Chapter 54: Who Should Be Saved

The one truly living a life on a tightrope was Iserin.

Ever since Rosa returned to the Holy City, Iserin had kept the Ring’s perception active, listening to Mowan’s every move.

She could not afford a single oversight regarding Rosa.

Of course, she walked on thin ice with every other matter as well.

This included letting Mowan meet her cousin Laedel, and taking Mowan to the Monster Research Base in the Kingdom of Visa to witness the annihilation of the Boundary Gate.

If any step went even slightly wrong, the relationship she had built with Mowan would instantly collapse.

But Iserin never showed a hint of panic or confusion.

She had absolute confidence in her plans and absolute certainty in her control over Mowan.

Reality had proven her calculations to be flawless.

Iserin never got depressed, nor did she ever feel discouraged or sad.

Because whatever she set out to do, she would inevitably succeed in.

Consequently, she did not get overly excited or thrilled, either.

“Did she come back to find you?”

Iserin, who had overheard the conversation between Mowan and Rosa, had already prepared her words.

“Yes, just now. Why did you tell me she sacrificed herself? Why… did you hold such a grand Memorial Service? What exactly was the purpose of all that?”

“Are you blaming me, Mowan?”

“I… I’m not. I just… I hope you can give me an explanation…”

“Because she colluded with the Demon Race. Of course, I don’t mean you. She… she colluded with your cousin, Laedel. It was she who told Laedel you were in the Holy City. She was being self-righteous, thinking she was doing it for your own good. Do you think I should have told you directly back then — that I intended to expose her crimes and have her executed?”

Mowan looked up, stunned.

‘This part… I hadn’t expected.’

No wonder Laedel had come to the Holy City. No wonder Laedel knew exactly where she was.

“I warned her several times to cut off contact with that member of the Demon Race, but she violated the dogmas of The Church over and over and over again.”

Iserin pulled back a short distance, cupping Mowan’s face and gazing affectionately at her.

She feigned a look of deep apology and helplessness.

She explained softly, her eyes revealing a somber emotion she rarely displayed.

“But I also know that I am in no position to judge her, because I have committed the same crimes I attributed to her. So, I let her go. I made a pact with her, requiring her to stop seeing that demon and to never see you again. In return, I would let her leave the Path of the Knight in an… honorable way. That way, she could maintain a bright and great image in your heart.”

“That staff — I exchanged it for her lifelong security.”

“I didn’t expect that she would break the promise between us in the end. She still came to find you.”

Iserin’s thumb gently pressed against Mowan’s cheek.

In the few months they had spent together, she had nurtured Mowan until she looked radiant and lovely, no longer as bony and weak as when they first met.

“Do you blame me for driving her away? Do you think I am a hateful woman who cheated your feelings?”

“No, Sister Selin. No, it’s not like that. I don’t blame you.”

Mowan nuzzled Iserin’s palm obediently.

‘I’m so stupid. Why was I letting my imagination run wild? Sister Selin has done so much for me; how could I doubt her motives? Am I really going to deny all her tenderness just because of a single white lie? I’m far too foolish.’

“I admit I was wrong. That is why I have been praying for your forgiveness. I know it was wrong of me to deceive you. But… do you really think I could bear to watch you leave? I only hope you can stay by my side forever. I also want your best friend to be happy.”

“I gave Rosa wealth, I gave her freedom, and I hid her betrayal of The Church. I have already wandered too far down the wrong path, but I don’t care. As long as you still love me and are willing to stay for me forever, I don’t care about anything else. For that, I would even cast aside my responsibilities as the Saintess.”

“Sister Selin, I don’t blame you. Please don’t blame yourself anymore. I really don’t blame you.”

Mowan kissed Iserin’s fingers. Iserin’s emotional explanation almost moved her to tears.

It made her feel that the fault was hers — that it was her own troublesome and complicated background that was to blame.

“Sister Selin, I will make Rosa cut off contact with Laedel. I also hope you can give Rosa another chance, to let her choose whether or not to return to the Way of the Knight. I believe Rosa was just being used by Laedel. I will make her come to her senses.”

“And if she refuses to repent?”

“She won’t. Sister Selin, can I… tell Rosa about this place? If I give her enough trust, she will surely see the light.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes, Sister Selin. Rosa and I are best friends, yet I don’t even tell her where I live. It feels a bit disloyal. Rosa was only misled by Laedel because she felt I was hiding everything from her.”

“You are still blaming me. You think I am driving a wedge between you and Rosa, don’t you?”

Mowan grew anxious.

She had not expected Iserin to have such a stubborn side.

She stared directly into Iserin’s eyes, eagerly expressing her True Heart.

“No! Sister Selin, I really don’t think that.”

“If you believe it is right, then do it. If you want to leave me, then go pursue your freedom.”

“Sister Selin…”

“What do you think she will think when she sees all this? How do you think she will react when she finds out I live with you every day? Do you think she will support you unconditionally? Will she support our inter-species romance?”

Iserin turned her head to look at the lilies by the door, then glanced at the bedroom.

“I don’t know Rosa well, so I can only judge her based on my first impression. But if you truly feel I have misunderstood her or that I am being too suspicious, I won’t stop you, Mowan. I have never restricted your freedom. I hope that by my side, you will never feel restrained or shackled.”

“I won’t tell her, Sister Selin. I won’t tell her…”

Mowan realized she was wrong.

She would carefully protect the secret garden of their love.

Iserin finally smiled.

She lowered her head, entangling herself with Mowan tenderly and with deep attachment.

“Mowan, can you give me a little more time? Just wait for me a bit longer; I will soon understand what Romance is. Please don’t leave me, okay?”

“Mhm, we will never be apart.”

Mowan held Iserin’s arm, leaning against her shoulder.

The dark clouds in her eyes completely vanished.

Her face, which had been pale with the shock of Iserin’s deception, regained its bright luster.

Her lips curled into a sweet smile.

Iserin’s gentle explanations continued to echo in Mowan’s mind.

Actually… she did not believe everything Sister Selin said.

But she no longer wanted to look into it.

She liked Iserin.

She loved Iserin.

She wanted to be with Iserin.

‘Forever, for this life, for the next, and the one after that — I want to be with Sister Selin. I’m not afraid of the Demon Race starting a war, because Sister Selin will create a Miracle and stop all disasters. I’ll stay by her side and drown in her gentleness. No one will ever destroy my peace again.’

Mowan stopped her wild thoughts.

Iserin stayed with her until dawn the next day.

Mowan saw Iserin off, standing at her doorway and watching the morning sun on the horizon.

Although Iserin did not want her telling Rosa their secret, she had not stopped Mowan from looking for her.

She clenched her fists and took a deep breath.

It was time to save Rosa.

As long as Rosa cut ties with Laedel, and as long as Rosa stopped helping Laedel persuade her to leave Iserin… everything could still return to normal.