26 – Each One’s Contract

Originally, to be unsoiled meant to maintain ‘purity.’

But with so many dying at the hands of monsters, with the whole world ablaze, to be unsoiled meant ‘naiveté.’

Therefore, in this world, an unsoiled person was one who…

…held hope for humanity.

Even if they doubted, they still believed in the inherent goodness of people.

Furthermore, they considered it to be the natural state of things.

Thus, Dale was suitable to be a hero.

‘And the Imperial Family and the Order are always searching for suitable heroes.’

I was confident that this proposal would be extremely well-received from their point of view.

But there was one problem.

Being suitable to be a hero didn’t guarantee one would become one.

Being chosen as a hero was not just a matter of suitability.

The circumstances surrounding those choosing the hero, the political infighting, the relationships, the crises, or even special incidents, all had direct and indirect influence.

So, it was necessary to bait the Imperial Family and the Order, as simple suitability alone might not be enough.

Thus, I introduced him to someone a commoner could never otherwise meet.

“Sir Dale. There is someone who wishes to meet you, Sir Dale.”

And that was an element that could be resolved without much difficulty, using my position as a Grand Duchess and the connections I’d built since childhood.

“It is Archbishop Mikhail.”

In this world where monsters and demons spew forth, where no future seems visible, people wish for their everyday lives to be maintained.

But given the current situation, maintaining the everyday was impossible.

The Imperial Family and the Order needed something to obscure the eyes of the people, not maintenance.

‘It could be cultural media, or perhaps avoiding mention of the crisis…’

But more effective than those was propaganda to give the illusion that things were improving.

And Dale, disguised as a hero, was suitable for that propaganda.

Of course, Dale wasn’t the *only* person the Imperial Family and the Order found suitable as a hero.

But conversely, there was no reason *not* to choose him.

He would, with a high probability, be selected.

‘If he becomes a hero like that…’

He would become the hero, Dale, not simply a commoner.

The revenge he dreamed of would go from impossible to possible.

* * * * *

I was lost in thought, pondering how to strike back at Dale.

‘Going to capture Dale in his lodging would be reckless.’

In addition to things escalating, if I went as far as causing a ruckus at his lodgings…

It would be difficult to quietly resolve things any further, making it impossible.

‘It wouldn’t end with just one or two deaths, and there’s a high chance the ordinary people living near the lodgings would see it.’

If that happened, the option of quietly resolving things would disappear completely, so I had to find another way.

‘Should I lure him out secretly, or set a trap?’

For now, that might be the best option.

While I was even considering trying to lure Dale out by mentioning some sort of cure for impotence…

Siren tugged on my sleeve and pointed in one direction.

Wondering what it was, I glanced over and caught sight of Liana waiting for me with a sly smile.

She approached me naturally, as if dealing with someone she’d known for a long time, and greeted me.

“How have you been?”

In the original tale, she was always a guide, leading one down the righteous path.

But that only applied to the hero, Dale, not the villain, Damian. Best to be wary.

‘Though, someday, I’d like to draw her to my side.’

I would be wary, yes, but not reject her outright. I acknowledged her greeting, and she turned the conversation to the matter at hand, calmly.

“There is someone who wishes to meet you, and I have come to convey this.”

The fact that she didn’t name this person suggested they were someone one couldn’t speak of in the street.

And to avoid mentioning them implied someone of significant stature. Meeting them wouldn’t be so bad, perhaps.

But my mind was already tangled in the affairs of Elisia and Dale. It was difficult not to prioritize that.

“I’m sorry, but another time. I have too many issues to resolve at the moment.”

“Hmm. Still, it may be in your best interest to come with me.”

“Perhaps…”

Sorting out the situation was more important than expanding my network right now.

Above all, I felt like I was subtly being manipulated by Liana, and it was necessary to draw a line.

So I was about to pass her by, but then an interesting thought struck me, and I spoke.

“I’ll go, but answer one question for me.”

“Are you expecting a free answer from an information broker? Huhu, how bold of you.”

Ignoring her words, I immediately tried to pass her by.

Liana gasped and grabbed my hand, saying,

“H, hmmm. It’s cruel to reject me so heartlessly and then make such a blatant demand, but I’ll concede this once. So, what is it you’re curious about?”

And so, I asked about the information that I most wanted to know at that moment.

“Do you know anything about a cure for…lack of virility?”

“…”

For the first time, Liana wore an expression of bewilderment as she stared at me.

Seeing her like that, I thought to myself that it was exactly as she was depicted in the original story, and I smiled faintly.

*

A dilapidated shack near a small monastery.

Judging from the fact that it was quite a distance from the center of the region, this meeting was one that must not be revealed to anyone.

Finding it strange that a meeting would require this level of discretion, I stepped into the shack, and I saw a person wearing a black robe.

As I had anticipated, this was no ordinary individual. Liana greeted the robed figure with considerable deference.

“Thank you for your efforts.”

A voice so delicate, so gentle, that one might think it the very sound of benevolence itself.

Hearing such a voice, and looking upon her, she gestured carefully towards a chair, beckoning us to sit as she spoke.

“I am truly grateful that you accepted my invitation.”

I nodded, settling into the offered seat.

Seeing me seated, she continued in a composed tone.

“First, allow me to express my gratitude on behalf of the Order.”

Representative and Gratitude.

The moment those two words reached me, a single thought flickered in my mind, yet I shook my head, dismissing it as surely impossible.

After all, that character was of such noble bearing, completely innocent of things like secretly summoning people.

And yet, despite my denial, the silhouette was undeniably similar.

‘Though I hesitate to say this…’

An old community post flashed in my memory – ‘Isekai’d and Got Chests the Size of My Head’ – so apt was the description.

Even beneath the loose, dark robe, the curves were remarkably pronounced.

Of course, guessing someone’s identity based on so little was a dangerous game, so I tried to quell the speculation.

…Yet, I couldn’t shake the image of a certain character from my thoughts.

‘Saint Luvienne.’

A character who, no matter the despairing circumstances, always wore a gentle smile and embraced all with kindness.

So beloved was Luvienne that most original fans considered her the ‘true bride.’

‘Though this is all conjecture, of course. I can’t truly know if it’s Saint Luvienne.’

Therefore, I buried my doubts and simply gazed at her.

She presented me with a rather abstract question.

“…Master Damian, might I inquire as to your thoughts on the Order?”

Was she testing my intentions?

Unsure of the meaning behind her words, I retraced my steps in thought.

‘Judging by her command over Liana, she likely knows of my family’s involvement with dark magic.’

And since she thanked me on behalf of the Order, she must also be aware of the pact between the dark mages and the Order.

‘Moreover, the choice of this secluded location, suggesting this meeting must remain absolutely secret…’

It seemed likely the woman before me held no fondness for those corrupting the Order, so I offered a carefully measured response.

“It doesn’t seem to be in very good shape.”

“Ah…”

At my words, she offered a brief, stifled sigh in a voice worn thin, then inhaled deeply before speaking.

“Given the scarcity of time, I must ask for your understanding that we proceed directly to the heart of the matter.”

Whatever it was, her very presence here seemed a considerable risk.

And her time to remain, equally limited.

I nodded my understanding, and she inhaled deeply once more, continuing.

“As Damian is aware, the state of the Order is, shall we say, precarious. Several of our clergy have begun to act in ways that disregard their sacred vows.”

Hearing this, the previous suspicion, the thought that the robed figure might *not* be the Saintess (Lluwen), resurfaced.

After all, Lluwen had seemed consumed with saving others, showing little concern for the Order’s potential corruption.

Thus, that conclusion seemed to contradict everything I thought I knew of Lluwen.

Yet, something… something continued to nag at the back of my mind.

While I pondered what that might be, a question surfaced.

‘Is everything from the original text necessarily true?’

The original was written in the first person, not the third.

Which meant, in other words…

The original unfolds through Dale’s perspective; it is not told from the all-encompassing viewpoint of an author.

That realization hung in the air, throwing my memories of Elisha into further disarray.

Just then, the woman in the dark robe slowly drew it back, revealing herself as she spoke.

“So, will you lend your aid? Compensation will be provided to your satisfaction.”

Golden hair cascaded onto the desk with a soft rush.

Following its path, my gaze slowly rose to meet her face, a visage of such exquisite beauty it felt inherently noble.

Overwhelmed by her mere presence, I found myself speechless for a moment, drawing a flustered reaction from Lorraine.

“S-, Saintess?”

“It’s a title I bear with a certain… unease. I fear I am ill-suited for the role, in truth.”

“Ah… no, that’s not possible!”

Lorraine waved her hands frantically, her expression one of utter disbelief.

But Saintess Lluwen, hearing those words, seemed unchanged in her self-assessment, merely offering a bitter smile as she regarded us.

“Of course, if you refuse, there is nothing I can do. But I implore you to help. You are the only one who can save the Order.”

With those final words, she gently took my hand, her gaze fixed on mine.

Lluwen, unused to touching the hand of a man, flushed crimson, though she feigned indifference as she continued.

“Then, I earnestly hope you can help. Of course, I’m not forcing you… If the circumstances aren’t right, it can’t be helped, but if it’s at all possible….”

At those words, I ran calculations in my head.

Whether accepting such a proposition would be beneficial or not.

‘Let’s first consider the potential downsides.’

Turning the core powers of the Order into enemies, most likely.

And that would cause considerable problems, so just considering that, refusing would be the right choice, however.

‘Wasn’t I already at odds with the Order to begin with?’

I openly antagonized the Order to save Lilia Noona, so retribution was inevitable.

‘Besides, the Carsaril family and the Order aren’t on good terms, supposedly.’

Even without a contract with Lwuen, the core powers of the Order would start to antagonize me.

That judgment made, I firmly grasped Lwuen’s hand and said,

“Then, shall we hear the conditions first?”

Still, that was that, and this was this.

I smiled, resolving to be careful with contracts and agreement clauses.