WCMT 04

<Episode 4> 

Leaving the tearful Floretta behind, I returned to my room.

I rummaged through the wardrobe and pulled on a hood. When I tugged it down deep, my face was completely hidden.

If I left through the front gate, the knights would surely notice me—so I carefully made my way toward the secret passage.

Usually, a place like this would be patrolled by the ruler’s elite guards.
But there wasn’t even an ant in sight!

“Tsk, tsk.”

Just how many times had I clicked my tongue today? At this rate, I’d get a cramp in it.

I passed through the corridor and finally emerged outside, but the thought of going into the city made me a little nervous.
If the royal palace was in this sorry state, how miserable and starved must the people be?

My blood pressure was already rising, and the back of my neck began to throb.

With a sigh, I crossed the forest and entered the city.

Stopping in the middle of the square, I began scanning people’s faces.

‘Hm? Surprisingly, not bad.’

Even those who looked like they’d missed a few meals still had bright faces. Few looked well-off, but the streets were full of energy.

‘Not bad at all.’

So even though that idiot has been bleeding the palace dry, he still managed to keep an eye on the people?

I mentally raised my evaluation of Luxor by a drop of ant’s tears and kept walking.

The temple’s location was always chosen by the gods themselves, so it rarely changed. It wasn’t hard to find.

Except…

“What in the world happened here?”

The great Temple of Shamah, the largest on the southeastern continent, was in ruins—just like the palace.

In other words, it looked like it could collapse if you so much as poked it.

‘If Raphael saw this, he’d claw his way out of the grave.’

Since ancient times, the southeastern continent had worshiped the Sun God Shamah, while the northwestern continent followed the Moon Goddess Levana.

Between them stretched a vast ocean, plagued by erratic weather and treacherous reefs.

Crossing it alive was as difficult as plucking a dragon’s scale, so contact between the two continents was nearly nonexistent.

‘At least until about twenty years before I died, that is.’

Once a safe route was established, the Levana faith quickly spread into the southeastern lands.

Several kingdoms even adopted Levana worship as their state religion, naturally stealing followers from Shamah’s church.

Feeling the crisis, the Shamah clergy sought power to drive them out.
And since I needed justification for territorial expansion, our interests aligned perfectly.

So I married Raphael, the Saint.

I placed the Son of God at my side and invoked His name to launch a holy war.

That war allowed me to absorb the kingdoms that had worshiped Levana and drive her faith from the continent.

Even after the Shamah Church regained its strength, Raphael didn’t leave my side.

“I’ll only be at peace once you have an heir,” he said.

“You can have one with Pelion if you like. You just look too divine… I feel like I’d be committing a sin.”

“A sin?”

“Blasphemy.”

“……”

I still remember the look on his face when I said that.

Even if he wanted to uphold the church’s dignity, he shouldn’t have dared look at the emperor with such irreverent eyes.

I imagined poking those insolent eyes out as I stepped inside the temple.

“Is anyone here?”

I looked around, calling out. But after a long wait, only the wind answered, howling through broken windows.

“Come here!”

No one came.

A temple priest would never abandon his post. Was this place truly ruined?

I stood there dumbfounded.

Then, from a corner, came the creak of an old door.

I turned toward the sound.

“Who’s there?”

“That’s my question—who are you?”

A gaunt man in a tattered priest’s robe appeared.

“It’s been ages since anyone’s come here. What brings you, young lady? Where are your parents?”

“My parents rest in peace, and I came to obtain holy water.”

“What?”

“Holy water.”

“Are you possessed by an evil spirit or something?”

Did he just call me possessed?

When I glared at him, the priest gave a phlegmy laugh and pointed toward the door I’d entered through.

“There is no holy water here. Try the Temple of Levana instead.”

He was telling a believer seeking help to go to another god?

‘Raphael literally married and had a child for the sake of preventing this very thing…’

I didn’t leave. I turned fully to face him.

“Then at least pray for me.”

“It’s useless. Lord Shamah withdrew His grace long ago.”

“Does that mean priests can no longer use divine power? All of them?”

“Are you ignorant because you’re young—or are you mocking me, knowing I’m the last priest left here?”

Anger flared on his face.

“No, that’s not it. I really didn’t know. I’m sor—”

“Enough! Get out, now!”

Before I could apologize, he shoved me outside.

The door slammed shut behind me, drawing the stares of passersby.

A fallen princess thrown out of a fallen temple. Wonderful. I couldn’t even lift my head.

I pulled the hood further down and thought hard.

‘What now? Should I really try the Levana temple?’

The state religion of Epiphanes was Shamah worship—so I’d have to cross the border to find one.

As I walked slowly, wondering if there was an easier way to reach enlightenment, my eyes suddenly caught on something strange.

A brilliant, shining building—its front adorned with the moon symbol of Levana.

‘What the—why is that here?’

Two rival temples in one kingdom? The world had truly gone mad.

Amid crumbling roads and shabby homes, it alone gleamed brightly—like a golden button sewn onto a rag.

Temples were maintained by their respective churches, meaning Levana’s was thriving while Shamah’s had rotted away.

In short, while Shamah’s faith was on its last legs, Levana’s had firmly taken root.

For a brief moment, Raphael’s face flashed through my mind.

‘Whatever. As long as I can ascend to heaven, who cares which god helps me?’

I was already dead—what did it matter if it was Shamah or Levana?

Striding to the temple, I threw open the doors.

Before I could even call out, a priest draped in silver jewelry approached leisurely.

“Well, if it isn’t the youngest princess.”

Who was this guy to talk to royalty like a neighbor’s kid?

I was about to scowl when he offered me a candy.

“Lost your way again while out playing?”

Great. So we knew each other.

If he recognized me and I failed to ascend, I’d be thrown out of the palace instead. That would be bad.

“I… needed some holy water.”

Uncertain of how this body usually spoke, I let my voice trail off. The priest tilted his head.

“What for? Planning to drive out an evil spirit?”

Why did these priests keep bringing up evil spirits?!

Holy water wasn’t just for exorcisms—it could restore strength, heal wounds, quench thirst, even be used for washing!

I stared at him in annoyance until he gave an awkward laugh.

“Haha, I’m only joking. Since you need it, of course I’ll give you some.”

He went inside and returned with a silver chalice of holy water.

Just close your eyes and drink it.

I brought the cup to my lips, but then—

“Iranelia!”

If I responded, I’d lose my chance.

Without turning around, I poured the holy water into my mouth.

Farewell, cruel world. It’s been filthy but fun. Let’s never meet again.

I closed my eyes and let my body relax. Good. Now, if I could just ascend—

Any moment now…

Any moment…

‘Why isn’t anything happening?!’

That couldn’t be right. Holy water always worked!

I snapped my eyes open just as Luxor came running and swept me into his arms.

“You must have been frightened by the fire! Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No, I wasn’t—”

“Oh, don’t deny it. You came to the temple to heal yourself secretly so your family wouldn’t worry, didn’t you? Hmph! Still, when you’re hurt, you should call a doctor instead of coming here.”

What nonsense. Holy water works better than any doctor.

I gave him a flat look. Luxor’s eyes watered.

Behind him stood several knights, and behind me were the temple priests.

‘So many people around, and the king has no dignity at all. Tsk.’

I was about to scold him when Luxor lifted me off the ground.

“My precious youngest one, you must be hungry—you keep smacking your lips.”

I clicked my tongue, not licked it!

“…Put me down.”

“Hm?”

“Please… let me down.”

Since he was the current king and the Levana priests were watching, I kept my tone polite and forced a smile.

But Luxor looked hurt.

“I see. My little Ria’s all grown up now. Still, calling me ‘Father’ so formally all of a sudden—how sad.”

Unbelievable. In my day, no one raised children like this.

My Yulshi never once spoke to me informally—not even as a toddler.

Actually, even his babbling sounded respectful. Because I taught him that way!

What kind of world had this become, where grown men still called their fathers “Daddy”?

Whether I glared or not, the king kept holding my hand and walking.

Embarrassed by his foolish display, I turned my head away.

One of the priests caught my eye and gave me a knowing smile. His picture-perfect expression sent a chill down my spine.

‘Something’s off.’

Having married a Saint, I’d been around holy water more than I cared to remember.

To exaggerate a little, I’d lifted more chalices than toasting glasses.
If I asked for a cool drink, they’d bring me one infused with divine energy instead of ice.

Back then, I could truly feel holy power enveloping me—my body light, my spirit cleansed.

It was like all misfortune washed away.

But this time? It felt like I’d just drunk plain water.

And the fact that my soul was still firmly stuck in the youngest princess’s body—

I knew it. I never should’ve trusted Levana’s lot.

“Was that priest a quack or something?”

“Hm? What was that, my dear?”

“Nothing.”

With a long sigh, I pressed a hand to my forehead.

Now what was I supposed to do to ascend?