Chapter 111 – Marie of the Neighboring Country

“Mm…” I stirred, opening my eyes.

My whole body ached, and my head throbbed. Unconsciously, I pressed a hand to my forehead.

“Saintess, how are you feeling?”

The woman’s voice startled me, and my body jolted in response.

I turned toward the source of the voice. A maid in a frilly uniform sat in a chair, smiling at me.

Who…?

The shock left me speechless.

Though confused, I slowly scanned my surroundings with just my eyes.

For some reason I couldn’t fathom, I was lying in a luxurious bed in an opulent room.

What do I do? I can’t remember anything.

A bottomless fear choked my voice for a moment.

“…Where is this place?”

“This is Henzetta Royal Castle.”

Royal castle? Henzetta… the neighboring kingdom? Why?

I couldn’t make sense of the situation at all.

“We’ll prepare a meal for you right away, Saintess.”

Leaving me frozen and speechless, the maid left the room with a cheerful smile.

What’s going on?

As I slowly sat up, looking around, I noticed I was wearing a white robe.

“Calm down, me. Remember what Gain told you.”

I said it aloud to steady myself.

“‘Don’t forget detoxification and body reinforcement.’ ‘Your safety comes first. Don’t resist recklessly—wait for an opportunity.’ ‘Stay calm, assess the situation, and bring back information.'”

In times like this, it was those three promises Gain had drilled into me by making me repeat them over and over.

I hurriedly cast detoxification and body reinforcement magic, then added protective barriers and fatigue recovery for good measure.

“Ah, that’s better. Was it fatigue? Or poison?”

I wasn’t sure which one worked, but my heavy head suddenly felt light.

“More importantly, she said royal castle, right…? Haha… This is ridiculous.”

The sheer absurdity of the situation started to feel almost amusing.

“I need to contact them somehow, but first, I have to gather information.”

I got out of bed and stood by the window, gazing at the setting sun.

Gain and the others must be worried…

“Ah! That’s right—Lily. Lily was coming.”

Gazing at the sky dyed orange by the sunset, I suddenly remembered the events before I arrived here.

That’s right.

I was in the lab back then, extracting certain components from a paralyzing poison.

Easy now… easy does it.

If only I could leave just the paralyzing effect without any harmful side effects on the body…

Aaahhh, failed again.

Can I dilute the mana a bit more…?

I focused even harder, channeling my mana into the magic tool topped with the thunderstone, as thin and slow as a thread.

Easy now… easy does it… slooowly…

A faint click sounded as the door opened quietly.

Damn.

Cold sweat broke out from a bad premonition.

I ran through my options in an instant.

This isn’t Heart’s presence…

I should have set up a barrier.

Neil? I don’t sense Neil.

Does that mean Neil was silently taken out?

Even regular Holy Knights—not the captain class—are near A-rank in strength, right?

I hope he’s okay…

Either way, letting them get behind me like this puts me at a disadvantage.

I quietly formed a water orb in my palm and turned around slowly, careful not to provoke whoever it was.

Eh?

No way… that’s impossible.

The water in my hand spilled onto the floor.

“Lily?”

Lily smiled innocently, decked out in an expensive dress and loads of pricey accessories that didn’t suit her at all.

Her posture and gestures were utterly lacking in grace, yet her face was identical to mine. My brain glitched.

“Marie. Long time no see.”

Faced with Lily’s beaming smile, my legs went rigid, and I couldn’t move.

Calm down.

I’m not that girl under Lily’s control anymore.

To hide my fear, I deliberately stared at her rudely.

But Lily ignored it, grinning at me with the same domineering eyes from back then.

So Lily struggled without blessings too, huh? Looks like she’s been living pretty well.

As expected from twins. The more I look, the more identical she seems.

“What are you here for?”

Despite myself, my voice trembled slightly from her intimidating presence.

“Ufufu. Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to become a saintess too.”

I see. Not here just to see me, then.

“You’ll get found out right away. What are you gonna do if you can’t even use magic?”

“What are you talking about, Marie? You’re not the one doing the work.”

Lily said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

This conversation’s going nowhere. A ghost saintess or something?

I was too stunned to speak.

Facing Lily, who was as brazenly unreasonable as ever, I felt my energy draining away. It reminded me of those days when I’d given up, convinced nothing I did mattered.

Don’t freak out, me. I’ve gotten stronger.

“I’m not obeying you anymore, Lily!”

I declared it firmly, raising my voice.

I’ll overcome this trauma right here, right now!

“Don’t get so mad. I just need a little cooperation.”

Lily tossed a bag at me with a smile. White powder scattered through the air.

And then my consciousness faded to black.

I’d completely forgotten to cast defensive magic on myself.

The shock of reuniting after thirteen years played a part, but still, that was too careless.

I’d trusted the church’s security too, but more than that, I’d overestimated myself.

If it hadn’t been Lily, I would’ve taken them out without even listening.

I’m such an idiot… such an idiot.