The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 92

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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 Too Good at Lying! Episode 92
“You were truly magnificent today, miss. Everyone will sing your praises.”
Nora murmured as if still dazed by the memory.
She was right. Just days later, when I went to the Grand Cathedral for a prayer service, everyone seized me and poured out compliments.
“I was there! The Saint saved my life. How could I ever repay such a debt?”
“I only did what needed to be done.”
“Are you truly certain you have no wish to return as Saint? There is no Saint in Scalia but you.”
They all spoke in unison. I merely smiled and offered no further reply.
After all, it was I who walked away from that position once. To return, I would need justification.
“Saint.”
Ah, how convenient—that very justification was approaching me now. The moment Formoso drew near, the faithful clung to him as though they’d been waiting for precisely this.
“Archbishop!”
“Archbishop, please persuade the Saint to reconsider. It makes no sense for one who has accomplished such great deeds to remain in the secular world.”
“I share your sentiments entirely.”
Formoso regarded me with a kindly smile.
The recent terror attacks seemed to have worn him down; there was a peculiar, dissolute grace about his exhaustion.
It was a thought I’d entertained before—his face was far too dangerous for a priest.
“Might we speak privately for a moment?”
I nodded. The faithful parted eagerly, their joy evident.
Formoso watched them go, his voice low and measured.
“How gratifying that everyone shares my view.”
He turned his gaze to me and spoke.
“What you did today was truly extraordinary. I confess, I didn’t expect such resolve from you.”
“It was only my duty. To receive such praise from you, Archbishop, is almost embarrassing.”
“I don’t intend to end with mere praise.”
His eyes grew grave.
“Saint, do you truly wish not to return? My feelings on this matter remain unchanged. You are the only true Saint.”
“I’ve made a declaration. How could I go back on it? I would not become such a shameless person.”
[That is a lie.]
[Lie Gauge increased by 0.1%]
[Current gauge: 64.5%]
“Yet everyone wishes for you to reconsider. Even the Cassini Noblewoman does not desire to claim your seat.”
“If the Cassini Noblewoman had wanted my position, would everyone still react as they do now?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Formoso made a small sound of confusion. I regarded him steadily, then smiled.
“I cannot undo a decision I’ve made myself. I refuse to become a liar.”
“Then allow me to act.”
Formoso spoke as though to ease my concerns.
“At today’s Monthly Mass, I shall formally petition for your return. You need only appear reluctant before accepting. Then it is not a reversal—merely an acceptance of heartfelt appeal. Does this suit you?”
“But if rumors spread that you are desperately beseeching me, what then?”
My words were cast as a jest, yet something shifted in Formoso’s expression. He looked almost moved.
“Are you concerned for me?”
“Always.”
I lied without the slightest hesitation, and something flickered in his eyes.
“Even at prayer, I always beseech for your wellbeing. Do you not do the same?”
“Of course I do.”
Suddenly curious whether this was genuine, I deployed the Lie Detection.
[That is the truth.]
In all the time I’d known him, Formoso was sincere in this regard at least.
He had acknowledged that I was the true Saint and showed me respect. After Justitia’s death, he had withdrawn into the Grand Cathedral, becoming incapable of functioning in daily life.
Yet the way he had refused to treat my broken leg and sought to bind my body to the Cathedral, or how after Lumiel’s carriage accident he’d used self-reflection as a pretext for confinement—
‘Ah, of course.’
The moment I acknowledged a premise I’d dismissed with the conviction that ‘it could never be,’ every doubt dissolved.
There was no need for awkward questions or the Lie Detection. The answer was blindingly obvious.
‘Brazen.’
Nora’s eyes had been accurate. I nearly laughed despite myself. Yet one question still remained.
If Formoso truly harbored feelings for Justitia that exceeded those of a priest—
why hadn’t he trusted her? How could he send the woman he loved to the guillotine?
‘Though to be fair, at that time, sheltering Justitia carelessly could have endangered the Cathedral itself.’
So his own safety had mattered more than his affection. And who would welcome such shallow love?
Now that I am Justitia, such things won’t happen again.
I won’t expose the truth of that meager affection. Though in a way, I found it regrettable.
‘But I can condemn your paltry feelings through other means.’
It was only frustrating that I couldn’t employ that method just yet. I smiled and murmured to myself.
“How delightful to learn we share the same sentiments.”
Formoso’s lips curved slowly upward. I gazed at him for a moment before speaking.
“Shouldn’t you be going? The Monthly Mass will begin shortly.”
“Yes, Saint.”
Formoso took my hand with an even more pleased expression and pressed his lips to the back of it. Then, tilting his head slightly, he gazed at me intently and spoke in a hushed tone.
“I shall have you join me presently.”
I nodded, and Formoso departed with a deepened smile. I drew out a handkerchief and wiped the back of my hand briskly when Nora asked in an astonished voice.
“You really mean to return?”
“I’ll miss it. I’d grown rather fond of worldly pleasures.”
“Oh, Saint. The dessert cafe isn’t even far from the Cathedral.”
At Nora’s refusal to give up entirely, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
I nodded with deliberate grace, reassuring her.
“Don’t worry. I’ve enjoyed our outings together quite a lot. Once I return to the Cathedral, let’s continue going often.”
“Oh, how wonderful!”
“It seems you’re more delighted by the prospect of continuing trips to the dessert cafe than by my return as a saint?”
“My goodness, what are you saying…… Both are equally joyful occasions.”
Nora waved her hand, her face flushed with embarrassment. We exchanged playful banter as we stepped into the Chapel.
“Oh, Saint!”
And I received the same shower of praise as before. As I was greeting the faithful with a smile.
“Silence, please. The Archbishop is entering.”
Formoso walked into the Chapel.
“I begin our prayer, offering blessings to all gathered beneath the light of Barion Faith.”
The service had begun, and as my attention drifted, someone grabbed and shook my arm.
When I came to my senses, Lumiel was smiling and gesturing toward the pulpit.
“Cassini Noblewoman Justitia, would you step forward for a moment?”
At Formoso’s summons, I hesitated before moving ahead. He placed his hand gently on my shoulder and spoke.
“As you well know, Cassini Noblewoman Justitia prevented a bomb attack by Demon Worshippers at the Marcelli Grand Theater several days ago.”
Formoso looked at me with an expression of genuine pride.
“To this end, the Cathedral wishes to offer official commendation. We ask you all to give a round of applause for this just and valiant woman.”
Thunderous applause filled the Chapel.
Even though we had agreed to this beforehand, I felt embarrassed and could only smile in silence.
“Furthermore, the Cathedral would like to make a formal request of you, Justitia.”
Formoso suddenly dropped to one knee before me. It was a posture that resembled a proposal.
Wait—I never told him to go this far.
“Will you become our saint once more? You are the only saint Scalia has.”

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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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