Chapter 10
Several days passed after the funeral.
Gordon Black’s crime spread quickly throughout the Empire, and thanks to that, my name became widely known as well.
On top of that, the victim’s family kept thanking me, causing my Good Deeds Gauge to rise rapidly.
[Your status as the Saint is increasing.]
[Many people are comforted simply by the existence of the “Saint.”]
[Good Deeds Gauge +10]
[Current: 17 / 1000]
It was amazing that the gauge increased just by sitting still.
I lounged arrogantly on the sofa, happily sipping orange juice.
“Hmm~ hmm~”
I even found myself humming.
Starting next week, I’d begin blessing people who needed help, so I was enjoying my rest while I could.
“Status window.”
Name: Dianne Irenne / 5 years old
Status: 4th Saint
Good Deeds Gauge: 17 / 1000
Fear Gauge: 0 / 100
Inventory: Vision Protection Glasses (Rechargeable)
Ongoing Quest
[Sub Mission] (Child): 15% (+2)
Hmm.
Seeing the percentage steadily increasing made me satisfied.
Most importantly, I couldn’t see ghosts inside the temple, so I could finally relax.
“The temple is the best. The Pope is the best.”
The Pope had been faithfully acting as my guardian.
Knock knock.
A light knock sounded at the door.
“Yes!”
Even though I was lounging carelessly, my voice immediately became polite.
“Saint… I think you need to come outside.”
Hearing the concern in the priestess’s voice, I quickly got up and opened the door.
The priestess looked around cautiously before speaking.
“Someone from the Imperial Palace has arrived.”
“…?”
“They have a request for you.”
I immediately understood.
It had to be about the Crown Prince.
His terrible condition when I met him before, and how he still hadn’t recovered despite the Pope treating him.
They want me to examine the Crown Prince.
I wanted to refuse.
With an unwilling expression, I followed the priestess.
The news that a Saint had appeared after 300 years had shaken the entire Empire.
Just yesterday, people had crowded outside the temple, demanding to see the Saint.
Naturally, the Imperial Family had learned about me as well.
But if even the Pope couldn’t heal him, how could I?
What if I only exposed my weakness and caused trouble for the temple?
As we walked down the hallway, the conversation I’d been hearing suddenly stopped.
Aw… I wanted to eavesdrop.
I pouted.
“We greet the Saint.”
The door opened.
The Pope, Cardinals, and priests welcomed me.
The Imperial envoys also bowed deeply.
People I would never have even been able to look at before.
For the first time, I truly realized how much my position had changed.
The envoys wore black cloaks decorated with the Imperial golden crest.
They knelt and bowed.
“We sincerely beg you, Saint! His Highness the Crown Prince’s condition is critical. Please examine him.”
“…The Crown Prince?”
“He suffers from nightmares every night, and after waking, he repeatedly displays strange behavior.”
The Pope let out a deep sigh.
“Dianne, come here.”
I hesitated before walking over.
“You don’t have to do this. This is a request, not an order.”
“B-But, Your Holiness!”
The envoys cried out in panic.
“I’ve treated him myself for six years, but there has been no improvement.”
He whispered quietly so only I could hear.
“If you fail as well, they may speak badly of you.”
He was being realistic.
The Pope already seemed convinced that I wouldn’t be able to heal him.
Which made sense.
“You’ve treated him for six years and he still hasn’t gotten better?”
“The moment he leaves the temple, the strange behavior returns. It isn’t something that’s easily cured.”
“…”
“Of course, he improves somewhat after drinking holy water here, but the Empire’s Crown Prince can’t live in the temple forever.”
Honestly, I wanted to pretend I hadn’t heard any of this.
But—
[A request has arrived!]
[Quest: Solve the Crown Prince’s Strange Behavior!]
He has nightmares every night and keeps acting strangely before going to sleep?
Let’s investigate!
Maybe there’s a way to cure him?
Reward: The Imperial Family’s trust and recognition, improved relationship with the Crown Prince, Good Deeds Gauge +10
Failure: The probability of death will increase exponentially.
[Accept?]
Yes / Yes
Seriously.
If you’re only giving me one choice anyway, why even ask?
With a gloomy expression, I nodded.
“I’ll try.”
Even if it wasn’t by choice.
“…!”
The Pope’s eyes widened.
To reassure him, I added,
“It’s okay. I’ll just check his condition and come back.”
“You don’t have to push yourself. You still need rest.”
A reward of ten Good Deeds Points was too good to ignore.
“When do we leave?”
“The carriage is already waiting.”
The envoy’s face brightened.
So they had planned to take me no matter what.
“Then I’ll be back.”
It was my first official trip outside as the Saint.
* * *
The Imperial carriage was far more luxurious.
Soft cushions comfortably supported me, making it easy to sit for a long time.
The atmosphere was awkward, so I decided to ask about the patient first.
“When did the Crown Prince start acting strangely?”
The envoys hesitated before finally speaking.
“It began after Her Majesty the Empress passed away.”
“He and the Empress were extremely close.”
“Unlike most Imperial couples, His Majesty and the Empress married for love, so they cherished their family dearly.”
“But now…”
Hmm.
I understood.
“So it was because he lost his family.”
Their silence answered my question.
I thought for a moment.
How do you treat emotional trauma?
The temple and the Imperial Palace weren’t actually very far apart.
The palace was magnificent in an entirely different way.
As the enormous white gates opened, a vast lawn, countless statues, and banners proudly displayed the Imperial family’s authority.
I can’t believe I’m actually visiting the Imperial Palace.
Life is treating you well, Dianne!
I held my pounding heart as I stared out the carriage window.
After getting out, I was led somewhere.
“I’ll take you to His Highness’s bedroom.”
“…What?”
“Please understand. We have no choice.”
Sweating nervously, a maid hurried me along.
Wait… Even if I’m a child, they’re taking me straight into his bedroom? Shouldn’t we at least go to a reception room first?
Still confused, I followed behind the maid.
With my short legs hurrying through the enormous palace, I could hear people whispering.
“Oh my, how adorable!”
“Which noble family is she from? She’s so cute.”
I heard every word.
Embarrassed, I covered my reddening ears and nearly ran.
Do I really look like a noble? Is it because of my clothes and silver hair?
I didn’t mind it.
“We’re here.”
The maid took a deep breath and warned me.
“Please don’t be startled. If you scream, it may only make things worse.”
“…Okay.”
Just what was inside that required such a warning?
Half frightened and half curious, I waited for her to open the door.
Creak.
The scene that greeted me was shocking.
“…!”
Beautiful cabinets that looked like works of art had been smashed over.
Feathers and stuffing from shredded pillows floated through the room.
The wallpaper had been torn apart by claw-like scratches.
I soon noticed someone crouching beneath the curtains.
Shivering.
Staring at me with terrified eyes.
This wasn’t the arrogant, rude Crown Prince I’d seen before.
This was…
He’s like a wild animal.
Then, without warning, the Crown Prince sprang up and lunged at the maid standing in front of me.
“Ahhh!”
The maid screamed, shoved him away—
—and ran out, slamming the door behind her.
I blinked.
“Wait… Did she seriously leave me here alone?”
I laughed in disbelief.
At that moment, he suddenly snapped his head toward me.
To show I had no intention of attacking, I sat down on the floor and slowly raised both hands.
“Calm down.”
I blinked slowly and even pretended to yawn.
The Crown Prince cautiously moved farther away from me.
For about five minutes, we simply stared at each other in silence.
Then sunlight slipped through the curtains, forming bright beams above his head.
The Crown Prince’s eyes slowly drooped closed.
Then he let out a soft cry.
“Meeeeng.”
“…?”
Meeeeng?
