The Disguised Saintess and Temple Rivalry
A rivalry? The Saintess's visit? That in itself was entirely plausible. Not that it wasn't surprising—it just meant it was possible rather than impossible. After all, it wasn't the first time Saintess Stella had come to our family. We even had a performance scheduled at the Armonia Temple soon.
"Why……?"
The real question was why such an important figure had come alone this time, unlike before—and in such a sloppy disguise, no less. Even stranger, no one had noticed her amateurish getup. What had the servant said? Lastel? Anyone could see she was Saintess Stella!
Yet the servant standing behind her looked utterly clueless. A visit from the Saintess would have left any servant pale as a ghost. They wouldn't have sent just a young servant to guide her, either. Last time, Father and Kyle had rushed down together to greet her, along with other high priests—though symbolically, the Saintess outranked them all.
"Th-that, um……."
I wanted to point that out, but she kept shooting me desperate glances. It was obvious she was begging me not to say anything. After some hesitation, I finally spoke.
"Let's talk in the parlor first."
"Yes!"
She nodded eagerly, as if she'd been waiting for me to suggest it. I led her to the parlor, asked a servant for tea, and sat down.
Click.
The moment the servant left the room.
"What exactly is going on?"
I asked as politely as I could. She glanced around nervously before answering.
"……Do I really look like Stella to you?"
"……Yeah?"
"No way!"
She widened her eyes in shock. What? Was she surprised I had two perfectly good eyes? As I puzzled over her reaction, she spoke again.
"I'm wearing a holy artifact right now. Normally, no one should recognize me……."
She clutched the pendant around her neck. A holy artifact? I'd heard of them before—similar to a mage's artifact, but infused with divine power instead of magic. I didn't know exactly what ones the church had, but from what she said, it seemed to grant disguise or illusion abilities.
"So that's why no one else noticed."
"Yes! Even the other priests didn't spot it!"
……Had she snuck out on her own? Well, one mystery solved, but another popped up.
"Then why doesn't it work on me?"
To my eyes, she was unmistakably the Saintess. Her hair was a bit darker, her eyes an ordinary brown, but that was it. The rest of her features were the same. Her beauty was so striking it was harder not to recognize her—one of the most unforgettable faces I'd seen in this world. Honestly, her looks were as tension-inducing as her status right now.
"Hmm. I don't really know either……."
Even Stella seemed clueless why it failed on me. Makes sense—she'd been pretty shocked when I recognized her right away. I racked my brain, but nothing came to mind. This was a first. My special traits? Reincarnation from another world and receiving divine revelation—but the former probably wasn't relevant, and the latter had happened to others before without reports of special perception like this.
Hmm. Okay, whatever. Not the priority right now.
"So, what brings you here in disguise?"
That was the key question. Why would someone of her stature go to such lengths?
Fallen for me at first sight? Nah, no way. I knew my limits. I never thought I was ugly in this world, but I wasn't that devastating. Besides, a Saintess couldn't date anyway—not without stepping down.
Wait, why am I even going there? Snap out of it.
I looked at her. She hesitated, then spoke.
"The reason I joined the Armonia Church was a concert I attended as a little girl."
"A concert?"
It seemed out of left field, but I played along.
"Yes. There was a huge buzz because a musician who received Her revelation performed."
"Ah, yeah, I know about that."
Ever since regaining my past-life memories, I'd been obsessed with music, so of course I knew. It had even come up when I got my own revelation. I'd heard a recording once, and it was spine-chilling—like talent straight from the gods. Our house had more than a few crystal orbs with his performances.
"Hearing him play for the first time there made me want to become a musician like that."
"So you naturally started following Armonia."
"Exactly."
She nodded, then looked at me with sparkling eyes.
"That's why I came here…… Aside from my position in the church, I was truly moved by your music, Lord Arden. So……!"
Uh…… This isn't heading where I think, is it?
"I want to perform with you at the church concert!"
Nope. Duet request. Got it.
"……Couldn't we discuss that officially?"
Why sneak in like this? I almost misunderstood. Her answer was straightforward.
"If I sent a letter and you refused, I didn't want to miss the chance, so I came myself. Oh! Of course, I've already discussed it with the other priests."
Refusal? Yeah, a formal letter proposing a duet with the Saintess might've felt overwhelming. Especially after our last meeting— she came off as so noble, beautiful, and distant. Now, though? She seemed shyer and more down-to-earth than expected. Strip away the title, and she felt like any ordinary peer. Appearance aside, of course.
"Please, I beg you!"
Seeing me silent, she mistook it for hesitation and pleaded earnestly. After one last think, I replied.
"Alright."
Was it not burdensome? Total lie. But refusing her earnest plea was harder. I wasn't some legendary musician anyway. Plus, performing with her might actually dial down the spotlight on me. I was the new hot thing, but Stella was a household name across the empire.
"Thank you!"
She beamed with pure joy. Moments later, the servant brought tea. Since the main talk was done, we sipped and chatted more.
"Where do you mainly draw inspiration for your pieces?"
The conversation flowed with her asking questions and me answering. She peppered me nonstop, clearly full of curiosity. Some were a bit personal, but music talk was always fun, so it was a nice time.
But as we finished the tea and wrapped up.
Knock knock.
"What is it?"
I called out, and the servant replied from the door.
-More guests have arrived.
Again? How many visitors in one day? I excused myself to Stella—it was time to go.
"Yes! I'll send someone officially soon!"
"Sounds good. I'll be waiting."
We'd prepare the duet at the temple later. Keeping her at the estate felt awkward. With that, she left, and before greeting the new guests, I asked the servant.
"Who are they this time?"
"Priests from the Akat Temple and Millen Temple."
"……Both?"
"Yes."
Right on time…… Armonia had sent someone already. I hurried after the servant. Father and Kyle were already there.
"Sorry I'm late."
"No matter. You were already entertaining guests."
After a quick chat with Father, the visitors arrived—high priests from both temples. After greetings, they cut to the chase.
"The Akat Temple formally invites Lord Arden Clover to join us."
"We'd like to commission a piece to offer to our goddess."
"If you accept, our gratitude will be boundless."
"We've prepared compensation you'll find more than satisfactory."
"Hmm. Not sure the Millen Temple has that kind of leeway."
"What did you say?"
Just like that, they were at each other's throats.