The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 91

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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 Holy Maiden Lies So Well! Episode 091
The lump of explosives stopped short of the audience seating, frozen mid-arc.
But the burning fuse was still eating away.
“Everyone, keep your heads down!”
I quickly erected a Defensive Barrier around the explosives.
Almost simultaneously, the gunpowder detonated with a thunderous boom that shook the entire theater.
Everyone stared at the explosion contained within the barrier, their faces blank with shock.
“Drop it, drop it!”
In that moment, security guards tackled the Demon Cultist who had rushed the stage.
He resisted fiercely, but seized a brief opening to draw a blade from his robes. Then he cried out in a loud voice.
“Great god Balak! Take this lamb into your paradise!”
In that instant, a large hand covered my eyes. Screams from the crowd followed.
“Don’t look.”
Sergio spoke in a low voice. He kept my eyes covered for a long while.

* * *
Fortunately, there were no casualties. Well, one person did die.
“Thanks to the Holy Maiden’s quick thinking, no one was injured. Thank you so much.”
Count Marcelli, the owner of the theater, came personally to greet me. I almost corrected him that I was no longer a holy maiden, but held my tongue.
“What happened to the man?”
“We’ve turned over the body to the Public Security Office. Since he’s suspected to be a Demon Worshipper, they’ll likely notify the Cathedral as well.”
“You must have been terrified, Count. For the time being, it would be wise to conduct thorough baggage inspections of the audience.”
“Of course. I’m just not sure how to repay you for today…….”
“I’ll have to decline. That no one was harmed is the greatest reward.”
As we left the theater, Sergio took my arm to steady me. I glanced back at him.
“I’m fine.”
“You were startled.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Liar.”
Sergio narrowed his brow and cupped my cheek in his hand.
“Your color is terrible.”
Perhaps it was. I was rattled, I’ll admit.
‘Why are they suddenly acting out like this?’
They said the sacrifices were done after last time. For fear of the Cathedral finding out.
Shouldn’t they keep their heads down then? A bombing is crossing the line.
“We should head home now.”
Of course I wanted to. But lies tumbled from my lips.
“I don’t want to.”
When I shook my head, Sergio’s expression flickered with surprise.
“But I arranged this time so carefully…….”
“What?”
“I don’t want it to end like this.”
When I stared at him stubbornly, Sergio hesitated for a moment, then sighed.
“Today won’t be the end. Is that what you need to hear to go home?”
“Don’t lie.”
“Why would I lie?”
“In seven years, you’ve never once taken me out. How hurt I’ve been…….”
By my standards, it was a lie, so my Gauge ticked up again.
I was satisfied with it, but my expression hardened at what came next.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. That was my fault.”
I nearly burst out laughing. So Sergio could apologize this easily to Justitia?
“If I spend more time with you from now on, that should make up for it. So let’s go home. You’ve been through too much today.”
…….
“Justitia?”
His coaxing tone was so tender that anger flared up in me. Before I knew it, I was biting my lip.
Finally, I nodded, and Sergio smiled with relief as he guided me toward the carriage.
During the ride home, I reflected on what had happened.
‘Holy Power really is impressive.’
Though magic didn’t exist here, Holy Power produced similar effects, but only a tiny handful of people possessed it in any meaningful measure.
That was why Formoso had become Archbishop at such a young age.
‘Justitia doesn’t have an abundance of Holy Power, as far as I know.’
Still, is it enough to block a single explosion? Or did this peculiar circumstance squeeze out every last ounce of strength she had?
‘At least there’s no damage. That’s a mercy.’
But I still couldn’t fathom why the Demon Worshippers had suddenly made their move.
[Current Gauge: 62.3%]
……Still, as an Outsider, there’s no need for me to care about such things.
‘After all, I’ll soon vanish from this world entirely.’
Then will people forget Justitia so quickly?
Of course they will. After all, there’s an excellent ‘replacement’ in Lumiel, just as Alfonso said. Regardless of who she actually is.
‘Ah, but I don’t like that.’
It didn’t matter to me whether Lumiel, who would step into Justitia’s vacant place after I vanished, brought ruin to the world or not.
But I hated the thought of Justitia fading quietly into memory. Especially not for Alfonso, Sergio, and Formoso.
‘I told you not to worry about what others think, and just do what you want to do. Didn’t I, Justitia?’
I wanted them all to feel the sting of regret when Justitia disappeared.
I wanted them to become hollow shells.
That would feel rather satisfying. But how could I make it happen?
“What are you thinking about?”
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Sergio asked from beside me.
I turned to look at him steadily, then murmured softly.
“How can I become someone truly important to my brother?”
……
“That sort of thing.”
Sergio’s eyes wavered. He fell silent for a long moment before he spoke.
“You’re already an important person, Justitia. Right now.”
I didn’t believe that. Not as important as Lumiel. But then it came to me—a realization.
I simply needed to become the real thing, the one irreplaceable piece, the one ‘option’ they could never consider a substitute for—to all three of them.
Then, when I left them, they would collapse completely. Like a Jenga tower with the center block pulled out.

* * *
The carriage arrived at the Cassini Mansion.
Due to Sergio’s insistence, I was helped down from the vehicle despite being perfectly fine, when someone approached me.
“Justitia.”
It was Alfonso—whom I hadn’t seen in quite some time.
He approached with his brow furrowed so deeply his expression was almost fierce, and seized my hand at once.
“Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I’m perfectly fine, but…… what brings you here?”
“I heard a report. You were caught in a bombing by Demon Worshippers at the Marcelli Grand Theater.”
Then shouldn’t you be somewhere else entirely, not here?
“The details of the matter would be better discussed at the Cathedral, I think.”
Sergio spoke the words I’d only thought silently.
“Justitia is no longer a saint, and besides, she knows nothing of this incident.”
“I didn’t come to press that matter, Duke Cassini. It’s just that…….”
Alfonso suddenly interlaced his fingers with the hand that held mine. Then he drew his lips up into a long smile and spoke.
“My fiancée was on my mind. That’s why I came.”
He pressed a kiss to the back of my hand and whispered.
“Justitia, you’re making such a great achievement and then leaving me? That makes no sense.”
The moment I heard those words, I was certain. The most effective way to truly break those three men was indeed…….
‘To become the perfect saint, the perfect noblewoman, the perfect queen—and then vanish.’
My resolve hardened. I met Alfonso’s gaze, still smiling, and whispered my question.
“You desire me that much? Even with Lady Lumiel here?”
“Of course, Justitia. How could I think of any other woman but you?”
“How lovely.”
I laughed genuinely and released his hand.
“How could I possibly turn away from Your Majesty’s true feelings?”
Alfonso’s smile deepened. Perhaps he was already interpreting this situation as part of my plan—
Thinking that I was simply trying to establish firm authority before the wedding.
“I’ll do as Your Majesty wishes.”
I was curious to see how his arrogance would tighten around your throat.

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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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