SIDE STORY 1.

A Woman Who Does Not Feel Jealous

The Rundhardt Empire had been enveloped in a festive atmosphere for several months. A few months ago, they had succeeded in completely destroying the third source hidden in the Death Forest in the west. This happened just one year after they had cleanly dealt with the dark magic at the second source in the Rubble Mountains.

The Holy Knight Order of Kanbremes had naturally been the ones to handle two such formidable sources within a year. All citizens of the Empire praised the Holy Knight Order that advanced fearlessly while defeating evil, and firmly believed they would root out the dark powers nestled throughout the continent.

The Holy Knight Order, which bore the title of the greatest order in imperial history, had something even more special. The Empire’s only Saintess always accompanied them on their subjugation missions. Many had witnessed how monsters became docile and lands corrupted by evil powers regained vitality and came back to life wherever the Saintess passed.

What’s even more special was the relationship between Holy Knight Commander Seiden Blackwood, who led this remarkable order, and Saintess Bellota Rosebeth, who boasted equally remarkable holy power.

Three years ago, Bellota Rosebeth had married Seiden Blackwood, and she was now known as Bellota Blackwood. Everyone in the Empire knew the Blackwood couple and revered them both.

Even after leaving the temple to become Seiden’s wife, Bellota Blackwood did not neglect her duties as Saintess. The citizens deeply respected and loved her for this.

Benevolent to all, merciful to everyone, and embracing all people with love without discrimination — a beautiful and noble child of God. A holy woman so sacred that no dark power or vile temptation could take root in her.

All these were the brilliant words used to describe Saintess Bellota.

* * *

“Ha, is this all?”

Seiden stared blankly at Yevar, who looked annoyed. On the table before them lay the corpse of a rare monster that Seiden had caught during his subjugation mission in the west. It was the corpse of a rare and dangerous monster that ordinary people couldn’t even imagine.

“Didn’t you say you needed this?”

When Seiden asked somewhat incredulously, Yevar’s eyes sharpened.

“That was before I knew you were going to the source!”

“What difference does it make?”

Yevar’s insides boiled at the brazen response. What difference does it make? This shameless bastard!

If the knight before him had gone to where a source was located, of course things would be different. Near sources, there were not only monsters created by overflowing dark magic but also rare magic stones and rare plants in abundance.

And the Death Forest no less! It was a place so dangerous that even Yevar couldn’t enter carelessly. Such a place must be full of extraordinary plants! Yet after visiting such a place, he dared to proudly present just a few measly monster corpses!

“Look here, Sir Knight. Do you even know how many bottles of oil you’ve taken from me?”

“Well……”

Another brazenly shameless answer made Yevar speechless. Well?

Yevar had been regularly supplying Seiden with oil for the past three years. Even when he disappeared for a year after marrying the Saintess, Yevar had to deliver oil to the address he provided. And after they returned to the capital? He demanded twice the regular monthly amount of oil without fail, saying the usual amount wasn’t enough!

This madman treated Yevar Ramdel, a great archmage who could rival the Tower Master, like some mere oil merchant. Yet Yevar had humbly endured it all. Of course, the rare magical materials that Seiden regularly brought back from his subjugation missions provided enough profit to more than make up for the oil’s value.

Even so, Yevar couldn’t stand it anymore. Tears of blood welled up in his eyes whenever he saw the Demon God Book, which had lost half its enormous magical power and become tattered.

“What did you do with the Demon God Book’s magical power? It’s related to handling two sources in a year, isn’t it?”

When Yevar secretly asked what he had already asked a hundred times before, an expression of annoyance crossed Seiden’s face.

“I’ve told you many times that I won’t answer that question.”

“Damn it! Do you even know what you’ve done? With just that magical power, I could have already developed this stupid world infinitely……”

Finally losing his composure, Yevar unconsciously spilled his true thoughts before quickly clamping his mouth shut with a “hup.” Cold sweat ran down Yevar’s back as Seiden stared at him steadily, not looking surprised at all.

“W-well, what I mean is, I could have been of help to this pitiful world, something like that……”

Seiden watched Yevar sweating profusely while making excuses before casually opening his mouth.

“You’re already helping this world. So don’t worry about it.”

The indifferent voice dropped what seemed like words of comfort. Since they were unexpected words from his mouth, Yevar’s face went blank for a moment. Soon Yevar realized that Seiden had complimented him. In his own way.

“G-good grief. What are you saying.”

Just as unwanted emotion was about to surge in, Seiden added mockingly.

“If it weren’t for this tower, I’d be at a loss for where to get such oil.”

As Seiden twirled a fresh bottle of oil in his hand and smiled faintly as if comforting him, Yevar’s eyes rolled back. This bastard really thinks I’m just some merchant who makes and sells oil.

“Look here, Sir Knight!”

“Ah, since we’re on the topic, let me add one more thing — lately the oil’s effectiveness seems to be declining. If you want to continue our contract, you shouldn’t get lazy. The biggest reason I maintain ties with this tower is this oil.”

“What?”

“So I hope you’ll put aside futile thoughts and focus on using your talent.”

Having finished both his mockery and warning, Seiden stood up. Yevar watched the insufferably annoying man leave the tower, unable to dare make any reply.

“That…… that ungrateful bastard……”

Yevar’s gaze, trembling with clenched fists, turned to the monster corpse Seiden had left behind.

“Just with this pathetic monster!”

Just as he grabbed the monster’s corpse and was about to throw it with all his might, at that moment, a certain potion formula flashed through Yevar’s mind, making his eyes light up.

“Use my talent……”

As Yevar blankly repeated Seiden’s last words, his eyes slowly turned to the monster corpse in his grasp. Soon his lips trembled and his eyes flashed brightly.

“Fine, you disgustingly virile, horrible man. I’ll properly use my talent as you wish.”

A “heuheuheu” laugh tinged with madness leaked from Yevar’s lips as he instantly came up with the perfect revenge plan.

* * *

After leaving Hellers’ Tower, Seiden went straight back to his mansion. He completely ignored even the Pope’s request to please stop by the temple to discuss matters related to subjugation. Seiden passed through the large gate and elegant, beautiful garden before finally entering the mansion.

The place where Seiden and Bellota had settled was a mansion that the Emperor had bestowed to curry favor when he returned after handling the northwest source years ago. Since it was personally bestowed by the Emperor, its location and size were naturally no less than any other splendid and magnificent castle. However, this mansion had something even more special than that. It was that his wife Bellota’s touch was melted into every corner.

Until then, Seiden had spent most of his time either at the temple or away on subjugation missions, so he had no time to stay in this mansion. Thus, when they held their wedding ceremony, the mansion had become such a gloomy place that rumors spread about it being haunted.

However, in just two years, Bellota had transformed this mansion into the place with the most warm and cozy energy in the capital. Her touch reached every corner of the mansion. From the garden full of bright and elegant flowers that resembled her, to the cozy lakeside with small houses built for birds and small animals to rest and modest food bowls placed about.

Walking through the comfortable path that brought peace just by traversing it, when entering the house, the sound of blessing bells poured down from above, filled with wishes that only good things would happen to all who visited their mansion.

Seiden loved the moment of entering the mansion permeated with Bellota’s warmth. He loved feeling the fulfilling sensation of entering their eternal sanctuary. However, today was different. The strange and ominous sensation at the back of his neck kept making his steps urgent. Even as the servants bowed their heads in greeting upon seeing Seiden, his mind was filled only with thoughts of Bellota.

“Master.”

Only when the butler who had hurriedly come out to greet him at the news of Seiden’s return stopped before him and bowed his head did Seiden’s steps halt. His ominous gaze turned behind the butler. However, nowhere in the long corridor could Seiden see the face he wanted.

“Where is Bellota?”

When Seiden finally asked immediately, the butler quickly answered as if he had been waiting.

“I was just on my way to deliver news to you, Master.”

News? Seiden’s eyebrows twisted subtly at the somewhat unpleasant premonition.

“An hour ago, His Highness the Second Prince visited the mansion.”

At those words, Seiden realized what the ominous intuition that had brushed the back of his neck since leaving Hellers’ Tower was.

“Madam is having a conversation with His Highness in the reception room……”