290. Shadow of Radiant Light (1)
290. Shadow of Radiant Light (1)
- 1 -
The golden sunlight cascaded down the spire, shattering into countless colors.
The central cathedral of the Holy Kingdom, the Holy See, was, as always, filled with the incense of light.
The towering spires, the countless stained-glass windows, the elaborate sculptures, and the massive white dome all proclaimed that this land had been the center of Faith for ages.
The Saintess who served darkness stood at the cathedral entrance and let out a quiet breath.
'It's only been three months since my return... yet it feels as though thirty years have passed.'
That deep sigh held the memories of her previous life, preserved without a single missing piece.
Now, Esther could find evidence of corruption right here, within this brilliant white citadel.
The holy scriptures hanging from the clergy's belts were decorated with extravagant gold and jewels, and the higher their rank, the more splendid the ornaments adorning their bodies—and even the starving children hidden in the back alleys of this Holy Emperor's direct dominion.
'Goddess. Is this truly the land you desire?'
"Saintess Esther. You have returned."
The one who greeted her was Archbishop Cassiodorus of the East.
His face held deference and respect, but Esther did not miss the subtle unease hidden in his eyes.
He had been one of the key figures who orchestrated selling Esther off to Hysen.
"Archbishop. I trust you have been at peace."
Esther bowed her head politely.
Her green vestments shone under the sunlight, and her pure white eyes held serenity.
Not a single trace of the storm in her heart leaked to the outside.
"It is a relief that your work in Hysen proceeded smoothly. Undoubtedly, the Lord Goddess guided the Saintess's footsteps."
At Cassiodorus's words, Esther maintained a gentle expression.
Three months ago, she had left the Holy Kingdom under orders to mediate the war that had broken out between what were now Leophere, Zenota, and the Aryllit Duchy.
She knew now. That it had been a justification to 'sell' her.
But as things stood, she was now regarded as the one who had established a new temple in Hysen and was leading the political landscape there.
From the Holy Kingdom's perspective, there was no longer any reason to sell her off.
"It was only possible thanks to the Lord's blessing. Has anything significant occurred in the Holy Kingdom during my absence?"
"It has been relatively peaceful, however..."
Cassiodorus paused briefly to choose his words before speaking again.
"The Archbishop's Council has discovered a new candidate for Sainthood. The Central Archbishop found her. Seeing that you, Saintess, have returned today, it is clear that the Lord is connecting the two of you."
Esther smiled with her eyes, but a sharp glint flickered briefly at the corners of her eyes.
Of course, her placid expression never once broke.
It might have been difficult for a 'young Saintess', but for the current Esther, it was a simple task.
"I see. I look forward to it."
She followed the Eastern Archbishop's guidance into the cathedral.
The faithful of the Holy Kingdom recognized her and bowed their heads respectfully.
Esther passed by, bestowing blessings upon them, but her heart was already elsewhere.
'Leticia.'
To that young girl who might inherit her original fate.
- 2 -
The Archbishop's Council was where the major and minor affairs of the Holy See and the Church of Heaven, spread across the continent, were decided.
The Holy Emperor gave final review and approval to the decisions made here, so it could be called the de facto forum for policy discussion.
While waiting in front of the chamber where such an Archbishop's Council was underway, Esther's mind reflected upon the distant past.
When she first passed through the gates of the Holy Emperor's direct dominion, the capital of both the Holy Kingdom and the Holy See, Esther had been only six years old.
[Is this the young sister who shows signs of fate?]
The gaunt archbishop with the white beard, the old man who was now the Holy Emperor, had said.
The very young Esther, trembling with fear, had lifted her head and looked around.
The golden cathedral boasted a magnificence unimaginable in her small hometown village.
[Yes. Archbishop. The energy of fate flows within this child. Even without learning anything, she displayed the miracle of healing the village's sick.]
The nun who had brought Esther was the female bishop who had now become the Head of the Grand Holy Tribunal.
[Is that so... May I take a look? Young sister.]
[Y-yes... yes!]
The old archbishop knelt before Esther and peered into her eyes.
Even then, her eyes had already been a pure white hue.
[This is unmistakably... a Saintess imbued with fate. Prepare to attend to her.]
And so, Esther began her life in the Holy Kingdom.
It was frightening and unfamiliar at first, but she soon opened her heart to the teachings of the Holy Kingdom.
She learned the faith of light, the importance of good deeds, and the secrets of the holy power that saved the world, filling her heart with piety.
When she turned ten, she was officially appointed as a Saintess.
Before countless believers, she swore an oath with her childish lisp.
[I will dedicate my life to all Life on this land. I will spread the Lord's light and drive out the darkness!]
Esther at that time was incredibly pure.
Because she thought light and darkness, good and evil, were clearly divided.
But as time passed and she grew older, she gradually began to witness the subtle political conflicts and hidden desires within the Holy Kingdom.
[What in the world is this!]
Though she couldn't fully understand all of it, from some point on, she could no longer avoid knowing...
Then one day.
[Your Eminence. Hysen, which has now successfully integrated with Kiza, will surely help spread our doctrine to the world. Going forward, please promote exchanges with Duke Astermark there.]
A few years after she became an adult—at a point slightly later than the present—the Holy Emperor had assigned her a diplomatic mission.
On the surface, it was to spread the doctrine of the Holy Kingdom to the Hysen Kingdom, and she had never sensed the hidden intent behind it at the time.
"... Hah."
Esther, having pulled herself from her memories, let out another deep sigh.
The memories of that future, the life from the First Round, sometimes tormented her like a nightmare.
But now things were different. She had Libertas, and she had the power to change fate.
"Your Eminence. Please enter."
The door to the council chamber opened.
- 3 -
All fifteen archbishops were already seated inside the council chamber.
The archbishops presiding over the bishops of each continent, the Commander of the Holy Knights, the Head of the Priests, and even the one whose official title was Head of Canon Law but who was, in reality, the Chief Inquisitor.
All of them rose to their feet as one to pay their respects to Esther.
"Saintess Esther. Welcome. May the Lord's blessing be with you."
The Ceremonial Archbishop, the most senior of them, offered a welcome on behalf of the group.
A reverent and lengthy voice filled the space.
"May the Goddess's peace be with you all."
Esther replied, looking around at everyone.
A place where all eyes gathered. It used to be overwhelming, but now it meant nothing to her.
That was probably because they had become beings of 'no consequence' to her.
"Saintess. First, we wish to hear news from Hysen. How is the new temple progressing?"
At the question posed as soon as Esther took her seat, she placed one hand on her chest and gave a serene smile.
"The temple has already been completed. The people of Hysen are accepting the Lord's teachings with great passion."
"That is wonderful news. However..."
The Western Archbishop stepped forward, his expression hardening.
"There are rumors that you are permitting coexistence with monsters. Is this true?"
Esther nodded quietly.
"The Lord's light shines upon all Life. Her Majesty the Queen of Hysen has also acknowledged that they, as living beings, have the right to be saved. I, too, inquired through prayer, but as always, She answered with light."
The mouths of all the archbishops clamped shut.
Their gazes seemed to pierce Esther, but she remained composed.
Who would object when the Saintess said she had asked the Goddess directly?
Esther examined their expressions closely.
Thanks to discarding the prejudice that the people of the Holy Kingdom were always right, she could now read the emotions and intentions hidden deep within their souls.
'Fear... suspicion... and... wait.'
And among them, Esther discovered something in an instant.
Five of the archbishops representing each region. And the Chief Inquisitor as well.
Some alien energy was writhing deep within their souls.
'This is... demonic mana.'
Shocked by the discovery, Esther was momentarily at a loss for words.
The Esther of the First Round would not have noticed.
Back then, she lacked the power to pierce through the holy power held by the archbishops, and she did not possess Libertas's mana.
But now, possessing both powers, she could push aside the veil of holy power and feel the demonic mana existing beneath it.
'No way, if that's the case...'
The shocking realization shook Esther's heart.
But at a question from one of the archbishops, she quickly suppressed her emotions and composed her expression.
"Yes. I was just lost in thought for a moment. I heard that a new Saintess candidate was discovered while I was away from the Holy Kingdom."
The Central Archbishop, who had found the new Saintess, smiled and nodded.
Feeling the demonic mana shining in his pupils, Esther forced down the nausea rising in her stomach.
"That is correct. She is a young girl who will receive the Saintess's invaluable teachings. Bring Sister Leticia in."
A moment later, the door opened and a small girl entered.
The girl, with white hair and clear sky-blue eyes, appeared to be barely thirteen years old.
'The age I became a Saintess... is this their intention?'
But soon, she shook her head inwardly.
Assuming everything was exactly as they intended was just a leap in logic born of resentment.
Esther watched as the girl stepped into the council chamber on nervous feet, then bowed before her.
"Saintess. I am Leticia Serafina. I offer my greetings as a Saintess candidate blessed by the Lord."
Esther approached the girl and placed her hands gently on her shoulders.
"Do not be afraid, young sister. If the Lord has chosen you, it means you bear a special mission."
As she encouraged the young Saintess candidate, Esther smiled bitterly to herself.
A special mission? There was no such thing.
The Goddess was a bystander. The Saintess's power was a natural force granted to the qualified.
Didn't her own existence, serving the Demon Tribe yet wielding the Goddess's power, already prove that?
The reason she believed in the Goddess was because her own power came from Her.
She could no longer practice the gospel through 'true faith'.
Despite that, she had become stronger.
"Thank you..."
Relief flickered in the girl's eyes.
Esther peered into her soul. It was pure.
Not a single trace remained.
"Saintess, we hope you will accept Leticia as your apprentice to teach her the path of the Saintess."
The Central Archbishop bowed his head to Esther.
"If possible, it would be good if you took her to Hysen to teach her directly."
Esther saw through their intentions.
By sending this girl with her, they intended to monitor the new temple in Hysen.
The young girl would report Esther's movements to these archbishops without even knowing what she was doing.
But she had no intention of letting that happen.
"I will gladly accept."
Still a Saintess, but also a witch now, she answered with a smile.
"Sister Leticia will learn a great deal by my side."
Esther looked at the archbishops.
In a 'future that would never come', she had thought her story would end with revenge against the Holy Kingdom. That all she had to do was serve her Master.
But now she realized it. That was not the end.
'I will definitely find out.'
The flames of vengeance she thought she had completely suppressed.
The grudge she had tried so hard to set aside for her devotion to her Master.
A dark red hatred began to burn once more within her chest.