It was difficult, and was never well received. He found it to be a hassle, but it was something he was required to do. He eventually gave up, choosing to figure it out the next day.
But after he went to sleep, he was awoken in the middle of the night by some rustling. The Inquisitor sat up, casting his gaze around his tent. "Lilith?" he called out. But there was no reply. "Goddess grace us, is she really doing this again?"
Edith did not equip his armor, although he grabbed his sword and the tracker before he got out of bed. He grumbled to himself as he went over to Hadi’s tent.
"She can’t even give me one day to rest. I swear, when I find her— hey Hadi, did you see Lilith?"
The Elf woman jerked awake, surprised at the sudden noise. "Wha— the Saintess?"
"Yes," Edith snapped, "that is what I said."
"Oh, uh, sorry Sir. I have not seen her. Did she go somewhere? Do you need me to—"
"No, I’ll take care of this," he interrupted her, turning around to leave already.
He heard her call after him, but he was already heading in the direction his tracker pointed him in. He continued for five minutes. And then ten. Only then did Edith realize that Saintess Lilith must have traveled out more than a bit aways.
The man started to run through the forest. Going as fast as he could, hoping he could catch up to the Saintess. If she escapes, the Grand Inquisitor would have me executed, he thought to himself.
Edith found himself in a full sprint as he cursed the woman under his breath. He made it through a thicket of trees, into a clearing—
And found the Saintess whirling around, surprised to see him.
"Edith— how did you...?" she asked, her voice full of disbelief.
"Damn you, Lilith. You can’t just make my job easy, can you?" the Inquisitor snarled. "Where do you think you’re going?"
The young woman took a step back. "I was just, uh... walking? Having a midnight stroll?"
"Don’t give me that shit," Edith said, clicking his tongue in annoyance. "I’ll ensure the Grand Inquisitor hears about this. And everything else you’ve tried to pull during this mission."
"What? But you promised you wouldn’t tell about that!"
"I did. But you’ve continued being nothing but trouble for me. So now you leave me no choice." Edith said, making it quite clear he was not going to argue with her.
"They’ll send me back to Hell duty. They won’t let me leave, Edith. I just want to live a normal life. I never wanted to be a Saintess. Please, I’m begging you— let me go," her voice came out quivering, almost as if she was terrified.
"I don’t care. It is your fault for causing the Church so much trouble, even though you’re a Saintess."
"But I was only trying to help— Edith, you’ve got to listen to me. Saint Theron lied in his report to the Holy Xan Empire. He said he killed the Fiend, but he forgot to mention that she had a daughter. And she’s out there right now, last spotted with a group of Dark Crusaders near the Chalstics Confederacy. I just want to find her, before she becomes a threat to us like her mother once was."
Edith raised an eyebrow. He was pretty sure she just made that up on the spot just so she could leave. "And why exactly would the Saint lie to us? He has been nothing but diligent in his duties, unlike you."
"Edith—"
"Nothing you can say will convince me, Lilith. I’ve put up with all you asked me to do, but this is where you’re crossing the line. Do you want to know why they place you on Hell duty? It’s because of this," the Inquisitor said, gesturing at the woman. "All you try to do is cause trouble and you neglect your responsibilities as a Saintess. Despite everything the Church and the Holy Xan Empire has given you— despite the powers the Goddess has bestowed upon you to do good— you treat everything like it doesn’t matter. You just want to play. Like a spoiled little brat. I’m bringing you back, and there’s no stopping me."
"Please, we could go together. Me and you," she pleaded, her entire body shaking out of fear.
Edith shook his head. "No," he simply stated, then he grabbed her arm and began pulling her back to the camp.
The Saintess followed him without complaints. Her face was overcast with a shadow, and she let him take a few steps before she let out a wistful sigh.
"I’m so glad you said that."
"What are you—"
Edith stumbled. Something had pierced him through the chest. He took a step forward, before collapsing to the ground. It was only then did Lilith pull out her spear from his back.
"You know, I’ve been dreaming to do that since we first met. It’s been on my mind for so long, and I have to say, this feels much better than I could have ever imagined."
"You— how could you…" Edith gasped for air, but he was bleeding out. "You... idiot… you’ll lose…Sainthood..."
The Saintess looked down at him with her dark green eyes, tilting her head to the side. She looked at him callously, almost as if she was watching an insect die. And then— she smiled.
"I won’t. I’ve done far worse things than this, and I’ve never once lost the ability to perform miracles. Nope." Lilith bent over next to him, bringing her hands to her chin. "I’ve tried, you know? Doing things that would surely make me lose these powers. Things that are considered ‘evil’. And never once, have I been punished by the Goddess for it."
She paused, then she
