I Became a Childhood Friend With the Villainous Saintess

Chapter 72: Northern Mountain (5)

When you think about it, Dersian always compared his opponents to Isha whenever he faced a formidable enemy.

“This one’s slower than Isha,” or, “This one’s more manageable compared to Isha.”

It never struck me as odd. After all, Isha’s strength was described as extraordinary in the story.

Even Dersian, who defeated Isha, admitted it was pure chance and suggested he was still inferior to her.

Among all the swordsmen—except me—Isha was often regarded the highest.

So, I just assumed that Dersian’s image of a “formidable opponent” had naturally solidified around Isha.

After all, he was part of the reverse harem surrounding the heroine, Elise. It was only natural to think he would like Elise.

Well, what can I say now that he’s made his feelings clear?

The words “love at first sight” and the raw emotions written across his face…

It seemed that all those mentions of Isha in the original story weren’t just about her strength.

Come to think of it, for someone who appeared so early in the story, it took Dersian quite a while to be romantically entangled with the heroine.

“I heard it while teaching her swordsmanship—apparently, she enjoys baking. It’s been a hobby of hers since childhood.”

“Baking... I see. I’d like to try it myself someday.”

Feeling a little sorry for him, I tried to comfort him somehow.

If Dersian really did fall for Isha at first sight in the original story, then his life must have been quite tragic.

To think, his first love was an assassin who tried to kill him.

To survive, he had to cut her down. And in the end, Isha died in the torture chambers of the Inquisition.

Just as he came to terms with his feelings, his second love was snatched away by the Crown Prince.

In the epilogue, when the heroine was married, Dersian departed to train and become stronger.

Now, I think I understand what that “training” really meant.

Well, behind every happy ending, there are stories like this.

Especially for those who lose in the game of love, bitterness is inevitable.

Dersian bowed his head to me again.

“Thank you so much, Sir Razen. I’ll be relying on you in the future as well!”

“...But don’t come too often.”

“Understood!”

It didn’t seem like he understood.

In any case, as soon as the conversation ended, I returned to my seat.

Waiting for me was Sirien, her cheeks puffed out in what could only be described as a sulk.

My beloved had a knack for adding to my worries with just a few words.

“Razen cheated on me.”

“What? Where did that come from? I was right beside you and just had a quick chat.”

“I saw everything. That person looked completely smitten with you.”

“That’s... that’s an awful misunderstanding. I don’t even want to imagine it.”

“Hmph. Really? Well, hurry up and sit next to me.”

“I let my guard down. I never thought even men would start going after you.”

“That’s not what’s happening. I already explained.”

Sirien rubbed her face against my chest.

Her soft, squishy cheeks left a warm trace behind.

“That was truly shocking. I thought only women would covet you.”

“Such misunderstandings only make things harder for me.”

“I’m not prejudiced.”

“Would it be so bad to have just a little?”

“Who knows. Just reassure me quickly.”

When I glanced at her face, I noticed the corners of her lips curving into a faint smile.

Fortunately, her words seemed to be a joke, and she just wanted to stay close to me.

Sirien glanced around briefly before shifting to sit on my lap.

Naturally, my arms wrapped around her waist.

Even though someone passing by might see us, she was unusually bold in situations like this.

I couldn’t figure out her standards. Was it okay as long as no one was looking at the moment?

But if someone did see, she’d probably be mortified.

“Alright, alright. You’re the only one for me. Where would a knight go, leaving their liege behind?”

“Hehe, exactly. Rub my stomach for me. I think something I ate isn’t sitting well. Mmh, like that.”

“Some people nibble ears in moments like this. Should I try that too?”

“Th-That’s off-limits!”

Sirien whipped her head away.

It was fine to ask me to rub her belly, but the idea of my lips touching her ear was too much?

The whims of a woman’s heart were truly baffling.

“To be honest... I’m a little scared.”

“Scared of what?”

“When we go to the capital, someone who knows us might see us. Maybe even Count Roxen. If I run into him, will I be able to stay calm?”

Sirien’s voice trembled slightly.

“I don’t know. I think you’ll be fine.”

The Sirien I knew grew colder when she was angry.

The day we lost Terion and Henna, we bottled up our volcanic rage and whispered of revenge in a low, steady tone.

It’s me who needs to be careful about letting emotions ruin things.

Even today, Dersian noticed the killing intent I’d been holding back.

But for now, it was more important to comfort Sirien.

I pulled her delicate frame closer to mine.

I knew how to console Sirien. After all, I was the one who always comforted her when she cried loudly in the castle.

From long ago, Sirien had always found comfort in my warmth.

Whenever I held her hand or patted her back and whispered reassurances, she would quickly calm down and stop crying.

Though she wasn’t crying now, the soothing effect would be the same.

“It’s already been four years. We’ve spent over four years preparing to finish this so Roxen won’t have any chance to intervene. Your revenge will be flawless.” Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“What if I make a mistake?”

“Then I’ll handle it somehow. I promised to help, didn’t I? From the moment we were at that cabin.”

We were always two halves of a whole.

If I made a mistake, Sirien would cover for me, and I would do the same for her.

That’s how it had always been.

*****

Our procession headed toward the capital without any issues.

We had finally left the wretched Northern Mountains behind, and it seemed we’d reach the capital in a day or two.

With some leeway in our journey, neither Sirien nor I were assigned guard duty today.

It gave us time to relax together inside the comfort of a carriage.

Sirien seemed intent on using this opportunity to discuss our plans for the capital.

The conclusion Sirien and I reached regarding our situation was simple and straightforward:

We lacked sufficient evidence and power.

“Listen. There are two ways we can bring down Count Eloran.”

Inside the rattling carriage, Sirien began sketching on a small piece of paper.

She drew scales, representing the Imperial Court, and an eagle, symbolizing the Royal Family.

“One is the Imperial Court. The other is an imperial decree, right?”

“Correct. If it’s just circumstantial evidence, it’s already enough. Even if we took it to a fair court, we’d have a good chance of winning, and the Emperor isn’t foolish—he likely suspects the count’s betrayal.”

“I thought court battles weren’t an option.”

“They aren’t. The Imperial Court is corrupt. If I stood at the forefront, it might be possible, but it’s too dangerous for now.”

Sirien drew a bold X over the scales.

A court so corrupt that a duchess would openly call it rotten—this empire was hopelessly broken.

In contrast, she circled the eagle.

“So an imperial decree would be the cleanest option?”

“Yes. The problem is the Emperor.”

Politics isn’t about truth or justice alone.

This was especially true in an ancient empire like this one.

The tangled web of vested interests had rusted the empire in every corner.

“Think from the Emperor’s perspective. What does he stand to gain by following our plan?”

“Baron Esquente and the vacant position of Count Eloran?”

“That won’t appeal to him much. Outwardly, the marquis isn’t loyal to either the Emperor or the other nobles. That vacant position would have to be split between the two sides.”

The House of Eloran was a prestigious family with deep roots in the empire.

Naturally, they held considerable influence in central politics.

Their value couldn’t compare to a mere frontier garrison commander, especially one like Baron Isquente, who came from common stock.

“What if the Emperor quietly removed Baron Isquente and blackmailed the count with his weaknesses?”

“Then he’d gain a strong and obedient dog.”

“Exactly. That’s why we can’t approach the Emperor directly right now.”

Sirien added a triangle over the circle.

She drew an arrow from the circle to a new symbol—a lantern, representing the Hibras Church.

“But we can buy ourselves some time. We’ll ask the Emperor to officially recognize the Hebras Church within the empire.”

“What would that change?”

“The royal family would send officials to our temple. That would keep Count Eloran in check for a while.”

“Is that why we need to go to the capital as well?”

“That’s part of it, but… there’s one more reason.”

Sirien reached for my hand and pulled me closer.

“We need undeniable proof. Something so incriminating that the Emperor won’t be able to cover it up. We’ll make the incident explode in a way that no one can ignore.”

As she leaned in, Sirien’s fingertip playfully tapped my lips.

Her mischievous smile was close—so close I could feel her breath.

“What do people need to communicate?”

“Words… or letters, if not that.”

“Exactly. For secret conversations, they need to meet in person even more.”

“So there must be a messenger. Are they operating in the capital right now?”

“Yes. That’s the luck you’ve uncovered. It’s information only Russell knew.”

Sirien finally pressed her lips to mine.

It was a light kiss, yet the warmth of her breath seemed to linger on my face.

“This is your reward. Thanks to you, everything’s going more smoothly.”

Sirien’s radiant smile was, as always, the most beautiful thing in the world.

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