[Yi-seo’s POV]
Every story needs a background, right?
In Delcross, there is a powerful ruler known as the Holy Emperor, essentially the divine representative. He guides the citizens on behalf of God and governs the Kingdom of the Lord, being the most noble cleric.
However, years ago, the Holy Emperor fell into the schemes of high demon lords, committing an irreversible sin.
The corrupted Holy Emperor is now a source of evil, shaking the very foundation of the world and threatening its existence. He has disrupted the boundaries between dimensions, exposing Delcross to invasion, and obstructed the reincarnation of the saint, the world’s protector.
Yes, to save this world, I must ultimately confront this powerful Holy Emperor.
“But how can I, devoid of divine power, stand against him? Who would support me if I suddenly declare myself a saintess?”
“First, request to undergo the Saintess’s Trials. If you pass, you can find the [Scepter of the Holy Emperor] in the Saint Bastian Church.”
The Scepter of the Holy Emperor.
It’s a precious relic where the body of the first demi-god Holy Emperor is enshrined.
If a worthy person prays before the scepter, the soul of the first Holy Emperor bestows upon them the blessing of divine power.
Only one person in each generation can receive this blessing. Once bestowed, no one else can receive it until the blessed one dies.
“Uh… But the trial of the saint, isn’t that like some medieval witch trial? Do I really have to do that? It’s kind of scary.”
“What’s the problem? People from the regular world can adjust their sensations at will, can’t they?”
“Sure, I can turn off my sense of pain, but that’s still a world within a book, right? What if I can’t control it there?”
“Don’t worry about that. The rules of the regular world that apply to your body will be transferred over there.”
That’s also possible thanks to the Holy Emperor weakening the dimensional boundaries.
Hmm, but just to be safe, I should still pack plenty of potions in my inventory.
“But I’m curious. Isn’t the Holy Emperor a sub-male lead?”
“He’s a married man with many princes and princesses. But, didn’t I just explain he’s the mastermind behind the world’s peril?”
“Huh? In romance fantasy, isn’t the mastermind as important a sub-male lead as any?”
“…….”
***
Screech.
With a faint whiff of smoke, the acrid smell of burning flesh assaulted the nostrils.
“Confess the truth now, you witch!”
As the jailer pressed the branding iron against Seo Yi-seo’s body, Cardinal Benitus watched with fierce eyes, growling in anger.
Due to the unprecedented situation where several inquisitors had thrown in the towel, Cardinal Benitus, the head of the heresy tribunal, was personally interrogating her.
Already agitated from hunting remnants of the dark cult, he was infuriated by this madwoman claiming to continue the legacy of the saintess.
“What sort of trickery is this! You, devoid of even a speck of divine power, how dare you pretend to be a saintess! Confess your schemes now!”
Despite Cardinal Benitus’s furious shouting, Seo Yi-seo, enduring the excruciating torture, remained calm, hands clasped in prayer, without so much as a whimper.
“I am but following the will of God. He decreed that a true crisis is impending over Delcross, and we must all unite to overcome this challenge.”
“This is still—”
“I am not seeking the burden of [Saintess] for any selfish reasons! Everything is for the blessed Delcross!”
Zing. Her words carried a deep, moving resonance.
Her devout demeanor, concerned only for the welfare of Delcross, even caused one of the jailers, who was heating the iron, to involuntarily make the sign of the cross, earning a stern glare from Cardinal Benitus.
At that moment.
“His, His Majesty has arrived.”
A jailer’s trembling voice announced from outside, and the Holy Emperor, unannounced, strode into the torture chamber, accompanied as always by the Commander of the Saint Aurelion Knights.
“Your Majesty! To what do we owe the honor of your presence here…?”
Everyone in the chamber, including Cardinal Benitus, hastily bowed their heads in shock.
The Holy Emperor surveyed the chaotic scene in the cell for a moment before sighing softly.
“…Engaging in futile actions.”
Seo Yi-seo, sneaking a glance at the Holy Emperor with one eyelid slightly raised, involuntarily swallowed hard.
‘…Wow, incredible!’
Why! How! Why isn’t he the male lead?
Hey, dear author! Are you listening? Huh?
Can’t we change the course of the story now?
As Seo Yi-seo internally screamed in silence, the Holy Emperor continued to scrutinize her, his eyes occasionally flashing a mysterious silver glow in the dim light of the dungeon.
“Do you wish to become a saintess?”
After a while, the Holy Emperor, in a quiet tone, broke the silence.
“Yes? Y-Yes… that is my intention…”
As Seo Yi-seo stuttered in surprise, the Holy Emperor nodded gravely.
“Very well, let it be so.”
“…What?”
“Huh?”
Seo Yi-seo, along with everyone else in the dungeon, was visibly startled by the Holy Emperor’s declaration. The Holy Emperor then turned to Katrina and commanded.
“Inform Archbishop Wesker immediately. Say that she is recommended by me, and there will be no need for further verification. Ensure she is officially inaugurated before the Birth Festival.”
He was making a monumental decision with an air of nonchalance, as if he were merely approving a minor expense report!
“…Gasp!”
Cardinal Benitus, who had been deflating in shock, suddenly snapped back to attention, his eyes bulging.
“Your Majesty, what do you mean! How can you elevate this witch to sainthood!”
“She is not a witch. She has expressed a firm intention to live her life in service as a saint, and such resolve should be respected.”
“But this woman has no divine power whatsoever!”
“The virtues of a saint are not in divine power, but in steadfast faith and unyielding will. Saint Gracia, too, was not a priestess in her lifetime. This woman has shown her dedication to the people, enduring harsh torture for them. Haven’t we seen enough of her faith and will, or is more verification needed?”
“But, but… the Trials of the Saintess are still…”
As Cardinal Benitus stuttered, pale-faced, the Holy Emperor slightly clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, still harping on ancient customs? From now on, no one is permitted to undergo public trials under the pretext of proving their faith.”
Cardinal Benitus stood there gaping. Meanwhile, Seo Yi-seo, who had managed to collect her thoughts amidst the shock, was quickly processing the situation.
Wait a minute. What does this mean for me?
What about my plan to be acknowledged by the citizens and the Orthodox Church, to be elevated to sainthood amidst everyone’s cheers?
What about my plan to seize the Scepter of the Holy Emperor and triumphantly defeat the false saintess?
“But, this cannot be!”
As Seo Yi-seo raised her voice in protest, everyone in the torture chamber looked at her in disbelief.
She was being offered sainthood on a silver platter, and yet, why was she objecting?
“I haven’t proven anything! If it ends like this, no one will recognize me as a true [Saintess]! I won’t be able to fulfill [God’s] will! I can’t complete my mission!”
“…….”
“Please consider! Allow me to undergo the trial and emerge as a true servant of [God]!”
“…Is that so?”
After intently observing Seo Yi-seo, the Holy Emperor softly responded, then faintly curled the corners of his mouth.
A chilling sensation crept over her, permeating her entire body.
As Seo Yi-seo felt an ominous atmosphere and clamped her mouth shut,
“Katrina, a moment.”
The Holy Emperor suddenly swayed and tilted forward. Katrina quickly supported him.
“Your… Your Majesty?”
Then, as if sensing something, Cardinal Benitus’s eyes widened in shock. He quickly prostrated himself on the ground, bowing his head.
What’s happening? What’s going on?
Confused, Seo Yi-seo looked around, only to suddenly notice something and jerk in surprise.
“What? What’s this? Why is the control panel acting up? Hey, wait… just a minute?”
Her eyes widened in horror.
And then.
“Kyaaaaaaaak!”
A piercing scream echoed through the torture chamber.
“It hurts! It hurts! Ack! Please! Don’t touch! Don’t mess with the sensitivity settings! Aaaaack!”
“…….”
“Kyaaak! Potion! Potion! Sob! Why? Why won’t the shortcut work? Potion! Sob! It hurts!”
Seo Yi-seo, who had maintained a dignified demeanor just moments ago, suddenly erupted into hysterics, rolling on the floor.
Everyone in the chamber was bewildered, looking at her in confusion. How could someone change so drastically, so suddenly!
“No! No! Aaack! Stop! Don’t go over 50%! Stop increasing it! Aaaaak!”
Now, Seo Yi-seo’s face was terror-stricken, tears and snot streaming down as she pleaded.
“Please! I was wrong! Just let me have a potion! It’s all a lie! I’m not a saintess! I’m not! Waaah!”
“…….”
“Sob, sob! It hurts so much! Please stop! Please, hiccup.”
“…….”
“Sob! Hiccup! Hiccup! I won’t do it! I won’t, just let me go! I really regret it! Hiccup!”
In the silent torture chamber, only Seo Yi-seo’s sobbing filled the space.
As her sobs gradually subsided, the Holy Emperor, who had been leaning on Katrina’s shoulder, opened his eyes.
He slowly stood up and walked over to Seo Yi-seo, who was crouching flat on the floor, trembling.
Looking down at her, he said,
“The Scepter of the Holy Emperor. That must be what you desire.”
“……!”
Noticing Seo Yi-seo’s body flinching, the Holy Emperor gently touched her head.
Suddenly, a sacred white light burst from his hand. The numerous wounds on Seo Yi-seo’s body began to heal without a trace.
“There’s no need to worry. I will make you a proper saintess and present you before the people. However…”
The Holy Emperor then whispered softly into the ear of Seo Yi-seo, who was still trembling and unable to raise her head.
“Stay quiet, live as if you were dead, according to the will of the Orthodox Church. Do not wander about claiming to undergo the Trials of the Saintess or serve the citizens.”
“…….”
“Do you understand?”
“Hiccup!”
Seo Yi-seo, hiccupping uncontrollably, nodded her head in a daze.
Tap tap. After indifferently tapping her head a couple of times, the Holy Emperor stood up and, just as he had come, briskly exited the torture chamber. Katrina quietly followed behind him.
“…Your Majesty!”
Cardinal Benitus, stunned by the sudden turn of events, snapped back to reality and hurried out of the chamber after the Holy Emperor.
“Your Majesty, the Scepter of the Holy Emperor, surely you don’t mean!”
He quickened his pace, trying to catch up with the Holy Emperor who was striding ahead.
“Do you really intend to bestow the Holy Emperor’s family blessing upon that witch? That’s preposterous!”
Not all Holy Emperors were born with immense divine power like Nate. Sometimes, when a successor without divine power had to assume the throne, the Scepter of the Holy Emperor was the highest treasure of the Holy Emperor’s family, empowering them to stand as a worthy representative of God.
“Your Majesty! There must be a more suitable recipient for that blessing…!”
“Cardinal Benitus.”
The Holy Emperor, pausing for a moment, continued speaking without turning around.
“You were probably thinking of using it for Masain.”
Startled, Cardinal Benitus’s face turned ashen as he was caught off guard.
He deeply respected the current Holy Emperor, who was befitting of the title of God’s representative more than anyone. However, he was always concerned about the ominous blood inherited from the current Holy Emperor’s mother.
In his mind, it was only right for Masain, the eldest legitimate heir, to succeed the throne next. But to think his intentions were already known?
As Cardinal Benitus’s face twisted with confusion, guilt, and shame, the Holy Emperor looked at him with a cold gaze and added softly,
“However, let it be clear. That is not a blessing, but a curse.”
