４－５ Holy Maiden
We succeeded in slaying the Serpent. It took quite some time, but as a result, many nobles witnessed our victory. This spells the end for Eleanor. Having lost her sole identity as the Holy Maiden- the saintess, she’ll now enter Rosewood Academy as nothing more than a daughter of a lower-ranking noble family.
Once she’s in the academy, I’ll make sure to bully her thoroughly.
As I was thinking such thoughts in front of the Serpent’s corpse, I spotted Eleanor herself among the surrounding crowd.
She arrived surprisingly early. Perhaps she hurried here after learning of our battle.
Her plain clothes prioritized ease of movement, resembling those of a commoner rather than a noble. Her golden hair, which would likely look impressive if grown out, was kept short enough not to get in the way. Her features weren’t flashy, but upon closer inspection, they were well-proportioned.
She was exactly as I remembered Eleanor from my previous life.
Her expression couldn’t hide her surprise.
Finally, I’ve managed to get back at the Holy Maiden who was impervious to all harassment in my previous life.
I’m eager to hear what Eleanor will say.
Will it be “Why did you kill it?” Or perhaps “Don’t act on your own!” She’ll surely throw a fit with a ridiculous expression.
Eleanor walked towards me.
My attendants became slightly alert.
“Lady Selina. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Eleanor Hamilton. Thank you very much for defeating the Serpent.”
Eleanor politely expressed her gratitude.
Huh?
“Why are you thanking me?”
“Of course, it’s because you defeated the Serpent.”
“But I didn’t do it for your sake, you know?”
“Actually, I recently became able to use light magic.”
Light magic is a special magic that only the Holy Maiden can use. It’s practically proof of being the Holy Maiden.
However, to be recognized as the Holy Maiden, one must accomplish some great feat, so it should have been problematic that I defeated the Serpent.
“Is that so? Should I have left the Serpent to you then?”
Even I have to admit, that’s a blatant lie.
“No, Lady Selina. I was afraid.”
“Afraid? Of what?”
“Of the Serpent, of course. Even though I can use light magic now, I’m still just a fifteen-year-old girl. I didn’t want to face such a terrifying monster.”
Eleanor glanced at the Serpent’s corpse in front of me, fear reflected in her eyes.
“But the people from the church told me, ‘It’s the Holy Maiden’s duty to defeat the Serpent, so you must go.’ I was so scared until I got here. But when I arrived and found that you had already defeated it, I was truly relieved.”
I stared at Eleanor intently. She doesn’t seem to be lying. Rather, she appears to be genuinely grateful.
“…I see. But if you didn’t defeat the Serpent, won’t you lose your chance to prove yourself as the Holy Maiden?”
“I don’t need such a thing. The role of Holy Maiden was too much for me from the start. I would have been content just helping to prosper my father’s domain with my family.”
Again, she doesn’t seem to be lying. Or is she cleverly concealing her true feelings?
“I understand. But I’m sorry for making you come all this way for nothing. You should head back carefully.”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
Eleanor bid farewell just as politely as before and left. I watched her figure intently as she departed.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
When I returned to the mansion in the royal capital, the first to greet me wasn’t my father or the mansion staff.
It was six dogs.
No sooner had I stepped down from the carriage than I was attacked and knocked over by six beasts.
Lake Elfen was a nice place. At least there were no dogs there.
While indulging in such sentiments, I desperately tried to regain my fading consciousness.
After the attendants who owned the dogs managed to pull them away, I received words of praise from my father who had been waiting.
“I heard you performed splendidly, Selina! His Majesty is pleased as well.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Stealing the credit that should have belonged to the Holy Maiden and raising my own reputation. All according to plan.
Next, I’ll enter the academy and eliminate anyone who might get in my way. Then the position of the next queen will be mine.
“I’m also proud to hear that the attendants you trained worked admirably.”
“No, we just happened to encounter it while on vacation…”
Given how well-armed we were, it wasn’t really a coincidence, but I let it slide.
“There’s no need for modesty. I hear you fought for three days and nights to defeat the Serpent? Bards are already composing poems about your battle.”
Three days and nights? It was at most half a day, I think. The story seems to have grown quite a bit in the telling.
“His Majesty has high expectations for you. As you know, there are many other places in the kingdom suffering from monster attacks. His Majesty wishes for you to defeat them.”
(Couldn’t they do that themselves?)
I can’t say that out loud. The Knight Order has duties to protect the borders and cities, and unless there’s serious damage, monsters tend to be left alone. Such monsters are supposed to be dealt with by adventurers. However, if the affected towns or villages don’t have funds, they can’t hire adventurers, and even adventurers will refuse requests if the monsters are too strong. So, there are many areas troubled by monsters. Because of these circumstances, the existence of a Holy Maiden who defeats monsters for free is appreciated.
I wish they would do more themselves, but I can’t allow Eleanor to have a chance to shine, so I have no choice but to accept.
“I understand, Father. However, I’m set to enter Rosewood Academy next year. I’d like to set that as the deadline…”
It would be meaningless if I can’t deepen my relationship with Lord Edward at the academy after finally getting engaged to him. Moreover, there’s a possibility that someone like Eleanor might snatch him away. This is a condition I can’t compromise on.
“I understand. I’ll explain that to His Majesty myself.”
And so, until I enter the academy, I ended up campaigning across various regions.
Well, if I think of it as a way to gain fame, it’s not all bad.
Come to think of it, in my previous life, I was just a girl with nothing but her status as a duke’s daughter.
(It’s better to have suitable achievements to become the queen)
Perhaps due to growing older, I had started to think in such ways.
TLNOTE : While waiting, I implore you dear readers to read other masterpiece novels that also written by the same author :
- When the Monster Meat I Ate Led Me to the Throne
- Who killed the Hero?
- The Suspects of Necromancy
- The Exiled Merchant Saves the World with the Power of Gold (translated by my friend meerkat)
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