MPBGS 25

Chapter : 25

“Then, would you go even if that person isn’t here?”

“Yes.”

“And even if that person told you not to go, you would still go?”

“Yes.”

The priest shivered at the straightforward answer. He had thought he could finally relax now that that cursed painting was gone—but it turned out the blind devotion had simply shifted to a different target. The only relief was that now, the object of devotion was not a scrap of paper but someone who could actually converse.

Moreover, seeing the holy knight accompanying her, it seemed she was a guest of Sir Gabriel, who, if it came from him, would do whatever the bishop ordered.

The priest immediately went to Bishop Javanya to relay the message. Upon hearing it, Bishop Javanya praised the priest’s observational skills highly.

“It seems that the goddess Rachel has rewarded your faith.”

“No, Your Excellency.”

The priest was quite pleased that this earned him the bishop’s favor. Bishop Javanya expressed gratitude toward a useful priest and then subtly prepared to approach Evangeline naturally.

“Now that I think about it, we haven’t yet properly thanked the young lady for putting out the fire.”

“Your Excellency, I will take care of the rest.”

The perceptive priest quickly spoke up. Bishop Javanya left the remaining work to him and moved toward Evangeline. As the priest had said, everyone’s gaze was on her. It was almost strange that such intense and passionate attention had gone unnoticed until now.

Bishop Javanya realized why his gaze was drawn to Evangeline. Her presence was so vivid that it was natural for people to look at her. Observing her felt inherently right, which explained why he had been slow to notice it.

The bishop bowed politely with a gentle smile. Even someone of his rank rarely bowed, but Bishop Javanya could lower his head for appearances.

Beneath his composed expression, he was calculating. What was her name again? Raphael mentioned… yes, that’s right. Rohanson.

“Lady Rohanson, thank you very much for saving our temple’s knight. We will compensate you for the holy water you used to extinguish the flames.”

“Gratefully received.”

The Rohanson family? He had never heard of them before, only recently coming across the name in relation to the Donau incident. Was she the employer of the woman Donau Blue kidnapped? And now, again, she was entangled with Donau’s painting—once more, there had been a fire.

Bishop Javanya kept his suspicions hidden and proceeded with the formalities.

“It seems the other worshippers are in shock, so we intend to take them to a resting place.”

He deliberately spoke loudly so everyone inside could hear. Evangeline, seemingly uninterested, simply nodded.

Once she gave her consent, the group started moving. The people who hadn’t budged despite the bishop’s earnest requests became docile at a single nod from the countess.

Bishop Javanya watched the scene with keen interest, while Raphael was the only one uneasy.

How much did she notice?

When reporting Donau’s death, Raphael had also reported on Evangeline Rohanson. It was fortunate that not everything was revealed. Only the head of the order and Raphael knew that Evangeline was the owner of the cursed painting, about the note from Donau’s remains, and rumors of her resurrection.

Bishop Javanya knew very little. Yet despite the lack of information, anyone could tell she wasn’t ordinary just by facing her. He quietly approached Raphael to whisper, perhaps to gauge the connection between Evangeline and the incidents.

“Were all the paintings burned?”

“Yes. Completely destroyed.”

“Do you know why the paintings were burned?”

Of course. With all the fires and the same people involved, it was natural to be suspicious.

“I have no idea. Surely those people wouldn’t have set the fires themselves.”

“And Lady Rohanson?”

“She was with me.”

“I trust your word willingly.”

Did that old man think this was some scheme we had planned? He knew it was a lie but was willing to overlook it for now. He assumed some connection between Evangeline Rohanson and the incident.

“Why not ask the other worshippers? They were present too.”

“Very well. Let’s hear their story first. I’m curious how useful their accounts will be. Though, given their state, I doubt they’ll tell the truth.”

Indeed, the people who had been fanatically obsessed with the paintings were now like gentle lambs before Evangeline. Even if they spoke the truth, they would likely distort it to defend her—but in reality, she had done nothing.

“Also, Sir Michel arrived later than I did.”

He wanted Michel excluded from questioning. Forcing him would be unwise; he was still in the state before fainting. Having a one-on-one with Bishop Javanya now wouldn’t benefit anyone. Michel was probably no different from the others anyway.

“Your Excellency, may I be excused first? It would be best to lay Sir Michel down immediately. Sir Uriel will also be fatigued.”

Raphael quickly cleared her throat, breaking off the conversation under the piercing gaze of Evangeline Rohanson.

“I see. Leave the cleanup to me, then. Let’s go. Lady Rohanson should receive the holy water with me…”

“Oh, Lady Rohanson must accompany us. She has something to discuss with the head of the order. I will prepare the holy water before you go, so Your Excellency need not exert yourself—thank you for letting me mention it in advance.”

That venomous old man! Planning to isolate Evangeline and whisper who knows what?

Fortunately, Evangeline’s bodyguard would follow the bishop.

“Then let’s go, my lady.”

Uriel carried Michel on his back. Raphael, watching Michel unconscious, cautiously spoke.

“…Apologies for the late thanks. Thank you for saving Michel. Though he lost consciousness, thanks to the holy water, he has no injuries. Truly grateful.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

Suspicious or not, the help was real. How many bottles of holy water were used? How expensive must that have been?

Evangeline looked puzzled, as if she hadn’t expected thanks—her unusual reaction caused Raphael to feel slightly elated. Raphael, are you crazy? A simple glance from Evangeline Rohanson gets you this excited?

She cleared her throat to change the subject.

“But is it okay to send only Jelly alone?”

“Jelly will be fine.”

“My lady, it was wise to send the bodyguard instead of her. It’s better not to be too close to the bishop. Despite appearances, he has quite a harsh personality.”

Raphael calmed her fluttering heart.

It didn’t take long to reach the order. Uriel’s strength allowed her to run easily even carrying an adult man, so there was no need to slow down.

Inside, Uriel stopped at the stairs. The reception hall was upstairs, while the infirmary was on the first floor.

“I will leave Sir Michel in the infirmary.”

“Uriel… please treat Michel like a person, not a piece of luggage.”

“Of course. I will take him and return.”

Raphael massaged her head, watching Uriel disappear smoothly.

Finally, she reached the reception hall. Gabriel would come out as soon as she opened the door. She took a deep breath before entering.

I’m hypnotizing myself. From now on, I am the flirtatious lady.

She had to act carefully to remove the “villainess” image Daisy had painted while charming Gabriel.

She had only thought about escaping the villainess role—not playing the flirt—but fine. Only heroines get to flirt, right? She was just slightly sidestepping her villainess fate. After all, this is a villainess-possessed story—it can’t be helped.

“Head of the order, I’ve brought Lady Rohanson.”

Raphael knocked, then opened the door. Inside were Gabriel, two knights, Kanna, and Hena.

“Lady Rohanson.”

“Miss!”

Gabriel rose, bowed, and greeted her. Then Kanna jumped up and ran into her arms. Whoa!

“Careful, that’s dangerous.”

“Sorry…”

Almost toppled backward, she gently patted Kanna’s head, who had immediately sulked at being scolded.

Strangely, Hena, who normally would have intervened, remained silent, her hands clenched on her lap as she bowed.

“Hena?”

“Yes, my lady.”

She responded promptly when called—so she wasn’t distracted. Had they fought? Raphael whispered to Kanna, who replied quietly.

“Earlier, sister heard something strange.”

“What?”

“I didn’t hear it, but after hearing what someone named Daisy said, she’s been acting like this.”

Daisy? Could it be the same Daisy I just met? Did she say something to Hena too, besides Gabriel? Could she have said something shocking enough to fluster the normally sharp Hena?

Raphael glanced sideways at Hena.

Gabriel had also heard from Daisy, but thankfully he seemed unaffected. He must have heard about villainess Evangeline, but just wasn’t showing it.

Ah! Just when my plan to escape the villainess role was going smoothly, a new obstacle named Daisy suddenly appears. Wait, hold on… obstacle? Suddenly appearing character? Then this is…