Chapter 59: A Fateful Encounter in the Slums

It was a gentle, kind smile. Overwhelmed, Lara Schmord couldn’t bring herself to say she came to stop you—instead, she just smiled and quickly slid into the seat beside her.

“I heard Lady Elina IV is here. Ha ha, since we’ve met, why not head back together?”

“Sounds like a good idea. But there’s something we need to do first.”

Lady Elina V spoke with resolute determination. Her usually warm tone now carried an unusual strength.

“I have a duty to save the people here.”

(Despite his delicate appearance, the Male Lead felt an unexpected charm in her steely resolve to help others, stirring deep affection within him. This line was meant for him—sigh…)

“As a saint and the nation’s heroine, it’s my duty. Every morsel of bread I eat is made with the blood, sweat, and tears of the people below… (trimmed for propriety)… and it must be returned to them.”

“…I see.”

Lara Schmord answered slowly, eyeing the room cautiously. Next to Lady Elina V, she felt like a petulant Youngae, her small presence only making her seem even more insignificant.

“First, we need to check on the boy’s mother.”

After finishing her sentence, Lady Elina V hurried into the room. Inside, a thin woman lay under a sparse blanket, clearly looking gravely ill.

“Ahem, who’s there…?”

“Pardon me. I’m a low-ranking priest from the Daeshin Shrine. May I quickly check on her condition?”

“…Ahem, your priesthood— ahem, please move aside.”

“It’s alright. So, could you tell me where it hurts… ACHOO!”

Before anyone could react, Lady Elina V let out a violent cough. In that moment, as if her eyes flared, brilliant Sacred Power burst forth from her clear, beautiful eyes.

Lara Schmord was momentarily at a loss. When she slowly lifted her gaze, she spotted a large hole in the center of the poorly constructed planked ceiling. Thank goodness she was looking up during the cough—had she looked down, the boy’s mother…

Peering through the hole at the high, blue sky, Lara gently moved and led the boy into the kitchen.

“I’ll distract them. In the meantime, take his mother and run… Hurry…”

There were only 3 minutes and 55 seconds left. Escape with the ailing mother.

* * *

“Pope, are you in?”

Mikhail, who was praying devoutly atop the altar bathed in streaming light, lifted his head at the sound from outside.

“What’s the matter?”

Suppressing his irritation, Mikhail replied courteously while the paladin outside continued,

“I just learned that Lady Elina V has headed to the Slums alone. It seems two paladins have followed her, though I failed to confirm it sooner.”

His tone fell heavily. Unsure how the Pope would react and with tension parching his throat, a calm voice then spoke.

“What business does she have in the Slums?”

“I heard she went there to help the defenseless people exposed to the plague. Besides, the plague incident turned out to be a hoax—and going to such a dangerous place…”

“That’s commendable.”

“Pardon?”

The paladin’s tone carried a questioning lilt, yet he couldn’t see the closed expression on the Pope’s face. Was that all, or was something else about to erupt? He hesitated to ask further, clearly anxious.

“Heading there on a holiday like this might even boost Daeshin Shrine’s reputation.”

“Maybe, but I’m worried for the Saint’s safety…”

“She isn’t a child; she’ll manage and come back on her own.”

“I know, but since she’s headed to the Slums, security is a big concern…”

“Not every day in the Slums is a crime spree.”

The gentle tone was unmistakably laced with irritation—a nuance the paladin instinctively picked up on.

“Your Holiness, while the Slums aren’t a daily crime scene, their crime rate is far higher than in other areas. It’s good that you went to check on them, but we must find the Saint as soon as possible.”

“Then go find her.”

“…”

The oppressive atmosphere weighed so heavily that the paladin felt no urge to conduct a thorough search. Annoyance welled up, but he forced himself to remain calm.

“I’ll start searching now… Won’t you come with me?”

“Go ahead.”

“Really, you’re not coming? Aren’t you worried about the Saint?”

Urgency laced his voice as he demanded she be found immediately—or that he should go himself. Just as he glowered at the closed door in frustration, a reply came from within.

“I’m worried.”

“Then… come with me.”

The reply was laconic and subdued, yet Mikhail answered steadily, showing no sign of disarray.

“She’s not a child; she’ll return safely on her own.”

“…Yes, I understand. If that is Your Holiness’ wish, I’ll handle it.”

“Go.”

Thus, the conversation ended. The paladin shook his head and turned away.

“By the way, wasn’t it mentioned that a certain Youngae—someone called Schumord Lara—also went there…?”

Muttering his discontent over the extra task, the paladin was startled when the door suddenly opened behind him. He quickly turned, bowed his head, before Mikhail’s slightly impatient voice interjected.

“Say that again. Who did you say it was?”

“…Yes?”

Moments ago she had refused to go, yet her fickleness now soared sky-high. The paladin composed himself and replied in a mechanical tone,

“I received a report that a Youngae—by the name of Schumord Lolo, or perhaps Lairin—has also headed for the Slums.”

“Report accurately. Are you certain it’s Lara Schmord?”

Gone was the earlier casual tone; now his voice was grave. Sensing trouble, the paladin detailed his report.

He wondered just how large a sum the Pope must have lent to that Youngae for him to be this anxious.

* * *

“Your Highness, I have urgent news to convey.”

Count Raon’s assistant’s words brought Karlahii, who was busy with state affairs, to a halt. With a slight nod to indicate he should continue, the assistant pressed on gravely.

“Intelligence now indicates that Lady Elina V is in the Slums. It appears she went there alone to aid the people affected by the plague.”

“A commendable act.”

“…?”

“…?”

“…?”

A series of unspoken questions passed between them. Karlahii nervously clenched her fist under the desk, though her expression remained imperious with a raised eyebrow.

“Why? Isn’t it a good deed?”

“It is, but aren’t you worried?”

“Ah, worry…”

Karlahii, who had just parted her slightly opened lips to speak, finally added in a husky, deep tone,

“Of course I worry. …Did she go alone?”

Even with a serious expression, she seemed remarkably devoid of emotion.

“It appears that two paladins are accompanying her, but it’s still dangerous. After all, it’s the Slums, isn’t it?”

“A woman going alone would be worrisome, but with two paladins escorting her, I feel slightly reassured—though it’s still not entirely safe.”

Count Raon’s assistant shot a disapproving glance at the Emperor, who remained seated.

Even though there’s constant chatter about Lady Elina I’s engagement, wasn’t there once an odd vibe between her and Lady Elina V? After all, he had a duty to ensure her sister’s safe return for the sake of Lady Elina I, who was soon to become the formal fiancée.

“This is concerning.”

“Yes.”

“It seems Daeshin Shrine has already taken action. Otherwise, her noble family would have dispatched soldiers. I, too, would like to go and check on her.”

Count Raon’s assistant subtly hinted to the Emperor, who had been idly talking. The suggestion was for him to check in person. Taking the hint, the Emperor rose and moved to the window, watching the slowly setting sun.

“It must be rush hour now—carriages are surely clogged. I’m concerned.”

“…What exactly are you worried about?”

Karlahii muttered seriously, as if bemused by the Emperor’s absurd worries.

“I’m more concerned about the severe fine dust these days.”

“…What have you been fretting about since earlier…”

Count Raon’s assistant finally blurted out directly,

“Aren’t you worried? Leave the remaining tasks to me and go check in person…”

“I think sending the Imperial Search Party would suffice. What do you think, Kyung?”

It was a clear refusal. Despite the Emperor’s reluctant attempts to avoid going out, Count Raon’s assistant resignedly accepted.

After a day of relentless work, the Emperor was understandably exhausted. Moreover, having his hunger satiated by a few snacks earlier, Karlahii felt rather languid. In short, while he worried for the Female Lead, he just couldn’t be bothered to go out.

“If that’s Your Highness’ wish, then so be it. I will send the Imperial Search Party to the Slums immediately. And I’ve heard that the Viscount Youngae is there as well—it might be best to search for them together. Alternatively, we could dispatch a separate search team…”

“…Why is she there?”

When Karlahii abruptly turned with a cold stare, Count Raon’s assistant was caught off guard—never expecting such a turn of events.

“Answer me. Is it true?”

“Yes, it is… Your Highness?”