“In other words, aside from this one monster, many other monsters that shouldn’t appear around the Holy City weren’t created by the Demon Race?”
Mowan couldn’t wait to hear the answer from Iserin.
“Some are, some aren’t. But whether they are human creations or creations of the Demon Race, they are all monsters that bring disaster to humans. The Church won’t show mercy just because they are human-made; we are never soft-hearted when facing evil monsters.”
“I suppose… you’re right…”
Iserin pulled out a chair by the dining table and sat down.
She looked up at Mowan, who seemed to be hesitating to speak.
“You’re smart. You should understand certain truths, shouldn’t you?”
“Hmm? Uh… I suppose… so.”
Mowan wasn’t actually sure what truth Iserin was referring to.
Iserin seemed to see Mowan’s confusion and patiently explained.
“Sometimes, a common enemy is what makes humans more united and keeps our internal situation stable. Between nations, there are only differences in positions. Although I am the Saintess, my power isn’t so great that I can do anything I want. There will always be traitors and wicked people who touch upon the Taboo and use the Forbidden Art of Creation Magic to bring life to magic creatures with their own consciousness. I also know that blaming all the harm caused by magic creations on the Demon Race is biased, but for the Kingdom of Visa, it is the best way to handle things.”
“I see…”
Mowan understood now.
Mowan sat down opposite Iserin.
She held her head in her hands, feeling a bit frustrated.
She was still too naive.
She remembered how three years ago, she had recklessly pushed for reforms because she only saw things in black and white, leading to a great mistake.
“Do you really think The Church of humans has always been holy and bright? Even as a member of the Demon Race, do you think that way?”
“No, of course I don’t.”
“Then what are you sad about? Is it the Demon Race’s current reputation and plight, or is it because the beautiful image of the Saintess has shattered in your eyes?”
“……”
Mowan didn’t dare admit that part of her current mood was due to the former.
Yet she didn’t want to lie and deny it.
Just like earlier in The Church, she hadn’t wanted to recite the Knight’s Oath.
Deep down, she still loved the Demon Race.
“Many things cannot be achieved by one person alone. Even if you returned to the Demon Race now and became the Demon Princess again, and even if the Archdukes of the Demon Race acted as if the past never happened, do you have one hundred percent confidence that you could change the status quo?”
“No…”
“Standing at my height, it’s impossible not to see the dark side of humanity. But for many things—for example, if a member of royalty violates the Taboo and uses the Forbidden Art of creating magic life—I can only turn a blind eye. After all, I am just a Saintess, a tool for humans to deal with the Demon Race. All I can do is eliminate monsters and protect my people.”
Mowan looked up, meeting Iserin’s eyes.
“Do the human royalty also violate the Taboo?”
“Of course. The more power people have, the more they enjoy seeking excitement. This is why the King doesn’t allow the Princess to have contact with monsters, right?”
Mowan’s eyes darted as she fell into thought.
“Because the King doesn’t want the Princess to see the other side of the royal family.”
“Yes. You’ll keep my secret, won’t you?”
Mowan nodded.
“Then will you blame me for just being a law-abiding Saintess? I’m the one the believers claim dispels evil and brings light to humans, yet I tolerate some people unleashing evil.”
“No, you aren’t wrong. A person shouldn’t do things beyond their capabilities, or they’ll get burned.” Mowan clutched her chest. “I know that from experience.”
Iserin smiled.
“Fortunately, you aren’t one of my believers; that’s why you can understand me.”
Mowan rested her chin on her hands.
The gloom in her heart was gradually dissipating.
Hearing Iserin say that, she suddenly felt the dynamic between them was quite subtle.
Precisely because they should have been enemies, she didn’t view her through the holy filter of those believers.
“Therefore, I will also understand you. I understand your feelings as the Demon Princess and the unquenchable faith in your heart,” Iserin added.
“My faith…”
Mowan’s heart skipped a beat. Her eyes grew a bit frantic. Had Iserin really seen through her?
Iserin stared into Mowan’s eyes as if seeing through her every thought.
“But you won’t go back, right? You shouldn’t. They abandoned you. You don’t have to defend them; you just need to be yourself.”
“No, I won’t go back. I’m going to live here.”
Mowan lowered her eyes.
“I’m struggling just to support myself; I don’t have the energy to worry about the affairs of the Demon Race.”
“If you are willing to stay by my side and help me take care of the Princess, you won’t have to worry about food or clothing.”
“Of course I’m willing. I’d be happy to!”
“Mhm.”
Iserin stood up, her eyes filled with a gratified smile.
“It’s getting late. I’m going back.”
“I’ll see you out.”
Mowan stood up as well.
Iserin waved her hand and pointed toward the room.
“Goodnight.”
Then she pointed to her own ears, indicating that Mowan was currently in her form as a member of the Demon Race, so it wasn’t a good idea to go outside.
Mowan paused and watched Iserin walk toward the door.
“Goodnight,” she whispered her farewell.
After Iserin left, she thoughtfully closed the door for Mowan.
Mowan went back to her room and lay down for a while, then took a bath.
When it was about time to sleep, she closed her eyes and pondered on her bed.
She thought about everything Iserin had said to her tonight.
She couldn’t help but heave a long sigh.
Yeah, what was the point of thinking so much?
Even if she found evidence that humans created monsters and defended the Demon Race, what good would it do?
The Demon Race didn’t care what humans thought of them, and humans wouldn’t believe their own kind would create such evil things.
She shouldn’t be so hot-headed again, only to end up with nothing.
Mowan cautioned herself.
She was now just a Priest working under the Saintess, helping her treat the sick and save people—nothing more.
Zzz…
She slept peacefully until the next morning.
Mowan got up early.
She still hadn’t adapted from her three years of wandering life; sleeping in was a luxury far too great for her.
Yet three years ago, when she was still the Demon Princess, sleeping in had been the most common thing in the world.
Mowan lay in bed for ten minutes.
Finally, feeling like there was nothing to do and unable to sleep, she got up.
She remembered the eight pots of Lily in front of the house.
If they weren’t properly cared for, they would wither, wouldn’t they?
Mowan got dressed and changed back to her Human form before getting out of bed.
She pushed open the front door, got some water in a basin, and leisurely watered the flowers using her palms to scoop up the fresh water.
“Ms. Mowan, morning. This is the food you ordered.”
A man climbed down from a carriage stopped on the road in front of the house.
He walked up to Mowan holding three paper bags.
“I ordered this?”
“Yesterday, someone placed a three Gold Coin food subscription at our shop in Ms. Mowan’s name. For the next year, someone will deliver food to Ms. Mowan every day. Are you not Ms. Mowan?”
“It’s from my family. Give it to me.”
As soon as she heard “three Gold Coins,” Mowan knew who had placed the order.
“Alright, please take it. Have a pleasant day.”
Mowan took the food from the man.
After that, the man bowed to her, climbed back onto the carriage, and continued his delivery work.
Mowan opened the three paper bags to check.
One bag contained bread, another had roasted and smoked meats, and the last one was filled with fruit.
So, the actual payment Iserin gave me was indeed six Gold Coins?
And she converted all of it into food.
No wonder Iserin repeatedly told her last night not to go to the cathedral to see her so early; it was because someone would be delivering food in the morning.
Mowan sighed. “Fine, then.”
After watering the flowers, Mowan washed her hands in the basin.
She sat alone in the dining room, tearing off a piece of bread for breakfast.
Mowan turned her head to look at the morning sun outside the window.
As the early morning light filtered into the room, she felt a warmth in her heart.
This kind of life was not bad at all.