<Episode 34>
I understood the High Priestess's bad mood.
She was already irritated by the "Saintess's Daily" corner, and my sparkling appearance today seemed to make it worse.
"High Priestess! You look so cool today."
I ignored her sarcastic remark and approached her, bouncing excitedly.
"......Hm."
"Anyone standing before you would feel their heart purified. You look so holy and majestic. Overflowing with dignity!"
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Ah...... I can feel God is pleased."
I flashed a bright smile and slipped in a mention of the gods, making the High Priestess's lips curve upward slyly.
"Well. As High Priestess, I'm pleased to hear I look dignified. Let's get moving."
Phew. One worry down.
I didn't want an uncomfortable carriage ride the whole way.
I followed behind her.
In truth, this blessing of beauty was more likely to fade quickly.
[Today, you'll see Theodore.]
Because Theodore would come.
[Probably, right?]
It was his aunt's birthday banquet. Theodore, weak to family, wouldn't miss it.
I steeled myself and walked firmly.
Today was the day.
Today, I would hear Theodore's conclusion.
Becoming the Saintess, pulling Cayden to my side, acquiring the newspaper.
It might still be insufficient...... but it was enough to show potential.
Theodore, quick with information, would naturally know Cayden bought Empire's Morning.
He'd also know the "Saintess's Daily" started serializing right after the acquisition.
'That means I pulled Cayden to my side.'
Theodore would have guessed that far.
Pulling the next head of one of the four great ducal houses to my side was a huge achievement. Moreover, Berardi was a powerhouse Theodore couldn't ignore.
So......
This could be the trigger for Theodore to give me a positive response.
I boarded the carriage full of hope. The ride to the Arland Marquis's residence was silent.
"High Priestess. Lately...... have you been busy?"
Gauging her mood, I started in an innocent voice.
"Busy? Why do you ask?"
"Well...... It feels like it's been a while since I've seen you."
"There just hasn't been anything major worth seeing."
The High Priestess replied nonchalantly.
"Hmm. Actually, I worry that you might not feel I'm helping you......"
I deliberately made a worried face.
With two instances of acting on my own outside her control, I wanted to show 'I'm obedient' as much as possible.
"No need to worry about that."
The High Priestess gave a sly, faint smile.
It seemed somewhat satisfied. Understandably so.
As I tried to continue the conversation, the carriage stopped.
We had arrived at the Arland Marquis's residence.
Though my second time, the evening hour and lavish decorations for the banquet made it feel entirely different.
Lanterns placed here and there brightly lit the path to the entrance.
"Wow......"
The High Priestess stood beside me as I murmured in quiet admiration.
"Let's go, Saintess."
[‘How tacky.’ she thinks.]
"......Yes."
Hearing the High Priestess's inner thoughts, I forced a smile.
The more I knew her, the more she justified my guilt when dealing with Temple people as I planned its downfall. A commendable figure.
"You've arrived. The Marchioness Arland awaits."
True to her word of treating me as an honored guest, the butler and attendants rushed out, took our outerwear, and bowed deeply.
We were led not to the banquet hall, but down an inner corridor. It wasn't far, and we arrived soon. Not the banquet hall......
"Marchioness. The Saintess and High Priestess—"
Before the butler finished, the door swung open. The Marchioness Arland stood with a radiant smile.
"Welcome. High Priestess, Saintess....... My goodness. How can you be so beautiful? I even feel like light is pouring onto the Saintess."
The Marchioness Arland, dressed in a splendid gown, greeted us.
"Oh, no. You're the beautiful one, Marchioness."
"I had words for you, so I guided you to the reception room first. Surprised?"
"No, not at all. What greater honor than the Marchioness seeking me out."
After exchanging pleasantries with the Marchioness Arland, the High Priestess and I sat.
We chatted lightly afterward. How beautifully the mansion was decorated, how dazzling the Marchioness looked, and so on.
"Saintess. How about holding my hand and entering together today?"
The Marchioness Arland dropped a bombshell.
"Pardon?"
It was her 'birthday' banquet...... Sharing the protagonist's spotlight?
I liked attention on me, but......
[The Marchioness thinks Dorothy appeared to save the Empire as a guardian god...... She wants to advertise that she's on your side, close to you.]
'That makes sense.'
Nobles already eager to claim a 'close to the Saintess' position.
Glad tidings amid the news.
Just burdensome entering as co-protagonist at such a grand banquet.
"Oh my, Marchioness....... To grant me such honor. But today is your birthday. I don't want to intrude."
I didn't accept immediately, waving my hand in a kind voice to uphold my Saintess image.
The Marchioness Arland chuckled and took my hand.
"Always so gentle. Truly the Empire's blessing."
"You're too kind."
"I'm thrilled you're attending, so this old woman wants to boast. Please indulge my greed."
"Hmm....... Yes. I understand. I'm so happy!"
I nodded with a shy smile.
The atmosphere was very warm and friendly.
Even the High Priestess smiled benignly.
She seemed unusually excited.
[She should be jealous now, but smiling means she's really pleased.]
[It's her greed, whatever.]
Agatha grumbled in reply.
The reason the High Priestess had been wearing that odd, pleased smile since earlier was the invitations.
Lately, invitations from some nobles kept arriving at the Temple.
After my return was announced and I'd attended the Marchioness Arland's tea party.
My attendance at the Marchioness Arland's tea party must have thrilled some nobles, even though they weren't there.
Inviting God's messenger, the Saintess, 'privately' had been burdensome, but she'd attended a private gathering!
Lower nobles, eyes on the crumbs from closeness, sent invitations straight to the Grand Temple.
Targeting the 'Saintess,' not the High Priestess.
But the High Priestess didn't even show them to me, filtering and deciding attendance alone, and even planned to attend solo, excluding me for my frequent impulsive actions.
[The invitations so far were nothing special......]
Agatha trailed off.
Fortunately, those from the Marchioness Arland's tea party attendees added no specifics to the rumor 'the Saintess attended the Marchioness Arland's tea party.'
No firm confirmation or denial......
Still uncertain.
Thus, no influential invitations among those the High Priestess diverted.
Just nobles playing it safe among themselves, with only bold, insignificant ones sending invites. Lucky for me.
Most nobles apparently thought dragging God's messenger into 'society' via invitations was somewhat reckless, so they hesitated.
'Even I think so.'
Inviting God's messenger to a salon for chit-chat.
'Feels like using a civil servant privately.'
Nobles, greedy yet valuing face immensely, hadn't sent invites from major figures yet.
[From today, only invitations the High Priestess will love will come.]
The problem started today.
The Marchioness Arland, a social heavyweight and the Emperor's aunt, had invited the Saintess.
No one could call her reckless, so other nobles backing off for face's sake was over.
Those hesitating would send letters now.
The High Priestess had anticipated this, hence her excitement.
[Hmm......]
I quietly watched the High Priestess chatting brightly with the Marchioness Arland.
[From today onward...... somehow, make her take me to every event, no matter what.]
Future invitations' hosts would hold events with real impact.
If I didn't attend to keep the High Priestess in check, bad rumors about Theodore would spread, and her influence would rise needlessly.
'Like that fake oracle calling him the Black Sun.'
That couldn't happen.
I recalled my steadfast guardian gods already at the banquet hall fulfilling my requests, organizing today's tasks step by step.
* * *
"Marchioness Arland enters with the Saintess."
Fitting the grand banquet, a fanfare sounded with the butler's loud announcement. A somewhat embarrassing entrance.
The door soon opened.
The banquet hall was larger than a soccer field.
Nobles in splendid dresses and tuxedos filled it. Their eyes all turned to me.
'Thanks to Ephrosyne's blessing.'
I stood side by side with the Marchioness Arland, receiving their gazes fully.
I'd stood before Temple crowds, so I thought it'd be fine, but this felt different.
Gazes from people simply shocked by my flying vs. those scrutinizing me head to toe up close felt worlds apart.
A sense of being judged...... or made a spectacle.
My heart pounded automatically.
"The Saintess...... indeed."
"My goodness. So beautiful?"
"Truly the Saintess's return. I knew at first sight."
"So beautiful......!"
Fortunately, thanks to the blessing, no bad words. Agatha's relays occasionally mixed in nobles' ill thoughts, but no issues.
"-Then, enjoy the banquet today, and thank you all for attending."
After the Marchioness Arland's greeting from the head table, the paused music resumed.
"Phew......"
First impressions seemed good.
"Saintess. Nervous?"
"Yes? Haha. A little....... May I get something to drink?"
Using nerves as excuse, I fled the VIP seat the Marchioness Arland offered.
Then, before Theodore arrived and the beauty blessing faded, time to hustle.
"Oh my, Saintess!"
As expected. Heading to the food table for champagne, people rushed over fussily.
[Ah...... There. That person! The one matching Dorothy's conditions best!]
Bingo. Now it begins.
