DYBA 37

DYBA

Chapter 37

After moving the branch chapel building to District 11, time flowed swiftly like water.

It felt like I had just blinked, yet already a month had passed.

During that time, the dress shop’s madam mobilized her entire workforce to make our chapel’s uniforms.

The sculptors in the workshop district were the same. Soon enough, a stone statue so beautiful it could be called a masterpiece would be completed!

But what made my heart beat faster was something else entirely.

It was the remarkable work of the maid, Margaret.

‘To transform people who used to just slump around in robes into such radiant figures…!’

Margaret. They say she’s the number one expert in the field of grooming, sought after by most people in the capital. Her touch was no less than that of a noble lady’s handmaiden.

Hair that was long and shaggy was trimmed neatly in the blink of an eye.

Rough skin became smooth as if it had always been that way. While having proper food, clothing, and shelter helped, the artisan’s touch played a big part too.

The appearance of the believers, now groomed and looking at themselves, was touching enough to bring a tear to the eye.

‘Finally! The believers’ eyes are fully visible!’

Everyone’s bangs had been hanging down past their noses, almost as if they could see in front of them.

With smiles now gracing their lips, it seemed like the chapel had gained a new layer of vitality.

There were even some among them who, having sparsely lived their lives just as ‘Believer 1’, possessed a beauty that made one’s eyes widen.

Add the new chapel uniforms to that, and it seemed like people would visit the Arte Chapel just out of curiosity.

‘They don’t even seem awkward; instead, their eyes are even brighter, right? Perhaps we can proactively change our evangelism methods?’

As I took in the heart-swelling scene, ideas began bubbling up in my mind.

They became more concrete as I conversed with the believers.

“Really… if the Saintess hadn’t been here, what would have become of me? Thanks to the Saintess healing me, I was able to start dancing again.”

“Me too! My whole body was stiffening, so I couldn’t sing or play instruments anymore, but thanks to the Saintess, I’ve started again!”

The believers who used to pray with lethargic faces were gone.

I smiled proudly and warmly, seeing them striving to unfold their dreams, which they had no choice but to give up on.

Then, in a flash, a unique evangelism idea perfect for these believers came to mind.

‘That’s right. We’ll go in a completely different way from the existing religious orders!’

Currently, the four major religious orders didn’t evangelize on the streets. Even if they did occasionally, it was just walking around quietly in priestly attire.

‘That works because they’re established orders, but no one would even glance at a small chapel like ours.’

But to just follow the method the sect leader used? That was absurd.

‘Now I’m here, and with such radiant people like them? Absolutely not!’

These were people who had finally left the dark prayer room behind and were stepping forward confidently.

I wanted to show the world believers overflowing with passion and smiles through this evangelism.

Plus, it would be effective!

‘At times like this, I’m really proud that I remember my past life?’

Because I can borrow ideas that other religious orders or sects would never even think of!

‘Of course, my past self and the people there would have detested and despised this method…’

But here, it was different. It would be perfect for stimulating curiosity.

Having finished conceptualizing in my head, I immediately stepped up to the podium in the prayer room.

The believers all looked at me with eyes full of trust.

*Ahem, ahem.* Clearing my throat, I began speaking energetically.

“Now that things inside the chapel are somewhat organized, I think we should try some evangelism activities.”

“How should we proceed, Saintess?”

My brainwashing-not-brainwashing seemed to have worked, as the believers didn’t even mention the word ‘leaflet’.

I grinned at them and clapped my hands *clap*!

“We will! Go out onto the streets in this form and confidently conduct evangelism!”

Someone doesn’t know about Arte? Then we approach and ask them!

‘Do you know Lady Arte?’!

“B-but, Saintess. Wouldn’t it just put everyone in a bad mood…?”

Priest Hazel, who had been listening quietly, awkwardly raised his hand to voice his opinion. I immediately agreed with him.

“That’s a good point, Priest. But you know what they say? No one spits on a smiling face. Who could possibly refuse our believers who are so bright! And proactive! And overflowing with passion?”

Moreover.

“Hehehe, people also can’t bring themselves to throw away free things, right?”

I myself often couldn’t throw away leaflets shoved at me because of free tissues.

Furthermore, what we would offer together wasn’t something one would casually discard as annoying.

Because we would hand out candy imbued with my healing ability.

‘Even if they don’t believe in the healing ability, they’ll eat the candy.’

Nobles spend lavishly on sugar, but commoners were different.

And we’re giving away candy made of sugar lumps for free?

‘They eat it and think, huh? It’s real candy? Oh? My ache feels a bit better? Maybe it’s because of this candy? Wouldn’t they want to visit the chapel at least once?’

“Hehehe…”

Once everyone experiences a bit of healing, they won’t be able to resist coming, *chuckle*!

*Ding!*

[Lady Arte has donated 520 florins!]

[Cierra. Have you been well? hehe]

[Haven’t seen you in a while, but you’ve gotten prettier?,,,]

[But why are you saying nice things like a villain,,,? hehe It’s,, a bit scary hehe]

At that moment, Arte brought up the status window after a long time.

‘Hmph, she acted like she’d never see me again, not saying a word.’

She hadn’t shown her face even once since the Emperor’s birthday banquet, that says it all.

‘Was she embarrassed to suddenly appear?’

Not only did she bring up the status window, but she even gave 1500 florins.

‘Now I realize it. There really are things in the world that money can’t do, huh?’

I found Arte, who had been too busy pretending not to hear me, irritating and pretended to glance at the status window before ignoring it.

Another *ding!* followed, and the status window chimed, but I paid it no attention.

I continued explaining the evangelism method to the believers.

“Don’t worry about the cost of buying the candy! So, believers, you must also each have one when you’re out evangelizing? That way, the Empire’s citizens receiving the candy will feel reassured, and you’ll be more comfortable too.”

“Ahem, Saintess…!”

“As expected, an angel sent down by Lady Arte…!”

Huh? This is just a type of marketing too.

‘They really do think too highly of me.’

Their pure reactions naturally drew a curve on my lips. It was almost embarrassing to stop them, so I just shook my head lightly.

This time too, I ignored Arte’s status window, which was ringing with a *ding*.

“And there’s one more important thing!”

Actually, this was the main point now. While asking ‘Do you know Lady Arte?’ on the streets would also be effective, there was a way to firmly imprint ‘Arte’ on the Empire’s citizens in a short time.

That method was—

“What do you think about making a song to sing for evangelism?”

“…A song?”

“Yes. An exciting song that everyone can easily sing along to!”

If possible, instead of calm songs, something with a catchy hook song feel that lingers in the ears would be good.

‘Hehehe, I’ll create a song you can never escape from.’

“We’ll even add a simple dance! Everyone will be so curious about who we are that they’ll stop and watch, right?”

“Um. I think they would stop as the Saintess said…”

The believers all wore awkward smiles. I understood that feeling.

‘It must feel burdensome for people who used to hand out leaflets in robes to suddenly dance and sing.’

But!

“If it fails, we’ll stop quickly and look for other methods. But right now, I think this is the best method.”

This time, I was the one looking at the believers with sparkling eyes.

I probably wouldn’t be as cute as Tete, but wouldn’t they feel sympathy when the Saintess begs like this?

We’ve been through thick and thin together for a whole month now!

“Please? Pleeease!”

I clasped my fists together as if in prayer and urged them. Thankfully, they all covered their mouths going “Ahem!” and nodded their heads repeatedly.

“Yes! Let’s do as the Saintess says!”

“The Saintess is the best!”

“Kyaah, I love you!!”

“Saintess! Please ask us any time!”

Although some strange words were mixed in, their reactions to my words were generally positive.

‘Got it!’

I quietly clenched my fist and smiled. Things were flowing more smoothly than I had expected.

“Then shall we try making the song first?”

For the believers who couldn’t easily grasp the idea, I hummed a few of the songs that were randomly popping up in my head.

Their initial confusion, tilting their heads at the unfamiliar tune, was short-lived.

“Eum, dadaradadada, dada…”

“Huh? The song in my head won’t stop!”