The Saint Disappeared with Her Memories — Her Broken Engagement Decided the Kingdom’s Destiny - Chapter 31

Escaping from the temple was surprisingly easy, almost disappointingly so.

When I had devised the plan to escape with the priestesses, I had anticipated far more difficulties. I had prepared meticulously, envisioning various obstacles: deceiving the elder sages, avoiding the gatekeepers, and shaking off pursuers. But in reality, the elder sages were so obsessed with honor and money that they neglected everything else. Perhaps the idea of us escaping was beyond their imagination.

“Everyone, we will leave the temple tonight. Bring only the bare minimum of belongings and gather at the designated location.”

I had explained the situation beforehand. And now, the time for action had finally come. When I delivered the message, the priestesses’ eyes held a mix of fear and anticipation. Most of them had been raised in the temple since childhood and knew nothing of the outside world. Yet, upon learning of the elder sages’ unreasonable demands, they chose to step into the unknown.

As the night deepened, we slipped out one by one through the temple’s back gate. There was no sign that anyone in the temple had noticed.

I was the last to leave the temple. So far, nothing had happened.

“Everyone has escaped safely.”

Seeing the expressions of relief on the priestesses’ faces, I too felt a genuine sense of ease. But it was too soon to relax. We headed for the promised meeting point.

“We’ve been waiting for you. This way.”

There, we met up with Mr. Anctuan and his companions. Guild Master Baron and Mr. Jamel were also present. At the new base they guided us to, preparations for our reception were already underway.

“From now on, you will all live at this base.”

I couldn’t thank Mr. Anctuan enough. His merchant guild had prepared everything perfectly—from housing and meals to our new operational base. He must have leveraged his long-standing connections and financial resources as a merchant.

“Mr. Anctuan, thank you so much.”

As I bowed deeply, he smiled gently.

“Not at all. This is only possible because we have a woman who has agreed to lead the organization. It’s thanks to Lady Noella.”

“Lady Noella…”

Noella. Hearing her name, something tugged at the depths of my heart.

It was a strange sensation, as if something from the recesses of my memory was being awakened. I turned the name over in my mind.

Noella… Noella… It felt as if I had heard it somewhere before. But I couldn’t recall.

Then came the moment I met this woman named Noella. The instant our eyes met, I felt an inexplicable discomfort. It was as if I had known her before… no, as if I felt something even more special. A tightening in my chest.

But that was impossible. No matter how far I searched my memories, I had never met her. During my time at the temple, there should have been no connection with such a woman. I heard she was an adventurer. Opportunities for me to interact with adventurers outside the temple were almost nonexistent.

Why did I feel this way when I saw her? It was incomprehensible. But there was one thing I was sure of.

The answer lay with her.

However, for now, there were more important matters than investigating this discomfort. We needed to establish our new lives and ensure the safety of the priestesses.

I focused on cooperating with her and pouring all my efforts into expanding the association. We had to quickly build a track record and gain the support of the citizens so that the temple couldn’t interfere. Believing that no power could easily challenge us then, I devoted myself wholeheartedly to our activities.

Noella’s leadership was exceptional. Her precise judgment, consideration for the members, and, above all, her outstanding abilities and strong will. Her guidance, based not just on knowledge but on actual experience, was compelling. Working under her gave me a strange sense of security.

“Alexis, how should we handle this request?”

“Let’s proceed with this method. If you’re still unsure, you can consult Noella.”

“Yes, Noella!”

The priestesses quickly came to trust her and readily accepted her guidance. Once bound by the temple’s strict rules, they now worked with vitality.

The association grew at a pace beyond what I had imagined. It seemed Noella’s team had already earned considerable recognition in the adventurers’ guild. With her at the helm, the organization enjoyed strong public trust, and requests poured in one after another. Meanwhile, the temple’s reputation had plummeted.

I never thought the temple would decline so rapidly. It just showed how dependent they had been on the priestesses. They lacked the ability to manage on their own.

The Saintess’s reputation had also sunk to the depths, much like the temple. This, too, was another source of discomfort. Could a Saintess lose trust and esteem so easily? The temple and the Saintess, who should have built up a long history—why had it come to this? I never imagined the position of the Saintess, whom I had long respected, could fall so low.

“The former temple.”

These words lingered in my mind. A feeling persisted that I had forgotten something important.

As the situation stabilized, I mustered the courage to speak to Noella. We often worked together, and our relationship had gradually deepened. I judged it safe to broach the subject now.

I waited for a moment when we were alone in the association’s office.

“Noella, may I speak with you?”

“Yes, what is it?”

She looked up from her documents and gazed at me. In that instant, the discomfort returned.

“Actually when I look at you, I can’t help but feel something tugging at my memory.”

“Wha—!?”

I confessed honestly. At my words, her expression changed. So, it did have something to do with her. She looked surprised, yet also as if she had been expecting this.

“…What do you mean?”

“I’ve felt it since my time at the temple. A sense that something is missing. And when I met you, I felt an inexplicable sensation.”

Noella watched me quietly. I could see complex emotions swirling in her eyes: surprise, fear, and guilt?

“Actually…”

She began slowly.

“I know the truth behind that discomfort.”

My heart leaped. So, it was true. The answer did lie with her. But why? I didn’t understand.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s a long story, but will you listen?”

I nodded deeply.

“Yes. Please tell me.”

At last, the truth behind the discomfort I had felt for so long was about to be revealed. I focused all my attention on her words, listening intently. Each word she began to speak felt as if it were emerging from a fog.