The Apostle's Stigmata

Levy and Liandel's faces completely froze. They seemed utterly unprepared to accept the monumental event that had just unfolded. Liandel's mouth opened and closed repeatedly several times, while Levy simply stared at me with wide, round eyes. The temple had regained its tranquility, but my heart was still thumping wildly. The flame-like sensation that had blazed inside me moments ago now writhed just beneath my skin. Something had definitely changed.

"Hehe! Michael's apostle, for real? That's insane, right?"

As I spoke, Liandel shook his head as if snapping out of a daze.

"Lady Ricoris, truly... you've become an apostle?"

Liandel's voice brimmed with disbelief.

"No, that... it doesn't make any sense..."

"Why? Is it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠weird for me to be Michael's apostle?"

"Apostles... since ancient times—about five thousand years ago—no one has ever appeared. Not just for Michael, but for any god."

Liandel fell silent for a moment before speaking cautiously.

"Huh? Really?"

My heart began to race even faster. An apostle after five thousand years! That made me a historical figure, didn't it? A surge of pride swelled within me.

"So, is there a way to prove I've become an apostle?"

Liandel pondered briefly.

"According to ancient texts, apostles of the past bore the mark of their god somewhere on their body. It's called a stigmata."

"Ooh! Stigmata!"

A symbol etched into the skin? That sounded so cool! I quickly examined my hands and arms, rolling up my sleeves and twisting my forearm this way and that, but nothing was there.

"Uh... what?"

Confused, I checked my shoulders and legs too, but no marks anywhere.

"I am an apostle, right?"

Liandel and Levy looked at me with equally puzzled expressions.

Suddenly, I remembered the stigmata from the game. If it's a stigmata, it has to be on the back—that's classic!

"Wait a sec!"

I grabbed Levy's hand and headed to a small room beside the temple. Temples like this always had modest quarters for the clergy. Inside was a simple bed, a small desk, and a little mirror on the wall—nothing more. Moonlight filtered through the door, softly illuminating the room.

"Levy! Check my back for the stigmata!"

Without hesitation, I started slipping off my dress. As the black fabric pooled on the floor, only my provocative lingerie remained.

"Eek! L-Lady Ricoris!"

Levy gasped in shock, her face turning beet red in an instant.

"What? Hurry up and check!"

Urged on, Levy awkwardly averted her gaze but began inspecting my back. Her warm hand touched my skin.

"H-Here..."

Levy's voice trembled.

"It's really there! A pattern of light radiating outward... in red..."

"Yay!"

I jumped for joy in delight.

"I'm a real apostle!"

Unfortunately, I couldn't see my own back. Just then, Miel and Cecilia fluttered around the room, landing in front of the vanity mirror and the wall mirror. The two butterflies flapped their wings in unison, pointing at me.

"Oh! You clever little things!"

Excitedly, I adjusted the mirrors until I finally caught sight of the stigmata on my back. In the center was Michael's symbol—a pattern of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠light bursting outward—but unlike the usual golden depiction, it glowed a vivid red.

"Whoa... it's so cool!"

The stigmata wasn't just a tattoo; it seemed to emit light from within my skin. It was so beautiful that I lost myself staring at it for a while.

I couldn't wait to show Liandel. Hurriedly, I slipped my dress back on and returned to the main hall with Levy.

"It's there! On Lady Ricoris's back, Michael's symbol..."

Liandel's face paled.

"Then... you truly are an apostle."

He murmured in awe, shaking his head slightly as if it all felt unreal.

"You're truly remarkable."

"Liandel, tell me more about apostles!"

I gazed at him with eyes brimming with curiosity. I was dying to know what changed now that I was one.

Liandel cleared his throat and spoke slowly.

"An apostle is the proxy of a god. They can wield a portion of that god's power... and their primary duty is to spread the god's teachings."

"Ah! That's what I've been doing all along!"

How diligently I'd spread Michael's teachings! And now I could use her powers too? This was perfect!

"Hehe, I really am an apostle now!"

I knelt once more before Michael's statue and prayed.

"Michael, thank you for choosing me as your apostle. I'll spread your teachings even more fervently from now on!"

Pride swelling, I wanted to check my traits again. Quietly, I opened my status window.

Huh? Goddess of light and war? She used to be the benevolent goddess of light...

Curious, I checked my existing Michael-related traits too.

Huh! It used to say 'benevolent goddess of light' before... Now it's all 'goddess of light and war'! I'd seen Michael's cheer trait countless times since I was a seedling, so I remembered it clearly.

...What's going on? Did becoming her apostle reveal Michael's hidden side?

My chest swelled with emotion. Humans only knew Michael as the benevolent goddess of light, but I'd always sensed she loved blood and slaughter too. That's why I'd offered blood sacrifices—and it was right all along!

Foolish humans never knew Michael's true face. But I saw it and served her properly, so she chose me as apostle!

That thought made me even prouder. Only I, who knew her true nature beyond ordinary followers, was worthy. She'd recognized my loyalty!

As I gazed at my status window lost in thought, the four companions drew closer. Miel fluttered through my hair, tracing blue light trails, then vibrated her wings rapidly as if she'd understood something profound. It was like she was saying, "Amazing!" Cecilia spread her flame wings wide on my shoulder, radiating extra warmth. Lote orbited me at blinding speed, and even the usually lazy Glessia pressed close with sparkling eyes. They all sensed my greatness too—especially Miel, who seemed deep in thought, glancing between me and Michael's statue. Does she know something?

"Hehe, thanks, everyone!"

A happy smile bloomed on my face. But Levy and Liandel still looked dumbfounded, as if trapped in a dream.

"Let's head out now! Gotta get back to Master quick."

We left the temple. Countless stars glittered in the night sky, and fresh night air brushed our faces. The village slumbered deeply; only faint streetlamps glowed along the quiet streets. As we passed silently through and reached the village entrance, someone waited there—Evan.

"I've come to see Lady Ricoris off."

Evan bowed politely.

"Huh? You were waiting for me?"

His thoughtfulness touched me unexpectedly.

"Evan, I've become Michael's apostle!"

I shared the news immediately. Evan's eyes widened round.

"Pardon? An... apostle?"

He stammered in disbelief.

"Even got the stigmata on my body. It's real."

Levy chimed in to confirm.

"Hehe, so make sure the central guild hears all about how I'm Michael's apostle!"

Evan nodded, still dazed.

"Y-Yes... understood."

"Hihi! See ya!"

We bid Evan farewell and fully exited the village, following the moonlit path straight toward Set Hanryeong. Soon, the massive entrance to Set Hanryeong loomed before us. The enormous ice canyon, hundreds of meters high, shimmered bluish under the moonlight. Endless ice walls and snowfields felt like another world.

"Whoa, so pretty..."

Gazing up at the gigantic ice canyon, awe escaped my lips. This was the fence around Master's—and my—home! Like massive castle walls.

Come to think of it, Master always disliked how Michael kept giving me things. Would she be okay with me becoming her apostle? Worry suddenly crept in. I hoped Master and Michael got along... It felt like being a kid caught between arguing parents. If I had to pick, though, Master—the mom figure—was my favorite. What face would Master make upon learning I'd become an apostle? What would she say seeing the stigmata on my back?

Actually, I'd always wondered why Master disliked Michael. What happened between them? Was it just god-versus-monster tension? Or something deeper?

Oh no... Michael isn't listening right now, is she? I don't want to hurt her feelings... But I didn't want to upset Master either.

No monsters appeared as we crossed Set Hanryeong. I wanted to test my new apostle powers, but with none around, it was frustrating.

"No monsters at all?"

"Lady Ricoris must have slain them all yesterday..."

Liandel said cautiously.

Hmm... Should I just test it on thin air?

"Liandel, know what powers Michael's apostle has?"

Liandel thought, then replied.

"Ancient texts say Michael's apostles specialize in recovery abilities."

"Huh? Recovery?"

I already had healing pollen. But Michael's power had to be special. Time to try it.

"Liandel, hold still for a sec."

I extended my palm toward him. He flinched and stepped back.

"Hihi! Don't be scared. It'll be fine."

Thinking of Michael, I willed recovery in my mind. Instantly, a soft light emanated from my palm. But this was nothing like my pollen—it wasn't drifting particles slowly taking effect. A beam of light shot like an arrow, piercing straight through Liandel!

As the light enveloped him, his face lit up in shock. His eyes brightened, exhaustion vanishing in a flash.

"Th-This..."

Liandel examined himself, eyes widening.

"My body feels so light! Like... gravity's gone..."

He lifted his arm, moving it feather-light.

"Not only is my fatigue gone, but my mana feels far more abundant than usual. This is leagues beyond ordinary recovery magic..."

"For real? Let me try on Levy!"

I reached toward ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Levy next. The same soft light pierced her. Her body seemed to float briefly as it absorbed the glow.

"Whoa!"

A bright smile spread across Levy's face.

"It feels amazing! Like I'm about to fly! All fatigue's gone, and..."

She inspected herself, then gasped.

"My quiver's glowing!"

A faint light leaked from the quiver on her back. She drew an arrow—the tip gleamed red and gold.

"Is this... a blessed arrow?"

Levy asked in reverent tones.

"Hihi! Guess so!"

Oddly, using apostle powers didn't change my status window. New skills usually appeared there...

Oh! I get it! This is divine power—the status window can't even contain it!

That made it feel even more special. Being Michael's apostle was truly extraordinary.

Just then, my status window chimed noisily.

What! Status window, you punk! Mad I ignored you earlier?