The Saint Candidate or the Holy Light (Part 2)
Looking solely at the results of the preliminary round, one could see Princess Evelyn Francis, Saint Candidate Judy Esther, High Elf Grace, Knight Evelyn Francis, and Princess Sia Lin of the Roberto Kingdom alternating in and out of the top spots.
Of course, Evelyn and Grace High-Elven had been pushing a little harder, but it didn't change the fact that the competition was limited to these five candidates. The remaining nine had been pushed so far back that they might as well have been invisible.
Even just the viewership numbers told the story. The top five had each pulled at least one percent, while the others barely scraped zero point five percent.
If things continued like this, one of these five was sure to be chosen as the next Saint.
People who didn't know the full picture might question why a tournament was even necessary when the final selection was still in the Goddess's hands. But the Goddess's choice would still be guided by the ranking table the faithful had prepared.
“The Goddess has always picked the individual whose name sat at the very top of the rankings after watching the tournament. The current Saint was first, the one before her second, and the one before that fourth. No candidate who fell to the bottom ever became Saint or Saint.”
That single fact had turned the bi-annual tournament into the greatest joint event between the Goddess and Her faithful.
In that light, Evelyn had already taken one step closer to becoming Saint.
“I heard the second round is going to be quick. Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard.”
The first round had been a long-term project stretching over a full month, much like the mercenary contract. The rounds that followed, however, would be far shorter. The second one in particular was said to last only a single day.
The reason was simple: it would be a personal test of talent. In other words, each candidate would simply get to show off whatever gifts they already possessed.
“The content of the second round has never changed in all the generations, so make the most of this week’s rest period and prepare as best you can.”
“Yes!”
Evelyn’s rivals were formidable. Grace High-Elven was a top-tier spirit summoner on par with a Grand Magus. Evelyn Francis was an Aura Expert—Master-class in every way that mattered, just like her father the Grand Master. Judy Esther was already a finished High Priestess. And Sia Lin reportedly wielded the strange power of Eastern shamanism.
Compared to such heavyweights, Evelyn had only ever studied administration and had only been learning holy power for two months. A plan was clearly needed.
That was precisely why the one-week break after the first round had been so precious.
“Your Highness.”
“Is something the matter?”
Evelyn was about to head back to the estate when a male priest approached and spoke to her. She tilted her head in confusion; the man was a complete stranger.
Then his next words made her stop in her tracks.
“I am Parhan, a priest of the Roberto Diocese. Princess Sia Lin has asked to see you.”
“The princess of the Roberto Kingdom?”
“That’s right. She would be honored if you could meet her today, even if it’s late.”
The sudden summons had surprised Evelyn. She recalled the image of Sia Lin. The princess was small of stature, much like any East Asian, with the delicate features of a Korean idol. Even without her beauty, her graceful manners and genuine effort not to view others through rose-colored glasses had been impressive.
Considering the arrogant nobles of Rondel, it was almost impossible to believe. She was, in fact, exactly the princess Evelyn had always imagined.
‘It’s a shame the Prius Republic is still behind her, but her character makes her far more worthy of the title of Saint than Evelyn herself.’
With that assessment complete, Evelyn gave the priest her affirmative reply.
“Understood. Very well.”
“Thank you. Princess Sia Lin will be most pleased.”
The priest spoke with genuine warmth, much as the Grand Archbishop had done with Evelyn.
“When and where shall we meet?”
“How about five o’clock this evening?”
“A meal together, then. Very good.”
“Then let us meet at five o’clock at Manbokjeong in Roline City of the Holy Land.”
Had they simply assumed Evelyn would refuse the invitation from a foreign land? That was why they had chosen the safest place in the Holy Land.
With a nod, Evelyn accepted without a word.
A moment later, after the priest had gone, Evelyn—still listening quietly—spoke up.
“It seems His Grace’s looks and talent draw quite a crowd.”
“Hm?”
Evelyn’s mind turned to Sia Lin’s personality and she didn’t picture her causing trouble for anyone out of mere admiration. But Arsia’s eyes narrowed, deep empathy clear on her face.
***
More than a month had passed since the Brigham Empire had declared war on the Prius Republic.
The Republic was one of the Four Great Empires, after all. Yet no one truly believed it could stand against the world’s strongest nation for long.
The moment the lid was lifted, however, the war proved far more intense than anyone had expected.
The Republic had lost the sea in the early days, yet it still refused to collapse. Home-ground advantage and brilliant commanders had kept the empire from making meaningful progress.
Of course, the empire was deliberately holding back its full strength. Still, the Republic’s resistance had proved once and for all that it was no ordinary great power.
“Marshal Ansen.”
“What is it?”
“A message from the government.”
“Tsk…”
The tundra region of the northwest, the largest battlefield between the Brigham Empire and the Prius Republic. Among the two great mountain ranges protecting the capital, Marshal Ansen—the Defense Commander—unlocked the secure tablet in his subordinate’s hand and read the attached message.
[Why aren’t you winning? The current defensive posture has displeased certain politicians, and calls for your dismissal are growing. I urge you to respond more aggressively to preserve your position. If Marshal Ansen is removed, the officers of the General Staff will not escape disciplinary action either.]
And then the tablet hit the floor with a crack.
But the subordinate only felt a chill. The message had been a veiled threat.
“Our President demands we fight more actively and win. If we do not, I will dismiss me—and you will all be punished.”
The officers stared in disbelief.
“P-President… do you have any idea who our opponent is?”
“That’s exactly the problem. The Brigham Empire is apparently unaware that we are deliberately holding back.”
“The best we can do is hold the line!”
“Who says we don’t know? The recent protests have already shrunk their hearts and brains. They still think the fact that they can clink glasses in the capital even during wartime is all thanks to us.”
Ansen’s hatred of politicians exploded into pure fury. The thought of removing the Defense Commander and the General Staff officers who followed him was so absurd he could barely stomach it.
“Humans who don’t even know the first letter of ‘war’ are ordering us around like children. Even looking down on the Brigham Empire a little is necessary.”
“It might be Louis Fairmont stirring trouble from the shadows. The only thing that brat has done lately is create internal division.”
“How the hell did that trash even inherit Evelyn’s legacy…”
“I heard the government is even considering placing Louis Fairmont in charge of military command.”
“They’re insane. If things keep going this way, the Brigham Empire might not even be the one collapsing.”
Criticism of the government poured out from the officers’ mouths.
But the one most furious of all, Marshal Ansen, stayed silent.
His subordinates quickly sensed the mood and closed their mouths. The chief of staff, wearing a major’s insignia, asked cautiously.
“What do you intend to do?”
“Even if I’m just a soldier, I still have to answer to the President. I’ll step down if he tells me to.”
His next words, however, were so unexpected that the officers’ faces froze in shock.
“I-I’m going to switch to an offensive stance, you mean?”
“If we somehow win against the Brigham Empire army…”
The officers’ faces showed worry for victory far more than concern for defeat. They understood the danger perfectly, but Marshal Ansen had no choice.
“They already know everything. I’ve explained why I’ve been holding back so many times.”
“Y-Yes? But you’re still giving such orders?”
“We cannot win against the Brigham Empire. If they lose, they will take this war even more seriously.”
“And soon it will be election season. I can’t afford to take such a gamble.”
“Y-Yes… damn it…”
The orders had a single purpose: win the election. Protect their own positions, not the country.
“Right now, all we need to do is prepare for whatever happens after we go on the offensive.”
“Politics is the politicians’ job. We soldiers just have to clean up the mess they make.”
Marshal Ansen and the chief of staff together cursed the government and let out a deep sigh.
***
“The reputation of Duke Lawrence has echoed all the way across the Central Sea to our Triton continent. It is an honor to meet you.”
“You honor me. Seeing the wise Princess Sia Lin in person makes me certain the future of the Roberto Kingdom will be bright.”
Everhill, the Holy Land, was surrounded on land by the kingdoms of Lucia, Jorde, Greece, and Chase, yet it was unique: its entire territory was an island in the sea.
In the center of Defteron Continent stood a perfectly round inland sea that looked as though a compass had been drawn upon it. At its heart lay a perfectly circular island. That island was Everhill.
On any map it looked artificial, but no one knew exactly how the island had formed. It was simply accepted as a place created by the Goddess.
The sea around Everhill was always clear and teeming with fish. The cuisine that had developed from its bounty was legendary.
Manbokjeong, the restaurant that had invited Sia Lin, specialized in dishes made from the seafood of that very sea. According to rumors, they even aged short-ripened dishes made from beans for only a short time. The taste had been compared to Korean gejang, and the expectation had been high.
“It is an honor to meet you, the beautiful beauty at your side. Lord Klein Baron.”
“I am Princess Sia Lin of the Roberto Kingdom.”
“Please, feel free to call me Sia.”
Sia Lin also greeted Arsia with a handshake, as she always did with her companion.
Up close, the princess was even cuter than expected. She stood only around 150 cm tall, with a small nose and tiny lips. Her eyes were large and sparkling despite the absence of double eyelids. At nineteen, she already looked several years younger.
“This gentleman is the person I requested to host today’s event.”
Evelyn’s brow furrowed. The hostess had not been Sia Lin after all.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Garcia Valen, Chairman of the Prius Republic.”