Chapter 11

We quietly set off at dawn, joining the merchant caravan. The heavily loaded wagons creaked ahead, and we surrounded them, taking on the role of guards. Most of the merchants were reasonably friendly, though some occasionally shot us sharp glances. Anyway, since their leader hired us, they didn’t interfere more than necessary.

“Ellie, doesn’t this feel like a rare moment of peace~?” Claire smiled as she spoke beside me.

“It does. But let’s not relax too much. You never know when something might happen,” I replied quietly.

“Who are you talking to? People who are always tense don’t have anything to worry about,” Zion joked with a laugh.

Luan followed quietly behind us, cradling a small spirit in his arms. For some reason, it looked both pitiful and adorable.

—

By afternoon, the wagons stopped for a break. The merchants shared simple meals and checked the wagons while we sat nearby, sharing water and snacks.

Then, one of the merchants approached us. He was a middle-aged man holding a cup.

“Thank you, adventurers, for taking on this escort mission,” he said, offering the cup.

“No need for thanks,” I replied with a light nod.

He stared at me for a while before continuing. “By the way, have you heard the rumors about the Saintess?”

“The Saintess?” I asked, and Claire and Zion perked up with interest.

“The church is in an uproar lately. They say the Saintess has gone missing or something…”

I took a moment to breathe before answering. “I’ve heard something like that. But it doesn’t seem to have much to do with us.”

He nodded, smacking his lips, and swirled his cup. “Rumors say the church worked her too hard, and that’s why she disappeared.”

“Worked her too hard?” Claire asked with an intrigued expression.

“That’s what they say,” he sighed. “Always sending her to exterminate demon beasts, heal the sick, even using her for political purposes… She’s a person, not a machine, right?”

“That’s true,” Zion chimed in. “The Saintess is often treated like a universal problem-solver.”

“But there’s an even more interesting rumor,” the merchant suddenly lowered his voice. We all focused on his lips.

“What is it?” I asked.

He glanced around cautiously. “They say… the Saintess was originally a man.”

“Pfft!” Claire nearly spat out her water, bursting into laughter.

“What? What are you talking about?”

I gritted my teeth internally. Zion couldn’t hold back and started laughing, clutching his stomach.

“I heard it somewhere too… The current Saintess was originally a man, but when chosen, she became a woman. The church calls it a divine blessing, but for a sturdy man like me, wouldn’t that be a curse?” The merchant scratched his head, speaking seriously.

“So… is that true?” Claire asked slyly, her eyes full of mischief.

“Hmm… No one knows for sure, but it’s strange, isn’t it?” The merchant shook his head and emptied his cup.

I sighed. “Rumors are like that. Unconfirmed stories get exaggerated and blown out of proportion.”

“Well, I suppose so,” the merchant nodded and left with his cup. “Anyway, thank you again…”

As he walked away, Claire couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Hey, Ellie, you flinched, didn’t you??”

“Shut up,” I snapped through clenched teeth.

Zion patted my shoulder. “Still, Ellie, you’re definitely the main character in this game. Your story’s spreading faster than I thought.”

I hung my head and muttered, “Ugh… this world is insane…”

—

The journey resumed.

Even after the merchant left, Claire and Zion couldn’t stop laughing. I ignored their teasing and walked back to the wagon. Luan sat quietly, holding the spirit, while a few other merchants watched it curiously.

“Ellie, be honest,” Claire said, walking up to me. “Didn’t that rumor give you chills?”

“What’s so chilling?” I glanced at her.

“You,” she shrugged with a smile. “Imagine the chaos if people found out you’re the Saintess.”

“That’s why I’m keeping it a secret,” I replied in a low voice. “And that rumor… isn’t it just ridiculous?”

Zion chuckled from behind. “It’s funny, but weirdly convincing, don’t you think? Especially since the rumor’s subject is right here.”

“Zion, shut your mouth,” I snapped.

“Relax, it’s just a joke. Don’t take it so seriously,” Zion laughed.

At that moment, the head merchant shouted, “We’re ready to move! Everyone, back to your positions!”

—

We set off again with the wagons. The merchants were mostly quiet, but occasional jokes lightened the mood. I stayed alert, scanning the surroundings.

“Ellie,” Claire said, walking up to me. “About what that merchant said earlier… the rumor that the church worked the Saintess too hard. Isn’t that half true?”

I lowered my head and stayed silent for a moment. Then I answered quietly, “Whether it’s true or not, you can tell by the fact that I’m here. And the rumor isn’t entirely wrong…”

Claire sighed. “That’s why you left the church. But even with you gone, the church is desperate to find the Saintess. Why are they so obsessed?”

“Well… the Saintess is the symbol of the church,” Zion answered from behind. “Without the Saintess, their authority can’t be maintained. Especially since the Holy Power the Saintess possesses is incomparable to ordinary priests or clergy.”

I nodded instead of replying. Zion was exactly right.

“But isn’t it still too much?” Claire muttered, continuing her thoughts. “The Saintess is just a person, after all.”

—

As we continued walking along the path, Luan suddenly stopped. His expression hardened, and the spirit in his arms began to glow faintly.

“Luan? What’s wrong?” I asked worriedly.

Luan scanned the surroundings and spoke in a low voice. “I feel… something strange. Over there…”

He pointed deep into the forest. The merchants looked puzzled upon hearing his words.

“Is it a Demon Beast?” Zion asked, drawing his sword and staying alert.

As we quietly advanced along the path, Luan suddenly stopped again. His expression stiffened, and the spirit in his arms began to glow faintly. His small hand trembled as he pointed toward the depths of the forest.

“Luan? What’s going on?” I asked anxiously.

Luan looked around and whispered, “I feel… something strange. Over there…”

At his words, the merchants looked confused, and Zion immediately drew his sword, ready for battle.

“Is it a Demon Beast?” Zion asked.

“Probably. But… it doesn’t seem like an ordinary one,” Luan replied, his voice trembling but his eyes filled with certainty.

I quickly assessed the situation and gave instructions. “Claire, take care of Luan and the merchants. Zion, come with me to check ahead.”

“Got it. Be careful,” Claire nodded and headed toward Luan and the merchants.

—

**The Anomaly in the Forest**

The forest pressed down on us with a tense silence. Faint light filtered through the branches, and the sound of rustling reached our ears. Zion raised his hand to stop me and tightened his grip on his sword.

“Do you feel it?” Zion asked in a low voice.

I nodded. “There’s something here. This must be the energy Luan mentioned.”

At that moment, the sound of branches snapping echoed, and a surge of intense magical power was felt. Suddenly, a fireball infused with magic flew toward us.

“Watch out!” I quickly activated a defensive Sacred Technique. “Lumino Aegis!”

A glowing barrier formed in front of us, and the fireball shattered upon impact. But soon, another fireball came flying. Zion raised his shield to defend and shouted.

“Whoever it is, they’re targeting us!”

“Calm down. If it’s not an enemy, we need to confirm first,” I said, detecting the surrounding movements with Holy Power as I moved forward.

A faint crying sound from deep within the forest stopped us in our tracks.

“P-please… save me…” a thin voice called out.

Zion and I exchanged confused looks.

“What’s this?” Zion muttered as he approached the source of the sound. Finally, he found a woman hiding behind the branches. Her clothes were torn, her body covered in dirt, and she was trembling in fear.

“Zion…?” Her eyes widened as she saw Zion, and she immediately rushed into his arms.

“Zion!!!!” She burst into tears and clung to him. “I was so scared!!!”

“Uh… wait a second,” Zion looked at her, bewildered. “You… Linda? Why are you here?”

Only then could I properly see her face. She was the mage from Zion’s Hero party.

—

“Calm down, Linda,” Zion tried to soothe her and asked, “What happened? You were with the party.”

Linda wiped her tears and barely managed to speak. “We were tracking a Demon Beast in the forest… when suddenly, an unknown, powerful energy appeared. The Demon Beast attacked me, and I got separated from the party… I’ve been hiding ever since…”

I checked her condition and said, “You don’t seem injured. Where’s your party?”

“I don’t know…” Linda sobbed and shook her head. “I don’t even know if they’re alive…”

Zion grabbed her shoulders and spoke firmly. “Don’t worry. For now, come with us.”

Linda nodded at Zion’s words, but fear still lingered in her eyes. I looked at her and said, “Let’s head back to the merchant group first. We need to plan in a safe place.”

“Thank you…” Linda followed Zion, walking slowly.

—

When we returned to the merchant group, Claire greeted us with relief.

“What’s this situation?” Claire asked, looking at Linda.

“She’s a member of Zion’s party. We decided to bring her along,” I explained briefly.

“Ah, so that’s why Zion’s sticking so close to her?” Claire teased.

At that moment, Luan quietly observed Linda and whispered softly.

“Brother… there’s something attached to her back.”