Taming The Evil Saintess – Chapter 46

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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Alberich, the Sword Saint, held a unique position in Sword & Magic Chronicle. If you built the protagonist as a mage, Alberich, along with Azar, was an indispensable member of the front lines.

He was incredibly strong, with top-tier stats, and a powerful Mark. Meeting him in person, I could sense his strength.

He was stronger than anyone I had ever met. Even with the Hero’s Mark, I wasn’t confident I could defeat him.

“I had to remove your glove. The poison had spread to your extremities.”

Alberich, the Sword Saint, said, looking at the back of my hand. The Hero’s Mark. I had tried to hide it, but he had seen it.

The most famous named character in this world. But it wasn’t a bad situation.

“You saved my life, so I don’t mind. I would have had to reveal my identity as the hero eventually.”
“I appreciate your candor.”
“Is Ophelia in the conference hall?”
“The Pope arrived from the Holy City a few days ago. The Saintess is likely at his residence.”

It was good news that Ophelia was here. If she had been taken back to the Holy City, things would have been much worse. But we were in Whitecrown, the Imperial Capital, and the man before me was the captain of the Imperial Knights.

I looked at Alberich.

“I’m going to rescue Ophelia.”
“I won’t stop you.”
“I’m not asking you to stop me. I’m asking for your help.”

With the support of the Imperial Knights, I could take on the Shadows of God and the Holy Knights. But Alberich simply tilted his head.

“I don’t understand. Why ask for my help? Just reveal your identity as the hero.”

He had a point. This was the Grand Conference Hall, where the Continental Alliance was holding its regular meeting. Important figures from across the continent were gathered here. And one of the main topics of discussion would be the missing Hero’s Mark.

If I revealed myself as the hero and told them that the Pope’s personal guard had tried to kill me, it would cause a huge uproar. The hero’s authority was absolute.

Retrieving Ophelia and exposing the Demon King’s army would be child’s play. But I couldn’t do that.

“I’ll reveal my identity after rescuing Ophelia.”
“Why?”
“I want to punch that bastard Pope in the face.”

If I revealed myself now, the incident would become a major political issue. I wouldn’t be able to get my revenge on the Pope.

I was furious, at the Shadows of God, and at the Pope. And so was Ophelia. I had to do this myself.

“That’s… not a very heroic reason.”
“Didn’t you notice? I’m quite petty.”
“Haha.”

Alberich chuckled. I stepped closer to him.

“What do you and the Empire want from me? If I give it to you, will you help me?”
“Of course.”

Alberich looked at me, his eyes cold.

“This is the Empire. As the captain of the Imperial Knights, I have considerable influence. But there will be consequences.”
“Consequences?”
“I’ll be suspended from duty. And you… could be executed. You drew your sword in the conference hall.”
“Are you going to execute me?”
“Of course not.”

Alberich pointed at the Mark on his cheek.

“You’re the hero. I’m the Sword Saint. We have a certain level of immunity within the Empire. That’s reason enough for us to cooperate. But I want to know… your intentions.”
“Intentions?”
“Why do you want to rescue the Saintess? A sense of justice? Personal gain? Or… romantic feelings?”
“….”

I remained silent, and Alberich frowned.

“I can offer you an alternative. There are many apprentice nuns in the Imperial Church. They might not be as powerful as the Saintess, but they’re skilled in divine magic.”
“Shut up. If you don’t want to die.”
“….”

Alberich was speechless, and I said, feigning annoyance,
“I just… want to. I’m going to rescue Ophelia. No one else.”
“….”
“I care about her, and she cares about me. I’m just repaying the favor. I made a promise. I swore a geas. Is that enough?”
“…Hmm.”

Alberich pondered my words for a moment, then nodded.

“A true knight.”

He stood up and opened the door.

“I’ll retract my previous statement. It was a test. Don’t take it personally.”
“…And the results?”
“Excellent.”

He snapped his fingers.

“I’ll help you. But on one condition.”
“What is it?”

Alberich grinned and winked.

“The Empire will take custody of the hero.”

—

A dark room. Ophelia stared blankly at the ceiling. She didn’t know how much time had passed. She had lost consciousness after being poisoned and woke up here, tied up.

She was worried. The last thing she remembered was Elliot, poisoned and bleeding, collapsing to his knees.

“No…”

He couldn’t be dead. And if he was, it was her fault. She had brought misfortune upon him. He had been sacrificed because of her. She wanted to tear her hair out, but she couldn’t. She was bound. She could only fidget restlessly.

“Elliot.”

She didn’t particularly like him. But he was the only one in the Holy City who had reached out to her. He had even risked his life to take her away from the Holy City.

His words had been sweet, and she had followed him. But if this was the result…

“Ugh…”

Tears welled up in Ophelia’s eyes and spilled onto her thighs.

‘Don’t be dramatic. It doesn’t suit you.’
‘It’s fine. Everything will be alright.’

“Damn it…”

Don’t be dramatic? It doesn’t suit you?

“You were the dramatic one…”

Ophelia muttered, her voice choked with sobs. It wasn’t fine. If this was fine, then he was insane.

Well, he was insane, to some extent.

“…Sob…”

As she cried, the door opened. Click. Light streamed into the room, stinging her eyes.

“E-Elliot…?”

She asked hopefully. The figure in the doorway was wearing holy robes. He approached her…

“I’m not Sir Elliot, but I am a devoted servant of the Saintess.”

A handsome man with a kind face. Another lunatic.

“U-Ured?”
“Yes. Ured, the Holy Inquisitor.”

Ured smiled reassuringly. He pulled a chair over and sat down opposite her.

“We don’t have much time. I’ll get straight to the point.”
“What is it?”
“You’re in the Imperial Capital. Specifically, the Grand Conference Hall, where the Continental Alliance is holding its meeting. The Pope is here as well. The main topic of discussion will be the hero and the Demon King’s army. Auriga and the Ice Palace couldn’t attend, unfortunately.”
“…Elliot?”
“I don’t know. But there’s been no report of his death.”

Ophelia’s heart leaped with relief. She didn’t know if he was alive, but the fact that his body hadn’t been found was a good sign.

“…Saintess, I’m here on official Inquisition business. I have to leave soon. Do you need anything?”
“…A hairpin.”

Ophelia muttered. Ured tilted his head.

“There should be a laurel leaf hairpin among my belongings. Bring it to me.”
“It must be precious to you. I understand. I’ll bring it right away.”

It was good that he didn’t ask any questions. Ured returned with the hairpin, and Ophelia nodded, feeling its familiar shape.

“Saintess, don’t worry. Sir Elliot is strong and righteous, unlike this unworthy Ured. He’ll surely survive and come to rescue you…”
“I know. Get lost.”
“….”
“Get lost, I have a headache.”

Ured blinked at Ophelia’s words, then smiled.

“You’re back to your usual self. Perhaps I was worried for nothing.”

He even hummed a tune, seemingly pleased with being insulted. After Ured left, Ophelia, alone in the room, fiddled with the hairpin.

“Elliot.”

No body meant he was alive. He would definitely come for her. But she wasn’t going to wait passively. So…

Click.

The sound of handcuffs unlocking. She had picked the lock with the pointed end of the hairpin. A skill she had honed during her boring days at the educational institution.

“Bastards.”

Ophelia’s face was contorted in anger. Her sadness had turned to rage. She resented her situation, her surroundings, everything.

“You old geezer, I’ll kick you in the balls.”

She muttered, directing her anger at her adoptive father, and stood up.

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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.