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Chapter 7
“A divine oracle was given to Leno that the Great Saint would descend to the mortal realm. Last night, that Saint walked out of the Pool of God—and now she stands before you.”
“Th-That…!”
With a heavy thud, Verdi collapsed to the floor, struck dumb by the thunderous news.
Tears rolled down her cheeks like small droplets, hitting the ground one by one.
“Your Majesty… what about me? Are you going to abandon me?”
“Verdi.”
“Have I now become useless? Since the first time I saw you, I’ve only waited to protect you and be by your side. That’s all I have…!”
“I never said that. Stand up.”
“Sniff… Your Majesty, please don’t cast me aside. I cannot be anywhere but beside Raiden. I don’t want a life married off like some noble pawn. I can’t bear that!”
Seiri, sitting cross-legged and picking at the remaining shrimp, watched the scene unfold with a look that clearly said she had seen everything absurd the world had to offer.
Verdi clung on desperately, trying to prove her usefulness.
“If God has sent the Great Saint, I’ll support her from the side! After all, the personal attendants of a Great Saint are chosen only from noble families, and I qualify perfectly. Please, don’t cast me aside…”
“Denied. Your appearance is unsuitable.”
The response didn’t come from Raiden’s lips, but from behind. Raiden let out a dry laugh at Seiri’s serious, imposing voice, so different from before.
“The one you should seek permission from is me, Seiri.”
Even Leno, who had been watching the scene with grave attention, pinched his own thigh to stop himself from bursting out laughing.
“That woman… the Great Saint manifesting?”
Wiping her tears, Verdi stared intently at Seiri.
Upon closer look, she hadn’t noticed before, but in Seiri’s blood-red eyes, an extraordinary aura radiated. It felt as though a massive vortex of power was condensed within her—a terrifying force, yet strangely at odds with her outward appearance. The term “bewitching beauty” seemed far more fitting than mere attractiveness.
Despite her own superior looks and noble lineage, Verdi suddenly felt a surge of shame and deep inferiority. She wanted to see Seiri even closer.
“Excuse me… may I examine the Saint for a moment?”
“You’re looking already.”
With a gaze unworthy of a Great Saint and a tone dripping with arrogance, Seiri faced Verdi.
With every step closer, the immense power emanating from Seiri prickled Verdi’s skin. Shivering, she couldn’t help but tense her shoulders.
“You… you’re absolutely not a Great Saint… this ominous, cold aura…”
Verdi held up the silver cross around her neck, shouting loudly toward Seiri.
“Don’t move! Great Ferdinando, I, your servant Saint Verdi, beseech the sacred power of God!”
The silver cross glowed and emitted a humming sound, startling everyone in the reception hall except Raiden.
“Saint Verdi… wh-what are you saying…?”
“Leno, do you know why I stopped my retreat and hurried down? Because the prophetic dream I had was extremely ominous.”
“Prophetic dream?”
“Yes! A dream foretelling the darkest darkness descending upon the Imperial Palace. And that darkness could only be him!”
“Th-That’s impossible. I saw the Great Saint with my own eyes! What are you saying?”
“Then am I wrong, having graduated top of the Academy?”
Until this point, Seiri wasn’t particularly concerned. Aside from the issue of the demonic seed, Verdi wasn’t exactly wrong.
For the past year, survival and performing good deeds were all that mattered; whether she was a Great Saint, a demon, or tied to the Empire and the palace seemed irrelevant.
But now—
“Your Majesty, please order me to imprison the Seed of Evil in the underground dungeon. We must seal it immediately before it causes greater harm!”
Seiri began to feel a tightness in her chest. Her breathing was heavier than before.
‘Huh… when did this happen…?’
Feeling her body, she immediately checked her wrists. Blood was filling her veins faster than before, faint red threads appearing through her skin.
After sending the three brothers away, she thought she could rest, but that had been a huge mistake.
‘You damn bastard. Revenge? You sent me alive just to indulge in your perverted schemes before killing me.’
“Gah…”
Her irritation flared, but there was no time to curse Ferdinando. Her knees shook.
At this rate, her blood would be completely filled soon. She needed to act—immediately.
The palace was on the verge of chaos.
The original Great Saint candidate pleaded for Seiri to be imprisoned underground. Seiri was trying to calm her labored breathing. Leno was caught in the middle, unsure what to do.
There were suddenly two Saints, one of whom was accused of being a demon. Yet decisions always rested with the supreme authority.
“Ugh… I feel like I’m going to die.”
Everyone’s attention focused on the Emperor’s decision when Seiri, sprawled on the sofa, groaned as if dying. Startled, Leno tried to approach her.
“Saint, are you in pain again?”
“Leno, stop!”
Verdi’s voice halted him.
“That’s a ruse. You know the tactics of demons—win sympathy and then strike from behind, right?”
“Something is being greatly misunderstood. I saw her walk out from Ferdinando’s Pool with my own eyes.”
“You fool! A high-ranked demon could easily create such an illusion!”
“It’s no illusion. Moreover, she wields the power of great love…”
“Silence, everyone!”
Raiden, observing Seiri’s change, spoke. The room went completely quiet, allowing Seiri’s murmurs to be heard.
“…do… it.”
“Pardon?”
“…let… me.”
“Saint, it seems your body is weak after manifesting. You must remain absolutely still—uhhh?”
Seiri, however, grabbed Leno’s lapel and pleaded.
“Enough, let’s do some good deeds right now!”
They had to survive first, dammit.
Leno, grasped by the lapel, was left in shock, mouth agape.
“I… I cannot believe it. You truly are…”
A true saint. On an entirely different plane from mere mortals.
For a brief moment, he reprimanded himself for doubting her due to her occasional arrogance, improper posture, and Verdi’s words.
“Did you see? Even in physical pain and humiliation, she used the power of great love to embrace barbarians with compassion. And now, in this body, she wants to do more good. How can anyone call her a demon?”
“Power of great love? That… really such a legendary power?”
“Verdi.”
Raiden interrupted her.
“Yes?”
“I will not ignore your words either. I will personally observe this matter. Until then, no one is to speak or act regarding it.”
Verdi could say nothing further. Yet she still believed Seiri, the one using holy power, was aligned against her.
And one more thing irritated her: Raiden’s familiarity in calling Seiri by name. That was her exclusive domain…!
Raiden was by no means a gentle man. Though the people saw him as infinitely kind and benevolent, those who faced him directly understood the truth.
Behind a beautiful smile lurked razor-sharp words and actions that had brought countless envoys and noblewomen to tears.
So why did he show a soft side to that strange woman? Because he truly believed she was the divine Great Saint? But hadn’t he despised all things divine? Why now?
“…On the way to the palace, I heard about a cursed village that fell for a demon’s trap.”
Letting go of the cross, Verdi spoke softly.
“If she truly is the Great Saint sent by God, cleansing the curse and saving the villagers would be no problem. Time is urgent—shall we go together now?”
“That is impossible! The Saint just manifested yesterday and is still weak. Moving immediately could overstrain her body. That duty falls to the priests and other Saints…”
At that moment, someone grabbed Leno’s coat. It was Seiri.
Her face was desperate, eyes moist—enough to tug at anyone’s heart.
“Where are they? Right now… ugh, we go.”
“My… Saint, you truly are…”
Ah, such indescribable urgency. This desperate resolve must have arisen from hearing of the village’s plight.
Whatever happens from here on, I will devote all I have to serve and follow her. No matter the outcome!
Clenching his fist, Leno spoke with grim resolve.
“Yes. We depart immediately.”
