I Once Thought I Had No Place, Being Married Off to An Enemy Nation as A Token of Apology but That Was Only for One Night - Chapter 20

The Hexagon Hall was built exactly like the one in Isenwald. Considering it was one of the vertices of a magic circle centered on the Imperial Capital, that consistency was only natural.

It was a vast space defiled by miasma. Although illuminated by magic tools, the ceiling remained hidden behind the thick, murky air. On the floor lay a magic circle designed to seal the Demon King. I stood at its center and activated my purification power.

Pure white snow fluttered down from the void. The flakes turned pitch black as they absorbed the surrounding miasma. Once they hit the ground, the snow vanished along with the impurities, like ice melting away.

“Ah, Princess Noel, your power truly is magnificent. But I wonder why they call you the Saint of Black Snow? It is obvious at a glance that the snow starts as white, even if it turns black afterward.”

I heard Frieda’s murmur from behind me.

“That is only because the ceiling is low here, so you can see the snow before it changes. If I were to manifest snow outdoors, it would already be black by the time it was low enough to be seen.” “So that is why you were named the Saint of Black Snow?” “Broadly speaking, yes.”

In truth, some people back home had seen the white snow, so it would not have been strange if I were called the White Saint. However, my brother had been actively spreading bad rumors about me, which was likely the real cause. I kept that to myself, knowing that mentioning it would only make Frieda lose her temper again.

“Speculation is fine, but please tell me when to stop,” I said. “When to stop?” “If the purification is insufficient, the stampede will not end. But if I purify too much, a stampede might break out in the neighboring territory instead, right?”

In preparation for such an event, the adjacent territories were supposed to purify their own Hexagon Halls to a manageable level. However, I believed we should still coordinate our efforts.

“There is no need to worry about that,” Frieda replied. “Why is that?” “In Isenwald, you performed a perfect purification, and with the surplus energy gained from that, we cleared out the remaining miasma pools throughout the land.” “Oh, right. You did mention that.” “Therefore, even if you purify this entire Hexagon Hall, I do not believe the same phenomenon will occur. So, I would say we should aim to purify at least eighty percent, just like last time.” “Eighty percent, I see.”

That was slightly more than I had anticipated. Still, I had no choice but to push forward. I continued the purification with single minded focus.

“For a typical purification, we would usually stop around here.”

Frieda spoke up when I had cleared about a third of the room. The usual amount of purification was surprisingly low. It really showed how little leeway the other Saints must have had.

But my goal was eighty percent or more. I continued, feeling that I was still far from the target. However, once I surpassed sixty percent, a sudden wave of exhaustion crashed over me. I felt a desperate urge to sink to the floor, but I bit my lip and endured.

But then.

“Princess Noel!”

Before I knew it, I was lying down, cradled in Frieda’s arms.

“Did I lose consciousness for a moment?” “Only for a second, but you stumbled, so I caught you. Are you feeling unwell?” “No. But it seems I am reaching my limit.”

I shook my head weakly, and Frieda’s face twisted with concern.

“I thought as much. First the purification of the capital, then the Hexagon Hall in Isenwald, and now the one here in Greifner. Even for the White Saint, this is far too much.” “Yes, truly. I am just so, so sleepy.”

When I voiced my complaint, Frieda blinked in surprise. “Pardon?”

“Think about it. I was busy preparing for that sudden party, then immediately after that, we had the stampede meeting. I have been traveling through the territories all night without any sleep, and now I am here.”

Pulling an all nighter after a period of sleep deprivation was brutal.

“So, you are saying you are just tired?” “I miss my fluffy bed so much it hurts.”

When I made my earnest plea, Frieda silently let go of me. Since she had been supporting me, I landed with a soft “poof” right onto her lap.

“That was cruel. I am wide awake now.” “Isn’t that perfect? Besides, I will let you sleep as much as you want once this is over, so please finish the purification. Just a little more.” “Fine.”

I joked around a bit to psych myself up to stand. In reality, I had used far too much holy power.

However, the image of little Anna waiting for her father’s return flashed through my mind. I never wanted to see a child suffer like that again. Moreover, the people of this Empire had given me a chance, even though they disliked me for being the Crown Prince’s sister.

I wanted to be acknowledged by them. I wanted to build a place where I belonged. And, as a bonus, I wanted to show my brother and father, who had discarded me, exactly what I was capable of.

I could not give up here. I gritted my teeth and stood up.

“Just a little more. Let there be purification for this land.”

I offered a prayer to the Goddess. Flakes of white snow began to manifest in the void of the Hexagon Hall, falling as they absorbed the miasma. The volume of snow was less than half of what it had been earlier.

“Princess Noel, surely you have already. This is affecting your health! Please, let the Saints I brought with me handle the rest!”

Frieda tried to stop me. I refused her and continued the purification with frantic devotion. Ludwig had said that the longer this dragged on, the greater the casualties would be. I agreed with him. We did not have time to turn back and call for the other Saints.

“Princess Noel, why go so far?” “Because I want to.”

I wanted to save everyone. And I wanted to be acknowledged. That was my wish and no one else’s. I did not want anyone else to be sad. So, I could not stop yet. I simply kept purifying.

“Princess Noel, that is enough!”

Frieda pulled on my arm. I realized that the snow I was manifesting was no longer turning black.

“This should be fine then.”

The moment I felt relieved, my consciousness faded instantly. As I faltered, Frieda gently caught me.

“Princess Noel, you are magnificent. Even if you were not the White Saint, I am certain I would have come to respect you.”

I heard a gentle voice from far away. Filled with a sense of accomplishment, I slowly let go of my consciousness.