Chapter 25
"Then if that person isn't here, will you leave?"
"Yes."
"Even if that person tells you to leave?"
"Yes."
The priest felt goosebumps rise from the compliant answers coming back to him. That damned painting had disappeared so he thought he could finally relax, but it turned out the blind object of devotion had simply changed. The only fortunate thing was that now the subject wasn't a scrap of paper but a person capable of conversation?
Besides, seeing the Holy Knight attached to her, she seemed to be a guest of Sir Gabriel's side, and if it was Sir Gabriel, even the Bishop would have to defer to him.
The priest went straight to Bishop Jabaniya to deliver the message. Upon hearing this, Bishop Jabaniya greatly praised the priest's observational skills.
"It seems Goddess Rahel has rewarded your faith."
"Not at all, Bishop."
To think this could get him into the Bishop's good graces was very satisfying. Bishop Jabaniya expressed his gratitude to the useful priest and prepared an opening to naturally approach Evangelin.
"Come to think of it, I heard that young lady suppressed the fire but I haven't been able to thank her yet."
"Bishop, I'll handle the rest."
The quick-witted priest promptly interjected. Bishop Jabaniya entrusted the remaining work to the priest and headed toward Evangelin. Just as the priest had said, everyone was indeed looking at that young lady. It was strange that he hadn't noticed those intense and fervent gazes until now.
Bishop Jabaniya realized the reason as his own attention was captured by Evangelin. Her presence was so vivid that receiving gazes was only natural. Looking at her felt as natural and right as a law of nature, which was why he had noticed it so late.
The Bishop smiled benevolently and bowed in silent greeting. Usually, someone of Bishop rank wouldn't bow their head easily, but Bishop Jabaniya was someone who could lower his head as much as needed for his public image.
Under his calm expression, he was calculating. What was her name again? Raphaela said... Right, correct. It was Rohanson.
"Lady Rohanson, thank you truly for saving the knights of our temple. We will compensate you for the holy water used to suppress the flames."
"I will accept it with gratitude."
The Rohanson Count's family? He had never heard of them before, but recently heard the name once due to the Donau matter. Was she the employer of the woman Donau Blue had kidnapped? But this time too, she was entangled with Donau's painting again. A fire broke out just like last time as well.
Bishop Jabaniya brought up the main point without revealing the suspicion he felt.
"The other devotees seem to have suffered shock, so we're planning to take them to a resting place."
He intentionally spoke louder so everyone inside could hear. Evangelin simply nodded indifferently as if she had no interest in why he was telling her this.
Once Evangelin's permission was given, their footsteps began to move. People who hadn't moved an inch despite the Bishop's earnest requests became like gentle sheep with just a single nod from the Count's young lady.
Bishop Jabaniya watched this scene with great interest, and only Raphaela felt anxious about it.
'How much has he noticed?'
When reporting on Donau's death last time, she had submitted a report about Evangelin Rohanson as well. Fortunately, she hadn't revealed everything. The fact that Evangelin was the master of the curse array, the note found in Donau's remains, and the rumor that Evangelin had come back to life were facts known only to the Captain and Raphaela.
Bishop Jabaniya didn't know much information. However, even without information, anyone could tell that Evangelin was extraordinary the moment they faced her. The Bishop also seemed to want to probe Evangelin's connection to the incident as he approached Raphaela and whispered quietly.
"Did all the paintings burn?"
"Yes. Completely incinerated."
"The reason the paintings burned?"
As expected. Since both were fire incidents and the same people were involved again, he was clearly suspicious.
"I have no idea at all? There's no way those people set the fire."
"What about Lady Rohanson?"
"She was with me."
"Since it's your word, I'll gladly believe it."
Is that old man thinking we orchestrated this together? He knows I'm lying, but right now he's taking a stance of letting it slide. He must think there's some connection with Evangelin Rohanson.
"The devotees are here as well, so wouldn't it be appropriate to ask them?"
"Good. First, let's hear what those people have to say. I'm curious how much useful information they'll provide. Though given their state, I doubt they'll tell the truth."
Well, people who were crazy about the painting like religious fanatics have now become gentle sheep following Evangelin, so naturally he'd be curious about what happened. Even if people tell the truth, he probably won't believe them, thinking they'll lie to defend Evangelin. But really, Evangelin didn't do anything.
"And Sir Michel arrived later than me."
This was a suggestion to interrogate Michel separately. She didn't want to make him suffer unnecessarily, and something about... if he was in the state she saw just before he fainted, nothing good would come from letting him face Bishop Jabaniya alone. Michel didn't seem much different from those people either.
"Bishop, may I excuse myself first? I think we should lay Sir Michel down quickly. Sir Uriel must be tired as well."
Raphaela felt a piercing gaze and hurriedly cleared her throat to end the conversation. Evangelin Rohanson was looking this way with terrifying intensity.
"My, I didn't think of that. Leave the aftermath to me and go ahead. Lady Rohanson needs to receive the holy water, so she should come with me..."
"Ah. The young lady should come with us as well. She has something to discuss with the Captain. I'll take care of the holy water before we leave. There's no need for the Bishop to trouble himself, so if you could just let us know in advance, that would be appreciated."
This snake-like old man! Is he trying to separate Evangelin Rohanson just to whisper something to her?
It was somewhat reassuring that Evangelin wouldn't fall for that human's schemes. Over the years, how many people have let their guard down at that benevolent face and walked right into his maw.
Fortunately, Evangelin's escort decided to follow the Bishop.
"Then let's go, my lady."
Uriel carried Michel on his back. Raphaela looked at the fainted Michel while lost in thought, then cautiously spoke.
"...I apologize for the late greeting. Thank you for saving Michel. He lost consciousness, but thanks to the holy water, he has no injuries. I'm truly grateful."
"Thank you, my lady."
Suspicious or not, the help received was a fact. She had no idea how many bottles of holy water were used. How much does that cost?
Evangelin seemed surprised as if she hadn't expected to hear gratitude. Seeing such an unusual reaction made Raphaela a bit excited. Raphaela, are you crazy? Is Evangelin Rohanson opening her eyes slightly once something to get this excited about?
Raphaela cleared her throat and changed the subject.
"But is it okay to send Jelly alone?"
"Jelly is fine."
"My lady, sending Je... the escort instead was a good decision. It's best not to get too close to the Bishop. Despite how he looks, he's quite a bad person."
Raphaela struggled to calm her excited heart.
It didn't take long to reach the knight division. Uriel had enough stamina to easily run while carrying a grown man, so there was no need to deliberately slow down.
After entering the building, Uriel stopped before the stairs. The reception room required going up the steps, while the infirmary was located on the first floor.
"I'll take Sir Michel to the infirmary and return."
"Uriel... please, could you treat Michel like a person, not luggage?"
"Ah. I'll take him there and return."
What to do with that guy? Raphaela held her head watching Uriel disappear leisurely.
***
Finally arrived at the reception room. Now if she just opens the door, Gabriel will come out. She took deep breaths before entering.
I'm hypnotizing myself. Okay, from now on I'm a fisherman casting a wide net.
She had to do her best to cast her net for Gabriel and withdraw the villainess image Daisy had mentioned.
She had only thought about escaping being a villainess, never imagined she'd be casting a net. Let's think positively. Does anyone cast nets? Heroines do, right? I've also slightly deviated from the villainess's fate, yep. It's a villainess possession story, so it can't be helped.
"Captain, I've brought Lady Rohanson."
After Raphaela knocked, she opened the door. Inside, besides Gabriel, two knights, Kanna, and Hena were seated.
"Lady Rohanson."
"Young lady!"
Gabriel rose from his seat and bowed in greeting, and behind him Kanna sprang up and ran to embrace her. Start- startled.
"That's dangerous."
"I'm sorry..."
I almost fell backward with her. Kanna became dejected from just one word of scolding, so she patted her head.
But strangely, Hena who normally would have intervened remained silently quiet. Hena sat with both hands tightly clasped on her knees, head lowered.
"Hena?"
"Yes, my lady."
She answered immediately when called, so she didn't seem to be lost in other thoughts...? Did you two fight? Wondering this, she looked at Kanna who quietly whispered.
"Earlier, big sister heard something strange."
"What?"
"I didn't hear it, but she keeps acting like that after hearing words from someone named Daisy."
Daisy? Don't tell me it's that Daisy I just met? Did Daisy say something to Hena besides Gabriel? Did she say something shocking enough to make the normally composed Hena lose her senses?
She turned her gaze from Hena to the side.
Gabriel had also heard from Daisy, but fortunately his condition seemed normal. He must have heard about Evangelin being a villainess from Daisy... Was he just not showing it?
Ah! I really didn't expect an obstacle named Daisy to suddenly pop up in my not-quite-perfect-but-still-working villainess escape plan. Wait, wait a minute. An obstacle? A character suddenly popping up? Then this is...