Chapter 3
The saintly oracle is bestowed upon those who believe in Iderion, the god.
It doesn’t matter their age, gender, or status — only whether they have faith in the god Iderion.
The existence of a saint was proof of the god’s existence itself. It was the god directly choosing an individual to convey His teachings.
But do I still have faith in Iderion now?
Lasel had no confidence in that.
She recalled her previous life. She had served Iderion all her life and devoted everything to spreading His word.
But what she got in return was a betrayal that turned her stomach and a cold death.
She died like that — yet she came back.
What should I do now?
Bella said this world was the world inside a book, and at least Bella herself clearly believed that.
Perhaps Bella had read a predetermined fate in the form of a book. That must have been a fate arranged by the god.
But Bella changed it, and now Lasel could change it too.
Bella, and even this temple, were tiresome. There were no good memories here, yet she was told to live again as a saint. She hated that.
But for now, she had no choice but to handle the matter right before her.
That was entertaining a distinguished guest.
“Your Holiness’s divine power is remarkable. May Iderion’s blessings shine upon the future of the one chosen.”
“Thank you for your kind words. I will pray that Iderion’s blessings remain with Your Grace, the Marquis.”
Lasel said this as she blessed the holy water in her hands.
Then she sprinkled it on the bald head of the elderly marquis kneeling before her, murmuring a prayer of blessing.
After the marquis left the reception room and no one else came in for a while, Lasel hesitated a bit and then plopped down on the couch.
The couch was simple, stiff, and barely cushioned, but after standing and blessing all the nobles all day, it felt warm and cozy to Lasel.
My legs hurt. My neck hurts too… And my hands are all swollen.
Lasel looked at her fingers, wrinkled and shriveled from the holy water, and sighed.
News that an unknown girl named Lasel, not the almost-certain saint Bella, was becoming the saint was not exciting news at all.
So the nobles and influential people came up with every excuse not to attend the sanctification ceremony. Fewer than twenty nobles actually came.
The rest sent representatives — and some didn’t even bother sending those.
But at that ceremony, a major incident occurred.
Once again, after the last saint, the divine power of fire manifested.
The nobles were now clamoring to meet Lasel, who had the ‘most sacred power’.
…She couldn’t help but think back to her previous life.
Back then, I was turned away wherever I went.
Lasel recalled bitterly.
Though she held the title of saint chosen by the chief god Iderion himself, that was all she had.
Orphan Lasel had no guardian, no connections, no friends.
Nor did she have a silver tongue or any wealth.
There was no way anyone would treat a saint with nothing nicely. Lasel once fainted after waiting two days in a reception room while trying to solicit donations.
But now, everyone was rushing to meet her.
Just because she could conjure a little fire from her hands.
Is that really such a big deal?
Lasel raised her hand and focused. A small flame flickered to life.
Would they really change their attitude so drastically over just a little flame?
“This isn’t a big deal at all. It’s nothing special. You can make plenty of fire in the kitchen.”
“That’s right.”
Muttering to herself, Lasel almost fell off the couch in surprise.
She quickly extinguished the flame and looked up, clutching the armrest. There stood a man she had never seen before.
His neat black hair, golden eyes, striking good looks that could be noticed from afar, refined yet undeniably luxurious clothing, and a natural gaze cast downward.
He seemed like a high-ranking noble.
“Wh-who are you?”
“You probably heard someone shouting who I am from outside.”
“Sorry, I was lost in thought and didn’t hear. But I didn’t even grant permission. Who are you to come in without asking me?”
The man tilted his head.
His masculine yet beautifully defined face and sharp eyes reminded her of someone.
I feel like he looks like someone… but who?
He appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties.
Without permission, the man flopped down in the chair across from Lasel and crossed his long legs.
He raised his chin arrogantly and interlaced his long fingers on his knee, a ring on his left ring finger catching the light.
“I am Aiden Revius.”
“Ah!”
Lasel gasped in surprise.
Aiden Revius, Duke of the April Duchy in the empire’s south — the empire’s second most powerful man.
The father of that Martin Revius.
Such a powerful figure came personally to meet Lasel? She hurriedly composed herself and bowed.
“It’s an honor to meet Your Grace the Duke…”
“Let’s drop that. I don’t think either of us has the mood for formal greetings.”
Aiden dismissively cut her off.
Embarrassed, Lasel closed her mouth. Aiden gestured for her to sit.
“You should stand to receive blessings.”
“I will receive it later, so please sit.”
It was more of an order than a request. Lasel reluctantly sat down.
Even the powerful Iderion church had been at its peak no more than 200 years ago.
With the advancement of science and people venturing to other continents, faith and the church’s power had weakened.
In a world where some no longer feared excommunication, the duke who controlled the empire had no reason to respect a saint with no guardian.
When Lasel sat, Aiden pushed a plate of cookies on the table toward her.
It was a plain plate of cookies, set out all day but untouched by anyone.
“Please eat.”
“Um? I’m fine…”
“You look pale and tired. Eat something and drink before we talk.”
Lasel had no idea why.
But he is the empire’s second most powerful man… second most powerful man…
Repeating that in her mind, Lasel reluctantly picked a cookie, hesitated briefly, and unwillingly put it in her mouth.
The sweet, soft texture melted in her mouth.
Butter cookies made without any extras, Lasel ate more quickly, chewing and swallowing.
Aiden poured her some moderately cooled tea, and Lasel drank that as well.
“Phew.”
Setting down the teacup, Lasel sighed deeply. As the room grew quiet, she thought for a moment.
Did I mess up?
She was distracted by cookies with a guest present.
Watching Lasel turn even paler, Aiden reached out and gently wiped crumbs from the corner of her mouth.
Startled, Lasel flinched, but he removed the cookie crumbs and returned his hand to his knee.
“When did you start holding receptions today?”
“Six in the morning.”
Aiden frowned.
“…Have you had lunch?”
“No, not yet.”
“It’s three in the afternoon now.”
“Yeah. Why…? I ate breakfast.”
Lasel genuinely didn’t understand what was wrong.
People lined up to see her, and it was unthinkable to take care of her meals before meeting them.
At least, that was the case in her previous life.
There was an incident once. During a meal, a noble came, and she hurried out to meet him — only to find the noble had already left.
If that was all, it would have been fine, but the noble spread a rumor that the saint was neglecting receptions due to gluttonous eating.
It wasn’t a big rumor, but it deeply hurt Lasel.
After that, she postponed her meals until long after meetings and never ate in front of others.
Aiden was silent for a moment, then stared steadily at Lasel.
His golden eyes seemed to pierce right through her heart, making her flinch.
What is it? Why is he staring?
“The temple makes a child work without even giving proper meals.”
“I am a saint. I am not a child.”
Lasel immediately retorted.
Aiden chuckled at her words. It was the first time since meeting him that he smiled.
“Well, since the divine fire is not very sacred to you, you must cherish your status as saint quite dearly.”
“That was — that was just a joke!”
Lasel jumped up when he called out her muttering from earlier.
Aiden took it lightly.
“Anyway, I heard some strange things on my way here.”
“Strange?”
“It’s as if everyone is saying it’s odd that you became the saint.”
Hearing that, Lasel said, “Ah…”
“Before the sanctification, I had no divine power and was not very remarkable. Everyone thought Bella would become the saint.”
“Bella?”
“She is the ward of Matron, the High Priestess.”
She was my friend.
That sentence caught in her throat. Now Bella was no friend — she was a terrifying enemy.
Aiden tilted his head at this.
“Do you also think so, Your Holiness?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you think that person named Bella was the right one to become saint?”
Lasel already knew the answer.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I am not the right person to be a saint.”
She didn’t want to be a saint.
She wanted Bella or anyone who wanted it to have the role, and for herself to be left alone.
Aiden put his hand on his chin and thought for a moment, then muttered,
“…It’s not just a lack of confidence, but something else…”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. Then, if you could quit being a saint, what would you do?”
Lasel’s eyes widened.
What is this man talking about?
Quit being a saint? That was a matter ordained by the god — there was no quitting.
…No.
Bella had tried to twist what the god ordained. Surely it wasn’t impossible to change what the god decided.
Meanwhile, Aiden’s questions continued.
“Will you return to your hometown? Excuse me for asking, but where is Your Holiness’s hometown?”
“Yes. It was completely destroyed by a great earthquake… or so I heard.”
Lasel was a disaster orphan.
She had lost her family and all memories before being taken into the temple during the Arensia great earthquake.
“Then, do you have any abilities? Enough strength to live on your own?”
“No, I…”
“Yet you say you don’t want to be a saint?”
Aiden’s words made Lasel choke with emotion for a moment.
