I really wanted to curse.

“No, why do I have to wear this, you crazy bastards…”

Taking a deep breath, I put on the white dress they gave me.

It was made entirely of fluttering material, pretty to look at but uncomfortable to wear and with a design that had absolutely no practicality.

“…Rose, I can hear everything.”

“Your Highness, just a moment. Why won’t this tie?”

I struggled behind the screen left by the elf attendants, trying to tie the knot.

Why do I need to observe formalities in this situation by wearing traditional elf clothing or whatever?

Of course, this was a kind of diplomatic activity, so some formality was necessary.

But annoying things were still annoying.

Moreover, I had already gotten angry with them over Calix’s issue, so I had no choice but to comply with their demands.

I was feeling uneasy.

What I was doing was national-level espionage, the kind I’d only seen in movies.

I had no intention of cooperating with Morisias, and pretending to cooperate was all a lie.

Whether Morisias was unfairly sealed away or not, if he resurrects, we’ll all likely die, so why would I cooperate?

“Ah, there.”

I came out from behind the screen and checked my appearance in the full-length mirror.

The elves must have some aesthetic sense, because this was the prettiest outfit I’d ever worn.

“Your Highness, I think we can go out now.”

At my words, Calix stared at me blankly for a moment.

“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

“Ah…”

But before I could hear his answer, he frowned and quickly turned his gaze away.

“It’s nothing, so don’t come close with that face.”

I was dumbfounded.

What’s wrong with my face!

When I glared at him meekly, Calix seemed to realize he had said something ridiculous and awkwardly moved closer.

“When we meet the elves, I plan to act as submissively as possible.”

I stopped glaring at Calix as he suddenly brought up a serious topic.

“I need to show them that I’m intimidated, as they intend.”

“Your Highness, you’ve already lost your temper with that elf Luminas…”

“That’s that, and this is this.”

Ah, yes.

Though it didn’t make sense, I decided to follow Calix’s words.

He was right.

“So, if they try to separate you from me, just use me as an excuse and stay by my side.”

Calix whispered, coming very close.

“The elves will try their best to separate you from me. Because you’re special. They’ll be annoyed by me sticking to you like a leech.”

Then he gently stroked the necklace around my neck with his index finger.

“So if they try anything…”

Calix lightly rubbed the small jewel on the necklace against my lips. His gaze followed, touching my lips.

“Bite it and twist.”

“…What?”

“I’ve engraved a warp spell on it. You’ll go to Ruel’s side.”

“Then what about you, Your Highness!”

At my words, Calix raised his eyebrow, wondering why I would ask such a thing.

“Do you think I wouldn’t have that level of contingency plan? So don’t worry about me and go first.”

Having said his piece, Calix moved away from me and opened the door.

“Let’s go.”

***

My heart was pounding relentlessly.

It felt much more nerve-wracking than my first day at work.

“Is the food to your liking?”

“Yes.”

As Calix had instructed, I maintained a cooperative attitude toward them as much as possible.

Of course, their food was terrible.

There was no meat at all, just roots and herbs, and it tasted awful.

‘Temple food tastes good… These guys don’t know how to eat.’

Calix had mentioned that elves were vegetarians, but still, they call me Saintess.

Shouldn’t they normally serve human food out of consideration for the Saintess? It felt really uncomfortable.

“By the way, that fellow…”

The Elder looked at Calix sitting next to me with displeasure and let his words trail off.

I frowned slightly at his rude attitude, and the Elder quickly smiled gently and whispered in a soft voice.

“I heard you entered the Temple of Fate.”

He came closer and personally poured me a drink, speaking in a coaxing manner.

“Did you meet Estiago, the High Priest of Fate?”

At his words, I almost spat out my drink.

“Ah, you mean that librarian?”

I tried to remain calm, following Calix’s lead.

“He’s someone who cannot be seen by anyone except Isis, the Goddess of Fate.”

He smiled seductively and tapped my hand with his finger.

“Of course, now there’s also the Saintess.”

Just then, I heard a clattering sound from beside me.

I briefly turned to look at Calix. The knife he was holding was slightly bent.

He’s strong.

“Did Estiago say anything in particular?”

He did say something.

“I’ll make you Isis’s slave!”

Remembering that squid who rushed at me like a madman still sent chills down my spine.

“He told me to follow Morisias’s will, fill the world with darkness, and liberate Isis.”

When I delivered this appropriately villainous line, the Elder visibly showed signs of pleasure.

“As expected of the Saintess.”

“…And he told me to serve the Crown Prince diligently and make him a great ruler who will go down in history.”

At my words, Calix’s eyebrows shot up.

He seemed to be signaling “what are you doing?” but I continued regardless.

“It is Morisias’s will. I am merely a tool to change fate. The one who will change everything and pioneer a new world is none other than Calix Posman, the Crown Prince.”

I lifted my chin and spoke as majestically as possible.

The banquet hall immediately began to stir.

All the elves’ gazes turned toward Calix.

Calix didn’t need to feel intimidated among the elves.

I smiled brightly at him.

“It is the will of the god. Show your respect.”

If there was a risk of being separated from Calix, I just needed to create a reason not to be separated, right?

“What are you doing? Hurry.”

“…I behold the most powerful soul.”

The elves stopped eating and all rose to bow their heads to Calix.

The reaction was a bit excessive. But I deliberately maintained a brazen attitude.

“Now, tell me your plans. What do you know and how do you intend to resurrect Morisias?”

I wasn’t sure about other things, but I could definitely feel that I was a “Saintess” to these people.

They seemed like they would believe me if I called a passing dog a cat.

This was serious.

They seemed to think of the squid priest, whom I had stabbed multiple times with a knife, as some legendary pope.

One thing was clear: they didn’t know what had happened to the squid priest.

“Actually, we knew the Saintess would manifest in this world.”

He called Luminas over and seated him beside him.

“So we sent our strongest warrior to find the Saintess at the right time. However, due to the greed of those damn humans, he was captured by illegal black market dealers in the form of a deer.”

I was a bit surprised by his words. So this elf called Luminas had been looking for me from the beginning?

“But since he met the Saintess there, we believe that was also Isis’s blessing.”

The Elder smiled proudly.

“It’s a wonderful fate, isn’t it, Saintess? When Morisias resurrects, Luminas will be your mate-“

“Did the Saintess ask you about that?”

It was then. Calix slammed the table and looked at the Elder with a face that said he couldn’t take it anymore.

“As she said, the fate Morisias has chosen for resurrection is me. First, explain what that chimera was that showed me the oracle.”

“…Didn’t I tell you clearly? It’s not a chimera, but a priest of Isis.”

“You have no intention of negotiating. If you think you can take over Posnia with that kind of diplomatic skill, wake up from your dream.”

Calix spoke to the Elder in an authoritative voice.

“Do you think it ends by driving out Kamesis and resurrecting only Morisias? It seems you haven’t thought about what happens after resurrecting Morisias?”

The Elder responded indignantly to his words.

“Morisias’s power is mighty, Crown Prince. Are you daring to insult Morisias?”

“You’re living in a fantasy. What use is Morisias’s power when you don’t even know how to conduct proper politics?”

He began to argue with the Elder.

“If you just wake Morisias, will he provide food? Or will he provide absolutely invincible soldiers? Things that even Kamesis, who currently holds real power, cannot do?”

“That is…”

“Posnia is not the only one receiving divine protection. That’s why diplomacy is so important.”

Calix openly mocked the elves with a slightly more relaxed face.

“Now I understand why Morisias chose my fate rather than yours.”

What’s this? He’s supposed to be acting weak, but he’s fully embracing the concept I threw out.

Given his true nature, this was a natural result.

“Unless you want to all perish from foreign invasion right after resurrecting Morisias, answer the question I asked.”