Chapter 14: The Saintess’s Return and a New Companion

Upon Joedi’s return from his patrol, two figures gracefully emerged from the long-dormant graveyard. One of these figures was none other than the Saintess, a sight Joedi knew intimately. She remained as pure and elegant as ever.

However, the other figure, who walked alongside the Saintess, conversing and laughing, was completely unknown to Joedi. Yet, this companion of the Saintess appeared bathed in starlight and moonlight, their form wreathed in holy radiance, shining like a blazing sun against the dark of night.

Their divine aura, in fact, was no less potent than that of the Saintess herself!

“Hiss…”

Joedi gasped, drawing in a sharp breath. Beneath his helmet, his face was contorted with shock, and his mind immediately launched into a frantic storm of conjectures.

To be honest, the Saintess had indeed spent a considerable amount of time within the graveyard on this occasion. No matter how formidable the foe, or how advantageous the nighttime setting, it was inconceivable that the Saintess would be embroiled in a prolonged, arduous struggle.

Therefore, without a doubt, some other circumstance must have caused the delay. Initially, the Saintess had entered the graveyard alone. Now, however, she emerged with a girl by her side, one visibly blessed by holy light.

‘Could it be…’

‘Could this also be a Light Mage, much like the Saintess, who, upon witnessing the crisis erupt within the graveyard, bravely rushed forward to thwart the necromancer?’ ‘Perhaps, overwhelmed by superior strength, this Light Mage was on the verge of defeat when the magnificent and beautiful Saintess descended from above at the most perilous moment, bringing divine retribution upon the enemy and saving her.’

‘Thus, the Saintess had once again gained a loyal devotee.’ ‘And the benevolent and kind Saintess, witnessing the girl’s genuine desire to follow her, had graciously accepted.’

‘This, then, explained the scene of the two young women emerging together from the graveyard’s entrance.’

In summary, after a moment of Joedi’s wild, imaginative speculation, he arrived at a distinct conclusion: the girl accompanying the Saintess, Eve, was undoubtedly an ally!

Without a moment’s hesitation, Joedi dashed to the entrance gate, where he stood in respectful attendance.

Once the two women had stepped through the gate, Joedi spoke with utmost deference: “Saintess, the entire graveyard has been sealed as per your command. Any undead attempting to escape during this time have been purified on the spot.”

Alice gently moved Eve behind her, then stepped forward, giving a slight nod. “Indeed, you have performed admirably.”

Joedi bowed his head, his voice earnest and humble. “Your praise is unnecessary, Saintess. The Silverwing Iron Cavalry, as your sharpest blade, has merely fulfilled its sworn duty.”

Alice continued, “The perpetrator responsible for this undead incident has been dealt with. Now, Captain Joedi, instruct all the knights currently sealing the graveyard to enter, purify any remaining undead, and then disband to return to the city for rest.”

“While certain ambiguities still surround this incident, it is already quite late. We shall commence the follow-up investigation tomorrow morning.” “For now, Miss Eve and I will return to the city.”

Joedi executed a flawless knight’s salute. “The Silverwing Iron Cavalry will obey your command, Saintess.” “May both you and Lady Eve be blessed with pleasant dreams.”

With that, he summoned his warhorse and galloped swiftly into the night. From start to finish, he had not once questioned or even alluded to Eve’s identity.

Alice was immensely pleased with Joedi’s strict adherence to his duties. After all, he was a trusted subordinate she had personally chosen and nurtured since childhood, intelligent from a young age, and keenly aware of what to inquire about and what to leave unsaid.

She then turned back, a sweet smile gracing her lips, and once more intertwined her hand with Eve’s. In a flash, the holy and solemn Saintess transformed back into a charming, adorable girl. “Let’s go, Eve-chan~”

Eve had been internally fretting, wondering if her undead nature would be brutally exposed and dealt with by the knights Alice had brought. As the Saintess, Alice’s knights undoubtedly wielded the power of holy light. Eradicating a minor, Level 10 undead like herself would surely be an effortless task for them.

Especially upon seeing Joedi, clad in his gleaming silver-white knight armor, standing majestically at the graveyard entrance, Eve felt an immense pressure. Even with her formidable title of [Baby Stroller God of Slaughter], she couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

‘A paladin of his caliber, encountering an undead, would surely execute justice without a moment’s hesitation, even if Alice stood directly in their path, wouldn’t they?’

To her surprise, he had merely offered a concise report to Alice, received his orders, and then departed, without even a fleeting glance at her, the suspicious figure trailing behind the Saintess. The seamlessness of it all left Eve utterly incredulous.

Only after Alice had pulled her toward the white horse waiting nearby did Eve finally snap out of her stupor, unable to resist voicing her admiration. “I never imagined the knights trained by your influential backing, Alice, would be so utterly compliant. I genuinely thought my undead status would cause you considerable trouble.”

Upon hearing this, Alice, who was walking ahead, couldn’t help but chuckle. “How could Eve-chan possibly cause me trouble? Don’t underestimate the authority that comes with being a Saintess, you know. Within the Holy See, I possess the direct right to command any military force. What’s more, this time I brought an entire personal guard, cultivated since their youth—they are all my own people.”

“Then, isn’t it a bit… improper to just leave your subordinates here while you go back to sleep?”

“It feels somewhat scummy, honestly…” Eve muttered under her breath.

Alice, however, seemed somewhat perplexed. “Didn’t we already clear the majority of the undead within the graveyard earlier? They are merely going to scour the area for any stragglers; such a task won’t consume much time. Furthermore, I am not a mere servant. If I, the Saintess, were to personally attend to every trivial matter, what purpose would these knights then serve?”

As the Saintess, such privileges were inherently hers. Alice’s mind, ever agile, quickly surmised that Eve might have other intentions. Thus, she pressed on, “Or, Eve-chan, is there something else you need to stay behind for?”

Eve hastily shook her head. “No, no, I was just speaking offhandedly. Alice, there’s no need to take it so seriously.”

“Truly? If that’s the case, then we really should be heading back now.”

“Mmm…”

As she spoke, Alice gracefully swung herself onto the back of the white horse, then extended a hand toward Eve. “Alright, come on up, Eve-chan.”

At this point, what possible reason could this little undead have to escape the Saintess’s grasp? With a poignant expression, as if bravely marching to her doom, Eve took Alice’s outstretched hand.

Unlike her own chilly, small hand, Alice’s palm felt warm and remarkably soft. Under Alice’s gentle guidance, Eve was pulled onto the horse’s back.

Just as they had arrived, Alice rode the horse back towards the city. The only difference was the addition of a girl on the horse’s back, one who shimmered with holy light.

Having never experienced horseback riding before, Eve was utterly terrified. The instant the powerful warhorse began to gallop, she completely forgot any notion of maintaining distance, instantly wrapping her arms tightly around Alice’s waist, terrified of being flung off if she lost her grip for even a moment.

Consequently, throughout their journey back to the city, their bodies remained pressed intimately together. Sensing the girl’s delicate form pressed so closely against her back, the corners of a certain Saintess’s lips curved upward into a smile, one that spoke of a clever scheme perfectly executed, and it never faltered.

‘In the future, I must find more opportunities to take my adorable Eve-chan out for rides to clear her mind~’