Chapter 31: The duties of a saint

Iselin always liked to follow her plans step by step.

Of course, it was only natural for changes to occur within those plans.

It was just that Iselin rarely took actions that would disrupt the original direction of her designs.

However.

This time, she made an exception.

She knew full well that the passing of time would eventually heal the pain Mo Wan felt after learning of her best friend’s sacrifice.

Other than staying by Mo Wan’s side, there was no need for her to do anything extra.

But after spending a night with Mo Wan, she truly could not bear to see her fall into a long period of depression.

So she went to Rosa’s hometown and, at the risk of raising Rosa’s suspicion, tricked her into giving up her staff.

However, Iselin believed her slightly risky actions were justified.

She wanted a happy Mo Wan.

She wanted the Mo Wan who was joyful most of the time when staying by her side.

In this way, all the memories of being with her would become the brightest spots in Mo Wan’s recollections, the sun within her memory.

Looking back at the past, Mo Wan would find that her life was full of vibrant colors only when she was by her Sister Iselin’s side, while those sad and lonely memories would merely serve as a backdrop to highlight Iselin’s perfection.

This was exactly what Iselin intended to do.

After taking Mo Wan to see the names carved on the monument during the day, Iselin sent her home to wait.

After all, it was still daylight, and she still needed to fulfill her duties as a Saintess as much as possible.

Shortly after Mo Wan went home, Iselin was summoned by the King.

Iselin, did I not tell you to keep Chloris under control?

Inside the conference room with tightly closed doors, the King of Vesa glared at Iselin.

Besides him, the Pope of the Solar Church and the first and second princes of the kingdom were also present.

In the past two days, Iselin had not only visited Rosa’s hometown but had also told Princess Chloris the entire truth behind those monsters, though she had erased the premise that she herself was already in the know.

She needed Chloris’s fussing to deepen Mo Wan’s trust in her.

But the King certainly wouldn’t want to hear this, so she simply utilized her professional skills to lie and stall with a straight face.

Your Majesty, I have been strictly monitoring her actions to ensure her safety.

Then why did she come to question me?

Did she ask if we were the ones who created those monsters?

Because that is indeed the truth.

Her Highness is of sound mind and is Your Majesty’s closest relative.

It is only natural that she could deduce the full picture from the clues.

You… The King gnashed his teeth.

He wished his precious daughter could live in a carefree fairy tale forever.

Even if Her Highness knows what you have done, she cannot change anything, can she?

What is Your Majesty worried about?

Or rather, would Your Majesty abandon the original plan because of Her Highness?

The King sighed.

Very well, if Chloris knows, then so be it.

Recently, we have trained those monster armies to the point where they can be officially deployed in war.

How is the situation with the Demon Princess?

As long as her movements can be strictly restricted, we can avoid the final descent of the Demon God.

Everything is progressing steadily toward a positive outcome.

I trust you, Iselin.

You are the most perfect Saintess in a thousand years.

Vesa will reach new heights in our generation, and we will conquer the Demon Race.

Yes.

After that, the King and his key confidants exchanged information to confirm that every link was correct before Iselin left the palace.

On the way back to the church, a blonde girl quietly followed her.

Iselin did not speak and walked silently toward her destination.

The Princess followed Iselin openly through the main gate until they reached the courtyard.

Princess Chloris grabbed Iselin’s arm and asked, Sister Iselin, are you also a participant?

How could I be?

Then… then what did Father call you for?

My two brothers were also there. Were you not discussing that matter?

I only went to advise your father, hoping he would consider the side effects of this plan.

But as a Saintess, what can I really do?

My advice carries little weight.

Chloris’s eyes darted around.

Since you are not a participant, why don’t you make this public?

Shouldn’t we stop this behavior?

They aren’t doing it for the future of humanity; they are doing it for their own ambition.

As long as their plan continues, there will still be uncontrolled monsters escaping from military bases into the wild to harm ordinary humans.

Why can you tolerate such a thing?

I cannot tolerate it, but all I can do is my best to protect humanity.

As for making the truth public, I believe it would only damage the people’s faith in Vesa.

Does Her Highness wish to see our kingdom collapse from within?

Then let’s join forces. We’ll find a way to stop Father’s plan.

Okay. Iselin nodded.

Really? Sister Iselin, are you really willing to join forces with me?

Yes.

However, it is not convenient for me to act openly.

You have more free time.

If you think of a strategy where we can combine open and secret efforts, I will actively cooperate.

I… I haven’t thought of one yet.

Chloris had thought Iselin would help her come up with a way.

She stared into Iselin’s eyes, unable to help but wonder if Iselin was just humoring her.

Iselin reached out and patted Chloris’s head.

Your Highness, I deeply love the people of Vesa.

No one is more indignant than I am when I see them harmed.

But as a Saintess, I cannot be blinded by emotion.

All I can do is minimize the harm the people suffer from monsters within the scope of my abilities.

In my view, maintaining the status quo is the optimal solution.

I am not an ambitious person or a politician.

I am just a Saintess who wishes for national stability and the happiness of the people.

Chloris stared blankly at Iselin.

For the first time since childhood, she saw smallness and helplessness in Iselin.

This time, I will take the responsibility myself! Sister Iselin!

Mhm. Iselin smiled and nodded. Chloris clenched her fists and left the cathedral with great enthusiasm.

Watching Chloris leave, Iselin thought for a moment and then walked outside.

She actually wasn’t lying to Chloris in most of what she said.

Iselin believed the world was vast and far more complex than she could imagine, and she didn’t feel omnipotent.

She would not be the leader who changed the world.

She would only fulfill her duties within her capacity.

And her duty was to protect humanity.

The Demon Race had always been a hidden threat to humans.

Since their birth into this world, they symbolized the ambition of aggression.

From a macro perspective, humans had been harassed by the Demon Race for thousands of years.

If a non-human army could be used to fight the demons and minimize human sacrifice, Iselin would not oppose it.

Iselin loved her profession, the role of a Saintess.

She likely still hated the Demon Race.

The monsters they created had not only taken her younger sister but also her parents.

Although her parents did not die directly at the hands of monsters, her childhood village was shattered during a monster attack, and her parents passed away during their homeless, wandering life.

When she was very young, she still hated the Demon Race, the culprits behind it all, and every single demon.

However, from the day she stepped onto the path of a Saintess, her heart held more hope that no more humans would lose their happiness because of the demons than it held hatred.

That hatred became insignificant in the face of her duty as a Saintess.

Until today, decades later, the hate had almost been erased from her heart.

Iselin arrived at Mo Wan’s house.

Sister Iselin.

The purple-haired girl’s eyes immediately lit up with a bright glow when she saw her. Did you get off work early today?

Yes. Iselin closed the door.

Mo Wan naturally pressed closer, leaning in to carefully examine Iselin’s face.

She raised her hand and gently touched Iselin’s lower eyelid.

Sister Iselin, you look very tired.

Have you not had a good rest for a long time?

Is that so?

Iselin’s eyelid flickered.

She hadn’t even noticed her own exhaustion, though she hadn’t slept for three days and nights.

It must be! Come, I’ll use magic to help you relax.

Mo Wan’s healing magic not only had the function of curing diseases and injuries but also the effect of relaxing muscles and reducing fatigue.

Iselin was led by the hand into the room.

Sister Iselin… Sister Iselin… Sister Iselin…

Mo Wan couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning her name. Iselin’s head was buzzing; even in the brief silences of their conversation, Mo Wan’s crisp voice seemed to echo in her ears.

She sat on Mo Wan’s bed, leaning against the headboard.

Perhaps to repay Iselin for the meticulous care she had given her two days ago, Mo Wan was exceptionally focused on this magical massage.

Iselin closed her eyes, feeling the presence beside her and the scent unique to Mo Wan. It was sweet, like milk.

She thought of her sister.

Of course, she clearly knew that Mo Wan was not a replacement for her sister.

She just missed that feeling—the feeling of herself during her time as a mortal, the kind of emotion where her heart could be moved by someone she cared about… a slightly sour but sweet feeling.

After becoming a Saintess, she had discarded too many private emotions.

In front of Mo Wan, she played the role of a mortal, perhaps even getting too into character.

She turned around, found Mo Wan’s shoulders, and holding them with both hands, gently pushed Mo Wan down onto the bed.

Opening her eyes, she saw Mo Wan looking at her with a flushed face.

The purple-haired girl’s gaze flickered, appearing both afraid and expectant.

It is okay to do this. Iselin’s intuition told her so.

By doing this, she could have Mo Wan, and then she would be a qualified Saintess and could protect humanity.

Protecting humanity was her duty.

Protecting humanity required trapping Mo Wan.

Therefore, kissing Mo Wan was also her duty.

Iselin lowered her head, following her heart, and gently touched Mo Wan’s lips.

Hot breaths flowed from Mo Wan’s lips and nose, making the tip of Iselin’s nose feel slightly tingly.

She tilted her head and touched the corners of Mo Wan’s mouth.

Mo Wan was able to open her mouth slightly to call out to her.

Sister Iselin…

Iselin still did not stop her movements.

Her cool hair brushed across Mo Wan’s face and flowed down her neck.

Is this… really okay?

Unexpectedly, it was Mo Wan who finally voiced a question.

Iselin paused.

Mo Wan’s hands were pressed down, tightly clutching the bedsheets.

Mo Wan loved Iselin deeply.

But the more she loved the warmth of this moment and the more she felt happy because of this kiss, the more she worried for the person she loved. Iselin was a Saintess; was it really okay to do this?