<Chapter 16>

‘I need to ask directly about the divine oracle.’

Before the wedding, I need to be certain.

Whether she is a fraud or the real Saintess.

*  *  *

Though the divine oracle left my mind in turmoil all day, wedding preparations waited for no one.

I was so busy with the maids handling the evening tasks that I didn’t even have time to properly reflect on the oracle. Only late at night did I finally manage to find some time for myself.

“Prospective Duchess? Are you all right?”

“You seem even more exhausted today…”

“Mhm, I’m fine. I’m just going to rest for tonight, so you can all leave early and get some rest too.”

“Understood.”

After sending the maids out of my bedroom, I collapsed onto the bed and summoned the divine message window.  

◆ Ultimate Objective: Save the World

◇ Current Objective: Raise Northern Faith to 100

 

*Northern Faith: 9

*Key Items in Possession

 

▼ Replay Divine Oracle

The only noticeable change after receiving the oracle was the addition of a replay button at the bottom of the window. I pressed it without hesitation, and the divine oracle I saw at the chapel reappeared before my eyes.

BEST
Aquamarine

Oh no… If they’d asked the heroine for help, they could’ve been saved… ㅠㅠ

Even on a second viewing, I could only sigh at the content.

‘Aquamarine… Why didn’t you write who was dying…’

I could only hope the next message would follow the “who, what, where, when, why, and how” principle.

If I ever left a comment again, I’d make sure to do so. Resolving to focus, I decided to analyze this best comment first.

‘The comment said that if they had asked me for help, they could’ve been saved. Does that mean I have the power to save people?’

That clearly implied I had the ability to save people. There was no doubt about it.

After all, the divine oracle could only be given to the Saintess, and I had already received a quest from God to save the world.

Wasn’t it proof enough that I’d fallen from such a height without sustaining a single injury?

Naturally, if I could heal myself, I could heal others as well.

‘The real question is, who was it that I could have saved?’

Why didn’t they ask me for help?

Was it because they didn’t know I could heal wounds or illnesses? Or because we weren’t close enough for them to request such a favor?

Either way, it’s clear that they were someone in this castle.

The comment confirmed that much.

If they had been physically out of my reach, the comment wouldn’t have mentioned that I could have saved them in the first place.

‘…Wait. If many people felt sorry for their death, it means this person was significant in some way, doesn’t it?’

If that’s the case, there must have been a story arc surrounding their appearance and death.

‘Someone who died early in the story. Someone whose death the readers found tragic. Who could that be?’

Sitting up on my bed, I racked my brain, revisiting the events of The World That Lost Its God.

Finally, I remembered something important.

‘Wouldn’t Beatrice be on her way to the north by now?’

In terms of the story’s timeline, this was before even the first chapter had started.

That realization led me to a troubling contradiction.

‘Then what is this comment I’m looking at? Wasn’t it a comment on The World That Lost Its God?’

It was something I hadn’t considered during the previous oracle.

Beatrice had received a note as soon as she arrived in the north, so I naturally assumed this comment was from The World That Lost Its God.

But thinking back, there wasn’t anyone in the story’s current events whose death would have saddened readers.

Beatrice hadn’t saved or helped anyone either. All she’d done in the north was fail to escape and endure endless confinement.

‘Then what does that mean? The story where this comment was left… isn’t The World That Lost Its God?’

Achievement Unlocked! <I’m the Heroine!>

You have gained significant insight. As a reward, you have received 1 Divine Oracle Token.

“Ack!”

Oh, come on! That scared me!

I pressed a hand to my pounding chest and let out a long breath.

“Dear God, I’m grateful for the divine oracle token, but could you please give me some kind of warning first?”

Still, I was grateful. Just when I felt completely lost, I’d received a divine oracle token. I closed the window before me, only for another to pop up.

You are the protagonist of a newly written story. Please do your best.

It’s encouragement… right?

Surely He isn’t laughing while watching me stress myself out and pull my hair out… right?

‘Does this mean you’re cheering me on? If so, give me one more divine oracle token.’

But the system window stayed silent.

Feeling a bit resentful, I glared at the ceiling before dismissing the floating window before me.

‘Fine. Let’s focus on what I can do for now.’

Starting over from the beginning…

It’s not about the novel; I need to think of the people I’ve met here.

Let’s go over everyone around me and Temenos. Who among them would cause the readers to feel sad if they died…

Wait, hold on.

“…Alice!”

A thunderous realization struck me.

“I haven’t seen Alice in a while!”

Now that I think about it—why did someone so diligent and good at her job suddenly disappear?

‘It’s Alice. It has to be. I’m sure of it!’

I immediately pulled the bell cord to summon a maid.

Not long after, Monica, the leader of the maids, stepped into the room.

“Yes, Prospective Duchess? Do you need something?”

“I do. Do you know Alice?”

Monica nodded without hesitation.

“Yes, you mean the girl who used to attend to you, right?”

“That’s right. Could you take me to where she is? I need to talk to her.”

Monica gave me a puzzled look.

“Do you have to visit the maid’s quarters personally for this? Wouldn’t it be better for me to bring Alice here instead?”

“Ah, well, that’s true, but…”

“If that’s the case, I’ll fetch Alice for you. You look tired; there’s no need to trouble yourself by walking all the way there.”

“Oh…”

Can Alice even make it here? Is she okay?

I swallowed the question that had risen to my lips and nodded.

“Alright, but if Alice is too sick to come, don’t bother bringing her here. Just tell me how she’s doing.”

“I haven’t heard of her being sick, but understood.”

Monica tilted her head slightly, then left the room. How much time had passed after that?

Knock, knock.

“Prospective Duchess, I heard you called for me. You said you needed something from me?”

“Uh… I did, but…”

Blinking in surprise, I stared at Alice, who stood before me perfectly fine. Her complexion was healthy, her eyes were bright despite the late hour, and her arms and legs were intact.

Even so, I couldn’t believe it, so I walked around her, scrutinizing her condition.

“Are you sure you’re not feeling unwell anywhere?”

“Huh? No, I’m perfectly fine.”

“Do you have any family, friends, or even a boyfriend… anyone around you who’s sick?”

“Not at all. Why are you suddenly asking me this?”

Alice seemed bewildered, and even Monica, who had brought her here, looked at me curiously.

Unsure how to explain, I opened and closed my mouth a few times before managing to come up with an excuse.

“You used to be by my side all the time after I arrived here, but you disappeared after the wedding preparations began. I thought maybe… you’d gotten sick, or someone around you was ill and needed care.”

“Prospective Duchess…!”

Alice’s expression became deeply moved. Monica also appeared to be touched, though she kept it more subtle.

It seemed both of them mistakenly thought I was some considerate superior who cared about her subordinates…

Well, it’s a good misunderstanding, so I’ll let them think that.

“You were such a big help to me when I lost my memory and didn’t know anything. I figured if you were sick or in trouble now, it was my turn to help you.”

“Help me? But attending to you is my duty as your maid. And as for why I haven’t been serving you lately…”

Alice trailed off, glancing at me hesitantly. I tilted my head, unable to figure out why she seemed reluctant to answer.

“Why haven’t you been attending me?”
 

<To be continued>

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