Living As the Villainess Queen

ould be known.
Should we not spread it to the religious people and use it as a way to get closer to the altar of God?”

– There is a reason to keep it secret.
Some impatient servants have a history of doing foolish things with such information.
Keep my words in mind, Rodrigo.
Do not divulge this secret.
Be sure to ask me for opinions and follow my instructions on matters regarding the Saint.
You are the only one I trust with secrets and important tasks alike.

“I will never disappoint you.
High Priest”.

Rodrigo bowed his head with an emotional heart.
He knew he looked like a crazy fellow, prostrating to a little vermin.
He was a fanatic after all, a madman.

– The Saint must choose to be a vessel herself.
That’s why I instructed you not to go against the will of the Saint.
Serve her with all your heart, until she has been fully embraced by the arms of the Great one.

“The High Priest’s instructions have a deep intention, so I always keep it in mind.
Your will is important to me”

Going by what the high priest had said, active work was needed to make the queen feel favored toward Mara’s denomination.
Rodrigo had never made such an effort.
In front of the queen, he lost all his strength.
He felt crippled, pretending to be supportive.
Rodrigo simply regarded her as a customer with large pockets.
He thought that the scope of the high priest’s instruction to receive the queen as a saint was limited to concealing the ability as Cage.
He sold his information and footwork to the queen at a high price.
The queen had never been stingy while paying the price, but the queen will not know that she has incurred high costs.

I wish he had spoken about this earlier, thought Rodrigo.
Didn’t he meet the queen just a while ago and openly ask for money? Rodrigo had read contempt in the eyes of the queen who threw her jewelry bag toward him that day.
He had pretended to laugh at himself and said, “I am just a merchant who only knows money.” It was never likable.

Moreover, the queen refused to say that there was a problem with Tanya, whom he had sent in.
He had not known how much he had fallen in favor with the queen.

A cold sweat ran down Rodrigo’s back.

“High Priest.
When I met the Saint not long ago, I talked about the ceremony and told her that the High Priest wanted to see her.”

Rodrigo wanted to emphasize his achievements to cover up his mistakes.
He was unaware that Molly was currently being confined in a dungeon and under strict surveillance.
He believed in the information that was leaked that she had left for the holy city after losing herself within the ritual procession.

“If the High Priest decides to see her, Taniya will deliver the information to her… Oh, the Taniya is out in the desert with the Saint.
As soon as Taniya returns..”

Rodrigo stopped speaking as the voice interrupted.

Desert? The Saint went out to the desert?

“Yes.
She went to attend a dry season ritual”.

Rodrigo.
For the time being, I cannot move.
As you have done so far, prepare the rituals thoroughly, and respect the Saint with all your heart.

“I will certainly do what you asked me for.”

With that, the red energy disappeared from rat’s eyes that had stood upright on its hind legs.
An ordinary black-eyed rat flinched and convulsed, then returned to the crack in the wall.

Rodrigo, who had been bowing with his face on the floor, waited for a while until he could no longer hear the high priest’s voice.
The High Priest’s messenger had disappeared.

*

Two days passed, and in the afternoon of the third day, the procession arrived at the holy land.

Eugene got off the camel and looked down at her feet.
There was grass all around her.

“To think it is a desert…”

The holy land looked different from what Eugene had imagined.
It was not an old castle’s ruins half-buried in the sand, but a green island in the desert beautified with vivid colors.

She trained her eyes on the horizon to her right, searching for the sand dunes that were certain to be seen on the outskirts.
Surely enough, hills of yellow sand stood tall, glistening in the sun.
She looked on the landscape on her left and it stood in contrast to the sand dunes that lay beyond.
She saw a lake and a lush green forest on its shore.
She felt like she stood in the middle of two very different worlds.

Eugene shook her head, and her eyes were now focused on the ground where she stood.
Workers moved diligently to pitch tents.
The air felt peaceful, but Eugene could also taste a great sense of optimism around her.
People smiled easily, and kind words were offered to each other as they all seemed dedicated to their tasks.
The greenery seemed to invigorate all who stepped within.
She felt a surge of energy despite the long and rough journey she had just made.

She was told to begin the ritual with the first ray of dawn.
It was too late today, so she decided to make her way to her temporary home after making her offering at the temple.

“Sir Sven, you said you had been here before, is that correct?”

Sven, who was waiting nearby, was quick to reply.
“Yes, My Queen.”

“Does this entire place come within the boundaries of the holy land?”

“Indeed.
This holy land is the origin of the kingdom.
You can see the exact origin at a point along the lake shore.”

“Is it far from here?”

“You will have to walk a little.”

“Will I be back before the sunset?”

“Oh, certainly.
It is not that far.”

“Will you guide me, Sven?”

“Of course, My Queen.”

Sven knew it was not the first time the queen had visited this place but thought she had perhaps forgotten her way around since she had come back after so many years.

They began to make their way to lake, and Sven noticed a flutter of movement.
He looked behind to see four more warriors in step with them, following behind but maintaining their distance.