Amelia's Scheme and the Stranger's Test
4. A prayer hall constructed entirely of pure white marble and black obsidian. In this place radiating reverence and elegance, a single woman knelt before the statue of the goddess, deep in prayer.
"Um... Lady Amelia."
Then, a voice from behind her—a maid's. Amelia opened her mouth quietly without disturbing her posture.
"What is it?"
"Lady Ludia has returned."
"...."
Ludia. The mere word lingered bitterly in her mouth. Amelia's lips twitched ever so slightly.
"I see."
"It seems she completed her assignment safely. I thought it was fortunate the arrival was delayed..."
The maid trailed off with a wry smile. It should have been cause for joy that the girl had returned alive, but for them, it was anything but good news.
"The goddess's will, no doubt. She's a child with exceptional Holy Power, after all."
"But there are rampant rumors she used underhanded methods. They say she hired a mercenary and brought him along..."
"A mercenary?"
The eyelids covering her eyes slowly lifted. Revealed were purple irises blooming across a face as white and delicate as a snowy plain—beauty so absolute it made her seem like the protagonist of this world.
"Yes. She must have finished it easily with help."
"I see."
"Does that even make sense, Lady Amelia? How can relying on someone else prove one's qualifications as a saintess candidate...?"
The maid's voice rose as she spoke. But in contrast, Amelia's mind cooled to ice.
....No, it doesn't matter. There were no such conditions attached.
But...
Amelia paused in thought, then one corner of her mouth curved faintly upward.
"Indeed... there could be controversy over fairness."
"Right?! You think so too, Lady Amelia?"
The maid brightened and grinned. She even grumbled about why the church members only whispered about such issues behind closed doors.
"Let's go."
"Pardon?"
Amelia had already finished her prayer and stood. She swept her deep purple eyes over the maid once, then headed for the prayer hall door.
"A saintess candidate must be flawless in every way. But entering the church with a stranger? Leaving such controversy be isn't good for Ludia either."
"Then..."
"I'll speak to Branch Manager Olledo. And to Captain Dalton as well. We can't skip identity verification for a visitor, can we? For Ludia's safety—and the church's."
"As expected! You're the one who'll truly become the saintess, Lady Amelia!"
Amelia bestowed a benevolent smile on the maid. But once she passed by, an aura colder than ice settled over her face.
'Ludia... why don't you just go back to that backwater village of yours? You never belonged here in the first place.'
With a venomous smile, Amelia exited the prayer hall.
Right after Ludia and Mari mentioned arriving at the church, I just blinked at the unfamiliar yet oddly familiar sight.
"Huu-nim, that's the sanctuary district at the heart of the Anesa Church 13th Branch. My dorm is right..."
Was this déjà vu? A well-paved road centered around the sanctuary. Medieval-style buildings packed densely around it. And statues of the goddess and holy symbols everywhere, as if to emphasize this was the church. But somehow, it felt like I'd been here before...
"Did you hear me?"
"...?"
Ludia, who'd been chattering nonstop beside me, peeked her head toward me while I was spacing out.
"Um, was I... talking too much...?"
Soft, long black hair cascading from beneath her veil. Plump cheeks, dangling big eyes, and full lips. But with her eyes trembling as she gauged my reaction... it made me look like the bad guy—or rather, the zombie—picking on her.
Shake shake.
"Phew... good."
I'll be nice to Ludia. She startles easily and bursts into tears at the drop of a hat, so maximum kindness. Her life got screwed because of me; I can't make it any harder. As long as I don't raise my voice in excitement, I can win her over halfway. I vowed to myself while looking at her face.
"Thank you, Huu-nim. Let's hurry then. Mari should have everything ready by now."
Nod.
For now, just don't get caught. As Ludia said, hole up in the dorm. Slip out at the right time and find a way—that's it.
But moments later,
"Then, please place your hand on the crystal orb, Huu-nim."
Why a Holy Power test all of a sudden?! To advertise that I'm a monster?!
To Ludia, the dorm was like home. The moment she arrived, tension melted away into comfort. Thankfully, the zombie had gone quietly to his room, and Mari hadn't said much either. Everything seemed like it would go smoothly.
"Congratulations on your return, Lady Ludia."
"Huh? Why are you here, Captain?"
But when she opened the door at the knock, there stood the Paladin Captain.
Normally, she'd greet him warmly, but right now, he was someone to avoid.
"Just stopping by for verification. It's a simple matter."
"Verification...?"
Verify what?! Simple matter??
But behind the captain stood dozens of fully armored paladins, crowding like they were here to arrest a criminal.
"Yes. Your cooperation, please."
"....."
N-No way.
They found out I brought a zombie? Already?! I haven't done anything!
Ludia's heart pounded wildly. The ground seemed to shake, her vision darkening under the pressure. She stood mute, swallowing dryly.
"What's this about, Captain Dalton?"
Then Mari's voice from behind. She stepped forward, arms crossed, expression bored.
"Good to see you, Lady Mari. It's just a simple verifica—"
"For something simple, that's too many men. Enough to scare Lady Ludia."
Mari tilted her head at the captain, arms still crossed. A silent pressure common in the rigid hierarchy of the paladin order.
Dismiss them. Nicely, while I'm asking.
Mari had a real talent for this.
"....Ah, my apologies. Unnecessary misunderstanding."
The captain conceded with a wry smile. Even if Mari seemed young and arrogant, she was dispatched from central HQ to protect Ludia—a superior no branch captain could challenge. He quickly left one or two knights and dispersed the rest.
"Mari..."
"Don't worry, Lady Ludia. Must be a misunderstanding."
As expected! Mari's the best!! Ludia suddenly saw Mari's shoulders as broad and reliable.
"Sorry. We just need to verify the stranger's identity."
"...Huh? Identity check??"
Mountain after mountain. Ludia faced crisis before even sighing in relief.
"Yes. The gate report said an unfamiliar person accompanied you..."
"Ah, you mean Huu-nim."
"Huu...-nim?"
The captain looked baffled, like that's a person's name? But Mari nodded, accustomed to it.
"Wh-Why Huu-nim all of a sudden?"
"Nothing major. Lots of outsiders lately."
"Odd. People visit Lady Ludia's dorm for miracles too."
Mari's sharp senses tingled. Ludia found her reliable once more.
But the captain had backing this time. He shrugged and spoke naturally.
"Ah, Branch Manager Olledo's orders yesterday. Verify all strangers entering the church. And for a potential saintess, security is basic."
"Without notice...!"
Impossible. This never happened before!
Ludia wanted to burst into tears and run.
"Simple enough. Let's get it done. Room's that way."
"Mari!"
"...?"
And just like that, the Mari wall Ludia trusted crumbled in an instant.
"Lady Ludia, it's just basic background questions. Over quickly."
"Huu-nim will be so offended!"
Ludia's brain flatlined. She blurted whatever came to mind.
"Huu-nim... offended?"
Mari's expression made her think oh no, wrong? But spilled water. She doubled down shamelessly.
"Y-Yeah, offended! Huu-nim hates talking to strangers!"
"It's simple; he'll cooperate."
"Still..."
"Exactly, Lady Ludia. Origin, relatives, job, guild affiliation—ordinary stuff."
A zombie wouldn't have any of that!!!!!
Ludia suppressed her inner scream, rambling on.
"Huu-nim can't speak! Demanding words is too harsh..."
"No problem. He can just write on the form."
"....."
We're doomed... totally doomed!! Am I dying now?! Head chopped off?!
Tears welled to the brim.
Push more, and she'd grovel, snot and all—life-or-death.
"Ah, Captain Dalton. On second thought, Huu-nim might be resting from travel. I'll have him fill it later and deliver."
"....!"
God Mari!!!!!!
Just as self-loathing hit over the saintess candidacy, Mari pulled a miraculous drift, turning the tables. A halo seemed to shine behind her—flawless technique.
"Forms are fine. But this must be done in person..."
But the captain smiled awkwardly and pulled a small crystal orb from his pocket. A transparent, round object gleaming brilliantly.
"It's a Holy Power tester. Just confirms monster or human."
"??!!!!"
Wh-What?! That's worse!!
Ludia plummeted into despair again.
"Monsters are getting crafty these days."
"I understand. I'll ask Huu-nim."
"Ma-Mari!!"
"Don't worry, Lady Ludia. I'll explain nicely."
"No... no no that's not..."
Run...? Now? But abandon the zombie?! Die either way!!
Ludia gnawed her lip secretly. Her back soaked in cold sweat, numb.
"Oh, Lady Ludia. Are you unwell?"
"Ha... haha... nooo..."
I'm about to die because of you, Captain!!!!
Ludia screamed silently inside.
So... put my hand here? Glows for human, dark for monster.
"H-Huu-nim... if you're not feeling well, we can do it later..."
"No, Lady Mari. Better knock it out quick."
Ludia pretending it's fine, eyes darting. Mari nonchalant: hurry up. And the heavy-armored paladin with holy symbol before me.
These three barge into my room demanding a Holy Power test.
"Then, place your hand on the crystal orb, Huu-nim."
"...."
Fucked.
Now I get why Ludia's freaking out. The paladin's all hey, come on, but the moment it goes black, he'll yell monster! and lop my head off.
"Huu...."
My name—or a deep sigh—slips out.
Have my hands ever felt this heavy? Why the hell did I isekai into a zombie and suffer like this? Fucking Huu...
"Well then. If you're tired, I can just press it against you."
"...!"
As I froze wondering what to do, the impatient captain suddenly pressed the orb to my body.
"Nooooo!!!!!!!!"
Ludia's real scream erupted.
"Th-This is?!"
"?!!!"