Chapter 490: The Secret of Prosperity?

The party accompanying the Saint had expected a grand welcome upon entering the Marquisate capital of Haragura, but surprisingly, that was not the case.

Compared to the city’s flashy appearance, the welcome ceremony was very modest.

“It seems the distance created between us and the Crown Prince’s party might be the cause?”

Marquis Donaisson of the Kingdom of Luwan, who accompanied the Saint, expressed some distrust toward Marquis Haragura’s side and analyzed the situation as such.

“They’re quite rude,”

Saint Mathilda grumbled, ignoring her own faults.

“The Crown Prince hasn’t said a word to us since we started this journey. His consideration for us has been reduced to a minimum. Also, having observed how prosperous this Haragura capital is, frankly, I don’t think the Saint’s ‘Blessing’ is necessary here. …Maybe they only see it as a formality to add prestige to their reputation,”

Marquis Donaison shared his thoughts in a room where other officials of the Kingdom of Luwan had gathered.

“The Marquis is right. We were treated fairly in Duke Bariella’s domain, but here they want to keep their involvement to the bare minimum, likely for honor’s sake. The Haragura Marquis Haragura is supposed to be in the capital right now, but he has not shown his face to the Saint at all, and his eldest son, Baron Dosugu, disappeared after greeting us at the welcome ceremony. It seems they’ve left the rest to their grandson Suguro, who was chosen as one of the attendants for the Crown Prince’s party this time,”

One of the aides openly expressed distrust towards Marquis Haragura’s attitude.

“In any case, let’s complete the Blessing ceremony as planned and move on according to the schedule. Speaking of which, how are Tauro and the others doing? If possible, I’d like to speak with them,”

Marquis Donaisson was more concerned about Tauro and his companions, who had been looking after them along the way, than he was about the Crown Prince and his party.

“They were worried about the presence of something in this capital city, so they went out. Should we talk to them when they return?”

An aide answered about Tauro’s party.

“A presence?”

Marquis Donaisson tilted his head.

“Ah, so it wasn’t just my imagination? — The atmosphere, or rather the ambiance, of this capital city gives me a slightly unpleasant feeling. Because of it, I’m not feeling well.”

Saint Mathilda pointed out, frowning.

As expected, even at her lowest, she is still a saint.

What Aeris felt, Saint Mathilda had also sensed.

“The atmosphere? —Could it be that, Saint, you’re unable to use your ‘Blessing’ again?”

 Marquis Donaisson recalled what had happened in Barriella and checked.

“That’s a bit much… Wait, what!? …Compared to when I was in Barriella, I can feel a stronger force interfering with my power… This means I won’t be able to perform the Blessing ceremony again!”*

Saint Mathilda became increasingly displeased.

“…I think I’ll need to consult Lord Tauro and Lady Aerith again about this…”

 Marquis Donaisson said with a serious expression.

“What do you mean?”

Saint Mathilda did not know the details about Aeris acting as her substitute.

 Marquis Donaisson had instructed those around her not to mention it, fearing it would upset her, but it was probably pointless to keep it secret any longer.

He explained everything.

“—Did Miss Aeris even perform a fake blessing back then? …There’s no way someone could fake the effects of a ‘Blessing’. I know that clearly because I’m the one using it. In other words, Aeris can use ‘Blessing’ just like me,”*

Saint Mathilda answered with confidence after hearing Marquis Donaisson’s explanation.

““““‘Eh!?’””””

The people from the Kingdom of Luwan who were present couldn’t help but exclaim at Saint Matilda’s answer.

“…Does that mean she is also a ‘Saint’?”

“Who knows. If she were a ‘Saint,’ there would have been a big fuss already, right? This country has people with excellent appraisal skills like Duke Barriella, so there’s no way that a Marquis’s daughter would go unnoticed. …Besides, if she had the Saint ability, I’m sure she would have been bragging about it from the start.”

Saint Mathilda declared based on her own judgment.

It’s true, going on Aeris’s previous personality, she probably would have bragged about it, so this was quite an insightful guess.

“…Why would she keep quiet if she can use ‘Blessing’?”

Although Marquis Donaisson voiced his doubts, he also felt that he could understand that Aeris might be trying to avoid trouble.

“She probably doesn’t have the ‘Saint’ skill, right? I don’t know how she can use ‘Blessing,’ but ‘Blessing’ without the ‘Saint’ skill isn’t very convincing. After all, it’s precisely because I have that skill that I’m called a ‘Saint’ and everyone fawns over me.”

Saint Mathilda said, surprising Marquis Donaisson a little.

He thought she was just a vain, attention-seeking girl, but she had a fair bit of self-awareness.

Her analysis of Aeris was sharp as well.

Marquis Donaisson felt as if he had seen a ray of hope that if she were properly re-educated, she might actually be really useful as a saint for the Kingdom of Luwan.

“How about it, Aeris, Zion?”

Tauro and the rest of the “Black Golden Wings”  were wandering around the capital of the  Haragura Marquisate, searching for the source of the unpleasant presence.

“The twelve towers surrounding this city look suspicious,”

Aeris shared her thoughts as she unfolded a tourist map that was being sold in the city and pointed at it.

“I agree with Aeris-san,”

Zion agreed.

“Also… I feel like the magical energy is concentrated around the castle. It’s hard to explain even for me, so I’m just guessing, but… One thing is clear: I get the impression this city is prospering in a rather questionable way. —Tauro, Ragune, can we go back to the Van Dyne Marquisate for a bit?”

Aeris suggested, seemingly thinking of something.

“I’m fine with that. —Ragune, is the entrance still set up over there?”

Tauro checked with Ragune.

“Yeah, it is… But what are you going to do back there,, Aeris?”

Ragune asked, not understanding the reason.

“I want to consult with the True Saint Maria. And if necessary, have her come here,”

Aeris answered enigmatically.

“True Saint Maria? …Is it really okay to call her here?”

Tauro felt uneasy, thinking that bringing her to this place where Saint Mathilda was might cause trouble.