[Saintess, Anastasia Lacroix - 03]
[Saintess, Anastasia Lacroix - 03]
"Haaah, I'm exhausted."
"You've worked hard. Until the very end, you were wonderful as a Saintess, as a daughter, and as an older sister."
"Since you're praising me, I guess I did well. Though I think Elin noticed."
"That child is a bit special."
Once we were alone in the Mana Car, the Saintess-nim dropped her "good kid" mode and returned to her usual self.
Even the highlights in her eyes changing didn't seem like acting, but I decided that "good is good."
Things happened faster than expected, which I should be happy about, but it was too fast, and not knowing her true intentions was scary.
It's hard to know where the "landmines" are with someone like the Saintess-nim.
Normal people have landmines in similar places; you just have to avoid stepping on what you shouldn't.
But with the Saintess-nim, her mental state and nature are different from others, so you never know where the landmines are buried.
It wasn't a landmine yesterday, but it could be today.
It was best to do my best not to upset the Saintess-nim. There was no reason to treat a "good kid" who follows my education badly.
"What do you mean by Elin being special?"
"Didn't you know? That child seems to remember everything she sees once."
"Huh?"
Photographic memory, maybe that's what to call it.
Her combat ability was just slightly above average, and her talent wasn't outstanding, but she was quite smart.
Beyond "quite smart," she had the power to remember exactly what she saw once.
Like pausing a video, she could check things one by one—a ridiculous brain.
"That must be why she remembers her childhood with you, Saintess-nim. She remembers memories from when she was 3 or 4 years old vividly. Besides that, I could tell her memory was particularly special in many ways."
"I don't know if that's a blessing. I believe people have the right to forget."
"That's true. If she were to have bad memories, those would last a lifetime too."
For example, seeing someone die in front of you, being tortured—memories with trauma like that would remain vividly in her head forever, so it couldn't be seen as purely good.
"Anyway, are you going to properly maintain your family relationships?"
"I intend to accept invitations on special days like birthdays. Depending on the situation, they might be able to visit the Great Cathedral now. Especially Elin."
"I don't know when that will be, but until then, it would be good to raise your reputation in the Great Cathedral."
"Why?"
"Why, you ask? Because of what you've done so far, there are many people in the Great Cathedral who don't look favorably upon you, Saintess-nim. Lower-ranking nuns might be easily swayed, but those with power and age often view you, the Saintess, negatively."
"Those old farts."
"Honestly, I think some of those evaluations are justified."
Of course, as the Pope said, most disliked her because the Saintess, who inherited the Goddess's power, had a personality unbefitting of a Saintess.
Many people viewed her negatively just because she wasn't "good," seeing her very nature as flawed.
Naturally, that's a valid thought, but the problem is that radical people might try to kill the Saintess to elect a new one.
As I said, the Pope is here now, but he's old.
He's someone who could leave this world due to health issues at any moment.
If even that Pope passes away, there would be no one in the Great Cathedral to protect the Saintess-nim.
Since most people in power disliked the Saintess-nim, it would be very easy to slander her, make up things that didn't happen, or blow small incidents out of proportion.
Before that happens, it was necessary to improve her reputation even a little bit.
"Once we return, you must begin your duties as a Saintess."
"What exactly do I have to do?"
She's cooperative.
It's scary that she changed so suddenly.
But it's not a bad thing, so let's move on.
"First of all, you know that the position of Saintess is a position that represents the Goddess Religion far more than the Pope, right?"
"Yeah."
"Of course, the Pope's position is also important. Externally, the Pope is closer to being the representative, but for the Saintess, 'symbolism' is what's important."
"I've heard. Something about my very existence being like a wedge that proves the Goddess's existence."
"That's correct."
There are many proofs in the world that the Goddess existed, and legendary artifacts are said to be imbued with the Goddess's power.
Typically, the 'Holy Sword' sealed in the Great Cathedral was proof that it contained the Goddess's power, and there was much historical evidence that the Goddess had intervened during moments of human crisis.
However, for those living in the present, it was all a thing of the past, but the Saintess-nim could be called the only living proof.
"Because of this Awakening of a Saintess?"
"That too. It is said that the successive Saintesses were the only beings capable of communicating with the Goddess. Perhaps one day, you too will have a day where you can speak with the Goddess, Saintess-nim?"
"Then does that mean I can tease those Goddess Religion guys by saying, 'This is a revelation from the Goddess~'?"
"Please don't."
"Too bad."
Curiosity.
Doubt.
Questioning.
I thought these were the most important elements making up the Saintess-nim.
Whether she has interest or not is a very important matter for the Saintess-nim, and her sudden change could possibly be mixed with those emotions of curiosity or questioning.
And judging by what she said to me, I couldn't deny the possibility that I was involved; in fact, there was an abundance of material to confirm it.
"Anyway, to start with the conclusion, since it's that kind of position, you will often be in places exposed to the public. Typically, there are many cases where you, the Saintess-nim, will be the representative for healing."
"Healing?"
"The capital is very large. Not only good people are in that vast capital, and it doesn't overflow with only peace and love. Furthermore, there are many people coming from outside the capital in emergencies."
"I see, so I'll be healing those kinds of wounds."
"In the case of civilians, there are cases where they come because they've fallen ill. Originally, such duties are often performed after becoming an adult."
"Why is that?"
"Because before fully achieving 'Awakening of a Saintess', other high-ranking priests are often better at handling healing magic."
"......."
"......No, wait a moment."
I briefly made eye contact with the Saintess-nim, and I had no choice but to grab my head in that awkwardly short yet intense silence.
"Saintess-nim, I'm going to ask you one question now. Will you answer it?"
"I wonder why. I can tell what question you're going to ask, and it feels like my answer is already set... but your expression is funny right now, so fine, go ahead and ask."
"Saintess-nim, have you achieved the Awakening of a Saintess?"
The Saintess-nim smiled as if it were amusing.
"No, I've never done anything like that?"
"......."
This person.
Wait a minute.
I thought the Saintess-nim had that much power because she had achieved the Awakening of a Saintess.
Not just me, but the Pope had also said she had awakened, and everyone around us believed the Saintess-nim had awakened the Awakening of a Saintess at an early age.
But.
Is this person saying she reached this level on her own without any power?
So.
The amount of mana she has now, the output of her light magic, the powerful effect of her healing magic—all of that is not because she was blessed by the Goddess and awakened as a 'Saintess', but just Anastasia's individual capability?
'This is, seriously. Incredible.'
If she were to truly awaken as a Saintess here, would there be anyone who could actually win against her?
I was already worried about whether there would be anyone who could face her if she grew up like this, but if the Awakening of a Saintess event is added on top of her growing like this, that strength would exceed the 'realm of humanity'.
Power that is ridiculous for an individual to possess was dwelling inside the Saintess-nim's body right now.
It was no exaggeration to say she was a being born with the Goddess's blessing.
"Let's keep this a secret. I will consult with the Pope separately later."
"Do as you please."
"......Phew, back to the topic, you'll be healing those villagers. You'll raise your reputation by doing at a young age the duties that are originally supposed to be done after becoming an adult. Especially since there are quite a few people who don't forget the grace of owing their lives."
"Are there people who forget even when they owe their lives?"
"In this world, there are quite a few people who think that because you're in that position, it's just a duty you're supposed to do."
Despite being saved by the blood of the Holy Knights, there were quite a few people who didn't say a word of thanks to the Holy Knights and called them dirty for getting blood on them.
Saying that noble and holy people who serve the Goddess shouldn't be walking around with blood on them.
Besides that, there were people who didn't know the nobility of those who helped, suffered losses, and sacrificed, and took it for granted.
They seemed to have no conscience, no intelligence, and no class.
"Is that enough?"
"There are others, but for now, that should be enough. I'll let you know about the things you need to do later."
"Alright. But....... Ed, can I ask a personal question?"
"Yes, go ahead."
Whether I'd answer or not was up to me, but asking was free.
"You're in charge of my education until I become an adult, right? What will you do when I become an adult and the work is finished?"
"......Well, I haven't thought about it. Wouldn't I just continue working as a Holy Knight like normal?"
"So you don't really have any future plans? Like returning to your hometown to take over the family business? Since you're a noble, shouldn't you become the head of the family?"
"I have an older brother, so he will be the one to inherit the family."
I didn't want such a heavy position in the first place, so I could just brush it off.
"Hmm."
The Saintess-nim, who heard my story, looked at me and smiled.
"Got it."
"......."
Got it?
What do you mean?