Chapter 2
“What is this?”
Bella was quite taken aback.
“This wasn’t in the original story, was it?”
In the original story, the heroine, Rasel, became a saint at the age of seventeen.
Even if ‘Bella,’ who had possessed the story, had suddenly interfered and changed things, it was normal for the original heroine Rasel not to be able to use sacred power at this age.
That was the axis of the story.
It was a story about a heroine who couldn’t use sacred power as a child but gradually gained the love of those around her by using sacred power, eventually becoming connected with the male lead, Crown Prince Sheirior.
So right now, Rasel should not have any sacred power — no matter what.
“Then what is this?”
The grand cathedral, which was used as the sanctification hall, was half burned down, and especially on the ceiling, there was a hole from the flames with smoke still rising.
It was set ablaze by Rasel’s sacred power.
“Whatever the reason, the original story has been altered. All the information I knew might turn to scrap.”
Bella nervously bit her thumbnail.
The moment she realized she had possessed a character in a romance fantasy novel, she had immediately planned to steal Rasel’s sacred power.
Rasel would eventually possess tremendous sacred power.
And based on that power, Bella intended to snatch Rasel’s narrative and walk a path of roses.
There was nothing wrong or off about that plan.
But looking at the burning sparks flying around the grand cathedral before her, it felt like mud was splashing all over her plan.
“No, I don’t care how the process changes.”
Bella hadn’t even made contact with Rasel yet, nor built the foundation to steal Rasel’s power.
In other words, nothing had started yet, so there was still time to revise her plan.
“I have to look for the right opportunity.”
Bella’s sharp, snake-like gaze fixed on Rasel, who was dressed in ceremonial robes and surrounded by people.
Someday, that position would be hers.
She would take the place of the heroine whom everyone respected and loved.
For that, it wasn’t a big deal to adjust her plan a little.
“Sacred power of fire?”
Rasel asked, bewildered, and the priest nodded.
“Yes. The saint’s sacred power appears to be flame-based. No, it’s certain.”
“…”
Among all the saints in history, only one person had ever wielded the power of fire.
The powers of fire and stars were the most sacred powers of Iderion, and among those, fire was the source of judgment and purification, as well as a symbol of the life force that created stars.
And she used it?
“If it’s this level, she rivals the 33rd saint, who was said to have the greatest aptitude for sacred power in history.”
“…”
“Congratulations, Rasel.”
Rasel was simply speechless.
She, who had always been looked down upon, suddenly became the saint with the most outstanding sacred power?
Did that make any sense?
Rasel looked around.
Fortunately, the fire in the grand cathedral caused by her sacred power had not spread to other buildings and had already been extinguished by the priests.
However, everyone had evacuated to the garden because they could not stay inside the cathedral.
Still wearing her ceremonial robes, Rasel sat on a chair brought by the priests and looked down at her clothes.
There wasn’t even a single scorch mark, making the earlier incident feel like a dream.
But it was real.
“This is impossible.”
The priests who filled the garden whispered plans for what to do next but kept glancing at Rasel with awe.
Everyone was amazed by the incredible power shown by the young saint, afraid to approach her closely but wanting to see her somehow.
It wasn’t just the priests — the notable guests invited to the ceremony felt the same way.
Nobles, royal family members, and others talked among themselves while openly staring at Rasel.
However, no one dared to approach her first.
Not one person there had any real acquaintance or had even spoken a word to Rasel.
Among the adults present — and even among children — no one was close to Rasel.
Because Rasel was a saint candidate with no background, an orphan.
Many people, especially her peers, resented her. They hated the special treatment she received despite being no different from them.
So Rasel was often socially isolated and sometimes bullied.
“No normal person would suddenly warm up to someone they used to ignore just because that person suddenly gained power.”
But sometimes, there are people who aren’t normal. For example…
“Rasel, are you okay? Please step aside. I’m Rasel’s friend!”
A loud, excited child’s voice broke through the crowd and reached Rasel.
Rasel looked toward the voice instinctively.
‘Bella.’
As expected, Bella pushed through the crowd on hearing the word ‘friend’ and stood before Rasel.
Rasel vividly remembered how Bella looked the last time they met. She remembered everything Bella said.
“I came from another world. The original owner of this body was just a side character, a close friend to the protagonist, but I didn’t want to be that.”
Such nonsense, and she even tried to kill Rasel.
Now, Bella’s cheeks were flushed like an innocent child, and her eyes sparkled.
But to Rasel, that face looked flushed with greed.
Her eyes seemed darkened by desire, slick and vulgar.
Unconsciously touching her left upper arm, Rasel faced Bella calmly.
Bella suddenly grabbed Rasel’s left hand tightly, sending chills down Rasel’s spine.
“Rasel, this is amazing! Since when could you use such incredible sacred power? Congratulations!”
“Since you have so much, why not share some?”
“I’m going to take everything you have and live happily ever after.”
A wave of nausea rose deep within Rasel’s stomach.
“Huh? Since when could you use that power? Won’t you tell us? Everyone seems curious!”
“Um…”
“Hm?”
“What’s there to congratulate?”
Bella’s bright smile froze on her face.
Rasel gently pulled back her hand from Bella and asked again.
“Luckily, no one was hurt, but the grand cathedral burned down and the sanctification ceremony was stopped. How is that something to celebrate?”
Rasel was rebutting Bella.
Bella stammered, not expecting Rasel to be so bold.
“No… that’s not what I meant. I mean, you’re incompetent, but you awakened sacred power—”
“I don’t like being called incompetent. Most believers don’t have sacred power. Not having sacred power doesn’t mean being incompetent.”
Rasel smiled faintly and spoke clearly.
“I hope you think carefully before you speak in the future. I don’t know who you are or why you came to say such things to me.”
Bella’s flushed face grew even redder, and she shut her mouth.
Rasel felt a strange pleasure. Without saying a single word Bella wanted to hear, she succeeded in embarrassing her.
“But she won’t back down so easily…”
As Rasel renewed her determination, unexpectedly, other priests came to help.
“Saint, today’s ceremony has been completely halted. Please return to your quarters and rest.”
“Yes.”
It was welcome news. Rasel stood from her chair and passed by Bella without saying goodbye.
Left behind, Bella stared dumbfounded at Rasel’s retreating figure.
The original Rasel had been timid, always kind, saying only pretty words to everyone—a ‘good child complex’ sufferer.
That Rasel was picking apart every word she said.
“A third-rate novel’s heroine…”
But at the same time, she felt a pang of regret.
“Was I too hasty?”
At this point, she hadn’t even performed the ‘ritual’ on Rasel yet. Was she too reckless in pretending to be close, only to raise Rasel’s suspicions?
“I should approach more carefully, and if I can use those things, I will.”
She would take everything Rasel had, one way or another.
Bella’s eyes blazed with a wicked will.
Once guided to her quarters and having changed her clothes with help, Rasel immediately checked her left forearm first.
“There was no mention of anything during the clothing change, so probably…”
Fortunately, Rasel’s thin left arm was pure white—no marks or blemishes.
Still uneasy, she rolled up her right sleeve and checked it too. Then, she lifted her robe to check her legs.
After confirming there was no trace anywhere, she sighed with relief.
Before her reincarnation, on the day she first remembered Bella in her childhood, Bella had gently comforted the bullied, crying Rasel.
Bella had grown bright and affectionate from some day, supported by the matron of the intercessors.
Everyone believed ‘this child will become a saint’ and treated her as such, even subconsciously.
That amazing, almost untouchable child whispered to her:
“We’re soulmates now. For life, you and I will share everything without hiding anything, and protect each other.”
“Since you have so much, why not share some?”
“I’m going to take everything you have and live happily ever after.”
“That was when she planned to use me all along.”
After that ridiculous act, Bella had carved strange marks on their arms with the faint powers they had, calling it a ritual between soulmates.
The proof they were lifelong friends, one of a kind in the world.
The young Rasel had believed it wholeheartedly and kept the marks on her body until death.
Whenever she was struggling, she would look at and touch those marks. She talked and consulted with Bella about everything.
She vividly remembered how her power flowed from the mark in the form of a snake, heading to Bella to be completely absorbed.
It had all been a lie. Everything.
When she didn’t know it was a lie, Rasel’s life was lonely and harsh enough to depend on such a thing.
Rasel recalled her previous life.
Living as a saint had been miserable. No one followed Rasel.
The church had split, and everyone blamed Rasel for it.
“A saint with no ability? That’s ridiculous.”
“She can’t use sacred power or receive prophecies, what’s this…”
“Is she really the saint chosen by the god Iderion?”
“It would have been better if Bella became the saint…”
Rasel had tried hard to spread the word of God, but no one paid attention to a powerless saint.
In the end, she was betrayed and poisoned.
But there was a cause for all that. Bella had stolen every bit of sacred power she should have had.
Using the mark, the proof of friendship, she had drained Rasel dry in the end.
“I won’t live like that again.”
What happened to the real timid Bella? Rasel felt uneasy but decided not to think about it for now.
For some unknown reason, she had returned to the past, and Bella seemed to have no memories of what happened. She behaved just like she did in childhood.
Then maybe this was the first and last mercy the god Iderion had given to her, who had suffered all her life? A chance to do better this time.
She wouldn’t be killed this time.
She wouldn’t be deceived or betrayed.
It would have been best not to become a saint, but since she already was, she had no choice but to try her best now.
This time, it was to survive.
