CH 227

The saintess shot a look of indignation at Irene and Kane, before turning her attention back to the transforming Estian. He hadn’t lost total control yet, but the problem was the two fools who continued to obliviously argue near him instead of escaping.

“I’m telling you to lay off my maid!”

“Those are my words! Desist with your meddling!”

The saintess had always wished to be the object of affection in a fight between two suitors one day, but she had never expected that one side would end up being a woman. ‘I’m such a sinful woman,’ she thought, shaking her head. Still, how could she be blamed for possessing charm so potent that it could ensnare people regardless of gender?

Though her heart yearned to grab a bucket of popcorn and snack on it while enjoying the show, this wasn’t the time for it! Estian needed to be quickly restored to his original form! And yet, the saintess found herself hesitating. She was still struggling with what good it did for her to step in and help stop his rampaging right now. After all, wasn’t her original goal to become Cecile and live happily ever after with Estian? ‘If I help out now, it will only end with Estian returning to the current Cecile’s side anyway.’

She had finally regained her holy powers, albeit in a limited capacity. There was no telling whether she’d be able to get her hands on more should she exhaust her reserves here. Wouldn’t it be more prudent to save it until she had the chance to take over Cecile’s body? The saintess was conflicted. ‘What should I do?’ By helping the emperor now, she would lose her power and have to continue her life as a maid, but if she didn’t help now…

“Ahhhhhh!” Irene screamed.

“Dodge!” Kane yelled.

The saintess snapped to her senses when she heard Irene scream. While she’d been lost in her thoughts, it seemed like Estian’s control had slipped and he’d grown larger in size. The sight of his monstrous appearance caused the saintess to involuntarily step backwards. As the author, she could tell—the Eugendiph’s blood within Estian was about to make him go berserk.

In order to emphasize his pain and tragic backstory, she had described the scene in which he lost control in the most terrifying and revolting way possible, so that all who witnessed it would experience fear and disgust. It would emphasize the uniqueness of how only Cecile remained unafraid of his grotesque form, making her all the more dear to Estian. That’s why…

‘I’m… scared.’ The saintess instantly realized she could never become Cecile. She was experiencing the very fear and disgust she’d intended to express through the bystanders, and couldn’t help but shrink away from Estian.

“Lady Irene!” Kane cried.

A part of Estian’s body had rapidly expanded and was moving towards Irene at an alarming speed. Clang! Kang hurriedly blocked its path with his sword, but that was the extent of what he could do. Recognizing it had encountered an obstacle, Estian’s body proceeded to attack both of them. In a blink of an eye, the figures of Irene and Kane disappeared before the saintess’s eyes.

In silent horror, she stumbled backwards at the sight. They were… gone. Both of them had been arguing mere moments ago, but no more. When realization dawned on her, the saintess shot into action. As she ran forward, her hand shone white.

‘This—the spell to quell Estian’s rampage—I remember well.’ It was originally a spell passed down for generations through the Eugendiph clan, but it had been lost to the world. ‘Although I don’t know how Estian managed to return to his human form during his first rampage, but…’

The saintess stretched out her hand towards Estian as he approached. The moment Kane and Irene were engulfed in the emperor’s body, she had realized something important. ‘They may be supporting characters, but they’re still my babies!’ She couldn’t stand by and watch them disappear. As light gathered around her hand, she wondered if she’d ever regain her holy power if she used it all here. Would she ever get the chance to become Cecile again? ‘Probably not.’ Nonetheless, the saintess’s resolve didn’t falter. She knew what she needed to do at this moment.

“Give back Irene and Kane!” she yelled. To her, those two were far more than getting the chance to become Cecile.