The Saint Disappeared with Her Memories — Her Broken Engagement Decided the Kingdom’s Destiny - Chapter 29

Anctuan visited the lodge’s common room. Unusually, all the companions were gathered together for a discussion.

“I’ve come to speak with all of you about a serious situation,” Anctuan began, his voice lacking the usual merchant’s cheerfulness. Jamel also had deep furrows in his brow, creating a tense atmosphere as if he were about to deliver some important report.

“First, regarding the request from the prince.”

The matter we had left to him. I had been wondering what happened with that since then. It seemed he was about to tell us.

“Regarding the request, I managed to refuse it.”

At that report, I let out a sigh of relief. Good. We had avoided a troublesome situation.

“But—”

My relief instantly froze at Jamel’s following words.

“It appears His Highness the Prince was enraged by this matter.”

“Enraged? Just from having his request refused?”

Had they refused in some way that would anger him? Anctuan should have been able to prepare reasons to settle things peacefully. Had something happened to anger him despite that?

“Yes,” Anctuan nodded, making a bitter expression. “Apparently because his pride was wounded, His Highness the Prince has made a request to the temple.”

A request to the temple. Anctuan continued in a heavy tone about the content of that request.

“The request is to eliminate the adventuring party that refused his request.”

“What?!”

I was dumbfounded. Words wouldn’t come out. To resort to such extreme measures just for having a request refused? I couldn’t understand it. And the temple accepted this?

“Young Sage Alexis informed us of this matter.”

“Alexis…!”

At Jamel’s words, my heart leaped violently. Alexis. I never thought I would hear his name again.

The person I had decided to never be involved with again after casting a memory-erasing spell. Yet I never imagined I would drag him into this in such a way.

“I’ve done something terrible,” I said, lowering my face. Because I refused the request thinking I didn’t want to be involved, the matter went to the temple and dragged him into it. This is my fault.

“Lady Noella, that’s not true.”

“Emily?”

She took my hand. Firmly, strongly. Her eyes caught the light and shone purely. Eyes of trust, believing in me.

“It’s not your fault. The ones at fault are the person who made such a request and the temple elders who would accept it.”

Nadine also nodded. A nod of affirmation.

“That’s right. You haven’t done anything wrong. If you had accepted the request, it likely would have led to trouble. You simply avoided that.”

But I thought to myself. If I had taken a different approach, this might not have happened.

“That’s not all,” Jamel continued the story. Placing his hand on his graying beard with a serious expression.

“Alexis also questioned the temple’s methods and decided he couldn’t comply. It seems he has decided to flee, taking his subordinate priestesses with him.”

The moment I heard that report, my mouth moved on its own.

“Let’s help them!”

My voice was stronger than even I expected. But immediately after, doubts arose.

Do I, who ran away first, have the right to offer help? I even erased memories to sever our connection. What would they think of me helping them now? Would my selfishness end up affecting someone else’s life?

“Lady Noella,” Emily looked at me again. “You’re not at fault. The temple elders are the ones in the wrong. And Lady Noella, please focus on what you want to do. If you’re making a mistake, your companions will stop you. We have Lord Jamel and Lord Anctuan. So, don’t worry and charge ahead.”

“Thank you, Emily. I understand.”

She would tell me that over and over. I don’t want to betray Emily’s trust. What should I do for that? I need to focus on what’s important now.

I took a deep breath. Rather than regretting, I need to think about what I can do now. Safely rescuing Alexis and the priestesses. First, I need to focus on that.

“Anctuan, what do you plan to do? Do you have any ideas? Is there anything I can help with?”

“Protect the fleeing priests and create an organization with enough power that others can’t easily interfere. For that purpose, we plan to establish a new organization.”

“I see.”

Anctuan continued his explanation.

“And Lady Noella. We would like you to reign as the leader of this new organization.”

“Me? As the leader?”

I asked back in disbelief.

“The leader of a new organization. Aren’t there others more suitable than me? Jamel has more knowledge and experience. Anctuan excels at negotiation.”

“No,” Jamel shook his head. “Among us, you are the one with exceptional ability. If you demonstrate that power, neither the temple nor the royal family would dare interfere.”

“Moreover,” Anctuan added, “The power to attract people, to move people’s hearts, that is a special talent only Lady Noella possesses. This new organization needs that kind of centripetal force.”

I looked around at my companions’ faces. Everyone was looking at me with serious expressions. Nadine’s eyes held a strong light of trust, Emily’s expression showed expectation, and Jamel’s gaze held conviction.

Right. I had decided to focus on what I can do. Just as I once helped people as a saintess, this time I will protect people in a new way.

“Understood. I’ll accept that role.”

At my decision, expressions of relief appeared on my companions’ faces.

Alexis, and the priestesses. I will absolutely protect you all. And I will create a new organization truly for the people.

That is my new responsibility. The path I have chosen for myself.