I Ended Up Saving the Duke Who Was Meant to Die

CODE─RED Go and complete the mission.

Blake mansion, Severus Blake.

Code red?

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Red meant it was the most important and dangerous mission from the temple.

Above all, my attention was drawn to the name Severus Blake.

I remembered him because we had something in common.

Duke Blake was famous even in the temple.

A man with jet-black hair and red eyes. I heard he had a face so handsome it had the power to draw people’s attention. Though they say he has a difficult personality that keeps everyone at arm’s length, I could understand why.

The stares that follow those with red features are uncomfortable. I know well, as I have red hair myself.

Even in the temple, there were quite a few priests who subtly avoided me because of my red hair. Though they never said it out loud, I could clearly see what they were thinking from the looks they gave me. I understood him because he must have felt the same emotions I did.

I checked the red paper on the table several times, but it didn’t seem to be someone’s prank.

‘……A mission? And red, at that?’

I wondered why the High Priest, who had always prevented me from going outside saying it was dangerous, would issue such an order.

Though I was bewildered by this first mission, I soon noticed something strange. There was no mention of what kind of mission I was supposed to perform.

Should I ask?

If I did, they might assign it to someone else instead of me, and I’d lose my chance to leave the temple.

I shook my head.

“Finally, I can go outside. Am I going to miss this opportunity?”

Since I had healing abilities, it was probably a mission to heal someone.

Clutching the note in my hand, I opened the wardrobe. It felt strange to change from my pure white priest robes into a ordinary dress.

‘Of all people, it’s Duke Blake.’

I never thought I’d meet the person I was so curious about.

Would he have red eyes like my hair?

After changing clothes, I gazed at myself in the mirror for a moment. My red hair swayed. After touching it lightly, I turned to look at the clock.

‘If orders have been issued, I need to hurry.’

I put on my cloak and left the room.

People considered red to be ominous.

So the High Priest had kept my existence completely hidden, saying I would be accused of being a witch if I went outside the temple.

No one would believe that I, Irene von Clementine, was the only saint with healing abilities in the empire. Even the imperial family didn’t know of my existence.

‘Why do I, who has the power of a saint, have red hair?’

A saint who’s also a witch? That’s nonsense. The two words don’t go together.

Even though I had the power of a saint, it was safer not to show myself since I had red hair that everyone considered ominous.

But now I had been given my first mission.

There was a group that operated secretly within the temple. Those who survived near-death situations thanks to the High Priest’s grace treated his orders as precious as their lives.

Emotions welled up. I could finally perform missions outside.

“Oh! Lady Irene, you mustn’t go outside.”

“No, I can go.”

I immediately showed them the code card. The gatekeeper was flustered by my confident attitude.

“……Confirmed.”

They took the code card and burned it in the torch to erase any trace.

Actually, even I was puzzled.

I had heard there was a small civil war in the empire recently – perhaps this created something that needed to be dealt with?

Whatever it was, I was just happy to be outside the temple.

The excitement kept my heart racing. I didn’t mind the feeling of my heartbeat pounding in my eardrums.

“So this is what outside feels like.”

Late night, or perhaps dawn?

Thanks to the scarcity of people, it wasn’t difficult to move around. All that time spent memorizing maps as a child paid off. I arrived at the Blake mansion without getting lost.

All lights were out at the Blake mansion. In this place without a single light, I could sense a life fading away.

‘I think I know exactly why they sent me.’

The smell of blood stung my nose. Though this situation was new to me and unsettling, I had to move quickly to complete the given mission.

I climbed the creaking stairs to the second floor. My hand left the railing. My wandering gaze focused on one spot.

I could sense a figure huddled up in a room at the end of the corridor. Fortunately, it seemed I wouldn’t have to search too hard.

Without hesitation, I crossed the corridor and opened the door to enter. Inside the messy room, I saw a bed and a broken table.

‘It’s amazing that you’re still alive and not dead.’

I walked into the unlit room without hesitation, admiring.

Above all, I was curious about the next move of someone who thought they had perfectly concealed their presence while possessing eyes that shone brighter than anyone else’s. I might have even felt a bit excited.

At that moment, I felt something cool against my neck.

As expected, it was a sword pressed against my neck.

“This is dangerous, you know.”

I turned around to face the man.

His condition was worse than I’d thought. Though his body seemed ready to collapse at any moment, his eyes were still alive with spirit.

His face was clear even in the darkness. Disheveled hair and sharp eyes. He was a beautiful man with a prominent nose bridge.

But his body was covered in blood, whose blood it was, I didn’t know.

I furrowed my brows. This would take longer than expected.

He’s really at death’s door.

I placed my hand on his chest. He flinched and stepped back.

“Are you Duke Blake?”

“Why ask my name when you already know? Coming without a weapon, do you have a death wish?”

He didn’t directly confirm it, but contextually, it seemed to be him.

Still, verification was necessary. It would be troublesome if uninvolved people got mixed up in the directive.

I thrust my face close to his and examined him. The sword blade dug into my neck as a result, but that wasn’t important.

It’s definitely him. Someone this handsome must be rare.

“…Are you insane?”

He muttered.

I didn’t care what he thought.

“Lie down quickly.”

“Lie down? What are you talking about, w-what are you…!”

He was flustered.

I casually pushed away the sword with my hand. Blood dripped from the cut on my palm, but I paid it no mind. A wound like this would heal quickly.

The sword clattered loudly as it fell to the floor. Simultaneously, I lightly pulled him and dragged him to the bed.

With a thud─ his body fell onto the bed.

“Stay still. I told you to lie down.”

He didn’t seem like he would listen.

Usually, after receiving a directive, it needs to be handled within one to two hours.

With time running short, I felt anxious.

‘I want to finish this well.’

I looked down at him lying on the bed.

‘Where and how should I start?’

The order of steps was important to finish within the time limit. Once started, it couldn’t be undone until completion.

I contemplated how to distribute and channel the holy power overflowing within me into the man.

‘I guess that method is the only way?’

There was one quick solution. It was direct contact. The High Priest had taught me about this ability, but I never expected to use it like this today.