Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Journey to the Capital, Tyrant Noble Lady
Unaware of Idnia’s inner circumstances, the Archbishop who had recommended her as a saintess candidate gazed deeply at the crumbling walls of the ruined church.
“Though this land was shattered by the aftermath of the Demon King’s descent, I am still the Archbishop of the Betelgeuse Archdiocese. My influence within the Holy See is not insignificant. It is I who have exerted my full power to recommend you as a saintess. Yes, I can stake my very position as Archbishop on it. If there is to be a saintess of the next generation, it must be none other than the young lady of the Betelgeuse house!”
“That is… difficult. I am unworthy and do not believe I am in a position to accept such an oracle. Did the oracle truly designate me and no one else?
Is there truly no other who received a saintess oracle?”
Idnia asked cautiously.
If there were no other saintess candidate like Astraea’s saintess, the protagonist of the game, then there would be no one to prevent the world’s destruction.
In that case, she would have no choice.
Even if she avoided her own destruction, if the world ended, it would all be meaningless.
So she decided to confirm whether there was another candidate.
“Well… that Astraea bishop did point out some low-born girl as a saintess candidate, but that man is utterly despicable.
Back when we were trainee priests, do you know how much he tormented me? The fact that someone like him became a clergyman is a disgrace to the Trinity Order.
Naturally, there’s no way a candidate chosen by him could be a proper saintess.
Speaking freely, I’m certain she must be his illegitimate child.
Becoming a priest, and yet—”
“……”
Idnia was left speechless as she watched the Archbishop badmouth the Astraea bishop like a child.
‘Well, at least the original protagonist exists.’
At that moment, the Duke spoke.
“Is this not a good opportunity, Idnia?”
“Pardon?”
“I have been watching you. Thanks to your efforts, the duchy’s condition is improving. But if you truly wish to restore this land and reclaim the glory of the Kache family, attending Dunaise Academy is essential. Without being from Dunaise Academy, it is impossible to rise with mere family prestige alone.”
The Duke already regarded Idnia as someone with great ambition.
“However, Father. If I leave, the duchy’s finances will suffer greatly.”
At present, Idnia was earning considerable income by working at the lumber mill and hunting wanted criminals and monsters nearby.
Combined with the Duke’s pension, it was barely enough to sustain the duchy.
If she were to leave…?
“Do not worry. We have already discussed that matter.”
“What?”
“The Betelgeuse diocese is originally an archdiocese. Though it may appear humble now, I am still an Archbishop of the Trinity Order. I am not so powerless.
We have secured purification projects for contaminated lands and various forms of support funding.”
“Though it comes with the condition that you graduate from the academy and fulfill the oracle.”
“Please accept the saintess oracle and allow me to disgrace that Astraea bishop.”
“How much funding are we talking about?”
“To support your academy life, we will provide 100 shillings per month.”
Considering that simple labor paid 1 shilling per day in rural areas and 2 in cities, 100 shillings a month was a significant sum.
Even the Duke, a hero who saved the world, received only 50 shillings monthly from the imperial family.
And yet the saintess support exceeded that.
‘100 shillings every month just for being a candidate? Not bad. But….’
Though tempted, Idnia hesitated.
“Thank you for your generosity, but I contribute significantly to the duchy’s finances. If I leave—”
“That will not be an issue.
We have established reconstruction plans. Funding has been secured for rebuilding the Betelgeuse church, which will provide jobs for the displaced people.
Additionally, land purification efforts will begin. It will more than compensate for your absence.”
Indeed, not only support funds but also large-scale reconstruction and aid projects had been secured.
It was clear how much effort the Archbishop had put in.
‘He really hates that Astraea bishop that much….’
Idnia briefly imagined their past and shuddered.
‘Well… I’ve already avoided most of my destruction flags, so it should be fine.’
Remaining in the capital would increase the risk of her identity being exposed.
But staying quietly in the countryside was not an option either.
If the original protagonist failed, the world would fall.
She could not simply sit back.
“If you have gone that far for me, then I understand. I will go to Dunaise Academy and accept the oracle.”
Idnia resolved to head to the imperial capital.
The capital of the Holy Eldar Empire, Dunaise.
With the academy entrance ceremony approaching, the city was crowded with incoming students, their families, and attendants.
Yet suddenly, the crowd began to part like a receding tide.
Someone, unaware of the situation, grew irritated.
“What is going on?! Do you know who we serve—”
“Just move aside.”
“What did you say—”
“There’s something coming from behind!”
“What are you talking about? In the capital?”
Then came a heavy sound.
Thud!
The ground trembled.
A massive black horse, led by a towering figure, walked down the street.
“I… I see.”
“Let’s move aside.”
People pressed themselves against the walls, clearing the center of the road.
Thud… thud…
The towering figure stopped before a notice board filled with posters.
One in particular caught her eye.
“Come see exotic creatures and mythical beasts at the Betelgeuse annex…”
“So the Betelgeuse annex in Dunaise has become a zoo.”
The figure gave a bitter smile.
It was Idnia Kache Betelgeuse.
The original owner of that annex.
“It was large enough, so repurposing it may benefit the public. Still… turning it into a zoo constantly reminds everyone that our family has fallen.
It feels somewhat deliberate.”
When one family falls, another rises.
The decision to turn such a property into a zoo felt… intentional.
At that moment, someone called out.
“Master! You’ve arrived?!”
A small boy ran out from the crowd.
It was Heukrang, the successor of one of the Sacred Beast tribes.
The horse Idnia led, Black Tyrant, was revered by his people.
The Sacred Beast tribes were considered outsiders by the empire.
Yet Idnia had subdued their sacred beast and earned their recognition.
Heukrang had chosen to follow her.
“Looks like you’ve already visited the zoo. Was it crowded?”
“Yeah. Even on a weekday, there were lots of people. The entrance fee was pretty high too.”
“When did you arrive?”
“Yesterday morning. I gathered some information while I was at it.”
Though young, he was highly capable.
He could move like a shadow and gather information with ease.
“What about the information I asked for?”
“The other saintess candidate? Of course I found out.”
He smiled and held out a piece of cotton candy.
“Her name is Marie of Astraea. A commoner. Her family are simple farmers. Not poor, but not wealthy either.”
“I see… Marie of Astraea.”
In the game, the default name of the protagonist was Marie.
That meant this might be the original character as is.
Or someone like Idnia.
‘I was too focused on avoiding my fate… I acted too carelessly.’
Now she realized.
Her actions had deviated too much.
If there were others like her, they would notice.
In the original story, Idnia had been obsessed with her engagement and driven many into ruin.
Yet now she had abandoned it and lived quietly.
Anyone who knew the original story would find that suspicious.