Chapter 494: A Glimpse of the True Saint

Maria had activated several abilities she normally kept suppressed in order to make a dramatic entrance.

[Divine Sanctity] – the overwhelming aura of a [True Saint], inspiring awe and fear in nearby living beings.

[True Grace] – holy magic that continuously heals and regenerates everything within a certain range for as long as the user’s magical power lasts.

[Automatic Purification] – an ability that continuously purifies a limited area while magical power is supplied.

And [Divine Glow] – a conspicuous effect that simply causes the user’s body to emit a soft light. It was one of the first abilities learned by a [True Saint] and was mostly useful for appearances.

Among dragonfolk with saint-type abilities, these four were jokingly called the “Four Useless Skills” because they were rarely useful in serious situations.

To the Kingdom of Luwan delegation, however, the display was more than enough.

Marquis Donaissun began shedding tears without even realizing it.

Several aides bowed almost involuntarily.

The escorting knights dropped to their knees with their heads lowered.

Matilda was so overwhelmed that her legs gave way and she collapsed.

Tauro and his companions had already known what Maria was capable of, so they managed not to react too dramatically. Even they, however, were inwardly astonished and almost felt compelled to bow beneath the weight of her full display.

Once she had made her point, Maria deactivated the abilities she had used for show.

There was no reason to waste magical power indefinitely.

Sensing that the demonstration was over, Tauro spoke.

“This person is Aeris’s mentor. We’ll keep her name confidential, but I believe her presence has made the situation clear. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“…”

Even after the abilities had disappeared, the people from Luwan remained dazed by the lingering impression Maria had left on them.

“Ahem. Everyone, do you understand?”

Tauro asked again.

“Huh?! Ah! M-My apologies. So this is Lady Aeris’s mentor… Her divine presence is even greater than our own Saint’s. Who exactly is she?”

“I would rather you didn’t ask. What matters is that she’s willing to cooperate with Saint Matilda. Is that acceptable?”

Tauro pressed Marquis Donaissun for an answer.

“Then… what do you say, Saint Matilda?”

Donaissun turned toward Matilda.

Still lying on the couch after collapsing, Matilda finally regained her senses when he addressed her.

“A-Are you… a god…?”

Even after recovering, she could scarcely believe that the person standing before her belonged to this world.

“I’m merely someone who possesses the abilities of a saint. Saint Matilda, you’re still far too inexperienced to be satisfied with calling yourself a Saint. If you wish to fulfill that role, you must work hard for your country and continue improving yourself. I’ll help you this time, but there won’t be a second. Do you understand?”

Having appraised Matilda and seen her immaturity, Maria sighed and gently admonished her.

“I-I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Overwhelmed by guilt before someone who embodied the ideal she had been claiming for herself, Matilda burst into tears and clung to Maria’s feet, begging forgiveness.

Marquis Donaissun and the others could only stare in astonishment.

“Now then, shall we discuss the arrangements for the ceremony?”

Tauro decided it was time to move matters forward.

Matilda was still crying, but she wiped away her tears and made an effort to listen.

Because the dignity and diplomatic standing of the Kingdom of Luwan were at stake, Marquis Donaissun and his aides also focused on Tauro’s proposal.

Under Tauro’s lead, they thoroughly discussed the plan for the coming Blessing Ceremony.

That Evening – The Welcome Banquet

To their surprise, Marquis Halagoura himself appeared at the welcome banquet.

Tauro had seen him once before, when he had secretly entered the marquis’s Royal Capital residence, so he recognized him immediately.

Marquis Halagoura had curly blond hair, purple eyes, a stocky build, and a slightly protruding belly.

At his side stood Alexa, the black-haired, silver-eyed aide whose unnaturally sharp intuition had nearly exposed Tauro during that earlier infiltration.

“To think I would have the honor of welcoming a Saint into my own domain! I hurried back from the Royal Capital. I witnessed the Blessing Ceremony there and was deeply moved, so I look forward to experiencing it once again! Though I imagine there may be other forms of entertainment as well. Wahaha!”

Marquis Halagoura laughed suggestively.

“…He definitely knows Saint Matilda can’t use [Blessing] properly anymore, doesn’t he?”

Aeris whispered to Tauro as they took their places at the Kingdom of Luwan table.

“No doubt. Also, do you see the man behind Halagoura? Black hair, silver eyes?”

Tauro leaned slightly toward her as he spoke.

Aeris nodded.

“Keep an eye on him. He looks dangerous. Make sure you remember his face.”

Aeris nodded again and quietly passed the warning to Ragune, Ankh, and Zion.

“It’s rare for Tauro to be that wary of someone,” Ragune murmured to Ankh.

“…I think I understand why. That man is a monster.”

Coming from Ankh, a former mercenary with extensive experience killing on the battlefield, the description carried weight.

“A monster?”

Zion asked quietly.

“Those are the eyes of someone who’s killed a lot of people. I’ve killed plenty of enemy soldiers myself, but that man has done something different. His killings were the kind carried out in the shadows, behind closed doors. Leader’s right. Remember his face.”

Ankh gave Ragune and Zion a quiet but firm warning.