Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 46
“Yes, the very first demon. And now, that first demon seeks to destroy this world.”
“I understand what you’re trying to say. But, O Goddess, I am not a saintess. Shouldn’t you be speaking to Irene about this?”
“Ramiel, do you think Irene is truly the saintess?”
The light brought forth the doubt everyone hesitated to voice.
‘What do I think?’
A girl with ominous black hair and red eyes.
She always had a dark look in her eyes, and within them, one could read her resentment towards the world. Not a trace of light could be found in her.
Could such an Irene truly be the saint?
‘No.’
Still, she couldn’t voice her thoughts openly. She was unsure of what answer the goddess was seeking.
“Irene will perform well as the saintess.”
That was all Ramiel could manage to say.
“Do you really think so?”
She chewed on her lip without realizing it.
“Do you think so?”
The question came again, making her feel suffocated. Her mind went blank. She thought she needed to be patient, but she couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“No, no.”
Breathing heavily, Ramiel hurriedly replied.
“How can such an ominous person become a saintess? Do you think that makes sense? Irene has never done a single good deed! She has even tried to harm me. Everyone says it was all a misunderstanding now, but then who was it that tried to harm me?”
After rambling on, Ramiel suddenly stopped, shocked at her own words.
Rolling her eyes around, she was relieved to see that the light had not disappeared. She had said all she wanted, but still felt anxious.
“It’s okay. I understand everything. Yes, originally, you were supposed to be the saintess.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. The goddess recognized her feelings. That alone seemed to ease her hardened heart.
Then, the light whispered to her again.
“The one in the position of the goddess right now isn’t me.”
“Then who is it?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
At the goddess’s words, Ramiel whispered.
“Camille.”
“Yes, it’s her.”
“But Irene has demonstrated her powers.”
“It’s a trick of Camille’s. She showed her own powers.”
“W-Wow!”
The light circled around Ramiel.
“Ramiel, my beloved child. Won’t you help me?”
“Is that something I can help with?”
“Of course.”
“Then I will help in any way I can. No, even if it’s difficult, I will not back down.”
She believed this was the way to reclaim her rightful place.
“Good, then listen, Ramiel.”
The light whispered into her ear.
While some found joy in the pouring rain outside, others did not. Those who cherished Ramiel felt differently.
“Where is Ramiel?”
The Duke of Maras asked a maid.
“She’s still in her room.”
The duke wore a worried expression. Watching his only beloved daughter wither away was an unbearable pain for him.
She was precious even if she was not the saintess. It was simply heart-wrenching.
‘I must go and persuade her myself.’
Still, she needed to eat something. Wearing a worried expression as he headed towards Ramiel’s room, the Duke of Maras spotted a familiar figure.
It was his cherished daughter, Ramiel.
“Ramiel?”
“Father.”
Her face, which had looked lifeless at the temple, now had life in it.
“Ramiel!”
“I’m fine now.”
Ramiel responded in her usual manner, much to the delight of the Duke of Maras.
“I’m suddenly feeling hungry.”
“Prepare a meal immediately!”
“Thank you, Father.”
Ramiel, smiling brightly, seemed to emit a faint light. He doubted his eyes for a moment and when he looked again, it had disappeared.
Afterwards, Ramiel ate her soup and expressed her gratitude to the people of the mansion who had been worried about her.
“Thank you for your concern.”
“Miss, I’m so relieved. Really.”
“Indeed. It’s truly a relief.”
Ramiel once again lifted the corners of her mouth into a smile.
* * *
[You looked splendid today.]
A few days after the saintess’s appointment ceremony, Irene had finished her convalescence and stopped by the prayer room. As soon as she entered, the voice of the goddess was heard.
“Wasn’t it strange?”
The attire was of such color, and yet you call it splendid? Irene sat down abruptly on the floor, gazing at the glowing statue of the goddess.
[Strange? Who said that?]
“Many people might think so?”
[As the goddess, I am telling you, you looked splendid.]
Irene chuckled softly at the infinitely serious voice.
That such a grand being as the goddess would make such a remark was absurdly funny to her.
