I Became the Substitute for the Runaway Heroine - Chapter 65

When an oracle descends, the Grand Temple uses a device that detects divine power to identify its chosen one.

The person identified becomes the High Saintess and is bestowed with the Staff of the Saint.

Odette’s mother must have received the Staff of the Saint the moment she was acknowledged as the High Saintess.

But at some point, it was taken from her and now it resided within the bell tower of Demuna.

The golden tower that could be seen beyond the prison where her mother had been confined.

The Staff of the Saint would be inside that tower, gleaming in gold.

“If the golden tower is tall, it should be easy to find.”

“It didn’t look short to me.”

“But why would they bring the Staff of the Saint to Demuna? Didn’t they say it disappeared at the same time the High Saintess vanished?”

It was the priest Igran, whom they had met when they went to the temple to buy magical eye drops, who had said that. He claimed her mother disappeared with the sacred relic.

Odette, her eyes heavy with thought, turned to Emma and spoke.

“This place is supposed to be a holy land, but without a powerful Saintess, they probably brought the Staff of the Saint to maintain appearances.”

If it became known that the holy land lacked divine power, the faithful would be disappointed and turn their backs on the temple.

Odette gazed at the bright lights on the horizon at the edge of the village and said,

“Jacques, whether it’s a tavern, an inn, or even a gambling den… go and gather information about Demuna.”

“Yes, understood.”

Jacques gathered his sword and cloak and disappeared into the darkness, leaping onto the rooftop of the adjacent building.

Odette watched him for a moment before turning her gaze to Emma.

“Emma, once I get my hands on the Staff tomorrow, I’m going to Napolitan and then off to the Eastern Continent. You don’t have to come with me.”

Odette continued, wanting Emma to live the life she truly desired.

“You’re free now. I’ll give you enough money to settle down wherever you choose.”

“You were the one who asked me to come with you—why are you changing your mind now? Did I do something wrong?”

“I just don’t want you to suffer in an unfamiliar place. We don’t even know what’s waiting for us on the Eastern Continent.”

“I don’t care. I want to go with you.”

The moon was veiled by clouds, and darkness enveloped everything. The faint candlelight from inside the room pierced through the window, pushing against the night.

Even in that dim light, Emma’s eyes sparkled like stars in the clear night sky.

“I’ve lived bound for so long, but these past few days, I’ve been truly happy. I think I finally understand what freedom, the kind you always speak of, really means.”

“…Truly?”

“Yes. Acting by my own will, not by someone else’s orders—I realized how wonderful that feels. When I tricked the innkeeper earlier, it was even thrilling.”

“Pfft! I never imagined I’d hear such words from you.”

“Hahaha. The look on the innkeeper’s face was so bewildered I thought he’d never believe me, but somehow, he did.”

Emma burst out laughing, and Odette shook her head with a smile.

“Let’s head to Demuna tomorrow, and after that, we’ll go somewhere warm, down south.”

“Yes, that sounds great.”

Thinking of the journey she’d take with her friend seemed to wash away her fatigue.

But why did she feel a chill sharp enough to raise goosebumps?

The weather was sweltering and humid.

“Emma, let’s go inside. The night air feels cold.”

“This weather? Well… now that you mention it, it is a bit eerie.”

“Maybe we both caught a cold.”

“Hoho, could be.”

“I want some warm honey tea.”

“No way, warm milk is better for times like this.”

“I said honey tea.”

“You’re too fond of sweets. Hohoho.”

‘What’s so amusing to you?’

Caesar stood atop the rooftop of a building directly across from the inn where Odette was staying.

Even in the darkness, Caesar’s heightened senses allowed him to see Odette clearly.

Her gaze, framed by golden lashes, was fixed on Demuna.

Her lips moved, filled with anticipation about what awaited there.

‘If she knew what’s really there, she’d be gravely disappointed.’

He felt a strong urge to stop her from going immediately, but if what she wanted was the Staff of the Saint…

‘You are the High Saintess of this generation, so it’s only natural that you should be its rightful owner.’

If she insisted on living as the High Saintess, there was nothing he could do.

Suppressing a sigh, Caesar reached out his hand and absorbed the divine power she was unconsciously radiating.

The Grand Temple had been combing through various places, following traces of Odette’s divine energy, but they hadn’t achieved anything concrete yet.

However, they could still gather information and suddenly close in on her.

That’s why he had circulated the flyers reading, “Looking for a blonde-haired, violet-eyed fiancée”—to urge her to move discreetly.

“My lord.”

The door to the rooftop opened, and Aden and Eurone stepped in.

Just like when bandits appeared last time, Caesar had sent Eurone to scout Demuna in advance, to eliminate anything that might pose a threat to Odette.

“Report.”

At a glance from Aden, Eurone stepped forward and spoke.

“Bandits have set up camp at the entrance to Demuna. What are your orders?”

“Wipe them out.”

“Yes, sir!”

“We’ve finally arrived in Demuna.”

At Emma’s excited voice, Odette pulled back the canopy and looked out the window.

“Oh, you’re right.”

Lifting her head as far back as it would go, Odette stared up at the top of the city walls and remarked,

“Who would build walls that tall, like a fortress, as if they’re expecting an invasion?”

The walls were so high it made her dizzy just looking at them, and the guards standing atop them seemed tense, their sharp eyes on constant watch.

As their carriage crossed the moat and approached the gate, Odette’s heart pounded in her chest, and a tingling sensation shot through her fingertips.

“What’s going on? My attack power is trying to activate on its own.”

“That’s bad. Just hold on a little longer. As soon as the carriage ahead finishes inspection, it’s our turn.”

The guards were not only meticulously inspecting the people inside each carriage but also searching through their luggage.

This process was causing a backlog, and the line of carriages waiting to enter Demuna had come to a standstill.

“Look at that line behind us.”

The queue of carriages stretched on endlessly, disappearing into the distance.

Jacques had previously learned that to avoid such delays, some people would even camp outside the gates the night before.

The problem? They were all patients.

People diagnosed with terminal or incurable illnesses, hoping to be healed by divine power, had flocked to Demuna.

Perhaps that’s why…

‘It smells like death.’

With her divine power growing stronger, Odette’s senses had become more acute, and the scent of death she now detected was a painful experience.

The stench—like rotting corpses—and a sinister energy clung to her, wrapping around her body like a grotesque serpent, chilling her to the bone.

Odette clenched her fists tightly, struggling to maintain her composure.

“May I see your identification, please?”

At last, their carriage stopped in front of the city gates.

“Here you go.”

As Odette handed over her identification, the guard looked over the interior of the carriage, then lowered his voice and said,

“To attend the Spring Temple prayer service, each person must pay 10 gold.”

Demanding money out of nowhere?

It’s not like this is a concert—why charge an entry fee for a prayer service?

Something didn’t feel right.

“I’m not here for the prayer service. I’m a tourist.”

“In that case, you can’t enter Demuna.”

What? What did he just say?

So people without money aren’t even allowed into Demuna?

Isn’t this supposed to be sacred ground? A holy land where people can be closest to the gods?

Odette narrowed her eyes.

“I haven’t heard anything about tourists being denied entry into Demuna.”

“Of course. But today, the Spring Temple is holding a prayer service, and we’re not allowing tourists in during such events.”

“So you’re telling me to come back tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow is the Summer Temple’s prayer service.”

Odette stiffened her expression, wondering if the guard was joking. But the guard simply shrugged, as if nothing was wrong.

She wet her lips, then asked the guard,

“Let me guess—on the day after tomorrow, the Autumn Temple is holding its prayer service?”

Demuna had four temples, each devoted to a seasonal deity.

She asked, just in case—but received the expected answer.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“And once the Winter Temple’s prayer service ends, the Spring Temple will hold theirs again, won’t they?”

“Now you’re getting it. In Demuna, we hold prayer services year-round.”

Seriously? This was next-level nonsense.

This wasn’t just BS, this was SS-tier BS.

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