I Was Deemed a Worthless Saint Without a Level-Up Blessing and Was Sent Off to Marry a Neighboring Country, but It Turns Out My Blessing Was Actually Level Cap Removal - Episode 2

The place Ferulina was taken by the captain was Crown Prince Cleves’ office. After handing Ferulina over to the attendant, the captain turned his back as if to say his duty was done.

After finally finishing the subjugation, they were able to return. They must be eager to rest.

Ferulina’s visit must have already been announced. The attendant immediately comes to inquire inside the room.

Cleves, who was signing documents on his desk, let out an unpleasant snort as soon as he saw Ferulina, who had entered with permission and bowed respectfully.

“Your appearance is so shabby, it’s hard to believe you’re a saint.”

“I sincerely apologize for showing you such an unseemly sight.”

I had just returned from the expedition and was called out without even having time to get ready, so it’s only natural that I look shabby.

However, Ferulina deeply bows her head and apologizes without saying a word.

More than that, what heightened Ferulina’s anxiety was the sight of her father standing rigidly by the office, sweating profusely.

Eight years since it was discovered that Ferulina was a saint.

At first, he praised Ferulina, saying she was the pride of our family and that a bright future was surely coming. But as soon as he found out she was a saint without any blessings, he cut off all contact with her as if she had never existed. So why is he here now?

However, despite it being their long-awaited reunion, the father doesn’t even glance at Ferulina.

Instead, it is another saint, Emelia, who is looking at Ferulina with a contemptuous smile.

“Without your blessing, you’re no different from a magic user who can only use holy magic. You should be grateful that you’re being treated as my substitute!”

Why is Emelia, who always looks down on Ferulina, laughing so joyfully?

Ferulina feels a bad premonition bubbling up.

When she looked at Cleves as if to ask a question, Cleves lifted his face from the documents, looked at Ferulina, and curled his thin lips into a slight smile.

The Crown Prince, Cleves, is twenty-one years old. He is a handsome young man whom noble ladies all wish to marry and become queen, but Ferulina’s heart chills before she can even admire his cruel smile.

Cleves, who has heard from Emelia, who is rumored to be close enough to be the next queen, about Ferulina’s saintly demeanor without her protection, knows well that he despises Ferulina with the same contempt he has been subjected to many times before.

The crown prince is like this. It’s only natural that the knights mock Ferulina in response.

However, being summoned not only by Ferulina but also by my father, I can’t help but wonder how much of a huge mistake I must have made without even realizing it. Just thinking about it makes my bl00d run cold and my legs tremble.

Holding my breath, I waited for Cleves’ words.

“Ferulina, rejoice. A match for you has been found.”

“………..Huh?”

A hoarse voice escaped at the unexpected announcement. Without caring, Cleves continued speaking.

“I have already obtained the baron’s permission. This is a done deal. By the way, the wedding is today.”

「What!?」

Even though Ferulina is a baroness, she is still a noble’s daughter. Marriages are arranged for the sake of the family, and I understand that Ferulina’s own wishes are not taken into account.

However, coming back from the subjugation and immediately saying, “Get married today,” is just too sudden. It’s downright unreasonable.

When I looked at my father as if clinging to him, he turned his face away as if he didn’t want to meet my gaze.

“Ferulina, the Crown Prince’s orders are absolute. Above all, your match is a person of high status. If you were not a saint, they would never be able to marry you!”

With beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, my father says.

However, if the other person is of noble status, why doesn’t my father meet Ferulina’s gaze? If my father was planning to use Ferulina to rise in status, he should be overjoyed with such a high-ranking marriage partner.

“That’s right. If it weren’t for that, there’s no way someone like you would ever get a chance to marry. Even without the blessing, you should be grateful for being a saint. Hehe, really, congratulations.”

Giggling, giggling, Emelia lets out a joyful sound from the depths of her throat.

It’s not a trivial matter that Emelia is praising Ferulina. My anxiety grows stronger as I wonder what on earth is going on.

“Your Highness, please tell me. Who is my partner…?”

The voice asking the question trembles.

If the Crown Prince and my father decided on the marriage, there’s no way it could be overturned by Ferulina.

However, the anxiety welling up in my heart was moving my mouth on its own.

Cleves’ smile deepens, harboring mockery.

“Rejoice. Your match is none other than the second prince of the neighboring Gobules Kingdom. — You are to marry the ‘Cursed Gray Bear of Gobules.'”

Cleves’ proclamation pierced Ferulina like an arrow. Ferulina barely managed to hold herself together as she felt herself sway.

“The Cursed Gray Bear of Gobules”

The title, called with a mix of fear, awe, and a hint of mockery, was something Ferulina had heard many times before.

The second prince of the neighboring country of Gobules and the commander of the second knight order of the neighboring country.

The seven kingdoms that exist on this continent form a loose confederation. In the eastern part of the continent, there is a vast, unexplored territory of monsters, which no single kingdom can withstand.

The Gobules Kingdom is located in the northeastern part of the Klein Kingdom and, along with the southeastern Maleries Kingdom, stands as the frontline nation guarding the border against monsters.

I hear that much of the territory is covered in dense forests, the soil is fertile, but the winter cold is harsh, and above all, the number of monster subjugations is far greater than that of the Klein Kingdom.

It seems that the second prince, Alvent, who is in charge of the expedition, is often found at the expedition site rather than at the royal castle.

However, at the same time, it is said that Alvent does not stay in the royal castle because he is rough and disdainful of etiquette, preferring to hunt monsters rather than remain in the rigid royal castle. He is also described as a bloodthirsty prince obsessed with slaying monsters.

The nickname that came to be associated with him was “The Cursed Gray Bear of Gobules,” named after his dark gray hair.

Of course, there would be no one who could call him by such a nickname in front of him.

No way, I can’t believe I’m being married off to someone like that.

“Having to face the ‘Cursed Gray Bear of Gobules’ is perfect for you, the saint without blessings!”

Emelia mocks as if she can’t contain her joy.

“I heard that you fight so fiercely that it’s hard to tell which one of you is the beast? They say your bl00d-soaked form is worthy of the title ‘The Cursed Gray Bear of Gobules’! Ah, how terrifying it must be…!”

In a theatrical manner, Emelia hugs herself and trembles.

“Do your best to be liked. Well, trying to be liked as a saint without blessings is probably a futile effort anyway!”

“Don’t say that, Emelia. The Gobules Kingdom currently has no saint. Even if it’s the ‘Cursed Gray Bear of Gobules,’ they might let it slide?”

The voice of Cleves admonishing Emelia reaches the ears of Ferulina, who is trembling at Emelia’s words.

However, the gaze directed at Ferulina held the same contempt as that directed at Emelia.

“For the first time, I am grateful that you are a saint, Ferulina. Thanks to you marrying into the Gobules Kingdom, the cost of timber and this year’s contributions have become free of charge. The Gobules Kingdom must have wanted a saint so badly that they didn’t care about the lack of blessings. It was the easiest negotiation ever!”

Cleves’s laughter echoes through the luxurious room.

However, Ferulina was in no position to answer.

Kreves’ words are swirling around in my head.

No, this marriage can’t even be called a political marriage.

As if she were a commodity—Ferulina was practically sold to the crown prince and her father, no, to the country itself.

“Becoming the Second Prince’s consort is quite the rise, isn’t it? The Gobules royal family really thought this through. Once they bring her into the family, no matter how much they exploit her, no one will complain. It’s like having a slave kept under control.”

What Cleves says is probably true. Even though it’s next door, if she marries into a foreign country, no matter how harsh life there might be, Ferulina has no way to escape.

Moreover, if it’s the subjugation of the Gobules Kingdom, it will surely be far more arduous than that of the Klein Kingdom.

What kind of life awaits me…

In her despair, her vision became dim and narrow. To the faint sound of clattering, Ferulina finally realized that it was the sound of her own teeth chattering uncontrollably.

Then, the door was knocked on, and at the voice of the attendant announcing a visitor, she trembled as if startled.

“The Second Prince of the Gobules Kingdom, His Highness Alvent, has arrived.”

“Ah, please serve the appetizer.”

At Cleves’ command, the door is opened immediately.

“Excuse me.”

A low, rough voice. What entered Ferulina’s view as she turned around with a creaking, rusted movement was…

He was a great man clad in black formal attire.

The tall figure with hard-looking gray short hair was so tall that they almost hit their head on the edge of the door.

No, it’s not just the height. It’s like, the whole body is large and thick. Even from under the formal attire, you can tell at a glance that there’s a well-trained, muscular body hidden beneath.

The aura emanating from its entire body is not just that of a “Gray Bear,” but rather reminiscent of the formidable Crow Bear, a strong enemy we have fought several times during our quests.

The chiseled, rugged features are full of dignity, but――.

The moment she saw the jagged, dark purple scar running diagonally across her left cheek, Ferulina barely managed to stifle the scream that almost escaped her lips.

However, it seems that the sharp intake of breath reached his ears. With a swift movement, Alvent turned to face Ferulina.

The black eyes, reminiscent of a sharpened blade, narrowed the moment they spotted Ferulina.