<Episode 11>
"If you've come to negotiate like this, you must want something. What are you after?"
The High Priestess asked sharply. Having roughly gauged her personality through the gods, I had prepared an answer she'd find convincing.
"What I want is the position of Saintess."
"Simple."
"Simple, but anyone—even a child on the street—knows how much there is to gain."
"Hmm......"
"High Priestess. I'm a commoner."
I cast my eyes down and feigned pathos.
"A poor, lowly commoner who even stayed in a vagabond shelter. If such a chance came to someone like me, wouldn't I be thrilled just at the thought of not starving?"
"Can't argue with that."
[She's quite convinced, despite what she says. Dorothy.]
"I might want more in the future, but not now. I don't want to miss this opportunity."
[Well done, Dorothy!]
Gaining confidence from Agatha's words, I widened my eyes, not forgetting to show a glint of raw desire.
"If I can have it, I will. I'm sick of the streets."
[That's right! Perfect!]
Agatha's excited voice was like a pansori drummer chiming in between lines.
[Now, wrap it up!]
Following Agatha's cue, I clenched my fist and trembled for the finale.
"I see...... Yes, that's it."
"Yes."
"Yes, Saintess."
The High Priestess's voice suddenly softened. She even used honorifics.
[She's fully convinced.]
"For the gods to speak to you. We're like family bound by blessings."
Her overbearing tone was gone.
"......Yes."
The greed in her eyes had subsided too.
She seemed to have sorted her thoughts in that short time.
"I hear you just arrived from Demong. Do you have a place to stay?"
The High Priestess looked at me with benevolent concern—a face so saintly, no one would believe it was the same woman pressuring me moments ago. Gentle yet dignified.
"No. As you said, I just came up from Demong and have nowhere to stay."
"Perfect. Even if you did, I'd have urged you, but with nowhere... please stay at the Grand Temple."
"Ah, yes....... Thank you for your consideration."
Securing a room in the Temple had been part of my plan anyway. I nodded readily.
"We'll ensure you're comfortable. Saintess. Looking forward to working with you."
I'd vaguely thought someone like the High Priestess couldn't fake kindness, but seeing her expression now proved otherwise.
Even I, who'd conversed with her, felt it was genuine goodwill.
'Does this job require acting skills after all......'
Memories of watching Mom do readings stung.
"As you said, I believe you'll bring me great help while staying at the Temple."
Her cool voice snapped my wandering thoughts back as the High Priestess spoke.
"......Of course."
Those piercing eyes. They seemed to say, 'Fail to deliver, and you won't get away with it.'
This was no kindness.
[She's weighing the pros and cons. That High Priestess.]
Agatha tipped me off to her thoughts.
[She doesn't fully believe you're the Saintess. She's still considering if her secrets leaked......]
[Then why keep me around?]
[She thinks you're useful from what you've done. Even better if you're real. So she'll keep you close and monitor to ensure no leaks.]
[Ahaha....... My plan worked, but it's a bit scary.]
[And she'll verify if the Emperor really sent for you. Either way, securing you now is best. If he truly wants you, she'd regret letting you go.]
Whoa, she weighed it that fast.
Her soft voice paired with beastly eyes sent chills down my spine.
"Keep the secret we shared today buried deep in your heart."
As expected, she followed with a command to stay silent about the vault.
"......Yes."
[If she didn't see you as useful, she might've killed you secretly just for knowing her secret.]
Should I be glad I proved some worth? Or scared to ally with someone who calculates endlessly in moments?
Either way, I'd dodged a small danger.
"If you need anything, I'll assign an attendant. Tell them."
"Yes."
"Well then—"
"High Priestess. One moment."
"What is it?"
Having cleared the small risk, the big one began now.
But the High Priestess seemed more complacent than I'd thought.
Time was of the essence, yet no discussion on next steps? Just end it like this? What did she think the Emperor might do......!
"I wanted to ask when you'll announce the Saintess's return."
"Saintess. It's too early to meddle in Temple affairs."
She replied with irritation beneath her kindly face.
I didn't flinch, but most would panic, thinking they'd erred. Impressive skill.
"No, it's not that. The Emperor gets information quickly."
"And?"
Her responses shortened slyly.
"Which means we need to strike first, faster."
"We'll announce within a week."
"A week's too long."
I met her eyes firmly and stated resolutely.
"Tomorrow at latest."
"What?"
"Today's papers are out, so too late. Get it in tomorrow's dawn edition. Official events later, but announce the Saintess's return ASAP."
Theodore had already sent men for me directly.
That alone signaled his displeasure over me.
I'd gained fame on front pages as the 'Gambling Saintess,' but that wouldn't stop him from targeting me.
Before the Temple's official protection, he could abduct me anytime.
The Grand Temple made it harder, but he'd manage. He's the Emperor, after all.
A week? Too much time for Theodore.
"If you're fake, the Temple's done. You dare ask me to take such a gamble? You?"
Freshly appeared young Saintess backtalking irritated her; her tone turned harsh again.
I pressed on undaunted.
"Need another secret from me—like your vault's location or diary fodder—to believe?"
No sharp retort came as expected.
Instead, she rose and approached.
[Why, why is she doing that?]
Her heavy steps carried weight; fear gripped me helplessly.
I trembled inwardly and asked Agatha.
[Sigh. Dorothy, just let me handle her.]
[Pardon? Handle h—]
Before I finished, the High Priestess floated up.
About a foot off the ground.
[How can the High Priestess lack faith and brim with greed like that!]
"Insane......"
This was divine power through my body? Levitating a person?!
"Wh-what is this......!"
The High Priestess panicked too. Our eyes met in midair.
"S-so...... how about announcing tomorrow......?"
Shock broke my voice. She finally nodded.
Trying to compose herself, but terror twisted her face—slightly comical.
"Y-yes. We'll do that......!"
True, when persuasion fails, force beats a hundred words.
Back on the floor, the pale High Priestess saw me off.
* * *
"I'll visit at dinner. Rest well, Saintess."
"Yes, thank you."
The Temple room was lavish and huge. Big enough for soccer—joke fit perfectly.
The massive bed could fit four, plush beyond words.
[Lady Agatha. Are you there?]
Finally with leisure, I called her.
[Yes, Dorothy!]
[Lady Agatha. Finally getting to say it! How do you levitate people?!]
[Haha! Surprised?]
[Surprised? Nearly fainted—]
[Incredible power! Just like a true Saintess—great, right?!]
Agatha said excitedly.
[Even as Guardian Gods, felt bad we couldn't do much for you....... Did it help persuade her?!]
With insane mind-reading, and she says nothing much?
Godly scale. Her original powers so vast, aid felt insufficient.
[Yes, tremendous help!]
[Phew. Glad. Truly! With more focus, maybe lift higher. Restore divine power, and we could hurl her?]
[N-no. Not that far.]
Unintended, but firm tone escaped.
[Haha. Feels great to be helpful!]
Agatha so pleased, hard to add 'Too shocking. Never again.'
[Everything's improving since meeting you, Dorothy...... Wait. Something's off.]
Suddenly, her voice turned grave.
[Pardon? What?]
[Our connection...... feels strange......]
[Pardon?]
[An unreadable presence...... I sense it.]
Intense hunch hit. If Agatha couldn't read it here, then who...
Knock knock.
The door flew open with the knock—meaningless.
"S-Saintess! You must hide!"
A pale priest rushed in.
"Wh-why?"
I startled too. No way. Please. No way.
"His Majesty the Emperor is here."
Why are bad premonitions always right?
