Chapter 107
The flames intensified, and the smoke became so thick that Wakako’s eyes stung with unstoppable tears.
Saburo’s voice, though close by, seemed distant.
“Did you think that was the only secret? Oh, there’s so much more. Where should I even begin?”
“Think about those families who once sought your hand in marriage, those with eligible children. Have you seen them since?”
“Miki drove them out of the capital.”
Wakako’s mind drifted to the face of the chicken farmer’s family.
They always delivered to the Saionji estate through the back gate. Sometimes she would help carry the load, and their shy omega son would blush whenever he saw her.
Wakako had felt no attraction to him and had politely declined through an intermediary. Afterward, she never saw the family again. The suppliers had changed, but she’d assumed it was a normal business shift…
Had the entire family really been forced to leave the capital?
“And that street where you used to beg as a child, didn’t you find it strange when you returned there later? All the familiar faces from your past… they’re gone. Miki killed them all. Every single one.”
That street.
That street. Wakako used to pass by it on her way to various errands. When she became a mercenary, she still occasionally crossed it.
But her memories of that place weren’t pleasant, so she always left quickly, never looking closely. She only vaguely noticed that it was much quieter than before.
No more drifters, no more familiar faces.
So, they were all gone…
“Remember how the Fifth Young Lady used to sing in her courtyard? Her voice was beautiful, and you would stand outside to listen while working… but didn’t you notice that she suddenly stopped singing?”
“The Saint gave her an ultimatum – never let you hear her voice again, or lose her ability to speak forever.”
The Fifth Young Lady… that cheerful noblewoman who treated servants well, without the usual aristocratic airs. Sometimes when she encountered Wakako, she would even share her snacks with her.
When did she stop singing?
“There are so many stories like this… Wakako.”
“Oh, and let’s not forget about your ‘fiancée.’ The young mercenary who had a bright future ahead, she was ‘accidentally’ marked and impregnated by the Saint’s servant, forcing her to abandon your engagement. She’s still recovering. Do you really think that was an accident?”
Miki…
Wakako had never forgotten that tear-stained face. Miki had knelt before her, begging for help, desperate to keep the pregnancy secret or it will ruin her family’s reputation.
Why did it have to be Senryu… that frail servant the Saint had brought back from the Eagle Kingdom…
Who in the palace would dare touch a mercenary commander? Could someone as physically weak as Senryu really have overpowered Miki?
But what if the Saint had orchestrated it all? With her powers as Saint, could she have deliberately trapped Miki, planning to take her place as Wakako’s bride?
Was it truly an accident?
Saburo’s voice was gentle: “Do you know how much blood is on Miki’s hands? How many lives have been sacrificed for her pristine white robe?”
Even though his own white robe was dirty and bloodstained beyond recognition, he asked it all the same.
“Despite everything, are you still loyal to her?”
“Stand up, Wakako.”
Wakako’s senses were nearly numb as she felt herself pulled up like a puppet, taking two steps toward the window.
Outside, a crowd had gathered—the city guards, onlookers who had narrowly escaped, and those who simply wanted to watch the chaos. They filled the entire street below.
Yet, even in the crowd, Wakako could pick out a familiar figure.
Covered in black veil over white robes, accompanied by Muna and Lin Lin, only those captivating eyes visible, meeting hers across the flames.
Like a spell, like a pull, “Perhaps she isn’t the perfect master you imagined… Don’t you want to confront her and demand the truth?”
“Wakako, you’re not stupid. You became a mercenary because your wit and courage far exceed the ordinary.”
“Haven’t you ever doubted her, even once?”
“Think carefully…”
“I could even give you those leaves, help you win the trial… help Mios survive…”
“If you would just consider, just for a moment… is the Saint really who you think she is?”
…
“It’s Senior Sister!”
On the other side, Lin Lin had also caught sight of Wakako’s fleeting figure in the window.
She looked around anxiously.
With their master absent and their senior sister trapped, the team lacked leadership. The young junior apprentice didn’t know what to do, spinning in circles of worry, almost forgetting the Saint’s presence behind her.
She quickly regained her composure and called out “Lady… Saint… what should we do?”
The Saint had acute perception, able to guide their three-person team to defeat twenty opponents. Surely she would know how to rescue Senior Sister in this situation!
Knowing the Saint’s couldn’t speak due to her throat injury, Lin Lin extended her hand, allowing the her to write out instructions.
The Saint’s fingertip was ice-cold, making Lin Lin shiver at the touch.
She waited, hand open, but nothing was written.
“Lady Saint?” Lin Lin looked up questioningly, meeting those clear eyes.
The Saint’s simply touched her hand without moving her finger to write anything.
In the crowd, Muna was also anxious, whispering:
“The fire hasn’t reached the third floor completely yet. Wakako could jump from the window – with her skills, she wouldn’t be hurt from the fall… but she’s hesitating, surely something or someone is holding her back. She must be in danger.”
“I know.” Lin Lin bit her lip, desperately wanting to rush in and carry her senior sister out, but the raging flames blocked almost every entrance. She truly didn’t know what else to do. “Please think of something!”
Muna sighed, “Perhaps… let’s give the Lady a bit more time to think.”
These words reached the Saint’s ears clearly.
But her finger remained motionless, and not a single word passed her lips.
Not because she didn’t want to, but because she had nothing to say. Usually, she could easily sense everything around her with her eyes closed, her mind finding answers to everything.
But now, it was as though her well had run dry. She felt lost, unable to decide what to do next or where to go.
How to save Wakako? Only Wakako could save herself. All she had to do was agree to Saburo’s demands, and she’d awaken from the illusion and escape the flames. the fire.
If she refused Saburo’s demands, there was still a slim chance of survival, but it would take more time to regain consciousness.
But… what would Wakako choose?
Even though her blood had long since merged with Wakako’s body, Miki could sense her own blood battling a foreign force within Wakako, and she was losing ground.
Among the crowd, someone murmured: “Just jump!”
Others joined in: “Jump! You’ll burn to death!”
“But if she falls, she could be crippled…”
“The patrol is here! They can help catch her!”
“Whatever happens, it’s better than dying in the fire! Hey! Miss! Jump!”
“Jump! Jump! Don’t be afraid!”
The crowd shouted in unison, but the figure in the window remained motionless, standing there as the flames crept closer.
Through the smoke, the fiery serpent seemed to open its maw wide, ready to devour Wakako.
Lin Lin was on the verge of tears. “Senior Sister… why won’t you move…”
Unable to bear it any longer, she retreated to a hidden spot and shot an arrow through the fire, hitting the window frame. Others might not notice, but Wakako would surely recognize this as her message.
Why won’t you jump!
Why?!
The Saint lowered her black veil slightly, narrowing her view, but she could still clearly see the embers climbing from Wakako’s hair to her sleeves.
The blood of a Saint could heal, but only while a body remained intact.
If Wakako was burned to ashes, how could she drink the blood?
Wakako…
She had spoken so confidently before God. But standing here, watching this scene unfold, she found herself less certain than she’d imagined.
Wakako had once said she probably couldn’t bear to watch the Saint die again, so she always chose to run away.
The Saint had never said those words.
Yet now, she felt the same way.
As the fire gradually engulfed Wakako, she felt as if the flames weren’t just consuming Wakako, but her own flesh and heart, burning with unbearable pain.
The Saint’s lips moved slightly, her right hand squeezing her fingers hard to keep tears from falling. Her left hand pulled the black veil up and quietly wiped her eyes.
A Saint must not cry in public.
Even if no one recognized her, it wouldn’t be acceptable.
Jump down, Wakako. Her lips moved silently.
I’ll surrender if it means saving you… Just wake up…
Just don’t lose yourself anymore. Even if it means accepting his demands…
Just jump.
In the past, she had stubbornly declared they would either win together or die together.
But now she realized that perhaps death wasn’t something so easily accepted. At least not in this moment.
She thought.
Wakako…
Jump…
“Ahhhh—”
A scream erupted from the crowd as a blazing figure fell from the window, cutting a scorching path through the air before crashing to the ground.
The patrol had been prepared, laying thick padding on the ground and quickly dousing the figure with buckets of water.
Lin Lin’s suspended heart finally settled as she rushed forward, shouting: “Senior Sister! Senior Sister!”
Without hesitation, she peeled back Wakako’s sleeves to check for injuries.
Only after confirming there were just minor burns and scrapes did Lin Lin burst into loud tears: “You scared me to death…”
Wakako patiently comforted her junior sister as always: “It’s alright. Don’t cry.”
A moment later, Muna and Miki pushed their way through the crowd to reach them.
Wakako instinctively touched her hair and found that her once long hair had been burned, now only reaching halfway down her back.
But it didn’t matter; it would grow back.
She looked at the Saint, whose face was concealed by the black veil, and softly called, “Miki.”
Calling the Saint by her name was forbidden, especially in public.
Muna was startled, about to speak, but saw the Saint step forward of her own accord, dipping her finger in water to wipe the soot from Wakako’s face.
Her finger and sleeve were instantly stained black.
Wakako hesitated, feeling a bit embarrassed. “It’s dirty… don’t touch it.”
A few nosy onlookers tried to peer closer, curious about the person who had escaped the fire and the story behind it, but Lin Lin quickly chased them away. “Don’t look!”
“What’s the big deal? Looking won’t hurt anyone.”
Lin Lin glared at them fiercely. “Go home and stare at your father instead!”
Wakako chuckled, but then remembered her responsibility as the senior sister. She tried to stand and scold Lin Lin for being rude, but Miki stopped her, gently holding her wrist.
The Saint’s voice was as soft as a feather.
“Do you have something to tell me?”
Wakako’s face still dripped with water, looking somewhat disheveled as she wiped it with her hand, then gazed at her intently.
“Yes.”
She said.
