Ch.107The True Saint – 1

I returned with Rosaria, who was visibly disgusted, to the club room. Brunhild headed to the girls’ dormitory with the Dragon Heart that I had reluctantly handed over, saying she needed to check on Aria.

“I certainly did establish that setting for the holy sword. However, I’m not sure if that’s why Equinox cannot interfere with the mortal realm. I never created a setting to explain why the goddess allowed the corruption within the Starlight Order to continue,” Laura said matter-of-factly.

She was confirming that while the goddess of this world, ‘Equinox,’ did indeed melt part of herself to forge the holy sword, she wasn’t certain if that prevented the goddess from interfering with the mortal realm.

“So you’re saying we don’t know if the goddess’s words are true or just an excuse to cover herself?”

“Unfortunately, that’s correct. As I explained, I wrote it on a whim and concluded it when my interest waned. Since I created settings as I went along with the serialization, even I cannot smoothly explain everything. There are bound to be contradictions, and that can’t be helped.”

“Hmm… I see. So that’s where your interests lay.”

Beside me, Rosaria snickered. Laura’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I’ll say this one last time. Stop smirking like that. I’ve repeatedly stated that I have normal preferences and am attracted to men, so what part of that don’t you understand? If you want a fight, I welcome it anytime—don’t just talk, come at me if you dare.”

“No, I’m just fascinated. It’s interesting that someone who claims not to have those preferences wrote a novel featuring Brunhild and Aria as bosom partners.”

“What a vulgar expression that I simply cannot overlook. You’re here now because you’ve read what I wrote, aren’t you? The same goes for Miss Priscilla over there. Looking at it that way, I’m more inclined to question your preferences.”

“…I-I like men too, you know?”

“I’m just fascinated. It’s interesting that someone who claims not to have those preferences read a novel where the protagonist and the hero develop an intimate relationship.”

Having been countered with exactly the same expression she had used, Rosaria fell silent, at a loss for words. I thought she shouldn’t have started a fight she couldn’t win.

While I understand why she might harbor negative feelings toward Laura, who wrote the novel we were dragged into, Laura herself had suffered the most here.

Unless she was the one who possessed the four of us, harboring such resentment was just a pointless emotional drain.

“Both of you, that’s enough. I didn’t gather you here to fight among yourselves. We’re here to discuss how to establish a new religion centered around Rosaria without any issues.”

Laura and Rosaria immediately became docile, as if they had been waiting for someone to intervene. It seemed they were both too proud to back down first, but inwardly they knew continuing would only lead to more hurt.

Priscilla had been quietly snuggling against me for quite some time.

“Rosaria, you too, that’s enough. You know you’re always the one who starts it, right?”

“Ugh. S-sorry. I won’t do it again.”

“Why are you apologizing to me when you weren’t fighting with me?”

“…I’m sorry, Laura.”

“I accept your apology. Be more careful in the future.”

After the apology was settled, Rosaria became noticeably timid. She kept glancing at the empty space beside me, so I tapped it lightly as if to say “come if you want,” and though she hesitated, she quickly moved closer.

In the end, I found myself with Priscilla on my right and Rosaria on my left, stroking their heads, cheeks, and various other parts of their bodies. Laura smirked at the sight.

“You’ve already corrupted two women? I must say, that’s impressive.”

“Be quiet. What corruption? I don’t even know why they’re acting like this. And what about you, Laura? Haven’t you thought about whose clothes you’re wearing right now?”

“Obviously yours. Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten? If so, I’ll gladly keep them as mine forever.”

Her shameless attitude left me speechless.

Laura was currently wearing my school uniform top. She had insisted on taking it despite my protests that it was dirty from fighting, and now she was wearing it herself. It was so ill-fitting that it was practically falling off her shoulders.

She claimed Rosaria had taken her clothes when she was naked, but that was clearly just an excuse—Bellium Academy was a place where spare clothes could easily be obtained if needed.

It was obvious she had no intention of making a proper excuse anyway.

“Sigh. I give up. Let’s continue our discussion. Do you have any ideas?”

“There are always solutions. It’s well known that even as the entire Order became corrupt, the Saint Candidate maintained her purity. So why not have Rosaria personally select new followers who remain untainted?”

“That’s not enough. The most important thing is how to prove and demonstrate faith. Her image is already tarnished—she was bewitched by a succubus and betrayed the Empire. People won’t accept her easily without something substantial.”

“A way to prove faith…”

“Isn’t the fact that I alone still have holy power, while everyone else lost theirs, proof enough?”

Rosaria looked up at me while continuing to intertwine her fingers with mine against my side. Even as she spoke, she showed no intention of unlocking our firmly entwined fingers.

“We need more direct evidence. Something that will be seared into people’s memories. Healing magic won’t work for starters. We need to differentiate from the Starlight Order at minimum.”

“Is that so?”

“With healing magic so widespread now, what good would it do to promote holy healing? We’d be lucky not to get beaten up for suggesting such a thing is still necessary.”

The frontlines, which had temporarily retreated due to the absence of priests and nuns, were rapidly being restored with the participation of mages. There were even occasional reports that efficiency had improved compared to before.

The sick on the streets were also disappearing at a considerable rate.

The mages wouldn’t provide free treatment forever, but at least for now, their actions were helping to stabilize the Empire, which had fallen into chaos due to the succubus.

“We need something that really catches people’s attention.”

Any ordinary justification wouldn’t be enough to rebuild the Order. In fact, many would prefer to use this opportunity—when holy power had disappeared—to eradicate religion altogether.

Though the Emperor and the Mages’ Association were on my side, so that wouldn’t happen, but ultimately it was the common people who mattered. That’s how serious the Starlight Order’s atrocities had been.

“Hmm… this is difficult.”

“Well, I do have one idea. Though it’s more like a trick or deception than actual proof.”

“…What exactly have you thought of that you’re calling it a trick?”

Instead of answering, I brought out a magical communication device. It was something the Mages’ Association had given me, saying I should contact them anytime without hesitation if anything happened. I placed the device on the table and channeled a bit of mana into it.

“What can I do for you, Mira Crate?!”

An immediately booming voice came through, so loud that Priscilla, who had been snuggling against me, opened her eyes wide in surprise.

“It’s nothing major. I just have a concern that’s been bothering me, and if I can’t resolve it, I’ll be too distressed to teach you high-tier healing magic. What should I do?”

“WE’LL SOLVE IT FOR YOU!!!!!! PLEASE! PLEASE TELL US WHAT IT IS!!!!!”

“Could you open the underground prison for me? I have something to do there.”

“Are you certain about this, Your Highness? Just give the order, and we’ll drag them out for you. There’s no need for you to go to such a filthy place.”

“This is something that must be done inside the prison. Besides, the Saint Candidate is with me. With someone who uniquely maintained her holy power during this crisis by my side, there’s nothing to worry about. Must I say it twice?”

“No, Your Highness! Opening the doors now!”

The Royal Guard, who had stiffened and saluted, opened the door to the underground prison. The solid metal door, at least three finger-joints thick, slowly moved to either side.

“Ugh, the smell.”

Rosaria wrinkled her nose and covered it as the terrible stench seeped through the gap. Priscilla and Laura had similar reactions. Only the Royal Guard and I remained impassive.

“The smell is terrible.”

“By order of His Imperial Majesty, those who joined hands with demons to eat away at the Empire from within are not to be treated as humans. Everyone here has gone beyond simply being bewitched by succubi—they actively collaborated with them. Until they receive proper judgment, we’re providing only minimal water and food to prevent them from dying of starvation or weakness.”

“Truly a merciful order.”

“Indeed it is!”

Laura nodded and stepped onto the stairs. The three of us followed, with the Royal Guard bringing up the rear.

From inside, we could hear voices wailing that something was wrong and sobbing pleas to be let out. The sounds grew louder as we descended the stairs.

When we finally reached the true prison, we saw hundreds of nobles confined behind endless iron bars. Every one of them looked nothing like nobles should.

The nobles, who had cowered at the sound of footsteps, hadn’t seen Laura behind the Royal Guard’s shield and began to cling to the bars, pleading desperately.

“Something’s wrong! Let me out of here!”

“Release me first! I’ll give you half my fortune if you just let me go!”

“I shouldn’t be here! There must have been some mistake!”

Rosaria’s expression showed her disgust at their complete lack of dignity. Priscilla also shook her head. Laura, who had been listening to their pleas and threats with a cold expression, stepped forward.

“Silence.”

“By order of His Imperial Highness! Hold your tongues!”

Simultaneously, the Royal Guard stamped the butt of his spear with a loud clang. The entire prison instantly fell silent.

“Those with any grounds for leniency aren’t even here. From this moment, anyone who opens their mouth will face immediate judgment, so be aware.”

When even the slightest noise disappeared, Laura gave a signal with her eyes. We continued walking. Hundreds of pairs of eyes merely watched us, not daring to make a move.

The Royal Guard stopped in front of one cell, and cold blood-red eyes scanned the inside.

“Is this the one?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Bring him out.”

“Yes!”

“Hii, hiiieek!”

A noble man who appeared to be in his forties was dragged out.

According to testimony from the Mages’ Association, not only had he been bewitched by a succubus, but he had also engaged in human trafficking, strictly prohibited by imperial law, to aid the demons.

In other words, he had done to fellow humans what the succubi did—”keeping humans locked up underground and forcing them to have sex to extract vital energy.” The charges were damning enough.

“I-I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Your Highness! Please spare my life! Just my life!”

The man struggled pathetically until he was struck several times by the Royal Guard and finally quieted down. The Royal Guard dragged the now blue-faced man to the center of the underground prison.

In the middle of the wide circular space, a pile of firewood was stacked, with a thick vertical log erected in the center. The man was firmly tied to the log.

“Behold, you dogs of demons. This is the judgment that awaits you.”

Laura said this and stepped back, while Rosaria approached the woodpile. Dressed in a nun’s habit woven from starlight threads and wearing a long veil on her head, she actually looked like a devout nun.

Standing before the woodpile, Rosaria ignored the desperately pleading noble and clasped her hands together. She closed her eyes as if in prayer, holding the red jewel hanging like a necklace on her chest.

—Rumble…

“Huh, what?”

“What is this!”

Immediately, two pillars of light shot down from the sky, shattering the ceiling of the underground prison.

The left side of the man’s body, bathed in golden light, began to blacken and burn. Conversely, his right side, illuminated by blue light, began to freeze over with frost white as ice.

“Aaaaargh! Aaaagh! Aaaaaaaargh!”

Terrible screams erupted from the man who was being burned alive and frozen simultaneously. Everyone in the prison watched this supernatural spectacle in a daze.

“…Amen.”

By the time Rosaria finished her prayer, all that remained was the corpse of the noble in a miserable state—his left side burned to ashes and his right side frozen solid.

To an outsider, it would truly seem like divine punishment from a goddess. The stunned expressions of the nobles were proof of that.

‘That worked well.’

Of course, it’s a trick.

That wasn’t holy power but magic emanating from the red jewel, the Dragon Heart, in Rosaria’s hand.

The Dragon Heart containing my magic.