Miracle Standard (5)
While watching some drama, I once heard the line that the easiest problems to solve are the ones that money can fix. The character who said it was filthy rich, but I still found myself nodding along—it wasn’t entirely wrong. Right now, however, the Church found itself in a situation where even money couldn’t easily solve its problems; at best, they ranked second or third on the difficulty scale. That meant I had to rack up as much goodwill as possible without spending coin whenever the chance arose.
After all, this was a blessing only the Saintess could bestow. Plenty of people would covet it. If I performed it right here in the royal palace—without even being asked—during my very first visit, they would be over the moon. Even if the king himself remained unmoved, there were bound to be plenty of people working in the palace who would be absolutely thrilled. It would be ideal if someone truly high-ranking were among them, but it wasn’t strictly necessary.
“Are you all right, Saintess?”
Clank. Clank.
The man wore full plate from head to toe—even his boots were armored—so every step rang with heavy metallic weight. My bare feet made no sound at all, which seemed to worry him. Understandable. My feet matched this beautiful body: clean, pale, and delicate enough that even fine shoes would probably raise blisters after a long walk. It was the sort of body someone had clearly prepared with great care, as if determined to serve a divine being. I couldn’t help but admire it.
“I’m fine. I’ve already walked the streets of the slums barefoot like this.”
I offered a gentle, guileless smile—one I’d been practicing in front of the mirror lately—and signaled that the test was over. Only then did the baron relax and nod.
Ah, this body really was convenient. All I had to do for a favorability play was smile nicely after practicing in front of a mirror? Was this the power that came with inhabiting this form?
“His Majesty awaits.”
I strolled leisurely, taking in the surroundings so I wouldn’t seem too rustic. The palace was strictly managed; even the carpets, marble floors, and even the bare earth felt pleasant underfoot. I was mildly surprised as we reached the audience chamber.
“I shall go ahead, Saintess.”
“No, that won’t do. His Majesty wishes for a private audience with the Saintess alone.”
I flinched. Before I could answer, the Lord Chamberlain spoke first. His expression, when he glanced my way, was utterly devoid of emotion. Precisely because of that, it felt all the more domineering. Especially toward a Saintess who had only recently stepped into the public eye as the face of the Church.
“But the Saintess has not yet—”
“No, it’s all right. Cardinal, please wait here. Waiting here should be acceptable, yes? Lord Chamberlain?”
I cut in before Cardinal Rondel could remark on my lack of etiquette. If anyone heard that I was still lacking in proper conduct, it would imply I hadn’t been raised in the Church at all—that I had appeared out of nowhere. Besides, judging by the chamberlain’s stony face and tightly pressed lips, there was no chance he would let the cardinal accompany me anyway.
“Of course, Saintess. Would you mind wiping your feet before entering?”
Even the Lord Chamberlain couldn’t overlook someone entering the king’s presence with dirt on bare feet. Then again, anyone entering the inner palace had to dismount from carriages immediately, so dirt on feet wasn’t unique to the barefoot. Even those in full plate armor would track in some dust. In my eyes, this was a test—probing how far I would yield if pushed.
If I played the fool, he would devour me without hesitation. I could sense the sly intent behind it.
“Aren’t all who enter for an audience considered to have dirty feet? Everyone must dismount their carriages the moment they enter the inner palace. Or is there another reason? Do you find the Saintess’s blessing burdensome?”
It was an extremely roundabout jab. In short: I was a Saintess recognized even by the Church—why would you stop me? Digging deeper: did he not trust the blessing guaranteed by the Church? Push further still, and it edged toward questioning whether he was a heretic—an accusation that could ruin lives.
“……No, Saintess. Please, enter.”
Perhaps he had simply been concerned for me. Maybe my feet looked uncomfortable. Even if I had walked the slums barefoot, this was different. But he also couldn’t know my true intentions. For all he knew, I was simply so devout that receiving the Saintess’s blessing felt overwhelming.
Thanks to that, I stepped into the audience chamber accompanied only by the soft patter of my feet—barely audible even to me. Once we reached the carpeted section, the sound disappeared entirely.
“The Church’s Saintess Lucia greets His Majesty William IV, secular monarch and King of the Kingdom of Brien.”
Even if my etiquette was incomplete, I could have bowed far deeper if I wished. I could have recited that ridiculously flowery phrase from the otome game’s translation. But I was the Saintess. This level was sufficient. A simpler, flawless greeting was better than risking a mistake while attempting something grand.
“It is an honor to witness a Saintess after fifty years during my reign. As the secular monarch, King William IV of the Kingdom of Brien, I permit you to stand straight, raise your head, and speak while meeting my eyes.”
He did not bow. I merely bent my knees slightly, lowered my head and waist together, and spread my arms lightly at my sides in a modest gesture. When I lifted my head again, the king showed no displeasure at my simple etiquette. Instead, a faint smile graced his lips.
Of course, that alone wasn’t enough to judge everything. A king nearing sixty would naturally be skilled at concealing his emotions.
“When I heard Your Majesty wished to see me, I came at once. How could I not feel joy when the king himself summons me, even if I am the Saintess?”
Strictly speaking, the Saintess’s rank was similar to or slightly below a king’s. The Pope’s rank was clearly higher than a king’s and comparable to an emperor’s. But with secular power now dominant, it was only proper for me, as Saintess, to speak from a lower position. Fifty years without a Saintess changed nothing. I could have asserted my dignity, but there was nothing to gain from it. If the king chose to push back, even my pride could be crushed.
“The Saintess speaks well. A fortunate thing. I was somewhat concerned, given your youth.”
“I am grateful that you regard this insufficient body so kindly. In truth, while training to bestow miracles upon the secular world, I have fallen somewhat short in matters of etiquette.”
“Not at all. You are not lacking in the slightest. Most satisfactory. Quite satisfactory indeed.”
Was this what they called small talk? It didn’t feel quite so simple. Perhaps it was my lack of experience, but even though I remained calm and my mind worked sharply—far more than one would expect from someone suddenly thrust into this body and situation—I couldn’t quite grasp anything decisive. It just felt… off.
“I am relieved to hear you say so. I expect today’s dialogue between the secular world and the Church to be most constructive.”
We had exchanged pleasantries. Time to get to the point. Why did you summon me?—wrapped in more refined language.
The king closed his eyes and nodded several times, as if deeply agreeing with my words on the surface while conveying that he understood the underlying meaning as well.
“Indeed. The Church has announced the minting and circulation of a new currency to commemorate the Saintess’s appearance. I intend to pledge the royal family’s support for it.”
Oh? That was welcome news. Even with divine power as an overpowered commodity the Church in my old world never possessed, secular powers could still throw wrenches into the works if they opposed it. Instead, they were offering to accelerate the process. In that case, there was no need to hesitate—I could simply push forward.
Some nobles might protest, but in this world, which was even more centralized than a typical medieval kingdom, the royal family wasn’t just standing by—they were actively helping. What could the nobles do? At best, they would console themselves that not all Church transactions would be monopolized by the new currency. At worst, they might even jump on board to profit from the new miracle-backed currency’s circulation.
Even if foreign powers reacted late, the foothold established here in Brien would provide ample defense, and the Church’s nature as a single organization would grant at least minimal offensive capability. It would be trickier in the Empire, where a rival papacy existed.
“I am delighted. As a clergywoman qualified to represent the Church, my heart is full.”
My chest is already plenty full, though.
The ridiculous pun popped into my head mid-sentence. Well, that confirmed it—I was still me. Not some confused low-ranking divine being the Church was trying to groom.
“Hearing that pleases me as well. Harmony between Church and state benefits many.”
“However, it would be unbecoming to receive such grace from the Church unilaterally. Surely Your Majesty and the royal family have something you desire in return? Something the Church—or I, the Saintess—might assist with.”
Obviously, the king wasn’t doing this out of pure piety. Nor had he suddenly fallen for a sixteen-year-old Saintess.
“Your speech, Saintess. The will and mindset toward unity. I, like many others, found it deeply moving. The beauty of that divine power was also truly remarkable. To captivate so many hearts in an instant—and the people of the capital Endium, no less.”
“If my heart reached even Your Majesty, then this too is the grace bestowed by the One above. God is guiding us.”
“Ah, truly, if God guides us, then I am deeply, deeply impressed by the technical skill of captivating people with a single speech and visible miracles. It even inspired me to request one favor from the Saintess.”
How elegant. Far more refined than a blunt “Saintess, please help my son” or “please help my parents.” Still, it boiled down to the same thing: help me with this, and I’ll help you with that. No losses on either side. Why beat around the bush?
“If the secular world seeks the Church’s aid, it is my duty to listen. What matter requires even my humble assistance?”
“You are surely aware of the International Academy, established to bridge differences between nations and prevent the Church’s schism from widening further. It lies in the free city at the borders where the Empire and two other kingdoms meet.”
I knew of it. As common knowledge, it had been founded with ideals of harmony and unity, yet like most such institutions, it had quickly become nominal. Still, it supposedly held some value in academic research and exchange. As an educational facility, it existed in name only, functioning more as a social venue for heirs of high-ranking families from various countries.
“I understand an archbishop is already assigned there. Has that archbishop caused some unfortunate incident?”
Places that had become nominal were prone to rot. Especially one that admitted commoners and laypeople alongside nobles. What might be overlooked among ordinary folk became far more problematic when done by clergy or the faithful.
“No, no. What I desire is for the Saintess to provide some assistance there as well. If there are gaps in the knowledge you ought to possess, it would also be a fine opportunity to fill them.”
As expected—he knew. He knew I wasn’t some carefully cultivated candidate stuffed with all the knowledge the Church deemed necessary, but someone who had suddenly appeared and been recognized as Saintess. If that fact spread maliciously, “the Saintess said so” would no longer carry the weight of Church authority—only raw divine power wielded by an ignorant child spouting nonsense.
Still, this was remarkably cooperative and gentle of him. His attitude wasn’t exactly pleasant, but it wasn’t outright hostile either.
“Thank you for offering such a valuable opportunity.”
“Gratitude is unnecessary. Honestly, I am not pleased at the thought of sending the Saintess to such a place. However, the circumstances are special right now.”
After saying that much, he observed me in silence for a moment before his lips curved into a deep smile once more.
“The Hero is scheduled to enroll there. Along with the kingdom’s crown prince and the empire’s princess.”
Wait, but I need to start making money quickly.