Page 320 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

In the position of an Apostle, the most crucial thing was:

—Oh, Lord...! Not a devout faith.

—For the work of the Lord. Nor the resolve to cut off family ties.

—...Die. But power.

In the cult, where people from diverse backgrounds gathered, disputes were inevitable. There were so many who sought this cult.

Those who reached out for greater power. —If you grant me more strength, I will do anything.

Those madmen who desired to kill more. —If I can kill them more beautifully, I wouldn’t mind being a doormat for the gods.

And those seeking revenge. —Kill this person... I’ll give you my life, just kill them!!

This place, filled with people who joined for various reasons, was a constant stage for chaos, murder, and violence.

Only sheer strength held the answers.

Especially here, where the predominant feeling was one of regret, incidents were endless.

They were people with nothing left to lose. If their gaze went astray, they could kill a person, and any guilt could be washed away in the name of the gods.

So here...

—Crunch.

Power was the measure of one’s role.

Elicia, praying before a blood-stained statue, closed her eyes. She needed to quell the unease that rose within her heart.

—...

That man’s cold eyes. Emotions tangled like spider webs. Ever since she had seen the monstrous form, her heart hadn’t stopped trembling.

It was the first time she had experienced this since receiving the title of Apostle. No, it was the first time she had seen such a form since she gained her ability to perceive emotions.

She had never seen such a bizarre color. Even after all this time, her hands still shook.

“...My Lord.”

Elicia bowed her head, offering her prayer. She called on the name of a god who had always remained silent.

“Why do you give me such hardships?”

Elicia prayed once more today.

“What is the reason you showed me that monster? Are you telling me to soothe his pain with a gentle heart...?”

To a god who remained silent even when asked if she should grant him the peace of death.

“...Why do you not answer?” “I have abandoned my name for your sake, kneeling here in this place...” “I have brought so many followers to you, yet why is there no response?”

From behind Elicia, she could hear the footsteps of many. The sound of those ◆ Nоvеl?g?t ◆ (Only on Nоvеl?g?t) who had abandoned their faith approaching.

—If we kill her, we can become Apostles ourselves. —It was written in the ancient grimoire... Kill a powerful dark sorceress, and you’ll grow even stronger...! —She’s alone, after all. She never created an order like the other Apostles... Ack...!

Elicia ignored the scent of fresh blood and focused on her prayer, softly whispering her fears to her god.

She didn’t remember the names of those she had killed.

“O, Lord...”

She called out the name of the god.

She hadn’t felt this way even when she faced the Pope. The Pope was simply filled with ambition.

He wanted to hold the world in his hands. To seize power. To annihilate at will. It wasn’t frightening because she could bury those filthy emotions in her heart.

But he...

He was more wicked than anyone. And yet, he was more virtuous than anyone. The most terrifying thing was that his heart was filled with an unfathomable sadness. That fear had rooted itself deeply in Elicia’s heart. It was frightening, dreadful.

Recalling that day, Elicia shuddered.

Even when faced with a brutal murderer, Even when a thief held a blade to her throat, She thought she might die, but she wasn’t scared.

Yet this sorrow was beyond comprehension. An endless rage. A murderous intent that seemed to tear everything apart.

She trembled, knowing that no one else in this world could hold such emotions.

She felt she could never oppose him.

Her ability allowed her to shape everything she saw, especially those with intense emotions, turning them into easy prey that she could manipulate and kill at will.

But he was...

—Tremble.

A monster far beyond her grasp.

‘I’ll die...’ ‘If I face his emotions, I’ll die...’ ‘I’ll surely die...’

The indirect fear twisted her entire body, filling Elicia with terror.

At that moment,

—Tap.

A stranger’s footsteps echoed near Elicia’s ears.

The emotion felt was ‘peace.’ The feeling of a messenger sent to deliver a message.

“Apostle of Compassion.”

A man’s voice, steady and controlled, reached Elicia’s ears, interrupting her prayer.

Elicia turned at the sound, her expression souring the moment she saw his face.

An unwelcome visitor.

“What brings you to my church, Archbishop of Disgrace?”

The Archbishop of Disgrace.

The man who had killed her son had set his filthy foot into her sanctuary. Elicia frowned even more than when she faced heretics who had come to kill her.

“I come bearing a message from the Apostle of Temperance.”

—Hiss...

His emotional color shifted to purple, a swirling violet, like a shimmering haze.

Suppressing her grinding anger, Elicia called on compassion within her heart. She didn’t want a single moment of rage to lead to an irreversible mistake.

The Apostle of Temperance held her weakness. And this man was the blood of the Apostle of Temperance.

—It was my brother who killed your son. —No... Nooo!!! —Do you want him to live? —Please... Please save him. —Very well. But you must promise me one thing.

Elicia clenched her fist, thinking of Temperance, who held her leash, and the Archbishop smirked as he watched her.

The Archbishop of Disgrace spoke to Elicia.

“You failed, didn’t you?” “...” “And you were even caught by the Captain of the Empire’s Knights.”

He spoke with an arrogant expression, as if he were her superior, criticizing her mistake.

“Your failure has deeply disappointed the Apostle.” “Shut your mouth.” “I cannot. I am merely a messenger for him. Even if you, Apostle of Compassion, do not wish to hear it, I remain faithful to my duty.”

—Grit.

Elicia clenched her fists and glared at the man before her. Then, seeing the ‘old clock’ he carried, she closed her eyes.

“...”

The Binding. Elicia’s mind raced with the silent threat held by the Archbishop, who kept her on a leash.

—The Pope admires your talent. —... —But I think a leash is necessary... Even if you look at me that way, you cannot change a thing. Following my words will only benefit you. —Please... I will do anything, just spare my son. —Then... This belongs to your son... Ha! Or should I say... his keepsake?

It filled her with disgust. The whole situation. She did not regret abandoning the gods, but the rage over the mistake she made that day consumed her.

“Speak... your piece.”

The Archbishop nodded slightly.

“If this matter had ended well, the Apostle promised to return this item to you.” “...” “But since things have turned out this way, he expressed his regret.” “Archbishop.” “...” “Are you toying with me?”

The man’s emotions before her were those of pleasure.

The arrogance and pride of someone who dared to trifle with an Apostle. These emotions danced and twisted.

A single gesture would be enough to kill him. She could twist his emotions and leave him half-dead, but she knew Temperance would never allow it, and so Elicia closed her eyes in anger.

Certainly, Temperance must be close by.

“Hold your tongue, Archbishop.” “...” “Are you enjoying hiding behind the Apostle?” “You misunderstand, Apostle. I am merely here to relay a message from the Apostle of Temperance.” “If you think I won’t kill you because you’re Temperance’s blood, you’re sorely mistaken.” “...” “Here, even your esteemed Temperance is merely a lamb in the flock.” “As I’ve said, I am but a messenger for the Apostle of Temperance.”

Elicia laughed darkly, watching the emotions of the Archbishop, who clenched his fists. His emotions, befitting his title, were steeped in disgrace.

‘Arrogant wench.’ His emotions bore that exact hue.

Twisting and writhing in a mess of emotions, Elicia found it not entirely unpleasant.

If she provoked him further, he’d surely explode, but doing so would ensure that Temperance would not sit idly by.

“Tell Temperance this: If he comes here once more, I’ll kill him, leash or not.” “...” “Why are you still here? Do you wish to die too?” “My apologies.”

Elicia once more knelt before the statue, bowing her head.

In the moonlight shining on the massive statue.

In one hand, an hourglass. In the other, a sword.

Before the statue of a benevolent-looking man, Elicia knelt, while behind her, the Archbishop of Disgrace bowed and disappeared into the shadows.

Compassion. Mercy. Temperance. And the other four. The seven Apostles always maintained the highest authority within the cult, excluding the Pope’s four envoys.

Elicia whispered softly.

“A single blood relative...”

At that moment, shadows in the shape of blades began to approach the Archbishop’s back as he vanished into the darkness. Just as they were about to reach him, the Archbishop bowed his head and spoke.

“The Apostle of Temperance prioritizes your work, Apostle of Compassion.” “...” “Thanks tothe Apostle of Temperance, you will find true faith."

A sharp shadow hovered right in front of the Archbishop's eyes, signaling that any further words would lead to bloodshed.

“You’ve got good instincts, Archbishop.” “...” “Don’t think you can order me around just because you’re delivering a message.” “My apologies. I misspoke.”

Elicia’s eyes twitched, and she addressed the Archbishop of Disgrace once more.

“Leave when I tell you to.” “...” “Or is this humiliating?”

Elicia’s gaze gleamed with a fierce intensity.

“Do you know why I haven’t killed you yet?” “...Gulp.” “Is it because of the Binding?” “...” “There are countless ways to break the Binding. I can always start over from scratch.” “...There’s no way to break the Binding placed by the Apostle of Temperance.” “Keep believing that. It will make your death all the more painful.”

Elicia’s eyes narrowed, bloodshot with anger.

“When the day of reckoning comes, I’ll slaughter you all.” “...” “I’ll return to the moment before you killed my child and gift you the worst agony imaginable. So just wait.”

Her emotions trembled, this time from anxiety and fear. Seeing the Archbishop’s emotions shaking harder than ever, Elicia smiled, pleased, and nodded.

“Go. I have to resume my prayers.” “Understood.” “If you open that mouth of yours one more time, you won’t die peacefully, Archbishop.”

The Archbishop clenched his fist and departed, heading back to where the Apostle of Temperance was waiting.

Bright sunlight poured down on the town of Hamel.

I was in high spirits, returning home from a solo grocery trip after a long time. Today was a glorious day—the young lady had taken her first step. Even if it had been with my hand holding hers, it was a satisfying result, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

“Mm-hmm.”

My bag was filled with beef, asparagus, various spices, and chocolates.

The chocolates were from the young lady’s favorite shop, specially sourced for today.

They were layered, with liquid chocolate encased in solid chocolate, offering an unrivaled taste. I was thankful to the shop owner as I walked home, reflecting on our exchange.

—Thanks for looking the other way last time. —Oh, no. It was nothing, really... —Shut up. Here, take this. —What? —I heard the young lady likes chocolate, so I bought some. It’s fragile, so handle it with care.

The shop owner was always an angel.

I quickened my pace with a smile, eager to return home. Once I got there, I’d slide right into a bath and relax...

—Thunk.

“Hm?”

—Crack.

“...?”

I heard something break. Lifting my head, I felt the world crumble. A passerby had deliberately bumped into my shoulder, and I glanced up, expecting an apology or confrontation.

And then.

“Oh.”

Seeing a familiar face, I broke into a small smile.

White robes. Hair that reached his shoulders. And an old, worn-out watch.

“Well...”

It was the Archbishop. The one burdened with the grand title of Disgrace. Seeing him, I smiled, contemplating the “compensation” I was about to receive.