chapter 08
“Yes. Though not quite to your level, Sir Soleon.”
Declen tilted his head slightly and smiled, baring his teeth.
“I was delayed because I received the gift you sent on the way here.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I’m joking.”
Soleon’s extended hand was awkwardly refused. Declen hopped up onto the altar and dropped into his seat.
Soleon, watching him with a cold gaze, leaned over and whispered something to the bishop. The bishop, snapping back to his senses, resumed the proceedings.
“The sister appointed as a candidate for sainthood is…”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“Skyler.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Rosaline, fuming, glared at Skyler.
“Why you? Who do you think you are?”
The finger she pointed at her was filled with almost pure hostility.
Skyler looked away and pressed her temple.
“It’s not like I wanted this either.”
A saint candidate?
It was something she had never even considered.
According to her original plan, she should have been free by now.
When she last met Soleon, hadn’t he said it would be soon?
She had been counting the days until then, and now suddenly—being named a saint candidate with a ten-year term?
“You didn’t want it?”
Rosaline scoffed, her lips twitching in disbelief.
“Don’t lie! I know you’ve got powerful backing. You disappeared sometimes to meet them, didn’t you?”
She misunderstood most things, but that last part was true. Startled, Skyler shot back:
“So what are you trying to say?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You asked your backer for this, didn’t you? Otherwise, how could someone like you become a saint candidate?!”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
Skyler frowned and snapped back.
“Do you have any proof?”
“That’s—!”
“What is the meaning of this disgrace?!”
Just as Rosaline, clearly provoked, was about to shout, the door burst open and a sharp voice cut in.
“I told you to wait quietly in the waiting room, yet you cause such a disturbance. Have you lost your minds?”
It was an elderly priestess with streaks of white hair—also the teacher who had trained them.
At her appearance, both of them lowered their eyes almost simultaneously.
“S-sorry.”
“…I apologize.”
“Honestly. In times like these, when unity is more important than ever—”
As the priestess began to lecture, a man behind her gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“That’s enough.”
It was Soleon. After calmly stopping her, he turned from the flushed Rosaline to Skyler.
“It seems we’ll need individual interviews.”
Skyler was called in first.
She headed to a small adjoining room next to the waiting area. Soleon, seated on a couch, gestured for her to sit across from him.
Skyler sat facing him, lips tightly pressed.
“So,”
Soleon began, gesturing toward the neatly arranged refreshments.
“It seems you have a lot to say to me.”
“……”
“Am I mistaken?”
His gaze was gentle, yet persistent. Skyler finally spoke.
“This isn’t what you told me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I never thought I’d become a saint candidate. I’ve never shown any outstanding ability worthy of that.”
“Having two abilities is both a great blessing and talent.”
“It’s rare, yes—but not unique. There are three or four others besides me with multiple abilities.”
In fact, they possessed more divine power than she did.
Skyler had only stood out briefly in the beginning, surpassing Rosaline for a few weeks.
“Excuse me.”
Soleon reached into his coat, pulled something out, and out of habit brought it to his lips.
A cigarette.
Only after noticing Skyler’s stunned expression did he pause and toss it into the ashtray.
“Y-you smoke?”
Skyler stammered, shaken. Soleon remained calm.
“Sorry if that surprised you. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s forbidden for priests.”
“Many things are forbidden.”
Soleon extended his fingers and folded them one by one.
“Smoking, swearing, fighting.”
“……”
“Love.”
Skyler blinked silently.
Even after years of knowing him, the man before her felt unfamiliar—perhaps as much as Declen did.
That wasn’t the only shock.
“If you worry about every rule in life, it gets boring.”
“…What?”
Skyler doubted her ears. Soleon smiled at her reaction and shrugged.
“I need room to breathe too.”
“…I see.”
As Skyler awkwardly smiled and avoided his gaze, he changed the subject.
“How did it feel, meeting Declen again?”
“What?”
Caught off guard, Skyler looked startled.
“How did you know we’d met before?”
Strictly speaking, calling it a “reunion” was generous—it had been nothing more than passing by each other.
He hadn’t even looked at her.
It was a moment she had quietly waited for, yet it ended in an instant.
It felt empty—and a little sad.
“I know more than you think, Skyler.”
“In what sense?”
“In every sense.”
The vague answer carried weight.
Resting his arm on the couch, Soleon spoke again.
“You said this wasn’t what I told you—that you never expected to become a saint candidate.”
“…Yes.”
“That sounds like you don’t want to be one.”
“It’s too heavy a role for me. Too many duties and responsibilities. Besides, I was about to become free.”
“Duties and responsibilities… but it also comes with power and privilege.”
“It suits Rosaline better than me.”
“That’s not for you to decide. It’s the will of the bishop and the elders—the ones who chose you.”
His tone was cold and unyielding.
Skyler, frustrated, spoke up for the first time.
“But—!”
“Skyler.”
Soleon cut her off without hesitation.
“You were planning to go to the Kraus estate, weren’t you?”
“…Did Rozel tell you?”
At her sharp accusation, Soleon didn’t bother answering.
“It’s ideal, isn’t it? Food, clothing, shelter—all provided, plus good pay.”
“……”
“But if Declen dies soon, will you still be able to go there? He’ll become the commander of the holy knights and stand on the front lines.”
Skyler hadn’t considered that. Her eyes wavered.
“Is he… ill?”
“I’m speaking hypothetically. It’s a position where death is always close.”
With a faint smile, he continued persuading her.
“There’s a better option right in front of you, Skyler. If you remain here, even if it’s not luxury, you’ll never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of your life.”
“So…”
After a brief pause, Skyler spoke.
“You’re telling me to wear a leash and a crown.”
Even if it meant becoming a stray dog, she refused to be a crowned one sitting at a king’s feet.
At her firm refusal, Soleon fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
“Do you remember? You once promised to grant me a favor.”
“……”
“Accept becoming a saint candidate, Skyler.”
“That’s unreasonable.”
Skyler spoke firmly.
“I’m truly grateful for what you’ve done for Rozel and the orphanage. It’s a debt I’ll carry for life. But it’s not enough to dedicate my entire future as a saint.”
Whatever he said, she was ready to argue back.
But Soleon suddenly turned his head, shoulders shaking.
“S-Sir Soleon?”
As she cautiously called his name, a burst of laughter rang out.
“Pfft… hahaha!”
As if he had heard the funniest joke, he laughed uncontrollably.
Skyler stared in disbelief until he finally calmed down and spoke gently.
“Not just anyone can become a saint. It’s not something you get just because you want it.”
“Then?”
“If you truly don’t want it, I won’t force you. There are reserves, after all.”
Reserves.
Such a cold, heartless word.
Skyler thought of Rosaline. When it came to healing, Rosaline was unmatched.
If she became the saint, she would at least be more qualified.
“However.”
Just as Skyler felt relieved, Soleon added a condition.
