Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 194

‘Was there ever such a cold and barren relationship between a Saintess and her protector in history…?’

The Saintess, who appeared once every hundred years, didn’t always marry her protector.

However, if the protector was male and of an appropriate age, they would almost always marry and become life partners.

The exceptions were cases where the Protector was female or the age difference was so significant that their relationship resembled that of a parent and child or grandparent and grandchild.

Even if they didn’t become lovers, there was usually a tender bond between the Saintess and her protector.

Yet, the current Saintess and protector had demonstrated over the past few years that there wasn’t even a trace of tender emotion between them, let alone any possibility of marriage.

‘It was so obvious when you stripped away the “male lead” and “female lead” frame.’

Now that Adeline thought about it, she rarely looked at characters without such frames.

Male lead, female lead, second male lead, supporting characters, villainess, villain…

She had always attached roles to people before even considering their names.

Noticing Adeline’s gaze, Shane smiled softly and spoke.

“You’re awake, Adeline?”

“Lady Adeline, you’ve woken up?”

Not to be outdone, Genevieve also greeted her.

Adeline, on one hand, worried about her own unkempt state, having not washed in days.

On the other hand, she couldn’t help but smile bashfully at the sight of the two, who had previously been so expressionless around her, now smiling like flowers blooming.

It was impossible not to feel happy when the first thing you saw after waking up was the smiling faces of people you loved.

“I slept well…”

A voice like an old man a hundred years old slipped out.

Genevieve smiled brightly and took her hand.

Adeline, whose body had felt heavy from sleep, now felt a bit lighter.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“Not yet.”

“I’ll have something soft prepared. You must eat something.”

Even though the thought of putting anything into her dry mouth and chewing it wasn’t appealing, Shane was firm.

“Ah, wait. By any chance, is Lloyd the one preparing it?”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let him bring fish soup.”

Suppressing a laugh, Shane pressed a kiss to Adeline’s forehead before getting up and heading out.

He was going to call Lloyd.

Genevieve waited until he left and then said,

“While you were lying down, I managed your condition, so you shouldn’t be in pain. But your stamina has dropped significantly. Please work on building your strength gradually, as if you’re a newborn.”

“A newborn…”

Genevieve gave her a pitiful look, her eyes full of sympathy.

“Your physical strength is really weak…”

“……”

It wasn’t a comment one wanted to hear, especially from someone who healed others by tearing muscles in real-time.

“Don’t you need more rest?”

“No. I feel like I’ve slept enough to last a lifetime.”

“That won’t do. Lady Adeline, you need regular sleep. Your dark circles are still visible.”

“…I wasn’t seriously saying I wouldn’t sleep again…”

When it came to health, jokes didn’t fly.

Genevieve, looking a little reassured, nodded.

“Well, that’s good. Once the Founding Festival is over, I’ll be too busy to visit daily.”

“After the Founding Festival, weren’t you supposed to leave for the purification expedition?”

“The expedition will be postponed for now.”

Adeline tilted her head in confusion.

Genevieve’s face didn’t look entirely pleased as she mentioned the delay.

The postponement of the expedition had initially been because Edwin suspected someone was targeting the ‘Saintess’.

Although the early attacks had been revealed to be internal issues within the church, with a mage behind them, there was now no reason to delay the purification expedition.

Furthermore, Genevieve wasn’t the type to dislike purification expeditions.

Although overworked, she had once said she preferred being away from Delmuse if she had to work, as Shane and Edwin pushed people too hard.

Of course, she had also said she wanted to stay by Adeline’s side, so it was fortunate the expedition was delayed.

Perhaps the aftermath of recent events was still lingering. After all, Genevieve was human, too.

“Genevieve, are you still dealing with aftereffects? You went through a lot, after all…”

“I’ve already fully recovered. And I didn’t take as much of a beating as you, Lady Adeline…”

“……”

“I was just subdued, nothing more.”

Come to think of it, that was true.

“Then what’s the reason?”

“Oh, I’ve decided to become the Pope.”

“…What?”

“It’s become a hassle, you see…”

I beg your pardon?

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