The Saintess Returned to the Emperor’s Arms Chapter 121

A truly eerily beautiful man

 

Immediately upon arriving at the temple, Herhan and Riella were escorted to a prepared reception room within High Priest Ludovico’s office.

 

Contrary to the confident welcome he had given, the High Priest was visibly tense as he examined the pair seated before him.

 

‘How should I appease this emperor?’

 

It was going to be a tough fight.

 

Because the greedy young emperor will use every trick and threat to keep what he has in his hands.

 

But at that time.

 

“What is the next step in the Saintess verification process?”

 

It was Riella Blinite who took the initiative.

 

“Pardon? Are you saying… you’re willing to go through the verification without objection?”

 

High priest Ludovico was caught off guard.

 

The red eyes of the fearless and confident woman were not only incredibly beautiful but also filled with an unbelievable amount of infinite vitality.

 

There was no need to go through the verification.

 

The strong aura that Riella Blinite exuded was proof that she herself was a descendant of a god.

 

“Yes. I will faithfully follow the procedures.”

 

While Riella answered firmly, the Emperor sat stiffly and did not deny her answer.

 

‘Like this, obediently?’

 

The high priest, half-doubting, hastily reached out to summon the priests outside, worried they might change their minds.

 

Just then, the captain of the imperial guard—who had stood behind the emperor with hands clasped—stepped forward.

 

It was the same insolent man who had swatted his arm away at the front gate earlier.

 

“What is it?”

 

“Before we proceed with the formal verification, there are some matters that the central temple must be aware of.”

 

Ludovico glanced through the document that had been handed to him and let out a short, dry laugh.

 

‘Of course.’

 

The document contained at first glance more than twenty guidelines they were to follow in dealing with ‘Riela Blinite’.

 

From submitting the personal details of the priests who will be mobilized in the verification process in advance, to refraining from touching Riella Blinite’s body without permission, unnecessary conversation is also prohibited.

 

Even more outrageous: imperial guards, including the emperor himself, were to accompany her through the entire procedure.

 

“Are you joking?”

 

The High Priest returned the document, his face distorted as if in absurdity.

 

“This is the sanctuary of the gods. We have our own laws and procedures. Since the temple’s founding, we’ve verified hundreds of divine descendants—and never granted such privileges to anyone.”

 

“Please think of it as proper treatment appropriate for her status, not special treatment.”

 

“What status would that be?”

 

Instead of answering, the captain of the guards handed over the marriage contract between Riella Blinite and Emperor Herhan.

 

The red seal of the Imperial Palace. Also, the signatures of two clear people.

 

The document was undeniable proof: Riella was now, without question, the Empress of the Elschweig Empire.

 

High priest Ludovico was so stunned that he sat speechless for a long moment.

 

It was then that the emperor, who had been silent the whole time, opened his mouth.

 

“The more beautiful the bride, the more impatient the groom becomes. As you know, I am not very patient.”

 

Could such a thing even be allowed?

An emperor, entering a secret marriage without a proper state ceremony?

 

‘They rushed it to get it done before the official wedding!’

 

High priest Ludovico’s wrinkled lips let out an angry groan.

 

Herhan stretched out lazily, his eyes turning cold and sharp.

 

“You seem rather displeased, High Priest Ludovico. Is there a problem?”

 

“No, Your Majesty. I–I congratulate you on your wedding.”

 

“Instead of congratulations, I ask for your understanding.”

 

As he spoke, the imperial guard captain once again held out the document the High Priest had rejected earlier.

 

“I just don’t want to be separated from my empress, not even for a moment. And I certainly won’t stand by while others lay a hand on her. We’re newlyweds—you understand, don’t you?”

 

* * *

 

After concluding the negotiations with the High Priest, Herhan moved according to plan.

 

Riella was to follow the temple’s procedures, but she always had more loyal knights leading the way.

 

There was a barrier flowing within the central temple, so Herhan could not use his abilities.

 

Instead, he meticulously cross-checked the list of personnel he had obtained in advance and made sure that anyone even slightly suspicious could not approach Riella.

 

“I heard that some of the priests who were supposed to be present at the verification suddenly left. It seems like they didn’t know we would be checking the list.”

 

“If you look at the fact that they ran away just before, they must have something to hide. Investigate and check every single one of them.”

 

“Yes, Master.”

 

“And Jess?”

 

At Herhan’s question, Asion looked around briefly and then whispered quietly.

 

“He’s in the middle of the investigation you ordered. For security reasons, he insisted on working alone.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Herhan nodded, though his expression remained uneasy.

 

Just a few feet away, surrounded by priests, Riella was trying to smile.

 

Don’t worry, everything will be fine. I believe in you.

 

She was trying to reassure him.

 

So Herhan felt even more anxious in his chest.

 

The moment of decisive battle approached with bated breath.

 

What if the moment came when even that forced smile of Riella’s disappeared?

 

He would really have gone crazy by then.

 

* * *

 

“I don’t know anything.”

 

“Didn’t you just say you were on duty that day?”

 

“Yes, that’s true, but…! I have no idea what the informant is or anything like that. There were no visitors that day.”

 

“That’s not what you said a moment ago. Hey. Priest. Priest!?”

 

‘Oh my god. Priest, my ass. He wouldn’t even qualify as a proper believer. Just another corrupted soul obsessed with money.’

 

Jess, who was left alone again, spat on the floor of the temple hallway.

 

‘Tch. I was so close this time…’

 

The ‘truth’ that Jess was searching for at the order of his lord, seemingly within reach, was information about the ‘informant’ who had accused Riella of being a descendant of Ann.

 

When the royal family requested information about the matter, the temple simply repeated the response, “We received an anonymous tip and do not know the source.”

 

It was utter nonsense.

 

No matter how stupid the temple was, they would not have dared to send an order to appear without verifying the report.

 

The problem was that every priest Jess met kept their mouth shut about the informant, as if they had made a promise.

 

It was the same whether he tried to hide his identity and ask them secretly or even tried to bribe them with money.

 

‘The fact that you’re all covering for each other just makes me even more curious. What exactly are you trying to hide?’

 

Jess raised one corner of her mouth slightly.

 

Jess smirked slightly.

 

A truth that couldn’t be reached by gentlemanly methods only made it more appealing.

 

‘Should I just kidnap a priest and torture them? I do have some test reagents I could try out.’

 

To Jess, incurring the wrath of God was no problem if it meant achieving his goals.

 

That’s when a female priest approached him.

 

“Do you even know who I am?”

At Jess’s question, the priest replied without hesitation.

“A passionate scholar from the Imperial capital who came to observe the outstanding research achievements of the priests of the Central temple.”

 

“That’s not—”

 

“Let’s just leave it at that, shall we?”

 

At that moment, Jess realized the priest’s intention and quietly shut his mouth.

 

The place he followed her to silently was the annex of the temple, and among them, the basement, which was under strict security.

 

“He is the one who made a prior appointment with me. I can guarantee his identity.”

 

She told the guards, who easily stepped aside.

 

Jess knew better than to trust just anyone.

 

There was always a risk that he could vanish without a trace.

 

But the reason Jess didn’t stop walking even though she knew that was because of a strange ‘intuition’.

 

‘I have a gut feeling that this woman is different from anyone I’ve ever met.’

 

As expected, the woman who had finally stopped at the end of the dark road opened her mouth.

 

“Here you can hear what you want.”

 

“Do you know what I want?”

 

“The truth.”

 

“…….”

 

“Isn’t it?”

 

Jess widened his eyes momentarily, then let out a small chuckle.

 

“You people are ridiculous. You all wear the same clothes, work in the same place, and worship the same god. And yet some of you go to such lengths to hide the truth, while others are desperate to reveal it.”

 

Then the priest laughed along with Jess.

 

Her gently squinted eyes were the color of the sea, but her smile was tinged with bitterness.

 

“Well. Every family has at least one untold secret.”

 

“I’d love to know what this family’s secret is.”

 

“Later. You’re probably busy with work for now.”

 

As the priest spoke, she knocked on a wall somewhere in the damp underground, and the dead-end wall opened, revealing a secret space.

 

She was right.

 

The moment Jess saw the man lying on the bed inside the secret room, he forgot all about temple conspiracies or internal factions.

 

“No, that man—!”

 

“Hurry. There’s not much time before the Verification Ceremony.”

 

* * *

 

“Your Majesty!”

 

Jess returned in a hurry just as the verification was all over and Herhan and Riella were about to head out alone together.

 

Jess, who knew time was running out, got to the point right away.

 

“We found out who the informant was. It was exactly as we expected.”

 

Riella closed her eyes gently.

 

The presence of ‘her’—always at the edge of every cliff trying to push Riella off—no longer made Riella’s heart sink.

 

“Where is she now?”

 

“It seems she has already run away. There were people helping her escape.”

 

“It must be the Alliance.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Asion ground his teeth, saying that he would chase after them even now.

 

Jess continued her report without giving Asion a chance to calm down.

 

“The Alliance’s men are still inside the temple. Right now, they’re probably in the hall, waiting for the results of Lady Riella’s evaluation.”

 

That they dared to remain instead of fleeing— To Herhan, it was both a bold provocation and a declaration of war.

 

“So they no longer intend to hide. They plan to appear before me, no matter what.”

 

“Yes. Most likely…”

 

At this moment, there was only one thought in his head.

 

‘Where should I strike?’

 

How should he tear them apart—how and where—to end their pathetic lives as swiftly and painfully as possible?

 

Even Asion was preparing to send his army into the hall right away, but it was Jess who was hesitating.

 

“Your Majesty, there’s something else I must tell you…”

 

With a troubled expression, Jess added a few more words.

 

Between Jess and Herhan, a terrifying truth and a heavy resolve passed in silence.

 

A servant of the temple entered the waiting room a few minutes later.

 

“Your Majesty the Emperor. Your Majesty the Empress. If you’re ready, I’ll guide you to the hall now.”

 

* * *

 

And so, Riella stepped onto the platform of the temple.

 

“Riella Blinite… the results confirm it. She is the Saintess. A clear descendant of Ann, possessing the qualities of the Savior!”

 

As soon as the elder’s announcement was over, the quiet hall was instantly transformed into an auction room.

 

People who wanted to get a closer look at Riella left their seats and gathered near the stage, and voices criticizing the emperor could be heard here and there.

 

The behavior of the Elshweig royal family, who are trying to monopolize the treasures of God, can never be tolerated.

 

The priests and holy knights who were trying to calm the commotion also joined in, and fighting began in various places.

 

It was all as expected. Not exactly frightening

 

What was really scary was something else.

 

Jess said that with a serious expression just before Riella went up on stage.

 

“Your Majesty. I believe… no, I’m certain—the Alliance has already infiltrated the Central Temple itself.”

 

At that moment, several holy knights began to approach Riella.

 

“Lady Blinite, are you okay?”

 

“It’s too noisy here. We’ll get you out of here safely.”

 

Their eyes looked no different from the ones fighting and spitting below the platform.

 

Riella took a step back in fear.

 

Then, a man with jet-black hair and narrow, sharp eyes stepped onto the stage.

 

“Everyone, calm yourselves! Have you forgotten the Continental Alliance Pact?”

 

A bold voice. Ambition burned in his eyes.

 

His thin, sneering lips proudly uttered the word “Alliance,” and Riella’s eyes trembled.

 

The moment their gazes met, the man licked his lips and smiled as if savoring a taste.

 

He continued talking without stopping.

 

This great treasure must belong to the alliance.

 

Only then did Herhan, standing a few steps away, lock eyes with Riella.

 

‘Your Majesty, is that really the only way?’

 

Herhan conveyed his burning anger and firm determination through silence.

 

His gaze remained unshaken.

 

Just as he had responded to Jess’s last plea with cold determination before stepping onto the stage:

 

“Endure it, Your Majesty. The Alliance is bigger and more deeply rooted than we thought. They’re behind all of this—the summons, the shifting world opinion, everything. So even if one of them shows themselves before you today, you must endure. We must bide our time and deal with them carefully later.”

 

“No. That’s exactly why I shouldn’t endure it.”

 

“Your majesty—”

 

“The ones here are just pawns. The true masterminds are still hiding somewhere in the world, watching us—watching this very moment. So I must make my intentions clear.”

 

Clang—

 

The sword Herhan drew let out a sharp, ringing cry as it caught the light.

 

Riella shut her eyes tightly, and Herhan swung his arm wildly, not giving the arrogant man a chance to back away.

 

The man’s voice, which had been whining, stopped for a moment with his last words.

 

There was silence for a few seconds.

 

Soon, screams and shouts from all directions seemed to pierce the ceiling.

 

Riella’s heart felt like it was going to burst.

 

“Today they will see clearly what happens if they dare to touch what is mine.”

 

Riella barely managed to catch her breath and slowly opened her eyes.

 

As Riella raised her head following the red blood soaking the floor, Herhan’s figure came into view.

 

He was a truly eerily beautiful man, willing to become a madman to protect her.

 

* * *