Taming the Evil Saintess

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The story of the Ice Palace and the Rebellion had surprisingly little documentation for an event that had caused such a stir on the continent fifteen years ago.

Even in the archives of the Ice Palace, I couldn’t find any related texts.

It was quite possibly a case of record obliteration.

In the end, I was able to gather the details about the rebellion from Cecilia, the captain of the palace guards.

“So, are you saying they conspired with the Demon King’s Army?”

“Yes. It seems more accurate to say they made a deal to cede the Erosion Zone in exchange for control of the Ice Palace rather than merging with the Demon King’s Army.”

Cecilia continued, her expression darkening.

She seemed unable to fully grasp the fact that I was a member of that treasonous family.

“In any case, since a contract with the Demon King’s Army is a taboo on the continent, the Ice Palace sought to expel them…”

“Yet once they formed a contract, such sanctions probably seemed laughable to them.”

“Yes. That was the beginning of the Great Rebellion.”

The rest of Cecilia’s tale was straightforward.

Five noble families united and made a deal with the Demon King’s Army, ceding what is now the Erosion Zone in exchange for control of the Ice Palace.

However, their plan failed.

The Ice Palace called for help from the Empire, which issued a summons across the entire continent. The previous Sword Saint, the master of Albrecht, stepped forward, and nobles from across the region sent their troops, while even supplies were dispatched from the Great Forest. Although minimal, it was still remarkably generous support for a Fairy King.

“As a result, the rebellion was successfully suppressed. However, some of their dealings with the Demon King’s Army could not be prevented.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

Cecilia sighed softly before speaking.

“Demon King’s Army executive, Plague Lord Vermina establishing her stronghold to the north of the Ice Palace is all due to that incident.”

“I see…”

This was a fact not revealed in the game.

Why was the territory directly above the Ice Palace under the control of the Demon King’s Army?

It was the moment that truth finally dawned on me.

Nodding, I wrote down the names of the five treasonous families.

“So, for the people of the Ice Palace, these individuals are nothing less than archenemies.”

“Yes. So, Sir Elliot, it would be wise to refrain from revealing your origins.”

I had no idea how the figure known as Elias ended up being captured by the Demon King’s Army or how he managed to escape.

The important fact was that I was a traitor.

And that Priest Ian of the Purification Church was aware of this fact.

“…What do you think would happen if it became known that the continent’s hero was a traitor?”

“There would be controversy.”

Cecilia shuddered as if merely imagining it was terrifying.

“It wouldn’t just end as a controversy. Given the severity of the incident, the entire continent could become involved… there might be another Continental Conference.”

“What if I reveal that I’m a Possessor?”

“That would only escalate the problem.”

“…”

“If I were to cause a ruckus even at that conference, you could very well become a criminal in the eyes of the entire continent.”

Cecilia stated this with a strange sarcasm, which prompted me to rest my chin on my hand and stick out my tongue.

“I must say, at that time, I had no choice. It was to save Ophelia.”

“Does someone claiming to save others murder the Pope’s imperial guards?”

“Depending on the situation, yes.”

“…Sir Elliot really has a knack for provoking people.”

Cecilia gave a bemused chuckle, as if she couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth.

In any case, I had gathered the circumstances from her. Now, the next course of action was something I needed to contemplate.

“By the way, there’s something I’m curious about.”

Before wrapping up the conversation, I asked Cecilia.

She answered by simply tilting her head.

“Isn’t Sir Cecilia from the Ice Palace?”

“Yes.”

“Do you dislike the traitors?”

“Yes. I hate them. Given the situation with the Demon King’s Army sowing plague directly above the Ice Palace, it’s impossible not to.”

“Then shouldn’t you also hate me?”

At my question, Cecilia narrowed her eyes.

“Are you testing me? Why would I have any reason to hate you, Sir Elias, or Sir Elliot?”

“No, it’s just that I….”

“Do you hold the memories of that body? Do you possess the personality of that body?”

“…”

“I’ve never participated in actions like collective punishment or hunting Possessors, nor will I ever accept such things. Please don’t treat me the same as those Purification Church scoundrels.”

Cecilia spoke with apparent anger, which made me chuckle softly.

As expected, she was reminiscent of her character in the game.

A virtuous person who would never turn a blind eye to injustice.

A warrior with a burning passion within an ice castle.

How ironic it was.

Shouldn’t the name “Flame Warrior” suit her more?

“Ah, this is an impudent thing to say, but.”

As I was about to leave, Cecilia spoke with a mischievous smile.

“Although it’s embarrassing, that incident was the decisive reason I was able to rise to the position of captain of the guards without any backing.”

“…Are you planning to express your gratitude?”

“Of course not.”

*

Upon finishing our conversation and heading upstairs, I found Ophelia waiting for me in a somewhat demure posture.

“What’s with that guilty puppy-like pose?”

“Who do you think I am….”

Ophelia, who had been sulking, straightened up.

“So, what did that woman say?”

“She called me a traitor. And she said that if it became known, it would put us in a lot of trouble.”

Condensing my explanation, I could see Ophelia’s expression darken.

“Isn’t that a disaster…?”

“Not yet, it isn’t.”

“Then it will be a disaster.”

“Only depending on future circumstances.”

Ophelia pressed her forehead and fell onto the bed in resignation.

“Why are you more flustered than I am?”

“Wouldn’t you be flustered? They’re calling me a traitor! I’m a traitor sentenced to record obliteration! It wouldn’t be surprising if you were to be hanged immediately!”

“…Ophelia, are you worried about me right now?”

“…”

Ophelia clamped her mouth shut.

Yet, her fidgeting fingers and quivering eyes were quite honest.

“Ophelia…”

“Aah! Yes, I’m worried! Is that enough for you, you jerk?!”

I raised my hands in surrender, as she looked ready to throw something.

As I slowly approached her, I placed my hand on her shoulder, and her breathing finally calmed down.

After massaging her shoulders for a while, I spoke up.

“Ophelia.”

A sudden thought struck, prompting me to ask.

“Are you not bothered by this?”

“Bothered about what?”

“That I have the body of a traitor.”

“What…?”

Ophelia gave me a look as if she’d been betrayed, which was quite pitiful.

“Do… do you think I’m an idiot?”

“…Hmm.”

“Ah, so I’m the fool for even asking.”

Ophelia sighed as if the world was ending.

Then she pointed a finger at me.

“I don’t care if you’re a serial killer, a high-ranking member of the Demon King’s Army, or even the Demon King himself.”

“…”

“Regardless, you saved me using Gears, and you made a promise….”

After that, her voice trailed off, as a blush crept onto her face.

It seemed she was aware of how embarrassing it was. Ophelia lowered her head and gazed off into the distance.

“Anyway, I followed you not because of who you are but because of you. So… don’t ask me such trashy questions.”

“I never expected you to say something like that.”

“Shut up, are you trying to ruin the atmosphere?”

I shrugged my shoulders.

It seemed that Ophelia was also struggling in her own way.

In that short time, I could feel that we had built enough trust through every spoken word.

“Thank you.”

“…Ugh.”

If that’s the case, then it’s only right to offer a reward.

I poked Ophelia on the nose, feeling her soft skin beneath my fingers. My other hand moved to ruffle her hair atop her head.

“You’re quite commendable.”

“Stop treating me like a pet!”

Though she protested, every little reaction was like that of a feisty cat.

*

How long had it been?

Ophelia, staring at the door Elliot had disappeared through, hugged her knees.

“Idiot.”

This wasn’t just a passing comment.

After spewing a string of profanities including “dumb dog” and “sea anemone,” Ophelia finally calmed down, her face twisted in anger.

“Do you really think I’d care about traitors or whatever?”

Such a one-dimensional line of thought was infuriating.

That dense fool still hadn’t realized.

Or perhaps, even realizing, he was pretending not to notice.

The Elliot Ophelia had known all along was that cunning individual.

Regardless of being a traitor or not, Ophelia had witnessed the true nature of Elliot. His status held no significance.

“Idiot, dumb….”

With an understanding of that, Ophelia had no choice but to mutter those timid curses. Primarily, she didn’t even know how to express her emotions outright.

It was foolish of her not to be able to get angrier.

But what could she do?

“Why did I get caught up with such a guy….”

Three and a half years.

Now that was more than enough time to give your heart away to someone.