#98

As soon as the contract was complete, Jonathan transformed into bracelet form, joining Taby.

Now, the once simple pearl bracelet had a sapphire embedded alongside it.

‘At this rate, it feels like I’m collecting magical beads or something.’

If I gathered all thirteen, would I get a wish or something?

I was still entertaining my nonsense thoughts when the priests ushered me away to prepare for the grand feast.

Apparently, the celebration had already begun the moment I emerged from Mishir River.

Upon arriving at the grand hall, Naaman, who had been waiting at the entrance, spotted me and immediately stepped forward to escort me inside.

“Please, enjoy the festivities.”

“You’ve gone through so much trouble for me. I truly appreciate it,” I responded with a sweet smile.

Then, I slipped in the question I was really after.

“But by the way, has the contract document arrived yet?”

Naaman smiled warmly, but I wasn’t fooled.

“It has already been reviewed. We will send it to your residence by tomorrow.”

‘Right. Tomorrow.’

That was plenty of time for them to stall.

They definitely already had time to finish it—but they were trying to delay me, probably hoping to keep me here longer.

I knew exactly what they were doing.

But I played along, smiling brightly as if I believed every word.

“Oh! What wonderful news!”

Naaman didn’t seem to notice my act. Instead, he immediately led me around, introducing the various priests and scholars of Hebel.

Among them was Isaac, who stood with a composed expression, clad in his usual pristine priest robes.

“Isaac became my youngest direct disciple last year,” Naaman explained. “Among all my disciples, he is the most… spirited.”

He shot Isaac a knowing glance, then turned back to me.

“I heard he may have caused you some discomfort before. But, please, as a favor to me, I hope you can forgive his enthusiasm.”

Ah.

Compared to the older priests, Isaac was indeed quite young.

But becoming Naaman’s direct disciple at his age?

That meant he was dangerously competent.

…Or at least, competent in politics.

‘Well, I already learned that the hard way the other day.’

Remembering how he had nearly trapped me in his schemes made my stomach turn.

I subtly glanced at Isaac, who looked as displeased as ever at my presence.

Even after I had been officially recognized as the Saintess, he still couldn’t hide his distaste.

It was clear—

Isaac’s faith wasn’t in the Divine Beast.

It was in Naaman.

More specifically, in the power Naaman provided.

I was scanning the room when I noticed something odd.

I couldn’t find Ella anywhere.

Frowning, I turned back to Naaman.

“Where’s Ella?”

She had guided me through the entire trial, stayed by my side, and explained everything to me.

I had assumed she would have arrived here first while I was busy at the Treasure Vault.

But she was nowhere to be seen.

Naaman, completely unbothered, gave a casual response.

“Oh, that child is not a formal member of Hebel, so she is not permitted to attend the feast.”

…What?

They were excluding her?

Ella had been the one by my side the whole time.

She had even acted as my guide at the Mishir River.

They had used her for all the inconvenient tasks and now—just because she wasn’t a formal priestess—they were discarding her like an afterthought?

That was nothing less than betrayal.

Naaman, on the other hand, looked completely unfazed.

As if this was the most natural thing in the world.

My expression hardened as I stared him down.

“This was supposed to be a celebration for everyone, wasn’t it? Excluding only Ella seems… rather unfair.”

Naaman tilted his head, as if he truly did not understand my concern.

“Oh, but she agreed to it. She was taken in so she could do the work that official priests cannot.”

Ah.

So because she was being fed and clothed, they thought they could use her however they wanted?

“And so, that means you can order her around and discard her when convenient?”

Naaman sighed, his tone now chiding.

“You misunderstand. Hebel has strict regulations. You yourself have stated that you will only fulfill your minimum duties as a Saintess—so you, too, must respect our laws.”

His face darkened slightly, as if this was a warning.

In other words—

This was his way of telling me that I had no right to interfere.

And if I did?

They might try to use my ‘laziness’ as Saintess against me.

My lips curled into a polite smile—but my eyes were cold.

“Aha. So this is Hebel’s famous education system.”

I let my voice drip with sarcasm.

“Forcing responsibility on someone while using their livelihood as leverage.”

“Hostage? Now that seems a bit excessive,” Naaman replied smoothly.

I tilted my head, feigning thoughtfulness.

“Hmm. You’re right. Hostage is too kind a term.”

I turned to Rachel with a mocking smile.

“This is closer to child abuse, wouldn’t you say, Mother? Even slaves aren’t treated this poorly.”

Rachel smirked, catching on immediately.

“Indeed. Using a child as small as bird piss for all your dirty work? How clever.”

For a moment, everyone in the room paused—as if stunned by Rachel’s casual phrasing.

…Ella had just been demoted to bird piss.

Even so, with both of us pressuring him, it seemed Naaman was struggling to brush this aside.

I seized the opportunity.

“This is my celebration, correct? Then bring Ella here.”

I turned my back, making it very clear that I was prepared to walk out.

“If she doesn’t attend, neither will I.”

That did it.

I saw Naaman’s gaze shift toward Isaac, signaling him to bring Ella in.

But to my surprise, Isaac refused.

“I’m afraid that will not be possible,” he said, his voice firm.

“Ella is currently undergoing discipline.”

…Discipline?

“What exactly did she do?” I asked coldly.

Isaac’s expression turned impassive.

“She broke her promise to her father.”

I caught the flash of cruelty in his eyes.

Naaman, now sensing the tension, interjected smoothly.

“It would be improper to interfere in family matters.”

I snorted.

“She’s not even your real daughter.”

Isaac blinked—then smiled as if he genuinely believed what he was about to say.

“I consider Ella as my own blood.”

I almost laughed out loud.

What a load of crap.

I had already suspected Isaac of abuse from the moment I saw the bruises on Ella’s arms.

They weren’t random bruises, either.

They were placed strategically—hidden where people wouldn’t easily see them.

And in a place where priests wore long robes all the time?

That made it even easier to conceal.

‘If I hadn’t rolled up her sleeves for dessert, I might’ve never noticed.’

I had zero tolerance for people who beat children.

There was nothing worse than using power to crush someone weaker.

‘I’ve hated that smug, stick-like face of his from the beginning.’

That bony, twisted-looking excuse of a man—daring to lay a hand on Ella?

But I knew better than to confront men like him head-on.

Men like Isaac—authoritative, self-righteous men—would only become more defensive and retaliatory if directly challenged.

I had seen it before.

Even in my past life, I had relatives just like him.

So instead, I put on a bright, innocent smile and pressed my hands together sweetly.

“Oh, but Ella adores you!”

Isaac’s brows twitched slightly.

I kept going.

“She told me herself—she’s so lucky to have a father like you.”

“Hmm,” Isaac mused, looking pleased with himself.

“She is still young and naive. Do not take her words too seriously.”

“Of course!”

I clapped my hands together like a delighted child.

“But it means so much to her! I’m sure she only wants to be forgiven.”

Isaac’s shoulders relaxed slightly—but I saw the way his chin lifted, relishing the praise.

Perfect.

I tilted my head like I was making a small request.

“I don’t know what she did wrong… but won’t you forgive her, just this once? She’s my first friend, and I was really looking forward to dancing with her tonight.”

Isaac sighed dramatically.

“Ah, well… I suppose mercy is a virtue.”

Hook, line, and sinker.

He motioned for a subordinate.

“Bring Ella.”

At that moment, Rachel—who had been quietly observing—leaned in and whispered in my ear.

“My, my. You handle those kinds of men like a professional.”

“It’s because I’m a cunning little weasel.”

Rachel chuckled.

“I almost thought you had fully become a Jabis. But if it were Ricky…”

She trailed off with a sigh, shaking her head wistfully.

“If it were Ricky, the moment Isaac talked back, he’d have already flattened him into the floor.”

Rachel sounded genuinely disappointed that she had missed the opportunity to watch some good old-fashioned violence.

I discreetly glared at her.

Naaman, meanwhile, watched the exchange with mild amusement.

“You seem to be quite fond of Ella,” he noted.

I smiled.

“She’s my first female friend.”

Naaman tilted his head.

“If you wish, you may take her with you as your personal knight.”

I blinked in surprise.

“Really?”

I had been secretly worried about leaving Ella in Hebel.

If I could take her with me, it would solve everything.

I saw Naaman’s eyes gleam with satisfaction.

“It had already been on my mind. Sending you alone to Jabis territory felt wrong, so I have been assembling a group of escort knights for your return.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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