“I guess Veron Nestro…is also very pitiful.”
To think he had to put on such a performance despite knowing his sister was a demon. Upon thinking about it, everything I thought was strange back then makes sense now.
“But you really are demon?”
“Indeed. I am a demon. A mutant who’s lived for hundreds of years, at that.”
She looked down at her fingers, clenching and unclenching her fists.
“…If you were a disaster, would God really just sit by and watch while—.”
I stopped myself and let out the breath I’d been holding.
Of course, he watched. He must have observed on the side, fascinated by a being defying its nature.
To god, we were nothing more than well-made dolls. Knowing that god’s temperament, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what he thought.
I let out a deep sigh.
“To you, what do I look like?”
“…A demon acting as a tool for those who wield dark magic.”
There were certainly more than a few people sacrificed because of her. And as I recalled what I’d gone through because of her, I reached out and tapped her cheek with my index finger.
“I once cared for you quite a bit…to think you’re a demon.”
As the Saintess, I had to eliminate her. But as to how easy that would be…probably very difficult. It’s not like I could erase her like one of those man-eating demons…
“Something like that is a monster.”
I sneered, almost mockingly while looking at her.
And I realized I said the wrong thing because her expression instantly changed.
Bang–!
Before I could even correct what I said, a sharp pain burst through my shoulder.
I sprang to my feet and clenched my shoulder, falling back. Ronella sat up with a mocking smile, then suddenly began to chuckle.
Then as if her laughter was an illusion, her expression turned cold and emotionless, so much so it was frightening.
“Good to know you’re aware. I am a monster. They type that you temple people despise.”
“…”
Suddenly, something I couldn’t see grabbed my ankle. My body tilted back, but I barely managed to hold myself up and ground my teeth.
I couldn’t show any panic. I couldn’t let myself become her prey like this.
“That makes me feel at ease.”
Something had definitely struck my shoulder. It was torn and my flesh was hanging loosely.
Even as the pain surged, I bit down hard on the soft flesh inside my cheek and responded out of pride.
“If you’re not human, then you’re easier to deal with.”
A sharp ache flared up from my ankle, but I stood firm and rolled my shoulders. This might be a tougher fight than I thought.
I had bitten down too hard. The metallic taste of blood was spreading through my mouth.
“Right, that’s true. Humans are really funny. Whether I’m human or not, they only focus on what they can see.”
While hoping the pain in my arm would subside, I pushed away the dark foggy energy creeping up against me.
“Since I’m the beautiful, kind, only daughter of the ducal household…they always just want to have me.”
“Don’t you know better than me that there are many who aren’t like that? That’s why you used brainwashing magic on the crown prince, the duke…and Reneben.”
“You knew?”
“I could tell just by looking at them…that they weren’t truly in love with you.”
Honestly, I had only just figured it out, so I was just bragging. I heard the sound of grinding teeth then she slowly picked up the sword I had dropped earlier.
“Do you really think you can beat me when you’ve only been a Saintess for 2 years?”
“Who know…wouldn’t you say I can beat you because I am the Saintess?”
“Makes sense. If a Saintess can’t defeat a monster, that would be embarrassing, wouldn’t it?”
Monster… I wanted to tell her I misspoke, but at this point, she would probably just sneer at me.
Then again, by human standards, what else would a ‘demon’ be but a monster?
“It’s honestly ridiculous. Just because I’m a demon, I was never allowed to be part of the human world. Do you know how long I spent wandering alone…”
“…”
“And yet you’re revered just because you’re the Saintess.”
As a backup, I had another dagger at my waist. With a sigh, I pulled my hand away from my injured arm since the pain was subsiding a little.
“Sorry to break it to you but it’s not only reverence I get. I doubt you can fathom how noisy nobles are. They always want something from me. Just because I’m the Saintess, they think it’s only right for me to give and serve them.”
Her eyebrows twitched for a moment, then furrowed as if she were troubled.
“Don’t play the weakling. That’s what you’re whining about? Someone like me has been rejected and ignored my whole life just because I’m a demon.”
After calling herself ‘someone’, Ronella paused for a second.
Watching her, I drew the dagger from my waist. Though I wore a priest robe, the top and bottom were separate garments, which made it easier to carry an extra dagger.
Clutching the weapon tightly, I spoke.
“They call me ‘God’s grace’ yet expect me to make countless sacrifices. My pain is not even considered. Nobody cares how hard it is. They only care about their own interests.”
“When I took human form, I was kinder than anyone else. When they heard me call with a beautiful and gentle voice, they all adored me.”
The dagger in my hand felt heavy. But I didn’t have the courage to swing it carelessly.
“Nobles whine to me constantly, you know. They dump all their troublesome matters on me. They don’t care about the pitiful lives they’ve abandoned. So, it becomes my job as the ‘Saintess’ to care for those life.”
“I told you not to whine about that. Lady Saintess, if you’re going to say it’s hard to receive so much love, I would be disappointed.”
Soon, Ronella began to giggle like she found something funny.
“You know, I once tried to be truly loved by someone. I just wanted to blend in with humans. But people like you… you don’t care who I am. As long as you hear demon, you want to kill me.
She slowly stepped closer.
As she approached, I didn’t feel the urge to raise my dagger or surround myself with divine power.
A petite figure, a soft voice, a graceful walk befitting of a high-noble. Every inch of her was charming enough to captivate anyone’s eyes, anywhere.
“Hey… What is it you’ve been wanting to say to me since earlier?”
Ronella’s eyes glowed red. It was as if she just heard a ridiculous joke.
Unlike the clear, crimson eyes of Alois and I, hers were murky… like they were soaked in blood.
“Your Holiness, you’re quite the jokester. Of course I have a lot to say. That’s why I’m saying it now.”
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
Ronella’s eyes glistened dangerously. Even though her gaze felt like it could devour me, I didn’t take any stance to attack.
“There is something you want to say to me, isn’t there? You…”
“…”
“If I’m right, put that sword down. The moment you stab me, the moment you attack me, you’ll be nothing more than a demon who hurts others.”
Ronella narrowed her eyes, seemingly wanting me to continue. Her movement had stopped at some point. Even as she stood right in front of me, I stared calmly at her.
“Like you said, because I am the Saintess—as tiresome and frustrating as it is—I am in this position, and I enjoy so much because of it…”
I reached out and grabbed Ronella’s wrist tightly.
I thought she would struggle but Ronella easily released her grip.
Clang.
The sword fell from her hand. With that, I let out a sigh and also put down the dagger in my hand.
“So I’ll listen. Tell me whatever it is you wish to say. I’ll listen to it all.”
***
Even after I said it, I was amazed by myself.
This whole situation was ridiculous to begin with.
Thinking back, ever since I walked through that door, I was bothered by the tea table. It didn’t fit this strange place, this space designed for extracting blood.
It was almost like it was there to tell me something.
“Do you really think I have anything to say?”
My attention shifted to my surroundings for a bit then a sharp voice rang in my ears.
“I really hate you, Lady Emilone. And just now, I already told you I’m a demon.”
This was a different Ronella, a different side from the Ronella I knew. I really liked that delicate side of her.
But this version wasn’t bad either. While thinking that, I sat down on the floor first.
With a soft thump, I dropped myself to the ground and looked up at her.
Ronella stared back at me with a startled expression.
“Then is it okay if I go first and say what I want to say?”
“…”
“Since you’re not answering, I’ll go right ahead.”
I raised both hands, signaling I wasn’t a threat.
Her expression, which had been so bright and cheerful that it was slightly terrifying, now looked a little tense.
“I’m sorry for calling you a monster earlier.”
“…”
There was no fake kindness or fake innocence on that face.
“By the way, you’ve been trying to kill me all this time by sending other demons after me, haven’t you? And when things didn’t seem to be going well, you came in person…right?”
“…”
“Am I wrong?”
She gripped the hem of her skirt tightly and turned her head to the side. I didn’t know she had such a side to her…
“And so, I just thought of something… you can’t kill me, can you?”
“…”
Bullseye.
She glared at me, her gaze immediately turning cold and I swallowed. I was wondering why she would resort to something like this.
This was the same woman who wanted to kill me so much that she dropped a chandelier on me using Jessie, and sent deadly demons after me, several times.
“If I was gone, everything you’ve planned would go smoothly so why, why are you letting me live and trying to talk to me… there aren’t many explanations for that.”
“…”
“Is it true that you’ve never killed anyone like you said?”
“…”
“Even while acting as a tool for those who gained power by killing people?”
Ronella exploded something beside me. This time, it didn’t hit me but the sound was loud enough to leave my ears ringing.
“I have never killed, yes, but I have tried to kill many times.”
Her voice sounded sharper now, and I heaved a deep sigh.
That aside, her reaction seemed to confirm that she couldn’t kill me.
If she couldn’t kill me, then maybe this situation was to my advantage.
“Well, I think that’s a good thing.”
“…”
“If you were a demon that’s killed people, I wouldn’t be able to just overlook it.”
How do I handle Ronella…
Just as I was thinking that, a shadow fell over my body.
Before I could even lift my head, I was grabbed by the shoulder and slammed to the ground.
My head hit the floor with a thud.
The impact was so harsh that my vision swam for a second.
“I’ve never killed anyone. Besides, in the past, I admired humans and if they needed help, I gave it.”
“…”
The voice was Ronella’s but the way she spoke felt like someone else and it felt awkward.
I blinked a few more times, trying to clear my blurry vision.
“Those dark mages only came to find me because of the power they gained. They just recognized me as something as filthy as them.”
My vision soon came into focus. I saw Ronella’s face, twisted bitterly.
“And you’re right. Disgusting as it is, I’ve tried multiple times to kill you, Saintess because I never know when you’ll become a threat to me, but I’ve failed every time. In the end, I came to you myself. Even though I can’t kill you.”
“…Why can’t you kill me?”
Ronella tightened her grip on my shoulder. Slowly, she spoke as if vomiting the words and her lips curled in anger.
“Your question is a little wrong. Let me correct it…It’s not that I can’t kill you, it’s that I don’t. You see, I’ve never killed a human before.”
My heart thumped a little louder.
“That’s why I said that. If you want me to…I’ll protect you, not Ronella Nestro but you.”
“For Saintess whose job is to erase demons like me, you say the funniest things.”
She was right about that.
But the god I served was just as selfish as I am so I’m sure he’d understand.
“I will protect you.”
I don’t see why I can’t act a little selfish, too.
Translator’s Corner:
*This is an interesting development…does this mean Ronella has never actually killed someone directly? How about indirectly? How curious…
More chapters available on Patreon~
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 100 - May 6, 2025
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 99 - May 2, 2025
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 98 - April 30, 2025