Chapter 56 …
[For now, please eat something good and regain your strength. We won’t get many chances to make use of an event like the Re-Ascension Ceremony, so we should move forward with the plan.]
I was anxious, but recovering my energy came first.
True to being Korean, I figured food was the best solution. I called Becky and handed her a list of dishes to be placed on the table prepared for the gods.
[Thank you, Dorothy. As always.]
Agasa answered in her usual gentle voice.
[And let’s prepare for the Re-Ascension Ceremony. Together.]
I spoke calmly.
The Re-Ascension Ceremony.
It was an opportunity for the High Priestess to gain corrupt wealth—
[There will be a huge crowd.]
—but it was also a chance to restore the faith of many people.
[As expected of our Dorothy.]
Agasa called my name fondly. The natural affection in her voice reached me, and somehow… it felt nice.
* * *
The Saintess’s Re-Ascension Ceremony had become the biggest issue among the people of the Manpeline Empire in recent times.
It wasn’t merely acknowledging the appearance of the legendary Saintess—it symbolized proof that God was watching over this era.
And now, it was Imperial Year 999.
Only half a year remained before the millennium.
A Saintess appearing at the dawn of a new century—this was bound to be monumental.
To witness a moment that would mark history, people from across the Empire flocked to the capital.
Every train heading to the capital was sold out. Even hiring a carriage became difficult.
“Saintess bread for sale! The very bread Her Holiness enjoys!”
“Saintess flowers! The flowers our Saintess loves!”
Meanwhile, items and foods rumored to have been gifted to Saintess Dorothy by nobles were sold like wildfire once labeled with the word “Saintess.”
Bread the Saintess had once tasted. Flowers she had received. A handkerchief she had been given.
As everyone gathered in the plaza before the Grand Temple, talking about nothing but the Saintess—
“Saintess. Are you ready?”
“Y-Yes.”
Dorothy was extremely tense.
This was her second time standing before a crowd as a Saintess, but before becoming one, she had never had experience speaking publicly.
And this time, even more people had gathered than before. The plaza had been full last time—but now it overflowed, people packed even along roads invisible from the temple.
Hoo… calm down.
Dorothy steadied herself.
The Re-Ascension Ceremony was simple: she would step onto the platform before the Grand Temple and receive appointment and confirmation from the High Priestess.
Very simple.
They were just adding… slightly more dramatic effects.
Starting with flying in… and showcasing the gods’ new ability.
Dorothy stood before the mirror for one final check.
Dressed entirely in white silk, from head to toe. A veil covered her hair.
A white mantle embroidered heavily with gold thread draped over her shoulders. With Euphrosyne’s blessing of beauty, the reflection staring back looked almost divine.
“Then I’ll head out first.”
“Yes, High Priestess.”
“Stay focused and finish the ceremony well, Saintess. Be careful.”
After offering brief caution, the High Priestess left the room first.
She’s too calm…
Dorothy found it strange.
Aside from “Morning of the Empire,” which Caden had bribed, the other newspapers had been loudly promoting the High Priestess’s presence.
As always, it was her media play.
But no matter how much she pushed herself forward, today was the Saintess’s Re-Ascension Ceremony.
All eyes were on Dorothy.
The High Priestess should have been irritated—yet she seemed calm. Almost peaceful.
[It’s really strange. Why is she so okay? When she acts out of character, I get nervous.]
[Even reading her mind shows nothing unusual. Hmm… perhaps she’s given up on drawing attention today. It would be difficult anyway. The real goal of the ceremony is the Beja Mountain Range mines.]
[I hope that’s all it is…]
Even after probing through Agasa and the gods, nothing suspicious surfaced.
Dorothy suppressed her unease and waited for her turn.
After a short while—
“Her Holiness the Saintess enters!”
She exhaled deeply and stepped beyond the massive doors of the Grand Temple.
Then slowly, her body began to rise.
“Gasp…!”
“The rumor—i-it’s true!”
“She’s flying!”
“An angel…!”
The crowd erupted into murmurs.
The gods’ power had indeed recovered significantly.
Bathed in beauty blessings, Dorothy almost radiated light as she rose higher and higher.
By the time she hovered near the top of the Grand Temple, the capital’s scenery spread beneath her.
Even those too far away to see her clearly could see the “shining flying object above the temple.”
That alone would be enough for rumors of her divine ability to spread.
Satisfied, Dorothy used her newly gained power.
“God—”
Her voice spread outward, holy and resonant, like a microphone projecting across a vast field.
It faintly reached even those outside the plaza.
The new ability she had learned through her conversations with the gods was essentially—
An amplifier? Seriously…
Embarrassing, yes. But undeniably useful.
“—loves you all.”
Loves you all… you all… loves…
Then Dorothy recited the names of the eight guardian gods one by one.
“And let us pray, every day.”
She finished with a clear promotional line.
Cheers exploded.
“The Saintess has returned! Waaaah!”
No one could see her face from that height—
—but Dorothy’s cheeks were burning red.
I can’t do this twice.
Hearing her own voice echo in divine resonance was deeply mortifying.
And her lines sounded like those of a cult leader.
[Please lower me now, Lady Agasa.]
At her request, Agasa gently lowered her onto the platform.
As she descended, someone caught her eye.
So that’s where he was.
Seated in the elevated VIP section was Theodore. As always, breathtakingly handsome.
The distance between the VIP seats and the platform was neither too close nor too far—enough to see each other’s faces.
Dorothy could see his expression.
Dressed in full uniform with a cloak, seated at the center of the VIP section, Theodore was looking at her with a faint smirk.
Her embarrassment intensified.
She must be embarrassed.
Meanwhile, Theodore found it amusing.
Amusing—an unexpected feeling.
He had been tense for days.
Many things would change after this ceremony.
Though he disliked religious events, he was attending. He would monitor the High Priestess and accompany her to the Beja Mountains.
He had remained on edge. The overheated religious atmosphere already irritated him.
And knowing the High Priestess, she might have prepared something. Dorothy said there was nothing—but his instincts said otherwise.
His mood had been heavy for days.
And then Dorothy suddenly pulled that stunt.
I wondered what she was doing, floating up like that…
Only to start marketing the gods.
It was the perfect timing for it, sure.
But then she looked utterly mortified.
Even from here, he could see her flushed face.
He didn’t hide his smile.
She’s… interesting.
“Ah… Saintess… so holy.”
Most around him hadn’t noticed her embarrassment.
Normally she’s very… sensible.
Few people could do something like that with a straight face.
After landing, Dorothy quickly turned her head away from him and walked toward the High Priestess.
Watching her flushed face—
—somehow eased Theodore’s tightly wound nerves.
The ceremony continued.
She received her appointment from the High Priestess, drew cheers, and finally led a prayer.
Theodore loosely clasped his hands while glancing at Dorothy.
Standing at the center of the platform, glowing with sacred light, she called each of the eight guardian gods by name. His lips curved upward.
Some nobles watching the emperor dared to observe him.
Most of them looked pleased.
“The rumors about the two of them must be true.”
They whispered softly, too quiet for him to hear.
“They look… wonderful together.”
Without realizing it, Theodore’s demeanor was fueling the rumors.
The prayer ended. The Re-Ascension Ceremony concluded.
Now, it was time for the main stage—the Beja Mountain Range.
* * *
[The power of prayer is incredible, Dorothy!]
[I’m overflowing with strength! Dorothy! Can I move your body a bit?]
The gods were ecstatic. Even Agasa, who usually scolded them for being noisy, was excited.
My head felt dizzy from the noise.
“You worked hard, Saintess.”
“Ah, High Priestess.”
It was hard to focus on conversations.
[Our Dorothy is the best!]
[Long live Dorothy!]
[Without you, this would’ve been terrible. Thank you so much.]
“Thank you, High Priestess. You worked hard as well.”
Amid the chaos, I forced a smile.
Inside, however—
[Everyone… please… quiet down…]
I couldn’t even speak firmly or get angry. I was practically begging. I didn’t have the nerve to scold gods.
[At this rate, we might even manifest physically!]
[Don’t get cocky. That’s impossible.]
They kept chattering.
The High Priestess stared at me.
“Saintess.”
“Yes, High Priestess.”
“You look pale.”
“Ah, I must’ve been… nervous.”
Even speaking smoothly was difficult.
She looked me up and down once, then turned away sharply.
What’s with that? Rude.
“Let’s board the carriage. We have a long journey.”
She walked ahead.
It would take a full day to reach the Beja Mountain Range.
There was no train route extending that far, so carriage travel was unavoidable.
The thought of sharing a carriage with the High Priestess that entire time already made my chest feel tight.
Just endure this…
Once this was over, I’d at least escape her grasp.
[W-Wait—watch the fire!]
And then—
[Aaaah! Vesta, are you crazy?!]
[I’m sorry! I’m overflowing with power! I must’ve lost control!]
Flames suddenly burst to life in my palm.
