Chapter 49

At the appearance of the Saintess, the entire empire’s attention was drawn to her. Before arriving at the imperial palace, the Saintess had sent a letter through a priest: “I’ve come to keep the promise that we would meet again soon.” The officials of the empire shivered upon reading the letter. While some remained pessimistic, doubting how much help she could really be, many pinned their hopes on her.

Not long after, the Saintess, dressed in pure white priestly robes embroidered with golden thread, made her way to the palace. Her carriage, traveling from the temple to the palace, was met with cheers at every street corner. Finally, in front of the many who had come to greet her at the palace, the carriage came to a stop. On either side, priests who had disembarked from other carriages lined up in formation. Then, escorted by a high priest, the Saintess stepped out.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”

The Saintess smiled brightly. It was a magnificent return. Edelis already felt a knot in her stomach. After all her efforts, the Saintess had come to the palace anyway.

“Thank you for coming all this way.”

“Oh, don’t mention it. I couldn’t refuse when someone I have a connection with asked for help.”

As she mentioned someone she had a “connection” with, her gaze turned toward Lehan. If she was referring to the wedding, it wasn’t just Lehan who got married that day — Edelis had been there too. So technically, she also shared that “connection.” But the Saintess had clearly chosen to speak as if it only involved Lehan. Lehan, however, unfazed by such details, got straight to the point.

“As you know, the internal situation of the empire is very dire.”

“That’s true for every country. I’ve heard the empire is actually in better shape than others.”

“Regardless, the fact that many of our citizens are dying every day remains unchanged.”

“Yes, that’s why I’m here — to help.”

The Saintess responded with great confidence. The priests beside her nodded. According to historical records, in such events, the temple would operate treatment centers and care for the sick. But given the shortage of priests and the abundance of patients, expectations weren’t high.

“We will provide all the assistance the imperial family can offer. Please don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need.”

“Thank you so much for saying that. I only hope I can truly be of help.”

She smiled sweetly. While her help was undoubtedly good for the empire, Edelis couldn’t shake her growing unease.

“I’d prefer to rest after such a long journey, but given the situation, I’ll get to work immediately.”

“Yes.”

The priests bowed their heads in agreement, and the Saintess promptly issued her orders.

“First, since people might not be familiar with how infection spreads, emphasize the importance of hygiene.”

“Yes.”

“I doubt anyone will disbelieve you. A priest’s words carry that much weight.”

Edelis was impressed by her statement. The Saintess was already putting into practice what she had read in the book — a conversation that, in the original timeline, happened only after the epidemic was over, when people reflected on what could have been done better. Now, the Saintess was acting on that knowledge while the epidemic was still ongoing.

‘This is different from the book. But at least she’s not wasting time — that’s a relief.’

Edelis had considered using what she’d learned from Count Reynold to persuade the Saintess, but apparently that wouldn’t be necessary.

“And because there are so many patients, there won’t be enough manpower. But since the palace is offering support, please take as many people as you can.”

“I’ll make sure the field teams can offer all possible support.”

“Thank you!”

According to the book, the three key issues were hygiene, manpower, and medicine. And right now, medicine was the most pressing. But the supplies Edelis had weren’t nearly enough to help everyone.

‘Will she even mention medicine? No way…’

If she did, that would mean events had deviated entirely from the book. It might even be possible to end the epidemic early.

“Then, everyone, please head to your assigned areas. Let me know if there’s anything unusual.”

“Yes, understood.”

Without delay, the priests began heading out to their designated regions. After the flurry of activity had subsided, Edelis approached the Saintess.

“Saintess.”

“Yes?”

“The palace had already been treating the sick before.”

“I know. And?”

There was something cold about the Saintess’s tone, but Edelis couldn’t confront her over that. This wasn’t the time to be distracted by such things.

“So, how exactly will your priests help?”

‘Could she know how to make the medicine?’

“Our first step is to suppress infection. Then we need to develop a cure. Divine power alone isn’t a complete solution.”

“Divine power…”

“Yes, healing through divine power has its limits.”

Right. There was divine power — ‘holy energy’ that could heal. But not everyone could be treated with it, so medicine was still essential. That meant mass production and distribution needed to be prioritized.

“Thank you for the information.”

“You’re welcome.”

The Saintess smiled warmly.

“Although… I heard that the empire already has a cure.”

“It’s still in the testing phase.”

“I heard that the Empress herself taught the apothecaries how to make it.”

“I studied herbology for a while. I thought perhaps some combinations might be effective.”

“Oh. Could I ask what herbs you’re using?”

Hoping the Saintess might be able to supply some, Edelis listed the most difficult-to-obtain herbs.

“Lailonia and Euptakan are the main ones, but they’re really hard to come by. Lailonia used to be easy to find, but not anymore.”

There were other herbs involved, but Edelis mentioned only the rarest ones. The Saintess’s expression stiffened briefly, then relaxed again. Edelis wondered if she had imagined it.

“Lailonia?”

“Yes, do you perhaps know a way to get it?”

“I’m not sure. That’s an unusual combination.”

Right, if even the Empress of the empire could barely get them, it wasn’t likely that the Saintess would have access. Edelis let go of that hope and resolved to double her efforts.

“But that’s a really odd mix. I heard those herbs don’t combine well.”

“I’m not entirely confident either. It’ll take lots of testing.”

“Oh, that’s a relief then. I had heard something else and was a bit worried. Guess it was nothing.”

The Saintess laughed and waved it off. Edelis felt increasingly uneasy but couldn’t ignore it — others had overheard the conversation.

“What did you hear?”

“There were rumors that the cure was being made almost immediately after the disease began spreading, so… I wondered if the Empress might have had a hand in starting the epidemic.”

“That’s outrageous. Not worth responding to.”

As the Saintess dragged her words deliberately, the officials’ eyes sharpened. She wouldn’t have said something like this for no reason. Lehan cut her off immediately. But the Saintess continued unbothered.

“Diseases and cures go hand-in-hand. But when a cure is ready too quickly… one can’t help but wonder if it was all for political gain.”

“Who’s spreading such lies? Slandering the imperial family like this is no trivial matter.”

“Oh, just a rumor I heard around.”

The Saintess giggled behind her hand, but Edelis and Lehan were in no mood to laugh. It was absurd. The idea of spreading a deadly disease to consolidate power?

“I want nothing more than for this disease to be eradicated as soon as possible.”

“I’m sure you do.”

“That’s why I established apothecaries in the slums — to keep the poor from getting infected!”

“Oh my. Such an unusual epidemic… how did you know in advance?”

The more Edelis protested, the more the Saintess twisted her words. She clearly believed Edelis had started the outbreak. Did God give her a false oracle?

“The poor die far more often even from simple colds, compared to nobles.”

“Oh? And you assume I wouldn’t know that?”

“Well, you’re from the temple, so you might not.”

“Do you even know who I am?”

The Saintess muttered something too quietly to hear. When Edelis asked again, the Saintess just laughed it off.

“Yes, the poor may be more vulnerable.”

“…”

“But even if you are the Saintess, I won’t tolerate further insults.”

“Oh? Are you threatening punishment?”

A high priest snapped back at Lehan, and tension filled the air.

“Dearan, it’s fine.”

“But, Saintess—”

“I only meant to share a rumor I’d heard. I trust the Empress’s innocence.”

She turned to Edelis with a smile. Edelis smiled back, trying to stay composed, but cold sweat ran down her back. To be accused of spreading the disease? Her efforts to prevent its spread were now being twisted against her.

‘As if I could even create or spread a disease!’

Edelis was devastated, but there was no clear way to prove her innocence.

“That’s simply not true. I had nothing to do with it.”

“Of course. Now we must work together to stop the epidemic.”

“Yes.”

The confrontation was over, but Edelis could tell the officials no longer looked at her the same way. She fled the reception room, close to tears. As she stepped outside, heading for her chambers, someone grabbed her wrist — it was Lehan.

“Lehan…”

“Come to my room, Edelis.”

“…”

She nodded, figuring it was better than having others see her cry. Once she agreed, Lehan led her straight to the nearest private chamber. As soon as the door closed, he pulled her into an embrace and gently patted her back. That alone was enough to break the dam — Edelis burst into sobs.

“I tried so hard!”

“I know.”

“And now this nonsense—!”

“I’ll find whoever spread the rumors.”

“And then?”

“They’ll be dealt with.”

Lehan gave a chilling smile, but Edelis didn’t see it. How dare anyone touch his beloved wife, make her cry, wound her. She was far too precious.

“You believe me, don’t you, Lehan?”

“Of course. Always.”

“There’s no way I could’ve done something so terrible!”

“I know.”

The steady rhythm of his touch comforted her deeply.

‘Is this something that counted as an ‘evil deed’ in the book that got me killed?’

Still, it was a relief that Lehan believed in her. She didn’t want to see the version of him from the book — the cold emperor who turned his back on her. With his trust secured, the next step was to win back the faith of everyone else.

“Can you gather information about those rumors?”

“Understood.”

“I won’t let this go.”