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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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I had heard rumors about the cathedral in Batian several times.
It was said to be a building with centuries of history and tradition, steeped in the blood and tears of numerous saints.
In fact, although it was painted white, the yellow stains and marks visible in every corner of the building indicated that they hadn’t just gently knelt and bowed their heads to God while living.
‘I heard they have quite the rivalry with the royal family.’
Since I had only lived in the Demon Realm Forest, I was completely ignorant about these political aspects, so I couldn’t judge anything.
But if I were to honestly feel it, I wondered if they really had to compete for power using God’s will, religion, and politics.
Each had a different use and inclination, but they fought over it.
Seeing this, I was reminded of something I had heard from my 4th-year senior Aldric when I was doing a play.
I heard that actors who perform plays and singers who sing have a subtle rivalry and a sense of competition with each other.
At the time, I asked what that meant.
The difference between a play and a song was obvious.
If I had to compare something similar, it was that they both had an audience in front of them, but the points of moving the audience, their roles, and the atmosphere created were completely different.
Nevertheless, Aldric shrugged his shoulders and replied that despite the differences, actors and singers saw each other as rivals in the big picture.
‘What’s the difference from this?’
Even though Frisia was not a theocracy like the dragonkin and the politics and religion of the kingdom were clearly separate parts, why did they try to fight in the same ring?
Well, how would a Sherpa who only dug in the forest know the thoughts of those in high places?
Without thinking too hard, I expressed my honest impression of the cathedral I was seeing for the first time to Mikaela.
“What is that?”
At first, I thought it was a banner hanging above the cathedral, but it was a plain white cloth like drawing paper with nothing drawn on it.
Mikaela glanced at me and explained with a faint smile.
“It’s called a screen, a newly introduced device for this event. On the voting day, the saint candidates will proclaim to the citizens what they have realized during their month in Batian and their mindset as a saint.”
“Oh.”
“In the past, they used to put a huge podium in front of the cathedral, but it took time for construction, and believers of other gods sometimes engaged in violent acts, so it was changed to this method.”
Indeed, if they did it like that, the saint candidates could safely sit and shout how well-suited they were to be a saint.
“In addition to the cathedral, screens are scheduled to be installed in about 17 buildings for the saint election. So that citizens can watch wherever they are.”
‘Wow.’
I didn’t know about this, but it seemed that technology had developed more than I thought even 10 years ago.
I was admiring the technology from 10 years ago despite having seen the world 10 years later.
I felt a bit of self-loathing.
“By the way, will Diana be okay?”
“Yes, there is a nearby accommodation, so there is nothing to worry about.”
Mikaela kept glancing at the path where Diana had left, as if she was anxious about something.
In the end, I succeeded in sending my exhausted sister to the hotel where the academy students were staying.
As I was about to enter the cathedral while looking at the screen in amazement.
Along with a static sound that seemed to be rubbing my ears, the screen lit up.
I didn’t expect to see it operate so quickly.
“Archbishop?”
The Archbishop, an elderly man who could be called the highest authority in the cathedral now that there was no saint.
He made the sign of the cross once and spoke in a regretful voice.
“I have something to say to the citizens regarding this saint election.”
“Hmm?”
People started gathering in an instant, but I was lucky enough to be able to watch from the front row with Mikaela as I was about to enter the cathedral.
“Unfortunately, I must inform you that today, two of the seven saint candidates have withdrawn from their positions.”
The citizens immediately began to murmur.
They shouted, asking what this meant or demanding to reveal which gods the nuns served.
‘It’s real-time?’
Perhaps hearing the commotion outside, the Archbishop immediately revealed the two nuns to calm the people down.
“The two nuns who serve the goddess Demeter and the god Helios.”
Since both gods were believed by many people, a wave of protests demanding an explanation quickly spread from all over.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a very unnatural situation.
It was as if the citizens were acting wildly as if they had practiced.
“……”
Mikaela was bowing her head and muttering something next to me.
I was about to ask what she was doing, but the Archbishop’s speech continued.
“I originally intended to end it here, but as someone who serves God with the title of Archbishop, I thought I shouldn’t simply remain silent for the sake of justice in Batian.”
The Archbishop, who had a benevolent appearance, shouted while roughly slamming the desk.
“Everyone! In fact, the nun of the goddess Demeter was murdered. Moreover, by a beast in human form who claimed to serve the sun god!”
A greater commotion than ever spread.
Even in the screen, it seemed to be shaking as if trying to stop the Archbishop, but he steadfastly continued to speak without stopping.
“Lucia Bright! The nun who claimed to serve Helios! The woman who had even become a candidate for sainthood! How could she commit such an immoral and outrageous act! Was the position of a saint that tempting to you!”
“A-Archbishop!”
“Currently, she is on the run. We need the help of the citizens! To catch that filthy murderer! The wretched witch who stained the position of a saint with blood! Please catch her!”
The video ended with the Archbishop’s cry.
The white screen was up as if nothing had happened, but people were shouting as if Lucia Bright’s face had appeared there.
“Hammer the wicked witch!”
“Death to the murderer who insulted the name of the sun god!”
“God does not show mercy to murderers!”
Mikaela slowly raised her head as if she had come to her senses amidst the curses directed at Lucia Bright.
“It’s truly tearful news.”
The transparent tears of the nun overlapped with her pink eyes, resembling a faint ruby.
There was a noble beauty contained in it, as if taking the tears to a jeweler would make them buy it at a high price.
Pinch.
I reached out my hand and grabbed her cheek with my thumb and forefinger, snatching it up.
Lips that naturally opened like a carp, the mark drawn on her tongue.
“Huh?”
I spoke to Mikaela, who was looking up at me with an expression as if she had never even imagined this situation, in an emotionless voice.
“You just laughed, didn’t you?”
Bowing your head, covering your mouth with your hand.
Giggling and forcibly holding back laughter, I saw it all from the side, and you’re pretending as if you didn’t?
“Did you think I would fall for it if you played with the tears you shed from laughing too much?”
“L-Let go!”
Mikaela struggled as if telling me to let go, but no matter how much she twisted her body, she couldn’t escape my grip.
Rather, as I started to apply more pressure, a pink color flowed out from her mark, and the surrounding citizens turned their gazes toward us with expressions as if a knife fight had broken out.
“You used that mark to incite the people too, right?”
I saw with my own eyes that the citizens’ reactions gradually became more intense from the moment she bowed her head and started muttering.
I even suspected that this woman had manipulated the Archbishop’s excitement in the middle.
“Who are you!”
“What are you doing to the Sister!”
“Get off her! Get off her now!”
Even though they had been brainwashed, it seemed that it wasn’t complete coercion but slightly tweaking their own cognition, so the citizens weren’t moving like puppets but naturally getting angry at me.
If I hadn’t seen the mark seeping in, even I would have just believed it.
‘She became a saint in my previous life using this kind of method.’
Seeing her current actions, there was a high possibility that the numerous rumors about her good deeds that had flowed into the Demon Realm Forest were all false.
There was a possibility that she had really changed into a good person 10 years after becoming a saint.
‘But people who can manipulate others like this almost never escape from that power.’
If they could manipulate as they pleased anyway, why would they need to mind people’s eyes or forcibly do good deeds?
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. It was obvious that Mikaela would use this ability more intensely after becoming a saint.
People clung to me and tried to get me off her somehow, but I still looked down at Mikaela without even budging.
I was trying to ask her what she was thinking now or what her purpose was.
“Ha.”
Even I had to admit it this time.
Even though her tail had been stepped on like this, Mikaela was glaring at me as if she would tear me to death with eyes that didn’t know her own fault at all.
Of course, I wasn’t seriously pressuring her, but I could at least acknowledge her guts.
‘Even if I talk about Mikaela’s ability right here.’
The masses already caught in her ability would cover their eyes and ears and throw the eggs and milk they were going to eat for breakfast at me.
“You’re lucky. If something like this happens again next time, know that your tongue will be pulled out.”
As I let go of my hand, Mikaela rubbed both her cheeks with her hands and shouted in a hysterical voice as if she had made a pitch mistake during a musical performance.
“You ignorant bumpkin, I’ll make you die yearning for a thousand years of love under the feet of the goddess Aphrodite.”
Mikaela completely ignored the citizens’ worried voices asking if she was okay and just entered the cathedral.
Then the people who had been arguing that I should be crucified as if pouring cold water on me began to quiet down.
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Bruh, just snap her neck and be done with it. This arc is honestly obnoxious so far, with it forcing him to not be there to save the girls who are probably only alive due to massive plot armour. It would’ve been better if the author had the guts to actually kill them off and start the apocalypse if he was going to force the plot this much.
What?? So it was just an election?