Taming the Evil Saintess

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The moment I heard Adelheit’s plan, it felt like I had been hit hard on the head.

To implant the Mark and subdue the Demon King.

I could understand that much.

Although it was sacrilegious, considering the long history of the Empire suffering under the Demon King, it wasn’t so surprising to come up with such a plan.

However, the problem lay in what came next.

Adelheit, known as the Empress of Death. She harbored ambitions to conquer this continent after subduing the Demon King with an army of artificially manipulated Marks.

“Why, you look surprised?”

Seemingly pleased with my reaction, Adelheit chuckled as she asked me.

Why on earth would a princess do something like this?

I had always thought of her as a character that didn’t shine much in the game.

“That, the unification of the continent…”

“That? It’s just that… I have a bit of ambition.”

She made it sound trivial, but Adelheit, who spoke of world domination, looked like something wearing the guise of a human.

Ophelia appeared to feel the same, as she tightly gripped my hand.

“Well, if I had to specify a reason…”

Adelheit pondered for a moment before blurting it out.

“Don’t you think there are too many countries on this continent?”

In the end, this princess was willing to go to war against the continent.

Though it was a short conversation, I felt it.

Princess Adelheit, this person is insane.

No, utterly insane.

Whether it was the effect of the distortion in the world that included Possessors or if it was Adelheit’s true nature hidden within, I couldn’t tell.

But…

“Do you think it’s wrong?”

Adelheit asked, and I bit my lip tightly.

“Before distinguishing right from wrong…”

The first question that sprang to mind was…

“In the end, Your Highness’s plan is to artificially replicate and implant the Marks to create an invincible army, isn’t it?”

“That’s about it.”

“Is that even realistically possible?”

The Mark.

In society, the Mark was recognized as a blessing from the gods. In fact, those with Marks were regarded as chosen by the gods, known as the Chosen Ones. I was one of them, as was Ophelia.

To artificially implant such a Mark into someone else. Could that even be theoretically possible?

Yet Adelheit crossed her legs with an expression of surprise.

“Hero, do you think I’m some kind of dreamer with unfounded ambitions? If that were true, it would be rather sad, you know?”

“…”

“I’m not an idiot who can’t even consider such a thing. Nor am I a princess with flowers blooming in her head.”

Adelheit continued with a faint smile.

“The implantation and replication of the Mark. It has already been theoretically proven, and there have even been instances of success.”

“Instances of success?”

“I find it even more surprising that you, Hero, are unaware of this.”

As I tilted my head in confusion, Adelheit turned her gaze out the window.

The weather was exceptionally clear, and we could see a tower rising higher than the spires of the imperial castle on the very edge of the horizon.

Magic Tower City Shadowhold.

The residence of the Archmage.

Also the birthplace of Emily Barried.

“Don’t tell me…”

“You’re correct.”

Ophelia’s eyes widened, but Adelheit continued undeterred.

“The Archmage’s disciple, Emily Barried, is the first step of this grand plan.”

“…”

Seemingly in shock, Ophelia shook her head.

Listening to her, I pondered deeply.

Years ago, when I met young Emily, I had one question.

‘She is not the same as the original Emily.’

Her appearance as a villainess in the original work was nowhere to be seen; she was more like a heavenly girl. That was my perception of Emily Barried, and it had not changed even now.

Even though she fussed about romance, she was far from the irredeemable villainess of the game.

If the original Emily had twisted due to realizing the truth about her origins…

“Listen.”

While I was lost in thought, the next empress spoke up.

“I don’t exactly think that the god who rules this world possesses a human heart.”

“What do you mean?”

“They are machines. Just vast collections of energy without human emotions. So, it’s sort of like a law of nature.”

“…”

“The power bestowed by the gods is like a well filled with water. The Mark is a bucket. It’s not against the laws of the gods for humans to draw water from the well, is it?”

Resting her chin on her armrest, Adelheit chuckled as if she found it all amusing.

“If that wasn’t the case, I’d have already died from divine punishment. Right?”

“…”

“Oh dear, was that too harsh for the pretty Saintess to hear?”

As she joked about Ophelia, Ophelia merely shook her head.

Neither Adelheit nor Ophelia was particularly different when it came to atheism.

What was certain, however, was that the replication and implantation of the Mark were indeed possible.

Using this method, she planned to dominate the continent. It was a far from impossible tale.

Yet the train carrying the Marks was attacked by the Demon King’s Army.

This meant…

“The Demon King’s Army must also be aware of this.”

“Chimera Sorcerer Idmien.”

Adelheit regained her dignified expression as she spoke.

“He has eyes and ears all across the continent. He could very well be within this imperial palace.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Adelheit stood up.

“Idmien almost got his hands on the royal treasure, but thanks to the heroic efforts of the Hero, it was saved… a heroic tale. It wouldn’t be strange to see it featured on the knightly page. And I don’t intend to become a petty lord.”

Turning away as she tossed aside the torches and donned her robe, Adelheit looked back.

“I suppose I should give you a reward.”

“A reward?”

“How about making it a national letter?”

A national letter.

There’s no way I didn’t know what that meant.

A term referring to the husband of the Empress.

In other words…

“Yes. What you’re thinking is correct. How about becoming my lifelong companion?”

Adelheit slowly approached me, her hand gliding over my thigh seductively.

Her bathrobe was unhinged, exposing her body to plain view.

“What do you think? It might be a bit self-praising, but I am destined to be the conqueror of the entire continent in the future. So…”

“…This is ridiculous…”

That was my breaking point.

Not mine, but Ophelia’s.

“Hey, you rotten bitch!”

Ophelia was imprisoned.

For the crime of insulting the royal family.

*

“Elliot.”

“…”

“Let me out….”

“Ha…….”

With a sigh as deep as the earth, I banged the bars.

The guard jumped in surprise and rushed over, but I waved him away.

“Hey! What’s with that sigh?”

“Didn’t I tell you not to act recklessly?”

“Why are you acting like this?”

There’s a limit to how consistent one can be.

“That girl keeps doing weird things…”

“It was all an act to provoke you.”

I couldn’t be one to miss that the fact she went out naked was all part of a power play.

“Anyway, let me out.”

“Try to hold on for a few more days.”

“A few more days?! How can I stand that?!”

“After all, the princess just locked her up for fun. There’s no way she’d seriously punish a Saintess.”

Well, Adelheit probably couldn’t help but chuckle when she first saw Ophelia.

Tormenting Ophelia was fun enough to become a national sport for the next generation.

“…For now.”

I sighed and sat down in front of the bars, pulling out some stationery.

For now, I planned to reach out to Administrator Evangelin regarding Ophelia’s treatment.

Additionally, there were words to leave for my companions, including Albrecht and Azar.

Regardless, Ophelia cautiously whispered while watching my expression.

“You’re not seriously considering that rotten bitch’s proposal, are you?”

“Of course not. You’re the only one for me.”

I mumbled something vague.

My head was too cluttered to indulge Ophelia’s whims right now.

The replication and implantation of the Mark. And the ambitions of the next Emperor to unify the continent.

Emily Barried, who was an experimental subject for artificial Mark implantation. What kind of reaction would she show if she knew this?

How much did the officers of the Demon King’s Army, particularly Chimera Sorcerer Idmien, know about the situation? Would interrogating Possessor Morgan clarify things?

Managing to fend off the assaults of the Hell Duke and the Black River’s ambush while concurrently discovering a massive conspiracy made my head spin.

“This is maddening.”

As I muttered while wrapping up the letter, I noticed Ophelia’s face.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Ugh, ughhh.”

There stood Ophelia, her face beet-red.

“What’s with you now?”

“Ah, it’s just that if you say something like that suddenly…”

As I silently watched her, I raised my hand and called for the guard.

“It seems the prisoner wants to use the restroom…”

“You bastard! That’s not it at all!”

Ophelia reached through the bars, grabbing my hair.

*

“This is the last time I’ll let it slide. Next time, there’s no mercy.”

Administrator Evangelin acted promptly upon being summoned.

Ophelia was released after a simple interrogation.

The crime of insulting the royal family. It was a grave offense that could lead to execution, but Ophelia was special. Having expressed her intention to naturalize in the Empire, she had immunity for the time being.

“What on earth were you thinking to say something like that in front of Her Highness?”

Having likely heard the story, Evangelin shook her head, placing a hand on her forehead.

Eventually, after repeating a few reprimands disguised as advice, the usually confident Ophelia sulkily clung to my arm.

“Evangelin.”

After quietly listening to her, I called out to her.

“What is it?”

“I want to go to Shadowhold right now. Can you arrange a carriage?”

“Shadowhold? Are you going to the Magic Tower?”

“Yes. I feel it’s necessary to meet with that head.”

I tried my best to keep my tone calm, but I couldn’t hide the strange emotions mixed in my voice.

Evangelin swallowed hard and could only nod blankly.

Archmage Eldarian.

I needed to meet with him.