CHAPTER 01
“I’ve been waiting for today.”
It has already been three years since I transmigrated into a romance fantasy novel. And for those three years, I have been waiting for this very day.
The day the heroine earns the title of saint.
And.
The day the original story finally begins!
“Elia!”
“Huh?”
At the voice calling my name, I quickly turned my head.
A woman with long, bright pink hair. The protagonist of this world.
The heroine, Robellina, was looking at me with her sparkling blue eyes.
“What are you thinking about? I called you several times.”
“Sorry, Rina. I’m just a little nervous.”
“Nervous? Hmm. Well, I guess the Saint Selection Ceremony is about to reach its final trial.”
‘That’s not why I’m nervous, though.’
I gave a light laugh at her words and stared at her.
The Saint Selection Ceremony.
An event held once every century to choose the one saint who appears in that time.
For me, it was not that important. But in the world of the original story, it was crucial.
Because this was the ceremony where the heroine, Robellina, who was once just a candidate, would become the true saint.
Me? I was also a Saint candidate. But since I already knew that Robellina would become the saint, I did not feel much anticipation.
What I was really looking forward to was Robellina’s romance.
After all, this world was a reverse harem romance fantasy centered around her!
‘Once the original story begins, the male leads will appear one by one. ‘Who was the first one again?’
Just thinking about it made me grin.
“Hehehe…”
“Ria, why are you laughing like that? It’s kind of creepy.”
“Ahem, it’s nothing. I’m just excited.”
“About the Saint Selection Ceremony? You acted like you didn’t care, but I guess you were secretly looking forward to it.”
“Well, maybe.”
I answered vaguely.
In my previous life, I truly loved this novel’s world.
Maybe that was why I transmigrated into the body of Elia, Robellina’s close friend and a fellow Saint candidate.
Elia’s role in the novel was somewhere between a supporting character and a minor lead. She appeared whenever Robellina had worries and offered her advice.
If I had to compare it to another story, she was like the maid who always followed the noble lady protagonist around.
‘For me, that’s actually perfect.’
As a devoted fan of the original story, I could stay by Robellina’s side and watch her romance unfold from beginning to end.
‘God, thank you.’
I never really believed in God in my previous life, but starting today, I will try to be faithful.
I was thinking such irreverent thoughts when—
“Candidate Elia, Candidate Robellina. The final trial of the Saint Selection Ceremony will begin soon. Don’t you think you’re being a little too noisy?”
I turned toward the voice.
It was Sierra, another Saint candidate, glaring at us with displeasure.
“Please maintain your dignity. The Saint Selection Ceremony is a sacred and honorable ritual. Is this really the time to chatter?”
“I’m sorry, Candidate Sierra. We were careless.”
Robellina apologized politely.
Meanwhile, I looked at Sierra with annoyance.
We were currently waiting in a room before the final trial. In other words, talking quietly here was not a problem.
Besides, there were other candidates chatting too. Yet she specifically singled out Robellina and me. Just like always, she could never let a day pass without provoking us.
Still, I did not want to cause unnecessary trouble, so I decided to apologize and let it go.
“I’m sorry—”
“I truly cannot understand how people like you even became saint candidates.”
At that moment, I regretted even starting to say “sorry.”
‘Should I endure this or not?’
As I felt anger bubbling inside me, debating whether to respond, Sierra added—
“Well, perhaps being able to take care of people like you priests is part of a true saint’s virtue.”
That was when I could no longer hold it in.
Not my anger.
But my laughter.
“Pfft—”
The room fell silent.
Sierra, in particular, glared at me fiercely.
“What is so funny, Candidate Elia?”
“I apologize. I couldn’t help laughing. You seem very confident that you’ll become the Saint.”
“Is that a problem? Among everyone here, I believe I have the highest chance. If there’s anyone more devout than me, please step forward.”
Sierra looked proud.
To be fair, she did have excellent theology scores and always behaved properly.
But what was the point?
“I’m not sure someone who keeps belittling others as ‘people like you’ has the qualities of a saint.”
Her personality was rotten.
“Hah!”
Sierra let out a sharp laugh, her face reddening slightly.
I slipped behind Robellina and looked at her.
‘No matter how hard you try, the real Saint is our Robellina.’
I stuck out my tongue playfully, and Sierra’s expression became even more entertaining.
“Is something the matter?”
At that moment, the door opened, and a priest entered.
Sierra immediately changed her expression and smiled gently.
“Nothing at all. We were just sharing our excitement before the final trial.”
“I see.”
‘She really knows how to talk.’
I could not help but admire her quick change in attitude.
The priest smiled warmly.
“The preparations for the final trial are complete. Shall we proceed?”
***
Guided by the priest, we arrived at the place where the final trial would take place: the Room of Selection.
Standing in front of it was someone important.
Recognizing him, all the candidates quickly bowed their heads.
“We greet His Eminence Cardinal Dale.”
“You have all come.”
Cardinal Dale welcomed us with a bright smile.
“The Saint Selection Ceremony is now at its final stage. You have all worked hard to reach this point.”
“We could only come this far thanks to Your Eminence’s care.”
“Hoho, I have done nothing. It is all because of your own abilities and efforts.”
After responding to Sierra’s flattery with a laugh, Cardinal Dale looked over the candidates.
“I do not know who among you will become the saint. However, I am certain of one thing. No matter who is chosen, you will continue to cherish and support one another.”
‘You might want to put that belief on hold.’
I glanced at Sierra as I thought irreverently.
As if she had the same thought, Sierra looked at me at that moment. Our eyes met.
While we were secretly glaring at each other, Cardinal Dale finally said the words we had been waiting for.
“Then I shall begin the final trial of the Saint Selection Ceremony.”
Gulp.
The sound of candidates swallowing nervously echoed around us. Robellina beside me also looked tense.
I held her cold hand and mouthed silently,
‘It’s okay. Everything will turn out fine.’
Her eyes widened, and then she gave me a bright smile.
I grinned back and, still holding her hand, stepped into the Room of Selection.
It was closer to a small hall than a room. Six pillars stood in the darkness around the edges, surrounding something at the center.
And at the very center, where the pillars intersected, something shone brilliantly.
A transparent glass case reflecting the light from above.
Instinctively, I knew the object inside was the final trial.
“The last trial is simple,” Cardinal Dale explained. “You only need to be chosen by that sacred relic.”
“And how does one receive its selection?”
“No one knows. However, according to past Saints, the moment they saw it, they simply knew. They felt that it was meant for them.”
Including Sierra, the candidates asked various questions.
Only Robellina and I stood quietly.
Even that silence broke when Robellina spoke to me.
“It looks like an ordinary deck of cards. Ria, what do you think?”
“……”
“Ria?”
Her voice calling me reached my ears clearly.
But I could not answer. No, I did not have the presence of mind to answer.
‘What in the world…?’
The moment I saw the so-called sacred relic, I bit my lip to stop myself from screaming.
‘Why is the tarot deck I used in my previous life over there?!’
There was no mistake.
The familiar illustrations. The slightly worn appearance felt like it would fit perfectly in my hands.
At the very front, the card labeled THE FOOL seemed to be cheerfully greeting its former owner.
