Chapter 76

In the Saint’s tastefully decorated room, Heuberger was groveling on the floor, clutching his stomach as he endured the pain.

What on earth had he done?

He was certain he hadn’t done anything to incur Lady Juliana’s displeasure.

The guard knight managed to push his upper body up, bracing himself for the Saint’s rebuke.

However, it wasn’t the Saint who spoke, but rather Lara, the tutor.

“Do you still not understand, Sir Heuberger? You made a mistake.”

“……”

As expected, Heuberger didn’t have the slightest clue what she was talking about.

“T-The plan is perfect. The preliminary investigation of tonight’s target, the Emotzel Temple, is already complete, and the inside man is—Gwah!”

Heuberger couldn’t finish his sentence.

Lara’s kick had connected squarely with his jaw before he could.

The force of the kick caused her skirt to flutter, revealing not only her black garter belts but even the purple lingerie beneath, yet no one in the room paid it any mind.

“Are you truly that dense, Sir Heuberger? Today is the day the Master remains at the castle. What do you think happens if the Condemnation Bandits attack the temple on such a day?”

Just because an incident occurred during his shift didn’t mean he would be held directly responsible.

However, for someone in a key position within the Imperial Guard, it could lead to a mark against his record.

In the court, even the slightest blunder could become a massive shackle.

“Heuberger.”

Juliana spoke to the guard knight in a beautiful voice.

“I don’t think it’s right for my little games to cause trouble for my father. Don’t you agree?”

Stared down by the Saint, the guard knight felt his body flush with heat.

“I am deeply sorry! I, Heuberger, will accept any punishment. Please, I beg your forgiveness!”

The knight dropped to one knee, awaiting Juliana’s judgment.

But Juliana’s interest had already drifted away from him.

“What shall we do about the Emotzel Temple, Lara?”

Asked the question, Lara answered with downcast eyes.

“For now, let us cancel tonight’s raid. We shall postpone the plan by one day.”

“I see. I suppose it can’t be helped. In exchange, I’m going tomorrow as well. It’s been a while since I’ve seen someone die, and I’m quite in the mood for it.”

“You mustn’t, my Lady—”

Lara tried to dissuade her, but she was met with the gaze of the Saint’s terrifyingly beautiful eyes.

“Why not? I’m the one who created the Condemnation Bandits. It’s only right that the leader participates once in a while.”

“But there is no guarantee that another insolent fool like the one from the other day won’t appear.”

Ah, that one, Juliana remembered.

She believed his name was something like Koetz or Kuntz.

They had hired him for the Condemnation Bandits because he was familiar with the layout of the sewers, but upon learning the leader was Juliana, the man had harbored wicked desires.

The incident occurred in their secret hideout while she was attempting to use Charm to turn Kuntz into a mindless puppet who would never betray her.

Kuntz had suddenly pulled a knife and lunged at her.

“If you don’t want that pretty face of yours scarred, you’ll do exactly what I say!”

This had happened because the two of them were alone to ensure the spell took deep root.

That said, she could have finished the spell and handled him easily, but her curiosity had been piqued, so Juliana simply nodded without making a sound.

She rarely had the chance to speak at length with such a low-born man.

During soup kitchen events, she would speak to those in the slums, but those were brief interactions.

Juliana was enjoying this thrilling situation.

“What is it you wish to do with me?”

Her voice, as clear as a ringing crystal bell, echoed quietly through the dim room.

Despite having a blade pointed at her, there wasn’t a trace of fear in her tone.

“Heh, you know exactly what. First, take off all those clothes.”

A dark fire of lust burned in the man’s eyes.

“That sounds like I would be cold.”

Juliana was merely speaking her honest thoughts, but for some reason, it only seemed to further stimulate the man’s excitement.

“If you don’t want this precious dress of yours torn to shreds, stop your whining and let me see a Saint’s skin. Pant, pant… I can’t take it… I’m going to shove my member into every one of your holes…”

“That will be quite impossible, I’m afraid…”

Kuntz’s feverish behavior showed he had clearly lost all sense of reason.

‘I see, so this man feels lust toward me,’ Juliana understood.

The concept itself wasn’t a new experience. She always felt lecherous gazes directed at her, whether during palace parties or while working at the soup kitchens.

Though she had no personal experience with intercourse, she understood what men desired as a matter of knowledge. She had even observed Lara, Karina, and Heuberger coupling before her eyes for the sake of study. Juliana held a precise understanding of her own physical charms.

“Heh, I can’t wait anymore. I don’t care if you keep your clothes on. That has its own appeal…”

The man reached down with one hand and pulled out his already hardened member.

“I’m gonna shove this into the Saint right now.”

“Is that truly your desire…?”

Juliana answered without averting her eyes.

She was surprised to find that, while she felt a sense of disgust, she was distinctly enjoying the situation. She questioned the man further.

“What do you wish to do to me? Please, tell me in specific detail.”

She wanted to know what a man like him sought. She wanted to see what form his desires would take when manifested.

“I told ya, I’m gonna do all sorts of things! For starters, I’m taking the Saint’s virginity!”

“……”

The man’s lack of vocabulary caused Juliana’s interest to cool instantly. If he had described what he wanted to do with a bit more detail, she might have found it more exciting…

“What a boring man. I’ve had enough.”

Juliana focused her strength into her eyes.

“What the—? Ugh, waaaaaaaaagh!”

Her magical power churned through his brain, eroding his mind. Kuntz no longer possessed the means to resist her.

“I will not permit you to touch me. Now, let us go.”

To a place where your death will not be an inconvenience to anyone.

Juliana’s interest in Kuntz had vanished completely, replaced entirely by loathing. She decided then to observe the exact moment this object of her disgust disappeared from the world.

She wondered: what would she feel at the moment of his death?

Unable to comprehend his own situation, Kuntz nodded with a faint, vacant smirk. He would soon be led into the sewers connected to the basement of the hideout.

Leaning against the armrest of her chair, Juliana rested her finger against her chin.

“That incident was my fault as well. I simply became interested in researching the nature of male desire. In the end, even when Heuberger stabbed that man to death, I didn’t feel much joy. It was a complete waste of time.”

Juliana spoke to Lara in an almost apologetic tone.

“Don’t worry, Lara. Everyone listens to my requests, don’t they? That won’t change no matter where I go. Even at the site of a raid.”

“That is a matter of course, but unexpected situations can arise. It worries me for you to accompany them, my Lady.”

Juliana stared intently at Lara. When met with such a gaze, Lara could never disobey.

“I… I understand. However, entry and exit will be through the underground sewers as usual.”

“Yes, that is fine. Heuberger, prepare the key for the sewers as you always do.”

“At once!”

The guard knight trembled with the joy of being of use to the Saint.

The Saint stood up and commanded her maid, Karina.

“I wish to see the moon. Prepare for my departure.”

Under normal circumstances, it was unthinkable for a noble daughter to go out at such an hour without her parents.

But who?

Who could possibly stop Juliana?

When Juliana made a request with a smile, there were very few who could refuse. Even the King himself was powerless before the smile of the Saint.