The Saint Disappeared with Her Memories — Her Broken Engagement Decided the Kingdom’s Destiny - Chapter 3

After leaving the party venue, I was deeply moved.

Ever since becoming the Saintess, I had been subjected to nothing but intense gazes filled with reverence, worship, expectation, enthusiasm, jealousy, envy, and wicked intentions to use me. As the Saintess, I had constantly received looks brimming with powerful emotions from people. At times, the numerous fervent stares even felt like a burden.

But now, passersby would glance at me briefly, immediately lose interest, and look away. I had never realized how wonderful that could be.

To be looked at with gazes devoid of any emotion, I never knew it could bring such a lighthearted sense of liberation. It felt as comfortable as being able to breathe freely.

No one was looking at me, to the point where I almost fell into the illusion that no one in this world recognized me. But that was fine. In fact, this was exactly the outcome I had hoped for.

I had handed over the title of Saintess to someone who wanted it and became an ordinary Noella. Everything had gone according to plan.

Aside from those two, I had confirmed that the magic had worked perfectly on everyone at the venue, from the nobles to the serving staff. The expressions of the people passing by were all indifferent.

The magic I had cast was an ancient, special spell once used by Saintesses in the distant past but now lost to time.

I had reconstructed it from fragments of old documents and arranged it in my own way. Its original effect seemed to have been used by Saintesses to part with loved ones so they could focus on their duties, it erased romantic feelings. I had significantly improved it.

I transformed it into a spell that erased memories and altered them conveniently, expanded its range, and maximized the number of targets. It was a large-scale magic into which I poured my magical power to its limits. With this, aside from the few individuals I had prepared in advance, no one remained who remembered I was the Saintess. Now, only the appearance of an ordinary, plain priestess remained.

Everyone saw me not as the Saintess, but as an insignificant, ordinary priestess. The sense of liberation this brought was immeasurable.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Lady Noella!”

A woman’s strong voice echoed through the darkness of the night. She was calling my name. When I turned my gaze, there she was, waiting under the faint light of a streetlamp, having removed the heavy knight’s helmet and armor she usually wore. Her short, neatly trimmed golden hair shone in the moonlight.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Nadine.”

“Hurry, let’s move from this place.”

Her voice carried a sense of urgency.

“We mustn’t linger here.”

“Right. Let’s go.”

Nadine took the lead, walking while vigilantly scanning our surroundings. Her posture exuded the demeanor of a knight who never let her guard down. Following behind her, I quickened my pace as well.

“Outside, there are horses prepared by Anctuan.”

She chose deserted alleys as we advanced. Right now, we were ordinary individuals not worth paying attention to. Still, we remained cautious to avoid getting entangled in troublesome incidents.

“Let’s ride them.”

“Understood, Nadine.”

Anctuan was a reliable merchant ally assisting us. He had prepared horses for us. Everything was proceeding according to plan.

Urged on by Nadine, we moved at a brisk pace. Without stopping, we exchanged necessary confirmations as we traveled.

“How did things go on your end?”

“As planned, no one remains who knows of my existence. And the same goes for Lady Noella as the Saintess.”

A faint sadness tinged Nadine’s voice.

“Good. That’s how it should be.”

More than for my sake, it was for Nadine’s.

Just as the light had erased all memories of my existence, it had also erased Nadine’s presence. The fact that she was the Saintess’s guard knight had vanished from people’s memories. That, too, was part of the plan, but…

“I’m sorry. For making you go along with me like this. Your glorious reputation as a knight, it’s all gone now.”

“Please don’t apologize, Lady Noella!”

Without stopping, she turned her head and spoke firmly.

“On the contrary, I am grateful! I am thankful for the time I get to spend with you, and for you choosing me!”

I could feel the sincerity in her words. Nadine, the Saintess’s guard knight, had resolved to stand by me. Her eyes held an unwavering determination.

“I am Lady Noella’s knight.”

She placed a hand over her heart and spoke as if making a vow.

“I am truly grateful for being given this role! So, from now on, no matter what, I will stay by your side. Even if the world forgets you, I will continue to protect you.”

“…Thank you, Nadine.”

My chest warmed with emotion.

Having a loyal ally like her was truly reassuring. If I were alone, I could never have carried out such a plan.

Once again, I felt that her presence would be indispensable on the journey ahead.