Thiendavis – For The Perfect Salvation

Chapter 35: Zion Needs Evie

The investigation team leader and his subordinates opened their eyes upon the break of dawn.

The previous night, they had been struck by a bolt from the blue, leaving them with dull aches throughout their bodies and amnesia, causing them to completely forget the precarious state they were in before fainting.

Amnesia.

Evie thought it a rather convenient state and spoke to the pallid investigation team leader.

"Are you conscious now? That's a relief. If that glasses-wearing person hadn't informed us, no one would have realized you'd collapsed."

The investigation team leader nodded absent-mindedly to Evie's words.

It seemed he barely remembered giving the order to bring the impudent glasses-wearer the previous night.

"As you must have discovered through your investigation, this is where the toxic mist spread during the last new moon. It seems that you all collapsed because of its effects."

"Toxic mist...?"

The investigation team leader muttered vacantly at Evie's bluff.

Having been struck by lightning and waking up after half a day, he still seemed detached from reality.

Thus, Evie subtly threatened him to help him regain his senses.

"It was an incredibly potent poison. People's skin turned black and melted, and the rye field right next to it was scorched black and became mushy. I thought everything was purified, but for it to harm until the very end... curses are truly terrifying."

Evie's concerned tone gradually drained the color from the investigation team leader's face.

He jittered his leg in anxiety, desperate to leave the tent, but his legs were still paralyzed.

Despite seeing this, Evie maintained a calm demeanor and spoke without a hint of deceit.

"I have something urgent to discuss with you, Commander."

"What is it, all of a sudden...?"

"I heard you issued an evacuation order for this village. I'm really sorry, but could you retract that order?"

At Evie's gentle plea, the investigation team leader forgot his fear and turned stern.

"That matter has already been decided."

"Yes, I'm aware. I'm sure it was a carefully considered decision. However, the villagers here have nowhere else to go right now. Could you just wait until the next new moon?"

"The first clause of our Bayen army is Vis' stability. We cannot gamble with the residents' lives."

In truth, he had no interest in the villagers' lives, but the investigation team leader stated those words with deliberate firmness.

Although he wore the insignia and uniform of the Bayen army, his identity leaned more towards that of Brick rather than Bayen.

The owner of this region, Viscount Brick, was uncomfortable with Thienda's scrutiny on his land.

Therefore, the investigation team leader intended to clear this village for the sake of his cousin and patron, Viscount Brick.

Caught in this complex web, it irked the investigation team leader when a common purifying woman named Evie Ariate interfered without understanding.

Moreover, this small village gained attention thanks to that saintess candidate, adding to his frustration.

"So what if we're emotional and mess up the job? That directly challenges the honor of Bayen, and it's something Miss Ariate wouldn't be able to take responsibility for. You may not know this, but there are systems in the military and ranks among nobles. By making ignorant arguments without considering these factors, you could cause a significant backlash for Manyanya Tower."

The investigation team leader admonished Evie with purposefully exaggerated words, believing that she, being a commoner girl, would be intimidated by such a scolding.

As expected, when he raised his voice, Evie looked disheartened.

"If I overstepped, please forgive me. I was merely saddened by the thought of my dear village disappearing."

Even though Evie admitted fault in a humble voice, the investigation team leader clicked his tongue discontentedly.

He wanted her to bow even lower.

Used to looking down on others, he pressed down on his already lowered opponent.

Half of it was venting frustration, the other half habitual conduct.

Evie, hesitant and filled with guilt, then spoke.

"Upon reflection, I believe I've erred significantly. I must apologize directly to Duchess Bayen."

"What?"

"It was foolish of me to speak against something the duchess approved. Thanks to your enlightening words, I must tell her about this and apologize directly."

Evie's excessive penance brought a pale expression back to the investigation team leader's face.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

In truth, the residents’ relocation was entirely his independent decision.

He had planned to clear this area and submit a suitable report to his superiors.

However, if this information reached Duchess Bayen's ears directly, everything would fall apart.

If someone superior came for a proper investigation, it would be a disaster.

"Th-there's no need for that. I can resolve this matter on my own..."

"No, I owe the duchess a great deal. It wouldn't sit well with me if I continued to act so presumptuously without repaying her kindness."

Hearing this, the investigation team leader realized his folly once more.

Duchess Bayen supported Evie Ariate as a saintess candidate.

Hence, they might encounter each other often in public and private.

However, he had overlooked this due to Evie Ariate's humble origins and demeanor.

"I'm sorry to have taken your time while you're unwell. I wish you a swift recovery. I'll take my leave now..."

"Oh, Miss Ariate, please wait!"

As Evie made to leave, her expression still dark, the investigation team leader urgently reached out to stop her.

Turning innocently to look back, Evie was met with his plea.

"Mentioning this to Duchess Bayen isn't a good idea. I'll remain silent about it, so would you also hold your tongue?"

"Thank you for your consideration, Commander. However, I do not wish to cover up my mistake."

"But…"

"Also, I intend to ask the duchess once more. Whether she could show mercy to me and the village where I grew up."

The determination in Evie's voice made the investigation team leader's heart drop.

Desperate, he hastily backed down.

"If that's the case, I'll suspend the residents' relocation."

"Suddenly, you're suspending it?"

"Yes, but please don't speak of this to Duchess Bayen."

"Not to the duchess? Why not?"

"Please understand my position and face…"

"Position? What's that?"

Even with the investigation team leader entirely lowering his stance, Evie, feigning ignorance, persistently questioned him.

She meant to push him further.

Evie found it distasteful to look up to others and pushed the investigation team leader until he was on the verge of tears, half out of revenge, half as a jest.

---

When Evie finished her meeting with the investigation team leader and stepped outside, Diez was waiting to greet her.

"Good work."

"This wasn't laborious at all."

"Indeed, the hardship was on their side."

Diez gestured towards the investigation team leader's tent, prompting Evie to smile brightly and move on.

As the two exited the barracks, they heard the investigation team leader fiercely scolding his subordinates.

When they passed the rye field, they saw the leader being assisted into a carriage by his soldiers.

And as they entered the village's entrance, the Bayen flags, visible beyond the rye fields, began to come down one by one.

"Do you think the count will be satisfied with this?"

Evie asked, watching the investigation team leader’s hasty retreat with an expression of triumph.

The previous night, the count had abruptly changed his stance in front of Evie.

That resolute count had interrogated Evie on each one of her suppositions, then, after hearing all her answers, had remained silent for a long while.

As Evie gauged his reaction, the count suddenly shifted the conversation.

"Can you tidy up here?"

The count asked, gesturing to indicate the barracks of the investigation.

All around the camp, Bayen's soldiers lay like discarded toys strewn about.

It was a mess the count intended to resolve that night.

When Evie nodded that she could handle it, the count added.

"Then remove Bayen's flags by tomorrow and come find me."

The count still behaved arrogantly, yet Evie noticed a subtle change in his demeanor.

For him to ask her to come find him—such a typically cantankerous man—felt capricious.

Regardless, it was a good opportunity for Evie, who wished to grow closer to the count.

So, with the count's request accomplished swiftly, she was now on her way to meet him.

---

"Hello, teacher. Good morning!"

Evie knocked on Zion’s door with the same smile and demeanor as yesterday.

This time, Zion, rather than frowning and growling as he had the day before, asked instead.

"Did you finish your work before coming?"

"Yes, fortunately, the investigation team leader understood the village's circumstances."

Evie responded with a bright smile.

At this, Zion shifted to the side, indicating she could enter.

Once permitted, Evie stepped into the room of the reticent man, and Zion, instead of escorting her, offered her his desk chair while seating himself on the bed.

Facing Zion, Evie began:

"The reason you called me today..."

"Take a guess."

Zion said almost playfully.

As Evie blinked in surprise, he didn't wait and asked.

"What do you think my reason for calling you is?"

"You must have decided to consider the proposal. Though I expect you'll have plenty of questions and stipulations."

Evie responded candidly, causing Zion to chuckle in disbelief.

Seeing that, while she knew well enough to blink innocently, he wondered.

Habit, or a ploy to catch him off guard? With the formidable nature of Evie Ariate, it was surely the latter.

"Indeed. I intend to ask about a lot of tiresome details."

Zion agreed calmly, and Evie puzzled over his sudden directness.

'Why is he being straightforward all of a sudden?'

Evie scrutinized Zion almost suspiciously.

Just when she thought he was being forthcoming, she became wary once more.

Zion, resembling an exasperating cat always ready to pounce, held no grudge and continued.

"Your conjecture yesterday was impressive. Quite accurate, too."

"...'Quite accurate' means there's more for me to uncover?"

Evie ventured.

Zion nodded without hesitation, prompting Evie to press further.

"Do you want me to uncover the count's secret?"

"Before that, I'd like you to better understand the nature of my curse."

Yet Zion's response, as always, remained obscure and uninviting.

Had this been any other day, Evie would dismiss it, concluding, 'This person really has no intention of conversing normally. The count's demeanor is cloudy as ever!'.

However, learning about the curse afflicting the count spurred Evie to ponder his words with seriousness.

She was sure his curse prevented him from disclosing secrets. Zion had accepted this fact.

Then why urge her to uncover the nature of his curse more precisely?

What did that mean?

Upon reflection, Evie realized Zion’s curse was more intricate than hers.

Her curse compelled her to respond truthfully to direct questions—clear and straightforward definitions.

But secrets? Secrets were relative, varying with the person, place, and era.

Just what classified as a secret?

If the Grand Duke Laurel indeed cast this curse, the secret they aimed to conceal must be tied to the Laurel lineage.

Thus, the most significant secret ought to be the fact that the count was cursed.

And yet, he had just stated it outright—asking her to discover his curse's nature.

Why could he utter that?

Lost in thought, Evie stared blankly into the void and murmured softly.

“...Things known to others are not secrets.”

Zion's eyes narrowed, as if waiting or hoping for something.

Oblivious to this, Evie continued her train of thought, still ignorant yet having comprehensively deciphered everything.

"So, the count's curse is that he cannot speak of anything the other party does not already know?"

At that moment, it became crystal clear.

Zion needed Evie Ariate.

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