Shadows

In order to secure the support of the Mage Guild, agreeing to a few minor requests was no problem at all.

"If it is within my power, I will naturally grant it. Please do not be formal, President Victor."

"In that case... Your Highness, would it be possible for me to have some Holy Water?"

"..."

What does he want that stuff for?

Is this creep trying to drink my bathwater!?

"You... what do you want Holy Water for?"

"Holy Water can be used to nourish the body, and it also serves as an auxiliary material for certain magic inscriptions. Even common healing potions contain a portion of Holy Water... Surely Your Highness is aware of this?"

So that was it?

Does my bathwater really have such uses?

Wait a minute, why does my bathwater even have those effects!

"Very well... since President Victor desires it... Ella, go and fetch some of my... Holy Water for the President to take back with him."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Except for me, it seemed no one else present felt there was anything wrong with this?

Do you people not find this awkward?

That is bathwater we are talking about!

"Your Highness! May I have some as well?"

What, Anton wants some too?

President Victor of the Mage Guild wanted it as a material for magic inscriptions.

What does a dwarven craftsman like you want it for?

"Your Highness... quenching weapons with Holy Water can increase their strength and sometimes even add a restorative constraint against the demon army. For us dwarves, this is a rare and precious material. Usually, we have to pay quite a bit for it!"

My bathwater can actually be sold for money?

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

"Does Holy Water really have so many functions?"

"Of course. The Saintess is the messenger of God, favored and blessed by the angels. The potential contained within your body is limitless. The holy energy radiating from you dissolves into the water, naturally giving it special effects on many things."

It seemed everyone knew about the miraculous uses of the Saintess's bathwater, and Victor even began explaining it to my face.

Good heavens!

By that logic, are other bodily fluids also effective?

I suddenly felt my worldview crumbling.

It turns out my entire body is a treasure trove.

"Then... what about my blood?"

If even my bathwater can be used as an auxiliary material for mages, then wouldn't my blood be even more precious?

"Your Highness, you must not!!"

"Your Highness, please take back those words!"

"We would not dare!"

The moment I said that, Nara, Ella, and Lola all dropped to their knees, and even Victor and Anton knelt in panic.

I see. I roughly understood now. The blood of a Saintess must be incredibly precious, perhaps even something that must never be leaked to the outside world!

"Rise. I was only asking. You do not need to be so nervous."

"Your Highness must never say such a thing again!"

Nara stood up, her first words being a warning to Luo Li.

Lola’s voice was stern, sounding like a formal admonition.

"Your Highness, your blood is beyond precious. Unless an angel descends, your blood must never be used lightly as a tool!"

Ella quickly followed up as well.

"Your Highness, you must never speak of this again. If your blood is to be used, it must be reported to the Pope first."

No wonder the Saintess is treated with such importance; it turns out I am a walking pile of treasures.

Of course, if I were merely a treasure, the result would surely be miserable—I would be treated as a tool and exploited endlessly.

Fortunately, the Saintess possesses special class skills and Authorities. Once I reach a certain level, I will be one of the few powerhouses in the human nations.

"I understand."

"Mr. Anton and Mr. Victor, since you require Holy Water, I will arrange for someone to bring you some. Ella, I will leave this matter to you for now."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Ella responded and then turned to look at Anton and Victor.

"Gentlemen, please follow me."

With that, she led the two of them out of the Temple.

However... the moment she stepped out the door, I suddenly felt something was off.

A sense of dissonance and a strong feeling of crisis stimulated my brain into high gear!

Luo Li suddenly recalled the conversation they just had!

Ella!

What she said just now... something was wrong!!

'To use my blood, it must be reported to the Pope.'

How could she know such a thing?

She was previously responsible for tending the gardens in the backyard; she shouldn't have access to that kind of information.

Could it be that she is also one of the Pope's people?

In the current situation, I have to be extremely cautious.

Not a single detail can be allowed to go wrong.

Was there something wrong with Ella's sentence?

It could be seen as suspicious, or it could be seen as nothing at all.

"Leave the records here. Go and prepare today's lunch for me. I want to eat some meat."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Nara took her leave.

That girl is a bit too thick-headed, so there are some things I cannot tell her.

Lola had not left yet; she stood there with her head lowered in thought.

"Your Highness, I suddenly thought of something, but I do not know if I should report it to you."

Lola's expression was heavy, clearly indicating it was a serious matter.

"Speak. The three of you are my confidants now. There is nothing you cannot say."

"Your Highness..."

Lola remained silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly.

"I felt uneasy about what Ella said just now."

She noticed it too?

"You also think something is wrong?"

"Yes. Did Your Highness notice it as well?" Lola looked at Luo Li with surprise, her eyes even holding a hint of astonishment.

Luo Li nodded and looked toward the entrance. Ella and Nara were no longer in sight, leaving only her and Lola in the entire Temple.

"Your Highness, although the Eight Nations of the Holy Church belong to the Holy See, you must be on your guard against them... including the other six nations."

"Why do you say that?"

Luo Li looked at Lola expressionlessly.

"Your Highness, have you forgotten? Martha was personally appointed by the Pope."

"Do you suspect... the Pope has betrayed us??"

It was hard to believe. If even the Pope had betrayed us, then the Holy See was truly beyond saving.

But Lola shook her head, denying Luo Li's thought.

"No, Your Highness. The Pope may not have necessarily betrayed us, but it is highly likely he wants to use the demon army to reclaim the Kingdom of the Moon."

"...Go on."

"Your Highness knows that I was previously in charge of clerical work, which included handling certain information exchanges. Based on some of the messages I saw before, I can confirm that the Holy See is currently massing troops. Even the Sacred Knights have set out for the border, and their direction is to the East."

The Kingdom of the Moon was located to the east of the Holy Kingdom.

In other words, the Holy See was concentrating its forces on the border of the Kingdom of the Moon?

Were they planning to start a war!