The Second Saintess (1)
The plaza in front of the grand cathedral was already teeming with people. Commoners who had come out hoping to catch a glimpse of the new saintess's face, and nobles great and small who had traveled from the provinces just for this moment. From one end of the square to the other, it was packed solid—a true sea of humanity.
"The current saintess doesn't give us the slightest opening. During her last tour, I couldn't even exchange greetings before the holy knights snapped at me."
Amid the line of ornate carriages, a count wrapped in fine silk grumbled as he spoke. The baroness fanning him beside him lowered her voice conspiratorially.
"They say she doesn't even read letters from the imperial family. How do you think it is for provincial nobles like us?"
"Exactly. Once church business is done, she holes up in her room praying to the goddess day after day. She's truly devout, but..."
Another noble stroked his stylish mustache and chimed in. His gaze turned toward the altar at the center of the plaza.
The baroness snapped her fan shut with a click.
"That's why this ordination ceremony is all the more anticipated, isn't it? I hear the newly chosen saintess is just a young girl from the back alleys. She'll be a far cry from the current one, who seems like she wouldn't bleed even if stabbed—an ice block through and through."
"Hoho, madam, you shouldn't call a saintess a 'girl.' But there's truth in it. With no background to speak of, she'll crave a warm patron's hand far more than the church's rigid rules."
The surrounding nobles nodded in unison, smirks of sly amusement on their faces.
"An innocent child like that—dangle a few jewels and sweet words, and she'll tilt right toward us."
"Word is she's mild-mannered and timid. Give her a little breathing room, and she'll come running."
Before long, the nobles were boasting about how they'd lure the new saintess, each eyeing the altar and spouting their own rhetoric. In other words, they were desperate.
For provincial nobles with scant ties to the church, this ordination was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to worm into the heart of power.
Not everyone in the plaza was sympathetic to the church, however.
"By the way, any word on why the goddess chose a second saintess? It's unprecedented."
A shabbily dressed man standing in one corner of the square spoke up. A nearby man staring at the altar replied.
"Why else, with a saintess already in place? The current one's power isn't what it used to be."
A murmur rippled through the listeners at his words.
"Hey now, that's blasphemy. Watch your tongue."
"Hmph. Arrest me if you dare. Why do you think the goddess sent us a saintess? To look after ordinary folk like us, right? But the church hogs her like she's their property. Folks in the capital are safe, sure. What about those of us in the provinces?"
"I said watch it..."
The man shot him a dissatisfied glare, but the speaker just snorted, utterly unconcerned. Plenty of others nodded subtly in agreement. The worsening war situation in recent years had bred quiet resentment toward the church's monopoly on the saintess.
As the gathered crowd muttered among themselves,
Rumble...
the grand cathedral's doors swung open with a heavy groan. The plaza, buzzing with chatter moments before, fell deathly silent in an instant.
Soon, majestic pipe organ music swelled, and priests carrying a red carpet emerged from within.
"Ooh...!"
When Sera appeared next in her pristine white robes, gasps of awe spread through the crowd.
'Hoo... slowly, one step at a time.'
Sera counted silently in her head as she stepped carefully onto the crimson carpet. She'd rehearsed it several times beforehand, of course. But parading under the watchful eyes of a few priests was worlds apart from walking beneath the stares of thousands.
Sera schooled her face into a calm, nonchalant expression. The sensation of countless gazes piercing her body—like they were searching for the tiniest flaw. She ignored them as best she could, chin lifted, eyes fixed straight ahead just as practiced.
'Don't tremble. Don't tremble. Don't tremble...'
She crossed the red carpet and ascended the stark white steps. At last, atop the altar, the surrounding scene unfolded before her.
People cheering toward her. Nobles seated with blank expressions. High priests gazing solemnly. At the center sat Lien, wearing her usual benevolent smile as she watched Sera.
Flanking Lien were two others. One was the pope, beaming kindly. The other...
'Ah...'
Silver hair cascading elegantly over one shoulder. Flawless porcelain skin framing a perfectly straight nose. Eyes so deep and dark they seemed to read minds, features sculpted with exquisite beauty. She sat ramrod straight, hands demurely folded, exuding an aura of overwhelming dignity that dominated the assembly.
She regarded Sera with the curious gaze of one observing an intriguing spectacle.
'...That's the imperial princess.'
Artisia von Ravenica. The empire's princess and heir to the throne.
'She's stunning...'
Sera couldn't help admiring her inwardly. Like any girl her age, she harbored a vague longing for mature women.
But her reverie was brief. The pope rose and boomed in a resonant voice,
"Seraphina. Are you prepared to speak as the voice of the divine?"
Sera startled and hastily knelt on the floor.
"Yes, Your Holiness. This girl vows to dedicate her body and soul to the goddess for life."
She recited the memorized oath. Fortunately, her voice didn't waver.
The formal vows continued.
"Then step forward and prove the saintess's authority bestowed by the goddess."
No sooner had the pope spoken than a heavy clank of chains echoed, and something massive was dragged to the altar's center. The black cloth draped over it was pulled away, revealing a lower demon—grotesquely twisted, bound in chains, drooling saliva.
"Eek!"
A few who had never seen a real demon recoiled in horror, but most showed little reaction. Instead, a strange fervor gleamed in their eyes.
"Guide this impure being with the goddess's light," the pope commanded.
Sera approached the iron cage slowly. The closer she got, the more a nauseating stench assailed her. She stared into the demon's red eyes.
'...I can do this.'
She'd practiced dozens of times already. Closing her eyes, she touched the silver hairpin at her temple with her fingertips. The cool metal felt like Elijah's touch.
With that, energy surged from within her. Starting as thin as a thread along her veins, it swelled into a massive wave. Brilliant divine power blossomed vividly.
Sera gathered it and thrust her hand toward the demon.
Whoosh!
A blinding pure white light erupted from her fingertips. Overwhelming holy radiance. The demon shrieked hideously, writhing as flesh burned and black smoke billowed. Bones crumbled, skin melted—in moments, only a handful of ash remained in the cage.
A split-second silence.
Then frenzied cheers exploded.
"Saintess! Empire's new light!"
"The goddess watches over us! Save us!"
It was the moment Seraphina was enshrined as the new saintess.
...
No sooner had the ordination ended than Sera was mobbed by a wave of people.
"Saintess! Please visit the orphanage sponsored by our house, just once..."
"Ooh, such holy light. Saintess, bestow your blessing, I beg..."
Genuine praise mingled with flattery poured toward her. She'd been smiling graciously and responding for what felt like ages, but the line of those eager for even a word stretched endlessly.
At last, dizzy and staggering, Sera felt a familiar hand embrace her.
"The saintess looks quite fatigued. Shall we wrap this up?"
It was Lien. Her voice was gentle, but the nobles couldn't defy her.
...Except for one.
"A moment, if you please."
The silver-haired woman stepped before Lien, who had helped Sera to her feet. Artisia smiled brightly.
"As princess, I have matters to discuss with the new saintess. I've waited quite a while."