The Tale of the Nation That Banished the Saint - Chapter 5

Episode 5: The Broken Engagement

―― Let’s verify the power of the saint.

Upon hearing my proposal, Dalforn’s face turned pale—

And then…

Even the true saint Roselia’s foster father, Zopondot, seemed odd.

He trembled nervously and appeared to be earnestly contemplating something.

What’s wrong with him?

As I wondered, Zopondot suddenly began to speak loudly.

“I-I apologize deeply. I was deceived by the lies of this insignificant girl, not knowing there was a true saint present. However, I too am a victim deceived by a fraudster. Please, be lenient in your judgment!”

Zopondot, who had brought the real saint, apologized.

Apparently, he had no confidence that the Roselia he brought with him was genuine, so he decided to cut ties here.

Dalforn is a sincere and capable politician.

In contrast, Zopondot has a less favorable reputation.

He seems to be aware of being a corrupt noble.

Furthermore, the king and queen also favor Dalforn.

Lacking confidence in his own claims, he doubted Roselia and, to avoid responsibility, engaged in damage control.

Until it’s clear who the saint is, it’s okay to claim that the girl you brought is the true saint.

Even if she’s fake, he can still marry his adopted daughter to the prince.

If it’s unclear who the real one is, he’ll have to marry both.

However, if it’s verified and the truth is revealed, the one who brought the fake will face severe punishment.

Seeing the risk, Zopondot seemed to back down from the gamble.

From there, under Dalforn’s leadership, the expulsion of the “false saint, Roselia” was officially decided. It seems the fundamental aspect of “expelling the true saint” from the novel cannot be shaken easily.

If that’s the case, then it seems my fate and the fate of this country’s destruction are also unchangeable.

Is there any point in doing anything from now on?

I’m engulfed in a bleak feeling.

No… it’s too early to give up.

I received reincarnation benefits from the god Meldo.

If I’m just going to live the life of the “disfavored prince” without changing fate, there’s no need for me to be given special powers.

There must be a reason.

Probably, but…

I suddenly felt doubt about the punishment for the false testimony of the saint not being imprisonment or death.

Why “exile”?

I tried asking, “Wouldn’t it be better to execute her as a deterrent?” but Dalforn hurriedly insisted on “exile.”

Keeping such a miscreant in this country or executing them might anger the Earth Mother Goddess Gaia.

That was the reason for exile.

It seems like a somewhat weak reason.

Moreover, I felt something strange about that haste.

But—

For some reason, my energy rapidly diminishes.

The expulsion of the saint is already factored in and proceeding as planned.

Isn’t that enough?

In this gathering of the king and influential nobles, there’s not much the prince can do.

Let’s accept it.

“False Saint” Roselia was restrained by the guards and pulled out of the party venue.

What surprised me a bit was that, when being restrained by the guards, Roselia, who was suspected of being a criminal, started thrashing and shouting hysterically, saying “This is unfair.”

Isn’t it natural for a criminal to be restrained?

Did she think she’d be escorted politely?

Although suspected of being a false saint, she didn’t make a single counterargument and remained composed.

…She still feels strange to me somehow.

She could have appealed her abilities to avoid being expelled or something more…

Well, whatever—

I’m tired today.

Afterwards—

The engagement with Roselia was annulled.

And I officially became engaged to “saint” Sophie.

We exchanged standard greetings with each other.

Sophie had a plain appearance, with nothing particularly remarkable except for her curly hair. Her behavior was no different from other girls who tried to court me, and she didn’t particularly pique my interest.

My reputation as a womanizer is well-known in aristocratic society, so these types often come.

Meanwhile, Roselia, who was detained as a criminal, was transferred to the territory of Dalforn, who controls the southern border of the Leesragd Kingdom, and then expelled to the neighboring country of Pirenzol.