Saintess Candidate (2)
The mornings in the Holy Kingdom were always the same. Wake up leisurely under the warm sunlight. Wash lightly, eat the hot meal that appears as if on cue. Then head to the temple for prayer, just like always.
But today was different.
"Lady Rowena! This cannot be! How can they dispatch you to the Empire in the middle of the saintess competition? We must protest this immediately!"
The dispatch order to the Empire had fallen like a bolt from the blue. As a saintess candidate, with so much preparation needed to become the saintess, Rowena fully understood what it meant to send her away now.
Her priests, who usually attended her, were venting their fury.
"What can we do? The aging Pope is finally starting to make mistakes. It's a sign that it's time for a generational change."
Rowena faced the current reality with calm composure.
"Even if he's a child born of the heart, with no blood ties... it seems he's grown deeply attached."
"Still, we must protest! If needed, I can go myself...!"
"Valerian must have been involved in this too. But what would protesting now change?"
Rowena continued steadily, turning her gaze to her reflection in the mirror. Silver-tinged black eyes and settled black hair. Her appearance was far from the typical image of a saintess.
"Why not demand they declare the saintess right now? Does it make sense to send the chosen one as a prisoner to the Empire like this?! Especially to clear suspicions of treason!"
"True. What courage does the Holy Kingdom have to stand against the Empire?"
Everyone knew through rumors that the Empire had weakened. But who would dare enter a dragon's lair?
A dragon was still a dragon, even in old age. And the Empire was still the Empire, no matter its decline.
Besides, they probably don't know the north is creaking from rebellion.
All they might know is that the northern grand duke is dead. Not that it was due to treason, or that the Empire is pouring everything into holding the front lines. They know it's weakened but not why, so they can't act rashly.
In this situation, taking a low posture could disadvantage the Holy Kingdom. How could they not realize that?
No, they do realize... but they're throwing a tantrum to seat their favored woman as saintess.
The saintess candidate lacked qualifications. But implicit devotion to the Romper Church was required for candidacy. Ignoring that and pushing forward without rules was absurd.
Even blinded by love, this is excessive.
The Empire was currently focused on healing its wounds. Instead of begging for mercy, they could have played tug-of-war with appropriate goodwill.
"They even dismantled the gifts we sent to the south?"
"Y-yes, that's right."
"We should be strengthening ties through such discussions, yet here we are."
Fearing the Empire while scheming against it—how did such thoughts arise? It was understandable in theory, but laughable in practice.
The Pope hadn't been like this before. Everything fell apart when his son fell into late-blooming first love.
"...Lady Rowena, forget that for now—request the withdrawal of the Empire dispatch!"
"No, I won't do that."
The ship was sinking. But the captain didn't realize, thinking, 'Huh? The ship's sailing fine even in the sea?' He laughed off the crew's warnings and pressed on toward ruin. Sinking was imminent.
"From the start, our views on divinity differed."
Where did divinity come from? The Pope and saint believed it came from heaven. That the God Romper of Life bestowed it, and people wielded that power.
But Rowena thought differently.
"That divinity rises from the bottom... I never imagined it would spark such a long schism."
Saintess candidate Rowena believed divinity rose from the ground up. People's faith accumulated, shaping the god. That god then repaid them with divinity.
They should reconcile differing views. Not plot exile from the start.
"I should just take everyone with me."
"Pardon?"
"If I go alone, my people left behind will be isolated. I can't bear to leave them like that."
"...Couldn't you return later?"
"If I return, we can all return together. What's the problem?"
Then obediently exile me. In return, I'll take all my people—okay?
Not okay? What can you do about it now?
Too late to back out.
"...So the saintess candidate is heading to the Empire's south now?"
"Yes. We've loaded plenty of gifts... and not just her—the priests following her are coming too."
"Ha."
The report was so absurd it drew a laugh.
I knew they were playing favorites, but handing over healthy flesh like this?
And the candidate en route was the most likely, even labeled a villainess. Just giving away such talent?
How desperate are they to make Mirne the saintess? Unfathomable.
Seeing Saint Valerian's antics, I felt the Holy Kingdom would collapse. But not this soon.
"A large group is moving. Many gifts... Should we assign escorts?"
"Escorts? Why would we guard something the Holy Kingdom is sending?"
Then came an incomprehensible suggestion.
"You're saying the Holy Kingdom sent the saintess candidate toward the Empire's south... without any troops?"
"Yes. They have basic guards with the candidate... but not enough for the whole group."
After the report, I pondered briefly.
"Theo."
"Yes! Your Highness the Crown Prince! Your Highness's number one cane, Theo, is ready to carry out orders anytime!"
I summoned Theo. But.
"C-Crown Prince Highness! Th-this lady too! This lady is prepared as well!"
Arbeda, who had been quietly watching Theo, suddenly flared with rivalry. Not beside Theo—right in front, raising one hand just like him to assert her presence.
As if kids crossing with a traffic light.
"A large group means unclear intentions... Theo and Arbeda, go observe the situation."
"Yes, sir!"
No big deal, so I issued the order. But.
"Crown Prince Highness."
"Hm?"
Arbeda glanced up with hesitant eyes.
"This lady has spent far more time with Crown Prince Highness than that one... Yet why is that one called first and this lady last? I cannot comprehend it..."
"...."
She pressed her case in a very cautious tone.
I hadn't even noticed that detail?
She's the most conversational executioner, so I could grant this much.
"Arbeda and Theo, go observe the situation."
"Ahem! This lady accepts the command!"
"And call me the moment you sense anything suspicious."
"Yes, sir!"
I wanted to watch the candidate's journey from start to finish. But I had too much to do.
The prohibition seal is convenient, but not a cure-all.
Rebellion explodes the head. But conditions were strict—same magic school required, mutual consent. Complex setup likely a penalty on the seal.
Arbeda said the seal she put on Theo was essentially self-imposed.
Did they think constant seals would ruin the story? Still, securing many mages was useful. Top talents researched magic or trained successors.
Hiring mages to train more was costly. But promising human life for minimal living expenses? Insane cost-performance.
Besides this... railroads first... magic stones from north and west.
South needed checking too. I wanted to stabilize the Empire quickly. But center to east, west, south, north—all reeked of rot. Had to inspect each.
Silphiner's watching the east...
Keep unlocking the Empire Status Window tree to restore the Empire.
Dig up northern underground resources, process monster byproducts for profit.
How are the northern barbarians doing?
Needed proper reports. Too busy lately for center updates.
Check center before west.
Why did the Empire have issues everywhere, starting from the center? South was ambiguous as a problem.
"Duke Baralrum, you've managed the south impeccably clean. Minor backroom deals, but negligible compared to your efforts."
"Th-th-thank you so much, Your Highness. Such words are a great honor."
"Even rebuilding your ducal residence, you specified it lower than the Imperial Palace... I didn't know your loyalty ran so deep."
"Your praise humbles me."
"I want to see you around longer, so lose some weight next time."
"Of c-course!"
The only normal one so far. If he'd gone mad, south would be the Holy Kingdom's front yard.
Well guarded the line.
Duke Baralrum's flesh quivered as he kowtowed.
Praise shouldn't terrify like that. South must stay alert to Empire news.
"I'll bring a reward next time."
"I-I'll treasure it!"
"Assuming what it is already? Anyway, I know your hardships."
Conversation ended.
Center first.
As I turned to head central—
A message from Theo. And its content was exactly as I'd predicted.
They had no issue sending just the candidate.
But her followers too? Not the Holy Kingdom's plan. So they'd sabotage it, as expected. And they moved predictably simply.
From the moment they sent her to the Empire, she's mine.
How many troops did they send?
The more, the better.
Today, the Holy Kingdom's forces would thin significantly.