**The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying! Episode 52**
The wheelchair reached the vicinity of the parlor. Since the area wasn't fully enclosed, the conversation drifted clearly to me as I approached.
"The Saintess is the identity and core of the Great Temple. We cannot allow her to stay anywhere else any longer."
"But her leg hasn't even fully healed yet. Is it really appropriate to keep dragging a patient back and forth like this?"
From my vantage point, I could only see Sergio’s face. He continued with a look of utter arrogance.
"If the Archbishop truly cares for my sister, it seems only right that you return now."
"The Fasting Prayer has concluded, Duke. I have come to treat the Saintess."
What? Why are you only mentioning such an important detail now? Sergio seemed to share the sentiment, his expression turning to one of disbelief.
"You should have said so immediately."
"Indeed. I hadn't expected the Duke would refuse to return the Saintess like this."
"……."
Sergio stared at Formoso in silence. He looked strangely displeased.
The sound of the wheelchair rolling broke the silence. Both men turned to look at me simultaneously.
"It has been a while, Archbishop."
Perhaps due to the Fasting Prayer, his already lean frame looked even more slender. The look in Formoso’s eyes flickered faintly as he saw me.
"……Yes. It has been a while, Saintess. I apologize for coming to fetch you so late."
"It is quite alright. I was just about to return to the Great Temple myself."
At those words, Sergio looked at me with furrowed brows. A laugh bubbled up at the sight of his expression, which looked strangely hurt.
"Where should I receive the treatment?"
"The Saintess’s comfort is paramount, so it would be best to go to your room."
"Just do it here, Archbishop. Going all the way up to her room seems like too much of a strain for Justitia."
Sergio interjected in a disgruntled tone.
Well, he had a point; going up and down was a hassle.
"That would be better."
"If that is the Saintess’s wish……."
Formoso turned to look at Sergio and said,
"You may return now, Duke."
Sergio’s expression turned absurd.
"Is there some reason I shouldn't be here?"
"That is not it; I am simply saying there is no need for you to remain here any longer."
"No, I will stay."
Sergio crossed his arms as if to make a point.
"I am curious. I have never seen someone being healed with Divine Power."
"Is that so? It seems the Saintess has never bestowed her Divine Power upon the Duke."
"……."
That remark left Sergio speechless.
It was only natural, as Sergio had always gone to great lengths to avoid using Justitia’s Divine Power, even when he was ill or injured.
He claimed it was because he felt awkward receiving treatment through Divine Power rather than medicine, but…….
‘He must have thought Justitia did it because she disliked him.’
And that was likely the truth.
"My brother has always found divine healing to be awkward."
I interjected with a comment, and Formoso looked slightly surprised. I suppose that might have been an impudent thing for me to say to an Archbishop.
"In that case, it would be a good opportunity for you to witness it."
Formoso turned to face me and placed his hand on my leg. Since I was wearing a thinner dress for the approaching summer, I could feel the sensation of his fingers clearly.
Soon, a brilliant white light flowed from Formoso’s hand, enveloping my injured leg. It felt strange to have the broken bone knit back together in an instant.
A moment later, Formoso let out a soft sigh and pulled his hand away.
"How do you feel?"
"I think it’s completely healed."
I stood up with a sense of wonder, but for a moment, my legs gave way and I stumbled. Formoso hurried to my side to support me.
"Are you alright?"
"Ah, I’m fine."
I gently pulled away from his grasp and said,
"It’s just been a while since I’ve stood on my own."
"You must not overexert yourself immediately. I shall support you."
"That is quite alright. I cannot cause the Archbishop such trouble."
"Trouble, you say? It is only natural for a servant to attend to the Saintess."
Formoso spoke with a look of hurt, and suddenly, the words Cassandro had spoken earlier overlapped in my mind.
Both of them spoke of loyalty to me, so why did the feeling behind them differ so much?
‘Well, one of them only spoke of loyalty with his mouth while stabbing me in the back.’
I chuckled and said,
"I appreciate it, but I have Sir Cal with me, so I am fine."
Formoso’s expression turned somewhat peculiar. Cassandro approached me at the perfect moment.
"I shall attend to you."
I nodded and offered him my arm. Then, supported by him, I finally stepped out of the Cassini Estate.
The air I breathed while standing on my own two feet felt more refreshing than usual.
After I boarded the carriage and sank into the sofa, Formoso suddenly followed me inside. Where does he think he’s going?
"Do you not have your own carriage?"
"This is the first time I have used my Divine Power since the Fasting Prayer."
Formoso sat down across from me with a calm expression and said,
"I thought it would be best to observe you in case any issues arise."
"I appreciate your concern, but I have my maid with me."
"My presence will ensure that I can respond immediately should any problems occur."
He certainly has a way with words. Not wanting to argue further, I turned my gaze toward the window.
And when the carriage started moving, I suddenly realized something strange.
"Come to think of it, how did you finish the Fasting Prayer so quickly? Has it not only been about half a month?"
The Fasting Prayer of the Varion Faith did not have a set duration; it was performed voluntarily.
Even so, stopping a Fasting Prayer once it had begun was considered sacrilegious.
However, an unexpected answer came from Formoso’s lips.
"A divine revelation was received."
"A revelation?"
A revelation was the means by which God Barion conveyed his will to the world through the Archbishop.
It wasn't so rare that it happened only once a century, but it certainly wasn't common either.
"Did it say some crisis is coming to Scalia? Or perhaps……."
"It is nothing so grave, so you need not worry."
Formoso curled the corners of his lips slightly before speaking in a solemn voice.
"Do not be blinded by the greed before your eyes and invite your own destruction."
"That is quite the proverb."
It was abstract, as revelations usually were. Why would such a revelation fall suddenly?
Does it mean I shouldn't be obsessed with the gauge in front of me? Is that it, or what?
I stared intently into the air, hoping the Status Window would tell me something, but it only showed the current gauge status, and nothing else happened.
[Current Gauge: 49.8%]
I chuckled.
"Why are you laughing?"
Now that I think about it, I’m a body that’s about to fill that gauge to 50%, aren't I? I’m someone who will be leaving this place before long.
Even if I face destruction, I’ll do it back at my own home. That’s just great.
"I don't quite understand. What is the connection between that revelation and you ending your Fasting Prayer?"
"Because I ignored the Saintess’s suffering in my desire to reach closer to God Barion."
"That wouldn't be destruction."
"Do you truly think so?"
Formoso looked at me intently and said,
"Without the Saintess, myself, and the Varion Faith, we are nothing. Therefore, we are in a symbiotic relationship."
Symbiosis, my foot. If that were true, did they all die not long after Justitia died?
‘How ridiculous. I don't think that was the case at all.’
I remained silent. Formoso watched me quietly. He seems to want to hear me say thank you, but I will never give him that satisfaction.
"I regretted my foolishness deeply while the Saintess was away."
Formoso muttered in a voice tinged with regret.
"I should have delayed the Fasting Prayer by just one day."
……Come to think of it.
"The Archbishop said he had no plans for a Fasting Prayer for the time being."
Recalling Clarissa’s words, I opened my mouth.
"Archbishop, I have a question."
"Please, speak."
"I heard that you originally had no plans for a Fasting Prayer for the time being."
"……."
"Might I ask why you decided to do it so suddenly?"
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