Ch. 46 – Aside ~ A Duke’s Woes

"That blasted Saintess!" Duke Raktos shouted in anger as he read the latest intelligence his agents had brought him.

"What is she even doing, always getting in my way?!" The powerful old man's steely green eyes flashed with rage as he thought of the contents of the letter, causing the servant who brought it to quail in fright.

Eyeing this pitiful young man, the white-haired old noble threw a letter opener at the terrified servant in displeasure while shouting, "Get out!"

Ear bleeding from a close shave with the small blade, the young servant fled the room.

Just as he was leaving, another man entered. This new figure wore robes so black they seemed to absorb all light, only strengthening the man's inherent ghostly presence. Even just standing there silently, he somehow exuded a dark and malicious aura.

"Fufu, I see you're doing rather well, Your Grace." The robed figure said in a low voice. The Duke gritted his teeth at the grin he could hear hiding in the man's voice. This man's flippant attitude irked him to no end, but he could ill afford to lose this man's assistance. This man had rooted himself in all sorts of organizations, places even the Duke couldn't reach. Additionally, he was on top of the rather prodigious amount of power he held.

"When are we going to do something about that thorn in our side?" He asked tersely. "It's been almost 10 years since she became the Saintess. Not only is Duke Daegal growing stronger by the day, but the Church is as well. They've been selling her reputation far and wide and shoring up their bases of support, recruiting people in droves."

"You're rather missing the point, Duke. The Saintess has been up to some little games of her own. Those three orphans of hers have sure been causing a ruckus. They've been going around the capital, picking up the slum rats and orphans and organizing them. It's gotten a whole lot harder for me to... recruit, shall we say…. That Saintess, for all practical purposes, has her own militia of zealots! Back alley deals have become much more difficult to keep hidden with those little rats hiding in every corner." The robed man said with a dissatisfied tone, as if his toys were taken away.

"Not only that" the Duke said while holding his head, "But she's also been making inroads with the various merchant, alchemy, and mage guilds. Many of the goodhearted and honest folk have come under her banner. When such a large bloc of people across so many industries come together, it becomes a lot harder for our people to do their work."

Ever since the Saintess had gone about healing and blessing the people without asking for the Church's usual large 'donation,' public opinion had gradually swung in her direction. Additionally, that blasted girl healed those who couldn't be healed by any other, gaining herself a growing list of die-hard followers. Those die-hard followers were the real problem.

"Fufu, Your Grace, I think I have a plan to take her down." The robed man said in a sadistic voice, viciousness dripping from his every word.

"Oho," the Duke said with interest, "Is there really some way to halt that girl's ever-increasing momentum?"

"Not just halt her momentum, but if this goes right, we can knock her completely from her pedestal." The robed man said with anticipation.

"Is there really some way to do that? I doubt even the King or Pope could tie her down, at least not anymore..." The Duke asked doubtfully, one eyebrow lifted quizzically.

"Hehehe... That Saintess is hiding something. A dark secret. Should that secret ever be revealed, she would be finished here in the Holy Kingdom of Light."

"If you know the secret, my creepy friend, why not just reveal it and be done with her?"

"I would if I could," the robed man said with a sigh, "but there's no way to prove it to the King or the Church. The Saintess is quite good at keeping her true self hidden, so without any way to rip off her mask, I'm afraid revealing it now would only backfire on us."

"So… what's the plan then?" The Duke pressed, desperate to get rid of that troublesome Saintess.

"Just wait for me Your Grace," the man said with a smirk, "My research team is working on something special. Once that's complete, we'll be able to unmask that girl in front of the entire capital. She'll be out of our hair for good, just you wait."

The Duke's face gradually lit up with an evil smile that mirrored the robed man's. "Excellent... I can't wait."