CHAPTER 09
Smack—
“Ow!”
My back stung, and I pouted as I turned around.
But the moment I met Robellina’s terrifying glare, my complaints vanished.
“Have you lost your mind, Elia? How can you get involved with a mage?”
“Rina, not all mages are bad. They just happened to be born with mana instead of divine power.”
“I know that! I also think the temple’s policy of labeling them heretics just for that is outdated.”
“…I didn’t go that far.”
As expected of the heroine. She said bold things so casually that I instinctively looked around to make sure no one had heard.
“What I’m worried about,” she continued, grabbing my hands, “is you getting into trouble because of the temple’s policies.”
She looked genuinely concerned.
“If you get caught being involved with a mage, what then? And that man—he can even use teleportation magic. He’s not an ordinary mage.”
“Don’t worry. As long as we don’t get caught.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“It is. I’ve already thought it through. So trust me.”
She hesitated, then sighed.
“…Alright. If that’s what you want.”
“Hehe. Thanks. Oh, and.”
I looked up at her and smiled.
“Don’t be too wary of Nine.”
“Nine? That mage?”
“Yeah. He doesn’t look like it, but he’s actually pretty nice. So treat him kindly, okay?”
She stared at me suspiciously.
“Did you know him before?”
“No? Just a feeling!”
I laughed awkwardly.
She tilted her head, clearly unconvinced.
I quickly changed the subject.
“The High Priest must be waiting. Let’s hurry back to the temple.”
“Oh! Right. I almost forgot I had something to report.”
She immediately picked up her pace.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Rustle—
“Hm?”
A sound came from the garden.
I was about to step toward it when Robellina called out.
“Ria, hurry!”
“Ah.”
I glanced once more at the empty garden.
‘Maybe just a bird.’
“Ria!”
“I’m coming!”
With that, I followed her.
***
As soon as we returned to the temple, we went straight to see Varion.
We had to report what happened at the palace.
“…And that is what occurred.”
After finishing, I glanced up at him.
Even after hearing that there had been minor friction with the Crown Prince, he still looked calm.
“I see. Since the matter involves his curse, His Highness may have been momentarily sensitive.”
Varion was one of the few people who knew about Jacard’s curse, which made things easier.
“You both did well. I was concerned when he summoned you so suddenly, but it seems you handled it properly.”
“Well… about that…”
Robellina looked like she was about to confess what I had shouted at Jacard.
I quickly cut in with a bright smile.
“It was unfortunate that His Highness did not fully trust the relic’s results, but I will strive to earn his trust next time.”
Of course, only after he shouted, “I was wrong, Saint,” three times.
“You have become a dependable Saint, Elia.”
Varion smiled warmly.
I could feel Robellina staring at me, but I ignored it.
“Now, let us conclude that matter. There is something else I wish to discuss with you both.”
“Discuss?”
I glanced at Robellina. She looked just as confused.
Varion’s expression grew serious.
“You are both aware of the temple’s missionary activities, correct?”
Of course we were.
Before becoming Saint candidates, we had occasionally joined the other priests in outreach missions.
I actually liked those events. They were one of the few chances to leave the suffocating temple.
“By principle, missionary activities are led by the Saint.”
“Oh…”
I blinked.
‘Was that always a rule?’
The previous Saint had never joined the events I attended.
Varion smiled as if reading my thoughts.
“Ten years ago, the previous Saint did participate. But after she fell ill, she could no longer attend.”
“I see.”
“Now that a new Saint has appeared, it is time to resume full-scale missionary work.”
A bad feeling crept up my spine.
Sure enough, Varion smiled brightly.
“Saint Elia, prepare for the missionary event in the outskirts village one week from now. Cardinal Dale, who oversaw the events before you, will assist you.”
‘I knew it.’
There was no escaping.
I lowered my head.
“I understand…”
“Holy Attendant Robellina, you will assist the Saint closely.”
“I will, Your Holiness.”
She showed no sign of reluctance.
I glanced at her.
‘Guess I can’t suggest running away together.’
Then a thought struck me.
“Your Holiness, will the Holy Knights accompany us?”
“They will. They must ensure the safety of the saint and the priests during travel.”
Oh?
I hid a sly smile.
“In that case, I have one request.”
After hearing it, Varion agreed easily.
“Very well. But may I ask why?”
“There’s someone I wish to see.”
I glanced at Robellina.
She looked confused.
I simply smiled at her.
***
The next day, Robellina and I received a full briefing from Cardinal Dale.
I had naïvely assumed it would just be volunteer work.
I was wrong.
We had to prepare food and relief supplies, manage the budget, and assign duties to the priests.
That alone was exhausting.
But the real problem was something else.
“…Hmm.”
“Hmm…”
My sacred relic.
The tarot deck.
“So… I have to demonstrate the relic’s power to the villagers?”
“Yes, Saint Elia. That is tradition.”
“But how exactly do I help them with tarot cards?”
“That is the difficulty…”
Dale frowned.
This was missionary work, not just charity.
The saint had to help the villagers while also displaying the power of the relic.
One previous Saint had wielded a weapon-shaped relic to slay monsters near the village.
Robellina, in the original story, had healed the injured with holy water.
And me?
How was I supposed to help villagers with tarot readings?
“There’s only one answer.”
“And what is that, Saint Elia?”
Dale looked curious.
I shuffled the cards confidently.
“Counseling.”
