DLRV 2

Chapter : 02

“Come to think of it… is she really a saint? Or even a savior at all?”

“How would I know? The temple announced it that way, so I just assumed it was true.”

The temple still hadn’t announced that I had disappeared. If word got out, they were probably afraid that the “Resurrected One” would be snatched away by the imperial family, the nobility, or even foreign powers.

Despite the flood of requests to meet me, they had refused every single one, using my own “wishes” as an excuse. That alone was proof enough.

Besides, it had only been three days since I escaped the temple. They likely believed they would find me soon. Their way of thinking was obvious.

But they couldn’t keep it hidden forever. Soon, wanted posters would be plastered across the streets, and an official search party would be formed. Before that happened, I planned to leave this city—if possible, this entire country.

Thanks to the piles of gold and treasures the priests had brought to win my favor, I had more than enough money for my escape. And all that “unofficial” knowledge I had learned to survive within the imperial palace was still intact in my mind.

“Miss, you were looking for a cargo carriage, right?”

Right on cue, the person I had been waiting for approached quietly. A broker from the underworld.

In every city, there were carriages that would take you anywhere for the right price—no questions asked about your name or identity. If needed, they could even forge fake documents or help you slip past the city guards.

To survive in the imperial palace, where schemes and intrigue ran rampant, my parents had taught me early on how to use such networks.
“A true master must know everything from the highest place, so they can command without ever stepping forward.”

Thankfully, my lifelong education hadn’t gone to waste.

“I’m sorry. Security has tightened, so it’ll be difficult.”

“What about word on the streets?”

“The holy knights are guarding the gates day and night. Everyone’s lying low.”

I nodded to show I understood. The broker, who had blended into the crowd to approach me, disappeared just as quickly.

I wasn’t particularly disappointed. I hadn’t expected much in the first place. In a situation like this, anyone would lock down the city immediately. This city, home to the Grand Temple, saw thousands of pilgrims and tourists every day.

To quietly search the entire city would take time. It made sense to control the entrances first, even under some pretense.

I had expected this—but I had still checked, just in case I could slip out easily.

…Time to head back to my lodging.

Pulling my dark gray hood low over my face like any other pilgrim, I turned around.

With so many tourists, finding a place to stay wasn’t difficult. Still, just in case, I changed locations every day.

Today’s lodging was on the outskirts of a district packed with inns. It was inexpensive, which ironically made it popular among pilgrims.

I knew that thanks to the tourist pamphlets provided throughout the temple.

Still… creating fake identification would take time. I had planned to leave the city first, but now that I was stuck, should I make the documents instead?
Would I be able to hide long enough without getting caught?

Lost in thought, my pace slowed.

Then suddenly, I noticed a disturbance around me.

Looking ahead, I saw holy knights patrolling all over the streets.

For a split second, I almost stopped walking—but I forced myself to keep moving calmly. My clothes were no different from any other pilgrim’s.

My face?

They wouldn’t recognize me. I was currently using a magical item that altered my appearance.

It was a necklace-type artifact with limited uses and duration, but it was still one of the temple’s treasures.

…Good thing I stole it.

“Believer.”

Just as I was about to pass them, a low voice called out from behind me.

I turned calmly. One of the knights, standing slightly apart from the group, met my gaze. His black hair stood out sharply against his white armor.

Black hair…?

“Me?”

“Yes, believer. My apologies, but I have a question.”

“Go ahead, Sir Knight.”

“Are you staying at that pink building over there?”

“…Why do you ask?”

“We’ve received a report that a petty criminal is hiding in that building. If you return now, you may get caught up in trouble. Could you please wait over here for a while?”

He pointed to a group of anxious-looking pilgrims gathered nearby.

I glanced at them, then looked back at him.

“Will it be resolved today?”

“Of course.”

“In that case, I’ll take care of something else and return later.”

“We may need the cooperation of the guests during the operation. I apologize for the inconvenience, but please remain here.”

It sounded like a request—but in truth, it was an order.

After a brief pause, I smiled softly and nodded.

“It seems I’ll be waiting a while. May I take a moment to… handle a personal matter? I think I could ask at that shop over there.”

I pointed to a small general store catering to guests.

The knight narrowed his eyes slightly after confirming its location.

“…Very well.”

Suppressing my impatience, I walked forward calmly. I could feel his gaze fixed on my back the entire time.

I bit my lip slightly.

The disguise was working perfectly. I had changed lodgings just this morning. There was nothing in my room that could identify me.

…So where had I slipped up?

As soon as I entered the shop, the smell of old dust hit me.

I strode inside.

The shopkeeper was an elderly man with poor hearing and failing eyesight. The place seemed less like a business and more like something maintained out of habit and history.

Passing old displays and faded portraits, I spotted him sitting behind the counter.

“Hello. Sorry, but I’ll be using the back door.”

Though he likely didn’t hear me properly, the old man nodded anyway.

Near the back was a small room said to have once hosted a revered high priest. Pilgrims often visited it, so he probably assumed I was just another tourist.

As a gesture of thanks, I slipped him a coin.

Next to the room was a back door leading into a narrow alley.

I had noticed it right after securing my lodging—an escape route, and also a rendezvous point in case something went wrong.

“Good day, shopkeeper.”

At that moment, a knight’s voice rang out from the front.

Without hesitation, I grabbed the handle and opened the door.

A narrow passage appeared—barely wide enough for one person.

The moment I stepped in, something leapt out from the darkness.

[You’re late!]

Ah, good. You made it here in time.

“Hurry. Complaints later.”

[This way!]

The small, fist-sized creature darted ahead. I tightened my cloak and followed quickly.

The shop behind me grew noisy, but I didn’t care.

They wouldn’t catch me.

Because I had an incredible ally.

Watching the plump squirrel tail bouncing as it ran ahead, I couldn’t help but grin.

Once out of the passage, I changed my appearance again.

It cost another use of the artifact, which was a waste—but better safe than sorry.

After that, I immediately went to the lodging farthest from the area and finally allowed myself to relax once I had secured a room.

I didn’t even know how I had been tracked. Running in circles within the city like this had its limits.

…I needed another plan.

[Ugh… my fur’s all dirty…]

After running through alleys for my sake, the squirrel’s fur was now stained and messy.

I gently brushed its head with my finger.

“I’ll wash you soon. More importantly, did you find anything?”

[There was a hole stray dogs used, but humans found it and blocked it recently.]

“That figures. Humans are always the problem.”

[Where are my acorns?]

“Here.”

I handed over a bundle of acorns I had bought earlier.

The squirrel’s eyes sparkled.

[Such plump acorns!]

It jumped into the pile, practically swimming in them.

Watching it, I was reminded of the first time we met.

That squirrel had lived in the Grand Temple’s central garden.

And it had been just that—a squirrel. An ordinary animal.

It was the first being that made me realize I could communicate with non-human creatures after my resurrection.

Back then, I had only just awakened as a Resurrected One.

The mad praise that greeted me filled me with fear and disgust.

To me, the scorn and condemnation before my death felt like it had happened just yesterday. Yet everyone acted as if it were all in the past, bowing before me—it was absurd and revolting.

So the first thing I tried to do after waking up…

…was die again.

Both attempts failed after the priests discovered me. After that, anything remotely dangerous was removed from my surroundings.

Eventually, I locked myself in my room, though at first it had been no different from imprisonment.

Perhaps in an effort to persuade me, they left me alone for a few days, avoiding provoking me. With only minimal attendants, I was given time to think.

That was when I regained my reason.

I acknowledged the grotesque scar on my neck and accepted that I was alive.

I understood the oracle—and the influence the “Resurrected One” held.

The Anelli Roam who had stood on the execution platform was a villainess everyone wanted dead.

But the resurrected Anelli Roam…

…was an apostle blessed by the gods.

And the scar on my neck was the most undeniable proof of that divine blessing.