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Chapter 6
The sudden argument between the two continued.
“If it is not a jest, then? Are you truly intent on claiming such ridiculous words as sincerity?”
“High Saint.”
“To even suggest that the sacred ground of Iris God could be evaluated by the Mage Tower… Oh my, forgive me.”
Hey.
“The Mage Tower is a direct imperial organization under His Majesty the Emperor, possessing rights equal to the Imperial Knight Order. Are you attempting to insult those who quietly fulfill their duty at the empire’s call?”
“I do not dislike them, Your Grace. It was merely a mistake. Please be generous in your forgiveness. They are, after all, the Empire’s sword protecting the borders, are they not?”
If you are going to keep fighting, please just send me home.
The words I could not say rose to the back of my throat. My mind was already spiraling from the sudden, rapidly unfolding dramatic scene in front of me.
‘Where am I? Who am I?’
One thing was certain—these people had clearly forgotten my existence.
‘I’m still the daughter of a duke, you know…!’
Of course, compared to the former second prince and current Grand Duke Blake, and the High Saint of the Iris Church who effectively controlled the empire, I didn’t even have the qualifications to speak.
All I could do was watch like a scarecrow.
Between the two powers of the empire, fierce exchanges flew back and forth, Locke’s anxious gaze flickered, and I stood there observing it all.
My eyes briefly met Locke’s pale face.
You too, Locke? Yeah. Me too.
“This is not a place for you to cling to within the palace. Even as the northern borders are constantly breached by monsters, threatening the safety of the empire.”
“And for that very safety of the empire, I offer prayers in the heart of the empire—the imperial palace.”
“Prayers? You mean sitting quietly with your hands folded for a moment, then leisurely drinking tea with noble daughters? And you call that prayer to God?”
Leaning back in his chair with his legs crossed—far more insolent than before—the Grand Duke glared at the High Saint and finally smiled.
“I had thought a god was an omnipotent being far too busy for such trivial matters. It seems I must reconsider.”
It was a thinly veiled mockery meant to cut her down.
The High Saint’s smile faded slightly.
And honestly, I suddenly felt like I wanted to see my parents.
“…Aren’t you afraid of divine punishment, Your Grace?”
“And you don’t seem afraid of the imperial family.”
Just as I was about to close my eyes, feeling like a shrimp caught between fighting whales—
“Ahem, cough, ahem!”
Locke cleared his throat loudly, interrupting the conversation and drawing everyone’s attention.
‘Locke…!’
I looked at him as if he were a savior.
My comrade. To stop this fight, how brave you are!
“W-well… if I may be so bold, I believe both of you should stop now.”
“Lady Priscilla is also present here…”
At his trembling voice, all attention turned to me again.
‘…Locke…!’
That bastard—he just sacrificed me, didn’t he?
I glared at him resentfully. Our eyes met, but he quickly turned away.
Grinding my teeth in betrayal, I forced out my voice.
“…I apologize for failing to leave earlier. I could not find the proper timing. Should I withdraw now?”
If you two are going to keep fighting like this, I’m leaving.
I phrased it as politely as possible.
At my words, the Grand Duke looked momentarily flustered.
“I apologize for the earlier rudeness, Lady Priscilla. It seems we have shown you an unsightly scene.”
“It is fine.”
“Then let us proceed with the announcement of the new saint…”
“That will not be necessary.”
“….”
Just as the conversation was about to continue, the High Saint interrupted again.
‘Ah, what now?!’
This time even I felt irritated.
Nothing was progressing because of her.
The Grand Duke, already displeased, spoke sharply.
“And now what is it?”
“I have heard the rumors, Lady Priscilla.”
But she ignored him and fixed her gaze on me instead.
The Grand Duke’s expression instantly turned cold.
‘…This is going to drag on again.’
With a sigh, I responded.
“Rumors?”
“Yes. It is said you received a divine revelation, Lady Priscilla.”
“…Ah, I see.”
Now that I had come to the palace, it was inevitable that rumors would spread. I had already prepared for that.
But what did that have to do with the High Saint of the Iris Church?
Normally, different religions didn’t interfere with each other.
As if reading my thoughts, she smiled gently.
“However, Lady Priscilla.”
“Yes, Lady Eve.”
“Did you truly receive a divine revelation?”
I held my breath.
“God Iris always shows me many things. Especially if a new saint has appeared, I should have been informed…”
“….”
“But I saw nothing.”
Her smile deepened as her gaze pierced through me.
“I did not see a future where Lady Priscilla becomes a saint.”
A chill ran down my spine.
In this empire, there are six saints.
Three belong to the Iris Church, and three are saints of other gods.
All saints demonstrate their power before royalty and receive imperial recognition.
That is essentially the entire process. It looks simple—but it isn’t entirely careless either.
‘Saint abilities are unique powers that ordinary mages cannot use. Few would dare lie in front of the royal family.’
And certainly no one would be insane enough to claim they received a revelation from a different god like I did…
‘…I thought this would go smoothly just by showing healing magic.’
But now—
“Iris God did not show me a future where you become a saint. That is why I must question it.”
Her ability was “prophecy.”
The High Saint Eve could see the future.
And that ability was now digging into my downfall.
“Are you suspecting me?”
“Suspicion? Fufu. Well… what do you think?”
“Lady Eve.”
“Let us call it confirmation. I dislike uncertain futures.”
“I wish to confirm your existence, which even my prophecy cannot see.”
Her smiling face made my skin break out in cold sweat.
‘I’m doomed. What is she? Does she know something? If I get exposed for lying about the revelation…?’
But if she can see all futures, how could she not see me becoming a saint?
Even if I am fake or real, I was already recognized by the Grand Duke. She should have seen the future of “Priscilla Lockhart becoming a saint.”
As I desperately racked my brain, another thought struck me—
“Enough.”
The Grand Duke’s furious voice suddenly exploded.
“Cease your disrespect, High Saint. What is the meaning of this?”
“My apologies, Your Grace. But this is a matter between me and Lady Priscilla.”
“Lady Priscilla has already been recognized by me as a saint. Are you challenging imperial authority?”
A suffocating pressure filled the air.
Yet the High Saint remained calm.
“Forgive me, Your Grace. This matter has already been approved by His Majesty.”
“…What?”
What?
‘Wait—why is the Emperor suddenly involved?’
My head spun as the situation escalated beyond control.
“In recent times, many have falsely claimed to have received divine revelations. All of them were exposed quickly. Saints are chosen beings, after all.”
“….”
“His divine wrath has been great. Recently, a sacred artifact was bestowed upon us.”
From her robes, the High Saint retrieved an object.
A radiant orb emitting a faint, mysterious glow.
“The ‘Mirror of Truth.’ It reflects the essence of a person.”
‘What?’
“Shall we take a look? Your essence. To confirm whether you are truly a saint serving a god.”
“Wait, High Saint—!”
‘What? What?!’
My essence? What even is that? I don’t know either!
If this exposes my reincarnation too, I’m done for!
Before I could even panic further—
Ignoring both the Grand Duke’s objection and my inner screaming, she tilted the mirror toward me.
No—!
Just as I squeezed my eyes shut in despair—
“…!”
A blinding light engulfed the entire Grand Temple.
