Dominate Another World with a Brainwashing Skill!? No, If Anyone Finds Out, I’ll Be Executed, So I’ll Live Honestly and Upright! - Chapter 77: Everyone Thought, “They're Hugging... And They're Both Guys..."

Chapter 77: Everyone Thought, “They’re Hugging… And They’re Both Guys…”

“…You really pulled one over on me, didn’t you, Brother Slay?”

Prince Lucas, for the first time ever, showed an expression like he had bitten into something bitter. Was Prince Slay’s arrival that unexpected? Or was it something else…?

“What are Royal Academy students doing in Father’s chambers… Wait, you—Lily Puridy!?”

“It’s been a while, Your Highness Slay.”

With a composed expression, Lily gracefully lifted the hem of her skirt and gave a polite curtsy. Facing the man who had tried to marry her off to Duke Lechery, she didn’t show a hint of emotion. Meanwhile, Prince Slay’s face twisted with open disgust.

“How dare you show your face here…! Lucas, did you bring her?”

“That’s right, Brother. Although, she’s only here as a chaperone for this girl.”

Lucas placed a hand on Recty’s shoulder and smiled. That brief grimace from earlier had already vanished without a trace.

“And who is that girl…?”

“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors, haven’t you, Brother?”

“Rumors…? No way, you mean that—the Saintess skill?”

“Correct. She’s the one—Miss Recty, the girl blessed with the legendary Saintess skill.”

“I-I’m Recty! It’s nice to meet you!”

Recty bowed politely after being introduced by Prince Lucas.

Prince Slay looked down at her and smirked, a sneer forming at the corner of his lips.

“What can a fake Saintess like her possibly do? Tough luck, Lucas. The one who will save Father and be acknowledged as the next king is me.”

“Oh? So, if she’s the real Saintess, she could save him?”

“Of course. Isn’t that right, Cardinal Maricious?”

“All things happen according to the will of the gods,”

The elderly priest standing behind Prince Slay gave an ambiguous response, neither confirming nor denying it. In other words, it probably meant he doesn’t know, but Prince Slay seemed to take it as an affirmation and nodded with satisfaction.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Prince Brute, still lounging on the sofa, shrugging with an exasperated look.

Now that I think about it, Prince Brute mentioned earlier that Prince Slay was getting worked up over some baseless rumors. Judging by his behavior, he definitely seemed to be panicking, almost like he was getting tunnel vision.

But what kind of rumors could have him this rattled…?

“Let’s begin at once, Cardinal Maricious.”

“As you wish, Prince Slay. Rosary, if you would.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

At the old priest’s urging, Rosary, who had been standing quietly near the door, stepped forward.

And for the first time, our eyes met.

“Oh my, my, my! Sir Hugh and Sir Loug! Huh, why are you here?!”

“Uh… well, we were invited by His Highness Lucas to accompany Recty. I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

“I didn’t either! This must surely be divine guidance!”

Rosary beamed with a cheerful smile, nodding enthusiastically. Whether it was divine guidance or not, Loug was the one who suggested going to the cathedral in the first place. Maybe Loug really had a knack for drawing these kinds of encounters to herself.

“Rosary, do you know them?”

“Yes, Grandfather! I showed them around the grand cathedral!”

“That’s good of you. But remember, you’re in the middle of your duty now.”

“Oh! I-I’m terribly sorry! I just got a little too excited!”

Scolded by Cardinal Maricious, Rosary bowed her head repeatedly in apology. Then, as if trying to regain her composure, she clenched her fists tightly in front of her chest and stepped up to the king’s bedside.

So… she really is the Saintess of the Church of Divine Gifts, huh?

“I cannot guarantee that my power will cure him, but I shall do my very best! <Heal>!“

A soft, pale green light glowed in Rosary’s hands—the same healing power that Recty could use. The light slowly seeped into the king’s body.

“Gha…!”

—The king coughed up blood.

“Your Majesty!?”

The king continued to cough violently, spitting out more blood. Did his condition suddenly worsen!?

“H-Hey! What’s going on!? Weren’t you supposed to be healing him!?”

“I-I don’t know! I was just trying to heal His Majesty…!”

Prince Slay pressed in on Rosary, his face twisted with urgency. Rosary turned pale, shaking her head frantically. Did her healing power fail? Or did it somehow make things worse…?

“…!”

I felt something cling tightly to my torso and looked down to see Loug holding onto me with all her strength. She must have wanted to rush to her father’s side right away, but she was desperately suppressing that urge.

I wrapped an arm around Loug, holding her close while looking toward Prince Lucas. His lips were pressed into a tight line, his gaze fixed on the situation. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking from his expression.

“…This isn’t going to work.”

A quiet voice broke through the tension—Recty’s.

Her amethyst-colored eyes stared directly at the suffering king with unwavering determination.

It was the same look she had when she decided to help her classmates during the mock group battle.

“Keep using <Heal>!”

Calling out to Rosary, Recty rushed to the king’s bedside.

“You! A commoner dares interfere!?”

“Commoner or noble, it doesn’t matter right now!”

“W-What!?”

Prince Slay was left speechless, clearly not expecting such a bold reply. Recty, who had been timid just moments ago, now stood with unwavering determination.

“I-Is this really okay…? M-My Heal just made His Majesty suffer even more…!”

“I don’t think Heal itself is the problem…! I’ll support you, so please trust me!”

“…! A-alright! Uh…”

“It’s Recty!”

“I trust you, Recty! <Heal>!”

Rosary cast Heal on the king once more. But his condition didn’t improve—he continued to cough painfully, blood still trickling from his lips.

Then, Recty raised her hand over him.

“<Cleanse>!“

Unlike <Heal>, a different kind of power emerged. A soft blue light flowed from Recty’s hand, gently enveloping the king’s body.

Almost instantly, his violent coughing began to subside. The pain that had contorted his face gradually eased, and he started to breathe more peacefully.

“Not bad, girl. She’s like a completely different person now.”

Prince Brute, who had quietly moved closer without anyone noticing, whistled in admiration as he observed the king’s condition.

“This… this can’t be…! Is this really the power of the Saintess skill…!?”

“Incredible…”

Prince Slay and Cardinal Maricious were both wide-eyed in shock.

The two saintesses continued their treatment, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.

The tension in the air was so thick it felt suffocating, and it was impossible to tell how much time had passed.

Then, finally—

“…Ugh. How long… have I been asleep…?”

The king slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness returning at last.