The esteemed Lord Protector, Zero, who held the second-highest rank in the vast empire, began to speak with a raised voice.
He was one of the few who could voice his opinion, even overriding the Emperor himself.
“The Saintess’s statements are completely illogical from start to finish,” Zero declared.
“Bring Victor Evans back? Then why did we spend so much on summoning Raul in the first place? Raul hasn’t even been confirmed dead. If we’re going to bring someone back, it should be Raul. He is far superior in aptitude as a hero. Didn’t I already say Victor is a talentless nobody? No, it’s not just my words—this past year has proven it to be true. How long are we supposed to repeat the same mistake? Truly, our Saintess must explain.”
“With all due respect,”
Saintess Esther retorted, refusing to back down,
“We saw it with our own eyes—the true nature of Hero Raul. He was nothing more than a weak, helpless individual without any talent or courage. Moreover, he was taken away by Lesia, whom we cannot hope to contend with, and his fate is now unknown. Rescuing him will be incredibly difficult.”
“Hmph! That must be because you all were incompetent. A new expedition can be formed to rescue Raul, with the imperial army taking charge,” Zero insisted.
“That would be a waste of money, time, and lives.”
“How can you be so certain, Saintess? Or perhaps…are you in league with the demons?”
“What did you just say?”
“Now that I think about it, something does seem odd,” Zero added, stirring the room with his words.
“Is it believable that she alone survived unscathed during the demon’s attack? Everyone has secrets, yet she claims to be pure and innocent? Unless she had conspired with the demons in advance, such a situation is hard to believe. In the end, we lost our hero in this expedition, and the only one who gained anything—enhanced reputation—is Saintess Esther. Could this all be a coincidence?”
“I don’t feel it’s worth responding to such baseless accusations,” Esther stated coldly.
“Or is it that you simply can’t respond?” Zero pressed further.
“Listen, everyone! According to reports, the Saintess didn’t cast a single healing or blessing spell on her companions during the entire expedition. Look at their injuries—these are seasoned veterans who hadn’t suffered significant harm in the past year. Yet this time, they were riddled with wounds. The enemy wasn’t even stronger than usual; it was the same Four Heavenly Kings. So, what’s the explanation?”
“If the enemy hasn’t grown stronger,” Esther replied softly,
“then perhaps it is we who have grown weaker.”
“Hah! What kind of nonsense is that? I’ll ask the party members directly—did any of you feel unwell or notice any ominous signs during this expedition?”
“No…not particularly.”
“It was just like any other time.”
“Nothing unusual happened.”
When all the party members denied any such issues, Zero became even more assertive.
“There you have it! The Saintess intentionally neglected her duty to heal her companions. A Saintess who should have been supporting the rear deliberately left their injuries unattended, forcing the frontline fighters to overexert themselves, unable to perform at their best. This is the truth. The failure of Hero Raul was likely due to the same reason. The cause of this expedition’s failure is none other than Saintess Esther.”
“Lord Protector, that’s enough!”
“Moreover, there is information suggesting she is close friends with Teresha, who was expelled for embezzlement in the past.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“It’s relevant! They say you can judge someone by the company they keep!”
“That’s enough,” a voice interrupted.
It was the Emperor, stepping in to mediate the escalating dispute.
He gazed down upon the room with an expression of arrogance and severity.
“The Lord Protector has a point. There is indeed something suspicious about the Saintess’s behavior.”
“Your Majesty!”
“Saintess, you have undoubtedly saved countless lives with your healing and blessings in the convent. Your abilities are beyond question, even recognized by His Holiness the Pope. Yet, why were you so exceptionally sparing with your companions?”
“I did not do so intentionally! My magic simply didn’t work on them!”
“Why? Surely you’re not suggesting your companions are demons? If not, there is no reason for your blessings to fail.”
“That’s… That’s…!”
With all eyes, even those of her companions, filled with doubt, Esther suddenly arrived at the truth.
“It must be because…! They’ve grown resistant due to overexposure to potent healing magic over time… I suspect they’ve developed an immunity.”
“What? What kind of explanation is that?”
“In other words, this is just my speculation,” Esther said, resigning herself to explain everything that came to mind.
Victor… the previous Hero Victor Evans… must have been the owner of a tremendous… magical skill… perhaps one related to healing and blessings,” Esther speculated, her voice hesitant yet resolute.
“Unknowingly, he may have been supporting his companions with this skill, and as a result, they developed immunity to healing magic. It’s possible that my spells were ineffective due to their resistance.”
Her words immediately provoked a backlash from the party members.
“Esther! What nonsense are you spouting now? You’ve been going too far!”
“Cynthia’s right! Can you stop with these ridiculous assumptions? You don’t even know Victor!”
“We traveled with him for a whole year. Not once did that guy ever contribute anything useful!”
At that moment, Esther lifted her gaze to meet Zero’s eyes.
She had reached the complete truth.
“In other words,” she continued, “Lord Protector Zero lied to Victor Evans, telling him, ‘You are useless.’ And Victor ended up believing that lie. Yet despite this, he unconsciously activated his abilities. Isn’t that possible?”
“Utter nonsense!”
Zero’s face turned beet-red as he shouted.
“Abilities? What abilities?! Explain what kind of skill that useless Hero could have possibly possessed!”
“Perhaps… a buff-related ability,” Esther suggested calmly.
…!!!
Esther’s precision hit the mark.
At this point, Zero began to sweat profusely.
He sneaked a glance at the Emperor, who was now scrutinizing him with a piercing gaze.
“Zero, you seem to be sweating a lot. Is something the matter?” the Emperor asked.
“N-not at all, Your Majesty. I am simply dumbfounded by the Saintess’s absurd claims.”
“Hmm…”
Feigning ignorance, the Emperor mused,”Both the Saintess and the Lord Protector have valid points. It would indeed be difficult to rescue Raul, trapped deep in the Demon Continent, even if we deployed the imperial army. Yet, we cannot go without a Hero. We need someone capable of opposing the Demon King. Thus, I shall issue a decree. Saintess Esther.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“I will give you the chance to prove the truth of your words.”
“Pardon?”
“You shall temporarily leave the Hero’s party and bring Victor Evans here. We will conduct a reassessment of his abilities, not through Zero, but with another examiner.”
“Your Majesty!”
Zero cried out in desperation.
“Are you doubting me? There is no tool in existence more reliable than my Status Eye!”
“Among the tools of the Great Sage Minerva,” the Emperor recalled,
“there is said to be a crystal ball capable of revealing a person’s skills. We shall borrow it and reevaluate Victor. If your Status Eye is accurate, the crystal ball will confirm it. No need to worry. Unless…”
The Emperor’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“Do you have something to hide?”
“N-no, Your Majesty!”
“Hmm.”
The Emperor’s gaze lingered on Zero before shifting back to Esther.
“Saintess, I cannot give you much time. This world cannot endure long without a Hero.”
Raising a single finger, he declared, “I grant you one week. Within that time, locate Victor Evans and bring him here.”
“Understood, Your Majesty! I will meet your expectations!”
Esther bowed deeply and ran out at full speed, knowing she had no time to waste.
As for the party members, the Emperor briefly locked eyes with Jeanne and Tiffana, who were glaring at him in reproach.
Clearing his throat, he announced,
“I will determine your fate after Victor returns. For now, remain under house arrest until responsibility is clarified.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“That will be all. Today’s audience is adjourned! Disperse!”
The Emperor dismissed the assembly and returned to his chambers.
Waiting there, as though anticipating his arrival, was Princess Irene—a prodigious talent whose brilliance even the Emperor could not fully grasp.
“Irene, you saw the proceedings earlier, didn’t you?” the Emperor asked.
“Yes, Father,” Irene replied with her usual composure.
“What do you think of Esther’s claims?”
“I believe her words…” Irene said, her tone as serene as ever.
“…are entirely correct.”
“Do you think Victor possesses exceptional talents and was the foundation of the Hero’s party?”
“Yes.”
“I see… You may leave now.”
“Yes, Father.”
Irene bowed gracefully and exited the room.
The Emperor turned to where she had stood, ensuring she was truly gone.
Then, like a child, his face crumpled into a pitiful expression.
“Shit… I’m screwed,” he muttered, sweat pouring down his face more heavily than Zero’s.
The Emperor had a secret reason for desperately needing a powerful Hero.