Chapter 114
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 114
The Holy Church's prestige across the continent required no great effort to explain.
Describing that organization took just a single word.
The continent's strongest.
Even with only a fortress-sized headquarters as their base, they were described that way.
It wasn't strange.
After all, the very origin of the nation-state system lay in the Holy Kingdom led by the Saintess, and the power of the Parent God who shaped this land still lingered by the Church's side.
The Church's authority was vast enough to dictate the world's order.
That was why the continent's nations had formed a single alliance, operating under the Church's mediation.
Accordingly, the Holy Church's grandest festivalthe Holy Faith Festivaldoubled every year as a gathering for heads of state to discuss diplomatic matters.
For those attending the conferences, it was a relentless battleground where they couldn't afford a moment's lapse in vigilance.
But that was only true for the leaders.
To the vast majority of tourists flocking to the festival, its significance was something else entirely.
The grandest festival on the continenta slice of foreign culture worth experiencing once in a lifetime.
Ahead of the main festivities, they all shared one eager expectation.
Hey, it's starting soon!
The ritual, right? They say it's one hell of a sight.
Don't even ask. My buddy who somehow lived without ever seeing it went on and on about how he hadn't really lived.
It was the opening ceremony, where the Saintesses gathered to offer sacrifices to the Parent God.
The Church's open plaza streets were already teeming with crowds gathered to witness it.
Anticipation lit up every face.
It wasn't solely due to the opening ceremony's famed beauty.
Think we can get a blessing?
Hell yeah! They say if you let that opening light wash over you, you won't catch a single illness all year. You don't hear that for nothing.
Four Saintesses pooling their power to unleash divine energy. Rumors swirled that bathing in its light cured ailments or infused you with blessings that turned your luck around.
Of course, the Saintesses themselves would shrug it off with, Eh, that's just superstition.
But aren't there some beautiful things best left unspoiled?
The Church never bothered to debunk such tales.
It simply allowed the freedom of fancy.
And so, through these very misconceptions, the opening ceremony had grown into this spectacle. Amid the masses' eager anticipation, it kicked off with a blast of horns.
Bwooo
The opening ceremony was magnificent. Trumpets blared as holy flames rose, enveloping the entire space like a shroud. Then priests and Holy Knights marched out in formation, casting an air of reverence everywhere.
What more could be said of the towering altar stacked high in the plaza's center?
The divine power raining down softly was more than enough to inspire awe in any onlooker.
It was then.
Ah, there they are!
Ooh the Saintesses!
The Holy Church's four Saintesses began striding side by side toward the altar.
Clad in pristine white ceremonial robes. The solemn atmosphere kept cheers subdued, but low gasps of wonder rippled through the crowd.
So beautiful.
As expected of the women chosen by the Parent God.
It was a perfect glimpse of how the public viewed the Saintesses. Sure, they stirred up plenty of gossip within the Church itself, but to the world at large, they were God's own noble proxies.
Envy was inevitable in every gaze fixed upon them.
That envy spread like a plague, swiftly morphing into reverence.
The instant the four Saintesses knelt around the altar.
Hwaaa
Radiance erupted skyward.
Nofrom the heavens, cascading down onto the altar.
In that moment, no one could even track the light's true path.
Four strands of divine power coiled around the pillar of light, veiling their eyes.
Behind the breathtaking scenelike dragons ascendingthe radiant burst bathed the space in gentle warmth.
Overwhelmed spectators dropped to their knees one after another.
Some wept openly, invoking the Parent God's grace.
A subtle prayer of healing infused the pillar of lightthe very source of that near-superstitious rumor about banishing diseases.
The opening ceremony concluded triumphantly.
Its visual splendor alone evoked cries of As expected of the Holy Church!
One onlooker whispered,
The Saintesses must be hearing the Parent God's voice right now, huh?
No doubt about it.
That's why appearances mattered so much.
Their ignorance of the Saintesses' actual chatter only fueled those fantasies.
Phew, can't this wrap up already? I wanna eat some meat.
Pasta for me, baguette, lasagna too.
I could go for something sweet.
Just let me sleep.
The truth was always cruel.
* * *
The opening ceremony wrapped up without a hitch.
The crowd's cheers, as ever, filled the space with smiles.
With the major event behind them, the Saintesses returned to their quarters.
In other words, they finally got to indulge in what they'd been holding back.
Halia bolted straight for the meat Diego had grilled.
Lubena ditched her robes for her usual skimpy outfit, earned a scolding from the High Priest, switched to modest priestess garb, and headed to a restaurant.
Judith wobbled off to her lab. True to her word, for a proper nap.
The long-awaited Asher dove into cookies the moment the meal ended.
Her puffed cheeks munching away evoked some forlorn little creature.
My lady.
Finish eating first. You'll get a stomachache.
Versia chuckled and popped another cookie into Asher's mouth.
Normally, Asher would've insisted she could manage alone, but right now, she lacked even the will.
Sweet treats after nearly a month hit like a wrecking ball, shredding her composure.
The flavor, the chew, the aroma, the swallowevery detail assaulted her senses with vivid intensity. Had she ever savored tastes so exquisitely?
One plate vanished in no time.
Only after scarfing them down like melting snow did embarrassment bubble up.
But she shook it off with an awkward heh-heh grin.
Too late to play coy nowand the real revelry hadn't even begun.
This is no time to slack! On to the festival!
Yeah, gotta hit every spot I scouted?
Obviously! I toughed out that brutal diet for the Saintess. I deserve this today!
Her confident smirk sent Versia doubled over in laughter.
From there, they plunged into festival sightseeing.
Streetside stares followed them everywhere, but no one dared approach.
Likely the opening ceremony's awe had instilled a respectful distance.
All the better. She could feign demure poise to uphold her Saintess dignity, but getting mobbed might expose her flailing true self.
Thus launched, their festival jaunt was pure delight.
Public eyes kept them from total abandon, but hunting down and sharing those craved eats with Versia sent delightful tingles racing through Asher.
They tried her recommended spots, caught street shows, and Asher watched her heal a tumbled child's scraped knee.
Hours slipped by. Belly stuffed to burstingno room for moreAsher realized, having savored the first day to the fullest with food and fun, it was time to head back.
The moment rang hollow.
Like jolting awake from a sweet dream.
She smacked her lips wistfully, gazing at the dimming streets.
You'll come out tomorrow too, right?
Asher's head whipped toward Versia.
She beamed.
We barely scratched the south. Gotta see the rest.
Were they on the same wavelength? Had Versia felt that same pang of reluctance?
The thought warmed Asher's chest fiercely.
Not an unpleasant scorch.
A cozy glow that lifted her spirits, flushing even her cheeks.
Asher fought down her tugging smile.
...Yes, we should explore the other areas too.
Why did her every word and gesture snag her attention so? Was the curse yanking her emotions around?
Lately, the shyness burned even deeper.
Her steps home felt light.
Tomorrow's promise nestled snug in Asher's heart.
The next day, Asher hit the early market with Versia.
But fortune soured that day.
Thudswept by the throng, she collided with someone.
She looked up to apologize.
Asher froze solid.
The hooded figure was a boy.
Sky-blue locks rippling like wavesa lad of about fifteen.
Ah.
Astarion's third prince, Versia's younger brother, glanced up, spotted Asher, and startled.
An unwelcome reunion.