The Reward for Saving The World is a Husband - Chapter 35
“Well… there was a time in my world when people also waged wars over such things, risking their lives without realizing they were nurturing the seeds of their own destruction.”
“Well, that’s…”
“Humans tend to fight amongst themselves until a crisis strikes.”
Even when the surface of the Earth had become a wasteland and the number of survivors had dwindled to less than a hundred, people still couldn’t stop tearing each other apart.
“I suppose your kind isn’t much different.”
As I spoke with a hint of sarcasm, the saintess’s face turned pale.
At any rate, I knew that once a competition where lives were at stake began, it would be nearly impossible to stop until there was a winner.
And I knew I had to help Elias’s chosen candidate win if I wanted a peaceful future with him.
‘He deliberately chose a different side than Tenaclade, huh.’
It seemed that Tenaclade supported the First Princess, whose mother was from that family.
“But…”
The saintess cautiously spoke again, watching my reaction.
“There’s a princess who intends to form a marriage alliance with Elias.”
“A marriage alliance?”
As I mulled over her words, the realization struck me, and I was taken aback.
“You mean someone else wants to pair with Elias?”
“Since marriage is the ultimate symbol of an unbreakable alliance, after all.”
“No, but still…”
I couldn’t understand.
Pairing wasn’t something that could be done arbitrarily for the sake of achieving a goal. Without a connection between souls, how would they fill the inevitable void?
“If she’s so desperate, wouldn’t it be faster just to eliminate her rival as soon as possible?”
Sensing the murderous intent in my voice, the saintess quickly grabbed hold of my sleeve.
“No, you can’t do that. Power built through bloodshed can always be taken away in the same way.”
“Hmm…”
Honestly, I wondered if I really needed to concern myself with such things.
Once Elias became emperor, shouldn’t he be able to take care of his own life? I would be by his side protecting him for life, so as his power grew, there was no way it would weaken.
“So, what you’re saying is that if things stay as they are, Elias might choose that princess as his pair instead of me?”
“Well, the Count of Rachdel is quite indifferent to personal desires. He’s never been close to any woman, so it’s highly likely that he would choose the option that best aligns with his goals.”
“Really?”
I was curious how the saintess would react if she knew that Elias and I had already held hands, kissed, and even promised that I would be his mistress.
‘Pairs are supposed to be special, after all.’
Suppressing the smirk threatening to rise from my satisfaction, I asked the saintess, “How do you know Elias so well? Have you been investigating him?”
“Well… our order has long played the role of balancing the power of various factions so that none become too dominant. We’ve had to keep an eye on the Count, as he was the strongest candidate to become the next head of Tenaclade.”
I carefully observed the saintess as she answered earnestly.
“In truth, I don’t think it’s over yet.”
Her sincerity pleased me immensely.
“You know what you’re talking about. That’s right. Elias truly deserves to be the master of Tenaclade!”
“Pardon? Ah, yes…”
It wasn’t just my personal belief, after all.
Tenaclade is a grand family that governs tens of thousands of subjects. It was far more appropriate for my strong and handsome Elias to rule it, rather than some greedy, incompetent frog.
“So, here’s the thing. I need you to help me.”
“Me? Help Lady Elesha?”
“Yes. I need you to create a reason for me to go to Tenaclade.”
The saintess’s eyes darted nervously, as though this request was not what she had expected.
“You said the Second Princess is weighing her options between Beric and Elias, right? What if we remove one of those options? That would put an end to her power play.”
“Power play…?”
“Yes, something like that.”
It seemed this world didn’t yet have the same terminology for things like ‘the strong and the weak’ that we used in mine.
“If Elias takes control of Tenaclade, he won’t have to get involved in the fight for the throne anymore. As for that pathetic First Prince, he can take care of his own affairs.”
If that idiot wanted to ruin his own life, that was his business. But no way would I let him drag Elias down with him. I would never allow such a thing to happen.
