My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 98

§ 98. Cardinal Rachel

“Hoo…! This place is done too.”

Aria wiped the sweat from her forehead with a long sigh.

Aria, who had traveled all over the South with Xian, treating patients, calmly looked around.

Children running around boisterously.

Women telling those children to be careful.

Men repairing the broken and damaged village.

The shadow of death that had loomed over the village was now nowhere to be seen.

Now, only the sounds of life, laughing and chattering, could be heard throughout the village.

At that sight, Aria could feel a deep sense of relief in one corner of her heart.

Aria plopped down into a seat.

The tension was released, and at the same time, her body felt drained, as if it had been wrung out.

It couldn’t be helped.

She had been traveling all over the South, treating patients.

Moreover, the only rest she got was during the travel between villages.

All she could do was take a short nap during that short time.

After that, she had to keep using her divine power.

Fortunately, thanks to Xian removing the seeds of the plague, she was only treating patients.

The power of healing was not an easy power to wield.

But it was not a big problem for Aria, who possessed mighty divine power.

However, as the process was repeated over and over again, how could she not be exhausted?

However, the more tired and exhausted she was, the more comfortable the sick people became.

She just suppressed it and endured it.

Aria, the saintess with the most powerful divine power in history.

But in the end, she was just a human and a woman.

There was a clear limit to her mental stamina.

Frankly speaking, it was a miracle that she hadn’t collapsed yet.

That’s why.

“Young Master Xian, you’re really amazing.”

Aria just thought Xian was amazing.

Aria was involuntarily startled by Laura’s sudden words.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Huh? Oh, no, it’s just…”

Aria mumbled vaguely.

Then Laura’s eyes narrowed.

At the same time, she made a strange expression.

“Why does our saintess become such a modest lady whenever Young Master Xian is mentioned?”

“When, when did I ever do that?”

“Look at you now. Normally, you would have said, ‘What kind of dog sound is that?’ and cursed up a storm. But now you’re as shy as a newlywed bride.”

“What? A newlywed bride? What kind of dog sound is that?”

Laura burst out laughing at Aria’s reply.

Then she said to Aria again.

“I approve.”

“······?”

Aria’s head tilted.

Her strange expression seemed to be asking, ‘What kind of nonsense is that again?’

Laura continued with a small smile.

“Honestly, I was a bit skeptical at first. His appearance is quite manly, but… his cluelessness and his money-grubbing nature… But my mind has completely changed this time.”

That was because of Xian’s actions in the South.

His ability to cure the plague that even Aria was struggling with.

His willingness to step forward for the people.

There was nothing lacking.

It was not for nothing that he was called the Saint of the South.

So, wasn’t it like fate?

A Saint and a Saintess.

How could this not be a match made by God?

“So, I unconditionally approve. Young Master Xian is definitely not too good for our saintess.”

He was not too good to send Aria to.

However, there was one thing.

“What kind of bullshit are you talking about?”

Aria’s personality was a bit of a problem.

Still, so what.

Aria’s beauty would forgive everything.

“The Saintess’s beauty is the strongest weapon on the continent. Just keep pushing with that. Um… should I teach you some makeup techniques?”

“I mean, I don’t have those thoughts… Sigh, never mind.”

Aria just sighed.

Laura’s eyes were sparkling.

It was clear that she wouldn’t listen even if she spoke.

Aria shook her head.

And well…

Aria had a different view of Xian this time.

The nobles that Aria had seen so far were all similar.

Pretending to be noble, pretending to be precious. They were all about the pretense.

And they would yell at the people around them, calling them lowly.

And not only that.

The desires were so ugly that they would scan Aria’s face and body with sticky eyes and swallow their saliva.

But Xian was different.

Instead of swallowing saliva when he saw Aria’s face,

He would throw up or fall over.

This was a new and shocking type.

Also, Xian’s actions in the southern region this time.

There was no hesitation in saving people.

Aria had never seen a noble like Xian on this continent.

No, she had never seen anyone like Xian, not even a noble.

That’s why Aria was seeing Xian a little differently.

‘He’s strangely annoying.’

Something… something was annoying.

She didn’t know why.

He was just strangely annoying to look at.

It didn’t mean his actions.

Of course, his actions were also quite annoying.

Money, money, whenever they met.

Money, money, whatever he did.

It was so annoying that she wanted to hit him.

But it wasn’t just that.

Something about the person himself was just annoying.

Aria didn’t know the reason well.

It was none other than the influence of the magic power deeply embedded in Xian.

The fundamental magic that Kyle, the strongest Arnaise [a powerful mage lineage], used.

Even if magic was not a negative evil.

It was still the opposite attribute to light.

And Aria was called the reincarnation of Muriel [a legendary saintess known for her divine power].

Aria’s divine power sensed Xian’s magic and instinctively sent a warning.

But no matter how much Aria was called the reincarnation of Muriel.

She couldn’t dare to fathom Kyle’s magic.

She could only think that the person himself was annoying.

As she was thinking this and that, at that time.

Buzzing.

A strange commotion arose from one corner.

Priests, not villagers, were gathered together.

They also had quite embarrassed expressions on their faces.

Because the plague had disappeared from the village, everyone had taken off their masks, so she could see their expressions.

“What’s going on?”

“I’ll go find out.”

Laura got up from her seat and approached the priests.

And she asked a priest and had a conversation.

Laura’s expression gradually hardened as the conversation progressed.

Soon, Laura ran to Aria in a hurry.

“N, now Young Master Xian and Cardinal Rachel are—”

Aria jumped up from her seat without listening to Laura’s words until the end.

#

Xian quietly stared at the woman in front of him.

White hair resembling the color of a lily.

Neither too young nor too old.

A feeling that was somewhat similar to Isabel, yet different.

First of all.

It was a face he didn’t remember.

And judging from her attire, she seemed to be a member of the Order [a religious organization].

And a high-ranking cleric at that.

“Who are you?”

Xian asked.

Then the woman said, a little surprised, as if she realized her mistake.

“Ah, I’ve been rude. I’m Rachel. I’m in the position of Cardinal in the Order, though I’m lacking.”

Xian raised his eyes at Rachel’s introduction.

Rachel and Cardinal.

It was the person Aria was convinced was a demon.

Xian hurriedly straightened his expression.

He quietly looked at Rachel without showing any expression.

And he slowly concentrated his mind and examined Rachel.

The inherent magic sharpened Xian’s senses.

The magic, which had become darker than before, expanded his senses.

Xian focused all his mind on Rachel.

And he came to a conclusion.

‘Not a demon.’

She was not a demon.

Unlike Aria’s conviction, Rachel was not a demon.

Xian had faced two demons so far.

The Demon Lord of the 7th Army, Nurvia of Sloth.

The Demon of Denial, Lich.

Xian could feel a clear malice from both of them.

Lich did not hide the malice he possessed.

However, the Demon of Sloth, Nurvia, was thoroughly hiding that malice.

Even the people of Ruben, as well as Leah, were unable to recognize that malice.

But Xian was not.

Xian could clearly recognize the malice that Nurvia had hidden.

That’s why he could be sure.

Rachel is not a demon.

Far from having any inherent malice, he could only feel the divinity that was filled inside.

Although it was not as good as Aria, the saintess.

It was indeed a powerful divinity worthy of being called a cardinal.

Even the priests he had seen at the Vatican in the past.

He could not feel the same strange magic energy as those priests.

In a word, she was a cleric with nothing strange about her.

But… it’s strange.

What he felt with his senses was clearly divinity.

He could not see any malice.

Rachel was an unquestionable cleric.

However, with the increased progress rate of the Demon Transformation Art [a technique Xian uses], a more sensitive sense, his senses were telling him:

‘It’s dangerous.’

“I think I came too suddenly. I can see that you’re very embarrassed.”

Rachel said to Xian.

Xian calmed his magic and slowly opened his mouth.

“It’s a little embarrassing.”

“I’m sorry. I wanted to meet you as soon as possible, so I couldn’t help myself.”

Rachel gave a small smile.

“You wanted to meet me?”

“The holy saint has descended to the South, how can a cardinal stand still?”

Rachel continued as if it were natural.

“Besides, I heard that such a saint has driven out the plague that was rampant in the South. I was curious about what kind of person you were, and I wanted to express my deep gratitude, so I ran here in one breath.”

Then Rachel looked at Xian.

The hair, which resembled the color of a lily, shook slightly.

“I want to express my gratitude on behalf of the Order. Thank you so much.”

Then Rachel slightly bowed her head towards Xian.

At the sight of Rachel, Xian once again raised his eyes.

As far as Xian knew, the clerics of the Order did not bow their heads to others.

Even if it was the Emperor of the Charlotte Empire, including the Pope, they would not bow their heads.

Since all things are equal before God.

The act of bowing one’s head to equal beings was an impossible act.

The only being they bowed their heads to was the holy God.

But a cardinal bows his head to Xian?

As if noticing Xian’s question.

Rachel immediately continued.

“Our denomination doesn’t place that much meaning on it.”

“By denomination, do you mean…?”

“I mean the Twilight denomination. And I lead the priests of Twilight, though I’m lacking.”

According to Aria’s three-line summary the other day, the Order of the Holy Empire was divided into two factions: Dawn and Twilight.

And Rachel in front of him now was the leader of the Twilight denomination.

Xian didn’t know much about the Order’s affairs, nor was he interested in them.

But now that he saw it, it wasn’t just a political faction.

It seemed that each denomination had slightly different doctrines.

“I just did what I could.”

“Even humble. Indeed, there was a reason why you were called a saint.”

Rachel smiled slightly.

The cold atmosphere was erased by the smile.

And the smile harmonized with the hair color resembling a lily, showing off an even more brilliant atmosphere.

Anyone who saw it would say she was a good cleric.

Xian quietly stared at Rachel and opened his mouth.

“Is that all the reason you came to see me? Just to give me your thanks?”

“That would be the biggest reason.”

Rachel smiled slightly once again.

“And actually… I came to ask you for a favor.”

Xian silently looked at Rachel.

Did Rachel interpret that as a positive meaning?

“I’ve been doing an epidemiological investigation of the plague that has been rampant in the South.”

Rachel continued immediately.

“So… I was looking for the first infected person. It was a sudden outbreak of the plague, but there must have been a point where it first started. It was quite difficult, but I was able to find it after the investigation.”

It seemed that the reason she was away was because of that.

“The plague that was rampant in the South originated from one point. To be exact, the seeds of the plague were spreading from the source of the plague. So I tried to solve it, but…”

Rachel shook her head and continued.

“There was no way I could do it.”

“There was no way you could do it?”

“I couldn’t do anything about the source of the plague at my level. I couldn’t even approach it easily. It was a really… terrible place.”

Rachel made a rather troubled expression.

“So I was wondering what to do… I was just pacing back and forth. But I heard a rumor that a noble was treating the plague in the South.”

Then Rachel quietly looked at Xian.

And there was no other word.

Xian slowly opened his mouth.

“So you’re asking me to get rid of the source of the plague?”

“That’s right.”

Rachel nodded once.

If he could cure the plague, it meant that there was a possibility that he could also cure the source.

“Where is that place?”

“It’s Gestak Village, located in the center of the South. To be exact, it’s in an unnamed forest near that village.”

It was the first time he had heard of it.

That was because Xian didn’t know the geography of the Holy Empire.

‘Hmm…’

Xian was lost in thought.

The source of the plague that Rachel was talking about.

It seemed that the plague that was rampant in the South originated from there.

And if that source remained, the plague might break out again at any time.

So it was right to get rid of the source.

It seemed to be a terrible place that even Rachel couldn’t easily approach…

In fact, it wouldn’t be a big problem for Xian.

The magic that Xian wielded was the magic of the source that Kyle wielded.

No matter how terrible it was.

It wouldn’t be able to threaten Xian.

Maybe… wouldn’t the progress rate of the Demon Transformation Art increase significantly?

It was true that he had some expectations.

So there was no reason to refuse Rachel’s request.

No, it was something he had to do.

Nevertheless, Xian couldn’t easily nod his head.

It was because of Rachel.

She was a being that Aria was convinced was a demon.

But the energy he felt was clearly a cleric.

However, with the increased progress rate of the Demon Transformation Art.

A more sharpened sense was still telling him:

‘It’s dangerous.’

But what he felt was not evil.

She was an incomprehensible being.

“Can I… think about it for a while and give you an answer?”

So Xian postponed the decision for a while.

“Of course. But I hope you think positively. For the sake of the suffering people of the South.”

Then Rachel bowed her head again.

“I’ll be staying here for a while, so please come and find me whenever you make a decision.”

With those words, Rachel left the place.

#

After Rachel left.

Xian also immediately moved his steps and left the place.

But before long, Xian had no choice but to stop walking.

“Hey!”

A shout calling Xian from somewhere.

Of course, the name Xian was not heard.

Nevertheless, Xian could tell that it was calling him.

It was also a familiar voice.

There was only one person who could say such a thing here.

When he turned his head, as expected.

In the distance, Aria was seen running towards Xian in a hurry.

Xian quietly waited for Aria to come.

Aria fluttered her platinum blonde hair here and there and quickly approached Xian.

“How… How did it go?”

Was it because she had run from quite a distance?

It was Aria’s voice, panting as if she was out of breath.

“What do you mean, how did it go?”

“I’m talking about Cardinal Rachel!”

Aria shouted, swallowing her excited breath.

Did the rumor spread so quickly?

Xian was a little dumbfounded.

And it was obvious what Aria was asking.

Xian shook his head slightly and said.

“She’s not a demon.”

“What… did you say?”

Then Aria’s expression was dyed with embarrassment.

Xian said again at the sight of Aria.

“Aren’t you mistaken?”

“There’s no way. I’m sure she used the power of a demon.”

This time, Aria asked Xian.

“Aren’t you mistaken instead?”

“No. I’ve checked several times. But no.”

Xian shook his head firmly.

He couldn’t feel any malice from Rachel.

Not only malice, but he couldn’t feel any magic power.

Xian’s senses warned him that it was dangerous.

But the reason was at least not because Rachel was a demon.

“T, that can’t be…”

Aria made a blank expression in shock.

Xian said to such Aria.

“If you only look at her appearance, she’s quite a faithful cleric. Even the reason she was away this time was to find the source of the plague.”

“The source of the plague?”

Xian briefly explained the conversation he had with Rachel.

“T, that…”

Embarrassed Aria.

Then suddenly.

“Wait.”

Aria shouted suddenly.

“The source of the plague is in Gestak Village in the center of the South, in the nearby forest?”

“That’s what she said. Do you know the area?”

Aria nodded.

“That’s where it is.”

What is she talking about now?

That’s where it is.

How can I understand if you say it like this?

“What is there?”

“There! The place you said you wanted to go!”

The place I said I wanted to go?

Ah, could it be.

“Muriel’s Ruins?”

Aria nodded.

One word that followed.

“Muriel’s Ruins are right there.”

And why on earth.

At the same time as Aria’s words.

Ding!

『[Story Sudden Quest] – ‘The Truth Hidden in the Truth’』

A new notification window called Story Sudden Quest popped up.