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“Resi.”

“Resi!”

As I was lost in my thoughts, both Bael and Eugene called my name simultaneously from either side.

“Whoa…!” I flinched at the sudden sound, startled by their synchronized voices, but the two of them didn’t seem to notice and quickly stepped closer.

‘What’s gotten into them all of a sudden?’

Overwhelmed by their intense focus, I took a step back. Eugene was the first to speak up, his tone serious.

“You said it felt familiar, right?”

“Yeah. Even though I couldn’t see his face, the overall atmosphere was something I recognized. It felt very familiar.”

“Hmm…”

Eugene responded with a thoughtful hum, rubbing his chin as if deep in consideration. Bael, on the other hand, wasn’t idle either.

“Don’t ever mention this to Axel.”

“Huh?”

Why was he suddenly bringing up Axel? But Bael’s expression was dead serious.

“If he hears that, he’ll be unsettled and likely brooding for days.”

“Why would Axel be unsettled by the news that I’m married and pregnant in the future?”

Blinking in confusion, I looked at Bael, who sighed softly and gave me another firm reminder.

“In any case, don’t talk about anything you saw in the future. The moment you speak about any future events, things start to change.”

“Oh.”

I hadn’t considered that! The realization struck me suddenly, and I nodded in agreement. The future I had seen was based on a past where Reshia hadn’t gone around talking about what she saw. But if I started blabbing about the future now, it could diverge from what I had seen. 

The future is built on layers of the past, so if the past changes, the future could also change. It wouldn’t be a big deal if it just meant my future husband turned out to be someone different, but the interpretation of the prophecy book was an incredibly serious matter.

“You’re right. If the future changes, the prophecy interpretation might become useless… I need to be careful.”

“That’s one reason, but… it’s best to keep anything you saw in the future a secret from now on.”

“Got it. From now on, my lips are sealed!”

I clenched my fists in determination, and Bael let out an uncharacteristic groan, his expression troubled.

“I’ll take this book to His Holiness the Pope. Resi, please discuss the matters regarding the ‘Imperial Palace’ with Axel.”

Since Eugene was present, Bael used the phrase “Imperial Palace” as a euphemism, but what he really meant was that I should find out what had happened with Kirke.

‘What on earth happened on that front?’

* * *

“The former emperor is apparently on the brink of death. Suddenly fell ill,” Axel stated matter-of-factly.

“It seems someone from the Regennetasia Monastery, where the former emperor is staying, spread this news during the audience, putting Kirke in a difficult position.”

“During the audience?” My eyes widened in surprise.

“Isn’t it the attendants’ job to filter the petitions before they reach the emperor? How did they let something like that be discussed during the audience?”

“The monk apparently told the attendants that he was there to discuss support for the monastery. Since he was wearing the monastic emblem, the attendants didn’t suspect anything,” Axel explained.

“Well… it’s natural not to expect a monk to lie,” I replied.

Apart from wizards like Axel and me, the people of the Empire were generally devout. The reputation of the Elpinard ducal house, which protected the prophecy given by the gods, was bolstered by such faith.

‘Of course, even without that, it’s an ancient and incredibly powerful family.’

The prophecy and the Ivory Tower played a significant role in establishing the Elpinard family’s unparalleled position compared to other noble houses.

‘That’s probably why people’s suspicion towards me was so harsh when they thought I was a false Saintess.’

They treated me coldly because they believed I was impersonating a divine figure. Now, however, that misunderstanding has been completely cleared up, and I’m almost uncomfortably revered.

“So, is it true that the former emperor is at death’s door?” I asked.

Axel shook his head slightly. “Kirke has people stationed near the monastery. They’re watching the former emperor closely. If he were truly ill, Kirke would have been the first to know.”

“But what if the watchers have turned against him?” I suggested.

“That’s possible, but unlikely.”

Axel’s lukewarm response suggested that he considered the possibility of betrayal by the watchers to be very low.

‘Well, Kirke wouldn’t have just placed anyone in that role.’

Though he outwardly seemed relaxed and approachable, Kirke was actually a meticulous person. He wouldn’t have made a mistake in choosing trustworthy people.

“So, the former emperor isn’t actually sick. He’s using an illness as an excuse to come to the capital.”

I tilted my head, trying to figure out why someone who had been quietly residing in a monastery would suddenly want to come to the capital. Axel mentioned a familiar name.

“Hazen.”

“Huh?”

Why bring up his name now? I looked at Axel with puzzled eyes, and he shrugged.

“Isn’t that guy skilled at disguising himself as others? Didn’t you say he even disguised himself as Kirke once?”

“That’s right.”

“What if it’s actually Hazen who’s sick? Maybe he’s planning to enter the capital disguised as the emperor to receive treatment.”

“!”

It was a plausible theory, and I felt my eyes widen with realization.

“That makes sense. Hazen could potentially cast a powerful geas as well.”

Given the level of illusion magic Hazen had demonstrated at the palace, it was entirely possible.

“What does Kirke plan to do?”

“There were quite a few people present during the audience who heard about the emperor’s illness. Even though it’s obvious there’s something shady going on… Kirke can’t stop the former emperor from coming to the capital.”

“Even if we don’t know whether it’s really the emperor or not?”

“Well… either way, the appearance will be that of the emperor. And people tend to believe what they see.”

Axel sighed softly before continuing.

“The former emperor will stay in a villa on the outskirts of the capital. Although the monk claimed the illness is incurable, Kirke plans to send doctors and priests to reassess the emperor’s condition.”

Sending doctors and priests wasn’t really about treating the emperor. It was a performance to show that Kirke wasn’t neglecting his father.

‘Along the way, they can also determine if it’s really the former emperor and how serious his illness is.’

Understanding the opponent’s situation is fundamental in any battle.

“Kirke wants to include Cardinal Bael and Saintess Reshia among the priests he sends,” Axel continued.

“I can go?” I asked, surprised. Usually, whenever I wanted to step forward, they’d say no, so I hadn’t even expected this. Hearing that I was allowed to go made me doubt my ears.

As I jumped to my feet, eyes sparkling, Axel chuckled softly and patted my head.

“You’re that eager to get involved?”

“I’m a combat operative by nature. Being told to sit back and wait all the time, of course I’m bored!”

“Unfortunately, your role isn’t that of a combat operative. You’re going as Saintess Reshia, remember?”

“Yes, yes, I understand,” I replied, mimicking the tone of the servants and giving Axel an exaggerated bow.

“You want me to go there with a benevolent smile, showing everyone that Kirke cares so much about the former emperor that he’s sending the ‘Saintess’ herself, right?”

“Exactly. Kirke has really grown into his role as emperor. He’s even starting to come up with political strategies on his own.”

“Alright. I’ll be happy to play along while celebrating my friend’s progress,” I said, tilting my chin up in a mock display of arrogance.

Axel let out a small laugh at my theatrics and lightly tapped my forehead with his finger.

“That attitude isn’t very fitting for a Saintess, you know?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll act like a proper Saintess in front of others. Want me to show you?”

In my mind, a Saintess was a delicate, ethereal figure, as light as a feather in the wind. I wiped away my playful expression and replaced it with a soft, warm smile.

‘This is the perfect example of a Saintess’s loving smile!’

As I struck a fragile, innocent pose, Axel’s lips twitched as if he were holding back a laugh or trying to suppress irritation.

“You’re really not suited for that kind of act,” he finally said, his voice tight.

“Alright, alright. I won’t do it in front of you. No need to get so serious…”

I dropped the delicate act and pouted slightly, causing Axel to finally move his stiffened lips and give me a warning.

“No, actually, just do that only in front of me. I don’t want to think about what could happen if you tried that in front of anyone else.”

“What? Everyone else would love the Saintess smile!”

“No way. Definitely not. Don’t do it.”

“It’s only you who thinks it’s weird! I bet Eugene would say it suits me perfectly…”

“Eugene?”

Axel raised an eyebrow, cutting me off mid-sentence.

“You’re especially forbidden from doing that in front of him.”