Taming the Evil Saintess

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“I’m in a hurry.”

The news about Adelheit having confined Emperor Bolazio Septimius III and staging a coup for the throne, alongside preparations for actions against us, was overwhelming. We had to rescue the emperor, deal with the possessors who were collaborating with Adelheit, and ultimately confront even the Hell Duke.

Thanks to Owen having conveyed part of the situation, the story progressed quickly. Albrecht’s expression hardened. As a knight who had sworn loyalty to the Empire, Adelheit’s actions were, unsurprisingly, unacceptable to him.

The others couldn’t hide their anger at the revelation that the Hell Duke was still alive and that Adelheit had him in her grasp.

“Hmm.”

However, as expected, our demon Ophelia was the only exception.

After cross-verifying my story with Owen’s, Ophelia rested her chin on her hand and seemed to contemplate intensely.

“What’s up?”

“Well, you know…”

Ophelia had a devilish thought.

“How about we just kill everyone and take the Empire for ourselves? I doubt anyone would complain. After all, the only one left in charge is that Adelheit.”

“… Ophelia, are you in your right mind?”

“Of course not.”

“….”

Albrecht’s eyebrows twitched as if he wanted to say something after hearing Ophelia’s proposal.

If this continued, it looked like a feud would break out, so I pulled on Ophelia’s leash. Of course, it wasn’t exactly a leash but rather a bracelet from the Celestial Realm. Reluctantly dragged along, Ophelia shot me a resentful look, but I spoke up before she could say more.

“Ophelia, if we gobble up the Empire, who’s going to run it?”

“… Umm, Belwin?”

“You’re suggesting we drag old man Belwin, who’s barely holding things together at the Cathedral, into manual labor? Do you want to kill him? Besides, the Cathedral and the Empire aren’t even on the same level. Is a city-state the same as a great empire that rules over more than half the continent?”

“Ah, I know! But you hated that emperor too!”

“True. I still hate him. If we were to find a place to live together, I wouldn’t even want to consider the imperial territory.”

Once I mentioned living together, Ophelia fell silent like a cowed scoffer.

Effective, indeed.

“Regardless, the Empire must exist. Without this country, just imagine how chaotic the continent would be. To put it plainly, if the Empire didn’t exist, I wouldn’t have been able to seek help when the Pope captured you.”

“… That’s true.”

“And it would be disrespectful to Albrecht.”

“… Ugh.”

Once I presented the rational argument, Ophelia seemed to have no more to say. Though her lips jutted out just a bit, as if she wanted to protest, the situation was urgent.

I coaxed and settled Ophelia down before continuing with the rest of our companions.

“So, are we done talking?”

“Yeah. Forget about the nonsense of destroying the Empire.”

“What a shame. It wasn’t a bad idea. Huh? Sword Saint, why are you looking at me like that? I was just joking!”

The Ear Demon Erwin whistled as he said this, jokingly, but as Albrecht shot him a sharp glare, he quickly fell silent.

“In any case, we need to rescue Emperor Bolazio Septimius III. Did Owen tell you where he is?”

“They said the Summer Palace or the Temple.”

“Alright, we’ll split the party in two.”

“Sound judgment.”

Albrecht nodded in agreement.

We would split into teams: one heading to the Temple and the other to the Summer Palace.

“Are we not taking Emily?”

Ophelia, who had been quietly listening, chimed in.

It would indeed be more convenient with Emily Barried along. She was one of the continent’s top mages, and having her around would enhance our strategy.

However, I still wanted to keep my promise to Archmage Eldarian for now.

“Emily is currently in the Banquet Hall. It’s better to leave her there.”

“Why?”

“Because the Archmage is there too. There’s a high chance that Adelheit plans to gather and eliminate the imperial officials at the Banquet Hall. So, we need to leave Emily and Eldarian there to ensure the Banquet Hall is secure.”

“… Hmm.”

Ophelia looked somewhat dissatisfied but ultimately relented.

Then she snuggled up to me.

Our group consisted of six members. Naturally, Ophelia chose to accompany me.

But…

“Ophelia, you’ll be in a group with Albrecht and Azar.”

“… What!”

Ophelia’s expression was one of a betrayed child as I explained the situation.

“Ophelia, you have to stay in the rear. Albrecht and Azar can protect you better than I can.”

“Hey! I don’t need protection…!”

“You know the truth.”

I didn’t want to elaborate further in front of my comrades, but Ophelia was currently pregnant. She couldn’t join the frontlines like she did when we took down the Plague Lord.

In her condition, it would be safer for her to be with Azar and Albrecht than with me, who was bound to take risks at every turn. Azar could protect her safely with his shield, and Albrecht was already a defensive swordsman by nature.

“… Ugh.”

Ophelia placed a hand on her belly, looking resentful. But after a moment, she sighed and reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Except for Erwin, who was aware of the situation, the rest of my team looked stunned to see Ophelia conceding without a single complaint.

“Tomorrow the sun will rise in the west.”

Azar’s comment drew nods of acceptance from everyone.

*

The two groups then proceeded towards the Summer Palace and the Temple respectively.

I chose the Temple. To be honest, part of me wanted to send Ophelia to the relatively safe Summer Palace. Bolazio was likely to be there, while the Temple was a perfect spot for the possessors to plot.

As expected, just a bit further along with Cecilia and Erwin, the Imperial Guards approached us, trying to block our path.

“Should we kill them?”

Erwin suggested chillingly, and I shook my head.

“We just need to subdue them.”

As Owen mentioned, the Imperial Guards were merely following orders without knowing the real circumstances.

So, while I planned to just break a leg and stash them somewhere, the faces of the guards who approached were oddly familiar.

“Hey, Hero! Where are you going?”

“It’s dangerous at night!”

These were the knights I had just met a few hours ago during a fan meet.

An excellent idea crossed my mind. I took off my gloves, subtlety revealing the Hero’s Divine Mark. The faces of the Imperial Guards brightened.

“Do you guys know this?”

“What is it?”

“The current emperor, Adelheit, is a puppet created by the Demon King’s Army.”

“… Excuse me?!”

The guards were momentarily stunned but quickly shook their heads.

“Thou art guilty of treason! No matter how great a Hero thou art, thou must choose thy words carefully!”

This was the usual reaction.

But I wasn’t oblivious to the meaningful glances exchanged among the guards.

“If you’re truly suspicious, follow me. I’ll show you the proof.”

“Oh, no! We can’t enter the Temple without permission from His Majesty.”

“… Hmm.”

Alright, if that’s how it’s going to be.

That’s fine. There’s always a way to turn things around.

“Ugh!”

I immediately grabbed onto one of my wrists, grimacing in pain. I even added a groan, as if the mark embedded in my wrist was painfully unbearable.

While the guards frantically paced around, I gasped for breath and wiped the cold sweat off my forehead. Then, solemnly, I gazed at the heavily shut gates leading to the Temple and spoke in a grave voice.

“… It is God’s revelation. Inside there, His Majesty the Emperor is imprisoned.”

“… Wh-What?!”

The Imperial Guards were aghast.

Unbeknownst to them, Cecilia and Erwin blanched at my outlandish performance, yet it is said that in deceit and acting, sincerity matters far less than the labels attached to a person.

The guards, fooled by my fervent act as the Hero, fell right into my trap.

“… Is this true? Did God just deliver a revelation?”

“Yes. Hah… I’m not accustomed to this. Perhaps the Heavenly Deity has commanded me to save an Empire shrouded in darkness.”

“… But such….”

I turned as I spoke to the bewildered Imperial Guards.

“Would you join me at the Temple? It’s a splendid opportunity to leave a mark in history. You would be remembered as heroes who saved the Empire alongside the Hero.”

Knights live by honor and die by it, after all.

The guards quietly fell into step beside me.

“… Truly, you’re a master.”

Cecilia sneered, but I didn’t mind.

We entered the Temple and soon spotted a familiar face.

“Your name was Morgan, right? So, you were here after all.”

“… Hmm.”

Possessor Morgan, clad in shiny armor, glared at me and the Imperial Guards behind me.

Seeing Morgan’s obviously suspicious demeanor, the guards drew their swords after judging that what I had said was right. The sound of metal clanging echoed ominously as the atmosphere grew tense.

Morgan, obscured by his hood, appeared somewhat flustered.

“Ellyot, what trickery is this?”

“You already know the trick.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, this is what they call Hollywood.”

I chuckled at how Ophelia had to be petted multiple times to calm her down, yet I couldn’t even charm a single Imperial Guard.

I grinned and brandished the renewed Holy Sword, which had been reforged from the previous Hero’s sword, now heavier and longer with improved edges.

“Ugh!”

Morgan grimaced and gestured.

Enemies sprung up from all directions.

Of course, their numbers were nowhere near ours.