Time-limited Saintess, You’ve Been Caught by the Tyrant Once Again - Chapter 14

“Yes…?”

He made a serious expression as he went on.

“You’re sincere and diligent with your duty, and you’re also deeply religious. You always pray on time.”

“….”

“Those who come from outside aren’t actually religious. Angelia is, in fact, only just a means to enhance the reputation of the ladies. Because of that, I have high regard for Ellin as Angelia.”

“Thank you.”

At his praise, Ellin’s cheeks turned red. Subsequently, Erich opened his mouth again carefully as he gazed into her eyes.

“So, I’m going to trust Ellin and tell you this.”

“….”

“I have doubts about the current Saint.”

Startled, Ellin’s eyes widened at his words. It was because he had said something she thought he would never say. Surprised by such a great confession, her mouth hurriedly closed her opened mouth and asked back.

“Wh-why…?”

‘…Why is he telling me that?’

As if he understood what she was going to ask, ‘Why do you think that way?’ Erich began to explain.

“At that time, I had to fulfill my duty elsewhere so I didn’t get to meet the Saint in person, though I’ve heard strange things from other people’s testimonies. Except for the sigil of God, Liliana didn’t respond to the divine powers of the priests, nor did she immediately exert her divine powers. There are a lot of doubtful points.”

That was suspicious for Ellin, too.

‘She has no divine powers other than the sigil of God…?’

For Ellin, she responded to divine powers and it was not long before she could exercise her divine powers as well.

Nevertheless, she pretended not to understand.

“Still…”

“However, I couldn’t bring the Saint down only for committing such infidelity. It’d be a disgrace to the temple, and the Pope would acquiesce. After all, it’s only natural to honor the Saint who appeared after a long time.”

“….”

“I know this is sudden, but Ellin… I can’t stand watching a woman fool around with the temple. We must protect our temple until the real Saint appears.”

“….”

“I’m sorry to make you feel suspicious. But, may I have your help?”

Ellin gazed at Erich, who was still wearing a serious expression on his face. While a part of her was still surprised, one side of her chest felt intense. At this moment, of course, it was difficult for her to refuse his request for help… That was because Erich saved her life.

He was kind, but he was a political figure. She knew it well.

A kind yet heartless character…

Because of that, Erich became the youngest Pope as he handled people deftly. Then, it was only when he became Pope that he mercilessly destroyed Liliana’s family.

“The Saint believes in him too much. He always does scary things with a smile on his face.”

That reminded her of Maynard’s grumbling, passing words before.

‘No way… Was this why he saved my life?’

Because of the memories of Maynard and other priests, Ellin became suspicious… the fact that Erich was the same was actually an illusion, and she wondered if it was just because he was looking for someone to take advantage of.

“Is that too difficult?”

“….”

“It’s all right, Ellin. I’m asking too much. Being doubtful of the Saint—”

As her expression clouded, Erich finished his words with a smile, “Please, forget it. I promise you that this wouldn’t put you at a disadvantage.”

“High Priest.”

“Yes?”

“Did you possibly spare my life because of this? So you’re being nice to me…”

At that, Erich made a puzzled expression before bursting into laughter the next moment.

“Is that why you put on such a distasteful expression?”

“No! No, I…”

It had been a long time since she had seen him laugh so loudly like this, so Ellin felt her heart warming in the midst of it. In her previous life, they hardly laughed together before the last moment before she died.

“No. It was never for that reason that I saved your life. Please, believe me.”

“….”

“And, it’s true that I’ve been nicer to Ellin than the other Angelias, though that’s because you’re faithful. I like faithful people. Don’t tell me this discrimination is wrong? Priests are human, too.”

As the warm orange eyes turned to Ellin, the gaze made her heart pound.

“So, that’s why I trust and risk telling this to you. All Ellin has to do is find something suspicious and reveal it. If you want money or something else…”

“Oh, no!”

Erich smiled as Ellin hurriedly waved her hand.

“You don’t have to feel burdened. Even if you want a reward, I don’t care. It’s the price for my request.”

“No way!”

Seeing her resolutely refuse, he smiled before sighing as if he had no choice.

“Then, Ellin, please.”

He politely bowed her back.

Ellin flinched. Even though the High Priest, Erich, seemed easygoing at first glance, he was overflowing with pride as the High Priest who worshiped the Gods.  To the aristocracy and even the Emperor, he always held his head high without lowering his head… So, the fact that he lowered his head like this meant that he must be desperate.

She felt sorry for him. In her first life, while her relationship with the former pope was good, Erich’s relationship with the former pope was not very good.

“I understand.”

Eventually, Ellin nodded her head. Erich grabbed her hand and pulled her gently with a visibly relieved expression on his face.

“May God protect you.”

Uttering so, he kissed her palm lightly. Her heart was pounding at the touch of his soft lips.

Orange eyes stared at Ellin.

For some reason, she could not move her gaze away from him.