Aisha expected that Lisellon was suspicious.
At this point, it was all or nothing. There was no need to go to a place that might be a trap. There was nothing to lose.
The one in an unstable position right now was Lisellon.
And if Aisha’s soul transfer had failed, he would be even more uneasy.
In a situation like this, there was no reason to follow Lisellon’s intentions.
It didn’t matter if he suspected that Aisha had completely turned against him.
After all, she was currently in their hands, along with her body. The advantage lay with Edith.
They would simply leave things as they were.
— “…That’s all I know.”
Moreover, after Luzbel’s words, Aisha had grown subdued and was obediently doing as asked.
From Aisha’s perspective as well, she needed Edith if she wanted to regain her body.
Above all, Edith wanted to believe Aisha.
Reminus had confirmed that she had cast a curse on her own body. If she had resolved herself that far, she wouldn’t wish to return to Lisellon now.
One way or another, she would see this through to the end.
Still, a subdued Aisha seemed easier to handle, so they decided to leave her as she was.
There was no need to console her.
Without much difficulty, they obtained a list of noblewomen who were purchasing the medicine.
“Thank you.”
— “…If you need anything else, you can tell me.”
Seeing her so deflated felt strange somehow.
Aisha being obedient? Why?
‘She must desperately want to return to her own body.’
After all, no one would enjoy being stuck in the form of an ugly wind-up doll.
Anyway, after receiving the list, Edith frowned and said,
“There are more people involved than I thought.”
“Indeed.”
“In a way, that works out better.”
Edith was aware that her image hadn’t been good lately.
Of course, it had only been an act to deceive Lisellon, but as a result, she had shed much of the existing image associated with being a Saint.
Whatever the drug was, it seemed easier now to approach these noblewomen and subtly ask about it.
If she were still the sacred Saint, it would have been difficult for them to speak openly, but now it was different. She intended to act appropriately and step forward herself.
To think she was making use of her ruined image like this.
“Are you planning to step in personally? The Duchess could make a move instead.”
“No. Mom has too strong an image of being upright. They would not believe her. And the conditions seem strict, so I doubt they would accept just anyone.”
Those Aisha had pointed out were all people of considerable status.
If they lacked status, they at least possessed immense wealth, but they didn’t seem to accept just anyone. They too appeared to have powerful backers.
In other words, no matter how wealthy someone was, they weren’t upstarts or merchants.
Lisellon, being clever, would have filtered them himself. They might bring money, but they couldn’t serve as his backing.
“Even if you approach them, Lisellon might refuse, might he not?”
“Well. We will only know if we try. I simply want to know what that drug is. There is nothing to lose, is there?”
While pretending to be Aisha, she had thrown tantrums every day.
She had behaved arrogantly toward the noblewomen as well, and as a result, even the Temple had begun to treat her as if they had given up on her.
“…”
Luzbel also thought that lately, if it were Edith, those noblewomen might not view her unfavorably.
Since it was a secretive group, they would be selective about whom they accepted, but a Saint and a high-ranking noble lady would likely seem like an attractive recruit.
“There is no one but me.”
“…You will not listen even if I try to stop you, will you?”
“That is true. But if you oppose me, Luzbel, I would be sad, so I am trying to persuade you.”
“How could I possibly win against you, Edith?”
Luzbel let out a faint, defeated laugh.
***
Excluding the Imperial Family, the person who seemed easiest to approach was Duchess Illunet.
At present, House Illunet remained firmly established because the Duke himself was regarded as a model figure among the noble faction, but when one thought of the future, it was a family that invited doubt.
Verina had once mentioned that all the sons were incorrigible troublemakers.
And yet even the Duchess was involved in such matters, which made one click their tongue.
Well, for Edith, as long as she could make good use of it, that was enough.
“Welcome, Saint.”
Duchess Illunet was the very image of a typical noblewoman.
She was extremely vain and didn’t hesitate to use her position as Duchess to strike down those she disliked.
She was said to enjoy holding frequent gatherings and basking in flattery.
To approach her, Edith subtly passed word through one of the Duchess’s close aides that she wished to attend one of her gatherings.
Before long, there was a response.
An invitation arrived.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
Without delay, Edith sent her reply accepting the invitation, and now she was being warmly received in the gardens of the Illunet estate.
Glancing around, she saw quite a few of the noblewomen Aisha had pointed out.
“My, my, I cannot tell you how surprised I was to hear that the Saint had taken an interest in me.”
“You are so widely renowned. I heard that many follow you, so I became curious about what kind of person you are.”
“Oh my.”
Duchess Illunet smiled, seemingly pleased, and the atmosphere softened.
“Everyone, look here. A new member has been invited to our gathering.”
“She is the Saint, is she not?”
“Indeed. She says she has long admired me as a noblewoman.”
“How impressive!”
She had never said such a thing.
So they said she was vain. She seemed delighted that a Saint had supposedly humbled herself and approached her first, and kept Edith by her side the entire time.
From the way she spoke to those around her, Edith almost felt as though she had become some sort of trophy.
In any case, the Duchess’s temperament was apparently well known, as everyone showered her with relentless flattery.
While proudly parading herself about, Duchess Illunet casually asked,
“I have heard some rumors about you, Saint. I assume they were all misunderstandings?”
The rumors likely referred to her recent arrogant behavior.
It had been quite the hot topic in high society.
Recently, however, the romantic scandal between Lisellon and Luzbel had exploded even more spectacularly.
“Well. Rather than a misunderstanding…”
Edith trailed off naturally.
At once, curiosity flickered in the Duchess’ eyes.
“Or is there something you want from me? If it is not too difficult, I would be willing to grant it…”
It would mean placing the Saint and a noble lady like Edith in her debt.
For Duchess Illunet, it was not a bad bargain. Even among Ducal Houses, House Capanteni stood on a different level altogether.
“There is something I am curious about.”
Edith spoke hesitantly, as though choosing her words with care.
“Go on.”
“…I heard there is a certain medicine.”
“…A medicine? What medicine are you referring to?”
For a brief moment, the smiling Duchess’s expression twitched. Edith didn’t miss it.
“Ah, I only happened to learn of it by chance. Um, I would appreciate it if you kept this a secret.”
“Of course.”
Edith pretended to hesitate, as though finding it difficult to speak.
The Duchess, as if urging her to trust only her, lowered her voice and gradually guided her toward a more secluded spot.
“I have formed a connection with someone from the shadow den.”
“What did you say?”
The Duchess’s eyes widened dramatically, clearly not expecting that.
“…There was something I wanted.”
“Something you wanted?”
“…”
Edith closed her mouth as if unwilling to elaborate. Realizing she had perhaps pressed too far, the Duchess gave an awkward laugh and nodded.
“…The shadow den, you say. I will not ask what it is that you desired.”
“Thank you.”
“As for the medicine, yes. There is such a thing.”
Just as expected. Mentioning sorcery had made her yield easily.
There was no way high-ranking noblewomen would purchase such a medicine without knowing its source.
“There is a gathering only for high-ranking noblewomen or those who have been verified. The medicine can only be obtained through that circle.”
Duchess Illunet spoke with surprising ease.
“Yes, I heard that much. But I am not the type who can ignore my curiosity. I would like to obtain it as well. Would that be possible?”
“Haha, Edith, your status is unquestionable, so of course you can join. Well, you are not technically a married lady, but you are of age, so it will be fine. I can recommend you myself.”
Having agreed to share information about the medicine, Duchess Illunet now casually called Edith by name and spoke with an air of superiority.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, are you also interested in maintaining your appearance?”
Her appearance?
“After all… a woman’s beauty does not last long….”
The Duchess murmured softly, sounding quite regretful.
“I myself take the rejuvenation medicine to maintain my current beauty.”
‘…!’
She now knew what the medicine was.
Feeling at ease, the Duchess poured everything out without hesitation.
“I am sure you will also see the effects, Edith. However, you must never speak of this medicine to anyone who has not been verified. Not even to your mother, no matter who she is.”
“…I understand.”
“Good. In fact, some of the ladies present today are part of this circle. I will arrange a proper gathering soon.”
The Duchess lifted her chin arrogantly as she spoke, a faint hint of mockery in her tone, as though even the Saint was ultimately just another woman.
A rejuvenation medicine.
Was that why it was sold only to noblewomen?
Men might not wish to grow old either, but there were especially many women who clung to youth.
And if they were women who had already secured a certain status and position in life, all the more so.
“I will trust in you, Duchess.”
Attendance at the gathering.
It seemed that at least this part wasn’t under Lisellon’s control. If it were, she would surely have cut the matter off by saying she would have to consult him first.
