This Kingdom Needs a Coup

The world is vast and civilizations abound, but wherever you go, the way people live is the same.

The high and mighty strut around, the lower classes grovel and get exploited, and the rulers infringe on national and public interests for their own gain.

Clearly wrong, yet corruption and injustice overflow without end. Whether it’s 21st-century Earth or this fantasy world, it’s all the same.

And unfortunately.

The Setnil Holy Kingdom, a theocratic nation that prides itself on being closest to the goddess, was no exception.

“Waaaah!!”

“Saintess!! Please look this way just once!”

“Bestow your miracle upon us! Please, take pity on us and grant even a simple blessing!”

The commoners cheer and rejoice, repeatedly calling out the title of one person.

However, despite their enthusiasm, the gaze of the one they cheer for does not turn toward them. No, it couldn’t.

Her eyes and hands were too busy treating the “guests” right in front of her.

“Lord, may your power heal the foolish children of this land….[Absolute Cure]. That should do it.”

“Thank you, Saintess. As expected, one chosen by the goddess is truly different.”

“You’re welcome. Please take care on your way back.”

She smiled politely at someone who clearly looked like they had lived a life of luxury.

To someone who seemed like they would drip wealth just by walking and spend a commoner’s yearly food budget on a single meal.

She tried to hide her feelings and put on a business smile, but for some reason, they took it the wrong way and clung to her.

“If it’s alright, would you like to have a meal together? The chef I recently hired is quite skilled—”

“I’m sorry, but the Saintess is very busy. If the treatment is over, please return quietly.”

“I wasn’t talking to you. Don’t interrupt my conversation with the Saintess!”

“Didn’t you agree to this when you came to the Holy Kingdom? Private contact outside of treatment is strictly prohibited. Please don’t cause any trouble and return.”

Thanks to the timely intervention of the guards, they couldn’t lay a hand on her.

But still, they couldn’t calm down and continued to throw a tantrum.

“If you continue to disobey orders….we will have no choice but to take drastic measures. Surely, you don’t want to be permanently banned from entering the Holy Kingdom, do you?”

“….Tch. Annoying.”

Finally, with the intervention of nearby soldiers, the situation was barely resolved.

Unable to outright refuse, she was left in an awkward position but could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“Thank you. You saved me.”

“Not at all.”

The guard answered bluntly and returned to his post.

Helping, but with an attitude that clearly said he wouldn’t get involved.

Having seen this attitude for years since becoming the Saintess, she wasn’t particularly surprised. She swallowed her bitterness and focused on her work again.

“Please tell the next person to come in. Whose turn is it this time?”

“It’s Marquis Arkanon from Ormela.”

“Ah, I’ve seen him a few times before. For lung cancer and syphilis treatment.”

Like a doctor seeing patients in a clinic.

In her prayer room and treatment room, she attended to the “guests” who came in one by one.

Listening to where it hurt, examining the affected area with divine power, explaining the condition, and performing healing miracles.

Following a sequence she had repeated tens of thousands of times, she attended to high-ranking guests from all over the world for hours.

Her legs ached from standing for so long, and her hands tingled from using miracles until the overflowing queue finally disappeared.

“You’ve worked hard, Saintess. That’s all for today.”

“I’m tired. Could you prepare the carriage for me to return?”

“I’ve already called for it, so it should arrive soon.”

“Yes…..”

The brief moment of freedom between finishing treatment and returning home.

The only time in the day when she could relax and feel free.

Lately, even that was getting shorter, leaving her frustrated.

“Then, excuse me for a moment.”

–Click.

The guards and secretaries, who also acted as monitors, left.

Left alone in the treatment room for a moment, the Saintess stretched, feeling a slight sense of liberation.

“Unyuung…..”

The warm afternoon sun gently shone through the window, warming her pure white nun’s habit and soothing her tired body.

“Haa.”

But even as she felt comfort, her heart was deeply unsettled.

Because of the people gathered outside.

“Saintess…..”

“Mom, do we have to stay here? I’m hungry.”

“Just bear with it a little longer. Once our youngest gets treated, we can go back. Okay?”

The people of faith, unable to enter the treatment room, gathered nearby to beg for mercy.

People who couldn’t afford the high costs even by noble standards, begging for even a small blessing.

The Saintess’s true duty was to bestow divine miracles upon all, but these people were excluded.

Instead, they paid taxes for the treatment fees of the high and mighty, even being exploited of their rightful due.

‘How long must this go on?’

This is not the world the goddess desires.

Surely, she wished for everyone to receive her grace and be grateful.

Why, even with the qualifications of a Saintess, is her true duty being restricted?

‘Maybe just for a moment, it’ll be okay.’

Unable to bear the frustration, she quietly opened the window and gestured for the people outside to come closer.

“Huh? Saintess?”

“Shh! Don’t let them hear you!”

Holding the hands of the commoners through the window, she bestowed miracles upon each one.

Enduring the pain in her legs and the soreness in her muscles.

If not now, there would be no chance, so she ignored her discomfort and tried to share as many miracles as possible.

“Thank you, Saintess! I will never forget this kindness!”

“Your voice is too loud! Go home before they notice. Don’t tell anyone about this.”

“Ah, understood. Then, goodbye.”

The divine realm bestowed by the goddess was infinite. As long as her stamina held, she could heal as many as she wanted.

Overworking might make tomorrow harder, but….it didn’t matter.

Saving those in front of her came first. There was no time to think twice when lives could be saved.

With such saintly compassion and determination, she did her best.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Unfortunately, those who managed her were far from compassionate.

“His Holiness has told you repeatedly not to use divine power recklessly! Why are you disobeying orders?”

“L-Let go of me! I am the Saintess!”

“What are you all doing? Take her to the carriage immediately! And call the workers to seal all the windows.”

“Yes!”

The healing power she was about to bestow upon the red-faced baby scattered without bearing fruit.

The rough hands pulling her back left the mother holding the baby in shock.

“S-Saintess!”

“I’m sorry. I wanted to help you too….”

With both arms restrained, the Saintess was thrown into the waiting carriage. Without any courtesy or respect.

That was the last glimpse of the outside world she would see for the next week.

* * * * *

Returning to the Holy Emperor’s Palace like a criminal being escorted, the Holy Emperor was waiting for her.

“You’ve returned, Saintess.”

“Your Holiness, this is—”

–Slap!

She tried to argue against this oppression, but her words were cut short.

The Holy Emperor slapped her restrained cheek.

“How many times have I told you? Don’t act recklessly. Don’t make your own judgments. Obey and follow orders. Did my words mean nothing to you?”

“…..That’s not it.”

“I don’t want to hear it. Shut up.”

–Slap!

Another slap followed.

In the same spot, with all his strength.

Like venting his frustration, he wielded violence unilaterally.

Without a chance to argue or apologize, the one-sided assault continued.

Until her blood vessels burst and her mouth was ruined, bleeding profusely, the beating finally stopped.

“Kuh! Kheu….”

“Hoo, Saintess. Listen carefully.”

The Holy Emperor grabbed her slumped hair and lifted her head.

“Your divine power is a precious asset of the Holy Kingdom. It must not be wasted or squandered recklessly. You must not waste it on worthless commoners.”

Even though there was no limit, and it would recover after a few days of rest, the Holy Emperor boldly spouted nonsense.

“The power bestowed by the goddess must be used sparingly. As something unparalleled in the world, it must be used with corresponding value. From now on, do not waste it with thoughts of charity. That is akin to heresy against me and the goddess. Do you understand?”

“……”

“Did you hear me? Do you understand?”

Finally, the Saintess muttered briefly.

“Y-Yes. I understand.”

“Good. The Saintess is quick to catch on.”

The Holy Emperor smiled and clapped, then changed the subject.

“Now, it’s time for the sacred blood transfusion. Shall we prepare your arm?”

At his command, servants brought forth a luxurious glass, a sharp knife, and a funnel.

All to draw the sacred blood of the Saintess.

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