“So, the Pope just stabbed you in the back like that and expelled you from the Church?”
Inside the lavish mansion, Via poured her a cup of tea.
Listening to this former Saint’s story… no, it was more accurate to call her the ex-Saint now, Via immediately understood the whole situation.
A bunch of hypocrites.
That was Via’s assessment.
But it wasn’t entirely the Church’s fault.
Part of it was that the Saint simply didn’t understand human nature.
The Pope represented the Church’s religious authority, while the Saint, able to communicate directly with the divine, symbolized divine power.
The two seemed to be united in purpose, only their functions differed.
Yet, the Church was still made up of humans, and where humans are involved, there will inevitably be struggles for power and status.
Over the years, the Church had continuously strengthened its power and prestige through wars, which was beneficial to the Pope and the archbishops.
However, the current Saint, with her nearly flawless image, commanded such influence and prestige that she effectively shifted the power—the trump card the Church relied on—into her hands.
And since she was the divine’s spokesperson, she was on equal footing with the Pope in status.
Normal religious means couldn’t be used to strike against her—you couldn’t exactly accuse the divine’s spokesperson of being wrong, could you?
Under these circumstances, even if the Saint herself didn’t seek power, the Church would never let it go quietly.
“I’m sorry,” the Saint lowered her head, taking the towel Via handed over to wipe the blood from her body.
“I know this is presumptuous, and you might even hurt me… but I truly have nowhere else to go.”
Outside human territories, she had no friends.
As the Saint of humanity, she remained loyal to her human brethren. In desperation, the only person she could think of was Via, the demon who could barely be called an ‘acquaintance.’
“Still, you wouldn’t just walk into a trap, right? What if I killed you?”
“…To be killed by the one you worship—that ending is better than being executed as a heretic.”
The Saint smiled bitterly.
“Being betrayed by someone hurts, doesn’t it? Looks like, at least on that front, we have some common ground.”
Seeing the once-proud prodigy now in such a state, Via felt a hint of sympathy.
Since learning about Cecilia, the Saint, Via had been trying to reach out to her.
Their repeated encounters and battles had already caused many humans to mistakenly believe that this succubus had developed strange feelings for the Saint.
Countless underground works about the Saint and Demon Lord Via had circulated among humans—works not suitable for polite company.
In reality, her fascination with the Saint was because this woman reminded her of her former self.
Both had innocent wishes, both had seen ugliness and darkness, and both had continued forward with inexhaustible drive despite seeing so much darkness.
Even after seeing through it all, they pressed unwaveringly toward their chosen path.
And now, both had been betrayed.
Knowing human nature well, Via understood that the Saint was at her most vulnerable now.
The stronger one’s faith and conviction, the more devastating the shattering when faced with a fatal betrayal.
Theoretically, Via, as a succubus, should have played her advantages fully—softening the Saint’s resistance with gentle coaxing and seemingly benevolent disguises to gradually draw her in.
But that was the old Via, not the current one.
The Church’s judgments on Via were relatively objective: the current Via was completely broken.
She admired the Saint’s character and ability but that didn’t mean she would become the Saint’s savior like the saint she once was.
“So then, if I were willing to shelter you, what price would you pay?”
The succubus smiled sweetly as she asked.
If the Saint was truly suffering such deadly persecution, no matter what price Via demanded now, the Saint would likely agree.
After all, the entire city was filled with demons; even if she escaped their assault, she would just return to human lands—an outcome hardly any better.
Via morbidly wanted to see a Saint fall from grace.
The Saint’s expression suddenly faltered.
“I… I don’t have anything else with me, only this sword, and not much money either.”
“Give up your faith and join us demons, and I’ll protect you. How about that?”
Via smiled, proposing the offer.
“Absolutely not!”
At the thought of giving up her faith, Cecilia instantly returned to the steadfast Saint she once was.
Though betrayed, she still hoped to burn away all darkness, never mind throw herself into it.
“But for us demons, you’re only worth this now.”
What kind of brains did Church-trained Saints have?
Didn’t even pack money and valuables before running away? — though Via didn’t really care about that money.
“…I can do things for you, as long as it’s not wanton slaughter—only for you personally.”
“Selling labor?”
Via frowned.
“I wouldn’t trust a Saint with that. Letting you exert your powers among demons? I’m not that stupid.”
“How about this, esteemed Saint,” Via suddenly thought of a price the Saint could pay immediately, and one that would reveal if she was truly desperate, “Do you know my race?”
“Succubus.”
“That’s right. Speaking of succubi, when we first met, you must have wondered just how many people I’ve brought pleasure to, right?”
“…No.”
The Saint lowered her head, trying to hide her face.
“No need to be embarrassed. It’s only natural if you thought that, since our kind really are like that. But unfortunately, I haven’t experienced any of that.”
“What exactly… do you want to say?”
“The reason I’m the weakest among the Demon Lords is because I never relied on draining others’ lust and energy like other succubi to grow stronger. You’re facing a Demon Lord who’s abandoned the strengths of her own kind.”
“But if I had a powerful Saint like you as a food source, I could greatly increase my power, and thus my standing among demons. Lady Saint, you should bear responsibility for those who protect you, shouldn’t you?”
At this, Cecilia’s eyes widened; she had already realized what kind of condition the succubus was about to propose.
“No, wait… my Lord, what are you trying to do?”
The Saint’s voice was filled with disbelief.
But Via, clearly intrigued by such a perfect plaything, stepped close to Cecilia.
At her ear, she parted her soft pink lips and whispered like a demon:
“You’re asking knowingly, haven’t you always admired me? This should be a good thing for you, right?”
“…” Cecilia was silent for a long time.
Just as Via began to think she’d given up, the Saint finally nodded.
“Alright.”
She had nowhere left to go.
This was her only option.
At least, she couldn’t die yet.
She needed protection.
And… Via was a girl, after all.
She could endure this.
It probably wouldn’t be so bad…
Probably.