The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen-Chapter 321-322

Elisia.

The Apostle with eyes that see emotions.

Despite countless criticisms and contempt, she was a priestess with a heart that cherished and loved the weak.

The world called her the Saintess of Meekness.

Because she was a person who steadfastly continued her good deeds despite numerous hardships and contempt, and a person who practiced love without betraying the name of God.

Even without great holy power like Yuria, she healed people's wounds with her studied medical skills.

A priestess who healed the wounds in people's hearts with her eyes that saw emotions.

Even when others laughed at her as a fool, she was a faithful priestess who sacrificed herself for the happiness of the afterlife.

In the midst of that, she met a man she loved on the battlefield and started a happy family.

Even without great wealth, she was happy, and she was also a mother who would wipe away tears when called 'mom' by her young child. Because she was a person who knew how to be happy with small things.

But.

Misfortune came to Elisia's life, which had been filled with endless happiness.

Elisia lost her husband and child to heretics who suddenly attacked, and she knelt before the enemy who killed her child.

Pleading to save her family.

If she couldn't save them all, she begged and begged to at least save her son.

But they put a leash around her neck and whispered false hope.

Saying they would save him, but to make a promise instead.

Without knowing that the promise was a lie, Elisia made a pinky promise.

In the novel, she was the most altruistic apostle. Because she was an apostle who kept to the right path and did not kill for the sake of thrill.

Of course, she was indeed a villain.

The number of people who died at her hands was countless. The very reason for her killing was to save her son, so how could she be portrayed as a good person? Even if there was a poignant reason, she committed evil deeds for her personal greed.

It wasn't that I was judging her as bad. I, too, had committed murder for the sake of the young lady's happiness. I was in no position to judge others.

Anyway. Elisia in the novel belatedly admitted her wrongdoing and struggled to go back to the beginning. Of course, the key in this process was the protagonist, Yuria, but Elisia was also the only person among the apostles who had reformed.

Of course, her end.

She met a miserable end because of the leash around her neck.

The current Elisia was the dog of the Apostle of Temperance. Because the Apostle of Temperance had put a leash around her neck.

A prohibition that cost her her life.

And that leash was.

"Hmm?"

The watch that man was wearing around his neck.

I looked at the man and smiled.

With the anger of losing my chocolate.

And with curiosity about the watch.

'How strange...'

The man was just staring at me. His eyes, full of madness, indicated intent.

There was no way that I, a Sword Master, could not distinguish between intent and accident. I had clearly avoided him, and he had hit me head-on. Like a delinquent who had broken up with his girlfriend deliberately bumping into someone.

The archbishop under the protection of the Apostle of Temperance. He, connected by blood and lineage, was a heretic who bore the title of Shame.

In the novel, his appearance began with Ruin as bait.

Ruin, who was betrayed by Hans.

He showed the shame of revealing his past to others and slowly trampling on him.

The shameful past of the proud Ruin. In other words, he was the archbishop who caused a great commotion at the academy by showing his past in the slums to many people.

Of course, it was an episode where he could overcome the pain of the past and grow, with Yuria spouting the famous line, 'So what! You're still my friend.'

But now, he was just.

-Tick. Tock.

A single sheep carrying a good item.

I looked at the watch around his neck and wondered. The question of 'why does that man have the prohibition of meekness'. Even if he was the Apostle of Temperance who cherished his own blood, he wouldn't have handed over such a precious item.

'Is Temperance here?'

It didn't seem so.

If he were here, I would have noticed him long ago.

Then...

'Is he planning to use the Apostle of Meekness?'

That watch, filled with the black magic of Temperance, must contain a powerful spell that cannot be easily stolen.

And Temperance would be busy because of the upcoming 'Holy Sword Scramble'. So he must have handed over that watch to entrust him with a special mission.

-Grin.

Ah, I'm laughing.

I shouldn't be laughing.

A smile was forming on my lips, to the point where the anger that had risen from the broken chocolate was turning into a thrill.

Of course, he must take responsibility for breaking the chocolate. But I wondered what Temperance would do if he found out that this watch was stolen.

Of course, it would be difficult to return alive.

I smiled faintly and said to him, who was staring at me.

"Ugh... ahh! My chocolate!"

"I'm sorry."

"Take responsibility...!"

I deliberately grabbed him by the collar.

There was no change on the face of the Archbishop of Shame. He was offering me his collar with a cold smile, as if he had expected this reaction.

Grabbing his collar, I pulled him closer and said in a rough voice.

"What are you going to do! It was a hard-to-get chocolate!"

"...I'm sorry. Blame the priest who is not good with directions, brother."

"..."

"I am a wandering pilgrim, so I have no money, but if you forgive me graciously in the name of God, God will surely reward you for your good deed."

I smiled faintly.

"Bullshit."

"Pardon?"

"Where is God to bring me my chocolate?"

"..."

"My chocolate is a top-quality chocolate that even God can't easily get. It's a precious item that a beggar like you can't easily obtain...!"

"The believer is very wicked of heart."

"..."

"Ah... it is quite shameful."

"Shame?"

For me, the archbishop was not a problematic enemy. The apostles were scary, but the archbishop was no match. Besides, this guy.

"Kekekek."

He was laughing.

Temperance must be drawing a picture right now. A picture that will cause great chaos.

I couldn't guess what episode it would be in the novel. Because there was no episode where Elisia and the Archbishop of Shame appeared.

'Is it that...?'

It didn't appear directly, but a strange episode that couldn't be created unless you were at the apostle level.

An ancient species.

The destruction of the southern fortress due to the attack of an ancient species. I remembered the episode where the south became a paradise for monsters and the heretics' main base was established after that incident.

It was an episode that appeared in the latter half...

No matter how I looked at it, I thought this incident and the Archbishop of Shame were related. Because in that incident, the Archbishop of Shame had controlled the ancient species.

'He's trying to give his younger brother a present.'

'...But.'

That much.

'...I think I can take it.'

I even broke the Pope's prohibition, so wouldn't an apostle's prohibition be an easy matter? Of course, it would be a magic that the Apostle of Temperance had poured his heart and soul into, but still...

'It seems easy.'

I grabbed Shame by the collar and started acting. While moving to a secluded place that he wanted.

"Follow me."

"Brother!"

"Ah...! I don't believe in God or anything. If you don't have money, let's settle it with your body."

"Please don't do this, brother."

The Archbishop of Shame smiled faintly and followed my hand that was leading him to an alley. As if he was going to kill me there.

"Nothing good will happen to the believer."

"..."

"I guarantee it."

"Hmm, really?"

When we arrived at an empty alley, Shame reached out his hand.

"Brother."

"...What."

"Brother, have you ever had a shameful experience in your life?"

"A shameful experience?"

The scent of black magic began to emanate from the archbishop's outstretched hand. I smiled faintly and replied.

"No."

"Everyone says that. It's a difficult thing to tell others about your own shame."

"What are you talking about?"

"Now... I will see. Your shame..."

-Writhe.

The Archbishop of Shame's brow twitched at the disappearing magic power. With an expression that said 'this shouldn't be happening,' at the sight of him raising his black magic again, I let out a dry laugh.

"What are you doing?"

"..."

"I told you. I've never had a shameful moment in my life."

"...It's the first time I've seen someone so full of self-consciousness."

What can I do, it's the truth.

"The problem is that I'm too perfect."

At the sight of the Archbishop of Shame grinding his 'teeth', I smiled faintly and pulled the watch from around his neck.

"I've changed my mind."

"..."

"I was going to settle it with your body, but... I think I'll have to take this watch instead."

"..."

"Give it to me."

Shame's face began to turn cold.

"It's not something you can touch carelessly."

"..."

"You said you don't have money, so give me this at least."

"..."

"A priest, really? I'll give you a cheap price for it."

"Brother. This is your last warning. The object you are touching carelessly..."

['Black Magic Resistance Lv. 5' cancels out the black magic on the 'Prohibition Pocket Watch'.]

I feel a stinging pain at the tip of my fingers holding the watch. As if to announce that this is the masterpiece of the Apostle of Temperance, it's thrilling.

['Tyrfing' smiles at the scent of black magic.]

I took another step forward and said to him.

"But, is this real?"

"..."

"No, this engraving is the symbol of the Pradi family. It doesn't seem like something a beggar would carry around."

"..."

"It must be real then? Since you're not saying anything."

The chain on which the watch hung was dancing around his neck. At the same time, his face was turning cold.

I said to him.

"Give it to me."

"..."

"If you don't want to die."

[Limit Break tests the limits of 'Black Magic Resistance Lv. 5'.]

[The 'Binding Magic' of the 'Prohibition Pocket Watch' is dispelled.]

-Crack.

The chain around his neck broke with a slight resistance. The archbishop's complexion was turning pale as he watched the falling chain.

And.

I was staring at him and smiling.

"Why?"

"Give it to me."

"Is it because the Apostle of Meekness will kill you? No? Will your brother kill you?"

"...!"

I looked straight into the face of the Archbishop of Shame, which was full of bewilderment, and smiled. And at the sound of a small clap and the appearance of someone behind him, Shame's face turned pale.

-Clap.

"Hans."

Hans, who had appeared from behind the archbishop, gently placed his hand on the Archbishop of Shame's head and smiled.

"You called, Saint?"

"Archbishop of Greed...!"

"Shh... be quiet. You are in the presence of the Saint."

Hans looked into my eyes and asked.

"Shall I erase his memory?"

"Yes."

With a white fog, the archbishop's memory began to be erased.

I brought my face close to Shame's and said.

"Familiar magic, isn't it?"

"..."

"The Archbishop of Oblivion has a surprisingly tenacious life. I was able to extract as much as I could."

"How...!"

"It's a secret. Now... you were walking down the street and lost your watch."

"...No!"

"You lost it by yourself. 'Plop' on a mountain where no one was around."

"Shut up...!"

Watching Shame's eyes slowly close, I bid him farewell. Thinking that this was a method with no loose ends.

"Please send my regards to the Apostle of Temperance."

"..."

"Don't be too resentful. You got off cheap."

"..."

"Because chocolate is more expensive."

At that time.

The ancient species from the novel was scratching its head with its hind leg and biting the top of the young lady's head.

-Gom.

"Ugh?"

-Gomgom.

-Tick. Tock.

Holding Elisia's pocket watch, I sat at the desk and stared at it blankly.

'What should I do?'

Judging by the feel of the black magic, it didn't seem to be a fake. So much so that an ordinary person would die instantly upon touching it.

If it was capable of simultaneously casting a prohibition and resistance magic strong enough to bind an Apostle, it was obvious who had made it.

"..."

An unexpectedly valuable item had fallen into my hands, and I had no idea what to do with it. Because the novel had barely mentioned the watch.

It holds Elisia's life.

Therefore, Elisia cannot refuse Temperance's request. It was only described to this extent, so there was no mention of how to obtain it or who had it, making it no different from an item I had given up on.

"Hmm..."

Literally, a fortunate encounter.

"This is an unbelievable item...?"

It meant that heaven's luck had followed me.

Having Elisia's watch meant that I could command an Apostle.

It didn't mean I could control Elisia's ego or use her like a servant, but Elisia, who had the goal of saving her son, had many things to do.

Perhaps it meant that I could also give her orders, just as the Apostle of Temperance had. Because holding someone's life holds great meaning.

Of course, I didn't think Elisia would just meekly follow my orders. Apostles have strong mental fortitude and are stubborn.

The reason she follows Temperance's words is because they are people on the same path with the same goal, so it's the same as Elisia not following my orders just because I, who have no connection to her, tell her to do something.

"Hmm..."

That's why it's so difficult and burdensome to use.

If I were to break the watch and kill Elisia, I would seem like a bad guy. But it was also a bit much to use the watch to threaten her.

-Tick. Tock.

Honestly.

It was too much of a waste to just throw away such a fortunate encounter, so I honestly wanted to use it.

It's an Apostle's weakness.

Not an ordinary item, but the weakness of an Apostle who can be compared to Rowen. Depending on how it's used, it's a key that can greatly reduce the cult's power or gain a reliable supporter.

The fact that I can't wield it as I please bothers me, but because it's an item that holds that much meaning, my thoughts seem to be getting more complicated.

Opening the silver watch, I let out a calm breath.

"What should I do?"

Leaving it until the time comes was more frightening because I felt like Temperance would do something. Because the Apostle of Temperance would surely try to find another way to hold Elisia's leash after confirming that her control over her had disappeared.

Of course, I don't know what would happen because Elisia is not the type to fall for Temperance's schemes, but I wanted to make the first move before they tried something else.

Because I had to consider Temperance's response.

Deceiving with a fake watch.

Or the possibility of holding Elisia with a lie is overflowing... then.

"..."

I have to go first.

After a difficult deliberation, I nodded and thought of Elisia's hideout.

I don't know what will happen.

But at this point, I'm the only one who can handle her.

Before that.

Ancient species.

I had to think about the ancient species.

The novel definitely described the ancient species as a bear with black fur and a huge body.

-Gom?

I smiled a little and shook my head.

'Surely not...'

-Gom...?

'Right?'

-Gomgom.

-Slap...!

In a room full of golden luxuries, the sound of someone being slapped was heard.

The man who had slapped him was glaring at the man in front of him with ice-cold eyes, and the one whose cheek was turned couldn't lift his head.

It was full of killing intent.

The killing intent coming from the glaring man was making the objects in the room tremble. The shields on the display case were shaking as if there was an earthquake, and at the same time, the pupils of the Archbishop standing in front of him were also trembling.

At the man's gaze, which seemed ready to kill him at any moment, the Archbishop of Disgrace could only remain silent.

"Ha."

A cold, hollow laugh echoed in the room.

"I'm already busy enough with the holy sword, what are you trying to do by starting more trouble?"

"...I'm sorry."

"Ha... sorry?"

"...I have nothing to say."

The man in the black silhouette frowned and pressed his finger against the forehead of the Archbishop of Disgrace.

"This is why I can't entrust you with work. What's the point of being an Apostle's brother if you can't do anything?"

"..."

"What did I tell you when I entrusted Elisia's watch to you?"

"...You told me not to lose it."

"But?"

"..."

"I don't know why the Archbishops are like this... One has gone into hiding, and another has stolen the Pope's orb and his whereabouts are unknown."

"..."

"There's not a single one who finishes their work properly."

The man clicked his tongue and let out a deep sigh.

"And you."

"..."

"You've made the biggest mistake."

"Sorry..."

"It's not something that can be finished with a 'sorry'!!!!"

'Bang!' The desk, struck with a loud roar, revealed the man's anger without reservation. As if to show that it wouldn't end with a 'sorry', the black ink on the desk overturned and fell to the floor.

"Ha. You lost it in the mountains...?"

"..."

"The way to suppress Gentleness... in the mountains...?"

"That is..."

The man frowned at the Archbishop of Disgrace's excuse and shook the cup in his hand. The trembling cup slowly began to crack and finally broke in the man's hand.

"Phew..."

"...I'm sorry."

The man averted his gaze from the bowing Archbishop and wiped his hand with a handkerchief as he asked.

"How are you going to find it?"

"..."

"I asked, how are you going to find it?"

"...That's."

"I definitely ordered you to subdue the ancient species with the Apostle of Gentleness."

"..."

"From the grimoire I found with great difficulty... I found information that there's an ancient species in Hamel...! I did that to give it to my one and only brother... Do you even know?"

"..."

"But... you lost it?"

"..."

"You couldn't even find the ancient species you were supposed to find. You lost it?"

"..."

The man's monologue was filled with a deep roar and shot arrows.

"I'll find it somehow..."

'Bang!'

"How are you going to find it?"

"If you just give me enough manpower."

"Manpower? Are you trying to spread a rumor that 'I lost the watch to Gentleness'?"

"..."

"I didn't even put a tracking spell on it to avoid being caught by Gentleness, so what are you going to do?"

"...I can find it."

"You said you already looked."

"If you just give me a week more..."

"If an Archbishop-level figure looked for a week and couldn't find it, isn't that even stranger?"

"..."

"What are you going to do?"

At the man's increasingly cold gaze, the Archbishop couldn't lift his head.

The man swept back his throbbing hair and suppressed his anger. Because no matter how much he raged, nothing would change.

"Haaah... right. It's my fault for having a moron for a brother."

He needed a plan B.

What they needed most right now was time to find the watch without being caught by the Apostle of Gentleness.

"How long has it been since you lost it?"

"...15 days."

"...What?"

"15 days have passed."

"Ha."

He was so dumbfounded that he couldn't speak.

"Brother."

"...Yes, brother."

"I'll be fine, but if you get caught by that woman, you'll be begging for death."

"..."

"And if the person who took that item knows its use, it's an even bigger problem."

"That won't happen."

"What if."

"..."

"It would be better if some wild animals were playing and the watch broke, killing Gentleness. But if, just if, that watch falls into Gentleness's hands..."

"..."

"You'll really die. I might have to fight an all-out war too."

The man, speaking coldly, said to the Archbishop.

"Find it, no matter what."

"..."

"I'll buy you time somehow."

"..."

"Brother."

"Yes."

"You know I'm looking out for you as much as possible because I was the one who dragged you into this."

"Yes."

"If it were anyone else, it wouldn't end with death."

"I understand."

"I'll buy you two weeks. Find it before then."

The Archbishop of Disgrace bowed his head as he looked at the man who was packing his clothes.

And then.

The Apostle of Temperance went to Elisia.

To prevent the worst-case scenario.

Elisia was praying.

Praying to escape this damn cage.

How long must she be bound by their hands? She just wanted to focus on saving her son.

Elisia, tired of the games of those who forced her to do useless things, pleaded with God.

"Kill them, Lord."

"Punish them until they loathe being alive."

God did not answer today either.

Elisia folded her hands again.

"Lord."

Praying that if the prohibition were to be broken, she would be able to kill them with her own hands.

First, she prayed for the chance to cut off the hands of the man who had killed her son and to destroy his toes one by one in front of him.

It's a sweet thought just thinking about it.

Revenge, that is.

The preparations are slowly being made.

A way to escape from that man's hands.

If she could become a free body by setting black magic as her life, she could escape. If she cultivated black magic from scratch again, she would someday be able to hold a knife to their throats.

It was theoretically possible, but she was hesitant because she hadn't found any concrete evidence yet. Because if she lost all her black magic, she would easily become a target.

Elisia closed her eyes again at the unresolved hardship.

-Clack.

She frowned at the small sound of shoe heels behind her.

Wondering what kind of stranger had set foot in her sanctuary this time. At the thought of 'Is it that person again?', cold mana was gathering in her hands.

"No."

Elisia frowned at the different weight of the mana. Because the mana of the approaching person was a mana that surpassed imagination.

Temperance...?

She felt that Temperance had come here.

Because she felt the mana of someone comparable to an Apostle.

A strong and hegemonic person.

Elisia squeezed her eyes shut.

Because she hated seeing his face, who was about to make a strange request.

But.

-Wow~ It's really dark here.

At the voice of someone, Elisia's body stiffened.

It was a man's voice.

A pleasant, low-pitched voice.

But the aura emanating from the approaching man was rampaging explosively, as if to swallow this space.

-Gulp.

The man was walking towards her.

And then.

The moment the man turned around and his eyes met Elisia's, Elisia's pupils shook violently.

-Jingle.

"Nice to meet you."

"..."

"Apostle of Gentleness."

The monster with red hair.

That monster was smiling, holding her leash.

"Y-you are?"

Elisia thought it would have been better if the Apostle of Temperance had appeared instead.

That monster.

-Saaaaaah...

she didn't want to meet again.