Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Holy Knight Selection
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Even after becoming the Saintess, there wasn't a sudden explosion of tasks she had to handle.
From the start, just being able to hear the voice of God—Lord Igugwoden's words—was enough to fulfill the Saintess's value entirely.
What she had been given wasn't obligations, but power. The power of a Saintess.
As the sole being who communed with God, she was already fulfilling her role without lifting a finger, so the religious order had no reason to bother her.
The mere existence of a Saintess amplified the influence of the faithful.
Erin's words were the will of God Igugwoden. At least within the religious sphere, no one could challenge her.
A new Saintess, appearing after a whopping 200 years.
It had been a month since the church produced a Saintess, and their prestige was soaring to the heavens. Not just in power struggles with the imperial family, but public support and faith were skyrocketing too.
Many were speaking of Lord Igugwoden's teachings. Even those who hadn't read the Holy Scripture knew the three Plain Facts contained in A Dish of Plain Facts.
The most astonishing part was that Erin's value as Saintess grew higher with each passing day.
"The Divine Power Pouch... has it grown even further?"
"Yes."
Erin tried to speak as calmly as possible, but she was only human, not a god. She couldn't fully hide the pride swelling in her heart.
In this world, the size of one's Divine Power Pouch directly translated to divine power.
Cecilia, the priestess serving her, bowed deeply in disbelief and reverence.
"I've never heard of a nun whose Divine Power Pouch grew at such a rapid pace even after becoming a saint. Just recently, you created bread and wine out of thin air, and now even the Pouch itself... Truly, Saintess, you are a role model for all nuns."
"What have I done? It was all possible only because of Lord Igugwoden's Plain Facts."
Indeed. All Erin had done was pray.
She prayed for the starving poor, and bread and wine rained from the sky and sprang from the earth.
The sick and diseased, beyond the reach of priests' white magic, were healed.
Just recently, the lame walked soundly, and the blind beheld the light of the world again.
Lord Igugwoden's grace! Lord Igugwoden's Plain Facts!
Though miracles happened every time she prayed, Erin didn't take them for granted.
She knew that too many miracles could burden God. She didn't know the reason, but it felt as natural as breathing.
Even so, since miracles had occurred, it was enough to spread faith in the Sole God Igugwoden far and wide.
And not only that—recently, her Divine Power Pouch, her bosom, had grown as well.
This too must be Lord Igugwoden's grace. Erin knew it instinctively. Her holy power reservoir had expanded by His will.
God had blessed her breasts. Even now, closing her eyes brought His words 'Erin's Boobs Super Big' vividly to her ears.
Her stomach tickled again. To Erin, it was a religious ecstasy beyond compare.
She wanted to receive every bit of Lord Igugwoden's Plain Facts into this vessel of flesh.
"Anyway, please alter the vestments. So they can properly support Lord Igugwoden's Divine Power Pouch."
Without alterations, they might burst free at any moment.
That wouldn't do. Unlike nuns, the Saintess couldn't expose her Divine Power Pouch to just anyone. This body was prepared solely for Lord Igugwoden.
"We could prepare new Saintess vestments to match your growth."
"No. I like these. This outfit is a gift from God Himself."
Erin clutched the hem of her garment as if handling a treasure.
Anything bearing Lord Igugwoden's trace, vestments included, was precious to her.
"I see. My apologies. I'll handle the vestments if you set them aside."
Cecilia moved on without question.
"Next item on the agenda: It's time to select a Holy Knight to guard you, Saintess."
Holy Knight.
One knight selected to represent the church, serving as the Saintess's closest bodyguard.
With a Saintess appearing after 200 years, the Holy Knight position—also vacant for 200 years—drew immense attention.
Serving at her side 24/7 meant only female knights qualified, and selection marked the pinnacle of any knight's career. The world's sole Holy Knight protecting the world's sole Saintess!
Such a position naturally narrowed candidates to the finest stock.
Even if the Saintess chose, picking someone without basics would cause chaos.
Cecilia handed over three photos.
"These are the final candidates."
Erin didn't examine them but bowed her head and closed her eyes.
"Judging them myself would be meaningless. Everything is for the Sole God Igugwoden to decide."
"I agree, but... I must relay His Holiness the Pope's words. Please understand with your vast Divine Power Pouch.
The imperial family was already complaining: 'We understand God's will a hundred, a thousand times, but the nuns' attire should consider the nation's sensibilities.' The church couldn't ignore them outright.
For reference, this 'attire debate' had raged for centuries since the Holy Scripture's birth, swinging with divine or imperial dominance, still unresolved.
The church's rightful claim: Expose the Divine Power Pouch as per Lord Igugwoden's words.
The emperor's secular counter: Expose naturally for importance, but cover the sides for propriety.
The religious side, including Erin, held the former—but the imperial family feigned acceptance while harboring discontent.
Yes.
Within religion, Erin was invincible.
But outside? In a world not treating the Holy Scripture as more than a relic?
She'd retain representative status and honors, but not wield unchecked cathedral power.
She couldn't ignore every such debate.
Yet Erin herself paid little heed to politics.
She hadn't sought to hear Lord Igugwoden to become Saintess; hearing Him made her one naturally.
Expanding the church or spreading His word mattered, but to her, His existence—Igugwoden Himself—mattered more than propagation.
She'd brushed off similar rumors till now, but it was time to face them.
Selecting a Holy Knight officially declared her—and religion's—stance.
Cecilia pointed to the photos.
"First, Ophelia Translente. Called 'the empire's closest to Holy Knight,' supported by His Holiness and many priests and nuns. Her faithful belief in Lord Igugwoden is unmatched."
"And this one: Linea von Ainsberg. As the name suggests, imperial family knight. Less devout than Ophelia, but selecting her stabilizes ties with the throne."
Cecilia bowed after explaining.
"These two are the focus. Both excel for Holy Knight. It rests on your choice, Saintess."
"No. As I said, I am merely God's vessel. I have no right to choose."
Erin bowed again, clasping her hands.
Prayer.
The sole means to commune with the great absolute who placed her here.
'Lord Igugwoden. I dare ask: Light my path with Your hand. I, Erin, swear to uphold Your will no matter what. Lord Igugwoden, please choose.'
—Who will you appoint as Holy Knight?
* * *
Clap clap clap.
I'd checked the latest chapter and found myself applauding the monitor for a while without realizing. I couldn't help it.
Pulling a new BM angle like this here?