Chapter 123
Chapter: 123
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 123
>Chapter Title: The Saintess's Ordeal (3)
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Every novel needs some background explanation first, right?
In this Delcross, there's the Holy Emperor—the powerful ruler known as God's proxy. He's the most noble cleric who guides the faithful in God's stead and governs the kingdom of the Lord.
But years ago, he fell into the schemes of the high demon lords and committed an irredeemable sin.
Now, the corrupted Holy Emperor is shaking the very foundations of this world, becoming the source of all evil that threatens it.
He's shattered the dimensional boundaries, exposing Delcross to invasion, and turned against the saintess who should protect the world, even hindering her reincarnation.
Yes. To protect this world, I'll ultimately have to stand against that mighty Holy Emperor.
"But how am I, without any divine power, supposed to oppose him? Even if I declare myself the saintess, who would take my side?"
"First, request to undergo the saintess's ordeal. Pass it, and you'll be able to access the [Casket of the Holy Emperor] in Saint Bastian Church."
The Casket of the Holy Emperor.
It's a sacred relic containing the body of the first Holy Emperor, who was half-divine.
They say that if a worthy person prays before it, the soul of the first Holy Emperor descends upon them, granting the blessing of divine power.
Only one person per era receives it. The blessed one gains immense divine power, and no one else can receive it again until they die.
"Ugh... But an ordeal trial? What is this, some medieval witch hunt? Do I really have to do it? It's kinda scary."
"What's the problem? People in the normal world can adjust their senses at will, can't they?"
"Sure, I can turn off pain entirely, but that's a world inside a book, right? What if I can't control it there?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll transfer the rules of the normal world that apply to your body exactly as they are."
Apparently, that's possible thanks to the Holy Emperor weakening the dimensional boundaries.
Hmm, still, better safe than sorry. I should stock up on potions in my inventory just in case.
"But I have a question. Isn't the Holy Emperor a sub-male lead?"
"He's a married man with a bunch of princes and princesses. No, more than that—didn't I just explain he's the black who plunged the world into danger?"
"Huh? In a romance fantasy, how can the black not be an important sub-male lead?"
"......"
* * *
Sizzle.
Acrid smoke billowed up, carrying the sickly sweet stench of burning flesh that stung the nose.
"Confess your sins at once, you witch!"
Cardinal Benitus growled fiercely as he watched the jailer press a red-hot branding iron into Seo Yi-seo's body.
So many heresy inquisitors had backed out before, that now the head of the Inquisition himself, Cardinal Benitus, was interrogating her directly.
He was already furious, obsessed with rooting out the remnants of the dark cult, and now this madwoman had shown up claiming to succeed the saintess.
"What trickery is this! You godless wretch without a shred of divine power, how dare you impersonate the saintess! Spit out your schemes right now!"
Cardinal Benitus bellowed in rage, but Seo Yi-seo merely clasped her hands and prayed calmly, not even whimpering under the torture searing her living flesh.
"I am merely following God's will. He has told me that a true crisis is coming to Delcross, and all must unite to overcome it."
"You dare!"
"I have no selfish motives in taking up the burden of [Saintess]! This is all for the blessed kingdom of Delcross!"
Zzzzt. Her words carried a profound resonance that stirred the soul.
One of the jailers heating the iron unconsciously made the sign of the cross at her devout appearance, only to shrink under Cardinal Benitus's sharp glare.
At that moment.
"Y-Your Majesty has arrived."
With the trembling voice of a jailer from outside, the Holy Emperor strode into the torture chamber unannounced, accompanied by the captain of the Saint Aurelion Knights as always.
"Your Majesty! How can you come to a place like this...!"
Cardinal Benitus and everyone in the torture chamber bowed their heads in panic.
The Holy Emperor surveyed the messy scene in the cell for a moment, then let out a small sigh.
"...This is pointless."
Seo Yi-seo, who had slyly peeked at him by lifting one eyelid, swallowed hard without realizing it.
'...Whoa, jackpot!'
Why! How! Why isn't this guy the male lead?
Hey, author! You listening? Can you tweak the story now?
While Seo Yi-seo screamed internally, the Holy Emperor stared at her intently, as if appraising her. In the dim dungeon, his eyes occasionally gleamed with a mystical silver light.
"You wish to become the saintess?"
How long had he watched? At last, the Holy Emperor spoke in a quiet tone.
"Y-Yes? Y-Yes... I do..."
As the flustered Seo Yi-seo stammered, the Holy Emperor nodded indifferently.
"Very well. So be it."
"...Pardon?"
"Pardon?"
Amid the shock rippling through everyone in the cell, including Seo Yi-seo, the Holy Emperor turned to Katrina.
"Inform Archbishop Wesker at once. Tell him I've endorsed her, so no further verification is needed. Prepare for her official investiture before the Nativity Festival."
He said it as casually as if approving a minor expense report!
"...Gasp!"
Cardinal Benitus, making a sound like the wind knocked out of him, finally regained his composure and glared wide-eyed.
"What do you mean by that, Your Majesty? Elevating this witch to saintess!"
"This woman is no witch. She vows to serve as saintess her whole life, so we must respect that resolve."
"But she has no divine power at all! She's utterly insignificant!"
"A saint's virtue lies not in divine power, but in steadfast faith and unyielding will. Wasn't Saint Grazie a laywoman before her ascension? This woman endured cruel torture solely for the sake of the faithful. Her faith and will are proven. What more verification is needed?"
"But... but the saintess's ordeal..."
Cardinal Benitus stammered, his face drained of color. The Holy Emperor clicked his tongue softly at him.
"Tch. The saintess's ordeal? When will you stop clinging to outdated customs? Henceforth, no one shall undergo public trial to prove their faith. Make it known."
Cardinal Benitus gaped like a fish. Meanwhile, Seo Yi-seo, recovering from the shock, frantically spun her thoughts.
Wait, hold on. What does this mean?
My plan to be recognized by the capital's faithful and the state church, acclaimed as saintess by all?
My plan to claim the Casket of the Holy Emperor and shove it in that fake saintess's face?
"I-I can't accept that!"
As Seo Yi-seo raised her voice in protest, everyone in the torture chamber stared at her in bewilderment.
He's just making her a saintess, so why is she complaining?
"I haven't proven anything! No one will accept me as the true [Saintess] like this! Then I can't fulfill God's will! I can't complete my mission!"
"......"
"Please, have mercy! Let me undergo the ordeal trial and be reborn as God's servant with honor!"
"...I see."
The Holy Emperor gazed at Seo Yi-seo impassively for a moment before replying, then faintly lifted the corner of his mouth.
In that instant, a chill seeped through her entire body.
Sensing something ominous, Seo Yi-seo clamped her mouth shut.
"Katrina, a moment."
With those words, the Holy Emperor's body swayed forward. Katrina swiftly supported him from the side.
"Y-Your... Majesty?"
Soon after, as if sensing something himself, Cardinal Benitus looked up in alarm, then prostrated on the floor, bowing his head.
What? What's happening?
Perplexed, Seo Yi-seo glanced around in confusion, then jolted at what she saw.
"Huh? What? What's going on? Why is the control window acting up on its own? Hey, wait... wait a sec?"
Her wide eyes filled with horror.
And then.
"Kyaaaaaaaah!"
A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the torture chamber.
"It hurts! It hurts! Oof! Please! Don't touch it! Don't mess with my sense settings! Aaaah!"
"......"
"Kyaaak! Potion! Potion! Ugh! Why? Why isn't the hotkey working? Potiiooon! Sob! It hurts!"
Seo Yi-seo, who had moments ago maintained her saintly poise, suddenly thrashed on the floor, howling.
Everyone stared in confusion. How could a person change so abruptly!
"No! Stop! Aaaah! Stop it! Don't go over 50%! Stop raising it! Kya aaaah!"
Now with a face twisted in terror, tears and snot streaming, Seo Yi-seo began begging.
"Please! I was wrong! Let me have a potion at least! It was all lies! I'm not a saintess! I'm not! Waaah!"
"......"
"Ugh! Hic! Hic! I won't do it! I won't, so let me go! I really messed up! Sniff!"
The quiet torture chamber filled only with Seo Yi-seo's sobs.
As the hiccupping gradually subsided, the Holy Emperor, leaning on Katrina's shoulder, opened his eyes.
He straightened up and slowly approached Seo Yi-seo.
Then he gazed down at her, curled up trembling on the floor.
"The Casket of the Holy Emperor. That's what you want, isn't it."
"...!"
Confirming her body flinch, the Holy Emperor knelt slowly and placed a hand on her head.
A holy white light burst from his palm. The countless wounds on Seo Yi-seo's body healed without a trace.
"Worry not. I will make you a proper saintess and present you before the people. Only..."
Leaning close to the ear of Seo Yi-seo, who still hadn't lifted her head and trembled, the Holy Emperor whispered softly.
"Stay quiet and obedient to the state church's will, like a dead mouse. No more wandering about claiming ordeals or service to the faithful."
"......"
"Understood?"
"Hic!"
Seo Yi-seo nodded frantically amid hiccups.
Pat pat. He indifferently patted her head twice, then rose. Just as he had come, he briskly left the torture chamber.
Katrina quietly followed.
"...Your Majesty!"
Cardinal Benitus, dazed by the sudden events, snapped to and chased after him out of the chamber.
"Your Majesty, the Casket of the Holy Emperor—surely not!"
He scurried after the Holy Emperor's long strides.
"Surely you're not saying you'll grant the Holy Emperor family's blessing to that witch? That's impossible!"
Not all past Holy Emperors were born with power like Nate's. When divine power was scarce and someone unfit had to inherit the throne, the Casket was the Holy Emperor family's greatest treasure, making them a legitimate proxy of God.
"Your Majesty! There must be a more fitting recipient for that blessing...!"
"Cardinal Benitus."
The Holy Emperor halted briefly but continued without turning.
"You intended it for Masaine, didn't you?"
Gasp. Caught off guard, Cardinal Benitus paled and fell silent.
No one revered the current Holy Emperor as God's perfect proxy more than Benitus. Yet he couldn't shake his unease over the ominous half-blood from the Empress.
Thus, he believed the throne should go to the eldest legitimate son, Masaine. And His Majesty already knew?
Watching Benitus's face twist with shock, guilt, and shame, the Holy Emperor added softly.
"But mark this well. That 'blessing' would be a curse."