Chapter 14: A Legend. …… And then
The man was born in a small town in the countryside.
When he first cried out upon entering the world, a strange foreign “laundry powder soap” was mysteriously placed by his pillow, as if it were some kind of promotional item. Though it puzzled everyone, nothing unusual happened after that, and he grew up like any ordinary child.
From a young age, he valued “family love” more than anything else.
From a young age, he always felt like he was searching for “someone” unknown.
From a young age, he always wished to return “somewhere.” He kept this hidden in his heart, never troubling his parents with it. Unable to figure out where that “somewhere” was, he graduated from a local university, found a job in a distant city, and began living alone……
Until he finally met “her.”
She was the same age as him, having just graduated from university. He heard that just a few months ago, she had lost the man she was supposed to marry.
After that, she didn’t return to her parents’ home. Instead, she stayed in the apartment she was supposed to share with her “husband,” living alone while thinking of the man who would never return.
The moment the man saw her, he was captivated. She wasn’t the kind of beauty that would make everyone turn their heads, but her slightly droopy eyes and lovely smile had a way of making anyone feel at ease.
The moment he saw her, he couldn’t stop crying. Concerned, she approached him and asked if he was okay. Right then and there, he proposed to her—and, of course, she rejected him.
Thinking about it, it was only natural. It wasn’t the kind of thing you should say to a woman who had just lost her husband. But the man didn’t give up. He couldn’t give up. His “soul” told him that “she” was the person he had been searching for since the day he was born, and that the “place” he was meant to return to was by her side.
From then on, he worked hard. Without forcing his way into her wounded heart, he slowly began to heal her sorrow.
At first, she was perplexed, but gradually, she was touched by his sincerity. She found his demeanor and gestures reminiscent of her “husband,” and little by little, her frozen heart began to melt.
Three years passed, and the man, driven by the “black chains” he had felt in his heart since childhood, made a decision.
In his pocket was a “wedding ring” he had bought using his entire bonus.
As he clenched it tightly and steeled himself, a cat meowed in the distance, as if cheering him on.
The princess of the Holy Kingdom…the golden-haired girl known as the “True Saint,” saved countless people on the battlefield, even managed to convert the Demon king and evil beasts, and brought an end to the war.
But God gave the True Saint an even greater trial, summoning a “black vortex” that threatened to destroy the world. the Saintess, accompanied by only a handful of followers, challenged it and, several months later, successfully erased the vortex.
The truth remains unknown. But those who were saved by the Saintess and touched by her purity were convinced of its truth.
However, the Saintess did not return. Some say she perished, while others believe she is still fighting evil. But most, whether human or demon, prayed to God for her safe return, believing that she had sacrificed herself to seal away the evil and was fighting for the world in secret.
Thanks to the Saintess’s devotion, the war between the human army and the demons came to an end. However, humans and demons still could not join hands.
Though they were once the same people, intermingling, environmental changes, and long periods of isolation had created differences in customs and ways of thinking. The Demon king Hevrat, who had been converted by the Saintess’s mercy, decided not to invade the human side and chose to slowly bridge the gap over time.
Thanks to the Saintess’s great love, the people of the demon nation, freed from the thick clouds and food shortages that had caused conflict, began to cultivate the land alongside the Demon king and his daughter, the extraordinarily beautiful Dwarf princess. They even created dishes using seaweed, which was harvested in their land despite the lack of an ocean.
“Uho.”
“That’s right. the Saintess will surely come to visit Francois again.”
“Uho.”
“Hahaha, that’s good. When she comes, I’ll pass on your words. She’ll be happy to hear them.”
“Uho!”
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Sigres…
“Aureline, don’t you want to go back to your family home?”
“No. I… I’ve more or less run away from home, so I’d like to stay with you, Alfio.”
“I-I see. And you can just call me ‘Al.'”
“Okay… Al.”
Aureline shyly called his name, and Alfio, who had finally found a lover who saw him for who he truly was, grinned sloppily as he swung his hoe.
He had already introduced Aureline to his parents, who were overjoyed with their serious and pure daughter-in-law. They approved of their relationship, and the two were always together.
“Once things settle down, maybe we can invite Ataline and the Saintess to join us for a meal, just the three of us.”
“That sounds nice.”
Aureline hadn’t seen those two in a while.
If she met her sister, she’d probably hide in the shadows again, and her younger sister still terrified her. She didn’t want to see them for at least a few more years. Still, as sisters, she prayed to God for their safety.
“I haven’t seen Anko or Cheria either, but they’ll be fine.”
“…Yes.”
The two had sent a letter asking for help because they were wanted, but Aureline disposed of it before Alfio could see it.
While the people grieved the Saintess’s continued absence, those who knew her well were not pessimistic.
After the Saintess entered the “black vortex,” one of her followers returned once, bringing back an unconscious girl and a “message.”
“Father, Mother, I’m sorry for worrying you. I’ve gotten myself into a bit of trouble, so I’ll be back in a year or two. Please let everyone know, and take care of my sister.”
In a way, it was a very her-like message—simple and vague. Those involved made similar awkward faces, but just that alone lightened the heavy atmosphere. That was the kind of person she was.
The rescued girl’s companions were already missing, and there were rumors that two of them had been arrested somewhere. So, with the help of her “cousin,” she returned to her birthplace, the Holy Kingdom of Taliteld.
“Ataline, please call me ‘Mother.'”
“…O…kay…”
Ataline began a new life under the protection of Duke Felt and his wife, Leahsteere, at their villa in the royal capital of Versenia.
She would respond when spoken to and could manage most things on her own. But having lost most of her memories and emotions, she had become like a small child. Feeling pity for her, Leahsteere, who was now pregnant, took care of her as if she were her own child. However, even after six months, there had been no significant improvement.
It wasn’t uncommon for Ataline to spend the entire day staring blankly into the garden. The maids and servants who had once been victims of her cruelty initially looked at her with disdain, but gradually began to care for her, and now they even took the initiative to talk to her.
Ataline was slowly learning to speak again, but her emotions had not yet returned.
Except for one thing…
“Lady Ataline, he’s here.”
The boy who had served as a “Holy Warrior” of the Holy Kingdom suddenly came to visit her.
Ludrick, her relative and childhood friend, regretted not being able to convince her to change her ways and now visited her every few days.
Just like her mother, the girl who had fallen in love with a younger prince and couldn’t be honest about it, Ataline would only smile faintly when she saw him.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
the Saintess’s friends felt loneliness more than sorrow over her absence.
They never doubted her safety. But they were certain that her delay in returning wasn’t for any ordinary reason, and they endured their loneliness and frustration as they waited.
“E-Eur, why hasn’t she come back yet?”
“I wonder why. It’s worrying.”
“Yes, it is!”
“Then let’s go pray together at the church.”
“Y-Yes! Eek!”
For some reason, Bertille, who seemed to be either overexcited or flustered, was in the Palace Garden next to the royal palace, fuming. Suddenly, a man put his arm around her shoulder, and she let out a small scream.
“What’s wrong, Betty? Did I scare you?”
“N-No! It’s just… embarrassing…”
As Bertille’s face turned bright red, the second prince, Timothee, smiled softly.
How things had ended up this way, Bertille herself still couldn’t believe.
It seemed that while interacting with the Saintess’s friends, her straightforward personality had endeared her to him the crown princess. Now, just a few months shy of turning fourteen, she had become the fiancée of the crown prince’s grandson, Timothee—the future king.
She had admired Timothee since she was a child and had dreamed of this happening, but with a four-year age gap and being on the edge of eligibility, she never thought it would actually happen. Now, she was constantly flustered.
Whether this [outwardly black-haired, pure-looking but otherwise disappointing girl] was suitable to be the future queen remained a question, but she and the laid-back Timothee seemed to get along surprisingly well.
…Though a slight unease remains.
TLNOTE:
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