Chapter 121

Prayer alone doesn’t solve problems.

No matter how earnestly you pray, while it might occasionally summon miracles…

It doesn’t solve every single problem.

“…”

Elimiun.

The birthday of that child, the younger one, was also the day the eldest left her side.

That child, who resembled Ruelde more than herself even at such a young age, was well-behaved despite being incredibly curious about everything.

“Mother, are you praying again?”

“…Yes.”

Whenever she had a moment, Hermine would pray while holding a small cross.

There’s a prayer room in the residence too.

The size doesn’t matter. What’s important is the sincerity and devotion.

There, sitting on the floor with her knees bent, she held her two-year-old child who had come to her.

“Lady, the Imperial Princess has arrived for a visit.”

This was observed from the other side of the door by Silphia, who then slowly approached to deliver the news.

Once Karriel’s personal maid, now Elimiun’s dedicated attendant, the girl had grown significantly taller and more mature compared to before.

With her long black hair neatly braided and topped with a maid’s hat, Silphia stood properly as she met the calm gaze from Ermina’s dark eyes.

Silphia slightly bowed her head once more under that steady gaze.

“El…?”

“Cute but scary older sister?”

Elimiun innocently tugged at Ermina’s clothing with childish pronunciation.

Ermina looked down.

The short white hair that wasn’t yet long, and those deep eyes resembling Ruelde’s.

Looking into those beautiful, clear golden eyes, like melted gold, made her anxiety momentarily fade.

Despite wearing pristine white clothes that easily get dirty with even minor disturbances, this child remained relatively neat despite being at an age where they often fall and roll around.

Thinking about it, Karriel at that age was really troublesome.

She’d start crying at any opportunity, burst into tears when upset…

And then suddenly cheer up as if nothing happened.

While children are naturally like that, Ermina, raising her child for the first time, worked very hard even with a nursemaid present.

For nearly a year after giving birth, she barely slept, always keeping her child close.

However.

Even though the war ended, its damage still lingered.

There were definitely things Emperor and Ruelde could do, but it wasn’t enough.

So Ermina also pushed herself.

…Reorganizing various orphanages across the land and visiting them regularly.

She also actively participated in church events and charity activities without fail.

In Irene’s Doctrine, giving alms to beggars and the poor is almost essential.

Giving away your possessions is considered a blessed and virtuous act.

In a way, being a beggar can be demeaning, but on the other hand, they’re indispensable.

But the targets of charity and alms shouldn’t be limited to them.

There were people living in decent homes who still struggled financially.

In the empire back then, identifying and addressing these issues was ambiguous at best, leaving much for Ermina to do.

Just because the Demon King died and the war ended didn’t mean life came to a conclusion.

Another war began.

At first, she thought they could make progress little by little, putting in just a bit of effort.

But the more she reached out and tried, the deeper the wounds and scars she discovered.

No, she had known this all along.

“…”

Still, no matter how hard she tried or what actions she took, it felt like pouring water into a pot with a broken bottom.

Providing food for one day only meant they’d need it again the next.

This cycle would continue until death.

A more fundamental solution was needed.

Children who lost their parents in the war, parents who lost their children…

The wounds of those who lost lovers and friends.

Even those who lost property and inheritance fared better, but some couldn’t recover and chose the path of failure.

Or those whose bodies became disabled.

After being caught up in prolonged violence and slaughter during the war…

Many couldn’t return to normal life even after peace arrived, their hearts damaged beyond repair.

Still.

There was definitely hope.

Because there was certainty that things would gradually improve.

Around the time she realized this, Karriel started accepting Ermina’s comings and goings calmly at such a young age.

Was she five then?

“…Miss Ermina?”

“Ah. Yes. What did you say…”

When did I come here?

Ermina found herself feeling strangely awkward sitting across in the reception room.

And Elhermina, looking at such Ermina, waited calmly for her next reaction despite the situation.

Her voice lacked strength.

Elhermina felt like Ermina was somewhere else, in another world.

Though she could clearly focus when necessary, she’s usually like this.

Ultimately, this place…

This supposed warm and cozy home…

Has it become nothing but a space of wounds for both Karriel and Ermina?

Recalling the contents of his letter, it was clear Karriel would never set foot here again.

The image of him returning home after suffering abroad like some naive noble heir, crying tears of joy upon seeing familiar places, simply wouldn’t fit.

Actually, in a way, she was probably meant to become someone like the current Ermina, receiving the name Elhermina for that purpose.

Both the Emperor and Empress likely wanted her to resemble the woman before her eyes rather than themselves.

Why was that?

Compassion towards others.

And the ability to care for both oneself and others through that compassion and concern.

It was something she heard long ago from His Highness Melinos.

“We were somewhat arrogant and selfish.”

Even the Emperor and Empress weren’t exempt from this.

However, thanks to Ruelde’s stubborn idealism and persistent eccentricities(?), they eventually underwent a renewal of heart.

And the decisive factor was Ermina, they said.

“There was never anyone truly lacking or useless among us, but Ermina was especially remarkable.”

Without her, heroes or whatever would have died dozens of times over.

Still, there were those they couldn’t save.

Back then, Ermina reportedly spent days weeping uncontrollably until she passed out.

She has a gentle spirit.

Yet she’s strong.

An unyielding presence against enemies.

But toward non-enemies, infinitely tender – that holy maiden.

“I judged it unnecessary to burden you alone with worry, so I arranged for additional personnel.”

“…If you think it’s worthy of acknowledgment, they must be quite exceptional individuals.”

Until recently, Ermina had been staring blankly into the distance as if entranced.

But suddenly, her gaze changed.

“By the way, I heard Barriels’ second child has returned. Are you planning to bring them along?”

“…I judged that having someone of that caliber is necessary to prevent any unforeseen unpleasant situations.”

If Ruelde were here, it might be different… But he isn’t.

Given the clues, there’s no real need for Elhermina herself to join in searching for Karriel, especially since Lady Geoffrey is there to make sound judgments.

“You don’t seem to believe that child will follow you safely.”

“…”

Being a mother means…

Even when seemingly spacing out, you remain sharp when it matters.

No, that’s not entirely correct.

Rather, because she understands so well, she’s lost in sorrow.

She hasn’t vocalized it, but how much is her heart crumbling inside?

Still, this isn’t about assigning blame.

Most likely, the person most deeply affected is none other than her.

“Thank you. Just knowing you’re trying brings great comfort.”

“…”

Empty words.

Yet, how could one possibly contradict or protest?

She continues to suppress her own emotions while interacting with others.

Consideration that isn’t really consideration…

Why did she push Karriel so hard?

Intellectually, she understood.

It was a mistake many nobles made.

Because she wanted him to succeed.

But his shortcomings and inadequacies were painfully obvious.

Maybe a capable parent finds their less-than-perfect child’s behavior and attitude frustrating.

And that frustration accumulates until it turns into irritation.

Just because they’re family doesn’t mean one can treat them casually.

Yet because they are family, one tends to reveal their true feelings openly.

Moreover, the title and position of elder, superior, adult drives them.

Caught up in the reputation and scrutiny of being nobility,

If Karriel had been a poorly adapting, inadequate existence in the past, Ermina wouldn’t have pushed him so hard.

Especially after.

When Karriel was wrongfully accused of bullying a commoner student to the point of expulsion, completely ruining his reputation.

It was his parents, Ruelde and Ermina, who had to walk around with their heads lowered afterward.

Even when it was later revealed to be false, the matter was quietly swept under the rug.

Perhaps.

From that point on, an unhealable wound was carved between them.

Without even attempting to mend or treat it.

One side resigned themselves to it.

While the other side criticized and lashed out at this weakness.

“Take one of my acquaintances with you.”

“Take?…”

Thus.

Even though the sudden suggestion caught Elhermina off guard…

“To the island of Saint Regena. I’ll write a letter for you to show to the abbey master there. Time is tight, so I recommend traveling by magic.”

“Is someone there?”

“…Possibly.”

Ermina once again stared blankly at the empty sky with lifeless eyes.

“Though impossible for you or me, perhaps that child can succeed.”

Previously.

There was talk of Ermina seeking mercy from the Papacy for someone.

And she remembered the reason why when she tried to recall it.

“Alesia, wasn’t it?”

The Fourth Saint.

The Saint of Protection.

Though possessing divine power, her physical strength is formidable enough to not be underestimated.

Most importantly, the blessing upon her is exceptionally effective against ranged attacks in battlefields or ambushes.

“The farther away, the less likely to hit.” That was how it was described.

For example, volleys of arrows are meaningless against her.

Therefore, to neutralize her, close combat is essentially the only option.

Ironically, close combat happens to be her specialty.

Thus, siege warfare doesn’t work where she’s present.

When she’s atop fortifications or walls, physical weaponry becomes ineffective.

Unless a grand mage or magical artillery bombards her with overwhelming force, purely physical assaults won’t damage the fortress despite potentially reducing her accompanying troops.

A saint refers to someone draped in miracles, like how Ermina possesses the miracle of resurrection.

As long as they don’t die, they can somehow sustain life, restore, and ultimately resurrect.

However, it’s not complete recovery or healing.

Rather, it’s the result of her faith, dedication, and efforts.

“Do you think she can persuade Karriel?”

“…Regrettably, it seems more effective than what you or I can do.”

“…”

That stung personally.

Elhermina had reviewed the report from the imperial intelligence department.

“Yeah.”

Now it comes back clearly.

More vividly than before.

Just a few days.

Only a few short days, but apparently…

Karriel got along quite well with her.

Though specifics are unknown, they seemed to have built considerable camaraderie or connection in that brief period.

Oddly fortunate.

Until Miss Ermina mentioned it, it hadn’t crossed her mind, but now that she emphasizes it, there must be something significant.

“Is there some fact unknown to me?”

“According to what I’ve heard, that child sent a thank-you letter after learning of my grace. In it, she expressed her admiration for Karriel and her ongoing regret for not following him back then. Moreover, she reportedly revealed to Karriel the content accusing him of conspiring with the Demon King.”

“…”

That’s information known through Partyna.

The story of Karriel’s rejection is likely better known to Elhermina than Ermina.

Thinking about it…

Back then, Karriel was the kind of guy anyone would fall for.

Something taken for granted and overlooked at the time.

“That’s right…”

Lord Ruelde apparently hadn’t informed Lady Ermina of this.

He still tends to treat her like delicate glassware.

Which sounds absurd and laughable to outsiders, but it’s reality.

Even Her Majesty and His Majesty treat her similarly.

Ermina merely endures.

But for how long can she endure?

We fear what might happen when she reaches her limit.

“I’ll approach her with consideration, explain the situation, and seek cooperation.”

“…Since you’re intelligent and prudent, avoid unnecessary words.”

Then, pausing briefly, Ermina tapped the seat beside her with one hand.

“Come here.”

“…”

Uncharacteristically hesitant, Elhermina sat beside her.

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

Gently pulling Elhermina into an embrace…

“To you… To that child… I’ve been too… inadequate…”

“…”

Now unable to even cry, her emotions severed alongside dried-up tears.

Currently, she merely breathes while nurturing another miracle she bore, continuing prayers ceaselessly, hoping her good deeds might help her child and husband.

Simply doing her best with what’s within her power, becoming a servant to all.

“I’ll do my utmost.”

Not promising to definitely bring him back.

Not guaranteeing dual return.

Because Elhermina instinctively knew.

Even if she personally went and found him…

It wouldn’t necessarily mean certain return.

Still, Elhermina wished to face Karriel.

Even if he chose a path from which he’d never return.

…She needed to hear it from his lips to settle her mind.

And only then could she make her decision.

Currently, nothing feels concrete.

Elhermina herself was reaching her limits.

Such mental instability…

Poses serious danger to her lifespan.

A long time ago.

Under the guise of a test, she confronted that cruel voice.

-Human love is indeed remarkable. But tell me, would you remain this ardent if you bonded with it? Or maintain this heart and emotion if rejected by it?

“…”

Possessing the Legacy of the Great Demon King means being tested until the moment of death.

And.

For Elhermina to obtain the qualification for it.

To achieve that…

The collateral she put up was…

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