A blue satin dress draped with white lace.
Eirik knew exactly what it was.
This was the dress Ordell wore the first time she came to the Sun God’s sanctuary as a saintess—a gift from Count Kiris.
She had always treated it with utmost care, saying it was a precious present from her father. She’d get furious if a maid even so much as touched it wrong. She adored it.
And now she wanted to sell it without a second thought?
Even lying that she bought it herself with her own allowance?
‘Could this have been planned with Count Kiris? Is she really thinking of leaving the sanctuary?’
Come to think of it, she had said she was willing to deceive the Kiris family along with him.
Maybe she had a big falling out with the count.
Ordell had always been loyal to Count Kiris, but he never really cherished her in return.
Perhaps she finally realized that and decided to turn away.
‘If that’s the case, everything fits.’
The sudden change in demeanor, her wish to stop playing the role of a saintess and leave the sanctuary, and even that expression—so utterly steeped in emptiness—when she said it.
Now, it all made sense.
“I think selling it is a good idea… The operation funds are getting tighter and tighter.”
As Eirik stared silently at the list with a serious expression, Dietrich cautiously spoke up.
He didn’t want to miss this opportunity.
After all, it was true that the saintess’s extravagance had pushed the sanctuary’s finances to the brink.
“…Alright. Do as the saintess wishes. Begin tomorrow. You’ll be in charge.”
“Yes! Understood!”
Dietrich’s face brightened with relief at the positive response, and he nodded eagerly.
He had to wrap this up before either Eirik or Ordell had a change of heart.
“….”
But unlike Dietrich, Eirik couldn’t bring himself to smile.
Truthfully, he welcomed Ordell’s transformation… but the fact that she was even willing to sell the blue dress she had treasured so dearly kept gnawing at him.
And to make matters worse, she said she would keep the money from that sale for herself.
It meant that despite her anger, she still couldn’t completely let go of her lingering feelings toward the Kiris family.
Eirik sighed, recalling her hollow expression from earlier that day.
“Ah, I feel refreshed.”
Having handed over the list to Dietrich the night before, I welcomed the morning with a clear and refreshed face.
A weekday morning with no need to go to work—how blissful.
“Should I just stay here?”
If I go out, I’ll have to work again just to survive…
But here? As the saintess, I’m the highest-ranking person. No need to lift a finger.
Meals served, rooms cleaned.
Isn’t this the ultimate cushy job?
Maybe I should just live in the sanctuary, quietly save up money, and then leave a year later when Idella appears?
Admittedly, it’d be a bit embarrassing to tell Eirik I’ve changed my mind, but he had already voiced opposition to me leaving anyway.
But this brilliant plan of mine was shattered—utterly—within ten minutes.
“I-I-I’m so sorry, Saintess…!”
I stared blankly at the woman kneeling and bowing before me.
The maid who brought my breakfast tray was visibly terrified from the start.
At first, I didn’t think much of it.
She must have experienced Ordell’s cruelty firsthand.
Maybe I could start by apologizing to people like her, one by one.
That’s all I was thinking.
Until her trembling hand, while trying to set the tray down, accidentally brushed against me.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to! Please, please forgive me…!”
“….”
Wow. I was speechless.
She barely touched me, and she’s already throwing herself at my feet?
What on earth did Ordell do while living here?
“…It’s okay. You may go now.”
What could I even say to someone trembling like that, afraid she might get hit?
Even if I apologized, she wouldn’t be able to process it properly. So I just sent her away.
“…Pardon?”
“I’m really not angry, so you can go.”
I figured pushing further would just scare her more, so I left it at that and began eating.
She hesitated for a moment, then gave a deep bow and hurried out.
Strangely enough, even in her rush, her footsteps made no sound.
Actually, that’s not strange—it’s just sad.
“…Guess I really should leave the sanctuary.”
Forget the image reform. For everyone’s mental well-being, I should just go.
I continued my meal with a heavy heart.
Once I finished eating, a new problem arose.
Yesterday, Eirik and Dietrich had taken away the empty dishes for me, but today, because I’d dismissed the maid early, no one was around to take them.
Rather than have another frightened servant come in and quake while cleaning up, I figured I might as well return the tray myself.
“But… where’s the kitchen?”
If I remember correctly, the kitchen is connected to the dining hall… But where’s the dining hall?
And I don’t even know where my bedroom is located in this building.
After arriving at the sanctuary yesterday, I’d been half-conscious from hunger and motion sickness, and Eirik had carried me here.
What should I do? Should I call the maid again?
But what if she actually faints this time, thinking I’m mad for real…?
As I stared seriously at the empty tray, contemplating what to do—
【At the user’s request, the ‘Map’ system will now activate.】
A system message suddenly appeared in front of me.
“You’re still here?”
I must’ve completely forgotten about it since it’s been so useless.
The screen suddenly expanded as if to say, How could you forget me?!
In the top left corner of the screen, it said: <Map of the Sun God’s Sanctuary>.
Okay. A transmigration support system should at least have a map function.
“Show me the route from here to the kitchen.”
A dotted red path lit up, showing the way.
I take back what I said about it being useless.
I immediately followed the red dots.
At first, I considered going straight to the kitchen, but that route was connected only through the staff hallway, so I decided to cut through the dining hall instead.
Hopefully, no one freaks out just from seeing me…
But, of course, my hope was dashed.
“Ah.”
The moment I stepped into the dining hall, dozens of people eating turned their heads toward me in perfect unison.
So… it’s mealtime. Great.
Everyone I made eye contact with instantly went pale.
I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb your peaceful meal, I swear…
“Saintess?”
Eirik stood up abruptly and hurried toward me.
“What brings you here…?”
“I was just going to drop off my empty tray. Seems I got the timing wrong.”
I gave him a light, roundabout apology for showing up and making everyone uncomfortable.
Eirik quickly took the tray from my hands.
“I’ll take care of it myself.”
“Oh… if you would, then…”
“And please remember—there’s no place in this sanctuary that’s off limits to the saintess. Wherever and whenever you wish, you are free to go.”
Huh? Why say something so poetic over a mere trip to the dining hall?
“Um, yeah. I’ll keep that in mind…”
Even though I’ll be gone soon anyway… I nodded politely for now.
Just as I turned to leave quickly for everyone’s sake—
“…Huh?”
Something strange caught my eye.
“Saintess?”
Eirik called after me with concern, but I ignored him and walked straight toward what I’d seen.
The kids at the far end of the long table paled even further as I approached, but I didn’t notice.
“What is… this?”
Standing in front of the children huddled together at the far end of the table, I narrowed my eyes.
