RSTV 17🔐

Chapter 17

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“……”

A chilling silence fell. Patrick was at a loss for words, only letting out awkward exclamations.
The high priests had never expected the Saint to have this kind of personality. It wasn’t violence, but something entirely different.

With just a few words and gestures, she had taken hold of the very men who were essentially the leaders of the temple. Her charisma was astounding.

Only Jared remained composed. Having experienced Nar before, he could more or less predict how she would act.

Still, it was impressive—subduing High Priest Patrick so easily.

Suppressing the strange smile tugging at his lips, Jared placed a hand over his chest with an expression of kindness.

“May I offer a word?”

Nar gave a disinterested nod.

“What the Saint does is divine law itself, and what the Saint practices becomes the etiquette of the temple. I, too, believe this.”

“And?”

“The Saint is God’s representative, His child. How could mere servants like us ever force the Saint to do anything? Please, calm your anger.”

“……”

Nar furrowed her brow. What nonsense is he about to spout this time?

Jared’s face grew somber.

“However, we too have a mission entrusted to us—to safeguard the Saint and to spread the true words of God to the world.”

“……”

“But since the Saint has distanced herself from us, we have grown anxious. This is the first time such a thing has happened. Though High Priest Patrick’s words were harsh, he spoke out of concern for you, Saint. Isn’t that so?”

“Ahem, ahem!”

So he was even mocking Patrick.

“What are you really trying to say?”

“Once every four days, please visit the temple to bless the faithful and the young apprentice priests.”

“The faithful… and the apprentices?”

“Yes. It has already been fifty years since a Saint last appeared. Please grant them your blessing and share enlightenment with them.”

Jared’s gaze was firm.

“In return, we will not force upon you the education that a Saint is supposed to receive. Should you ever feel the need for learning, you may request it at any time.”

“What nonsense! That education is far too important to just ignore—”

“Then are you willing to lose the Saint entirely?”

Patrick and a few others raised objections, but Jared’s firm stance made them falter.
It was clear they feared Nar’s reaction.

Even in her reckless Saint days, training had been mandatory. The idea of abolishing it altogether was favorable to Nar.

Although she disliked lending support to Jared, the terms themselves weren’t bad. Nar hated the temple, but she didn’t think the faithful or the apprentices were at fault.

In fact, she even looked forward to meeting them. Still, she pretended to be reluctant.

“Once every four days, huh.”

“In addition, we’ll make every effort to accommodate the Saint’s needs.”

What is with this man? Nar was inwardly alarmed.

Jared always acted for the temple’s benefit. There was no way this was out of goodwill.

What’s his real scheme?

Even under her probing gaze, Jared’s face remained solemn. Slowly, Nar opened her mouth.

“Fine. Let’s do that.”

“Thank you for changing your heart.”

His beautiful face blossomed into a radiant smile. Nar turned her head away.

Before Nar and Manuel left the temple, Jared spoke again.

“Saint, in the Book of Curtiss, Chapter 12, it says: ‘You are a noble being. With jade I sculpted your body, with my tears I let your blood flow, and with my kiss I gave you breath. You are the one and only existence that lives in this world.’ Please, never forget this.”

Nar gave no answer.

Once inside the carriage, Manuel said,
“That was a good message he gave you.”

“It’s nonsense.”

Nar leaned her arm against the window.

The “Curtiss” was a demigod created by God to end humanity’s chaos. Born without desire, Curtiss lived as God’s puppet until finally meeting his end for humanity’s sake.

Some called it a noble sacrifice, but Nar thought it nothing more than a dog’s death—used up and then discarded.

Was that supposed to be a declaration to make me a puppet too? Or an order to live and die for the temple?

Nar didn’t believe the words meant anything more than that.

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The temple officially proclaimed the appearance of a new Saint. This time, she was a thirteen-year-old commoner.

It had been fifty long years since the last Saint. People, both nobles and commoners, crowded the temple for a glimpse of her.

But the temple, citing the Saint’s safety and education, seldom let her be seen. She appeared only briefly, once every four days.

The veiled girl waved to the crowd. Even under the urging of the holy knights, she lingered as long as possible before retreating back inside.

Only once she was out of sight did Nar remove the veil. It had been imposed by the temple, allegedly for her protection due to her young age.

She knew it was nonsense—it was just a trick to hide the fact that the Saint wasn’t truly under the temple’s authority.

Nar could have refused, but she agreed to wear it. It was simply less troublesome that way.

In her past life, when she had shown her face freely, she had been treated like a nationwide counselor—everybody brought her their problems.

Why ask me whether your daughter will pass the academy entrance exam? If your grandfather is sick, take him to a doctor or a priest—don’t ask me to pray it away. And what’s with all the people wishing for their crush to like them back? I’m a Saint, not Cupid.

To avoid all that hassle, Nar wore the veil. At least as “Nar Demias,” she could avoid being pestered.

“Hyacinth, did you see that noble earlier? What a persistent pest.”

Nar spoke to the young acolyte serving her. Hyacinth gently straightened the slouched Saint and handed her milk tea.

At first, the boy had been nervous about serving the Saint, but after meeting her several times, he had grown used to her. Nar wasn’t a difficult master.

“Yes. Even when told the blessing would not be granted, he still stubbornly insisted.”

“That’s the problem with nobles. They think they’re the greatest, and everyone should bow to their words.”

Nar sneered, sipping her tea. It was a common nuisance.

Some nobles flaunted donations to demand blessings they didn’t need. She wouldn’t refuse if they offered proper compensation, but their real aim was to exploit the young and inexperienced Saint.

Thankfully, the holy knights threw themselves in the way, preventing her from being used. Otherwise, she would have ensured such people never set foot in the temple again.

“So irritating.”

“The apprentice priests are here to see you, Saint.”

“Oh? Let them in.”

Nar’s eyes lit up.

Soon, children ranging from about seven to fifteen filed into the room. Their eyes sparkled as they looked at her, and at her beckon, they rushed forward.

“Hello, Saint!”

“Was there anything fun outside today?”

“I followed what you taught me, and I finally climbed high without fear!”

“Saint, look what I made!”

The room buzzed with youthful energy. Nar responded to every word they spoke.

“Sophia, Jenny, Ruger, Sirius, Ted—hello! So, anything annoying happen, not just fun things? Wow, Ruger—you used to be afraid of climbing high, but you did it! Amazing! And Ted, is this a rabbit? You made it so well.”

Nar patted little Ted on the head. He was about the same age as Clio, so she found him easy to talk to.

Hyacinth set out milk and snacks, treats Nar had requested from the duke’s chef.

The children, who rarely had sweets without donations, were overjoyed. They nibbled at apple mousse, sugar-coated fruit, and chocolate while chattering excitedly.

“The flowers in the temple garden are so pretty. We want to show them to you, Saint.”

“Really? I’ll stop by before I leave then.”

She didn’t care about the temple garden, but since Sophia suggested it, she agreed.

“What annoyed you today?”

“There was some troublesome adult. Don’t grow up to be like that.”

The children burst into laughter, though she was serious.

“Yesterday a wealthy devotee donated lots of fluffy bread, so we all shared it!”

“Really?”

“Yes. And they said his son will soon join the temple, so we were told to treat him kindly.”

Sirius frowned.

“I don’t like it. Kids like that never last long.”

He stabbed at a fruit with his fork.

“And the tutors always favor them. When Emil and Neil fought, the tutor only scolded Neil. Emil wasn’t punished at all.”

“Right. Emil and Gilbert even get extra snacks.”

“I want more too.”

As the children voiced complaints, Hyacinth whispered into Nar’s ear:
“They’re noble-born.”

Nar understood immediately.

Children who entered the temple young were called “apprentices,” but few became true priests or remained as adults.

Though the temple claimed to ignore social status, it was one of the most hierarchical places in existence. Not all apprentices were equal; their backgrounds determined their standing.

Bloodline and wealth were prerequisites for rising to higher ranks. Even the advancement of holy knights involved bribes and connections.

Speaking of knights, something’s bound to happen soon.

Nar decided she should keep her ears open for news from the knight order.

Meanwhile, the children kept chattering about various temple matters.

Knock, knock.

“Saint, it’s time for the noon prayer. We’ve come to escort you.”

“Already? Come in.”

The children looked disappointed. Since Nar didn’t come every day, they would have to wait several days for another chance like this.

When the door opened, it was Jared who appeared. The children tidying up suddenly raised their heads.

“Oh! High Priest Jared!”