyes. Cassandro managed a strained smile and nodded.
“Let’s go home.”

* * *
I managed fine for a day or two, but by the fourth day, I felt my strength draining away.
I was too busy maintaining defensive barriers with my holy power and breathing life into these starving bodies.
‘At least Cassandro found us before it was too late.’
I hadn’t worried much because I trusted him. Though I was concerned about how hard everyone was pushing themselves despite my protests.
‘Is this a dream?’
I found myself in a space of pure white emptiness with nothing else around. What kind of dream was this?
“It’s been a while.”
Then I heard a familiar voice from behind. When I turned, Justitia was smiling and waving at me.
“A while? Have we met before?”
“Yes. You just won’t remember it now.”
“Do you know what I’ve been doing with your body?”
Justitia nodded.
“You’re doing well.”
“I thought you’d approve.”
I spoke with satisfaction.
“When you return, my brother will love you as dearly as a true sister, and you’ll be able to marry a better man than the King who killed you. Since you truly are a saint, I won’t abandon that position for you. Everything you ever wanted in life will come true when you return.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Justitia shook her head. I furrowed my brow at her incomprehensible words.
“What do you mean it doesn’t matter?”
“Because I won’t be returning.”
I was struggling to understand when Justitia, still wearing that gentle smile, explained.
“Even if you choose to return to your original world, my soul won’t return to that body.”
“So you’re completely dead then?”
Justitia laughed ambiguously.
“Not exactly, but I can’t return. I’ve already used up my chance.”
“Then what happens to this body?”
“Well, it will fade away, I suppose.”
Justitia murmured meaningfully before smiling.
“So live as you wish. That body is yours now, so you don’t need to worry about anyone’s eyes.”
“No, I’m fine. Once I fill the gauge, I’ll return anyway….”
At that moment, my eyes opened. I lay dazed for a moment, then turned my head to see Cassandro leaning forward with his hand pressed to his forehead.
“…Justitia?”
It was the faintest sound, yet Cassandro detected it and hurriedly lifted his head. I smiled and waved at him.
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“….”
At those words, Cassandro’s expression turned fierce.
Bewildered by what looked like anger, I was confronted with something even more startling.
Tears welled up in his large eyes and began falling down his cheeks.
“Are you crying?”
“….”
“Hm, did I make you cry…?”
I had only greeted him.
As I stood there flustered, Cassandro suddenly rose from his seat without even wiping away his tears.
Then he dropped to his knees right before me.
I was so startled that I jumped to my feet.
“W-what are you doing right now?”
“I apologize, Justitia.”
Cassandro bowed his head deeply.
“As a knight, I failed to protect the one I serve and instead put you in danger. There is no excuse—it is entirely my fault. I….”
Then he said something that left me speechless.
“I intend to step down as Commander of the Holy Knight Order, effective today.”
“What? Why on earth would you do that?”
“I cannot presume to hold such a position when I have failed to properly protect the one I should be protecting.”
“No, wait. Please, just calm down for a moment.”
I patted the shoulders of this man who had begun spiraling from tears to resignation, but Cassandro merely flinched and maintained his posture.
I sighed and called to him.
“Cassandro.”
“….”
“Look at me.”
“I have no right to….”
“So you’re saying you’ll ignore what I’m telling you right now?”
At those words, Cassandro pressed his lips together and lifted his head. I spoke sternly to dispel his delusion.
“This situation arose because I brought the danger upon myself. You clearly warned me against it. So is this really your fault?”
“Since I consented to it, I should have been responsible for your safety.”
“You were responsible. You rescued me and the children safely. The children are all right, aren’t they?”
“All are unharmed.”
“Thank goodness.”
Then a brief silence fell between us.
Irritated that Cassandro’s head had drooped again, I grasped his cheek and forced it upward.
‘What is this? He’s not even someone who was stranded with me.’
His cheeks were far too gaunt, and dark shadows hung beneath his eyes. How could someone become this haggard in just a few days?
“You didn’t go without sleep while conducting the rescue operation, did you?”
Cassandro looked at me with startled eyes before quietly averting his gaze. I issued a warning.
“Don’t avoid my eyes. If you do, I really will be angry.”
“Saint.”
Cassandro exhaled a short sigh before speaking.
“There is no need for you to show me mercy. This situation is clearly my fault.”
“It’s not about mercy—it’s about being clear about what is and isn’t your responsibility. You did everything you could to protect me.”
Still, it seemed Cassandro was not convinced by such words.
Here, saying I’m not actually a saint won’t work anymore, will it?
I decided to change my strategy.
“I was truly startled! How did you dispatch so many enemies in an instant? You’re really amazing. You’re probably the strongest in our country, aren’t you?”
I expected him to be pleased, but Cassandro’s expression darkened for some reason. What, he didn’t like my exceptional praise?
“So you saw all of that.”
“Of course. We shared our vision, after all.”
“….”
Cassandro’s expression remained dark.
Though I didn’t understand why, clearing the atmosphere took priority, so I quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway, I’m withdrawing my resignation. Unless you want me to feel indebted to you.”
“That’s not something you should say. The debt is rather on my side….”
“That’s exactly why we shouldn’t both feel a sense of obligation we can’t even understand.”
I cut off his words firmly and placed my hand on his cheek. Cassandro flinched and looked at me.
“A grown man, and yet you cry.”
As I grumbled and wiped away the tear stains on his cheek, I suddenly met his gaze.
Staring into those ruby-like, lustrous crimson eyes, I was captivated by an inexplicable sensation.
It was when my hand had unconsciously stiffened.
“Saint!”
The door suddenly burst open without a knock. I startled and quickly withdrew my hand from Cassandro’s face.
Formoso stood there, breathing heavily, his gaze alternating between me and Cassandro.
Cassandro stepped aside, and I cleared my throat before attempting to greet him.
“Archbishop, it’s been a while since we’ve met….”
But Formoso strode forward and suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace.

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