Ghosts of the Past (1)
"With great power comes great responsibility."
No phrase captured the essence of a Saintess quite like that one. To be the goddess's proxy carried immense weight in itself. Anyone who witnessed her turn swarms of demons to ash with a mere gesture would bow before her without hesitation. Naturally, every word from a Saintess's lips held tremendous power.
But what if there were two Saintesses?
"...Factions would form."
Elijah's gaze drifted to the desk. There sat the basket Sera had left behind last night.
"It's not certain, but..."
The church's internals must be in quite a turmoil. Many were still weighing whether to align with Lien or Sera. Kalliden's surveillance of Sera was likely for that very reason. Knowing Elijah was nearby would only heighten his vigilance. And since he'd reported to the Cardinal, Belliar was undoubtedly watching Sera as well.
"This isn't good."
Elijah recalled the years he'd spent at Lien's side. Sycophants offering jewel-filled boxes to curry favor, or handsome schemers trying to bend her to their will. He'd managed to fend them off before they could taint her, thankfully.
"But Sera has no one by her side now."
Even if factions did emerge, it spelled trouble. Sure, she carried the symbolic weight of being the second Saintess, but she was still a young girl who hadn't even been ordained for a full month. Compared to Lien, whose position as Saintess was rock-solid after years, Sera had no real foundation.
Of course, neither Lien nor Sera would care a whit about such power struggles... but that wouldn't stop opportunists from trying to manipulate a Saintess for their gain. In the end, the two women would suffer the fallout—especially Sera, with her fragile base.
And the ones who'd framed Elijah were still out there. If they approached Sera or Lien...
"Haa..."
Elijah let out a low sigh. He was running himself ragged to clear his name, yet progress felt agonizingly slow, stirring impatience. Kyle and Rohan were helping, but it wasn't enough.
"I need more allies."
At the very least, until he proved his innocence completely, someone had to protect Sera.
"Lien..."
Elijah hesitated, then shook his head. It felt ridiculous, worrying about her like this. And even without him, Lien would be fine—she had proven escorts at her side.
"...Come to think of it."
Who was Lien's escort knight these days? Elijah rose and peered out the window. Outside, Kyle stood rigidly at his guard post.
"...Kyle would know."
Elijah stood up.
"...Pardon?"
Sera's mouth fell open as she repeated the question.
"As I just explained."
The priest in his robes rolled up the ornate stack of documents with a flat tone.
"Lady Saintess, you are scheduled for your first circuit tour starting next week."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"...Why?"
"By His Holiness's command."
The priest's expression didn't shift, as if conversing with a wall. Sera turned to Lien in undisguised bewilderment, but Lien merely stared blankly at the priest.
"But... I don't know anything yet..."
Absurdity laced Sera's voice. It wasn't wrong—she'd only practiced for a couple of weeks, barely enough to purify a low-grade demon without strain. She was still clumsy with divine power. And she'd only begun learning the church's complex rites and blessing rituals a few days ago.
"The faithful always yearn for Lady Saintess's merciful touch. Bestowing miracles upon them directly is the duty of both the church and the Saintess."
"But..."
Sera glanced at Lien again, but she just pressed her lips tight, staring daggers at the priest without a word.
"Haa..."
Sera swallowed a deep internal sigh, her chest tightening. She'd come to see Lien to talk about Elijah. Before accepting the Princess's offer, she wanted one more conversation with her.
"Oppa’s past..."
Elijah had been a knight once. And he clearly knew Lien. He'd been excommunicated, while she was the church's Saintess. That train of thought dredged up a memory.
"The Saintess assault incident."
A scandal that had rocked the empire years ago. The lurid tale of a Saintess nearly raped by her own escort knight had spread even to the back-alley pleasure districts.
"If they knew each other back then..."
It wouldn't be surprising if Elijah had been involved—excommunication would be the least of it. Surviving at all would be the real miracle, given the gravity of the crime.
But.
"Oppa would never."
Sera shook her head. She was certain. Elijah wasn't the type. That's why she'd come to Lien... only for the priest to barge in and drop this bombshell before she could broach the subject.
"...I understand."
Sera replied in a subdued voice. She had no grounds to refuse anyway. The church's head was the Pope, not the Saintess. Rejecting it might even endanger Elijah.
Sera felt her precarious position anew.
"If only Oppa were here..."
She'd seen him just last night, yet she missed him already. With Elijah by her side, nothing in the world would scare her.
But right now, she was alone. A chill seeped into her empty side.
As the priest bowed and left, Lien finally spoke.
"The circuit tour..."
She paused, as if hesitating.
"...will be very demanding."
She added softly.
"Are you worried?"
"...A little."
Silence fell briefly. After studying Sera's face, Lien spoke cautiously.
"Normally, you'd have a dedicated escort knight... but since you don't yet, I'll lend you mine for this trip."
"...Pardon?"
Sera blinked.
"She's trustworthy. I vouch for her skill myself."
Sera hesitated, then slowly bowed in gratitude.
"...Thank you."
"No need. I should be going myself, but I have urgent matters. Consider this my apology."
Lien added quietly.
"Above all, we can't worry your brother too much."
Lien smiled gently. Facing that smile, Sera felt a strange pang.
"Now I can't bring it up..."
In the end, Sera left without saying what she'd come for.
A week later, on the morning of departure. Sera stood at the main gate. Her luggage was already loaded onto the carriage. Holy Knights lined up beside it, priests bustling about.
Elijah had come out to the gate. Normally, even standing near a Saintess would be forbidden for him... but Sera's stubbornness had won out.
"Have a safe trip."
"Yeah. Don't worry about me... I'll be back soon. They said it won't take long."
Sera forced a bright smile. Elijah silently stroked her hair once.
Sera quickly turned away. Tears threatened, but crying here would only worry him more.
Then, hoofbeats approached. A knight on a black horse rode toward Elijah and Sera. Dismounting, she gave a curt bow.
"Isabel, at your service for the circuit tour."
Silver armor, short-cropped brown hair. Sharp eyes, firm lips, upright posture, and a well-maintained rapier at her hip. The picture of knightly perfection.
Sera nodded.
"Hello, I'm Sera. Nice to meet you—please take good care of me."
Isabel nodded back shortly. Her gaze shifted to Elijah.
"..."
"..."
Their eyes met. Elijah gave the tiniest nod, imperceptible to Sera. Isabel replied with an eye signal of her own, then turned away.
She addressed Sera.
"Shall we depart, Lady Saintess?"
"Ah... yes."
Sera took Isabel's offered hand and climbed into the carriage. Through the window, she saw Elijah.
"I'm off! Even if you miss me, just wait a little!"
Sera called out brightly, feigning nonchalance. Elijah grinned and nodded.
Moments later, the carriage lurched forward. Elijah waved farewell. Sera watched until he shrank to a dot and vanished.
Isabel, who had been silently watching Sera, finally spoke.
"Lady Saintess, I have something to tell you."