How to Reform an Evil Saintess – Chapter 55

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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“….”

I opened my eyes. I was in my room in the Imperial Palace.

I tried to remember what had happened.

“I was…”

Sparring with Alberich. Terraforming the training grounds. Hitting him in the chest with my sword. I remembered that much.

I don’t remember what happened after that… which meant…

“Ugh.”

My body ached. Excruciatingly so. It was a familiar pain. The backlash from the Mark. But this time, it was worse than ever.

“Does it hurt, you idiot?”

A voice. I turned my head and saw Ophelia. She was wearing her holy robes and holding a golden potion.

The same color as the status recovery potions in the game. She opened the bottle and poured it into my mouth.

“Ugh.”

It tasted awful. Ophelia slapped my chest and tilted my head back.

“Drink it, you idiot.”

She said, her voice filled with annoyance, and tilted the bottle. I finished the potion, and the pain subsided.

I sat up slightly.

“…What happened?”
“You collapsed. After hitting Alberich, you passed out.”
“I see…”

I must have lost consciousness from the backlash after the Mark’s effect wore off. It felt like a moment, but ten minutes had passed.

I nodded, then asked, “Who won?”
“Alberich admitted defeat. He said he took a decisive blow. So, technically, you won.”
“Technically?”
“People think you lost. Since you collapsed first.”
“I suppose so.”

Well, it didn’t matter. A win was a win. I tried to smile, but my facial muscles spasmed, and I gave up.

“Don’t use that.”

Ophelia said, her lips pressed together, her eyebrows twitching.

“Use what?”
“The Mark.”
“The Hero’s Mark?”
“Yes. Don’t use it.”
“….”

Ophelia poked my chest.

“Don’t use it, I said.”
“I’ll try not to.”
“Don’t try. Just don’t use it. I’ll kill you if you use it again.”

I had pushed myself too hard during the spar.

“Do you know what state you were in?”
“What state?”
“Both your arms were dislocated, and you broke four ribs.”
“….”

My last attack had pushed my body beyond its limits. I couldn’t defeat Alberich with human strength, so I had to surpass it.

I had moved like a beast, like a monster. It was natural for my body to break down. The original hero, with his divinely gifted body and perfect compatibility with the Mark, wouldn’t have had any problems.

But I was just a replacement.

“You’re lucky I healed you in time. If that had happened to your limbs, you would have died. No chance of recovery.”
“….”
“Don’t you understand? The more you use it, the more damage you’ll take!”

Ophelia was clearly angry.

“You idiot! I told you to win by any means necessary, not to kill yourself! Are you a suicide bomber?”
“I didn’t intend to…”
“You always say that! You did the same thing before! And before that!”

Ophelia clenched her fists. She was probably referring to the incident with the Shadows of God.

“That was unavoidable…”
“Yes! Unavoidable! You used the Mark because of me, and you almost died! And you stormed into the conference hall to save me and were humiliated!”
“….”
“I know. I know how many times you’ve risked your life for me.”

Ophelia’s voice trembled as she clutched the potion bottle tightly.

“So… please… stop it…”

I couldn’t see her expression, but she was probably in pain. I placed my hand over hers.

“Ophelia, don’t blame yourself. I just…”
“It’s not self-blame! It’s just… if the hero dies, the world is doomed! That’s what I’m saying!”
“….”
“That’s all!”

I shrugged.

“Well, I was being pragmatic as well. I fought the Shadows of God, and I left the Holy City… all because you’re the Saintess.”
“…Really?”
“No. That’s a lie. I would have done it even if you weren’t the Saintess.”
“…Ugh.”

Her reaction was amusing. I chuckled and sat up.

“Don’t worry, Ophelia.”

I placed my hand on her head. She didn’t push it away anymore.

“I can take care of myself.”
“…Idiot.”
“But I appreciate your concern.”
“I-it’s not concern! It’s just… you’re the hero…!”
“Sure.”

I stood up, ignoring her protests. I took a few steps. My body ached, but the pain subsided quickly.

My body was getting used to the backlash. If I kept using it, I might be able to use it like the original hero, without any side effects.

Though I wasn’t sure if my body could handle that much use. I would have to rely on healing magic and see.

“Oh, right.”

Ophelia suddenly said, “You have a new nickname.”
“The hero?”
“Hmph. I wish it was something that noble.”

Ophelia scoffed, then said, “They’re calling you… the Mad Dog.”
“Hmm.”

The Mad Dog. Well, I had used some dirty tricks. And my fighting style towards the end had been crude and savage.

“They’re calling you Mad Dog. A crazy bastard.”
“Oh.”
“Doesn’t that bother you?”
“Bothered by what? It’s the truth. My nickname in the northern mercenary group was also Mad Dog.”

I had to be crazy to survive in that environment. I tried to shrug it off, but Ophelia wasn’t satisfied.

“If you’re called Mad Dog, it reflects badly on me!”
“What does my nickname have to do with your image?”
“It just does! Because of what you said at the conference hall…”

Ophelia’s face turned crimson. I clicked my tongue, unable to find the right words.

“….”

I finally said, “Your image isn’t exactly stellar to begin with.”

And then I was slapped.

—

“Are you feeling better?”
“Thanks to you. You sent the potion.”

Alberich was waiting for me at the barracks near my quarters. He smiled and waved when he saw me.

I had been worried he might be upset about losing the spar, but he seemed to be his usual cheerful self, unlike Emily or Ophelia. The Sword Saint’s personality, unlike the others, seemed to be the same as in the game.

“What’s with the handprint on your cheek?”
“It’s… a token of comradeship.”
“I see.”

Alberich didn’t pry further and straightened up.

“I’d love to continue our… conversation from the other day, but we have an audience.”

Alberich looked around and chuckled. Several knights had gathered near the barracks, their gazes unfriendly.

I had fought dirty; they clearly didn’t approve of my unconventional fighting style..

“Don’t worry about them. I understand.”
“It’s not about understanding…”
“Let’s move.”

Alberich gestured towards a large mansion at the end of the street. The Reudenstein ducal estate.

“You said you’d open the family vault if I won.”
“That’s right.”
“I can choose anything?”
“Anything. You won the spar.”
“Hmm.”

I hesitated, then looked back. Ophelia was watching me from the window.

“Can I bring a companion?”

Alberich, understanding my intentions, spread his arms.

“Of course.”

The Reudenstein vault was vast and opulent. It wasn’t just filled with gold and jewels.

There were valuable weapons, historical documents, and even letters from other nations. The Holy City had a treasure vault as well, but the Reudenstein vault was just as impressive.

“…Whoa, this is amazing.”

Ophelia muttered. She was my companion. She had initially refused to come, but she had looked rather disappointed when I turned to leave.

She wanted me to ask her again. So, I had coaxed her into coming.

“It’s nothing special. Just… things that have accumulated over generations.”

Alberich said casually, but his shoulders were puffed up with pride.

“Can I really take anything?”
“Of course. I promised you anything in the vault.”
“Even a family heirloom?”
“I’m afraid so. A promise is a promise.”

If Alberich was serious, I could even take the Reudenstein family sword. Of course, I had no intention of doing so. I already had the holy sword.

“Hmm…”

Treasures galore. I looked around, and Alberich nodded.

“Take your time. I’ve already gotten permission from the elders.”
“I doubt they’re happy about this.”

Alberich simply placed his finger on his lips. I chuckled and walked further into the vault. There were many tempting treasures, including equipment I had used in the game. But I passed them all by.

“….”

Honestly, the most valuable item in the Reudenstein vault wasn’t a weapon. I stopped.

“This is it.”

A small, golden ring on a shelf. I recognized it from the game. I picked it up. The star engraved on its surface shimmered.

“A good choice.”

Alberich said, impressed, and I grinned. The thrill of finding a treasure.

“The name of this ring is…”
“The Morningstar Ring.”
“You knew? It’s a famous artifact.”

The Morningstar Ring. A caster’s ultimate weapon.

“However, Elliot, I should warn you, the Morningstar Ring isn’t very effective for swordsmen.”
“I know. It’s not for me.”

Alberich’s eyebrows twitched. I turned around. Ophelia was watching me intently.

“Ophelia.”
“Y-yes…?”
“I gave you that hairpin before, and you complained about it being cheap.”
“…Th-that’s right.”
“This gift is expensive, so treat it with care.”

I handed Ophelia the Morningstar Ring.

She stared at me, dumbfounded, too surprised to take it, so I put it on her finger. I had intended to put it on her index finger, but it was smaller than I had expected.

I hesitated between her ring finger and pinky, then chose her ring finger.

“It suits you.”

The Morningstar Ring significantly increased mana and divine power regeneration. It also created a mana barrier in emergencies. A true end-game item, perfect for a caster like Ophelia.

“….”

Ophelia blinked, looking at the ring on her finger.

She looked up at me, her emerald eyes filled with confusion. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Her lips moved silently, like a goldfish.

Finally, she managed to make a sound.

“Mmm…”
“Mmm?”
“Mwaaa…”

A sound like air escaping a balloon.

“….”

Alberich, who had been watching us, shook his head.

“…Elliot, you’re quite the…”
“Hm?”
“Player.”

He said something I didn’t understand.

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Hi Lord Fourth here!
I’m still new to translating as this is my second novel to pick up, so if you find some mistakes or inconsistencies let me know about it on the dedicated channel on discord.