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I was well aware of the rumors surrounding the “Saint of the Countryside.” These stories, which began near the border, had spread all the way to the capital, and even the servants at the Elpinard estate would gather in small groups to gossip about them. Though these rumors often included slander and criticism directed at the Saintess, the widespread nature of the tales made it impossible for me not to hear them.

Axel had dismissed the “Saint of the Countryside” as a fraud, likely put forward by Regennetasia in collusion with the former emperor. 

‘But the miracles attributed to this so-called saint were too numerous to ignore,’ I thought. Even if I didn’t know exactly how they were achieved, the fact that so many people believed in them suggested there might be some truth behind the stories.

“So the prophecy mentions the ‘Saint of the Countryside’? That’s suddenly making me more suspicious… Doesn’t it all seem a little too convenient?” I furrowed my brow, my skepticism clear. Bael responded with a gentle smile.

“A Saintess who doubts the prophecy of God? At times like this, shouldn’t you be rejoicing that the prophecy is coming to fruition so perfectly?” he teased.

“It’s precisely because the timing is so perfect that I’m concerned,” I countered. It was only after we obtained the translated prophecy book that this so-called saint had appeared. It was too coincidental not to be suspicious.

But Bael, ever the devout cardinal, seemed to see things differently. “Divine prophecies are always perfectly timed.”

His words carried a deep sense of loyalty and trust in the divine. “And the translated prophecy book bore no trace of malice. The late Pope himself was certain of that,” Bael added, crossing himself as he looked at the peacefully resting Pope in the coffin. The certainty in Bael’s voice, and the fact that the Pope himself had been confident, eased some of the doubts that had lodged in my heart.

“So, what does the prophecy actually say? Does it confirm that this ‘Saint of the Countryside’ is truly chosen by God?”

“Of course not.” Bael sighed deeply and shook his head. “The prophecy describes this figure as someone who uses deceit to masquerade as holy, a false saint who is actually an apostle of a returning calamity.”

“An apostle of a returning calamity?” I repeated, stunned. While I had suspected that the “Saint of the Countryside” might not be a true saint, I hadn’t expected such a dire connection. The idea that this person could be linked to some future catastrophe felt like something out of a well-crafted novel, a foreshadowing of dark events to come.

Seeing my hesitation, Bael offered a reassuring smile. “The prophecy book is written in the archaic language still used by the Church. It would be difficult for you to read it on your own. I’ll bring the book to the Elpinard estate tonight and go over it with you.”

Over the centuries, as mountains and fields changed, so too did the languages of this world. But the central Church maintained that the old language was closest to the words of God, and so they continued to use it. While the archaic language wasn’t vastly different from the common tongue spoken by ordinary people, it was distinct enough that someone unfamiliar with it could only grasp the general meaning of the Church’s official documents.

However, to understand every word perfectly without missing a single detail, I would need some help. I lifted my chin proudly.

“Are you underestimating me? I learned the archaic language at the Ivory Tower too, you know.”

“Hmm… If I remember correctly, you weren’t exactly the most enthusiastic student, were you?” Bael teased.

“Ugh…” I couldn’t refute that, so I averted my eyes, making Bael chuckle softly.

“But I didn’t completely ignore my studies!” I quickly protested, trying to salvage my pride. Bael gently patted my shoulder, his touch kind and reassuring.

“Of course, of course,” he said, though his expression clearly showed he didn’t fully believe me. But I couldn’t blame him—my reputation had been built over years, after all. Still, having Bael go through the prophecy book with me would be much quicker and more accurate than trying to decipher it on my own.

‘But…’ I glanced at the coffin and then back at Bael, assessing his condition. “Are you sure you’re okay leaving His Holiness’s side?”

“His Holiness would want me to stay busy and not delay my duties. That’s the kind of person he was,” Bael replied with a small, fond smile.

“In that case…” There was no reason to refuse his help. As I nodded, another thought suddenly crossed my mind. “Oh, by the way, would it be okay if I invite someone else to join us when we review the prophecy book?”

“If you mean Axel, then of course he should be there,” Bael answered, assuming I was talking about Axel.

“He’s a given,” I said, waving my hand dismissively as if it were obvious. Bael tilted his head, clearly unsure who else I might be thinking of.

“I was thinking it might be good to have Eugene and Leonid join us too. They were the top two students at the Ivory Tower, after all.”

“Is that your ‘intuition’ speaking?” Bael asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Intuition…?” I closed my eyes and stroked my chin thoughtfully. While my suggestion wasn’t purely based on intuition, the strong positive feeling I got from my instincts—instincts that had always guided me correctly—was undeniable.

“Yeah, it’s intuition!” I confirmed with confidence.

“If it’s intuition granted by the gods, then as an *Illead*, I cannot *Mahat* it,” Bael replied, using the archaic terms for “priest” and “refuse.”

“Right, right. As a priest, you can’t refuse,” I said, simplifying the translation. Bael’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.

“Well, well. It seems you haven’t completely neglected your studies after all,” he remarked, still amazed.

“Is that really so shocking?”

“To me, it is,” he answered without missing a beat, making me pout slightly.

“Seeing you have the energy to tease me like this is a relief. I thought you’d be more heartbroken,” I admitted.

“For a priest, death isn’t a tragedy. It means fulfilling one’s mission and finally reaching Heaven,” Bael replied, making the sign of the cross with unwavering faith. There wasn’t a trace of doubt in his expression.

* * *

“…I still find that kind of thinking so fascinating.”

“Even though you received a new life through God’s blessing, Reshia?”

I wasn’t entirely sure what Bael meant by this ‘new life.’ Was it that I was granted another chance to live after death, thanks to divine grace? Or perhaps he meant that, as an orphan abandoned on the streets, becoming a recognized Saintess and the adopted daughter of a ducal family was a new life in itself.

Regardless of what Bael intended, my answer remained the same.

“Blessing? It feels more like I’ve been swindled.”

Not only was reincarnation not free, but now, as a Saintess, I had to deal with all sorts of malicious people…

*If this isn’t a scam, then what is?*

Bael chuckled as he watched me grumble.

“Still, thanks to that ‘scam,’ you got to meet me again. And our other friends too. When you think about it that way, it’s not all bad, right?”

Ever the positive thinker, just like a true priest, Bael glanced over my shoulder as he spoke. Following his gaze, I saw Axel gesturing for me to come over.

“The mourners are starting to arrive. Let’s slip out before it gets too crowded.”

“Okay!”

Responding energetically to Axel’s words, I reminded Bael of our meeting tonight.

“I’ll be waiting, Bael.”

“Yes. See you soon, Reshia.”

* * *

Even after returning to the estate, I didn’t change out of my black dress.

*After all, I’m still a Saintess.*

Considering Bael’s reputation and honor, it seemed appropriate to wear mourning clothes throughout the duration of the final pilgrimage.

Having made that decision, I sat down on the sofa and suddenly felt dissatisfied with the situation.

*If I’m recognized as a Saintess, shouldn’t I at least have some abilities? Regular Saintesses aren’t like this, are they?*

Until now, I hadn’t given it much thought, not particularly wanting to flaunt my status as a Saintess. But with a rival ‘Saint’ appearing, I couldn’t afford to fall behind like this.

If I lost to that so-called Saint, who was clearly just a pawn of the former emperor, it wouldn’t just be troublesome for me but would also make things difficult for Bael and Kirke.

Determined, I jumped up from my seat and connected to the long-unused hotline.

“Serlus! Come out!”

[“You called, dear subscriber! I am the messenger of the gods…”]

As if he’d completely forgotten my previous warnings, Serlus began his usual lengthy self-introduction. Covering my ears, I cut him off and quickly blurted out what I needed.

“I’m a Saintess, so why don’t I have any abilities? Regular Saintesses aren’t like this!”

[“Ah, dear subscriber! So that’s what’s been bothering you! To ensure a smooth Saintess experience, Heaven provides various products through the Heaven Market!”]

“Products… you say?”

So, to properly use the powers of a Saintess, I have to pay?

“This is just… unbelievable!”

I was utterly flabbergasted.

* * *