Bellota’s eyes froze and hardened for a moment. When Bellota turned back to look at the countess, she saw a face wearing a smile filled with hostility, unlike before.

“It’s really a serious matter. The entire empire has been in turmoil over these vicious rumors for days. As someone who is the saintess, I came to see you because I wanted to know what you think about this situation.”

Beneath the kind yet sharp voice lay something like a twisted sense of responsibility. Bellota stared at the countess’s arrogant eyes for a moment before speaking in a quiet voice.

“Which rumors are you referring to?”

At those words, gasps of surprise and confusion could be heard here and there. Even the countess could no longer maintain her smile and glared at Bellota with contemptuous eyes as if she were utterly shameless.

“Are you really asking because you don’t know? And—do you really need me to say it here in this place?”

“Yes, you’ll need to tell me exactly which rumors you’re referring to so I can share my thoughts as well. Which rumors are you talking about?”

Bellota calmly asked the countess again without backing down. At that, the countess’s face suddenly turned red. Even for her as a countess, it was embarrassing to speak of such lewd rumors at an imperial banquet. But even setting aside the lewd rumors, there were enough rumors to attack Bellota. After taking a moment to compose herself, the countess spoke again.

“There are rumors going around that the Saintess is cursed. A curse that manifests every full moon, they say.”

As what everyone had been waiting for finally came up, the banquet hall fell silent as death once again. It was clear that everyone was excited to the tips of their hair, waiting for Bellota’s answer.

“Is that rumor true? Are you really cursed, Saintess?”

The countess, having gained the upper hand, pressed Bellota. Bellota looked at the countess, who had victory in her eyes, with unwavering eyes.

“Regarding that rumor……”

Just as Bellota was about to answer—

“What are you all doing!”

A thoroughly angry voice echoed through the banquet hall. Everyone turned around in surprise to see Geril approaching quickly with an infuriated face. Behind him, the Emperor who had just entered the banquet hall with him and Princess Hestina with a completely deflated expression were visible.

Geril pushed through the densely packed crowd and instantly came to stand in front of Bellota. For a moment, Geril looked at Bellota with eyes tangled with numerous emotions. Bellota also silently met his gaze. It was the first time they had faced each other since that day. Geril’s face, noticeably gaunt, was full of sorrowful tenderness unlike his face that had been consumed with anger last time.

Looking at Bellota with somehow passionate eyes, Geril soon stepped between her and the countess, and turning his back to Bellota, he confronted the countess and spoke.

“Do you all really believe such baseless rumors?”

Geril’s incredulous voice carried anger toward those trying to trouble Bellota with such low-class rumors. Surprised by Geril’s unexpected attitude, the countess flinched and raised her eyebrows. Those surrounding them also hurriedly began whispering, shocked by his attitude.

“What’s this?”

“The Duke is defending the saintess.”

“Even after hearing such rumors? My goodness.”

Bellota stared with unmoving eyes at Geril’s back as he stood blocking her front.

“You’ve all lost your minds. Have you forgotten everything the Saintess has done until now? You call yourselves nobles, yet you’re hounding the empire’s saintess over such baseless rumors!”

Geril raged with bulging veins as if it were an insult to himself. At his behavior, everyone realized that this foolishly pure man was still in love with the saintess. Some looked at him sadly, moved by his appearance, while others sighed and shook their heads as if he were being foolish. Nevertheless, Geril’s attitude remained firm.

“I believe in the Saintess. No matter what happens, I will.”

When Geril put the final point on that strange wave, sighs of admiration leaked out in the banquet hall.

The countess, suddenly humiliated, bit her lip with a reddened face but still refused to back down.

“But Duke, if this rumor isn’t resolved quickly, the repercussions will be huge. As it is, there are already anxious rumors circulating everywhere about monsters appearing and whether the Demon God might be reviving. I was merely concerned about that……”

Then Geril’s cold gaze turned to the countess. It was an icy cold and needle-sharp gaze. Though the countess closed her mouth, pressed down by his force, others behind her who thought the truth of the rumors needed to be confirmed raised their voices instead.

“Countess Emilia’s words are right!”

“This isn’t something we can just let slide. We cannot let it slide.”

“If you believe in the Saintess, we need verification!”

Geril looked at them with lamenting eyes before finally nodding and speaking.

“Very well. Then we shall provide clear proof.”

Geril turned slowly to Bellota and spoke in a grave voice.

“How about holding a banquet at the temple on the full moon night?”

At those words, people’s breathing quieted. Bellota felt her heart sink and slowly tightened her clasped fingers. Then she stared at Geril, who was still looking at her with unmoving, quiet eyes.

“I will cover all costs for the banquet. It’s not at all wasteful as the price for clearing this stigma attached to the Saintess. I will, without fail, explain these rumors.”

Though Geril’s voice seemed angry as if empathizing with Bellota’s situation, his eyes held something different from concern as he looked at her. His face was like one giving charity.

“We’ll hold the banquet until midnight. Of course, the Saintess will attend, and you will remain until the midnight bell tolls.”

Midnight was called the Demon God’s hour, when all curses reached their peak. Geril’s voice, which had been full of anger, had now become languid and leisurely. Geril gave a faint smile as he looked at Bellota, who was staring at him expressionlessly. It was a kind and reassuring smile, as if saying he would resolve everything. Though Bellota did not respond to it, Geril didn’t seem to mind and turned back to the nobles, speaking in a firm voice.

“Will that suffice? Then will you no longer be swayed by those unpleasant rumors?”

After some murmuring, they soon agreed and each added their own words.

“That will do!”

“This is what we wanted. A more definitive verification!”

“I too want to believe in the Saintess. Let’s hold the banquet on the full moon!”

When everyone agreed with his opinion, Geril immediately became pleased and turned back to Bellota.

“Do you agree as well, Saintess?”

It was a kind and friendly voice that felt deceptive. Though he was asking, everyone here knew Bellota had no choice. If she refused this proposal here, that would be no different than affirming the rumors. Sharp gazes that pierced her heart urged Bellota to answer quickly.

Everything was going according to Geril’s wishes again. This must have been the purpose of this banquet from the start. To secure a promise for the full moon banquet. So that Bellota could absolutely not escape.

Bellota had to admit she was cornered. Her face turned pale as she finally slowly moved her lips.

“I…… accept your proposal, Duke.”

At those words, heavy sighs erupted throughout the banquet hall. Some offered brief prayers seeking God, while others quickly gossiped with people nearby as though they found this new development interesting.

However, the most excited person here was undoubtedly Geril. Geril hid a meaningful smile as he leisurely looked at Bellota.

Thinking back, coming up with such a filthy rumor was a stroke of brilliant wit. If it had been a boring rumor about being cursed to turn into a monster or break out in hives all over her body, it could never have made these vulgar people this excited.

The rumors that excited people most were undoubtedly scandalous ones. Especially the dirty, sticky and stimulating ones. Moreover, this was a chance to get back at that holy knight bastard too, so it was nothing but profitable for him. Geril had no intention of clearing the stigma of the holy knight who dared to harbor feelings for the saintess, even if he cleared Bellota’s rumors.

Of course, the rumors he spread made even him uncomfortable. Though it was just a rumor, the story of Seiden and Bellota being intimate made his blood run backward just imagining it. But he had long since learned that was the best way to make Bellota unable to move an inch.

Bellota couldn’t stand harm coming to the things she loved more than herself. She was that kind of woman. So she would surely try to resolve this situation, if only to prevent damage to the Grand Temple and that holy knight bastard. And he would volunteer to play the role of extending a helping hand to her. This time, she would have no choice but to grab his hand.

“I should keep the full moon free.”

“My goodness, I must tell Viscount Rears about this too. He couldn’t make it today due to unavoidable circumstances.”

“Poor Duke Lylster. Oh Lord, please save this man who has fallen into deep love.”

Satisfied with the newly obtained event, people finally dispersed while excitedly buzzing with chatter.