The Saint Disappeared with Her Memories — Her Broken Engagement Decided the Kingdom’s Destiny - Chapter 30

We proceeded with preparations to accept those fleeing into the building Anctuan had prepared for us. I intended to establish a perfect system to ensure the temple couldn’t easily interfere with us.

The organization was named “The Healing Association,” carrying the meaning of an association for mutual cooperation. I thought it represented our philosophy well.

I was given the new role of organization leader. I promised to fulfill that responsibility with all my might.

The day finally came when the priestesses who had fled from the temple, along with Alexis who had brought them, arrived. Steeling myself, I prepared for my “first meeting” with him.

The moment our eyes met, complex emotions welled up in my chest – nostalgia, heartache, and guilt. But due to the memory manipulation, he didn’t remember me. For now, that was actually a relief.

“You must be Noella-san.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“……”

Alexis stared intently at my face. He seemed to sense something bothering him about my appearance, but soon shook his head.

“I’ve heard various things about you. I look forward to working with you.”

“Likewise, I look forward to working with you too.”

We exchanged polite first-meeting greetings. Only I remembered him. My chest tightened slightly, but I pushed through it and focused on my work.

“I promise to ensure everyone’s safety and help you walk new paths.”

At my words, the expressions of the priestesses Alexis had brought brightened. Those who had looked anxious seemed somewhat relieved. Many of them were young, and having been freed from the temple’s strict discipline, their expressions visibly softened.

“Then let’s begin our new lives.”

The association’s dedicated base that Anctuan had prepared was more impressive than I’d expected. It was fully equipped with private rooms for the priestesses, a communal dining hall, and facilities for treatment and prayers. The merchant’s connections and financial power were truly not to be underestimated.

Those starting their new lives responded very favorably. I even received words of gratitude from Alexis.

“Thank you, Noella-san. For preparing such a well-equipped environment.”

“No, it was Anctuan who prepared this. If you want to thank someone, please direct it to him.”

“Of course, I’ve already expressed my gratitude to Anctuan-san as well. But I heard it was because of your achievements as an adventurer, and that you earnestly pleaded with him. He told me that’s why he decided to help.”

“Well, I may have asked him, but it was nothing significant.”

I had such casual conversations with Alexis. I was working with him again. Deepening our relationship from scratch while he knew nothing. It felt very strange.

After organizing the base, we officially began our activities.

“The association’s purpose is to protect people’s lives.”

I spoke to everyone at our first meeting – to the priestesses gathered in the great hall, Alexis, and my companions.

“We will perform the roles that the temple should be fulfilling. If they won’t perform their duties, then we will fulfill those roles instead. However, we are absolutely not opposing them. Let’s avoid conflict and focus solely on helping people.”

Basically, it was like an extension of adventurer work. The kind of jobs we had been doing when starting our new lives. We accepted requests from citizens, handling disease treatment, crop blessings, and monster extermination jobs.

We cooperated with the Adventurer’s Guild, accepting requests in a way that didn’t encroach on each other’s domains. Though we could feel hostility directed at us from the temple, they didn’t make any moves against us. Until they made a move, we wouldn’t do anything either. We simply accepted requests.

The priestesses were all hard workers, steadily completing requests. When there were requests too difficult for them alone, me, Emily, Alexis and others would handle them. This worked perfectly.

“Noella-sama, we’ll do our best too!”

Emily and the other priestesses were much more vibrant than when they had been at the temple.

I also watched over their training, waiting for each individual’s growth. I carefully taught them from the basics – how to use magic, efficiency of healing arts, proper methods for blessing ceremonies, and more.

Between work and training, what we were doing was similar to when we were at the temple, but there was one crucial difference.

There was no one to interfere like at the temple.

Without the presence of someone like the old sage, everything proceeded smoothly. The priestesses could grow at their own pace, take on work, and quickly respond to citizens’ requests.

Alexis also actively participated in our activities. Though he didn’t remember the past due to memory manipulation, his serious and kind personality hadn’t changed.

“Your guidance is wonderful, Noella-san. I never imagined the priestesses would grow this quickly.”

When he said that, I felt somewhat apologetic. I was just doing ordinary things. If he knew I had been the Saintess, he might have different thoughts. But I had no intention of revealing that past. I wanted to keep it this way, forever.

The hole left by Alexis and the priestesses seemed quite significant. The temple kept failing requests they accepted, causing damage to spread. Yet they offered no apologies, only excuses. Meanwhile, the temple’s reputation plummeted, and our association became established as the new standard for requests among the citizens.

“I’m disappointed in the temple. The association is much more reliable.”

“It’s terrible – they just take your money and say they failed the request.”

“They properly cure illnesses, and their prayers feel heartfelt.” “From now on, it’s the association, not the temple!”

The citizens’ evaluation of our association grew higher each day. Meanwhile, dissatisfaction with the temple only mounted. Since the Saintess wasn’t fulfilling the role she should have been performing, this might have been the natural outcome.

“For a temple with such long history to end its role this easily…”

Gazing out the window, I murmured. This was a development I hadn’t imagined.

“Noella-sama.”

Emily came to my side.

“It seems the temple has protested again. ‘How dare you steal our work,’ they said.”

“Those people again.”

Though troublesome, as the leader I had to handle it. We weren’t stealing work. We were just taking over requests they had failed.

“I’ll handle those people. Noella-san, please focus on other work.”

Turning toward the voice from behind me, I saw Alexis standing there. It seemed he would take responsibility for dealing with the temple.

“…Thank you. I’ll take you up on that.”

He should be fine. He was familiar with the temple’s internal affairs and would handle it calmly. Entrusting it to him, I decided to focus on my own work.

Helping and protecting people. That was our mission.

Our new organization, “The Healing Association,” had gotten off to a smooth start. And I was convinced that walking this new path was important.