“You knew Lance was Undead?”
Cecilia looked at Astrid with an expression as if she had seen a ghost.
However, looking at Astrid, she found that the Elf also wore a look of unbelievable panic.
‘Aren’t you the Elf Princess and a devout believer in the God of Nature? Shouldn’t you be extremely hostile toward the Undead?’
‘Aren’t you the Radiant Saintess and a devout believer in the God of Holy Light? How can you tolerate the existence of someone like Lance?’
These thoughts flashed through both their minds simultaneously, yet they both tacitly acted as if nothing had happened and regained their composure.
Sensing that something was slightly off, Astrid quickened her pace by two steps to walk side-by-side with Cecilia. This way, she could observe the Saintess more clearly.
“So, Her Eminence the Radiant Saintess is truly a sentimental person, even violating the teachings for Lance’s sake.”
‘Is she calling me out?’
Cecilia, who had read the classics of the Church of Holy Light extensively, understood in an instant that this was a reference to a line in the Codex of Holy Light—”Give purification to the sinful soul.”
The Church of Holy Light generally believed that the Undead existed as a form of punishment for sins committed in life.
Therefore, purifying the Undead was considered a manifestation of a Saintly Practitioner’s benevolence.
Cecilia sneered inwardly. Did she think such a thing could restrain her?
If she had strictly followed every rule written in the scriptures, she would have died in some godforsaken place long ago!
In the best-case scenario, she would have ended up as a noble’s slave in the Holy Capital!
If she hadn’t done everything possible to protect herself in the beginning, how would she have had the time or opportunity to advance to the Elemental Tier and rise above all her rivals to become the Saintess?
However, she kept those thoughts to herself; she still had to maintain appearances for outsiders.
“Princess Astrid, you’re joking. Sinful souls must naturally be punished, but since you are acquainted with the Count of Fallos, you should know he isn’t a man of deep sin.”
“Has the Count of Fallos committed some great error in these past few years? If so… I might really have to consider performing a Purification on him…”
“Huh?”
Instead of gaining any information, Astrid had inadvertently brought a death threat upon Lance. She immediately panicked, waving her hands frantically to explain.
“No, no, no! Lance hasn’t committed any crimes! Please don’t mind it, Your Eminence! I can guarantee it on the honor of Elga!”
The initiative in the conversation returned to Cecilia, and she resolved not to give the Elf another chance to ask questions.
She pressed her advantage and asked, “I am inclined to believe you since I have your guarantee, Your Highness.”
“However… it is a fact that Mr. Joel was attacked by the Count of Fallos at the West City gate not long ago. I also heard from my subordinates that an Elf using a greatsword was involved at the time.”
“Do you have any thoughts on that?”
Having her previous actions pointed out so directly, Astrid’s face turned beet-red.
For a moment, she didn’t know how to explain, instantly falling into a passive position.
Having received a royal education since childhood, Astrid knew that admitting something voluntarily was one thing, but being called out on it was another.
It made it look like she had been dishonest and was hiding things from the Saintess.
“N-no, it wasn’t like that. At the time, that blond knight had improper intentions toward me, and then Lance acted.”
“He only acted because he had no choice…”
Cecilia’s eyes grew playful as she recalled Lance’s earlier statement.
‘I only attacked him because that blond knight was making things difficult for my Adventurer companion. It wasn’t my fault!’
‘Adventurer companion… Hah!’
‘You are quite something, Lance. Your “Adventurer companion” is actually the Elf Princess. You’ve probably been planning to switch sides for a long time! When I get back, I will have to control you strictly!’
Her internal fury caused her expression to darken slightly.
Astrid became even more flustered, frantically replaying her words to see where she had gone wrong.
Could it be…?
Thinking of this, Astrid asked tentatively, “S-Saintess, are you… well-acquainted with that Knight Commander Finn?”
Thinking it over, Astrid could only conclude that her earlier mention of the “blond knight” had been offensive.
It seemed only that phrase could have upset the Saintess.
Could it be that the man, who seemed to have neither brains nor talent, was someone very close to the Saintess?
Cecilia reigned in her thoughts, and her expression softened. Understanding what the Princess was thinking, she narrowed her eyes and replied immediately.
“I am indeed well-acquainted with Mr. Joel.”
“Back in the Holy Capital, Mr. Joel and I were classmates who studied together at the Theological Seminary.”
“Oh~”
So that was it. Astrid felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
Although she hadn’t said it explicitly, combining this statement with the shift in the gentle Saintess’s expression clearly revealed her innermost thoughts!
Setting everything else aside, judging by how she referred to them as “the Count of Fallos” versus “Mr. Joel,” it was obvious the Saintess was much closer to that blond man!
Upon realizing this, Astrid found it somewhat absurd.
How could a beautiful, elegant, and graceful young woman like the Radiant Saintess like a brainless insect like him?
It was truly a shame!
Though she lamented the waste in her heart, Astrid’s eyes were practically beaming with joy.
It was better that the Saintess already had someone else in her heart.
Otherwise, Astrid would have been worried about how to compete with her for Lance.
The Saintess and Lance were both from Midgar and had known each other since they were children, making them childhood friends.
At the same time, as a member of the Midgar royalty, there was also a master-servant relationship between them.
More importantly, the Saintess was too beautiful and was so gentle and polite!
‘If I were a prince, I would probably be moved by this Radiant Saintess too!’
Feeling much more secure, Astrid hurried to apologize.
“I am very sorry, Saintess! I didn’t know you were so well-acquainted with Master Chrys!”
“Looking at it that way, there might have truly been a misunderstanding between us and Master Chrys!”
With that, Astrid stopped and bowed deeply to Cecilia to show her sincerity.
Cecilia also stopped. While Astrid couldn’t see her, a look of delight appeared on her face.
‘The only princess of the Elven royalty? How interesting~’
‘At this rate, she’d probably thank me even if I sold her out!’
Clearing her throat, Cecilia said softly, “Princess Astrid, you’re joking. As I said before, it must have been a misunderstanding.”
“I’m sure you and the Count of Fallos wouldn’t randomly attack a high-ranking member of the Church. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, there’s no need to dwell on it.”
“Please, raise your head.”
Hearing those words, Astrid felt a wave of emotion.
When she stood up and looked at the Saintess again, she felt as though the girl were increasingly shrouded in a holy radiance!
This caused Astrid, who had met many people during her travels, to sigh repeatedly in her heart.
‘The Saintess is truly such a kind-hearted person!’
‘Her taste in men, however, is mediocre…’