The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 129

That day, Yuri returned looking utterly drained, as if she’d suffered a great shock.

It might sound harsh, but she was really dragging her feet.

‘I hope it turns out as Father said.’

Meeting Yuri in person only made it clearer.

I will choose one of Dante or Ian.

‘Which of the two can protect the family if Yuri attacks?’

That was a question I couldn’t easily answer yet.

“You’re all set.”

“You look absolutely stunning!”

“You’ll be the most beautiful debutante here today, without a doubt.”

I slowly opened my eyes at the maids’ fuss and looked in the mirror.

A round face with still-chubby cheeks. Silver hair that faded into a sweet hue at the ends, and red eyes came into view.

I wasn’t wearing a white wedding dress-like gown, but a red dress brought from the family, and I nodded, satisfied with my appearance.

Now that I was ready, I wanted to hurry to the banquet hall.

‘I’ll enter with Yuri, but once inside, I can talk to other people.’

Will he come today? Ian.

‘But it’s my debutante ball.’

I felt like he would come to congratulate me today of all days.

It was a baseless belief… but I just had that feeling.

* * *

Meanwhile, at that very moment.

There were pure white carriages speeding towards the Imperial Palace of the Magic Empire.

The sight of several carriages flying flags representing the Holy Empire’s Papal State, surrounded by dignified Holy Knights, made the people’s eyes widen.

A missionary visit from high-ranking priests and various clergymen.

On the surface, it was a sacred and magnificent sight with a noble purpose, but the reality was different.

High Priest Merebanno was in the lead carriage of the convoy.

At 88 years old, movement was difficult, and more than anything, he lacked the stamina for such a long journey, but what could he do?

He had to follow the Pope’s direct order.

Just before departing from the Holy Empire, Merebanno had devised a plan to soothe his seething insides.

And he had three priests of verified identity board his carriage in advance.

“Um, is this really necessary?”

“Hmph. Such weak words from you.”

This plan had to be discussed where the Pope couldn’t hear, and there was no place more suitable than a moving carriage.

Merebanno glared at the hesitant priests, as he needed everyone sitting here to agree before they disembarked.

“It’s all for the Holy Empire, and for God.”

“But… but doesn’t this sound like kidnapping no matter how you look at it?”

“Ahem! Kidnapping? Don’t say things that could be misunderstood.”

Merebanno’s plan was as follows.

First. Confirm whether the Saintess in that Magic Empire is real, though it’s unlikely.

Second. If, by some impossible chance, she possesses true divine power, bring her respectfully to compare her with Saintess Laheen.

But what if she refuses to go to the Holy Empire?

There was only one way.

“All you have to do is hand her this divine artifact that induces animalization. That’s all.”

“But….”

“Once she turns into a ferret, put her in the prepared cage.”

“……”

“It’s not difficult, is it? If we get caught with the cage, just say it’s a pet we brought from our side.”

Did he think everything that came out of his mouth made sense?

The priests looked at each other, realizing they were all thinking the same thing.

The was something Laheen had made as a prank long ago.

At the time, Saintess Laheen had found it very amusing to use the divine artifact on all sorts of priests, turning them into animal forms.

It was one of the several divine artifacts that had vanished without a trace after Laheen was sealed away, but Priest Merebanno had it.

This terrifying object, which would turn anyone back into their innate animal form if they held it carelessly without surrounding it with divine power, was none other than a ‘handkerchief.’

An item that anyone would accept, assuming it was harmless. Something that wouldn’t seem strange to hand over, saying there was something on them.

“Even so, if she is a real Saintess, we should treat her with respect… This method doesn’t seem right.”

After a silence, one priest voiced his conviction.

Merebanno chuckled and stroked his beard.

“How can you become a high-ranking priest with such a lack of resolve?”

“!”

“Well, do the rest of you think similarly?”

Up to the rank of senior priest, one could achieve the position through their divine power, efforts, or achievements, but the rank of high-ranking priest was different.

High-ranking priests, who could access even the most confidential information within the Papal State, had to be specially recommended by a current high-ranking priest.

That was why political and factional strife never ceased within the Papal State.

However, frankly, senior priests all had similar abilities, so it was impossible to judge who was suitable for the position of high-ranking priest without a recommendation system.

“If you’re not interested, then I’ll have to call someone else.”

“No, wait! Just wait a moment.”

“Haha, why? Didn’t you say kidnapping pricked your conscience? It’s a very good thing to protect your conscience. A good thing. But sometimes, you have to prioritize the country and God over your personal conscience.”

Merebanno coaxed them, his eyes twinkling like the holes in a knot.

“Besides, we don’t know yet whether she’s a Saintess worth bringing to the real Holy Empire, or just a piece of trash.”

“That’s… true.”

“If she’s a fake, there’s no reason to bring her at all.”

But are you going to refuse from the start? Then it will be your loss no matter what?

‘Hmph. You’re going to nod anyway.’

Merebanno sneered inwardly.

What senior priest wouldn’t want to rise to the rank of high-ranking priest? It was just a matter of opportunity.

Merebanno himself had once resolved a ‘minor problem’ for a high-ranking priest in his youth.

“I understand… I’ll do it.”

“I’ll do it too.”

“M-Me too! I can do it better!”

Originally, humans don’t care if they don’t have something good, but they can’t stand seeing others have it.

That was Merebanno’s view of human nature.

“Um, but which of us will be in charge of delivering it….”

“Besides, a recommendation can only be made to one person per high-ranking priest, right? There are three of us….”

In the end, they decided to do it, and Merebanno wore a satisfied expression at the sight of them seeking their own gain.

“The youngest of you will hand it over. You will be on the lookout and subtly drive her to a secluded place. You will create a commotion when this happens to draw attention.”

Gulp.

The senior priests, who had never done anything like this before, swallowed hard in unison.

It was an afternoon when the sun was too bright to plot schemes.

‘How impertinent.’

And here, there is one fact that Merebanno doesn’t even dream of.

One of the three senior priests he had boarded in the carriage, believing their identities were verified, the youngest one… was none other than the Pope in disguise.

‘I thought there was something fishy going on, so I slipped in to take a look.’

As expected.

Pope George clicked his tongue in his mouth.

‘I wondered who had hidden the missing handkerchief, but it was Merebanno.’

And he’s going to kidnap the Saintess of the Magic Empire with it….

‘It’s a good thing the handkerchief will be in my hands.’

I’ll pretend to hand it over and get a closer look.

As a person who upholds the will of the Celestial God, George wanted to know.

Whether the Saintess arranged by God is really Laheen.

If so, why did He bestow great power upon someone with such a wicked nature?

‘Or, have we been serving the wrong Saintess all along….’

George, disguised as a senior priest, cast his gaze out the window.