<Episode 16>
Things proceeded exactly as I had planned.
The very next morning after arriving at the Grand Temple, newspapers were plastered with stories about me.
I sat in the High Priestess's reception room, checking the papers alongside her.
「Maelta Church High Priestess: "Saintess Verification Complete" – Acknowledges Saintess's Return」
Every newspaper, from the front page to the last, was filled solely with stories of the saintess.
This was a major event on that scale.
「"Gambling Saintess" Dorothy Becomes "True Saintess" with High Priestess's Recognition」
There were even articles bundling my past exploits together.
My feelings were mixed. A sense of elation, wonder. So this is what it feels like to be famous.
Of course, I wasn't satisfied with just newspaper coverage.
「First Oracle in 16 Years Points to Saintess's Return… High Priestess Says It Signifies "Empire's Revival"」
「Oracle Expert Porot on Dawn Blue Flames: "Definite Revelation for High Priestess's Saintess Return Announcement," "High Priestess's Declaration Is God's Gift to Us"」
The top of the front page covered the High Priestess's acknowledgment of the return, while the bottom analyzed the divine revelation that had come down at dawn.
'Working perfectly.'
At sunrise, I'd asked the gods to send down an oracle.
It was the first in a very long time. The oracle's content was simple.
『Today, Our gift shall arrive by your side.』
Candles atop altars in Temples across the Empire all burned blue, backing my existence.
A flawless saintess production. Quite satisfying.
Of course, it was all just production. Skimming the articles, I folded the newspaper again. The uniformity was absurd.
"Look at the articles. The imperial citizens are overjoyed at the saintess's return. Thrilled, aren't you? Saintess."
"Yes, incredibly so."
I nodded with a bright face, and she smiled in deep satisfaction.
'She's thrilled.'
Good grief.
As if I were a fool.
The papers did cover the saintess, but a closer look showed every article oddly off-target.
The front-page headline emphasizing the High Priestess's recognition over the saintess's return was suspicious from the start.
And sure enough, the articles endlessly praised the High Priestess: 'High Priestess, Blessed by the Saintess,' 'Grand Temple Ushers in Unprecedented Peace and Prosperity,' 'God's Chosen High Priestess – A Messenger for the Ages.'
And that wasn't all.
When I'd insisted on announcing today, she'd opposed it, yet somehow she'd prepared a written interview for the newspapers.
The Empire's largest paper, Empire's Morning, ran it across the entire second page.
The content was outrageous. Praising the High Priestess's achievements while subtly hyping her through the saintess's abilities – masterful.
Not unexpected, but her greed was mildly overwhelming.
"Saintess. Does God… grant even oracles at your request?"
The High Priestess, watching me quietly, asked in a low voice. Impressed by the blue flames, apparently.
I nodded.
"Yes. When I said I wanted to clearly announce the undeniable saintess, They graciously agreed. Said it would help since it's impossible to fake."
"…God truly cherishes you."
The High Priestess smiled benignly.
"I'm grateful."
I returned the warmest saintess-like smile I could muster.
[‘Why this worthless, stupid wench?’]
Agatha relayed the High Priestess's inner thoughts.
At our first meeting, I'd clearly said I could know anything I wanted, but she apparently didn't think it included 'real-time mind-reading.' Judging by her vile thoughts.
[Dorothy. Do I really have to relay everything? Can't I just summarize? It's so base…]
Agatha said in a dejected voice. I firmly refused.
[Every time. I need the exact words for easy countermeasures. Nuances differ by single words.]
[Got it…]
Hearing vile words wasn't pleasant for me either, but duty called.
Do it right to escape this mess.
That aside. I hadn't expected ghosts haunting even the Temple. Sure, I'd seen one dangling from the ceiling in my room once.
But this was the Temple's heart.
Don't ghosts hate places like this? Yet why…
I'd been ignoring the man floating midair, watching us, and averting my eyes.
[Corruption. Due to corruption. The Temple's divine power has weakened greatly, barely blocking such souls, occasionally letting wandering ones slip in.]
The man had a pale face, hollow eyes, expressionless. Rope marks scarred his neck – creepy.
He tilted his head like a broken neck, staring fixedly at the High Priestess.
What a sight to ignite my resolve to work harder.
"…Saintess!"
Then, the High Priestess's clear voice pierced my thoughts.
"Yes, uh?"
"Shall we go out?"
"Pardon? Go out… where?"
Distracted by Agatha's explanation, my startled reply scattered.
"Did you not hear me?"
Listening to Agatha was informative and good, but inner conversations sometimes left me zoning out with people present.
"Ah, well… The articles left me dazed. Me, nothing special, now in the papers. Called true saintess…"
Noting her slightly twisted expression at being ignored, I hurriedly offered something soothing.
"Now I truly won't starve, right?"
Playing the 'joyful commoner girl escaping poverty.'
"Hm. Understandable."
She openly despised low, poor folk. Showing foolish, desire-driven honesty always convinced her.
"Thank you for understanding."
I smiled shyly like a timid girl. She withdrew her displeased glare, resuming her holy demeanor.
"Thanks to this morning's articles and blue flames, followers already chant your name. Praying thanks to the Grand Temple. Shall we greet them?"
[She says show your face for her gain.]
"Yes, yes. Sounds good."
For now, doing as the High Priestess wished was best. No other options anyway.
As a newly discovered commoner saintess, I opted for modest clothes over finery. Plenty of time to shine at the return ceremony.
"Come, this way."
The High Priestess gently led me. Up high in the Temple, we reached a large door.
The Grand Temple fronted a vast plaza. A balcony overlooked it, letting the High Priestess address the masses.
Beyond this door lay that balcony. Where I'd stand.
[Dorothy, tons of people outside.]
[That many?]
[Yes. But they'll love you, so relax. Breathe, breathe!]
Buoyed by Agatha's cheer, I stepped forward. Not yet seeing the crowd, no real tension hit.
The door opened.
Thunderous cheers exploded simultaneously.
"Woooaaah!"
'Whoa, startled me.'
I staggered in shock. Never heard such massive sound, let alone cheers directed at me. Overwhelming pressure made my heart pound.
Cautiously stepping onto the balcony, I leaned gripping the railing.
The world unfolded before me.
People… truly, really, insanely many.
The vast plaza packed tight, they screamed.
"Waaaah!"
"It's the saintess, the saintess!"
"High Priestess!"
"Ahh, noble one…!"
"God surely sent her to help us!"
'This is what I aimed for.'
Immense pressure surged.
Amid it, desperate cries of 'Saintess, help us' pierced through.
My chest tightened oddly.
"O-Our baby is sick!"
I turned toward the hoarse voice. A woman clutching her child wailed in ragged clothes, yet held out coins toward me.
'Damn holy donations…'
They believed donating would heal. When God hadn't received Temple prayers in ages.
The Emperor's welfare policies, starting from the Vagabond Relief Project and branching out, were just beginning.
Far more subjects needed aid than had received it.
Their faith never reached God.
That thought clenched my fists.
[Lady Agatha, hearing High Priestess mentions amid the cheers?]
[Yes. A lot.]
[Tell me.]
[‘Saw the paper? High Priestess receives God's love. Her coming brought this joy.’]
[And?]
[‘High Priestess blessed us! High Priestess, hurray!’ …Seems more praise for her than cheers for you.]
[Did she plant people?]
[Hmm. Too many to read clearly… But from her thoughts, yes, cheerleaders among them.]
[Lady Agatha. How much recovery for healing?]
[Not sure exactly.]
Can't heal the woman now. Other ways to show a miracle?
Waving to greet while sidelong glancing at her, an idea struck.
'Will mildly annoy the High Priestess.'
But having announced the saintess's return in my name, she couldn't mishandle me now.
What I'd do next: light payback for her greed plastering newspapers with her title over mine.
