IHDOE Ch 42
At the doctor's prompting, Satina snapped her eyes open and sat up without hesitation. After all, she had recruited this doctor through the Information Guild.
[Satina] "Your acting was impressive."
[Doctor] "Heh, this is child's play."
As soon as the quest began, Satina requested that the Information Guild monitor Blin and those around her. Sophia was included in that surveillance.
She already knew through other caretakers that Sophia harbored a deep-seated grudge against her. Though no open conflict had erupted, Sophia constantly slandered her behind her back, attempting to belittle her at every turn. Satina had even heard about Sophia arguing with the other caretakers over it.
Knowing how much she despised her, there was no telling what she might do to her or Blin.
Once she discovered Sophia had contacted Blin's father, Satina asked for even stricter surveillance on her.
As Satina drew closer to Serpens, Sophia failed to hide her hostility. Whenever she felt a chilling gaze from afar and turned around, Sophia was glaring as though she wanted to tear her limb from limb.
She will definitely cause trouble.
Shortly after her conversation with Serpens in the park a few days ago, word arrived that Sophia had purchased poison. Who she intended to use it on was obvious.
She plans to use it on me. Perfect. I was just wondering how to provoke Serpens anyway.
Since Sophia was setting the stage herself, Satina had no reason to refuse. She requested the Information Guild to provide an antidote for the poison she bought, as well as a blood pouch.
[Agent] "A blood pouch? Do you mean the kind used in theatrical plays?"
[Satina] "Yes."
Thus, Sophia's scheme was altered to suit Satina's taste.
The day Sophia invited her over, claiming she had urgent business, Satina realized it was her planned day of reckoning. She willingly walked into the trap, having an Information Guild operative disguise themself as an orphan to summon Serpens.
Blood paralyzes human reason. Few can remain calm when faced with a horrific scene. Believing Sophia had murdered Satina, Serpens panicked and followed the disguised guild operative—who acted as a plant—straight to the pre-arranged doctor.
[Doctor] "Should I say you've woken up now?"
Satina shook her head.
[Satina] "What is he doing right now?"
Peeking outside, the doctor turned back.
[Doctor] "Hmm... he's praying."
[Satina] "Then just tell him the danger has passed. I'll remain hospitalized here for the time being, got it?"
[Doctor] "Then what about that woman named Sophia? The surveillance team says she seems to be planning an escape."
Serpens' favorability has increased by 5.
Satina lay back down on the bed as the system notification chimed.
[Satina] "You don't need to worry about her anymore. Serpens will take care of her himself."
Resting his forehead against his clasped hands, Serpens prayed fervently.
He should never have left her alone, knowing what kind of person she was. It had been the same when she went to Blin's house. Without regard for her own safety, she had stepped forward to save the child.
According to the child who guided him here, Stella had visited Sophia's house to talk about Blin.
[Child] "Teacher Sophia tried to sell Blin off!"
Anyone working at the orphanage knew how violent Blin's father was. That was why the orphanage cared for her despite her father being alive.
Yet how could she commit such a horrific act, knowing what fate awaited the girl...?
He shuddered at Sophia's cruelty. And Stella had gone to meet such a woman alone—all for Blin's sake.
If only I had stayed by her side, she wouldn't have suffered like this.
Agonizing regret and despair consumed him. Every second dragged like an eternity.
How much longer must I wait? Should I take her to another clinic right now?
But if I barge into the treatment room and something goes wrong...
The treatment room door opened, and the doctor stepped out, wiping sweat from his forehead.
[Doctor] "She's out of danger. We'll keep her hospitalized for a while to monitor her condition."
A sigh of relief finally escaped Serpens, his legs giving out as he sank to the floor.
[Serpens] "May I see the patient?"
[Doctor] "Hmm, she hasn't regained consciousness yet. It was a close call. But don't worry too much. Neutralizing poisons happens to be my specialty..."
[Serpens] "...Neutralizing poisons? Are you saying she drank poison?"
[Doctor] "Pardon? Ah, yes."
In an instant, the two teacups sitting on Sophia's table flashed across his mind.
He let out a hollow laugh.
[Serpens] "So that's why she spat blood. Poison... it was poison..."
Had he arrived a moment later, Stella would have died. Blood ran cold in his veins at the thought.
Observing his expression, the doctor asked carefully.
[Doctor] "U-Um, High Priest, are you all right?"
Serpens reached into his coat and produced a finely cut emerald.
[Serpens] "Is this insufficient?"
The doctor gasped.
[Doctor] "A-Ah, no! This is enough to cover a full year of hospitalization at our clinic!"
[Serpens] "Cost is no object, so provide the finest care possible. Ensure no one other than myself can approach her."
[Doctor] "A-Understood."
[Serpens] "And the moment she awakens, contact the temple immediately."
His face turned icy.
[Serpens] "I have urgent business to settle."
The moment Serpens left, Sophia collapsed to the floor. Something had gone wrong. Horribly wrong.
How could he do this to me? Everything I did was for his sake.
She had never seen such a look on his face. Cold, devoid of any warmth, glaring down at her as if she were a heinous criminal—recalling his fury sent shivers through her body.
How did he even find out where I live? What should I do now...?
Suddenly, she snapped her head up.
I have to run.
She hurriedly ripped off the blood-stained fabric from the sofa and dumped the remaining poison into a potted plant. Packing jewelry and clothes into a large trunk, she fled the house and hailed a carriage. Her plan was to escape the capital and head abroad.
She barked at the coachmen.
[Sophia] "T-To the capital gate!"
[Coachmen] "My, taking a trip somewhere, are we?"
[Sophia] "That's none of your business! Mind your own work!"
[Coachmen] "Ahem, I was only asking…"
The coachmen muttered under his breath and set the carriage in motion.
Before long, the carriage approached the capital gate. Sophia curled up, clutching her large luggage.
The carriage, which had been rolling smoothly, halted and ground to a standstill.
[Sophia] "W-What is it? Why aren't we moving?"
[Coachmen] "Looks like a checkpoint up ahead. Might take a while..."
[Sophia] "A checkpoint?"
Her heart hammered against her ribs given the circumstances.
Could Lord Serpens be searching for me?
W-What do I do? I need to get out of the capital first...
Anxiously biting her nails, she spoke.
[Sophia] "T-Turn back to the downtown area for now—"
A soldier knocked on the carriage door.
[Soldier] "Routine inspection. We are searching for a woman named 'Sophia' on charges of attempted murder by poisoning."
Dragged away by the guards, she was brought directly before Serpens. Facing him in the dim interrogation room, she collapsed at his feet, pleading desperately.
[Sophia] "I was wrong! I was wrong! Please forgive me just once!"
Serpens looked down at the woman clinging to him with glacial eyes.
The temple had taught him mercy and benevolence, but his heart was currently consumed by uncontrollable rage. Had he not spent his entire life living as a priest bound by those teachings, he might have strangled her on sight.
She wept and begged.
[Sophia] "I... I did everything for your sake, Lord Serpens! All of it!"
[Serpens] "...For my sake?"
[Sophia] "Y-Yes! That's right! That woman... she's a demon! I saw it! She told me... she told me she was seducing you! So I... I did it for you...!"
In that moment, his reason snapped.
The temple had instructed him in forgiveness and benevolence. Protect the weak, defend women and children, and devote himself endlessly to others. But right now, not a single holy teaching crossed his mind.
He struck Sophia across the face with his large palm. The force was powerful enough to startle the officials who knew his usual gentle demeanor well, to say nothing of the shock delivered to Sophia.
[Sophia] "L-Lord Serpens?"
[Serpens] "Silence your mouth! How dare you... how dare you utter such words! Seducing me? Miss Stella?"
He had regretted leaving her alone so bitterly. Stella had never once sought him out on her own. Even when he offered assistance, she turned it down, insisting she didn't wish to burden him.
Yet this woman claimed Stella was seducing him? That she tried to murder her for his sake?
Did she suffer such a fate entirely because of me?
A violent urge to kill surged within him. His clenched fists trembled uncontrollably.
[Serpens] "The investigation into your actions is already complete. Poison was detected in the teacup, and we obtained a confession from the merchant who sold it to you."
Bloodshot eyes delivered the final verdict.
[Serpens] "You will be sentenced to death."
[Sophia] "L-Lies! Over something like this...! They said that woman isn't even dead!"
[Serpens] "I will ensure that outcome regardless."
In truth, attempted murder by poisoning among commoners rarely resulted in execution, especially since Stella had survived. However, Serpens was determined to abuse his power for personal ends for the very first time.
She screamed.
[Sophia] "You are a priest, Lord Serpens! You're a priest, so how can you say something so cruel?! A priest!"
[Serpens] "Yes, I am a priest."
He looked down at her.
[Serpens] "And because I am a priest and not a god—because I am human—I can't possibly forgive you, Miss Sophia."
Pitch-black despair consumed her eyes.
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