CHAPTER 10
A tarot deck has two main purposes.
One is fortune-telling.
The other is counseling.
You listen to someone’s story, connect it to the cards, and guide them toward a better direction. In my past life, there had even been a profession called tarot counselor.
And I had been a tarot master.
“Hmm… but using a sacred relic as a counseling tool is a bit…”
Dale looked troubled. It probably didn’t sound impressive enough as a performance.
But what choice did we have?
“Your Eminence, the village chief is looking for you.”
We had already arrived at the village.
Dale’s expression stiffened. The reason was obvious. The chief wanted help as soon as possible.
In other words, there was no time to plan some grand performance.
“…Very well. I will trust you, Saint Elia.”
“I will do my best.”
I didn’t promise I would do well. You never know how things might turn out.
***
Today was a big day in the outer village of Periden.
The temple had come for missionary work.
If some shady cult had arrived, people would have scoffed.
But the temple was different. Wherever they went, they helped.
They distributed food to struggling families and repaired buildings damaged by monsters.
And the one who led all of it—
Was the Saint.
A rare chance to see a Saint in person.
…Except.
“That’s the Saint?”
“What is she doing?”
This generation’s Saint seemed… unusual.
“Solving… worries?”
The priests had set up a tent and hung a banner with those words written boldly across it.
The villagers murmured in confusion.
Inside the tent, I smiled brightly.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Elia, the saint of this generation. As you can see, I’m here to help resolve your worries.”
Silence.
“Any concern is fine. If you need advice, please come forward.”
No one moved.
They simply glanced at one another.
I sighed.
“I didn’t want to say this, but I suppose I must. You all know my ability, don’t you?”
Of course they did.
The entire continent had been buzzing about the saint who could see the future.
“I can’t read everyone’s future in full detail, but I can offer guidance. That’s why I’m here. Please don’t feel pressured.”
Even then, they hesitated.
But this time, a few seemed tempted.
Finally, a small girl stepped forward.
“Can I really tell you my problem?”
“Of course. I can’t guarantee a solution, but I can offer advice.”
The girl looked barely in her early teens.
Her worn clothes and scraped hands spoke of hardship.
As the villagers’ gazes pressed down on her, she lowered her head.
I turned to Robellina.
“Please close the tent entrance.”
“Yes, Saint.”
Once the entrance was covered, the outside voices faded.
I looked at the girl gently.
“What’s troubling you?”
She clenched her fists.
“My father… hasn’t come back.”
“Your father?”
“He went into the forest to cut wood like always. But he never returned. He said he’d be back soon…”
Tears welled up in her large eyes.
I took out a handkerchief and wiped them.
“Don’t cry. Something must have delayed him.”
“…Okay.”
“Shall we find out where he is together?”
The cards spread in a neat arc before her.
Her eyes widened.
“Think of your father and draw three cards.”
She closed her eyes tightly and pictured him.
Then she handed me three cards.
I turned them over one by one.
“…Ah.”
I murmured quietly.
“I see.”
The girl stared at the cards.
A card showing people fighting with wooden sticks.
Another showing a bound woman and swords stabbed into the ground.
And a card with a man turning away in disappointment, overturned cups at his feet.
The images felt ominous.
I called out firmly.
“Holy Attendant Robellina.”
“Yes, Saint.”
“What is the nearest village from here?”
“Ecle Village, I believe.”
“Let’s go there immediately.”
“Saint?”
Robellina looked startled.
The girl’s eyes filled with fear.
I smiled reassuringly.
“It’s alright.”
***
“You wish to leave suddenly? What do you mean?”
Cardinal Dale looked stunned.
I gestured subtly toward the girl.
“I believe her father is in the neighboring village.”
“But the missionary event—”
“Isn’t the purpose of this event to help the villagers using the saint’s ability?”
Dale faltered.
“That is… true, but…”
“Then there’s no problem.”
“But you are the one presiding. If you leave, the villagers may feel uneasy—”
“There’s a temporary presiding official right here.”
I pointed at him brightly.
He blinked.
“Me?!”
“You led the missionary work before I became Saint.”
“Well, yes, but…”
“Then it’s settled!”
“Wait, Saint Elia!”
Before he could stop me, Robellina and I slipped away.
As we walked, Robellina glanced at the girl.
“It will take time to reach the next village. Is that alright?”
“The event lasts three days. One day won’t hurt. Besides, if I stay, people will just keep asking me to show off the relic.”
I knelt and gently patted the girl’s head.
“It’s better to find her father, right?”
“…Saint.”
Her eyes shimmered.
I stood and pulled out one of the cards again.
Five of Cups.
The man in the image stood slumped, his back turned. Behind him was a village and a bridge.
That was how I guessed the father was nearby.
But something felt off.
‘This is the perfect situation to call him.’
I tucked the card away, barely hiding my excitement.
“Now then. Shall we go meet the Holy Knights?”
“The Holy Knights? Why?”
“We can’t travel alone. We’ll need a few knights to avoid trouble.”
Robellina nodded.
What she didn’t know—
Was that someone important who was waiting there?
Someone who might become her future lover.
I had specifically asked High Priest Varion to assign that particular knight order as our escort.
And now—
It was finally time to meet him.
The last male lead candidate of the original story.
The one who secretly loved Robellina from afar.
The epitome of quiet longing.
The Captain of the Holy Knights—
Lucian.
