Saintess (5)

Time had flown by swiftly since I became the Saintess. I had thought it would simply end with being praised for my achievements, but I never expected things to twist like this.

At least the treatment I received was decent.

Though I could feel the gazes of priests and attendants who seemed to have ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠plenty of complaints, I had just as much to say myself.

'It's not like I wanted to become the Saintess.'

If I'm such a thorn in their eyes, they'd be better off taking it up with the Goddess directly. Though if they had the courage for that, they wouldn't be glaring at me in the first place.

I raised my left hand, and the golden emblem on the back of it began to glow.

So this was the so-called Holy Mark.

This was precisely why they couldn't treat me carelessly. If I didn't have this mark, just imagining the treatment I'd receive sent shivers down my spine.

Still, lately, I had been enjoying a relatively peaceful period.

"Sigh..."

But there was one problem. The Holy Power flowing from the Holy Mark on the back of my left hand was becoming an issue.

And to a degree I couldn't control.

It felt like pouring an ocean into a tiny teacup. Fortunately, with Silpi's help, I had avoided my body breaking down—but that was only a temporary measure. Until this problem was resolved, I couldn't even use Silpi's power properly.

In essence, my Spirit Power was practically sealed.

"Yurp, how do you control Holy Power?"

I turned my head and asked, and Yurp hesitated, making a small noise as she chewed on her words. Just as she seemed about to speak, she closed her lips again and fell back into thought.

Tilting my head at her reaction, Ka-il spoke up from beside us.

"Yurp probably doesn't know either. That girl handles Holy Power as naturally as breathing."

"Ah. I see."

So she was one of those naturally gifted types. Well, considering Yurp had risen to the position of Saintess Candidate, it made sense she wouldn't be the best at teaching.

I turned my head to look at Ka-il.

"Do you know, Ka-il?"

"Hmm. I could teach you, but..."

His hesitant tone made me curious. Was he, too, finding it difficult to teach for the same reason as Yurp?

Not that it was strange. Ka-il was, after all, a symbol of the Holy Kingdom's martial might himself.

Perhaps sensing my thoughts, he shook his head.

"It's not the same reason as Yurp."

"Then what is it?"

"Because if word gets out, strange rumors might spread."

His explanation was simple. Even if he didn't show it, public opinion already saw me as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a nuisance. In this situation, if he were seen spending time with the Saintess, it would undoubtedly lead to baseless rumors.

And those rumors would only invite more people looking to harm me, right?

"...I've gotten tangled up in something troublesome."

A sigh escaped me at the complicated circumstances. Getting caught up in another country's political machinations meant there was no end to the things I had to watch out for.

Seeing my reaction, Ka-il spoke again.

"My apologies."

He immediately bowed his head, and I waved my hands in flustered protest. This man had a habit of apologizing and bowing at the slightest thing.

Knowing his strength, his attitude was a bit burdensome for me. It felt uncomfortable, somehow.

As if reading my thoughts, Yurp let out a sigh and stood up.

Walking over to him, she promptly chopped the top of Ka-il's head with the side of her hand.

"Orabeoni, I told you to stop apologizing so much—you're making Unnie uncomfortable."

"Ah, sorr—"

The moment the word "sorr—" left his lips, Yurp let out a sharp tsk between her teeth. Ka-il awkwardly smiled and shut his mouth.

"Hmm. My apologies."

'I need to resolve the Holy Power issue as soon as possible.'

Right now, the Holy Power was so overwhelming that I couldn't even properly use the Link with Silpi.

At most, we could exchange thoughts, but even that wasn't seamless.

[Need—to—restore—it—quickly.]

Silpi's voice came through in broken fragments. He was right—I had to gain control over the Holy Power as soon as possible.

In my current state, I couldn't use my power as a Spiritualist.

But with both Yurp and Ka-il in awkward positions to help me, I had no idea what to do.

"There is... one way."

At Yurp's words, I turned to look at her. She had her arms crossed, hesitating as if unsure whether to speak, chewing on her lips.

She closed her eyes for a moment, lost in thought, then exhaled deeply before speaking as if steeling herself.

"The Sanctuary Trial."

"Ria, that's—!"

At those words, Ka-il abruptly stood up, his reaction rough and immediate. His sudden, unplanned action startled me, making me flinch without realizing it.

Ka-il continued speaking, his voice sharper than usual.

"It's far too dangerous. In a thousand years of history, fewer than ten people have ever passed that trial."

The Sanctuary Trial.

A trial only those qualified to become the Pope or the Saintess may undertake—the sole method of gaining the Goddess's acknowledgment.

Those who pass it gain complete control over Holy Power. Yet, only ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠nine have ever succeeded.

Those who fail lose their qualifications as Saintess or Pope. Because of this, some never even attempt the trial in the first place.

"What kind of trial is it?"

"No one knows."

None of those who passed ever spoke of its nature. Those who failed never uttered a word either, simply withdrawing in silence.

"That's also why the Saintess Candidate position exists."

A role created as a contingency—should the Saintess fail the trial.

Though treated nearly equal to the Saintess, it was not quite the same.

"Are you... really going to attempt it?"

Though she had suggested it herself, Ria hesitated, her voice cautious as she asked. In response, I nodded without hesitation.

"Yeah. I will."

"Many who fail the trial come out as cripples, having lost themselves completely."

Ria stared at me with worried eyes. I chuckled softly and ruffled her hair. Her voice still trembled as she spoke.

"Don't worry so much."

Truthfully, I had no other choice.

Without my power as a Spiritualist, I'd be left helpless, waiting for the Prophecy of Destruction to unfold. Could I master this Holy Power by then? The thought alone made my head droop.

The moment I received this power from the Goddess, I knew—I had no talent for wielding Holy Power.

"I'm strong."

A bluff. A lie meant to ease the worry on Ria's face.

Ka-il opened his mouth to say something, but after glancing at her expression, he closed it again.

"...Understood."

As if steeling herself, Ria exhaled deeply and squared her shoulders. She pulled a staff from her robes and began murmuring under her breath.

The Holy Power, scattered like mist in the air, responded to her words, gathering together.

The golden energy coalesced, taking the form of a small bird.

A canary-shaped creature flitted about before perching on my shoulder, shifting restlessly.

The lifelike movement drew an involuntary gasp from me. I knew she had talent, but this was beyond expectations.

"What's this?"

"A friend who'll ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠guide you when you're in danger. She's practically my partner."

"This little thing?"

The canary pecked at my neck—not painfully, but with a strangely refreshing sensation.

After tilting its head this way and that, it hopped over to my other shoulder.

"I left her behind during the Subjugation Expedition because it was too dangerous, so it's no surprise you wouldn't know her, Unnie."

"I see..."

I lifted a hand slightly, and the canary perched on my finger. Impressively balanced, it stood steady on my tiny fingertip.

"I'll lend her to you for now."

"Are you sure?"

Calling her a "partner" made it clear how much Ria cherished her.

She hadn't brought her to the expedition out of concern for her safety.

Ria nodded, smiling at me.

"Yes. If it's you, Unnie, I trust her with you."

"...Thanks."

Her earnest reply made my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

I knew she trusted me, but to this extent?

"Don't mention it. If you're really grateful, just make sure you come back alive."

"Yeah, I will."

The canary fluttered onto my palm and began pecking at my left hand—not aggressively, but with what seemed like pure curiosity.

"What's her name?"

"Lia."

Lia, because she's a canary? I stifled a laugh, suddenly understanding Ria's naming sense.

She blinked at me, puzzled.

"Just... a pretty name."

"Right?"

Ria beamed, as if relieved. Clearly, someone had criticized her naming choices before.

"Then I'll be in your care, Lia."

As if understanding, Lia let out a small chirp in response.