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Chapter 86
“Explain in detail.”
The Saintess had been absent for a long ti. In the beginning, those who had eagerly awaited her birth had already turned their backs on the notion. They assud she had faded into history like the Spirit Caller. The reason the temple had not crumbled despite her absence was largely due to the High Priest’s influence.
Over the course of what could be considered a long or short span of ti, countless individuals had claid to be the Saintess. But not one among them had been the real one.
Currently, the High Priest was fulfilling the Saintess’s duties, but in truth, the re existence of the Saintess carried imnse significance. That was why, whenever soone claid to be the Saintess, the Emperor reacted with extre sensitivity.
To make matters worse, the current Emperor would no doubt consider Edmund to be in collusion with the claimant, simply because he had taken her into his estate. Though no one could enter the northern region due to the raging blizzard, it never hurt to be cautious.
“She claims she’s the Saintess and says there’s a sinister energy here. Then she suddenly began reciting Madam’s condition and declared she could treat her… There are also rumors from the capital about a new oracle foretelling the Saintess’s arrival.”
Benjamin’s final words gave credence to the woman’s identity. Damian, who had been silently observing, stepped forward urgently upon seeing Edmund hesitate.
“Father, there’s no harm in giving her a chance. Besides, it’s not as though we have another way to save Mother.”
Edmund turned to look at Daphne. To hear the faint beat of her heart, he had to hold his breath completely still. Except for when he attended to official duties, Edmund rarely left her side. Her condition was so precarious that it wouldn’t be strange if her heart stopped at any mont. Being beside her was the only thing that gave him peace of mind.
“Father.”
Urged again by Damian, Edmund finally turned his head.
“Bring her in.”
— — —
The woman was small and wore a worn robe.
“Ah, g-greetings, Duke!”
She bowed deeply, visibly nervous.
“Speak.”
“You may sit.”
“Y-yes!”
Startled by Benjamin’s suggestion, she hurriedly perched on the sofa.
“Repeat exactly what you told my man.”
“Ah, y-yes! It’s just… I sense a dark energy here. I’m still inexperienced, but this is definitely a curse.”
“You said she could be saved.”
“The curse is strong, but not beyond redemption.”
“Be precise.”
Edmund’s eyes fixed intently on the woman beneath her hood.
“Well… I need to see the condition with my own eyes to be sure, and since dark magic isn’t widely understood…”
“If this goes wrong, you’d better be prepared to die.”
His words rang with sincerity, but Benjamin didn’t try to stop him. It was proof of how desperate Edmund was.
“…Understood.”
The woman nodded, shrinking back.
“But how did you find this place?”
A fierce blizzard raged outside. And it wasn’t just the weather; monsters road freely. For a woman to make it to the northern region alone was no simple feat. Her voice dropped low.
“…I ran like mad. If they caught , I would’ve been as good as dead.”
It wasn’t uncommon for powerless people with divine energy to be captured and sold into slavery, forced into horrid lives by ruthless people. She must have suffered sothing similar.
Edmund’s gaze lingered on her for a mont before he turned to Benjamin.
“Bring it.”
Benjamin stepped forward and placed an object before the woman.
“Please infuse this magic stone with divine power.”
With care, the woman took the stone in both hands. Soon, a radiant light burst forth. Divine energy flowed into the previously empty stone. By the ti she set it down again, the once-dull crystal now glowed with a faint luminescence. She had indeed imbued it with divine power.
“Where’s your mark?”
Now that the divine power was verified, it was ti to confirm the Saintess’s mark. Only the true Saintess bore it, and this was where all previous imposters had been exposed.
The woman slowly pulled back her robe. Silvery platinum hair and a beautiful face ca into view. Edmund’s eyes zeroed in on her forehead. A luminous symbol, shining with the sa purity as her divine power, was clearly etched into her skin.
“Luckily, the mark appeared late. It’s the only reason I’m still alive.”
The woman quickly pulled her hood back down, hiding the mark once more, as if unused to showing it.
“…It seems she’s the real one.”
There was no longer any doubt. With that confird, there was no reason to waste more ti.
“Stand.”
The woman quietly followed behind Edmund.
— — —
Edmund stepped into the room where Daphne lay asleep.
“She is my wife.”
“…It’s worse than I imagined.”
The woman approached the bed, slowly reaching out her hand.
Snap!
“Don’t touch her carelessly.”
“I’ll be careful.”
Edmund let go of her slender wrist.
“To be frank, the Madam isn’t truly among the living. Her soul has already been attacked by dark magic, and what remains is barely being held in place.”
“Can she be saved?”
“I didn’t expect it to be this severe… but it seems possible.”
She straightened up.
“Please leave the room.”
“Even if you are the Saintess, I can’t trust you. Do it in front of .”
“…Alright.”
Realizing he had no intention of leaving, the woman knelt down imdiately.
“I need to hold her hand. Is that alright?”
Instead of answering, Edmund gave a curt nod and opened the door. Benjamin stood waiting outside.
“Don’t let anyone enter until I say otherwise.”
“Yes, sir.”
Returning inside, Edmund took a seat so distance from the bed.
The woman observed him for a mont, then gently took both of Daphne’s hands. At once, divine power surged from her body. Her hair floated, glowing in the air, while cold sweat trickled down her pale face.
Edmund focused intently on Daphne’s heart. The beats were weak but steady, without abnormality.
Ti passed. At last, the woman withdrew her hands, exhausted.
“It’s… done now.”
Edmund rushed to Daphne’s side. Her complexion and heartbeat remained unchanged.
“She’ll start improving tomorrow.”
Her weary voice left no room for doubt.
“Tell your price.”
“…Sorry?”
She blinked at him, confused. Edmund pressed further.
“Do you think I’m naïve enough to believe you did this for nothing?”
“I… I an…”
The woman faltered, avoiding his gaze. But then, with a soft sigh, she lifted her head, her expression different from before.
“The price I ask is…”
* * *
“She’s genuine.”
Johann continued his report.
“An oracle ca down from the temple a few weeks ago, hinting at the arrival of a new Saintess.”
He had pursued the rumor himself once, and through Carlito’s help a second ti. The conclusion was the sa.
“She is the real Saintess.”
Given the urgency of the situation, Johann had returned with this information in just one day, and fatigue clung to him.
“What did she ask in return?”
Never having t her, Johann couldn’t imagine what kind of price a Saintess might demand.
“…She asked only to stay at the estate for four days.”
The simplicity of it made Johann blink, stunned.
“That’s it?”
“That’s all.”
Johann, who had at least expected a material demand, could not hide his surprise.
“I see…”
Just then, the door burst open.
“Your Excellency!”
Benjamin entered, pale-faced, nearly shouting.
“Madam has awakened!”
— — —
In a dim room, the woman opened her eyes. She listened intently to the commotion in the hallway, recognizing it as people rushing sowhere in haste. She got up and opened the window. Despite the biting storm, she gazed over the estate without so much as a flinch, starting from the garden, scanning all the way through.
With a hardened expression and a flat voice, she muttered, “Nothing… not a single thing has changed. It’s truly awful.”
A faint smile crossed her lips. For a brief mont, her eyes, matching the color of her hair, flashed grey before fading once more.
“…I’ve finally returned.”
T/N: Erm… so who is inside Daphne’s body now? 🤔
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