The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 99

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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 99
“That can’t be true.”
I pressed my hand to my mouth, feigning shock.
“The noblewoman would never do such a thing. Surely it’s Polia who’s lying, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. She’s fabricating accusations to escape her predicament. How outrageous.”
Formoso let out a hollow laugh before turning to the priest.
“So what did the Cassini Noblewoman claim—how did she say she came by that mask?”
“Well… she said she requested a public interrogation because the Public Security Office wouldn’t believe her account otherwise. She promised to reveal the rest of the story then.”
“Archbishop, this is no trivial matter.”
I interjected with a grave expression.
“I think we should hold a public interrogation just as Polia suggests. With people so anxious right now, a transparent resolution is our best course of action.”
“And she’s also requested additional protection. She’s making the absurd claim that the Cassini Noblewoman will try to kill her if this story gets out.”
“What a despicable woman.”
I spoke with visible disgust.
“But I do think we should proceed as she requests, Archbishop. If only for surveillance. All the Demon Worshippers we’ve captured so far have bitten their own tongues and died—it’s been quite vexing.”
“I’ll send a few members of the Knight Order to guard her.”
Formoso nodded, then gave the priest his instructions. The moment he left, Formoso turned to me with a sympathetic gaze.
“Why do you look so troubled?”
“I imagine you’re carrying a heavy burden, Saint. Weren’t you close to Polia?”
“Once, perhaps. But that’s become impossible now. Not only has she been accused of Demon Worship, but she’s also made false accusations against the Cassini Noblewoman.”
I turned to Formoso with an expression of disdain.
“Please conduct a thorough investigation and uncover the truth, Archbishop.”
“Of course. Don’t worry yourself, Saint.”
Formoso smiled and slowly patted my shoulder. I sighed and gently moved his hand away.
“I should go see the Cassini Noblewoman. She must be terribly distressed by now.”
I headed straight to the Cassini Mansion to comfort Lumiel. Sergio happened to be there.
The moment I saw him, tears sprang to my eyes. Sergio looked startled and hurried over to me.
“What’s wrong, Justitia? You’re about to cry at the sight of me—it’s quite unsettling.”
“Seeing you just… overwhelmed me.”
I sniffled and wiped my eyes roughly.
When Sergio saw my reddened eyes, his expression softened with concern.
“I came because I’m worried about the noblewoman. Is it true that Polia accused her?”
“It’s absurd. She was a saint, after all.”
“Exactly. How could she make such a vile accusation…”
I shook my head, looking bewildered.
“Don’t worry. Once the Cathedral holds a public verification, no one will dare suspect the noblewoman.”
“Of course not. Would you like to see Lumiel? Only if you’re comfortable, of course.”
He seemed to remember what I’d said before. I nodded.
“Of course. That’s why I came—to offer her comfort.”
“You’re kind.”
Sergio smiled faintly as we made our way to Lumiel’s room.
“How is the noblewoman holding up?”
“When she heard the news, she fell into despair. She’s hardly been eating.”
“That won’t do. The false testimony will be exposed anyway…”
I grew increasingly restless as we entered Lumiel’s room.
Lumiel lay curled up with her blanket pulled over her head.
“…Please leave me be. I just want to stay like this.”
“Lumiel, Justitia is here.”
“Noblewoman.”
I pulled back her blanket with a pained expression. Lumiel’s face came into view, and I saw the toll the ordeal had taken.
“Oh my goodness. Your face is half-swollen.”
I made a sound of deep sympathy and drew her into my arms.
“Don’t worry, Noblewoman. I believe in your innocence.”
“Saint…”
Lumiel opened her mouth weakly.
“I don’t understand why this is happening to me.”
“Don’t worry. At the public interrogation, it will become clear how baseless her claims are.”
I spent about ten minutes consoling Lumiel with reassuring words. Only after she’d regained some composure and agreed to eat did Sergio and I leave.
“Thank you.”
He spoke quietly.
“Still, I’m glad you came. It seems to have lifted Lumiel’s spirits.”
“You’re too kind. Family looks after each other—it’s only natural.”
I gazed at Sergio with a wistful expression.
“You must be carrying a heavy burden yourself.”
“Me? No…… Lumiel is the one who’s suffering.”
“Everything will turn out well. I only wish I could be of more help.”
“You’re doing more than enough. Just being here means everything.”
Sergio offered a faint smile, regarding me quietly.
I held his gaze for a moment, then gently drew him into an embrace. His body went rigid beneath my arms.
When I pulled away, Sergio looked at me with an expression of bewilderment.
“I wanted to comfort you. You’re always the one consoling others.”
“……I see.”
Sergio’s lips moved soundlessly before he spoke.
“Thank you. I’ll escort you to the Cathedral.”
“You don’t have to, surely? You must be busy.”
“I have some time.”
I saw no reason to decline. As our carriage wound toward the Cathedral, Sergio brought up Alfonso.
“Lumiel mentioned you’ve been going on outings with His Majesty lately.”
“Oh, that dress business.”
I smiled and nodded.
“Yes, His Majesty came to the Cathedral that day.”
“He didn’t take you to the theater, did he?”
“Aside from visiting the boutique, it was quite ordinary. We just had dinner and tea.”
“Next time, I’ll do the same.”
The unexpected remark made me look at him; Sergio elaborated with an expressionless face.
“The boutique, I mean. I hadn’t thought of it. I assumed you wouldn’t care much for such things.”
“That’s true—I’m not particularly interested in buying dresses or jewelry. His Majesty said afterward that I could sell them if I wished, so I went along.”
“You can do the same with anything I give you.”
Sergio fell silent for a moment, then asked,
“But you’ll wear it at least once?”
“Of course.”
We arrived at the Cathedral as our conversation continued.
The door opened and Cassandro moved to escort me out, but Sergio blocked his path and took my hand.
“I’ll do it.”
Startled, I hid my reaction and let him have his way.
After stepping down from the carriage, Sergio gazed at me intently before speaking.
“Next time, we’ll meet here.”
Clarissa’s public interrogation was to take place in the Grand Cathedral Chapel. I nodded in acknowledgment.
“That day, the Cassini Noblewoman will have her innocence restored.”
“Indeed.”
After our brief exchange, Sergio departed. I turned to head back to my quarters when Cassandro followed.
“Will you escort me to my room? There’s no need.”
“Are you certain, my lady?”
His expression remained neutral as always, yet somehow conveyed concern.
“You were close with Polia, weren’t you?”
“Captain, haven’t I told you? Appearances aren’t everything.”
At my pointed remark, Cassandro fell silent. I smiled at his reaction.
[Current Gauge: 68.1%]
Seventy percent was within sight. I felt certain I would cross that threshold on the day of Clarissa’s interrogation.

* * *
The date for Clarissa’s public interrogation was set swiftly.
Given the gravity of the matter, the King himself attended, along with Sergio and Lumiel, and every notable nobleman converged upon the Cathedral.
“This is a waste of time—we should simply execute her by fire and be done with it.”
“There must be procedure, nonetheless.”
While all eyes searched eagerly among the nobility for any hidden Demon Worshippers, it was Clarissa who was caught.
With both arms restrained, she was brought before the assembly, met with a torrent of hateful stares.
“Look—the witch has appeared!”
“Please, maintain your composure.”
As someone in the crowd cried out, Formoso raised his voice in stern rebuke. He would preside over today’s interrogation to ensure its fairness.
At that moment, our eyes met.
Clarissa lifted the corners of her mouth into a smile—something about it seemed to say Don’t worry, and I nearly burst out laughing.

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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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