Chapter 49
Lani meticulously groomed Irene’s fingernails, which rested upon a cushion. She filed the grown tips with a delicately crafted tool and applied a nourishing treatment.
“Ah, you’re beautiful.”
Yet, her mouth did not cease to move.
“The person assigned as the escort for this pilgrimage is Sir Allen. He’s the youngest knight commander and also a paladin. From what I know, he used to have a fondness for Lady Ramiel. But can such a person truly protect Lady Irene? I’m so worried I can’t stand it.”
Though no response came, she diligently relayed information she had gathered from around.
“Luna said that about half of the paladins will join. The rest of the escort will be filled by the kings of the north and the east.”
“The king of the east too?”
As Irene showed delayed interest, Lani responded with a bright smile.
“Yes, the first destination is to the east, after all. The paladins might be disappointed. It’s a glorious journey, and the addition of others might reduce their places.”
That’s unlikely. Irene scoffed.
Wouldn’t they be glad instead? They probably wouldn’t want to serve a saint like her.
‘Allen.’
He was a paladin liked by everyone, but not by Irene.
There had been a time when she believed Allen would be fair to all, but now she knew that wasn’t the case.
‘There’s no one you can trust.’
Yes, that was the only truth.
“Are all the people in place?”
At Allen’s question, the deputy commander, Gius, looked troubled.
“We’re almost full, but we’re still a few short.”
“It’s the saint’s pilgrimage. It’s an honorable position, and you’re saying it’s not filled?”
“That’s the thing. Honestly, there are still those who doubt the saint’s presence.”
“Even after witnessing miracles?”
“I have nothing more to say.”
Allen scanned the names of the paladins on the application forms and then stood up.
“Foolish ones.”
Being bound by the past and unable to see the present was nothing short of pathetic.
Allen wrote down the names of a few paladins who had opted out in the empty spaces on the forms.
“They will participate as well.”
“What if they refuse?”
“They will pray in solitary confinement until they repent.”
The punishment of kneeling on the cold floor in full armor, praying until permission was granted, was not easily endured even by a paladin.
Moreover, Allen was the type who would make them pray to the brink of death.
“They will all attend.”
“They must.”
Allen responded coldly and turned his gaze back to the documents. He understood the king of the east since that was the direction they were heading, but the king of the north was somewhat irksome.
Especially the part about having been by the saint’s side since the moment she awoke.
‘It’s not easy to discern his intentions.’
That’s why the king of the north was an unwelcome presence. But he couldn’t be excluded. The saint didn’t want that.
Allen recalled a girl with red eyes he had seen in the past.
The girl, who always looked at the world with a longing gaze, was quite uncomfortable to deal with. That’s why he kept his distance.
‘Yet,’
The goddess had chosen Irene as the saint. One must not doubt the will of the goddess.
Thus, Allen also believed Irene to be the saint. Now, his only task was to win Irene’s trust.
“I will visit the saint this afternoon.”
“Are you sure that’s okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? It’s a paladin’s place to meet with the saint.”
Allen responded calmly and stood up. Fortunately, the saint did not forbid his entry.
“Please come in.”
At the entrance to the saint’s room stood a tall woman. Appearing to be a maid, she looked at Allen with a sharp gaze and said,
“Please show proper respect to the saint.”
“There will be no rudeness.”
“I trust you will.”
The maid spoke and then opened the door.
The room was lit, but the world outside the window was still cloudy. Because of this, a strange atmosphere lingered inside.
“Sir Allen.”
A dry voice, devoid of emotion, called out to Allen.
“It’s an honor to meet you, saintess.”
During the saint’s ordination, he had watched from a distance to guard her and hadn’t seen her closely. But today, seeing Irene in person, she appeared smaller and more fragile than before.
Her attire was neat and more elaborate, yet it could not fully conceal the scarred tips of her fingers.
They were the traces of torture.
Allen clenched his teeth unwittingly. If he had known that the barbarians were dragging a candidate for sainthood into a torture chamber, he would have stopped them by any means. He hadn’t known.
This was proof that the temple was being shaken by the kings. It was a displeasing situation for Allen.
“I am sorry for being late.”
That was all he could say.
“What are you sorry for?”
Irene tilted her head and asked.
“I am sorry for everything.”
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