Chapter 490: The Secret Behind Its Prosperity?

The Saint’s procession had expected a grand reception upon entering the Halagoura territorial capital. Surprisingly, nothing of the sort occurred.

Compared with the city’s extravagant appearance, the welcoming ceremony was remarkably modest.

“Perhaps the distance that has developed between us and the Crown Prince’s party is responsible.”

Marquis Donaissun, the senior noble accompanying the Saint from the Kingdom of Luwan, analyzed the situation with growing distrust toward House Halagoura.

“How rude of them.”

Saint Matilda complained, conveniently ignoring her own behavior during the journey.

“The Crown Prince has barely spoken to us since our departure, and the consideration shown to our delegation has been reduced to the minimum. Having now seen how prosperous this capital already is, I doubt they need the Saint’s [Blessing] at all. Perhaps the ceremony is merely a formality meant to add prestige to their city.”

Marquis Donaissun shared his assessment in a room where Luwan’s officials had gathered.

“I agree, my lord. We were treated properly in Duke Barriera’s territory, but House Halagoura seems determined to do only what honor requires. Marquis Halagoura himself should be in the city, yet he hasn’t appeared before the Saint. His heir, Baron Dosugu, vanished after offering a brief greeting at the welcoming ceremony. They appear to have left everything else to Baron Dosugu’s son, Suguro, who joined the Crown Prince’s entourage.”

One of the aides openly voiced distrust of House Halagoura’s attitude.

“Whatever their intentions, we’ll conduct the Blessing Ceremony as scheduled and then continue our journey. More importantly, how are Lord Tauro and his companions? I’d like to speak with them if possible.”

Marquis Donaissun was more concerned about the people who had protected them throughout the journey than about the Crown Prince’s party.

“They sensed something disturbing within the city and went out to investigate. Shall we arrange a meeting when they return?”

An aide reported.

“Something disturbing?”

Marquis Donaissun tilted his head.

“So it wasn’t merely my imagination. The atmosphere in this city feels unpleasant, and it’s making me unwell.”

Matilda frowned as she described the sensation.

For all her faults, she was still a Saint.

She had sensed the same abnormality as Aeris.

“The atmosphere? Your Holiness, could it be that you can’t use [Blessing] again?”

Remembering what had happened in Barriera’s territory, Marquis Donaissun asked her to check.

“Surely not… What!? The force obstructing my power is even stronger here than it was in Barriera’s territory. At this rate, I won’t be able to perform the Blessing Ceremony!”

Matilda’s displeasure immediately deepened.

“Then I believe we must consult Lord Tauro and Lady Aeris again.”

Marquis Donaissun’s expression became grave.

“What do you mean?”

Matilda didn’t know that Aeris had acted as her substitute during the previous ceremony.

Marquis Donaissun had ordered everyone to conceal the matter, fearing that the truth would upset her. Keeping it secret now seemed pointless.

He explained what Aeris had done.

“Lady Aeris performed a false blessing? No. The effects of [Blessing] can’t be imitated. I know that better than anyone because I use the ability myself. In other words, Aeris can use [Blessing] just as I can.”

Matilda reached that conclusion confidently after hearing his explanation.

““““What!?””””

The Luwan officials cried out in astonishment.

“Does that mean Lady Aeris is also a [Saint]?”

“Who knows? If she possessed [Saint], surely it’d already have caused an uproar. This country has exceptional appraisal users such as Duke Barriera. A marquis’s daughter couldn’t have gone unnoticed. Besides, if the Aeris I knew had possessed [Saint], she’d have boasted about it from the beginning.”

Matilda gave her judgment without hesitation.

Considering Aeris’s former personality, that last observation was surprisingly perceptive.

“Then why would she conceal the fact that she can use [Blessing]?”

Marquis Donaissun voiced the question, although he could understand why Aeris might wish to avoid the attention.

“She probably doesn’t possess [Saint]. I don’t know how she learned [Blessing], but the ability carries less authority without the class behind it. I’m called a Saint, and people make such a fuss over me, precisely because I possess [Saint].”

Matilda’s blunt self-awareness surprised Marquis Donaissun.

He had regarded her as little more than a vain girl who craved attention, but she understood her own position better than he had expected.

Her analysis of Aeris had also been remarkably sharp.

Marquis Donaissun saw a faint hope that, with proper education, Matilda might yet become a truly valuable Saint for the Kingdom of Luwan.

“What do you think, Aeris? Zion?”

Elsewhere, Tauro and the other members of Black-Gold Wings were walking through the Halagoura territorial capital in search of the source of its unpleasant presence.

“The twelve towers surrounding the city are suspicious.”

Aeris unfolded a tourist map purchased in the capital and pointed to their locations.

“I agree with Aeris-san.”

Zion nodded.

“I can also feel magical power gathering around the castle. Even I can’t explain it clearly, so this is only an impression, but one thing is certain: this city’s prosperity feels deeply unnatural. Tauro, Ragune, could we return to the Van Dyne Marquisate for a while?”

Aeris had apparently formed a plan.

“I have no objection. Ragune, is the entrance over there still active?”

Tauro asked.

“Yes, it is. But what are you planning to do there, Aeris?”

Ragune didn’t understand the reason for the sudden trip.

“I want to consult Maria, the [True Saint]. If necessary, I’ll ask her to come here.”

Aeris answered mysteriously.

“Maria? Is it really safe to bring a [True Saint] into the same city as Matilda?”

Tauro could already imagine the trouble that might follow.