Continuing from the POV of Newbie Saint Nina.
I was the Newbie Saint, Nina.
After managing to secure an audience with the supreme leader of the Selene Sect, the "Lady Shrine Maiden of the Goddess," she had assigned me a trial.
That trial was simple in name: to offer prayers to the Goddess.
I was moved from the Chamber of the Shrine Maiden to the interior of the tower of the Goddess, where I was left alone to pray before a great statue of the deity.
"O Goddess of Light Selene, who watches over us from the heavens, and the Light Angel who protects the Goddess..."
One might think that simply praying would be easy, but unfortunately, it was far more demanding than that.
Incredibly, I was required to pray before the statue for three whole days without a wink of sleep!
To make matters worse, it wasn't just a matter of three days and nights of prayer; it was a fiendish ordeal where I had to constantly manifest Light Magic the entire time.
"……Haa. I wonder how many times I’ve repeated this prayer now."
My sense of time had already become paralyzed. Inside that enclosed room, I had no way of knowing what day it was or what hour had passed.
While praying to the Goddess was all well and good, I couldn't help but wonder why I had to do it for three days straight without rest.
Of course, I knew the reason. I was well aware that this was the formal ritual to become an official Saint. It was a ceremony established because the First Saint Nemea had once prayed for three days and nights to receive divine power from the Goddess of Light Selene. I understood that perfectly.
Even so, wasn't this a bit too much?
The only saving grace was the feeling that my voice might actually be reaching the Goddess. This was, after all, a celestial space on the 100th floor of the tower of the Goddess. Being so close to the very top—where the Goddess was said to reside—I felt that she might truly be listening to me even now.
"I can’t… any more…… my eyes won’t stay open…… and my magic power ran dry ages ago…… I’ve truly… reached my limit……"
As I hovered on the absolute brink of consciousness, my mind somehow became strangely sharp, a stark contrast to my leaden, sluggish body.
Meeting the Shrine Maiden felt like a memory from a lifetime ago. To be honest, I had been so nervous that I didn't clearly remember what we had even talked about. She was a true being of the heavens; it was only natural that I had been overwhelmed.
—The Shrine Maiden seemed so dignified, yet she was roughly the same age as me. That was simply incredible.
According to His Holiness the Pope, the title of "Shrine Maiden of the Goddess" was hereditary. The position had been established after the passing of the First Saint Nemea to choose a successor from the Saints of that era to support the Goddess.
For a thousand years, the role had been passed down to the most capable Saint in the Kingdom of Myrte Holy Light. The current Shrine Maiden had apparently succeeded to the name six years ago.
Six years ago… that was exactly when Lady Iris had passed away. Despite looking my age, she had been recognized for her power since she was a child. In that regard, she was just like Lady Iris.
Furthermore, this "Shrine Maiden of the Goddess" was one of the world's most powerful practitioners of Light Recovery Magic. Now that Lady Iris was gone, there was no one else in this vast world to turn to for the ultimate form of healing.
However, the Shrine Maiden was so exalted that her very existence was kept secret from the common folk. I had only learned of her because the Holy Mother had whispered the secret to me just before I left the Kingdom of Gardenia. Most followers of the Selene Sect—and even their enemies in the Demon King's Army and the Witches—didn't even know she existed.
And yet, the Witch Queen had used her status as an Imperial consort to seek healing from her. At least, that was what I thought. But as I continued my prayer before the statue, a doubt surfaced.
—Was that Third Consort of the Empire, Lady Hakanaki, really the Witch Queen?
Lately, I had begun to suspect she might have been the actual Imperial consort after all. After all, the Holy Capital was protected by the Holy Magic Barrier (Dämonenwand)!
That sacred barrier, created by the First Saint Nemea, was a powerful force that repelled and obliterated anything associated with "evil." It destroyed the Demon Race, monsters, and even Witches. Therefore, it should have been impossible for the Witch Queen to set foot in the Holy Capital.
Following that logic, Lady Hakanaki wasn't the Queen, but merely a victim who happened to be parasitized by the same Mistletoe. But was that even possible? I couldn't imagine there was another person in this world being eaten away by the exact same plant Lady Iris had used on the Witch Queen.
Unless, of course, the Witch Queen had somehow transferred the Mistletoe to someone else.
Ugh, I didn't know! Who was that woman who looked just like the Witch Queen?
—Ah, thinking about all this was making me so very sleepy. I was in the middle of a ritual, but surely… just a little bit wouldn't hurt……
Falling asleep in front of the statue would be incredibly disrespectful. So, I decided to slip out of the Prayer Chamber and take a rest behind a convenient pillar in the hallway. I had been told never to leave the room, but just for a moment… it should be… fine……
"Munya munya..."
"I wonder how much the Goddess will favor this Saint. I don’t expect another Saint Iris, but I hope she receives at least more protection than Saint Zelma."
I heard a voice from somewhere. The tone was like that of an elderly person, but the voice itself was that of a young woman. Who was it…? Wait, what was I doing again…?
—Could it be…… I fell asleep!?
That was right. I had collapsed from exhaustion in the middle of my prayers. This was terrible. I was in the middle of a sacred ritual!
Fortunately, thanks to my hiding spot, it didn't seem like anyone had noticed me. That was a close one……
Just as I felt a wave of relief, I heard a voice from the other side of the pillar I was leaning against.
"At a glance, Nina is inferior even to Saint Zelma. Her skill is no different from the rest of the nameless apprentice saints, making it far too early for her official appointment. However, by my reckoning, Nina possesses a single, brilliant spark of talent."
Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked out from the shadow of the pillar. There stood a girl draped in golden ritual robes, wearing a radiant miter.
—It was the "Shrine Maiden of the Goddess"!
"Konrad, what do you think?"
The Shrine Maiden addressed someone beside her. I was stunned. Only those of the Pope’s rank were permitted in the upper levels of this tower. That meant whoever was with her was just as important.
Furthermore, the name she had called out—Konrad—belonged to a hero who was the second most famous person in the Holy Capital after the Pope himself.
"Cough, cough…… To me, Saint Nina looks like nothing more than a darling girl. She’s about the same age as my great-great-granddaughter, after all."
That man was the Holy Knight Konrad. He was a trembling old knight who looked like a withered branch, rumored to be over 120 years old.
The reason such an old man was as famous as the Pope was because he was the twin brother of the Hero from a century ago. He was a living legend who had fought the Demon King's Army for over a hundred years. He was also the very person who had received the Golden Feather Robe from the woman suspected to be the Witch Queen.
"Konrad, it seems your eyes have finally clouded over. Saint Nina is quite an interesting girl. After all, she managed to sneak out of her prayer ritual just to take a nap right here..."
—Eeeeh!?
Wait, did she just say... she knew I was sleeping here!?
Feeling like my heart was about to explode, I reflexively leaped out from behind the pillar and threw myself down before her.
"I-I am so sorryyyyy!! I snuck out of the ritual and actually fell asleep…… P-please, forgive me……!"
I might have been crying. I had done something so incredibly stupid. Even if it was just a moment of temptation, falling asleep during such a vital ritual was a blunder so great I couldn't complain if they took my head for it.
"Saint Nina, raise your face. You didn't seem to notice, but you have long since completed the three-day ritual. When I came to deliver the news and saw you sleeping behind the pillar, I simply couldn't resist a bit of playfulness. Forgive me."
The way the Shrine Maiden teased me made her seem like an ordinary girl her age. And yet, her way of speaking was like that of a grandfather. My confusion must have been written all over my face, because she let out a small giggle.
"Ah, this way of speaking? You’re the first one I’ve revealed this to since Saint Iris."
When we had met in her chamber the other day, she hadn't spoken like this at all. Since she served the Goddess, I supposed she had her reasons.
"I only meet most Saints once, so I make a point to use elegant language. Don't go telling anyone I speak like this, understood?"
I didn't really understand, but I nodded as hard as I could. It felt like I had seen something I shouldn't have seen regarding the most important person in the world. And yet, I couldn't help but feel a sense of closeness to her.
She felt like a human being, just like me. Despite being the Shrine Maiden of the Goddess, her heart was that of a normal girl. That sense of kinship gave me the courage to consult her about the thing that had been haunting me.
"Forgive me, this is very difficult to bring up…… but that Third Consort of the Empire might not be human. I believe she is a Witch…… possibly even their leader, the Witch Queen."
"You mean that woman? Of course. I am well aware."
The Shrine Maiden knew her true identity. I was shocked. If she knew, then why did she heal her? Why did she let her go in silence?
The Shrine Maiden smiled and spoke to me.
"I used her. It was to recover the 'Goddess’s Feather Robe' that was stolen by that loathsome Demonic Dragon five hundred years ago—and to ensure that hated Witch Queen is erased from this world."
Five hundred years ago… that was the height of the Demon King's Army's invasion. I remembered from my history lessons that most of the continent had been destroyed and humanity had been on the verge of extinction. The Demon King himself had taken the front lines, and every nation except the Kingdom of Gardenia and the Kingdom of Myrte Holy Light had fallen. The Holy Capital had been on the brink of collapse, but the Hero of Gardenia and the Saint of Myrte Holy Light had saved humanity from the end.
"It was a terrible time. Especially having the feather robe—as precious as the Holy Sword—stolen away…… Still, we were lucky it was never used for evil."
"Lady Shrine Maiden, please stop teasing me. You speak as if you were actually there. I’ve studied my history; I know how hard those times were."
"What a studious girl. I simply meant that is how the legends go. Keep up with your studies."
The Shrine Maiden, her eyes kind like a grandmother's, walked up to me and leaned in, peering into my eyes.
"Nina, you should understand because you saw that robe with your own eyes. After all, you possess the 【Goddess's Holy Eye】, just as Saint Iris did."
"The Goddess's… Holy Eye…?"
"The power to see Light Magic. It is an extraordinary gift that even allows one to see the Goddess's Aura of Light. Of all the people living today, the only one with that power was Saint Iris…… but since she is gone, you are the only one left."
Lady Iris had once told me I had "special eyes." To think it was actually such a magnificent power……
"Those born in the Kingdom of Gardenia tend to inherit a Saint’s power quite strongly. If you trace your lineage, Nina, you might even carry the blood of the First Saint."
Suddenly, a warmth enveloped my body. I realized the Shrine Maiden was hugging me when she started gently patting my head.
"My lovely Saint. I look forward to your service to the Selene Sect."
After that, we moved back into the Prayer Chamber. As I offered the final prayer before the statue alongside the Shrine Maiden, I felt a strange surge of power from deep within. it reminded me of the day I first awakened to Light Magic as a small child.
"It seems the Goddess has taken a liking to you. Do your best so that you don't lose to Saint Zelma."
As the Shrine Maiden patted my head again, I decided to ask the other thing on my mind.
"Lady Shrine Maiden…… if that consort was the real Witch Queen, how did she cross the Holy Magic Barrier (Dämonenwand)?"
"This is a secret, but that 'Goddess’s Feather Robe' has the property of bypassing the Holy Magic Barrier (Dämonenwand). That is how the Witch Queen Kirke was able to enter. While the robe was missing, I feared the Demon Race or Witches might invade the capital without our knowledge. Now that it’s back, I can breathe easy."
She explained that she had played along with the Queen’s proposal just to get the robe back. It had been the secret, long-standing ambition of the Selene Sect.
"But is it really alright? To let the Witch Queen go when she was right here……"
"I have no intention of letting her escape. My long-standing nemesis walked right into my hands. She is weakened, making this the perfect opportunity to end her. I’ve already marked her with Light Detection Magic; I can track her every move and dispose of her whenever I wish."
The Shrine Maiden’s cheeks relaxed into a smile that seemed to radiate pure amusement.
"The Witch Queen has always worn the mask of a person in power throughout the ages. She was elusive, a shapeshifter. Finding her was always the hardest part, but now she’s gone and grown plants on her face to serve as a landmark. It’s been a long time since my heart danced like this."
The Shrine Maiden beckoned to the old knight, Lord Konrad. As he approached, she gave her order quietly.
"I guaranteed her safety while she was within the Kingdom of Myrte Holy Light, but once she leaves, her life is forfeit. Capture her at sea and use her as a bargaining chip against the Demon King's Army."
"Cough, cough…… My Lady, who shall we send to pursue the Queen?"
"Let’s ask him. He was already planning to head south. Tell him to bring the hammer down on that loathsome Witch Queen on his way out."
The Shrine Maiden spoke of the Witch Queen’s death with such delight. In that moment, an aura of malevolence poured from her that made it impossible to see her as a girl my age.
"I can’t wait to snap that Witch Queen’s neck with my own two hands. What kind of melody will the snapping of her bones play, I wonder? Heh, something to look forward to in my golden years…… Now then, I really must thank the benefactor who cursed that hateful woman with those plants. Who was it again, Konrad?"
"Cough, cough…… The reports say it was a monster in the Tower City known as the Crimson Flower Princess Alraune."
—Thump!
My heart gave a violent lurch. Hearing the Shrine Maiden talk about Lady Iris felt terrifying. Unconsciously, my hand went to the black water bottle I always carried.
—Gulp, gulp.
Pwah.
Lady Iris's Saint Nectar really was the best! The moment I drank it, my anxiety vanished and my mind stabilized.
"N-Nina…… t-tell me. What on earth… is in that water bottle!?"
I looked up to find the Shrine Maiden staring at me, her mouth hanging open in shock. Her voice was actually trembling. What was wrong?
"That radiance of Light Magic…… it’s just like an Elixir. Why does a Newbie Saint have the Kingdom of Myrte Holy Light’s secret Elixir?"
"Elixir? You’re joking. This is just Saint Nectar."
"S-Saint Nectar? Don't be absurd…… No matter how you look at it, that is the Legendary Divine Medicine Elixir created by the Goddess Selene!"
The air in the room suddenly turned freezing cold. It felt like I had done something very wrong.
"Lady Shrine Maiden, please, wait. This is just nectar…… sweet flower nectar."
"See?" I said, licking a drop from the bottle.
Watching the nectar drip, the Shrine Maiden became even more agitated. "It truly is the same light as the Elixir!" she cried, snatching the bottle from my hands.
"My eyes do not deceive me. Anyone who drinks this could heal any wound, disease, or even a curse, couldn't they?"
"I don't know about curses, but it did turn the Trollified people in the city back into humans."
"I knew it…… there’s no mistake. This nectar is the Elixir itself."
The Shrine Maiden was shaking uncontrollably. She leaned in close, her expression terrifying as she demanded to know where I had gotten it.
—Lady Iris. I’m so sorry. I think I might have made things a bit difficult.
"This is, well…… it’s the nectar produced by that Crimson Flower Princess Alraune we were just talking about……"
"I suspected something was off when I read the reports, but she really isn't just an Alraune, is she? Saint Iris may be dead, but this…… this might just be it!"
"Fuhahaha!" The Shrine Maiden burst into a fit of laughter. She seemed even more explosive than when she was imagining breaking the Queen’s neck.
"My intuition was right. I knew I should send my pawns to anyone who caught my interest. I can’t wait for the report."
It seemed the Shrine Maiden was sending investigators to the Tower City. I didn't know who they were, but they were definitely going to probe into Lady Iris.
So please, be careful. I’m writing everything that happened here in this letter to let you know. The Shrine Maiden strictly told me not to tell anyone, but Lady Iris is still my number one, so I don't care.
Besides, the Fairy is going to deliver this letter, so no one else will see the contents. Please, stay on your guard.
Lady Iris, the Church might target you as an Alraune who produces the Elixir!
And that was Nina’s POV. It seems the letter was packed with quite a lot of information.
Next time: "There's no way my nectar is an Elixir."