The Fake Saintess Awaits Her Exit

As I stepped forward on the terrace, I couldn’t help but worry that an arrow-like projectile might come hurtling towards us from a distance.

“But there is no reason for such concerns,” another official assured.

The power of the saint could be wielded in various ways. Among them, the protective barrier, which shielded oneself from external attacks, was the most fundamental manifestation of this power. If there were to be an assault, the saint, armed with her own power, would render weapons such as swords or bows futile in their attempts to harm her.

“But that was a tale from when I truly was Evelina,” she pondered aloud.

Oddly enough, there were no memories in Evelina’s recollection regarding the use of her power. Thus, besides the power that automatically manifested, she still remained unable to utilize any other force. If someone were to attack her now, she would be defenseless.

“Fortunately, the people are oblivious, so there should be no attacks,” she sighed with relief.

Her decision to attend the final ceremony was predicated on that belief.

“I will proceed,” Latvan declared.

The officials received his words, and he returned to my side, extending his hand once again. Some of the officials couldn’t conceal their astonishment at Latvan’s actions. It was an expression that conveyed admiration for Latvan, who remained dedicated to fulfilling his duty even after enduring such humiliation.

Sensing Latvan’s warmth as his hand touched mine again, I instinctively took a half-step back.

“It would be best to keep some distance,” I suggested.

Upon hearing my words, Latvan briefly glanced at me.

“Should I step back a little more?” he queried.

In that moment, as I considered taking a further step back, he took hold of my hand and pulled me towards him. Consequently, I found myself unable to increase the distance between us, and we walked side by side.

***

“Oh, holy maiden! Oh, holy maiden! Please bestow upon us your divine blessing!”

“It took me two whole months to come here! I’ve been waiting for this Sunday in front of the temple, barely able to make my way forward. Please, offer a prayer of blessing for my child!”

As we descended to the central square, the cries of the people resounded in my ears like thunder. Despite the knights and guards desperately trying to hold them back, it seemed futile to stop the overwhelming crowd that approached with an eerie intensity as soon as they caught sight of the holy maiden.

In such a situation, Latvan ordered the knights surrounding me to reinforce the security. Promptly, the knights, who had seemed fatigued just moments ago, responded with vigor and successfully held off the approaching throng with unwavering tension. Thanks to them, a narrow path was created, allowing us to pass.

As we began to walk along this path, the people reached out their hands through the gaps between the knights, once again shouting their prayers for blessings. As I hesitated upon seeing those hands, a priest who had been walking ahead approached and whispered quietly.

“If you wish, we can prepare for you to walk through as we did last year. For them, merely catching a glimpse of the holy maiden is considered the greatest honor in life…”

“No.”

It was not that I didn’t want to reach out. On the contrary, I was contemplating how I could reach as many people as possible.

Among the people reaching out their hands toward me, many were afflicted with severe illnesses. The sacred power could heal wounds and toxins, but it could only temporarily improve the condition of an illness and never completely cure it. Especially those illnesses that come with old age. It was said that one could not resist what nature inevitably brought forth according to the divine order. Yet, despite knowing this fact, people still clung to hope.

Memories of my sister, who had been in the hospital bed next to me, came to mind.

“My illness cannot be cured.”

Nonchalantly, my sister sent a mail to the radio show she always listened to. Perhaps she had been unlucky. She sent dozens of emails, yet her story never came through. But then, finally, her story was introduced. At that moment, my usually listless sister listened to the radio with sparkling eyes and a face flushed with excitement.

“You’re currently undergoing treatment. Someday, you’ll be able to overcome it all and stand up.”

Looking back now, it wasn’t particularly remarkable. However, my sister kept replaying the recorded voice of the DJ over and over again. Even until the moment she entered the intensive care unit, she wore a smile.

That radio show couldn’t cure her illness, but it gave her hope and a sense of peace.

I lifted my head. I could see hands reaching out to me.

“If I can bring them that kind of serenity, even if I’m not a true holy maiden.”

Then I can grasp it, no matter what. Thinking that way, as I approached, the line suddenly collapsed, and someone fell to the ground, causing my hood to slip off. The people nearby let out short screams and stepped back as they saw the face of an elderly man, his face lined with countless unknown sores. The old man looked at me and prostrated himself.

“Oh, holy maiden! Please offer a prayer of blessing for me!”

Looking at the old man, I turned to Latvan and spoke.

“Commander Latvan, could you bring that person to me?”

Judging from the situation, if I were to approach him directly, more people would crowd around, causing a disturbance. Latvan, realizing that there was no one else suitable to call, turned his body.

And then…