Taming the Evil Saintess

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Several unavoidable reasons led to sending Ophelia ahead as the advance party to the Rulier siblings’ campsite.

First and foremost, securing the initiative. If the Saint were to appear riding a dragon, it would not only demoralize the Demon King’s army that was scouting us but also ease the vigilance of the Resistance Army.

Thus, it was a double-edged sword.

Of course, this was just the surface reason. The truth was Ophelia’s motion sickness had worsened to an uncontrollable degree.

I feared that if we stayed like this, she would end up dehydrated, so I sent her ahead through Blackie…

“What’s with the atmosphere?”

“…Hmm.”

Upon arriving at the Resistance Army’s forward base, we were greeted not by Gale but by Yudiel. She seemed to have adjusted quite well to life in the Erosion Zone, appearing much healthier than when we saw her in the cave.

Well, setting that aside.

“Why do you look like that?”

“Me? My face? I always look like this!”

“…Hmm.”

She was oddly frowning, which piqued my curiosity.

But that wasn’t the important part.

“Where’s Ophelia? She should have arrived first.”

“She’s in the tent right now.”

“Did she collapse as soon as she got here?”

“Yeah.”

Yudiel nodded, and I turned to glance at Blackie, who was nonchalantly grazing grass in a corner of the forward base.

“So, that dragon and Ophelia didn’t stir up any trouble, did they?”

“…Hmm.”

Yudiel appeared to ponder for a moment before shaking her head.

“No, they didn’t.”

“Really?”

“…”

Yudiel merely smiled sheepishly.

That was enough of an answer.

“Okay, then.”

I decided not to pry any further.

“Let’s go.”

I beckoned to my companions behind me.

Having now accomplished our primary goal of entering the forward base, it was time to review our plans moving forward.

*

Plague Lord Vermina was one of the first bosses players would encounter among the Demon King’s subordinates as the story progressed. This was simply because she was stationed right above the Ice Palace.

In Sword & Magic Chronicle, the Demon King’s army inspires fear and serves as a significant threat to the world.

To imprint the majesty of the Demon King’s army on the players, the first sub-commander they encounter, Plague Lord Vermina, is armed with a plethora of nasty patterns. The overlapping debuffs are particularly pesky, forcing players to pull their own hair out, true to her title as the Plague Lord.

Of course, her base stats are pretty weak, just above Idmien, but the perceived difficulty is much higher. Players typically face her right after arriving at the Ice Palace, which contributes to the spike in challenge due to their low levels at that stage.

“Anyway, Vermina has these characteristics.”

With the map that the Rulier siblings crafted spread out in front of me, I continued explaining.

The fact that the Demon King’s subordinates in this world do not differ significantly from the knowledge inside the game was something I learned from my encounters with the One-Eyed Knight Geldmier and Black Water Elgore.

“Vermina is a nasty one. While her combat power isn’t substantial, she dulls the frontline with plagues and poisons while inflicting mana poisoning on the backline. She obscures vision with poisonous fog and aims for individual combat through her monsters.”

“Ugh.”

Emily made a disgusted expression.

As a Mage trained in this, she must know just how filthy mana poisoning can be.

“Poison…”

Naturally, Albrecht and Azar showed no particular reaction.

It’s somewhat expected since to claim the title of the strongest warrior, one must at least possess some resistance to poison.

I had learned how to deal with poison during my previous battle with Benedict.

Above all, I bear the Hero’s Divine Mark. I can withstand most poisons.

“Thus, the most crucial aspect of this hunt will be our frontline and…”

“The Saintess.”

Azar finished my sentence.

“Exactly. Ophelia’s role is vital.”

I didn’t choose this Ice Palace and Vermina as my first destination for no reason.

In the game, the most critical character for taking down Vermina was Saint Ophelia. And now, she is even stronger and more audacious than in the original.

I held back the urge to mention the “human potion,” fearing it might earn me a judgmental look from the group.

“Then Emily will need to prepare an antidote potion separately.”

“Then I can make the potions! It looks like we have the ingredients here too!”

Emily raised her hand with a wide smile, but everyone averted their eyes.

Especially Cecilia’s expression was a work of art.

Just weeks prior, she had accidentally burned down the expensive workshop in the Ice Palace while attempting to create a Love Potion.

“Why does everyone look like that?”

A moment of silence ensued.

“Oh, I have good news.”

Yudiel chimed in.

Her ease in speaking, even as a first-time acquaintance, showed she wasn’t intimidated by the names of our group; she truly was a guiding NPC.

“Good news?”

“Recently, the supply route into the Plague Lord’s castle from the Demon King’s castle was cut off. So, it means they’re starving right now.”

“How did that happen?”

“I heard something about a dragon appearing.”

“…Hmm.”

A dragon.

It wasn’t just me thinking of Blackie.

“…A dragon.”

“Are we going to have to fight that too?”

Regardless, the supply cut-off was a good thing.

Monsters act on instinct. If they’re hungry, they’ll end up eating each other. This means that Vermina likely has a reduced number of minions at her disposal now.

“Now’s our chance.”

“Yeah.”

Albrecht agreed.

However, it was necessary to add an extra variable into the equation.

The reason why Albrecht had developed deep-seated hatred for the possessors.

And why Tsar Ryudmila lost her daughter.

“…However, Vermina will likely have two or more possessors.”

Possessors.

The mere mention of that word caused everyone’s expressions to change.

Especially Albrecht’s menacing gaze showed ferocity like I had never seen before.

“I am also a possessor. So, the information I know, those guys know as well. Therefore, Vermina could very well have devised countermeasures.”

“I understand. Information is crucial, but we must not take it as gospel.”

Albrecht rested his chin on his hand, pointing at the map.

It was where Vermina’s fortress was located.

“Whatever happens.”

He looked at me, raising the corners of his mouth.

“We’ll just have to crush everything.”

That wasn’t inaccurate.

*

The meeting concluded loosely, and I intended to check on Ophelia’s condition as I headed toward the sickroom.

There was Ophelia, leisurely sipping on some wine.

“What kind of wine is this, so weak?”

“They say that when you’re not feeling well, wine works wonders.”

“…”

“Besides, this isn’t very strong.”

Well, this was medieval land.

It wasn’t surprising to think of wine as a divine healing potion.

“Want a drink too?”

Ophelia offered her glass with a giggle.

I shrugged and took a sip from her cup.

Just as expected, it tasted cheap.

Setting the glass down, I noticed Ophelia staring at me with wide eyes.

“What?”

“No, um…”

“What?”

“I… I drank from that…”

“What’s the big deal?”

Caring about indirect kisses at this point seems childish.

Thinking about it, Ophelia truly is a kid at heart.

Sighing deeply, I glanced over at Gale, who wore a sullen expression on the adjacent bed.

“What’s up with him?”

“…Hmm.”

“What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything!”

She yelled and swung the telescope tucked under her arm like a club, and I merely tilted my head to dodge.

I relayed what had been discussed in the meeting while looking at Ophelia, who was shaking in frustration.

“So, that means my role is important?”

“Yeah, more than anyone else.”

“Hmph.”

Ophelia scoffed, sarcastically flicking her fingers holding the glass.

“Little chick, it means you need your older sister’s strength after all.”

“That’s not wrong.”

“You were so proud, and now you can’t do without me? Admit it, huh? If you say so, I might consider it.”

It was frustrating to see her so buoyant after just catching one break, but it was wise to concede here.

Regardless, Ophelia had significantly assisted in crossing the Erosion Zone.

And she stood in a position where she must continue to support my journey beside me.

“Ophelia is right.”

“Hmm?”

“I need you.”

“…”

“So we need to stay together moving forward. Can I ask you this?”

As I spoke earnestly, Ophelia dropped her glass.

Of course, we couldn’t afford to be extravagant in this wilderness, so the wooden cup rolled on the floor with a dull sound.

However, unable to twist off her gaze from me, Ophelia stared blankly.

Finally, her pink lips parted.

“Again, say it.”

“…What?”

“Faster.”

“We have to stay together.”

“The part before that.”

“Ophelia is right?”

“Between that.”

I scrambled to dig through my memory and finally said softly.

“I need you.”

“Who?”

“Of course, it’s Ophelia.”

“…”

Ophelia’s lips quivered, and she briefly bowed her head before…

“Ugh, well, if Elliot is going to lower himself like that, I can’t really refuse to join you.”

When she lifted her head again, Ophelia had already composed herself.

“So, um… Hmm.”

Her poker face didn’t even last ten seconds.

“I… I’ll be counting on you too.”

She mumbled that with a flushed face, truly a very simple girl.