The Saint’s Manual for Redemption - Chapter 66

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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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Chapter 66
The moment I heard that answer, the first hypothesis that sprang to mind was hereditary disease.
Wasn’t Rilette’s mother and younger sibling just such a case? A sickness the Temple’s Healing Holy Power couldn’t resolve.
More precisely, it was a problem inscribed in the body itself—one that couldn’t be solved through the method of repairing damaged parts like trauma or acquired illness. From what I knew, there were almost no diseases that Healing Holy Power couldn’t resolve in one go, except for hereditary disease.
Of course, there were cases like Magical Corruption where Purification was needed rather than healing, but strictly speaking, those were closer to contamination or curse than actual disease.
“Is there perhaps a hereditary disease passed down through the family line?”
At my question, Edellin blinked.
“One that runs only through the paternal side, perhaps?”
Edellin herself didn’t appear to have any illness. The pallid skin that suggested sickness was makeup, her breathing was perfectly normal, and her fingertips had strength.
In that case, there was a possibility that the illness manifesting only in her father could be a hereditary disease passed down only through the paternal line. Of course, if that were the case, I’d need to check the medical history of the Norbert Marquis Estate a bit more.
Edellin thought for a moment, then carefully shook her head.
“I wouldn’t know that for certain. From what I remember, neither my Grandfather nor Grandmother showed any such symptoms.”
Hmm, then could it be Magical Corruption?
The case in Delheim village came to mind. An incident that seemed like an illness on the surface but was actually Magical Corruption. Even then, simple healing hadn’t resolved it—proper Purification had been necessary.
If the Marquis was in a similar situation, his relapse despite receiving treatment at the Main Temple could be explained. The healing would have temporarily suppressed the visible symptoms, but the underlying cause—the contamination—would have remained intact.
“Are you certain he received healing? Not Purification?”
As I pressed the question again, Edellin’s lips stiffened ever so slightly. She seemed exasperated at the repetition, but she couldn’t openly show annoyance before the Saint of the State Church.
She probably feared excommunication. She soon answered in a composed voice.
“Yes, the territorial physician definitely diagnosed it as a skin condition, and my father’s skin did improve markedly after receiving healing at the Temple. The problem was that it relapsed afterward.”
A skin condition. Improvement immediately after healing, then relapse.
If that were the case, it clearly wasn’t Magical Corruption—because if it had been, healing itself shouldn’t have worked without Purification.
“I see, then.”
I extended my hand.
“As thanks for providing me with lodging, I’ll heal your illness.”
Edellin immediately pulled her hand back.
“How could I ever expect compensation for the honor of attending to Your Holiness, the Saint and representative of God? I am quite well.”
How earnestly that sounded.
If I hadn’t known that this lady was a malingerer, I would certainly have been moved, declaring how genuine she was.
A noblewoman carrying an infirm body yet honoring the care of the Saint, turning down treatment with humble grace—she’d be perfect for a Temple publicity pamphlet.
But I knew well. That pale skin was makeup. And the breathing and bearing were far too stable for someone truly ill.
I lowered my gaze and noticed a faint trace of paint clinging to Edellin’s palm. Very faint, but definitely paint—it lingered in the creases of her hand even after washing.
“Is painting your hobby?”
Before Edellin could answer, the Butler opened his mouth proudly.
“All the abstract paintings hung in this Reception Hall were painted by the young lady herself.”
Edellin gave a slight nod confirming the Butler’s words.
I looked at the framed pictures on the wall. When I first entered, I’d thought they were merely decorative, but looking again, they certainly drew the eye.
The abstract paintings in the frames rivaled professional painters’ skill. The colors were bold, the lines seemed unstable yet possessed a subtle balance. Above all, they had the power to captivate the viewer’s gaze.
Talented, then. I thought to myself with admiration.
At the same time, another thought occurred to me.
If I asked right now why she was pretending to be ill, I’d likely be shown the door.
I hadn’t even begun to investigate the unpleasant, stuffy atmosphere pervading this manor—no need to invite the master’s suspicion just yet.
Why Edellin was feigning illness, why the servants were so scarce, whether the Marquis’s illness was genuine, what lay hidden in this Villa. There was too much to confirm.
I rose from my seat with a gentle expression.
“Whatever illness you may be suffering from, I can certainly heal it, so let me know if you change your mind.”
Edellin bowed respectfully once more.
“I am grateful for your mercy, Your Holiness.”
I acknowledged her bow with a nod, then turned to the Butler and spoke.
“Since I’ll be staying several days, I’d like to take a look around the manor. If you’re not busy, could you give me a tour?”
The Butler hesitated briefly but soon nodded. It would be difficult to refuse when the Saint wished to see the manor she’d be staying in.
Arden and Wilson Junior weren’t present, but I wasn’t particularly concerned. Since when did I rely on bodyguards?
Back in my day, any mission requiring two or more people was undertaken with the readiness to lose an arm. These young ones have gotten soft—they swarm together even for tasks this easy.
The Butler showed me around the manor. The Reception Hall, Dining Hall, a small Study, a Second Floor Corridor with the Guest Room, and an unused Music Room. He said it wasn’t used, but there was almost no dust. It was being maintained.
Yet it remained a mystery who was doing that maintenance. The Head Maid couldn’t possibly manage everything alone, and the presence of people in the manor was still oddly sparse.
Then, when we reached the Second Floor Corridor, the Butler quickened his pace subtly. He seemed ready to pass by without any particular explanation. I stopped immediately.
“What’s here?”
“The rooms here are being used as storage for the young lady’s art supplies. Since the young lady dislikes anyone touching her art supplies, we cannot enter.”
The Butler answered smoothly, showing no sign of alarm.
“All of it?”
“Yes. The young lady paints so much that she accumulates quite a lot of materials.”
An art supplies storage. Rooms where an ailing young lady convalescing pretends to be sick doesn’t want anyone touching her art supplies—and the servants can’t enter. A whole section of the Second Floor Corridor, no less.
Something about that room felt off.
I chose not to press further. If I questioned him now, the Butler would simply give a rehearsed answer. Instead, after being shown through all three floors, I returned to the Guest Room assigned to me. Arden was waiting inside.
The moment I entered, he asked me.
“Did you notice anything unusual?”
No, I mean—yes, I’ve handled crises well enough so far, but still, he’s supposed to be my escort knight. Shouldn’t he be more worried?
As I stared at Arden, he added as if he’d read my thoughts.
“I was following close behind. My guard duties continued throughout—please don’t misunderstand. Of course, I trust that you can navigate any danger that comes your way.”
If Arden had been with me, the Butler would have been more cautious. Conversely, because I moved alone—a young woman barely past her coming of age—the Butler let his guard down, making it easier for me to spot gaps in the manor’s security.
“There’s a suspicious room on the second floor.”
“The Art Supplies storage?”
“You knew about it?”
“I told you. I was following close behind.”
Just how close had he been? It wasn’t easy for me to miss someone’s presence. Arden was clearly more skilled than I’d given him credit for.
I lowered my voice further, speaking only loud enough for Arden to hear.
“I’m going to check it out tonight.”
“Then we should go together.”
One person draws less attention than two—that was obvious—but my instincts were telling me to bring Arden along. And my instincts tend to be remarkably reliable.
Was there something dangerous that only emerged at night in this manor? If so, it would likely be tied to Magical Corruption, wouldn’t it?
“All right. We’ll go together at night.”
The moment I nodded at Arden, a sharp knock sounded at the door—knock-knock.

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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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