Don’T Get Caught By Your Husband! [EN]: Chapter 71

Don’t Get Caught by Your Husband! 71. Clue (1)

#71. Clue (1)

2024.05.10.

[I didn’t just suddenly wake up in the Saintess’s body one day. I was reborn in the Saintess’s body after death.]

Pavion’s eyes widened slightly as he looked up at the words Belladona was writing.

After taking a moment to catch his breath, as if absorbing a surprising revelation, he slowly said,

“So that’s how it was. That explains a lot.”

Pavion pointed to the old record.

Belladona nodded and began to read.

Before Saintess Belladona, the records of those who had obtained divine power were meticulously documented.

‘It’s incredibly varied.’

Belladona frowned, biting her lower lip as she focused on the text.

Some people lost their sight instead of their voice, others their hearing, and some even lost limbs.

The price for divine power wasn’t limited to the individual; some lost their children or parents.

“The abilities of the Saints also manifested in various forms, as diverse as the price they paid.

Saintess Belladona was known for her considerable healing power, but others…”

Instead of explaining directly, Pavion pointed to the open page.

[The limits of healing power vary greatly. Some Saints possess such a weak level that they can barely erase a small wound even after channeling divine power into it all day, while others can mend broken bones or heal serious internal injuries…]

Belladona, following along in the book, stopped at a particular passage.

‘This is…’

[And a very small number of Saints possessed such potent divine power that they could revive people on the brink of death.]

To revive the dead with divine power…?

It was baffling. Wasn’t that truly the domain of God?

“Of course, records of such individuals are rare. Given the sheer magnitude of divine power required, the life force expended would have been substantial, likely resulting in a shortened lifespan.”

Belladona recalled collapsing and vomiting blood a few days prior when attempting to use her newly acquired healing power.

Indeed, it was already strenuous to heal minor wounds, so the life force needed to revive the dead must be astronomical…

‘Wait a minute, could it be…’

Belladona, lost in thought, raised her head.

Pavion, meeting her gaze, nodded.

“In my opinion, what happened to you was likely due to Saintess Belladona’s divine power.”

“……!”

“Saintess Belladona directly revived you. Why you were reborn in the Saintess’s body instead of your original one remains unknown.”

So, you’re saying… the Saintess deliberately arranged for me to be reborn as her after I died?

Belladona’s eyes trembled slightly with confusion.

‘Why…? Why did the Saintess choose me of all people?’

“Did you have any connection with Saintess Belladona in your previous life?”

Shake, shake.

Belladona shook her head immediately. In her previous life, she was simply the daughter of a poor farmer in an ordinary territory.

A person who wouldn’t even be allowed to stand on the same path as the noble Saintess of the Papal States.

“Hmm…”

Pavion also frowned, as if struggling to understand the situation. Then, he spoke again.

“First of all, these are just my guesses. I’ll need to investigate your previous life. Please provide me with basic information.”

Belladona hesitated before nodding. She had no choice but to trust Pavion now.

‘He knows a lot, and he’s the only one who can help me right now…’

The investigation into her previous life was something she had attempted since awakening in this body, but she had either failed or postponed it each time.

It was fortunate that Pavion, being free, could do it for her, unlike herself, trapped within the Papal States.

“Also, there are things you need to do.”

‘What is it…?’

Belladona quietly inhaled.

Pavion lowered his voice further in the confessional, where they were alone.

“Please search the Papal States for any traces of Saintess Belladona. Even the smallest detail is important. Records related to the Saintess are also valuable, especially anything connected to your previous life.”

“…….”

“In other words, find anything that might explain why Saintess Belladona revived you.”

At Pavion’s words, Belladona swallowed hard.

It was as if a small ray of light pierced the dark cave, and hope flickered before her eyes.

If she could understand why the Saintess chose her and orchestrated her rebirth, and why she took away her voice, she felt she could reverse everything and return to Escalion.

Belladona nodded to Pavion.

Pavion smiled, confirming her resolute expression.

“Well, that’s all I wanted to tell you today.”

Perhaps Pavion was working so diligently for her because he genuinely cared for Saintess Belladona.

For him, the Saintess’s sudden disappearance must have been shocking and concerning, fueling his desire to uncover the truth.

“Then, I’ll be on my way. Let’s gather information and meet again soon. We need to complete the investigation before you return to Griblata, so time is short.”

Pavion said, closing the book he had opened.

He seemed to believe, without a doubt, that Belladona would return to Griblata after the Emperor’s birthday celebration.

Belladona simply nodded, unable and unwilling to explain the complicated situation.

Pavion placed the thick book in his bag, rolled up his floor-length beard, wrapped it around his neck, and stood up.

‘That’s a little strange…?’ Noticing Belladona’s gaze, he smiled and said,

“This is also great for insulation. It looks impressive hanging down, but it’s too much trouble.”

At his rather brazen response, Belladona laughed.

It was almost the first genuine laugh since arriving in Astanya.

“Then, goodbye…”

Pavion bowed briefly and left the confessional, and the priest outside peeked in again.

“Saintess, the next believer is waiting. Shall I send them in?”

With a lighter heart than before, Belladona nodded.

* * *

After finishing her duties and returning to her room, Belladona headed for the bookshelf filled with books instead of going straight to bed.

‘Anything that could be a clue…’

She narrowed her eyes and began reading the titles on the spines, one by one.

She realized she had never really paid attention to the bookshelf while living here.

‘It would be great if I could find the Saintess’s diary or records, but…’

At first glance, she couldn’t see anything like that.

Well, under the strict supervision of the Pope and Cardinal Nicholas, she couldn’t have openly displayed such items.

Belladona picked up a book and flipped through the pages.

‘Most of the books here are about theology, philosophy, and worship.’

Only ordinary books typically found on a Saintess’s bookshelf.

It seemed difficult to find any special clues here…

Just as she was about to return the book to the shelf, Belladona’s gaze stopped.

In the empty space where the book had been, something was glinting.

Belladona put down the book and removed all the surrounding books.

‘What is this…?’

It was a small key.

Belladona reached in and took it out.

A dirty, old key with a dirty, old brown string, much smaller than a typical door key, lay in her palm.

‘What does it open? If it’s hidden like this, it’s almost certainly concealed from someone…’

Belladona, lost in thought, looked back at the firmly closed door.

At this hour, no one would dare raid the Saintess’s room in the Papal States.

‘Then…’

Belladona turned her head and looked up at the high bookshelf.

She had a feeling she should remove all the books and look behind them.

Huff… Huff…

Hours later, Belladona sat on the floor, breathing heavily.

The Saintess had so many books! Removing the thick books one by one and placing them on the floor felt like a high-intensity arm workout.

It was her first time doing this kind of labor since becoming a Saintess, and she wasn’t used to it…! Belladona looked up at the empty bookshelf, where she had removed almost all the books.

‘There are three in total…’

Besides the small key she found first, there were two more hidden behind the bookshelf.

Some were noticeably larger than the others, and some were square.

They were three distinctly different keys.

‘I’ll have to investigate what I can open with these later, but…’

…I need to rest for a while!

Belladona, exhausted from removing the books, collapsed on the floor and looked up at the high ceiling.

Her breath came in ragged gasps, her chest rising and falling rapidly. It was hard, but she didn’t feel too bad.

‘Maybe I need this kind of exercise sometimes? And I should explore the Papal States a little more starting tomorrow.’

Belladona, catching her breath, made a plan.

Until the birthday celebration next week, she had to conserve her energy and only go back and forth to the confessional.

But she could explore under the guise of preparing for when she would use her divine power.

Staying cooped up in the confessional only builds up fatigue and doesn’t help with recovery!

After receiving permission from the Pope, she would first visit places within the Papal States that the Saintess could easily access, and also keep an eye on hidden warehouses, drawers, and bags in various locations.

She might have hidden important clues in unexpected places.

“…….”

‘Anyway, it’s quite exhausting.’

As the sweat cooled and her breathing slowed, sleepiness washed over her.

‘But I have to clean all this up before I go to sleep…’

She had to get up and put the books back, but her body, suddenly heavy, wouldn’t obey.

Even though her body wouldn’t move, her mind raced to rationalize her inaction.

‘So, if I sleep first and wake up early tomorrow morning to clean up, wouldn’t that be enough?’

‘Because I don’t have any special schedule tomorrow morning…’

‘Yeah, I can do it…’

Belladona’s slowly blinking eyelids closed completely.

She fell asleep on the floor without even getting into bed.