The Saint Disappeared with Her Memories — Her Broken Engagement Decided the Kingdom’s Destiny - Chapter 13

It was several years after I began visiting the temple for business negotiations that I first learned of Saint Noella’s existence.

It happened as I was leaving a regular meeting with an elder sage. Incense burned in the temple corridors, and the evening light streamed beautifully through the stained-glass windows.

“Since these items have been blessed by the Saint, they sell for twice the normal price,” the elder sages boasted proudly as they presented golden holy relics. My merchant instincts kicked in as I observed their tone, timing, and the prices they quoted. I had a bad feeling and decided to probe further.

“These appear to be fine items indeed. What kind of effort and expense would be required to procure such goods?”

“If you’re willing to pay, we can prepare as many as you need immediately.”

The items the elder sages brought certainly looked genuine – jewels infused with magical power, blessed holy water, and similar artifacts. Yet I couldn’t believe they could produce such things so readily. Did they intend to overwork this Saint?

“I see. And what compensation does the Saint receive for her services?”

When I casually inquired, the elder sages exchanged glances and gave faint smirks.

“As one who serves the gods, the Saint has no need for worldly currency.”

So that’s how it is, I thought, clicking my tongue internally. They planned to make her work without giving her any reward.

What did they intend to do when she eventually grew tired of this treatment? Common merchant sense dictates that valuable business partners should be treated well, and internal staff should be treated even better. Apparently, the temple folks didn’t understand this basic principle.

I made a decision. I would forcefully build a relationship with Lady Noella. I needed to deal with her directly, bypassing these greedy elder sages.

At first, I created opportunities to meet her using minor excuses. “I’d like to consult about blessed items,” “I have a new business proposal” – I came up with various pretexts to increase my interactions with her. Leveraging my position as the temple’s affiliated merchant to the fullest, I persuaded the elder sages while repeatedly arranging meetings with her.

As we met and spoke directly, my intuition turned into certainty. She was special.

Even from a merchant’s perspective, she was an incredibly valuable presence. Her blessing power was genuine, and any product she touched gained remarkable value. She perfectly completed any work requested of her. But more than that, I couldn’t help but respect her as a person.

No matter how harsh the circumstances, she always cared for the people and performed her duties with sincerity. Though made to work from morning till night without rest, and though her efforts were exploited by the elder sages, she never complained once. I genuinely admired her attitude.

I began wishing that someone like Lady Noella would rise to leadership and so I secretly started supporting her. Even for transactions that officially had to go through the temple, I always prepared personal compensation for her behind the scenes.

I gifted her not just gold coins and jewels, but also magical texts and rare medicinal herbs; things that would please her. I also gradually advanced plans to elevate her to the temple’s leadership.

Then one day, she contacted me secretly.

“Mr. Anctuan, I need to consult with you.”

Her expression was more serious than usual. I immediately canceled all my work and prioritized meeting with her. In a secluded room deep within my trading house, away from prying eyes, I listened to her story.

What she told me exceeded my expectations. The elder sages had finally driven her to her limit. Naturally so. She had resolved to leave the temple.

I decided instantly. She shouldn’t remain in such a place. I would abandon my plan to elevate her within the temple hierarchy. I wanted her to shine elsewhere which would also benefit me as a merchant.

“Lady Noella, please allow me to assist you.”

Her eyes widened in momentary surprise, but she soon smiled.

“Your help would be greatly appreciated.”

She explained the details of her plan. A modified ancient memory manipulation spell with a chance of failure. If I asked for conventional methods, I would lose my credibility as a merchant. I had to abandon one approach either the reliable method or the risky one.

Most merchants wouldn’t take such a gamble. The majority would choose the certain profit. But I was different.

“That sounds like an interesting proposal. I’ll take that gamble.”

As a merchant, I was determined to make this succeed. With that strong resolve, I challenged Lady Noella’s magic. The special magical adjustment she performed on me. A complex spell that would preserve my memories while protecting me from the altered perceptions of others. If it failed, I would lose my memories like everyone else, and my relationship with her would end.

But if it succeeded, I could maintain both my current position and my connection with her.

In the end, I won the gamble.

The spell succeeded perfectly, allowing me to retain my memories of Lady Noella and her companions while continuing my business as usual. Even as her existence faded from others’ memories, I remembered clearly. I would never waste this special position.

I reflected that business ultimately comes down to trust between people. Those who chase only money will eventually lose what matters most. The temple’s elder sages were perfect examples of this.

Meanwhile, those with sincerity and talent will always find their path open. Lady Noella was undoubtedly such a person. Investing in her with trust would surely bring great returns.

“Now then, what kind of request should I prepare next?”

Smiling, I opened my notebook. I would support her new life to the best of my ability. This was both my way of repaying her as a merchant and, simultaneously, the best business opportunity imaginable.