Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince – Chapter 52

Author: B0ucha

『Apparently, she even had a real name, not just her slave name? She should have known her place as a slave.』 Aunt Noah often criticized Sez’s mother, saying she didn’t know her place as a slave.

But thinking back on her true nature, Aunt Noah actually seemed to have liked Sez’s mother quite a lot.

『She said she’d tell you when you were old enough not to tell anyone. Tsk. Such a bother.』

Whenever she talked about this, Aunt Noah’s eyes would grow moist. If I were the original owner of this body, I might have cried along with her. But since I’m just a transmigrator, I didn’t feel any particular attachment.

The name she was called on Salt Island was Rein.

Her real name was Helisa.

After the explosion on Salt Island, Aunt Noah finally told me her real name was ‘Helisa.’ I figured there must be a story behind it, but in any case, she died as a slave on Salt Island.

Still, out of respect for this body, I made sure not to forget that name.

But honestly, I never thought anyone would ask me about it while I was alive. And for it to be Oment the priest—it was so out of the blue.

“Why do you want to know my mother’s name…?”

I could have told him her slave name, ‘Rein,’ but I felt strange about it, so I asked again.

“…Is she still alive?”

“No, she passed away when I was little.”

“On Salt Island?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, but may I ask how she died?”

“She was weak. She had an illness.”

Oment squeezed his eyes shut. Then he buried his face in his hands. He looked far too distressed for someone simply mourning a slave’s mother.

“…You look like her.”

He looked over my face with reddened eyes. It was a sad expression I’d never seen before.

“Um, priest.”

Creak, suddenly the chair scraped back and Oment the priest stood up. Then he turned around and abruptly knelt facing the window.

“Oh, God.”

Where the sunlight poured in, he suddenly clasped his hands and bowed his head.

I couldn’t see his face, but his back was trembling minutely. I didn’t know what to do in this sudden situation, so I just stood there awkwardly, watching him.

“Sez.”

After praying for a while, he stood up looking as if he’d come to some resolution.

“Have you ever been to the chapel?”

“I haven’t, but I know where it is.”

“Would you come with me now, if you can?”

“Are you… okay?”

“No. I’m not okay. I might even collapse if I’m not careful.”

He tried to smile as usual, but it faded faintly.

I didn’t know why he suddenly wanted to go to the chapel together, but he looked so unstable that I couldn’t refuse.

There was a small chapel in Enaphok, too. There was no resident priest, but it seemed to be managed in turns.

When we opened the door and entered, sunlight was pouring in through a cross-shaped window.

Oment the priest walked silently to the very front and knelt again. This time, his expression was more peaceful as he began to pray.

Just watching him made me feel reverent, and my heart felt calm for some reason.

‘I wonder if Feren is doing well.’

Feeling awkward, I sat quietly in a chair, and the chapel on Salt Island came to mind. For a slave island, it was well built. It was even bigger than the one here.

I didn’t miss the life of a slave at all, but the memories of those who were kind to me remained warmly.

My mother, called Helisa, was probably my only blood relative, but by the time I transmigrated, she had already passed away.

So Aunt Noah and Feren felt like my closest people. Of course, now there are people I feel even closer to than them.

“Sez.”

Oment the priest finished praying quietly and stood up. His hair shone brightly in the sunlight.

“Yes.”

“You don’t have to tell me your mother’s name.”

Oment took a step toward the bench where I sat.

“It’s already written on your face, and I didn’t see it.”

“…What?”

It’s written on my face? Do priests have some ability to see things like that?

“I should have realized sooner. The day you were caught by the Beasts. I shouldn’t have just brushed it off.”

He seemed to be talking about the day I teleported away from the Beasts. My palms grew sweaty.

『If there’s anything else you have to hide, it’s okay to tell me.』 Oment the priest’s serious voice passed through my mind.

If he said that because he sensed something, I think I know what he’s trying to say now.

But it was something he could never know. No one could.

“I don’t really understand what you mean, priest…?”

I’d once thought that the priest’s robes must be hard to put on and take off because the buttons were on the back. Suddenly, Oment reached behind and started unbuttoning them, one by one.

He’d suddenly brought me to the chapel, and now he was taking off his top. I was so flustered I couldn’t react, just stared.

Whip. He finished unbuttoning and turned around. His top was just draped over his shoulders, leaving his back completely exposed.

“Gasp.”

I covered my mouth with both hands. There wasn’t a single smooth spot on his broad back. Just looking at it, I could imagine how painful it must have been at the time. It looked far worse than whip marks.

“These are burn scars.”

If his entire back had been burned, his life must have been in danger at the time. I didn’t know when he’d gotten them, but it was painful just to see.

“They’re perfectly hidden, aren’t they?”

Still facing away, he turned just his head to ask.

Ah.

Only then did I realize why he’d shown me his back.

Just as the traces of Epilo on my back were hidden by whip scars, his were hidden by burn scars. My hands trembled slightly. I felt dazed, as if struck by something.

“Sez, Milia is a drink Epilo used to enjoy.”

Oment stepped closer, his face obscured by sunlight. Only then did the pieces fall into place in my head, and I understood his actions.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

The sound of water flowing endlessly echoed through the vast space. Water running down the marble walls formed waterfalls, flowing through the corridors. This place, lined with statues of past Emperors, was a memorial space called the ‘Water Gallery.’

Only royalty or those permitted by royalty could enter, so past Emperors often used it for secret meetings. The Current Current Emperor was also letting words that should not be overheard drift away with the sound of the waterfalls.

“The rift is widening.”

“I am aware.”

Standing beside the Current Emperor was a man of similar age.

He was dressed in pure white from neck to toe, wearing an ornate cross necklace. He was Paululus, the Pope of the Grand Temple.

“At this rate, we won’t be able to stop it.”

“We are doing our utmost.”

The Pope spoke respectfully, but did not particularly bow his head. The Current Emperor didn’t seem to mind.

“We cannot allow more rifts to open in other villages of the Empire.”

“Traces of Epilo were discovered recently, and we are currently pursuing him. If we capture him alive, we may be able to attempt it.”

“I’ve heard. But can you really catch Epilo?”

“We are searching for his family first.”

“You must find him no matter what.”

“Yes, I will report to you in due course.”

“…We shouldn’t have gone as far as extermination.”

“Your Majesty, they are still alive somewhere. You know better than anyone how tenacious their kind is.”

The Current Emperor replied with a deep sigh. He’d hoped Epilo would disappear, but now he needed him.

They had to find a way to close the widening dimensional rift. Pope Paululus seemed to understand the Current Emperor’s heart, and patted his shoulder.

He wore a gentle expression, as if bestowing a blessing.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

“The north?”

“Yes. People don’t go there because it’s so cold.”

“Ah…”

“Most of the Epilo live there together. Lady Helisa had to leave because she was too weak.”

Having found a clue from Milia, Oment had even deduced the name Helisa on his own. He’d apparently suspected me when I ran from the Beasts, and now he was sure.

“Did she ever tell you about this?”

I shook my head. Maybe she’d explained the Epilo to this slave girl, but that was before I transmigrated, so I had no memory of it.

“She was weak in body, but stronger in spirit than anyone. She was warmer than anyone. When I saw her in your face…”

Oment covered his eyes for a moment, overcome with emotion.

Honestly, I could have kept pretending I didn’t know anything, but after seeing his back, I couldn’t hide my expression. And I didn’t want to lie when he’d already revealed himself as Epilo.

“One day, I’ll clear our names and bring everyone out of that cold place. That’s why I became a priest. I can’t tell you everything now, but there are others investigating with me.”

Oment the priest always wore a kindly face, but now I saw the sharpness hidden beneath it.

He didn’t hate as much as those who despised the Epilo, but I could sense a deep resentment toward someone behind it all.

“You just keep living as you have. Nothing will change.”

“Yes…”

“Ah, no. From now on, think of me as your uncle. I’ll help you with anything.”

“You’ve already helped me a lot.”

Oment smiled. But he looked a little sad, so I couldn’t smile back.

“Sez. May I… hug you, just once?”

He asked carefully, and I nodded. I remembered how Priest Feren used to hug me.

Their looks and aura were completely different, but priests seemed to share a particular sense of calm.

Oment approached as if I might break, and hugged me gently. He didn’t hold me tightly, just close enough for me to feel his warmth.

It didn’t make my heart race or melt sweetly like when I was in Shihien’s arms.