“Julian… I’ve heard of him. Isn’t he the landlord of the shops nearby? He seems quite nice, even gives us rent reductions…”
Julian certainly had his methods.
Hearing his name, several members of the crowd who were unaware of the truth actually showed a hint of curiosity and sympathy for this “kind” merchant.
“Nonsense! Let me tell you… all that guy’s misdeeds have been exposed. Those bandit-like thugs were sent by him!”
A few people who seemed to know the truth hurriedly explained to their bewildered companions.
Two conflicting voices began to surge among the believers, making it difficult to discern the truth for a moment.
Speaking of Julian, Hailey suddenly remembered Miss Luna from the bakery and Idrilla, who had mysteriously slipped out that night.
When no one was looking, she quietly poked her.
“Hey, the guy they’re talking about… he isn’t that psycho who was kneeling in the confession room that day, is he? Could it be… did you do it?”
“Hmm… I didn’t do anything. It was just a case of someone’s own wickedness catching up to them.”
Idrilla felt that what she said was correct. After all, she had merely dealt with a fool who didn’t know his place.
As for the news, it had only been “accidentally” spread.
Getting rid of a public nuisance and taking from the rich to give to the poor wasn’t something to be ashamed of.
“Enough! Since everyone already knows, this prince shall emphasize it once more! Not long ago, the wealthy merchant Julian Cobo, who paid tribute to the Imperial Family, was found assassinated in his home. And it involved evil Black Magic!!”
As soon as the Third Prince spoke, everyone stopped obsessing over the so-called truth.
They all looked solemnly at the prince, who was thoroughly enjoying the attention.
After all, that was Black Magic!
Compared to the truth, the people of the Empire feared Black Magic just as much as people in some past century feared mages before magic was fully understood.
If magic was feared because it was unknown, Black Magic was feared because its power and the disasters it caused were well known.
It represented evil, darkness, and a threat to life…
Naturally, everyone was more concerned with the source of this Black Magic than the truth behind the merchant’s death.
Hailey was nervous, but she gripped Idrilla’s hand tightly to reassure her.
‘Compared to me, she’s the one who truly possesses dark mana. She must be the most terrified one here, right? If I don’t stand by her side now…’
Although Idrilla still maintained a calm expression, Hailey, who seemed to share a mental connection with her, could faintly feel her body begin to tense and tremble involuntarily.
“It’s okay, Hailey. I’m fine… I’m okay…”
Even if he possessed evidence, she could now control the Black Magic well enough to prevent it from leaking.
As long as she kept her emotions in check—
Even though Idrilla comforted herself this way, she truly found it difficult to remain calm given the circumstances.
Hailey was the only person she could rely on, and her eyes had not yet recovered.
Consequently, a faint black aura began to gradually emerge from her shoulders.
She suppressed it with all her might so it wouldn’t be noticed.
Only the Third Prince, who had come for this very purpose, continued to chatter incessantly.
“According to our… ahem, our informant in the Holy See, our most sacred Saintess, Lady Idrilla Senele, is the very Witch who brought this calamity with Black Magic!”
“Yes!” He had obtained this confidential information from an intelligence broker planted within the Holy See.
He had even intercepted it before his two elder brothers could get their hands on it!
‘As long as I complete this mission of defeating the Church and exposing the Witch, Father will surely look at me in a new light! When the time comes, won’t the position of heir be mine for the taking…?’
“Your Highness, you are currently standing within the Empire’s Holy Church. The one you are slandering is one of the few in the history of the Holy See to be recognized as a Saintess. Do you truly intend to act against me based on nothing but a rumor?”
Idrilla’s tone was very calm, yet it carried a sense of warning and intimidation.
The Holy See was not an entity that the Imperial Family or the Empire could frame lightly. There would be a price to pay.
Most of the people around them were believers of the Goddess and the Saintess, so they naturally spoke up for the Saintess they revered.
Seeing public opinion shift toward her again, the Third Prince began to panic.
But no matter what, he had confirmed the information was correct. This Saintess would definitely show a weakness!
“Tch. Rumor or not, since the Saintess feels she can handle the weight of that title, why not take this opportunity to show this prince your Holy Magic?”
The informant had said that the blind Saintess had fought with that Grand Priest whom they were using, and she hardly had any strength left.
Regardless of whether she truly possessed Black Magic, as long as he refused to let the matter go, it wouldn’t matter—unless she could truly manifest Holy Magic, and it had to be of a level far superior to others.
Looking at Idrilla’s calm and indifferent appearance, the Third Prince felt that victory was already in his grasp.
The other party was merely putting on a brave face.
Idrilla gently tapped Hailey’s palm, signaling for her to lean down.
Hailey was curious; why did this girl want to whisper to her now?
“Wait, what?!”
“Hailey, kiss me.”
‘What? What! What’s going on… why, why do you want to k-kiss at a life-and-death moment like this? Why is it so urgent?’
‘Besides, we’re in front of so many people. Even if I ignore that yellow banana, aren’t the others still watching us?’
Although Hailey wanted to refuse with a blushing face, Idrilla looked at her with an incredibly determined attitude.
Could it be that she really had a plan? But to kiss in front of everyone… it was too…
‘Ah, whatever! I’m going for it! If something goes wrong, I’ll drag you down to the depths of social death with me!’
In the end, after a moment of mental struggle, Hailey closed her eyes and carefully kissed Idrilla on the forehead with a red face. However, Idrilla felt it wasn’t enough.
“Hailey, one more time. Get closer.”
“Don’t push your luck… Fine, do whatever you want!”
Hailey couldn’t be bothered to care about her reputation anymore and kissed Idrilla directly on the lips.
In front of everyone, a powerful golden light erupted from the two deeply kissing girls, shining and sacred.
Accompanying the flash of golden light, the Statue of the Goddess behind them seemed to suddenly gain divinity.
It looked down upon everyone with majesty and holiness, causing the surrounding believers to clasp their hands in prayer.
Seeing this sudden scene and witnessing the Holy Magic that even he couldn’t help but feel in awe of, the Third Prince fell to his knees in disbelief.
“How is it, Third Prince? Has this light washed away your foolish darkness…?”