Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 40
She had once heard from High Priest Roxon that, though now the demons were nearly eradicated by the power of the goddess and the saint, there could still be evil lurking somewhere.
It might be difficult for such influence to reach inside the temple, but one could never be sure.
‘Irene is the child of demons.’
Everyone called her that, with her red eyes and black hair.
Ramiel bit her lip tightly. The temple was visible in the distance through the carriage window.
‘I must succeed.’
She had been a candidate for sainthood. She had to do something. Ramiel firmed her resolve all the way to the temple.
“What a rare occurrence.”
Garan commented with a cold expression as he looked outside.
“What are you talking about?”
Sage, wearing a tired expression, asked Garan.
“A saint of unusual origin, a Saint’s appointment ceremony held twice. What else could be rarer than that?”
“That’s true.”
“Sometimes I wonder.”
“What is it?”
“Perhaps the goddess has grown weary of the current state of the temple.”
“…Should you be voicing such thoughts?”
“I am a king, after all. And the only others who have heard me are you and Shah-Naz, who anxiously waits for Ramiel.”
“Garan.”
Sage asked Garan with a stern expression,
“What exactly are you thinking?”
“To revive and protect my kingdom?”
“And are we not included in those you wish to protect?”
“Is that a joke? Why would I need to protect a fellow king?”
“Is that why you sought out the saintess on your own?”
Garan smirked and looked at Sage. He had thought him naive, but it seemed he knew how to challenge others. He had grown a lot.
“You should handle your own affairs.”
“Garan, that’s not the point. I can’t trust you.”
“Then don’t trust me.”
“Are you still sending gifts to Ramiel?”
“Yes, I am.”
“And yet you attempt to approach the saintess.”
“Sage, the world rewards effort. And I am making that effort. Now, tell me, what have you done? Going to the saintess and kneeling? Was that all?”
Today, Garan was particularly talkative.
“So, stop worrying about me.”
“Garan!”
Just as Sage was about to say something more, the door opened, and Burt entered. A king even more inscrutable than Garan.
“It’s ready.”
“Let’s go then.”
“I will proceed.”
“Has Ramiel arrived?”
“I don’t know.”
Burt coldly dismissed Shah-Naz’s question and stepped outside again.
With the Saint’s appointment ceremony approaching, Irene stood by the window, gazing outward. On this significant day, a large crowd was gathering at the temple.
On the day she was to prove her capabilities as the saint, what were these people expecting when they came all this way?
Perhaps they were hoping to find a saint who would bring peace to the world.
In the past, such expectations might have frightened her, but strangely, her heart was calm.
Perhaps it was because, unlike before, these people no longer held any meaning to her.
“Are you okay?”
High Priest Grein, who had been assisting her, inquired.
It must have looked like she was nervous, just staring out the window, although she was not nervous at all.
“I’m fine.”
Irene responded and turned around. It was time. The Saint’s appointment ceremony was about to begin.
She left the waiting room and walked down the corridor. With every step, her long dress brushed against the floor.
The dress, made through her stubborn insistence, was entirely different from what saints typically wore. Perhaps because of this, the priests displayed surprised expressions as Irene passed.
Nonetheless, they bowed their heads in respect. Laughter emerged from the futility of it all.
‘This path is not new to me.’
She had walked this route before as a candidate for sainthood. What was it like back then?
She had faced scornful gazes, whispering voices, and a space filled with hatred, forcibly straightening her back.
‘Just because of the title of a saint.’
But the people now have changed so much.
