CHAPTER 158……………………………………………
Why did he have to hit me right where it hurt?
I had been holding it together, but my eyes suddenly burned.
“…Take care on your journey.”
The count, perhaps feeling awkward himself, didn’t say anything more. He took his daughter’s hand, helped Adele into the carriage, and at last the noisy procession began to move.
Only after confirming that her father was no longer visible beyond the window did Adele slightly lift the veil that had been draped over her face.
“Phew…”
What even is all of this?
Rolling each shoulder once, she spoke before Rebecca, seated across from her, could open her mouth.
“You saw it, didn’t you? Why I can’t tell Father that I’m carrying a child.”
“…Still, even so…”
“It’s already like this. If he found out about the baby, he wouldn’t even let me step outside.”
Though she hadn’t planned for things to unfold this way from the start, now that they had, she couldn’t help feeling relieved she had kept it a secret.
“I only told him right before leaving because I wanted everything as simple as possible. If I’d warned him earlier, he would’ve moved an entire castle along with us.”
“Then shouldn’t you have firmly told him not to? Isn’t persuading people with words what you do best, Lady Agnes?”
“You have to let him do at least that much. It’s the only way I can be a dutiful daughter.”
“…Lady Agnes.”
“It may not be normal, but this is how my father shows that he cares.”
He must have wanted to do everything for her.
Just like she did.
With a white veil over her head, Adele rested a hand on her stomach. At least that 모습 looked undeniably sacred.
For someone who claimed to be Satan, why did she look so… unsuited to it?
Rebecca stayed silent for a long while, unsure how to respond, before shaking her head.
“Well… I don’t understand it, but love between parent and child doesn’t have to take only one form.”
“Right?”
Adele smiled in agreement, though bitterness lingered at the corner of her lips.
“If only someone like that had existed for him… maybe he wouldn’t have been so lonely.”
“Lady Agnes?”
“It’s nothing. We’ll be entering the forest soon.”
She turned her head, gazing out the carriage window as if it truly were nothing. At this pace, it would take a full two days to reach the villa.
Something about Adele’s sorrowful profile made Rebecca rub her face irritably.
“…Anyway, I still don’t understand why I’m coming with you. You’ve recovered now, so I should be returning soon.”
“What are you saying? This is all thanks to you, Sister Rebecca.”
Ridiculous.
Adele looked at Rebecca with a smile — the very person who had played the biggest role today.
It was practically a “free pass to send your daughter on a trip.” No parent in the world would oppose their child traveling with a living priestess of San Fidelio.
“If you weren’t here, I never would’ve dared. To think I’d feel the greatness of divine providence so clearly…”
“……”
Suspicious. Very suspicious.
From experience, whenever this woman suddenly made the sign of the cross or displayed extreme piety, it was never a good omen.
Rebecca examined her cautiously, but Adele quickly clasped both her hands.
“I mean it. Sister Rebecca, you truly are a gift God gave me.”
A pitch-black night settled over the forest, without a single star.
Cold wind seeped even into the carriage when someone knocked on the window — the captain of the mercenary escort ordered by the count.
“Milady, we are at Milan Pass. Once we cross here, the land flattens. Please endure just a little longer.”
“Hmm… It might be fine to stay the night here.”
“What? But this is high ground, so the temperature is low. And as you can see, it borders San Fidelio—”
When he pointed to the wide forked road, Adele leaned out to look at the eternal snow atop Mount San Fidelio, then shook her head indifferently.
“No. Let’s rest here. Riding so long has made me nauseous — I feel like I’m developing illnesses I never had.”
“But the Count—”
“Yes. He ordered you to keep me as comfortable as possible, didn’t he?”
As Adele pulled out a handkerchief with an uncomfortable expression, the captain had no choice but to retreat.
If milady truly fell ill, the Count’s wrath would be unimaginable.
“Stop! Light a fire and pitch the tents!”
At his command, the servants hurried into motion.
Because the temperature was low compared to the south, blankets were moved about to prevent anyone from catching cold.
Rebecca, who had dozed off, stepped down from the carriage into the tent, grumbling.
“Honestly… It would’ve been better to rest after crossing Milan Pass. Why stop halfway up the mountain?”
“What’s wrong with it? We’re close to San Fidelio.”
“Anyone would think you buried treasure there.”
Rebecca didn’t like Adele’s strange affection for the temple, even more than a priestess herself.
What if she caught a cold? She might look fine now, but shouldn’t she be extra careful?
Not for herself — but for those who might suffer consequences.
“Come inside, Sister Rebecca.”
“Even the Count is excessive. This feels unnecessary.”
The carriage had already been extravagant, but the tent was simply magnificent.
When did they prepare all this?
It was smaller, but it looked as if the Count’s own bedroom had been moved here intact.
“Good grief… It’s not like we’re announcing your recuperation to the whole empire. Anyone would think you’re gravely ill.”
“Seriously.”
Rebecca shook her head at the mercenaries standing guard in two lines before the tent.
It looked like a royal procession.
Though it felt burdensome to someone who had lived a life of poverty, at least she knew it was safe — so she didn’t want to complain further.
“Anyway… I’m glad you’ve come to your senses like this.”
“My senses?”
“If you stayed there, you’d only bury yourself in work again and ruin your health. You need to think of the child in your womb.”
“……”
“Hm. I suppose you really are a mother now. Even a work addict is willing to rest for her baby.”
“I told you. I’ll do anything.”
Adele sat on the bed and fully removed her veil. Then she opened her bag and pulled out a thick robe, handing one to Rebecca as well.
“Put it on. The nights here will be cold.”
“Well, I live at San Fidelio, so this is nothing—”
“No. You must wear it.”
“….”
“Quickly.”
…What is she up to now?
Despite her forceful tone, Adele’s smile was nothing but fresh and bright.
Ignoring Satan’s kindness would go against God’s will.
And since Satan was trying so hard to become human, Rebecca couldn’t bring herself to crush that effort. Reluctantly, she wrapped herself in the white robe.
“I came here because of your heart for the child, Lady Agnes. I hope you don’t waver until the end.”
“Of course…”
“Kyaaaah!”
A scream rang out from outside. Murmurs and frantic footsteps followed, and someone suddenly thrust their head into the tent.
“Milady! There seems to be a disturbance. You must not leave this place!”
“What happened? Were we attacked?”
“Not exactly… but fire is spreading. We sent scouts to investigate. They’ll return soon.”
“So you don’t even know what’s happening?”
Adele scolded him in shock, and the captain lowered his head in shame.
She was destined to become ruler of the south — offending her would bring consequences far worse than merely angering the Count.
“I-I’m sorry. But we departed with a small force, and protecting you is our highest priority…”
“Is this really the time for that? I’m fine — go find out what’s happening!”
“But milady—”
“What are you worried about? The priestess of San Fidelio is with me!”
Adele pointed to Rebecca, who was already shielding her instinctively.
…Why am I even doing this?
Rebecca flinched, but now wasn’t the time.
“Go. I will guard this place. It’s best to follow Lady Agnes’s words.”
“Then I ask for your help…”
Another shout for support rose outside, and the captain hurried away.
Judging by the screams, it was no small chaos.
Even while focused on protecting Adele, Rebecca couldn’t help snapping.
“I told you it would’ve been better to go to the plains!”
“That won’t do. This is the closest point to San Fidelio.”
“That mountain again!”
“…I’ll tell the Archbishop.”
“And also…”
Adele gently moved Rebecca’s arm aside and stepped forward.
For someone in such an uncertain situation, her calm expression was unnervingly serene.
Rebecca slowly lowered her hand.
“N-No… wait. Don’t tell me— What is this?!”
“Looks like you have good instincts too, Sister.”
Adele placed the veil over Rebecca’s face, and Rebecca’s eyes widened.
The moment you realize you’ve been tricked is always too late.
“Lady Agnes!”
“Shh.”
Adele pulled the hood of the white robe down tightly, covering even her hair and forehead.
Now, at a glance, no one could tell them apart.
“As expected of the priestess of salvation… similar build, similar frame. I’m truly grateful to Ennes, once again.”
“Are you insane?! What are you doing?!”
“What else? Saving myself and my child.”
There wasn’t time to even draw a holy symbol.
Adele pulled aside the tent flap as rustling sounds approached.
Amid the people fleeing in panic, a dark figure slipped in like smoke.
“You’re late, Kaiden.”
“…Sister.”
Adele grinned and pulled her own hood low.
She gently pushed down Rebecca’s outstretched hand, telling her not to bother.
“I pray you forget all worries of this world and rest well in my place. No one here would dare speak to me first, so no one will notice. I’ve told Jacqueline too — there won’t be any trouble.”
“Jacqueline agreed to this?!”
“Of course. Because I ordered her to.”
So give up, Sister.
Adele whispered as if urging her not to fight a battle she couldn’t win.
“We’ll say the priestess of salvation couldn’t bear her homesickness and returned to San Fidelio.”
“You think that makes sense?!”
“Then we’ll say you hated me so much you stormed off. No one would doubt it.”
Adele spoke with more confidence than ever as she picked up Rebecca’s bag.
Some of what was inside might prove useful.
“Sister, we need to hurry. The prince can’t stall forever.”
“Right.”
Kaiden, already mounted, extended a hand, and Adele swung herself up.
Rebecca, horrified, grabbed the hem of Adele’s robe.
“No! Where are you going?! I’m here for your baby’s sake!”
“Yes. Everything is for my child.”
“……”
“For me and my child, true salvation is being with the person we need most at this moment. But God seems busy… so I must go seek salvation myself.”
She had never lived the kind of life where she could simply sit still and wait for divine rescue.
Rebecca’s strength drained at Adele’s resolute face, and she shook her head frantically.
“N-No. Then let me come with you. I promised the Count, but I have divine power — I will be useful!”
“No. That’s exactly why you can’t.”
“What…?”
“With holy power, you can heal anyone and provide comfort. But for creatures like us… someone far more ruthless and merciless suits us better.”
“What are you even saying…?”
“I’m saying the noble priestess should stay hidden as much as possible — for the sake of this child.”
Adele gently freed herself from Rebecca’s grasp, smiling brightly as she settled fully into the saddle.
Kaiden steadied her from behind, gripping the reins, and Adele clutched her stomach with a solemn expression.
“…Let’s go. To find your father.”
