Why Show Up Now?
Why had they come now? Ayran had been the most promising saint candidate. Even without resolving the plague outbreak in the Arsen Kingdom like in the original story, he'd already racked up several achievements. He could appeal to the temple with those, secure their support, and steadily close in on becoming the saint.
If Seres hadn't suddenly stepped into the spotlight, he would have naturally become the saint.
"It's about Seres Huferion."
"That empire's greatest beauty?"
"He healed every single sick person in his territory and they're calling him a saint."
"How does he have that kind of power?"
"Could it be divine power?"
The temple priests who heard the news about Seres immediately suspected it might be divine power and flew into a frenzy. If he truly possessed it, candidates like Ayran would be unnecessary—Seres would become the saint outright.
"What did Hames say when she went to confirm?"
"She said she wasn't sure herself."
"Then it's not?"
They'd sent Hames to check, but with no clear answer, they were suspicious.
"Seres Huferion resolved the plague outbreak in the Arsen Kingdom."
"Then it must be true?"
His feats were so impressive that they wavered. In the end, the temple decided to send people again to verify with Seres. Two high priests. And Ayran, the original saint candidate. A large delegation led by these three representatives.
"Wow, so this is the Huferion territory!"
Ayran marveled as he arrived in the territory governed by the Huferion family alongside the group.
"It's incredible. For a mere count's domain—not even the capital—to be this developed!"
His praise was lavish and genuine. Luxurious buildings, impeccable facilities. Crowds of passing territory folk, all looking reasonably prosperous on average. It rivaled the capital of an average nation—impossible not to be impressed.
Seres, you little punk. So you've been living it up in a place like this!
The more he admired it, the deeper his resentment toward Seres grew. Ayran kept a straight face with people around, but inwardly, he ground his teeth.
Growing up as the sole heir in a place like this—what more could you want? Why go after my spot too?!
Ayran came from an insignificant family. Barely nobility, a low-rank house that was embarrassing to even call noble. By sheer luck, he'd been born with powerful holy power and endured every hardship to leverage it into success.
But now this sudden Seres was about to snatch his position. How could he not hate him?
Hmph, I've always thought you were bad luck. Empire's greatest beauty, my ass.
Ayran inwardly cursed Seres and glanced sideways.
"I've heard Seres is the most beautiful in the empire. Is it really true?"
"I've never seen him myself, so I can't say for sure."
A woman with neat, navy-blue hair gave a wry smile in response. Hairel. One of the high priests and Ayran's strongest backer, supporting him to become the saint.
"But I think the rumors are exaggerated."
"You think so too, Lady Hairel? They say even Hero Arios and the empire's emperor are head over heels for his looks. Ridiculous."
Ayran spoke excitedly, but he'd never bought the claim that Seres was the empire's top beauty.
As if. He's never once appeared in society because of his frail health—how would anyone know? All the rumors are absurd nonsense.
The painter commissioned by Countess Ares to do Seres's portrait had fallen so in love with it that he fled with the painting. Rumors even spread to the distant East, calling him the West's number one beauty. The latest one: at his debut party, the emperor fell at first sight.
He fought Arios—who was originally his partner—stole her away, imprisoned her, and she barely got out? Who'd believe that crap?
Ayran smirked in disbelief, but
Hey, control your face. What if the other priests see and catch on to your ugly true nature?
Hairel, watching from the side, was inwardly displeased.
Why do you think I backed you and invested this much?
Hairel supported Ayran purely for her own ambitions. She planned to mold a saint with her own hands and puppet him to seize power.
Should I ditch him now—it's not too late—and switch to Seres?
Hairel considered if Seres might be a better tool for her goals, then shook her head.
No. I couldn't handle that guy. Heir to a territory this massive!
Hairel broke into a cold sweat inwardly as she recalled the Huferion territory's stats.
Over 1.5 million residents. 5,000 troops ready to mobilize at any time. Assets to sustain it all and more!
What kind of count's domain was this? Just the title was count—truly one of the empire's top three great nobles.
Worth of a founding merit family from the first emperor's era. This is practically a small duchy.
Seres was set to inherit all this, and from recent events, he might go beyond. Foolish Ayran, obsessing over 'empire's greatest beauty.' The real key is that he's an unmarried man inheriting this territory.
Marry Seres, and you'd have the Huferion territory in your grasp.
That's probably why Hero Arios is clinging to him. If the Graviuss ducal house swallows the Huferions, it'd be a monster.
Then the weird rumor about Emperor Viol imprisoning Seres made sense too.
The emperor's warning. Don't unite forces for anything funny, or else.
A man at the core of reshaping the empire's power structure—someone even the emperor wary of! If he became saint too? Hairel knew she couldn't control him.
The moment Seres becomes saint, my ambitions are over. Not just me—every temple power holder would grovel under him.
So she absolutely couldn't let Seres become saint. Vowing to block him by any means, she turned to the other high priest.
"Hames, you've already met Seres, right?"
The third representative was Hames, who'd joined quickly upon hearing they'd send someone to verify Seres.
"What do you think? Is he really the empire's greatest, like the rumors?"
"You'll know when you see him."
...Answer properly when people ask.
Hairel, hoping to pry info from Hames, clicked her tongue and backed off.
And shortly after.
They arrived at the Huferion Count Estate, each hiding their true thoughts.
"Are you the ones here for Seres?"
Ares, the lady of the house, came out immediately to greet them.
Never seen a beauty like this!
Ayran inwardly cheered at his first sight of Ares. Silver bob cut. Flawless skin, balanced figure, a statue-like beauty with intense allure. An icy beauty.
They said in her youth, she'd drawn all men's gazes—and she still could.
Incredible. Ruling such a massive territory, and this beautiful and cool too!
Word was her martial prowess was top-tier too. If she were younger, or childless.
Ayran, smitten at first sight, shyly said, "It's an honor to meet you. Countess Ares Huferion, I'm Ayran from the temple..."
"Get lost."
"Pardon?"
"I said get lost!"
Ares flew into a rage.
"Why do you keep bothering my child?! Can't you leave Seres alone?"
"Please calm down! There's a rumor Seres might be the saint, so as a prior candidate, I just wanted to meet and discuss..."
"You be the saint then!"
I'd love to. But I need to meet Seres first to do anything.
Ayran made a sullen face. As Ares kept yelling to leave,
"The important thing is Seres's own thoughts."
Hames said curtly, arms crossed.
"Countess Huferion. I get you're worried about him, but don't chase away his visitors on your own authority. Hearing them out and deciding is his call."
"...You've always cheered him on like that, pushing him too hard?"
Ares glared at Hames briefly but couldn't retort. With a resigned air, she vanished, and moments later.
That guy!
Seres?
The real Seres appeared before Ayran and Hairel's eyes.
Silky smooth long silver hair swayed with each step. His slender face held features like the pinnacle of beauty crafted by the finest artist. Eyes sparkling like jewels, skin milk-white and pure. In a form-fitting white dress shirt and pants, he walked with elegant grace, showing off his slim, lithe figure. Brushing back his beautiful hair as if it annoyed him, a floral scent wafted—like flowers blooming.
Perfume? What human body smells like this?!
Is this even human?
Hames had been right—you knew at a glance. The moment he appeared, you could tell he was on another level entirely!
Ayran and Hairel both lost their wits.
The order's all wrong. Why show up now?
That existence, Seres, was inwardly flustered.