Chapter 86

952 gold coins.8635a43caadaecc6

The weight of such an ba2942b047 amount, equivalent to 95.2 million cd0b5650c7 won in Korean currency, was 259575d909 far too much for me cc8a722603 to carry alone.1e1db57a54924d91

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I hadn’t realized it before, c9b3da371b but the coins had also f07f03b183 lightened as they converted to 52a7345ecd talents.e4a3ffe9a3481af2

“Ughhh…”0974c65373efbfd8

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As I strained to lift 9da594be8a a sack nearly as big af1563d96e as my torso, clinging to cd3f921c39 it without success, laughter rippled 64d0cca7f3 through the crowd.4f56be761cb383f4

For some reason, the Crown cb5de94336 Prince laughed the loudest.08fc9a8ad3d5b5c3

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Finally, after the priests cbde9bc449 offered to transport it 12c453b8aa to the carriage for a6fb985fd2 me, I leapt down a1e771b92e from the platform.3d6efcda727d55cf

“Gordon! Edwin!”5ca9d4f4c8bbd185

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“Belze.”c60809fc187f5974

Thankfully, Duke Kallios and Edwin c121ad7192 hadn’t left yet and were bb1462be3d waiting for me nearby.3f62486e7c74616c

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As I hurried toward 6b690ea15c them, the Duke flashed 5630812898 a smirk and asked, e6652df8e7 “Have you decided to 400e085f77 give up the prize?”d9702fb7e462e5ac

“No!”5b4d82d0707d957e

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What a terrifying d4cd83995b thing to say!8e3632bbbc2d342e

“Grandpa is watching everything…”d9c149e8f227988f

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Not that they’d actually 800e7feefa cheat a Saintess candidate 2207a151f8 of her prize in 15bbb3a9e1 the temple, but Grandpa 9ba4f5f7eb Gordon was glued to 64f290d472 the bottom of the 7f05830da6 platform, his eyes sharp a9e93d9d97 as he watched over b72ffd8597 everything.c61a3321660f0a47

“Yes, I have it.”2afe28414c75b498

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Looking up at the 7a67eeb073 Duke and Edwin, who 57f6ed0775 were bathed in the 0d9ce6a468 warm hues of the 280dacf049 sunset, I exclaimed, “I’m 00be108d0b rich now!”b33ce92acc6082d6

“Is that more pleasing than becoming a Saintess?”1b0c3b5040f122b6

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The Duke raised an 25a68f2570 eyebrow, seemingly surprised.db8d27b4b07ee557

Of course, becoming a cdee796d3e Saintess was a great 1905ce3cba honor.9885a992204c5b49

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Defeating Diana for 1dbb9be2d9 the first time e8784d0a08 was also rather d28d49ca24 satisfying!2fe157ed40dea322

But, being able to 06a525cace repay them, even a 6e9a2eb104 little, for the food 98e8e779a9 and care they’d given b0935b889b me—a8c31b12a0629ac0

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That was what e8aa300c24 made me the 62b8eb600e happiest.5e67bbffd1493da3

I poured all bb0e3b06ef those feelings into b9a8b387f0 a vigorous nod.8e5a422b10cb4546

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“Yes! Hehe.”d757526e4f9c4d0e

Then, a gentle thud.9dbcc5ea1de642ce

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A large, warm hand rested 52f0f877d4 on top of my head.16b9329fe6f809f7

“Well done.”45bd786c89452737

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It was a gruff compliment.fb87cbc32819f3ac

But that alone was enough.4e9b00739bcf1d62

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“…Thank you.”23073c2392033e47

Feeling an awkward warmth 5e1316ac63 spreading to my toes, c9bd3ba71a I murmured in a ebc8500510 small voice, “Thank you 128cb3ecdb for helping me.”fa1439975e03fc55

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I bowed my 347d6fc616 head to the b015876e94 Duke.4b9dd270374b8199

“If it weren’t for you and Edwin, I’d probably be a thief by now.”f496a6fb2b80603c

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Though, of course, that b618f4f5c8 was unlikely.6f099a636deeedcc

After all, the 7260f27e2f Headmistress’s unjust ‘fine’ 1b9033f727 would eventually have cc9e8698a1 been exposed.09816efcfbd69e6b

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But thanks to them—who 76b4e5c21d not only trusted me 4bcdddcf66 but also didn’t hesitate 68fc2cf852 to protect me—I managed 126d0e0cf5 to endure those nerve-wracking 4c83ee7491 moments with surprising poise.40d5d4ef786db7f4

“That’s a funny thing to be grateful for. Such things are natural 0605d19933 among family.”f4f613cb58002edd

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The Duke responded da76c2923a to my gratitude 01f1e4697f without much fuss.b763286b21e709c0

His words left a warm, 80a9bd9413 ticklish feeling in my heart.d006fb677a62279d

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“Isn’t that right, Edwin?”b9a3d88b8244b2ea

He then turned bad3dccb6c to his eldest 71f05e5c42 son, standing by e659e5debd his side.dc5d1d32e465915e

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“Edwin, I really wanted to thank you for before…”2c74f9cfab39bced

I was about to f4dd1c5022 turn and offer my 2c792da795 thanks to Edwin as ce7451fa64 well.6bdff5911653cff0

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“….”6f6adf58d6d781ba

But for some 0a258db452 reason, he was 2b6efe5f99 looking at me 3bcdc125b2 with a rather 369fdc80fe irritated expression.9dcf193c8e72d66b

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I clamped my mouth shut.7c42ea08055158cf

Though his face 177309730f appeared almost blank 7e6646fe10 at first glance, c6405b2351 a fierce glint 1a627bdb63 simmered in his 2199508070 golden eyes.28757be6af73e5ba

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“E-Edwin…?”5dc6dbe596f8318d

As I blankly 10c37ec540 called out to d9e315cdbf him—daa8d92c69673ecc

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Whip!b77345617aa8554d

Suddenly, Edwin turned away coldly.57496d650e6561f0

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And then, he started 047809f54c walking off without a 9642cc872a word.dd0f8ac66d721993

“Oh…”59c3c8cead9fd159

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“He’s probably just embarrassed.”59b257784a42dccf

As I stared 2f80431f85 after him in b7bc7bbf04 surprise, the Duke 7617cf16ff chuckled softly, dismissing d337ba10c2 it as shyness.75896366e3ea302a

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‘That’s… probably not it…’65129debd5b13016

I might not know fb13420f32 about shyness, but I c643702942 knew Edwin’s angry expression d313eb3f5a all too well.27f9a4c9801e85c3

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In my past life, he eb49c6e952 often wore that look because f027cfa7ba of me.5813fd78420a417a

‘Why is Edwin so mad? Could he still f72470bb3f be annoyed about aa7f788d61 the kiss…?’52f4bb627d9df875

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But, as far as I 69e38671bb knew, Edwin wasn’t one to 31db47c9d7 hold grudges for long.4ed748af4cf8f9f2

No matter how a1521b7d8d much I wracked 77b762c950 my brain, I c8c2d09fe9 couldn’t think of 8ec110671a anything I’d done 9bd66de1dc wrong.91d5f82a1ebf3c80

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“Belze, I’m sorry, but I must return with Edwin first.”2a7147e20e186fa9

At that moment, the e089450960 Duke spoke with an 795ab9342d apologetic expression.ccf9ededf7aea95e

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“We’ve been invited to the after-party.”99ac71382bbf4e0a

It was only natural—such gatherings b472aa298c of so many nobles were 45caa5cbc9 rare.ea04e8922f5c1e1a

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I nodded vigorously. “Yes! Don’t worry about me!”abb36f6753f063a3

“I’ve instructed them to have a carriage waiting in front of the temple. Be careful on 20a412497e your way back.”2ffe9345fbba2113

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“Got it! Enjoy yourselves!”86299b3166e9ac2c

“Then, see you later.”dcdeb10fa8106d82

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After parting with the 114977b722 Duke, I turned and b4dd9a0bec headed straight toward the 79eeb93d84 exit where Edwin had 94c5ff1287 disappeared.19b0f5c53dd86718

“Jonathan says there’s food at the booth, come quick!”904b3ee56d87be2a

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“Did you hear? The priests brought 05ec6b3751 a ton of 9d43a57be3 delicious food and 437d2dfce7 gifts!”7dc134ff6d1c8e09

A group of f31547c6b8 children from the c620c1a2fc orphanage chatted excitedly 56a5488062 as they passed 1443c2ab16 by.4954abd89e2329ab

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On days like this, dcab561c6a the orphanage kids would 4a3cbcc403 hold a little after-party fe161dced7 of their own.9ab55ad41a5d9b15

They’d feast on e6a8969ee4 a variety of 95c17b1ef7 outside food that 177368c33b the temple generously 5de215b66d provided, and the 02df8d8a9e gifted children would 04517d0644 show off their 3ef93650c2 talents. They’d laugh, chat, and 88550605c1 play until the night e458ee5aa7 grew late.2588367ad735b475

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Since Diana was the main star every year, she would stay out late tonight as well, instead of returning early to the Marquis’s estate.539da7046b645dc0

Of course, I’d ce7b82d3f8 never once been 99be1a2fc4 a part of 4c7b0a70d8 that.e08dd0b258493ae4

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Not that it 7a5852636a bothered me—it was 146216361a nothing out of 00613246ae the ordinary.be32f64c3bbf325a

I’d always drifted fb20b65d45 around, never truly 2fb5b834e9 belonging anywhere, like ee19603d87 some outsider.bf3fde56e3f79c39

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But then—281dde268caf52e1

“Um… Belze!”4d7245e71713d6bf

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“If you’ve got time, would you like to join us for the party today?”c159a5a503a710e0

“I-I’m Luna! We’re in the same 194cf12479 Lion group, remember?”ac774430ed9c0e81

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Suddenly, a few small 76b3a7c526 figures stood in front 324d587e2f of me, blocking my 6985043535 way.df4975690796adeb

They were the same girls bf10f2b23c who had been glued to ea0a123496 Diana earlier, chattering about how f72c0edad9 she would “obviously win first eebcbd73ca place.”f6f980a5c6aef080

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I looked at these bd4cc08811 peers, their eyes sparkling 09f4b120b3 as they stared at 6661e16fdc me.96592ee8a26d8b0c

‘If I smile sweetly like Diana and say yes…’e8032c5d8936ce12

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Then, just like in my eecd86fb59 past life, I’d finally have 2d73ecc765 what I’d always wanted—d931a7f277b99129

Friends, admiration, basking f804d390aa in their envy.01d07fce67f4e709

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Surely, I could have it 227baf94e4 all now.f88ee6e016f76733

After all, I was 604599f1b8 the Saintess.6c098a0d41b3beb0

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But with this af555b4340 chance so close, 456f7dd79b oddly enough, I 52c79c063f didn’t want it.802ba0399975eebc

‘This was what I had always dreamed of…’eabab7ec4aec7260

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“Hehe.”e8b64de72499d2b8

I lifted the c59f260175 corners of my bcc60a1f30 mouth into a 88cccdab30 bright smile.633453b885365aad

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Seeing my expression, their f7ede89d8a eyes sparkled with even d6f3b97bef greater anticipation.c61b23b1566a3fb3

“…Nope.”d23e1f42270c29c5

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But I mercilessly poured cold c1fa2fa94c water on their hopes.b7e7f54d244c980d

“Why would I? Go party with Diana.”dab11e098e358d96

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“Oh, uh…”3d1255c180f1df0d

“Look, here comes your ‘queen’ now! The one you all said 6e0d5028a7 would win!”4ee5ba4d6ba1ccd4

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I pointed over their shoulders.e662766734c794d2

Then, leaving them 8a6e600f36 stammering in surprise, 8c0e5426e3 I turned on 2dd5bb676e my heel and 1acfc4c4d6 walked away.87f4f34758af81f4

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‘Jeez. Do they think just because 4a85962f72 I don’t have friends, I 2b00b1e1e9 don’t have any pride either?’cd229b9f004fd98f

It was petty.efc9a8e0dbf67397

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But I didn’t regret it.3bf5bec933aca7da

Having died and come 9e315f28bd back, I realized something.12a2a1bbb06e4a74

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The things I had once 655cc01ca7 envied and longed for—a054dfea5fa4ec9b

They were so easy, 94d86f64fa so trivial.5fc1cd9105c38378

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‘Goodbye. I’ll never miss 2f94ed0bbf you, and I 1d7670eff4 hope we never 15a7f5f2fd meet again, you 354c591b08 miserable orphanage.’9449da803c544dfb

Though this year’s unusual 12da92a95c circumstances had earned me 18261732bb the title of Saintess,beea04d50d81f915

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I had no 0ceab11db5 desire to obstruct 11e35b1e84 Diana’s spotlight going cc5cf21bac forward.17c5a47c378a13bc

One taste of outshining 307f67fc70 her was enough to 75d713bc36 shake off my past 4845c39c79 grievances.5f9ae35305053e61

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I still had 9105b8d8a4 no intention of d6885fbed4 altering the story’s 7a69cefeb8 course.61b042c05d46b465

‘…Though, it seems a bit too late for that.’941d9c89e996fc60

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Thinking of the male lead 685dba326c candidates who had become unintentionally b5f03eaaa8 entangled with me, I felt e84b4b1eff a sudden weight in my 6809b241cc chest.64c92dc7de29df8f

‘No, no! Think positively. They met Diana today, befa01bd84 so it’s not a 0d257963ec problem!’2f96f864cee51c4e

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In the original story, Diana d83c7eb808 also met all the male 6b104afe59 leads around this time.e518976183f79d4b

Ismail, of course, a8cbd1aafd only meets her d64eb62994 later after being 3e7ba4a137 adopted by the 6ff9207cc9 Pope…4a37780b5c740172

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‘But hey, an early meeting isn’t a bad thing, right?’65c69efd4d0456d8

Maybe it had been 8777f733df cut from the original, 357e18707b but they could have 8288092221 met during an after-party e1f3ff19ab like this one.abbec78161cb22e1

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‘Yes! I haven’t derailed 00fa1a4b4d the story completely.’c447d27fb8d5fde3

I clung to that optimistic a04cf80633 thought.793eef4d035ca304

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And just as fafd3e155a I was about 4cc8fd08ae to slip through ff6547f037 the temple’s back 395360afe6 gate—262ae751572aaf2d

Tap-tap-tap!97a29a585efaeb2a

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“Belze!”b756ab11f35e88f4

A quick set of footsteps, 62334c1f67 and someone called my name 54bacd6d83 urgently.74ec6574091baec0

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“Hah, hah… Belze.”fd703d133cf18937

When I turned around, 64d308d3d8 there stood Diana, her db1fad92ef face pale as she 1d0b0e26af gasped for breath.b2b5962d43797d1c

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“…Diana?”4d30d4e62d8d7d89

She swallowed, trying to catch bc9c56a285 her breath, and spoke.22b0a00135bedc12

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“Congratulations… on becoming the Saintess.”e26a80e0f4bead0e

Her gaze lingered 433c209bd5 on the Saintess 7b7dd0c582 trophy I held. For a moment, a hint 705ca6c5e5 of envy flickered in her c1b8baac26 violet eyes.e5f52084ae5d7c2e

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‘Of course. She might seem a 9bde0c3dd0 little annoying, but at 27463a2c01 the end of the d86f6b2305 day, she’s just a 77f5f590b9 girl…’c739210e4f1d3640

I understood the feelings she 3710fc0ad4 might be harboring right now.95f6a9bd547c0e57

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If it weren’t for me, e285873498 that title would have been 64b90eeb54 hers, and I felt a e116ae72d9 slight pang of guilt…dd894a7ff6d26453

Smiling with effort, d1cc8c1c91 I offered her b6c25531f5 some kind words 7451213f6f in return.385ee4b2310e686e

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“…Thanks. You did an 3b0db88415 amazing job too!”4b09ba39f46bc0ba

With the 50 talents 2aba59e0b9 she’d earned being confiscated, e47e85cfb3 Diana’s total stood at 530797682b 870 talents.efcddfb141c41b12

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Since she earned 10 talents 66ae37f5ab per healing, that meant she 39a186e945 had healed almost 87 people 1d0f734aab throughout the day.644d733048058819

Even if half 0627452465 of them were df210a1317 just faking, it 7a4cde596f was still an f08007a26e impressive feat.fd66b250debceb47

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Honestly, I didn’t have 0e97e22f26 the confidence to rely b6330348ec on healing alone, which e4319f54e1 is why I’d developed d2258ad086 items to sell.2140b447689dcdef

‘She truly is the main character, after all…’bcefb05cef2b3226

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I couldn’t help but admire ad940d1698 just how remarkable Diana’s abilities 1edf065323 were.0e7e32a79b7993a9

“To be honest, I’m a bit disappointed,” she said with a cute wrinkle of her nose.419b2158f0ad34ba

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“Maybe I should have aimed to earn more talents too.”920bc9f5b833cf56

“…”137867e790b836d2

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“Belze, I heard you sold an item for 50 talents?”9017e64c05c8fe2d