MPBAGS Chapter 25

"So if that person weren't here, would you leave?"

"Yes."

"And if that person told you to leave, you'd go?"

"Yes."

The priest felt a chill at the obedient answers. He'd thought they could finally breathe easy now that the damned painting was gone, but the target of blind devotion had simply changed. The only silver lining? At least now the object of worship was a person they could actually talk to, not a scrap of paper.

Plus, judging by the holy knight attached to her, she seemed to be a guest of Sir Gabriel. And Sir Gabriel was someone who'd jump if the bishop said jump.

The priest immediately went to Bishop Jabaniya to relay what he'd observed. Upon hearing the report, Bishop Jabaniya praised the priest's perceptiveness effusively.

"It seems the sun god Rahel has rewarded your faith."

"Not at all, Your Excellency."

He was deeply satisfied to have caught the bishop's eye with this. Bishop Jabaniya expressed gratitude to the useful priest and cast about for an opening to approach Evangeline naturally.

"Come to think of it, I haven't yet thanked the young lady for putting out the fire."

"Your Excellency, I'll handle the rest."

The quick-witted priest smoothly took over. Bishop Jabaniya left the remaining tasks to the priest and headed toward Evangeline. Just as the priest had said, everyone's gaze was truly fixed on the young lady. It was strange that he hadn't noticed such intense, fervent attention until now.

As Bishop Jabaniya's eyes were drawn to Evangeline, he understood why. With such a vivid presence, it was only natural she'd draw every eye. Looking at her felt as natural and right as breathing—that's why he'd been so slow to notice.

The bishop smiled benevolently and bowed his head. Normally someone of a bishop's rank rarely bent their head to anyone, but Jabaniya was the sort who'd bow as much as needed for his public image.

Beneath his placid face, his mind was calculating. What was her name again? Raphaela had mentioned... ah, right. Rohanson.

"Lady Rohanson, thank you so much for saving our temple's knight. We'll compensate you for the holy water you used to put out the flames."

"I'll gratefully accept."

House Rohanson? He'd never heard of them before, only learning the name recently through Donau's case. She'd been the employer of the woman Donau Blue had kidnapped, wasn't she? And now she was connected to Donau's painting again. Just like last time, there'd been a fire too.

Bishop Jabaniya showed no sign of the suspicion he felt as he got to his point.

"The other worshippers seem shaken, so I'm going to escort them to a place where they can rest."

He deliberately raised his voice so those inside could hear. Evangeline nodded absently, utterly indifferent to why he was telling her this.

The moment Evangeline's permission fell, their feet began to move. People who hadn't budged despite the bishop's earnest pleas became docile sheep with a single nod from a mere count's daughter.

Bishop Jabaniya watched the scene with great interest. Raphaela was the only one who found it unsettling.

'How much has he figured out?'

When reporting Donau's death last time, he'd submitted a report about Evangeline Rohanson as well. At least he'd been fortunate enough not to reveal everything. That Evangeline was the owner of the summoning circle, the note found on Donau's remains, the rumors that Evangeline had come back to life—only the commander and Raphaela knew those details.

Bishop Jabaniya's information was limited. But despite the lack of information, anyone who faced Evangeline could tell she wasn't ordinary. The bishop seemed intent on probing the connection between Evangeline and the incidents, approaching Raphaela to whisper quietly.

"Was the painting completely burned?"

"Yes. Completely incinerated."

"Why did the painting burn?"

As expected. All fire incidents, with the same people involved again—of course he'd find it suspicious.

"I have no idea. Surely those people didn't set it on fire."

"And Lady Rohanson?"

"She was with me."

"Since it's your word, I'll gladly believe it."

Was this old snake thinking they'd colluded? His tone said he knew it was a lie but would let it slide for now. He thought there must be some connection with Evangeline Rohanson.

"The worshippers were there too. You can ask them."

"Good. First I'll hear from those wretches. I'm curious how much useful information they'll have. Though in that state, I doubt they'll tell the truth."

Well, people who'd been obsessed with the painting like fanatics had become Evangeline's docile sheep—of course he'd be curious what happened. Even if they told the truth, he wouldn't believe it, thinking they were lying to defend Evangeline. But Evangeline really hadn't done anything!

"And Sir Michel arrived later than I did."

That meant to interrogate him separately. He didn't want to exhaust Michel by pushing him, and the way he'd looked right before passing out... letting Bishop Jabaniya question him one-on-one wouldn't end well. Michel would probably be no different from those other people.

"Your Excellency, may I excuse myself first? I think we should get Sir Michel lying down quickly. Sir Uriel must be tired too."

Raphaela felt piercing eyes on him and hastily cleared his throat to cut off the conversation. Evangeline Rohanson was staring at him with frightening intensity.

"Oh dear. I didn't think of that. Leave the cleanup to me and go ahead. Lady Rohanson should receive her holy water, so if she'd come with me—"

"Ah. The young lady should go with them as well. The commander has things to discuss with her. I'll get her holy water ready before she leaves. You don't need to trouble yourself, Your Excellency—if you could just pass along the message in advance, we'd be grateful."

This viper of an old man! Trying to pull Evangeline Rohanson aside to whisper who knows what?

At least it was reassuring that Evangeline wouldn't fall for that snake's schemes. How many people had let their guard down around that benevolent face and walked right into his jaws?

Fortunately, Evangeline's escort decided to go with the bishop.

"Then let's go, my lady."

Uriel hoisted Michel onto his back. Raphaela looked at the unconscious Michel, lost in thought, then spoke carefully.

"...I apologize for the late thanks. Thank you for saving Michel. He passed out, but thanks to the holy water, he's not even injured. Thank you so much."

"Thank you, my lady."

Suspicious was suspicious, but the help was real. Who knew how many bottles of holy water she'd used? How much did that cost?

Evangeline looked puzzled, as if she hadn't expected to be thanked. Provoking such a novel reaction made him a little giddy. Raphaela, are you insane? Getting excited just because Evangeline Rohanson's eyes widened slightly?

Raphaela cleared his throat and changed the subject.

"But is it all right to send Sir… Jelly off alone?"

"Jelly's fine."

"My lady, you did well to send your esc—Sir Jelly in your place. It's best not to get too close to the bishop. He may seem like that, but he has quite a nasty personality."

Raphaela forcibly calmed his excited heart.

The journey to the knights' headquarters didn't take long. Uriel had stamina good enough to run easily even with a grown man on his back, so there was no need to deliberately slow down.

After entering the building, Uriel stopped at the stairs. The reception room required climbing floors, while the infirmary was on the first floor.

"Then I'll toss Sir Michel in the infirmary and return."

"Uriel... could you please treat Michel like a person instead of a sack of grain?"

"Ah. I'll escort him there and return."

What am I going to do with him? Raphaela held his head as he watched Uriel leisurely disappear.

Finally we arrived outside the reception room. Now if I just open the door Gabriel would appear. Before entering, I took several deep breaths.

I was hypnotizing myself. Right, from now on I'm a flirt, someone who keeps multiple romantic options open.

I have to do my absolute best to string Gabriel along and overturn the villainess image Daisy mentioned.

I'd only thought about escaping the villainess role, never imagining I'd end up playing the field. Think positively. Not just anyone can juggle romantic interests, right? Female leads do it. I've just veered slightly away from the villainess's fate. It can't be helped in a villainess-possession story—the genre demands it.

"Commander, I've brought Lady Rohanson."

After knocking, Raphaela opened the door. Inside sat Gabriel along with two other knights, plus Kanna and Henna.

"Lady Rohanson."

"Miss!"

Gabriel rose from his seat and bowed in greeting, then Kanna leaped up and rushed into my arms. Whoa, startling.

"That's dangerous."

"I'm sorry..."

We'd nearly toppled backward together. The moment I scolded her, Kanna wilted. I stroked her dejected head.

But strangely, Henna—who normally would've stopped Kanna—was staying quiet. Henna sat with both hands clenched on her knees, head bowed.

"Henna?"

"Yes, my lady."

She answered immediately when called, so she didn't seem lost in other thoughts...? Did you two fight? When I looked at Kanna questioningly, Kanna whispered quietly.

"Sister heard something strange earlier."

"What?"

"I didn't hear it, but she's been like this ever since someone named Daisy spoke to her."

Daisy? You mean the Daisy I just met? What did Daisy say to Henna besides Gabriel? Was it shocking enough to leave the normally sharp Henna in a daze?

I shifted my gaze from Henna.

Gabriel had also heard from Daisy, but fortunately he seemed fine. He must've heard about the villainous Evangeline from Daisy... was he just not showing it?

Ah! Damn it, I hadn't expected an obstacle named Daisy to suddenly pop up in my not-perfect-but-rolling-along-decently villainess escape plan. Wait, wait. An obstacle? A character who appeared out of nowhere? Then this was...