In the brief silence, it was Edan who spoke first.

“And can you really blame me, Brother? I came here for reasons beyond my control.”

“I told you—no matter the reason, entering the temple is forbidden.”

“Well then. I wonder if you’d still say that after hearing my reasons.”

“What?”

Edan gave a slight nod and issued orders to his subordinates.

“Bring them in.”

Before his words had even fully settled, Edan’s hooded subordinates appeared, gripping two men by the scruffs of their necks.

They were men draped in deep purple robes.

Unconscious, their legs dragged limply across the floor until they were dumped at Killian’s feet. Thud. Thud. The momentum of their collapse caused their robes to slip, revealing their faces.

What on earth happened to them?

Their mouths were smeared with blood—likely from vomiting large quantities—and crimson trails streaked down their chins, necks, staining their chests.

And that wasn’t all. Blood clung thickly to their hands and feet, visible through the torn fabric of their robes.

Ugh. Their fingernails and toenails had all been ripped out!

Watching from behind Edan, I clapped my hands over my mouth at the horrifying sight.

“As you know, these are the Imperial Court mages.”

“…….”

“Traces of Imperial mages’ interference were found at the collapsed section of the Northern Wall.”

No way! Imperial mages tampered with the Wall?

Killian, who had been staring expressionlessly at the men, let out a low, mocking laugh.

“How absurd. Isn’t the Wall’s collapse your own failure? Trying to cowardly shift blame onto the Imperial Court?”

Unconsciously, my fists clenched tight—but I was so furious I didn’t even feel the pain.

You’re the coward! That’s why the timing was so perfect. I wondered why the Wall suddenly collapsed just as the demon purge was wrapping up—so it was this man’s doing.

I don’t know what happened between Edan and him in the past, but this is unacceptable.

You can’t go this far. Edan has done everything humanly possible to protect the Northern Wall.

Who better than you knows what happens if the Wall falls? How could you possibly touch it?

Until just moments ago, Killian didn’t know I was the true Arch Saintess.

Therefore, he couldn’t have possibly anticipated that after Edan used his powerful ability, I would be able to heal him.

Which means—he deliberately destroyed the Wall and pushed Edan straight into hell.

If I hadn’t filled that vial with healing power, Edan wouldn’t even be standing now—he’d be incapacitated by side effects.

Did you really intend to plunge Edan into agony?

Or perhaps…….

Suddenly, I recalled the original story’s account of what made Killian develop such intense hatred toward Edan.

What on earth happened between them years ago?

Infuriated by Killian’s shameless attitude, my lips trembled uncontrollably.

But Edan, calm as if accustomed to this, continued speaking.

“Well, even if we generously assume the mages acted independently—still, they named you, Brother, as their instigator.”

Killian’s brow twitched.

“I suppose you’ve been too occupied with state affairs lately to know—there are quite a few interrogation methods capable of extracting the truth. These mages aren’t trained knights; getting confessions from them isn’t difficult.”

“……So you’re suggesting I ordered the mages to tamper with the Wall?”

“That’s not my opinion. That’s what they said.”

Edan gestured toward the mages with a slight tilt of his chin.

“Whether true or not, if word leaks out, it’ll be a major blow. Even if you deny involvement, the fact remains—Imperial mages tampered with the Wall, nearly endangering the Empire.”

Edan finished speaking and offered a faint smile.

His words sounded like an unspoken agreement—both his intrusion into the temple and Killian’s sabotage of the Wall should be quietly swept under the rug.

In exchange for covering up his tampering with the Wall, Killian should silently allow Edan to leave.

Just for entering the temple, Edan now has to cover up Killian’s conspiracy just to leave peacefully?

After locking eyes with Edan for a moment, Killian glanced down at the mages on the floor.

Then he commanded his few remaining subordinates.

“Clean this up.”

Killian’s men swiftly dragged them away, and he spoke with a placid expression.

“Seems the Imperial mages committed a grave error. I’ll let it slide this time. You may leave.”

Let it slide? You’re the one who did it, yet you pretend otherwise—as if you’re granting some grand mercy.

Shameless and infuriating. But at least he seemed too focused on Edan to pay much attention to me—for which I was momentarily grateful.

“However, Latieana Merigold cannot leave.”

The feared moment had arrived.

“I can’t possibly let the true Arch Saintess go like this. Don’t you agree, High Priest?”

Killian turned to the High Priest, who had somehow quietly approached his side.

I don’t know how much he overheard, but the High Priest immediately sided with Killian without hesitation.

“Yes. If this woman truly possesses the qualifications of the Arch Saintess, we absolutely cannot release her.”

“So it’s settled.”

Killian lifted his chin. Irritated by his arrogant attitude—clearly meant to provoke Edan—I stepped forward.

“No. No matter how much you force me, I won’t go to the temple.”

I knew they could compel me. A Saintess Candidate and the Arch Saintess were entirely different.

Anyone possessing the Arch Saintess’s power—willingly or unwillingly—had to enter the temple and fulfill their duties from that position.

Just as it had always been since the previous Arch Saintess’s death, just as Ivy had done.

To spend a lifetime inside the temple, healing Ability Users, surrendering one’s body to instinctual desires.

As if to confirm this, Killian continued.

“That was true when you were merely a Saintess Candidate. But possessing the Arch Saintess’s power changes everything. You have no choice.”

“……But Your Highness doesn’t even need major healing. Even without entering the temple, I could at least provide potions…….”

“Whether I need it or not, how I choose to use you is entirely up to me.”

I’d hoped against hope, but my suggestion was cut off before I could finish.

“Exactly!”

Again, the High Priest chimed in eagerly. What is wrong with this old man, seriously!

Glaring fiercely at the High Priest, I saw Killian let out a low chuckle.

“Oh, by the way—I’ve been considering revising the law. What do you think?”

What?

“That all Imperial Ability-User knights should be permitted to utilize the Arch Saintess’s healing power. True, the method may initially cause some shame—but it’s the Arch Saintess’s duty, so they’ll grow accustomed to it.”

You insane bastard! How dare you say such things! Just hearing it made my face burn with humiliation.

Yet the High Priest nodded as if this were perfectly reasonable.

“Even better! The knights will be delighted!”

That man again…!

Damn this healing power. Utterly useless. At least I can use it on Edan—but for myself? Nothing. The pleasure generated while healing Ability Users? I don’t want any of that. Of course, my body will feel it regardless, but my mind refuses. Becoming Arch Saintess to command people? Expensive dresses? Jewels? I don’t need any of that luxury.

“Go ahead and try.”

At that moment, Edan pulled his hands from his pockets and stepped protectively in front of me. He drew a sword from his subordinate’s waist, spun it once with a flourish, and gripped it firmly.

Killian’s gaze fell upon the gleaming blade in Edan’s hand. His eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of something dangerous flashing within.

“I knew it would come to this. In the end, you…….”

“Didn’t you recklessly provoke this outcome yourself?”

“You heard it that way, I suppose. Edan Dietrich. The moment you raise your sword against me, you become a traitor to the Empire.”

I stared at Edan’s hand. The blade’s tip still pointed downward, and his knuckles—tense and veined—were stained with demon blood.

‘I wish for Brother Killian to become Emperor.’

Edan’s purpose in defending the North. The reason he endured nightly agony, drenched in demon blood, standing alone—until I appeared.

‘I don’t hate my brother.’

Surely, Edan still held that belief even now.

Slowly, I lifted my head. Edan’s face, meeting Killian’s gaze unflinchingly, was cold and hardened.

“E-Edan…….”

When I grabbed his cloak, Edan looked down at me.

“You said even thinking about it makes you want to vomit.”

Yes, that’s right. The thought of healing or touching anyone other than you is horrifying. But.

“I won’t let them do that to you. Even if you say I must go to the temple—I won’t let you send me there.”

But…….

“Your Grace, the Arch Saintess falls under our jurisdiction. We understand your need for healing, but to commit treason over a single Arch Saintess? Come to your senses!”

The High Priest shouted again, cluelessly stirring trouble. I scowled and turned to glare at him.

Seriously, what is wrong with this damn old man?! Why does he keep provoking everyone, back and forth, making a scene?!

Damn it. I hate what I hate—and I can’t let Edan become a traitor. I won’t survive if it costs Edan his life!

First, deal with this old man.

Biting my lip to suppress my anger, I stepped forward with a forced calm.

“I’d like to speak privately with you, High Priest.”

Killian and the High Priest’s eyebrows twitched—they hadn’t expected me to step forward myself.

“Is that alright?”

Slightly flustered, the High Priest nodded. But as I moved toward him, Edan grabbed my arm.

“What are you doing?”

His voice carried a hint of irritation. Looking down, I saw his fingertips gripping my sleeve—worried my arm’s wound might hurt…….

A sharp pang struck my chest.

How could I possibly let this gentle Edan walk straight into certain death?

“It’s fine. I just need a quick word.”

I gently pushed Edan’s hand away, then confidently approached the High Priest and gave a brisk nod.

Though he looked utterly bewildered by my audacious gesture, the High Priest eventually followed me.

We walked to a secluded corner of the garden and faced each other.

For some reason, the High Priest’s lips twitched, making his beard quiver too.

With his long cucumber-shaped face and beard, he resembled white corn silk. If that beard were actual corn, it’d taste disgustingly bland—bleh.

“High Priest.”

“What is it?”

The High Priest was immune to the power of healing—he was an ordinary human.

The first time I used the healing power of the High Sanctum, it wasn’t because it was truly effective—it was merely a small token of loyalty to my master. But even without healing power, I knew one sure way to intimidate the High Priest.

I lowered my voice, slowly raised my eyes, and looked up at him.

“What did you just say to me? ‘What is it?’”

“……What?”

“You claim you need the Arch Saintess—yet you address me as ‘What is it?’ You showed proper respect when speaking to Ivy. Shouldn’t you show me the same?”