The Monster Lady and the Holy Knight - Chapter 60

There will be signs in the sun and moon, and on the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea… I tell you the truth… that day will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth.

—Evangelium secundum Lucam 21:25-35

***

Blink, blink.

Veronica opened her eyes and thought that she was sick of staring at the ceiling like this. Repetition might be a comedic device, but it felt as though she had experienced all the fainting she could in her lifetime in just a few months.

“Water, please.”

As soon as Veronica opened her mouth, the maid in the room screamed in surprise. She must have been lying there for quite some time. After gulping down the water in a daze, she fell asleep once more, and after waking again, she had some porridge to help her digestion.

Looking out the window, she saw that the snow in the shade of the imperial palace had nearly disappeared. More surprising than the approach of spring was the fact that Kart had not yet fallen.

“The Founding Festival is already upon us.”

Oscar, who had come to visit, explained. It seemed she had been unconscious for quite a while.

“I’ve heard that you’ve been invited to the imperial banquet in recognition of your contributions to the extermination. Do you understand the significance? This is the first time in Kaisenmeer history that a commoner has been invited to the Founding Festival banquet.”

Oscar looked slightly excited as he said this, as if celebrating a friend’s success as his own. Unfortunately, Veronica had no interest in such matters.

“What happened to the extermination force?”

She asked quietly, and Oscar hesitated. His expression hardened as if recalling something, then he summarized.

“The extermination force went out several more times after that. However, it seems the initial losses were severe, and Bahamut no longer approaches the walls. All of this is thanks to you. Though there have been injuries, they are within expectations, and not alarming.”

They’re not coming anymore?

Veronica furrowed her brow. Though it was good news, she felt uneasy.

“Is something bothering you?”

“No. Actually… just before I lost consciousness, I saw something like Bahamut’s memories.”

Oscar raised his eyebrows in surprise. Veronica shook her head as she saw him look ready to write down her every word.

“No, there wasn’t any new information. It was just old memories. When I first saw the world we live in, it felt like… envy.”

“Envy?”

“Strange, isn’t it? To be honest, it felt more like sorrow than envy. So, I felt pity.”

Veronica, staring off into space, sensed the awkwardness in the air and fell silent.

Oscar was looking at her as if she were a stranger.

“Pity? For those monsters?”

Ah.

“Could it be that you were completely assimilated in the fire?”

She had misspoken. It was a feeling no one could understand without experiencing it firsthand.

Oscar’s eyes swept over her face suspiciously. He looked as if he were about to call someone—perhaps a doctor or a soldier.

“No, that’s not it. No. I must have expressed it poorly. Maybe my head is still dizzy from the medication.”

Veronica hastily made an excuse, pretending to touch her forehead and pulling the blanket up to her eyes. Oscar opened and closed his lips several times, as if he had much to say, but seeing how miserable she looked, he sighed deeply and backed away.

“Regaining consciousness doesn’t mean it’s over. Recovering physically is just as important. I’ll come back when you wake up tomorrow. For now, rest well.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll take your nagging to heart.”

Veronica nodded quietly from under the blanket. Wake up…

Suddenly, a voice that had been hiding deep in her chest surged up. Wake up.

“Oscar.”

Oscar, who had been turning away, looked back. Veronica lowered the blanket slightly and asked, “Was it you who saved me from the fire that day?”

“…Yes, it was me.” Oscar hesitated before answering.

Veronica asked worriedly, “The fire must have been intense. Were you hurt?”

“I was burned, but those with holy power can heal their own wounds. So I’m fine.”

He looked stiff. Perhaps recalling a painful injury was difficult for him.

Feeling guilty, Veronica quickly spoke, “Thank you. Thanks to you, I survived.”

“It was God’s will. Next time, please at least give me a heads-up before doing something reckless.”

With this almost pleading request, Oscar turned away again. The door clicked shut as it closed, and despite hearing the answer she expected, Veronica felt hollow.

Why did I think it was Leon? Logically, it didn’t make sense—he was part of the opposite extermination force.

This ridiculous lingering attachment was certainly gifted in imagination.

Leon was the one who responded to her clumsy confession with a cruel answer. It was obvious, even without seeing it, that he hadn’t worried or come to see her. He wasn’t as good a person as she had imagined. There was no reason to keep getting hurt by such a person.

Curling up, Veronica buried her face in the large pillow, chanting to herself. Aseldorf, Aseldorf, Aseldorf. Desperately, she fought back tears.

Veronica resolved that if he came, she would treat him just as coldly.

Leon was a man who valued duty, and he would come at least once to share holy power.

However, Leon never came. Not even once, until Veronica had recovered enough to eat solid food and walk through the imperial palace gardens.

It was as if he had completely forgotten she existed.

Considering that even Princess Johanna and Deputy Commander Philip had visited, it was terribly disappointing. No, calling it disappointing was too light—it was heartbreaking. Veronica was disappointed once again.

“I heard you called for me.”

“Ah, you’re here right on time. Come closer.”

As the Founding Festival approached, the person who called for Veronica most frequently was surprisingly Johanna. The princess kept summoning Veronica, supposedly for preparations for the festival. Each time she was called, Veronica grew anxious, unsure of the princess’s true intentions.

“How do you like it?”

Today, she was shown a bright red dress. The bodice and sleeves clung tightly, showing off her figure, while the skirt flared out in a voluminous shape. The dress was as beautiful as its vivid color.

“It’s a custom-made dress just for you. I thought you might need something to wear for the Founding Festival.”

“A dress for me?”

Veronica’s eyes widened. She had worn elaborate costumes for dancing, but never fabric this fine. The red wasn’t just striking—it was captivating. As she stood there, stunned, the princess nodded to a woman who seemed to be a seamstress.

Wearing a dress like this for the first time was difficult. With help, Veronica managed to squeeze herself into it, and then the maids started to decorate her like a doll—adding ruby earrings and a tiara.

The princess seemed amused by Veronica’s awkwardness, giving various instructions and watching her.

“I’ve heard some nobles whispering about a commoner being invited to the Founding Festival banquet.”

Veronica, who had been staring at her reflection in the mirror, snapped back to reality and bowed her head.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, no. Those who dare to speak against His Majesty’s decision are just unaware of the sacrifices you’ve made for Kart.”

The princess uncrossed her legs and approached Veronica, touching her hair. When she had left Bayern, her bob had barely reached her shoulders, but now it had grown long enough to touch her collarbone.

“So, are you dressing me up like this to show them?”

Veronica, reflecting on the passage of time, spoke without thinking. She hadn’t meant to say it aloud. My God.

She panicked, but fortunately, the princess didn’t seem angry.

“Hmm, well, perhaps that’s part of it. But I also genuinely want to take care of you—not for past deeds, but for future sacrifices.”

Future sacrifices?

Veronica hesitated, unsure of the meaning, and the princess smiled brightly, almost blindingly.

“The fate of an assimilated one is truly unfortunate. I kept it a secret until now because Leon looked troubled. But after everything that’s happened, I’m sure you wouldn’t run away just because you learned the truth.”

Leon. Secret. The combination of those two words brought to mind their hushed conversations. About a horse fated to die rolling on the battlefield.

“They say that when you kill one Bahamut, all of its offspring die as well. You know this, don’t you?”

Veronica nodded cautiously. The heavy ruby earrings swung with even the smallest movement. Johanna smiled as if the explanation had become easier and then continued.

“What do you think happens to an assimilated one?”

“……”

“When the entity that assimilated them dies, what happens to the assimilated one?”

The question was simple. Easy to understand. But…

“I don’t name animals that are going to die.”

It felt like being hit over the head.

The pieces of the puzzle that had once seemed full of holes suddenly fell into place as if it had all been a lie. Everything made sense now.

“Even at this very moment, I wish for your death.”

“So don’t cry for me. Don’t forgive me. Ever.”

How had she not realized it before?

Veronica had been livestock—raised, fed, and nurtured, all for the day of slaughter.

He had saved her to kill her. He had rescued her to destroy her. It was the greatest contradiction she had ever known.

Veronica’s legs gave way, and the maids caught her as she stumbled. If this were a dream, it would be a nightmare. But, as always, when you wished it were a dream, it turned out to be reality—just like the burning of Bayern.

At that moment, the voice of an attendant came from outside, as if destined.

“Sir Leon Berg is here.”

Johanna looked down at Veronica and let out a sigh of regret.