The Saint of Another World – 2

-Swish, swish

The barber made a pleasant sound with his scissors.

With each busy movement of his hands, my untidy, overgrown hair fell to the floor.

“…”

It was quite amusing to watch myself change in real-time through the mirror in front of me.

I hadn’t realized it when I was dressed in rags, but my facial features were refined, and my body was underdeveloped.

It was the opposite of my previous dimension, where I had strong features and a sturdy physique from training.

I even had the useless thought, ‘If I had paid a little more attention to my appearance, I might not have ended up on the execution stand.’

“Please make it a little shorter.”

The barber paused when I said that the hair falling below my ears was uncomfortable.

“Um… S- Saint. Wouldn’t it be undignified if it’s too short?”

The barber hesitated and asked me back.

I found it hard to agree that hair length represented dignity, unless it was a bizarre shape.

“It’s alright. Please cut it.”

I replied with a slight smile, and only then did the barber put the scissors to my hair again.

-Swish, swish

I heard the sound of hair being cut again and closed my eyes.

What awaits me after I get my hair cut and my beard shaved?

The sword that the Pope gave me. It shone brightly when I drew it.

I don’t know for sure, but it must be a sword that proves I am the Saint.

Of course, I don’t think of myself as the Saint…

But since that’s how the system of this world works, there’s no need to argue.

For at least a week, even if I lack common sense in this place, I will have the shield of ‘the Saint proven by the sword.’

So, what should I do during those seven days?

Of course, I need to learn about the religion I’m involved in.

Who is the god this religion believes in, what is the ultimate goal of the believers, what is the content of the Bible…?

I don’t have to memorize it all, but I need to know the important parts.

“Is the hairstyle alright?”

A voice filled with doubt came from behind, and I responded with a small nod.

The barber brushed off the hair on my neck with a brush and tilted the chair back.

“How would you like your beard?”

“Please shave it all off neatly.”

“If you do that… Yes, I understand.”

He seemed to want to add something, but I closed my eyes to answer instead.

I heard the sound of the razor being sharpened on a leather belt, and then the barber skillfully removed my beard.

“Saint.”

While I was getting a shave, the Priest who was attending to me called me.

I moved my arm slightly to indicate that I was listening, and seeing this, he told me about the next schedule.

“After the shave is finished and you are dressed, we will return to the Grand Cathedral.”

There again? Is there more to verify?

“We will select people to assist the Saint so that the Saint will not be inconvenienced while staying here.”

After the shave was finished and I was dressed, I followed the Priest’s guidance and returned to the Grand Cathedral.

While crossing the well-kept garden, the Priest began to explain things to me.

“Originally, when a VIP came to the Holy Nation, it was the rule that the Bishops would assign people to guide the guests.”

“However, the Pope believed that it was inappropriate to treat the Saint as a mere VIP, and it was decided that the Saint would directly choose the people they liked as their attendants.”

He finished speaking and then looked at me, gauging my reaction.

It seemed like he was checking how I would react.

Hmm…

What, I thought it was just about choosing attendants, but are they testing me?

If I fail to choose suitable attendants, will they say I’m not the Saint and chop off my head!

Tension gripped my body.

Ah, if I mess this up, I’m dead…

Back at the Grand Cathedral.

I stand on the platform of the Grand Cathedral, where the Bishops, Holy Knights, and Inquisitors are gathered.

Next to me, the Pope smiles kindly and explains the Bishops, Holy Knights, and Inquisitors.

The Bishops play a central role in all decision-making in this Holy Nation.

In terms of national institutions, they are in charge of administration, legislation, and justice.

The Holy Knights are responsible for defending against attacks from outside the Holy Nation.

You could say they are the military.

The Inquisitors are responsible for catching those inside the Holy Nation.

Are the Inquisitors like the police?

The Pope described these three groups as the head, torso, and limbs, respectively.

If this is a kind of hint…

Who should I, the Saint, choose as my attendants?

Let’s think simply.

What is a Saint?

Well, the definition varies from dimension to dimension…

There is a commonality among people who are revered as saints.

That is, they are moral.

Of course, if you ask, ‘What is morality?’ it would require a long debate that would be difficult to explain in a single book…

What I mean is the general concept of ‘morality.’

Caring for neighbors, being frugal, and not getting angry easily.

Based on this, how should the Saint act here?

Yes, I must show a frugal appearance. In professional terms, pro-commoner.

Choosing the person of the lowest rank seems to be the right answer.

Then, it would be right to choose one of the Inquisitors.

I turn my eyes to the Inquisitors, who are holding their breath and looking at me.

Everyone looked very nervous.

“…”

While scanning the densely packed people, I met the eyes of a familiar woman.

Ah, that woman… is the woman who was closest to me when I first came here.

And the woman who led me to the Grand Cathedral.

Realizing that I was looking at her, the woman lowered her gaze.

I slowly raised my hand and pointed to the woman.

“I will choose the person over there.”

“…I understand. As the Saint wishes.”

While the woman who was pointed out turned her head from side to side in confusion, the Pope nodded.

Since the Pope isn’t saying anything, I must have chosen the right answer.