Chapter 144
Chapter 144
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Stamina is Divine Power (2)
Modern nations don't crumble their administrative machinery just because a single ruler gets assassinated.
That's because they have meticulously prepared systems for power succession in emergencies.
In the event the president or prime minister meets an untimely end, authority transfers down the line from vice president to ministers in a predetermined order.
Even in the worst-case scenario where most government officials die at once, there's a "designated survivor" waiting in a secure facility.
Even the highest leader always has a replacement ready.
Like nations, most power organizations with structured systems have backup plans for emergencies.
But the Radiance Church was a bit different.
It was a fledgling group only a few years old, so talking about succession might be premature...
But more than that, there was no one who could replace the Saintess.
She was the symbol of faith, a living idol.
Embedded in the hearts of all believers as more than just a religious leader.
The church was founded from the start as a fence to protect me.
The name Saintess was the alpha and omega of the Radiance Church.
That's how it was designed.
So in a war between the church and outside forces, it was only natural I'd be the prime target.
>
That's how it played out in the future I foresaw.
The megacorporations of Alpha Circle pulled every dirty trick to secure the Saintess during the city civil war.
In that future, I had to shuttle secretly between church command posts, infirmaries, and safe houses.
Even those safe houses sometimes got compromised, forcing midnight evacuations.
Of course, there were countless other emergencies.
Days where I couldn't relax anywhere, anytime.
I was bound to get exhausted and drained.
Incidents erupted everywhere, and I was the only one who could handle them all.
Compared to those on the front lines, it felt embarrassing to complain...
But this body was just too frail. Exhaustion hit constantly.
Of course, using healing on myself restored some energy.
But for some reason, replenishing depleted stamina consumed far more faith than healing a critically injured patient.
The efficiency was so poor I couldn't keep going without proper rest.
>
But if I hadn't tired so easily back then—
If I'd visited more bedsides.
Made more focused, crucial decisions.
I might have accomplished just a bit more.
"........."
Anyway, that was the point.
In truly desperate situations, base stamina is far more crucial than you'd think.
Something you only learn from experience.
So with this unexpected breather, I decided to build up my stamina for the future.
This awkward outfit was the first step of that resolve.
"........."
True to my word, the mirror in the changing room reflected a truly embarrassing sight.
A silver-haired girl with a flushed face. A far cry from my usual style.
My long hair tied in a ponytail for the workout left my neck fully exposed, making it feel oddly embarrassing.
A loosely draped ivory cover-up top.
Thin enough to faintly show the crop top underneath, paired with skin-tight black leggings clinging to my thighs and hips.
The fabric highlighted my slender yet distinctly feminine curves...
Even just looking in the mirror made my face heat up.
This body felt more natural than my original now, but this form-fitting outfit was still unfamiliar.
As I sneaked glances at myself, a sudden thought hit me.
'...Wait, have I gained weight?'
I lifted the hem of my top slightly. A sliver of pale skin peeked between the crop top and leggings.
Smooth abdomen, trim waistline. No excess fat in sight.
But lately, I'd felt an odd discomfort changing clothes.
Pants that used to fit loosely wouldn't go on easily.
Especially around the hips and butt... they squeezed like crazy.
Even though the waist ended up loose once I yanked them up.
"......"
Twisting to check from different angles confirmed it—I'd definitely put on some weight.
I had a hunch why.
Lately, with more meetings with Celestina about investments, she'd always treated me to expensive, delicious meals.
Devouring them without restraint... memories flashed by.
My intake had increased, but my daily activity? Just strolling the cathedral gardens.
How could I not gain weight?
Of course, I wasn't obsessively fixated on my weight like a real teenage girl...
But gaining weight isn't good for anything.
'Guess I really do need to exercise.'
In a way, Celestina was why I ended up in this embarrassing getup.
>
Not that I'm ungratefully blaming her for the gourmet meals. Totally different reason.
'This workout gear was all gifts from her.'
One of the outfits she'd picked during our luxury shopping trip last time.
I hadn't checked the price then, but like the other gifts, it was probably insanely expensive.
So... never wearing it would be such a waste.
Since I was exercising anyway, I thought it'd honor her gesture to wear it once.
But now that it was on, it was honestly too embarrassing. I hesitated to step out like this.
'Still...'
I did have that promise with Celestina.
I grabbed my comm device from the mirror and awkwardly snapped a photo.
Click—
There was a reason for this.
When she'd given me these pricey luxury items, she'd made one awkward request.
Send a proof photo wearing the gifted clothes once a week.
It was practically forced on me, but considering the cost, I couldn't refuse.
So, since it was already on, I figured this fulfilled this week's quota.
'This should do...? Sent.'
Less than three seconds after hitting send.
My comm device started vibrating furiously in my hand.
"........."
Too embarrassed to check the response right away, I gently flipped it face down.
Just then, a knock came from outside.
Knock knock—
"Lady Eve, are you ready?"
"Ah, one moment!"
Waiting outside was Esty.
When I declared I'd build stamina through workouts, she'd volunteered to teach me personally.
I couldn't waste more time hesitating over an outfit when she was helping me.
After a brief pause, I mustered courage and cracked the door open.
"........."
"........."
As soon as I stepped out, golden eyes locked straight on me.
She wasn't in her usual crisp suit either.
A hoodie and slim track pants, fitting for the workout.
A refreshingly different style.
Even casually dressed, her sleek proportions and refined features made her look like some sports star.
'Somehow... Esty pulls this off so cool.'
As she said, both of us were in completely different outfits from usual.
Like school friends who wore uniforms daily, meeting outside for the first time in casual clothes.
Fresh, yet somehow embarrassing.
Especially compared to Esty's comfy style—mine felt far more revealing, amplifying the awkwardness.
And right now, she was still staring intently without a word.
Unable to bear the piercing gaze, I spoke first.
"Does this look too awkward on me? Should I change—"
"No."
Rare for Esty, she cut me off and answered swiftly.
"It's perfect for the workout, if anything. To precisely observe and correct muscle movement, form-fitting like this is far more efficient. An excellent choice."
"Really...?"
Her unexpected response left me nodding dazedly.
If the expert Esty said so, it must be true.
Soon, we walked side by side down the corridor.
The place we arrived at was lined with dumbbells, barbells, and complex-looking machines.
She explained.
"This is the training facility for the church's combat personnel. For your training, Lady Eve, we've restricted access to part of the stamina zone during scheduled hours."
That explained why such a large space felt so empty.
Glancing around the eerily quiet area, I asked.
"Was that really necessary? It's so spacious—training together should be fine."
Even if it was church property and mine... monopolizing the facility felt a bit burdensome.
Unlike regular believers, combat personnel felt closer. Many had met me directly for cybernetic addiction treatment. Especially bishops and the redeemed—we'd built some bond.
Sharing the space wouldn't be uncomfortable at all.
At my words, Esty glanced over and replied curtly.
"They'd likely feel uneasy."
Suddenly, I recalled a past incident.
Overhearing sisters whispering in the cathedral rooftop garden.
["...Because of the Saintess... it feels so sinful and agonizing. Almost resentful..."]
'Right, that's it.'
I realized then that a high figure being too approachable could burden some.
Since then, I'd been restraining my overly casual demeanor to avoid stressing those around me.
For some, just sharing space with the Saintess might make them self-conscious.
Better to keep it completely separate.
With a fully convinced expression, Esty oddly shook her head.
Then, staring fixedly at me, she added offhandedly.
"I simply didn't want to impose such an unreasonable trial on their faith."