Chapter 48: Rosa’s Fate

“Yes, it is precisely because it holds such extraordinary meaning that our Church must preserve it. Your staff symbolizes a legendary adventure. Perhaps one day, the Chief God will cast His gaze upon it and empower your staff. When that time comes, the Church will sing the songs of your story, and your staff will become a divine artifact that dispels evil and darkness.”

“But… that is my staff…”

“Have you not already sworn your loyalty to the Church? You have dedicated your everything to the Church and to your Way of the Knight — including your life and everything you possess.”

Iserin did not know what this blue-haired girl had been thinking about after she returned to make her so disloyal.

Her behavior was completely different from that of other believers.

If any other believer heard that their weapon would be kept by the Church to become a part of an epic, and that it could be exchanged for enough wealth to last the rest of their life, they would certainly feel deeply honored.

They would accept the Church’s gift with the most devout attitude.

“Lady Saintess… it is my… emotional anchor…”

Iserin stared at the blue-haired girl before her, who did not dare to meet her gaze.

She could not help but sigh inwardly.

‘As expected of someone who could become close friends with Mowan, I cannot simply treat Rosa as a common believer.’

If it were not for Mowan, she would likely have given Rosa a position of great importance, and Rosa’s future would have been bright.

“I know what it is you truly want to ask, Rosa. Before a Saintess, all your lies are laid bare.”

Rosa looked up in surprise, gazing at Iserin.

“Ask. What do you want to know about Mowan? I will tell you the truth.”

“Is she… still alive?”

Rosa asked cautiously.

“Of course. She is alive, doing well, and living very happily.”

“Really? You aren’t lying to me?”

“Yes. I guarantee it to you in the name of the Saintess. What I have said is no lie.”

“Then… can I see her? I… I just want to speak with her. It can be under your supervision, as long as I can see her.”

“It seems you do not trust me, Miss Rosa.”

“No, Lady Saintess, I… I just miss her too much.”

In truth, she still did not trust her.

Rosa could no longer place absolute trust in Iserin.

She had to see Mowan with her own eyes and confirm that she was doing well before she could be at peace.

“Are you saying you wish to betray your faith? To long for a member of the Demon Race — do you realize what you are saying?”

“Lady Saintess, I absolutely did not mean it that way.”

Iserin remained silent for a long time.

In the end, she found herself helpless against Rosa.

“If I let you see her once, will you leave willingly and stop pining for her?”

“Yes, I will. I don’t even want the staff anymore. Just let me see her.”

“You are only allowed to look at her. You are not permitted to speak to her.”

“Fine!”

Rosa nodded quickly, fearing that Iserin might regret the decision in the next moment.

“Another nun will lead you in a moment. You only need to follow her instructions.”

Iserin stood up and walked toward the door.

But she paused at the threshold and looked back at Rosa.

“Rosa, you are a talented individual. I feel regret that I cannot keep you in the Church, but you have already taken half a step into the Deep Abyss. I cannot allow you to be too close to a member of the Demon Race, as that would ruin your life. I have a responsibility to look out for you. You are my knight and a believer I deeply cherish. I want to protect you.”

Rosa was stunned.

She had not expected Iserin to say such words to her.

After speaking, Iserin left the church.

Iserin was actually not lying.

She had always been very gentle toward humans.

With her power, she could have easily designed a trap to make Rosa disappear without anyone ever knowing.

But she would not do that.

To harm a human life just to keep Mowan by her side was something her conscience would not forgive.

As long as there was still room for maneuver, she would not kill any human in the name of righteousness.

Before the foreseeable future where her heart might turn numb, Iserin still possessed a conscience.

She could still recognize whether her actions were humane.

With Rosa’s personality, if she continued to be friends with Mowan, Mowan would surely bring her harm.

Mowan’s complicated background would drag Rosa into the vortex of conflict between the humans and the Demon Race.

Rosa was not the type of person who could stand by and watch coldly as a friend fell into uncertainty.

***

Rosa waited inside the church.

A short while later, she received instructions from Nun Hilaiya to go wait outside the church doors.

The nun said the Saintess would bring Mowan to the church to give her a task, and that would be how Rosa could see her.

Thirty minutes later, the moment she saw the purple-haired girl step through the church gates, the tension in Rosa’s heart finally snapped and vanished.

Mowan looked like she had changed a lot.

Her cheeks had become much rounder.

The current Mowan was wearing a beautiful dress she had never owned before, dressed up like a princess.

Rosa breathed a soft sigh of relief.

She pressed a hand to her chest, a smile spreading across her face.

‘That’s good. The Lady Saintess… didn’t lie to me.’

Seeing her doing well put her mind at ease.

If the Saintess had wanted to execute her, she could have done so long ago.

If Mowan truly did something to harm humans, then being executed would have been what she deserved.

Rosa clasped her hands together.

She prayed silently in her heart that Mowan would remain kind-hearted for the rest of her life.

“The Lady Saintess says that whether you walk toward the Deep Abyss or toward the light is your own choice, Honorary Knight Rosa.”

Hilaiya, standing beside her, relayed the words the Saintess had entrusted to her.

Rosa looked up at the sunny sky and curled her lips into a smile.

“Toward the light, of course.”

“Please tell the Lady Saintess that although I am no longer destined to walk the Way of the Knight, I will remember the knight’s oath. I remain loyal to Visa.”

“I will relay your words exactly. Please rest assured.”

“I am leaving.”

Her wish fulfilled, Rosa left the Holy City.

She decided that in the future… she would become a traveler.

Yes.

Since she had no desire to go back home to farm and was no longer destined for the Way of the Knight, it was better to go on a spontaneous journey.

Rosa wandered about.

She settled in a city near the Holy City.

The west wind blew as the sun set, swirling the withered autumn leaves.

Brown butterflies danced in the streets until a large, ink-stained leaf flew in front of Rosa.

Rosa reached out with quick eyes and hands and grabbed it.

However, it was not a leaf, but a wrinkled Missing Person Poster.

Rosa unfolded the paper, and a familiar face entered her vision.

‘Isn’t this… Mowan?’

Rosa glanced at the information left on the Missing Person Poster.

‘Mowan’s relative?’

With a hint of confusion, Rosa started walking toward the location listed on the notice.

Inside the agency, she saw only a green-haired woman with a despondent expression.

She was tidying up the shop, preparing to close.

“Hello. Excuse me, was this Missing Person Poster issued here?”

The other woman raised her eyes and gave Rosa a faint glance.

“Yes.”

“May I ask, what is this girl’s name?”

Rosa pointed at the poster in her hand.

“Who are you? Why are you asking?”

Laedel snatched the scrap of paper from Rosa’s hand.

“I…”

Rosa thought for a moment.

She carefully observed Laedel and noticed that the woman seemed to have an indescribable, special aura.

She didn’t smell quite like a normal human.

She remembered what Iserin had said.

Mowan was a member of the Demon Race.

If… the person before her truly was Mowan’s family, then that meant this person was also a member of the Demon Race?!

Rosa reflexively took a step back.

But a moment later, thinking that this was Mowan’s family, her fear suddenly vanished.

She swallowed hard and bravely continued the conversation.

“I used to be Mowan’s friend. But… I haven’t seen her for a long time. About two months.”

“Oh.”

The other woman’s attitude was extremely cold.

Rosa felt it was a bit strange.

‘Isn’t she Mowan’s family? Doesn’t she want to find Mowan?’

“If possible, could you tell me about Mowan? Is she missing? Maybe I can help you.”

Rosa was too curious.

Even if the other woman’s reaction was cold, she had to keep asking.

She longed to know everything about Mowan.

She wanted to know what kind of demon Mowan was and what kind of Demon Race family she grew up in to have such a kind personality.

Laedel stared blankly at Rosa.

It took a while before she reacted.

“So, her current name is Mowan?”

“Uh… that’s what she told me. I only know that she was always alone. She said she didn’t have a home. Did she run away from home?”

‘Does Mowan have another name? A name within the Demon Race?’

At that thought, Rosa’s heart stirred even more.

She watched the woman with eyes full of curiosity.

The woman’s gaze was dim, her words carrying deep self-reproach.

“To be precise, we drove her away. We hurt her, and now she is unwilling to come back.”

“Why? What happened?”

Laedel sighed. she glanced at Rosa again.

Rosa was just an ordinary human; there was no reason to involve her further.

“I have already seen her. I don’t need your help.”

“Eh? You found her? Aren’t you going to explain things to her properly? You’re looking for her because you want her to go home, right?”

“Stop meddling in other people’s business. The Missing Person Poster is already void. I can’t give you a single cent.”

“I don’t want money! I’m not doing this for money!”

Laedel pointed toward the door.

“I am preparing to pack my bags and return to my homeland. From now on, I won’t appear here again. Please leave.”

“Wait.”

Seeing that Rosa was unwilling to go, Laedel forcibly pushed her out the door.

Rosa grew anxious and clung to the door handle.

“I know what you are! I know where your homeland is! I know the special nature of your identity! Don’t you want to know what kind of life Mowan has lived over these past three years?”

Laedel looked at Rosa warily.

When she heard that Rosa knew her true identity, she immediately reached out and grabbed Rosa’s hand in return.

“Come in.”

*Bang!*

The agency door slammed shut.

If any other humans knew their Royal Princess’s true identity, then the Royal Princess’s life in the human kingdoms would no longer be stable.

Although Laedel could not persuade Mowan to return to their country, she had a duty to protect Mowan’s safety.