IHDOE Ch 64

His expression turned grave.

[Serpens] "Creating contamination artificially... It is not theoretically impossible."

[Serpens] "However, who would do such a thing, and for what purpose? As you know, Miss Satina, the moment contamination arises, that land becomes dead soil. People perish, and magical beasts turn ferocious. Nothing can survive. Why would anyone willingly perpetrate such an act?"

[Satina] "I don't know either. That's precisely why I'm asking for your help, Lord Serpens."

She recalled the contaminated area she had seen in the game. It had appeared only once. Through that episode, the heroine ruined Satina, who couldn't use holy power, and firmly cemented her own identity as the Saintess to everyone.

Contaminated areas were rare phenomena. They might occur once every few centuries, yet she had already encountered two.

Something is strange.

Of course, her suspicion might be baseless. Unsure of how her own life would unfold, whether contamination appeared twice, thrice, or ten times shouldn't concern her enough to investigate personally.

Regardless of who created contaminated areas, she had no intention of becoming the Saintess anyway and planned to seek asylum abroad. What did it matter to her?

So I'll just have Serpens handle it instead.

As a priest, he was resistant to contamination, possessed vast knowledge, and had access to numerous resources and contacts. She had nothing to lose. Discovering something would be a gain, and if not, she hadn't wasted her own time.

[Satina] "Would it be too difficult?"

He gestured hastily in denial.

[Serpens] "No, not at all! What are you saying? Since it is your request, Miss Satina, I must certainly grant it!"

[Satina] "I'm relieved. I know it's a difficult request, but you are the only one I could ask..."

[Serpens] "Please don't say such things. On the contrary, I am overjoyed to fulfill a request for you, Miss Satina."

It won't be easy, but perhaps this is for the best.

He had been tormented by guilt all morning over the dream he had about Satina last night. Focusing on investigating the contaminated area might help him quickly forget that nightmare.

Above all, this was the first request she had ever made of him. So long as it didn't violate Temple doctrine, he was prepared to pluck the stars from the sky for her.

---

Satina returned to the fortress after harvesting the ingredients for the cure.

The moment she returned, Tyron summoned her. She would typically ignore him, but having something to discuss herself, she headed to his office.

Staring at her grimly without touching the tea served by his aide, those were the first words out of his mouth.

[Tyron] "Just how many men do you have?"

[Satina] "Looking for another fight?"

[Tyron] "No, I'm genuinely curious."

Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, he glared at her.

[Tyron] "What is your relationship with that priest?"

[Satina] "What relationship could I possibly have with a priest? You do know priests can neither date nor marry, right?"

[Tyron] "Exactly! It should be impossible for you and that priest to have anything going on, yet no matter how I look at it, you two seem involved. That's why I'm asking."

He pressed further.

[Tyron] "Be honest. That priest's gaze when he looks at you is far from normal."

[Satina] "Is it?"

[Tyron] "Did you sleep with him?"

[Satina] "Are you out of your mind?"

[Tyron] "Then did he confess to you?"

[Satina] "You've completely lost your mind."

[Tyron] "Then why the hell does that bastard look at you like that?!"

He slammed his fist onto the table. The teacup rattled, spilling liquid onto the wood, though he paid it no heed.

[Tyron] "Looking at you with eyes like that, and you claim there's nothing between you? Stop talking nonsense! Do you have any idea how he looks at you? He looks completely unhinged! And you call that a mere acquaintance? Traveling all the way here from the capital just to see you? Make it make sense!"

He barked down at her.

[Tyron] "Do you know why you've managed to remain His Highness' fiancée? Because you looked only at His Highness and loved only him! Do you understand? Yet another man? A creature like you?"

Without hiding her annoyance, she replied.

[Satina] "Then go tell His Highness. Tell him Satina seems to have another man. That solves it."

She had nothing to lose. Given the Crown Prince's nature, he wouldn't care if she saw another man anyway. At worst, it would result in a broken engagement.

A broken engagement suits me just fine.

If her family wasn't so terrible that breaking the engagement would result in being sold off somewhere, she would have thrown the annulment papers in his face herself.

Besides, once I complete this task and return to the capital, my standing will change significantly, so there's no need to maintain the engagement anyway.

[Tyron] "Can't you grasp the situation? Did that priest really confess to you? Are you two planning to abandon the Temple and elope together?"

[Satina] "What does that have to do with you?"

[Tyron] "What?"

[Satina] "Think about it. My actual fiancé doesn't care whether I sleep with another man or not. Yet, seeing you step up to police me like this is... quite hilarious."

[Tyron] "Hey, you..."

[Satina] "What else could it be? Did you actually harbor feelings for me? Are you jealous because you think I'm seeing another man?"

[Tyron] "Are you crazy?!"

[Tyron's affection has decreased by 2.]

Face flushed red as if about to burst, Tyron bellowed in fury following the system chime.

To think his affection dropped over a joke. I can't even make jokes without being terrified.

Reaching negative 100 affection won't trigger an immediate bad ending, right?

She waved her hand dismissively.

[Satina] "Right, exactly. It has nothing to do with you, so mind your own business."

[Tyron] "I—I mean, well, I..."

Furious beyond words, he glared at her with a bitter expression. Still, it looked far better on him than his usual arrogant, mocking grin.

[Satina] "Is that all you have to say? Then may I present my business now?"

She recalled the Golden Room Entrance Ticket she received upon enrolling Blin into the Imperial Academy, the ticket granting access to the treasures of the ancient empire.

The location where that ticket could be used was specific: Menimar Stone Mountain right here in the west.

Unfolding a map, Satina drew a wide circle around the Mountain and the surrounding territory.

[Satina] "I wish to purchase the land in this area."

The moment she used the ticket, the entrance to the Golden Room hidden within the Mountain would reveal itself. Currently, ownership of Menimar Stone Mountain belonged to House Ascalon, Tyron's family.

Even if I discover it, buying the land beforehand prevents any future ownership disputes.

Predictably, Tyron refused.

[Tyron] "No. Why should I?"

[Satina] "It's barren land anyway, so selling it shouldn't matter to you."

[Tyron] "Then why are you trying to buy barren land?"

[Satina] "To investigate the contaminated area."

[Tyron] "What nonsensical rubbish is that now?"

She informed him that she had discovered a contaminated area nearby and that Serpens was currently investigating it. Threatening as the concept of contamination was, Tyron's expression grew considerably serious.

[Tyron] "So you want to buy the land so that you and that priest bastard can come and go as you please?"

[Satina] "Yes."

[Tyron] "I dislike both of you, but even without selling the land, I can grant that much permission."

As expected.

She had previously tasked Hedzel with buying the surrounding land, only for him to be rejected. Tyron had cited his displeasure at an unknown stranger nesting near the fortress.

True to form as the Crown Prince's lapdog, his territorial obsession is absurd.

Anyone else would have gladly handed over such useless land, relieved to find a buyer. That was precisely why Satina had taken matters into her own hands.

Based on my past bickering with him, trying to persuade him logically will only arouse his suspicion. In times like this...

[Satina] "I dislike having to get your permission to come and go."

[Tyron] "Hey."

[Satina] "Must I come seek your permission every single time? How tedious. Unless..."

She offered a bright, cheerful smile.

[Satina] "Are you doing this just to see my face? You really do like—"

[Tyron] "Who on earth would like someone like you?! Take that damn land immediately!"

The contract was drafted on the spot.

Ah, teasing him is delightful. I should have realized how entertaining this was much sooner.

His shuddering reaction to every slight poke was hilarious enough that she wished she could take a photograph.

Stamping the contract, Tyron chugged cold water with a crimson face.

[Tyron] "She has finally lost her mind! Completely mad! Who likes who..."

[Satina] "Ah, Tyron."

She called out in a gentle voice, making him flinch.

[Satina] "Why so startled? Did hearing me call your name make you happy?"

[Tyron] "Fuck!"

Unable to endure it any longer, he sprang up and bolted from the room.

[Tyron's affection has decreased by 1.]

Satina burst into laughter as she watched his retreating back.

---

From that day on, whenever Tyron spotted Satina even from afar, he reacted as if seeing a ghost and scrambled to avoid her.

While she wished to chase him around and tease him every day, Satina had plenty of work to do. After selecting a few handy knights and teaching them the recipe for the cure, she quietly headed toward Menimar Stone Mountain with Katan in tow.

---

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