Chapter 41
The sudden shift in the Saint’s allegiance brought mixed reactions—some rejoiced, while others were filled with concern.
The people of Mios, naturally, were among the joyful ones. They had feared that they had been abandoned by God, leading to widespread despair. But now, with this incredible news, their spirits lifted dramatically. Overnight, the entire Kingdom of Mios was ignited with enthusiasm.
“Five years ago, the Saint’s ‘death’ was clearly an enemy conspiracy!”
“I knew God would never abandon us!”
“Indeed, the Saint’s choice must represent the will of the divine!”
Inevitably, there were also murmurs of confusion and doubt, a sentiment shared by many. “But the Saint said that in a year, God will choose between our two Kingdoms. Does that mean we’re headed for a final, decisive battle?”
“But then she also ordered a ceasefire. What are we supposed to do now?”
Those in the royal palace, however, were less optimistic.
The current Queen Consort was not of particularly high birth. She was originally a concubine of the reigning Queen, and only ascended to the throne after the Queen’s failure to marry the Saint and her own success in bearing the Crown Princess.
In truth, with her background, she was entirely unqualified for this position.
Upon Tsukiyo’s return, the Queen Consort swiftly summoned her to the palace, asking about the progress of the war, whether she had enough food and warm clothing, and if she had suffered any injuries.
The experience had worn away some of the childishness in Tsukiyo’s features, leaving behind the faint trace of a young adult. “Mother, don’t worry, I’m fine.”
The Queen Consort, her heart aching with worry, pulled her young daughter into a tight embrace and insisted she stay to share the meal that had been prepared long in advance.
She stroked Tsukiyo’s head and sighed. “Did you speak with the Saint?”
“No.” Tsukiyo knew exactly what was troubling her mother as soon as she mentioned the Saint, and she tried to comfort her, “Mother, there’s no need to worry. You’ve been Queen Consort for so long — what difference does it make if the Saint returns?”
Surely, they wouldn’t dethrone the current Queen Consort, would they?
Her daughter’s concern lifted the Queen Consort’s spirits, if only slightly. But then a thought seemed to cross her mind, and a helpless, wry smile tugged at her lips. “My dear daughter, you don’t understand.”
The Queen Consort had been chosen as a concubine in the past precisely because her family came from a declining, insignificant noble house. This background provided a respectable facade while making it easier for the royal family to keep her under control.
Such a meticulous selection was, of course, done with the Saint Miki in mind. Only a concubine who could be controlled would know her place and pose no threat to the Saint’s position.
The Queen Consort had met Miki once before. Though she was slightly older than the Saint, time had blurred the details of that beautiful face in her memory. Yet, she could never forget the Saint’s natural grace and elegance.
Every time the Saint was mentioned, the Queen Consort felt increasingly inadequate, as if she were a withering, yellowed flower standing next to the Saint’s radiant bloom. She knew all too well that her current position was nothing but the result of luck.
Just luck.
Tsukiyo, however, couldn’t understand. As the rightful heir, the Crown Princess, she had always received the best of everything. To her, there was little difference between herself and the Saint in terms of status. She couldn’t fathom why everyone seemed to revere the Saint so deeply.
What made that fragile Omega so special, aside from her noble status?
The people, her Mother, even Master Wakako’s gaze always followed her…
…
Despite the Queen’s deep-seated resentment, the Queen eventually arranged for the Saint to reside in the royal palace.
The most suitable residence would have been the former Saionji estate, but it had been abandoned for years and, due to the urgency of the situation, there wasn’t enough time to thoroughly clean and prepare it.
The Queen assumed that the Saint would likely not want to return there anyway, leaving the royal palace as the only place befitting her status.
However, she soon began to question whether she truly understood the Saint’s thoughts.
When they were younger, they had been engaged, and during their occasional meetings, they could still exchange a few words. But now, with time having passed, the Queen found herself facing a stranger in Miki, unable to decipher any of her intentions.
The Saint obediently followed the arrangements and settled into the palace, but for three consecutive days, she claimed illness and remained confined to her chambers, citing the fatigue from her journey and the need for rest.
This worried the ministers greatly. They were eager to understand the meaning behind the Saint’s words on the battlefield and to discern the stance of the God she served.
Inevitably, some suspected the Saint was deliberately stalling for time. However, her frail health was well-known, and if she chose to exploit this, there was little anyone could do.
Furthermore, the palace doctor had indeed examined her and confirmed that the Saint was suffering from exhaustion and required careful attention.
Since they couldn’t meet with the Saint, they could only approach those closest to her.
Within the Queen’s study, the members of Mercenary Squad Alpha were also present, but all eyes were fixed on Wakako.
She stood silently, her head slightly bowed, enduring the weight of their gazes.
Everyone knew what she had done.
Wakako herself knew that she did not deserve their trust.
The Queen and the mercenary squad had nurtured her for five years, a debt of gratitude she could never repay. If they ordered her to sacrifice herself for the kingdom, she would not hesitate to end her own life.
But on the other hand, there was the Saint, who had been her master since she was thirteen.
This internal conflict had always been excruciating for Wakako. If forced to make a brutal choice, the answer would always be Miki. Whether in the enemy’s palace, on the battlefield, or anywhere else, she would always choose to stand before Miki without hesitation, even if it meant betraying the Queen and her squad.
Some decisions are impossible to reconcile.
However, contrary to expectations, the Queen didn’t reprimand her. Instead, she spoke gently, “Lady Kitagawa, bringing the Saint back to Mios was a great service. What reward would you like?”
Great service? But she was nothing more than a criminal.
Even if they expelled her from the squad, or even demanded her life as atonement, she wouldn’t complain. Why did they still look at her with such concern? Why were they treating her so well?
Wakako remained silent, bowing her head and performing the highest Mios salute in humility.
She was indebted to everyone.
Two hands, one on each side, gently supported her elbows and helped her rise. “There’s no need for such formality.”
It was Hua Yumu and Carol — the Captain and Vice-Captain. Their gazes were filled with warmth and understanding. They had always treated her like family, sharing a lifetime of hard-earned experience to ensure she survived mission after mission.
Faced with such compassion, a wave of self-loathing nearly overwhelmed Wakako.
“Wakako, we all understand,” Hua Yumu said softly. “Everyone has a past that can’t be erased, and considering you’ve been by the Saint’s side since you were young, it’s only natural for you to be loyal to her.”
Carol continued, “Besides, the Saint is not an enemy of Mios. It is because of you that we have this opportunity to fix what’s broken.”
“Fix?” Wakako asked, bewildered. “Fix what’s broken?”
The Queen sighed almost imperceptibly. “The rift between the Saint and Mios.”
The Queen, who had tirelessly devoted herself to the affairs of the Kingdom, now had a strand of white hair at her temple. As a ruler, she had undoubtedly given her all, putting the people before herself.
“We’re eager to know God’s guidance, but the Saint refuses to meet with us. This is, after all, her homeland, where she was born and raised. Since she chose to return of her own will, she must still have some attachment to it.”
The Queen stepped forward. “The Saint has declared that, in a year’s time, God will allow only one kingdom to remain on the Eastern Continent. Our time is precious, and we cannot afford to waste it.”
“The Saint is our only hope.” She earnestly clasped Wakako’s hands. “Lady Kitagawa, are you willing to communicate with the Saint on our behalf and save Mios from this crisis?”
As she spoke, the Queen knelt before her.
A monarch, an Alpha born into privilege and raised above all others, humbled herself before a commoner-born subject like Wakako, all for the Miki of her Kingdom and its people.
In comparison, Wakako felt ridiculously selfish.
She stood there in a daze, unsure of how to react. She heard herself say, “I will do my best, even if it costs me my life.”
At last, the Queen smiled.
“Then we await your good news.”
***
When visiting any part of the palace, a servant must personally write a letter of request before being granted an audience with the master of the residence.
Upon leaving the Queen’s study, Wakako personally delivered a letter to the palace where the Saint resided. A reply came swiftly.
“Lady Kitagawa, you may enter now,” said Senryu cheerfully.
During those years in the Eagle Kingdom, it was this young girl who attended to Miki. Wakako had assumed she was someone arranged by Saburo, but unexpectedly, Miki had brought her back to Mios as well.
Of course. Kyouka-mama was Senryu’s aunt, and she was originally from Mios…
“No, I’ll come back later,” Wakako replied.
Senryu’s expression fell in disappointment. “Oh, alright. But please do come! I don’t know anyone here, and I have no one to talk to.”
Wakako thought for a moment. “You can head to the training grounds and look for a girl named Lin Lin. She’s about your age, and I have a feeling you two would get along.”
“Is she a mercenary too? Can she teach me to fight?”
“Of course. Don’t underestimate her just because she’s still young. She’s an exceptional archer.”
After chatting a bit more, Wakako excused herself, saying she had matters to attend to.
Senryu watched her depart, Senryu stood there watching her leave, a puzzled look crossing her face—everyone knew the Saint was ill, so why hadn’t Wakako even asked about her condition?
Wakako left the palace and rode directly to the temple in the capital of Mios. In the five years since the Saint had been absent, the temple remained bustling with visitors offering tributes to God—fruits, vegetables, strands of hair…
She knelt in the temple’s main hall for a long time, until her legs lost all sensation. As the sun set and the hall grew emptier, a ray of light fell before her.
Wakako placed her mercenary badge on the offering table. She had nothing else to give; the only thing of value she possessed was her identity as a mercenary.
Facing the wooden statue of the deity, she silently prayed countless times, begging God to hear her small voice, but there was no response.
But Wakako didn’t give up, stubbornly repeating her questions like a piece of unyielding wood. She asked what kind of divine punishment the Saint might face because of her — and what she could do to protect her.
They say that sincerity can move mountains, and perhaps her persistence annoyed God, for suddenly, the porcelain vessel of holy water beside the statue toppled over.
It shattered before Wakako’s eyes.
At that moment, through the fragmented porcelain, Wakako witnessed a scene she had never seen before.
