saint ch3

Reincarnated as a Saint (2)

I desperately racked my brain.

It was a desperate scramble of thoughts, buffed by my survival instinct.

Originally, Ronan didn’t have a mark on the back of his hand.

And now I have a mark on the back of my hand.

Ronan definitely died in that solitary cell, but I’m here, alive and well, and called a Saint.

And finally, that divine being I met.

It wasn’t hard to guess what had happened.

“Ah, yes. Recalling that day makes my back ache.”

The Cardinals’ eyes narrowed slightly.

They were sizing me up, trying to figure out what to do with me.

“However, I don’t think you need to excommunicate that priest. I attained enlightenment through his harsh teachings.”

Honestly, I didn’t care if that bastard was excommunicated, died, or whatever, but at least forgiving the guy who tried to kill me would lend sincerity to my words.

“Oh ho, could you enlighten a fool like me as to what that enlightenment is?”

“Everything God does is right.”

“…Isn’t that obvious?”

I looked at the Cardinal, whose voice was as gentle as the old man next door, but who was inwardly contemplating declaring me a heretic at any moment, and tried my best to put on an innocent smile, hoping I was doing well.

By the way, I’m a Saint, right?

What’s with the heresy declaration?

Is this right?

“I caused such a commotion because I didn’t know that obvious truth. If everything God does is right, then everything the Order, which God commands, does must also be right. That priest must have felt like he was swallowing gall.”

I felt like I was breaking out in hives all over my body from spouting such fanatical nonsense that I didn’t even believe, but I held it in.

It felt like a crucial crossroads where my life was at stake.

“Oh ho…”

I began to feel a hint of surprise in the Cardinal’s eyes, and the tension that had been swirling around me began to dissipate.

“Are you aware? The Sacred Imprint that appeared on Saint Ronan’s hand is not the typical Sacred Imprint of Orion.”

Huh?

I’m a Saint, right?

I even met a god.

Isn’t that why I got the Sacred Imprint?

“Ah, is that so? I wasn’t aware.”

“Do you perhaps remember anything? During your time of penance, did you meet Orion and receive teachings?”

Penance, my ass.

Since when did praying for death turn into a time of penance?

“I’m not sure if it was Orion. The god I met didn’t say much, and seemed like a woman. But now that I think about it, it felt like a man, a child, and an old person too. Do you happen to know the name of the god I met?”

The god Orion is described as male, so it couldn’t be the god Orion.

Half out of spite, half hoping to get some information, I asked the Cardinals, and they exchanged glances.

It’s obvious you guys don’t know either.

“Are you saying that the being didn’t reveal their name?”

“Yes.”

“But it definitely took on a human form?”

“Yes.”

A murmur of puzzlement rippled through the Cardinals.

Ronan’s memories were gradually assimilating into me.

The tribal god takes the form of their tribe.

If it took on a human form, it must be a human god, but it’s not Orion.

Of course, they would be confused.

“Huhu… then the answer is simple.”

What?

It was clear that none of them knew.

Even the Cardinal who started speaking was still at a loss internally.

But his tone was so confident that even the other Cardinals turned their gazes to him, curious about what he was going to say.

“That god must be Orion. He came to give teachings to the Saint, but judged that the Saint was still lacking, so he didn’t reveal his true form and name.”

“Ah… I see…”

“Huhu, if the Saint steadily receives teachings about Orion from us, the day will come when Orion will truly appear before the Saint and bestow blessings.”

“I see” my ass.

I replied as if I had attained enlightenment, but I was dumbfounded.

He was a truly born con artist.

How could he create such a lie so quickly, even though he didn’t believe it himself?

Even more chilling was how he framed me as an incomplete Saint in that short lie, and even gained psychological superiority by asking me to seek teachings from them.

Is this the quick wit of a seasoned, corrupt Order Cardinal?

He’d succeed even as a web novel writer.

“Truly, this is a great blessing for the Order. It’s as if we can already see the true blossoming of the boy Saint who gained enlightenment through hardship.”

“Cardinal Levia’s faithful insight is astonishing. I am also deeply moved.”

I became extremely dizzy at the Cardinals’ antics, now patting each other on the back and making a fuss.

Couldn’t they do that nonsense outside with each other?

I’m too confused right now, you know?

“Then, for the time being… how about we prohibit access from outsiders and we ‘advise’ the Saint?”

The thoughts that had been drifting elsewhere were jolted awake as if splashed with cold water at that statement.

The Cardinals, who had been wearing pleased smiles, were now looking at me and agreeing with him, and I felt my danger-sensing gauge rising vertically.

No, wasn’t I just supposed to prove my faith in the Order and the story of becoming a Saint?

“Of course. I, too, want to see the Saint quickly become a butterfly and preach the light to the world.”

“Is that what you mean? If our ‘advice’ can hasten that time, we would be incomparably gratified.”

Damn it, you bastards.

What’s with the subtle accent and dark aura in that ‘advice’ part?

You’re going to lock me up in a fancy solitary cell and brainwash me, aren’t you!

So typical!

At this rate, I’m going to end up with a brainwashed and corrupted ending where I say I love the Cardinals’ teachings too much.

Especially because of that pig who thinks he’s hiding his lecherous eyes since a while ago!

“Um… Cardinals.”

At my words, the Cardinals’ eyes moved gently, as if telling me to say what I had to say.

They were like the eyes of someone listening to what a goose has to say before cutting open its belly.

Honestly, this is the best I can do with Ronan’s memories, but I’m not sure if it will work.

It would seem strange to make another proposal if this one is rejected.

They might suspect that I have other intentions.

Hoping that it would work, and trusting in the Cardinals’ desires, I took a gamble.

“I am fully aware that this is a childish whim. ‘Spoiled’ would be a more appropriate term. I dare to ask, could I at least finish my probationary period where I was being educated?”

The Cardinals’ eyes changed sharply, as if this was a completely unexpected proposal, and they were trying to grasp my true intentions.

“Saint… the Saint is a very precious being. What if you get bad influences from mingling with the trainees…”

“There will also be problems with security. We can’t have your precious body getting hurt.”

As expected, the Cardinals, who couldn’t grasp my true intentions and judged that it wouldn’t be beneficial, conveyed their opposition.

And the excuses they brought up were truly… it was like they were advertising that they didn’t believe in the clergy.

Where did love and faith go?

“What danger could there be to my body among the believers who worship the god Orion? I simply want to be with my colleagues who were receiving teachings together. Among them are many excellent people, such as the children of the Cardinals here.”

“…”

A chilling silence settled among the Cardinals.

It was an awkward atmosphere that anyone could notice, and a fierce battle of nerves broke out among the Cardinals in an instant.

If the Order had been brainwashing and using the Saint to their liking until now, then the Saint’s will would soon become the Cardinals’ implications.

And that implication was likely to be a clumsy compromise created between the Cardinals pursuing their own desires.

In my opinion, these old men were closer to power-holders, corrupt power-holders, than clergymen.

A corrupt power group working towards the same goal with one heart and one mind?

Where on earth does such a thing exist?

In this situation, what if they could create a friendship with the Saint, who is very faithful to the Order, so fanatical that there seems to be no need for brainwashing, while keeping the Saint’s will alive?

They would have created a means to create a very strong support vote for their own intentions.

The meaning that a Saint holds in the Order, not only in the Order but also worldwide, seems to be enormous.

In name, they are a transcendent being directly chosen by God, so in terms of rank, they are above the Pope, and the support and approval of the masses is also enormous.

There may be people who criticize high-ranking clergymen, saying that they are no different from corrupt nobles, but no one criticizes the Saint.

The Saint is proof of God in their very existence, and the embodiment of right and wrong.

The existence of the Sacred Imprint makes the Saint a perfect being whose self-proof is代行 by God, and therefore is granted absolute legitimacy in everything.

What if they could influence such a Saint to their own will?

Or even build a friendship and guide their opinions in a way that is favorable to them?

“How can the Saint’s heart be so kind? I can’t possibly refuse this lovely request.”

“That’s right. That’s right. At a young age, the teachings gained from peers may be more significant than our words.”

The Cardinals who currently have children or grandchildren in the trainee clergy process quickly came out in support of my opinion.

“Hmm… even so, it would be too dangerous since completing all the trainee processes requires visiting not only this place but also other places.”

“Besides, what could the Saint possibly gain from the trainee process? The Saint is theology itself.”

And those who did not currently have children or related people in the trainee process opposed it in order to check the opponent.

The number of people who supported my opinion was slightly smaller, but the overall voice was stronger, and a fairly exciting stalemate was maintained.

I wish I had some popcorn to chew on.

And finally.

“If that is the Saint’s opinion, how can we refuse? Once you have recovered, do as you normally would.”

Yes! It worked!

The opinion of the approving side, which pushed through with the excuse that the Saint’s opinion must be respected, was finally passed.

“However, Saint Ronan. You will have to announce that your Sacred Imprint is incomplete and that you need further teachings as a result.”

“After all, there has never been a Saint who needed more education because of an incomplete Sacred Imprint.”

“The Order will also treat you more like a trainee than a formal Saint for the time being. You can’t take it back since the Saint himself wanted it.”

However, in a situation where there could be some external contact and they had not completely taken me into their hands, they judged that it was 불안 to give the Saint all the authority right away, and everyone was eager to take away the Saint’s legitimacy.

“Isn’t there anything I wouldn’t accept? I’m just grateful. I’m really grateful.”

They were things that I didn’t even need right now anyway.

I had nothing to regret.

Perhaps it was because my repeated bowing and expressing gratitude made them feel like it was enhancing their authority.

The Cardinals, who had been subtly expressing satisfaction, left, leaving words for me to take good care of myself.

So please don’t use the Saint as a biological doll and treat them as a precious personality, okay?

I’ll give you this kind of lip service as much as you want.

My mind, which had just woken up, wanted to fall asleep again, but I forcibly awakened my mind by slapping both cheeks, as I might fall asleep forever from tomorrow if I slept now.

I needed to thoroughly examine Ronan’s memories.

For now, it would have the biggest impact on my course of action.

I might not have even thought of the gamble I just made if it hadn’t been for the status of the Saint in this world that existed in Ronan’s memories.

Lost in thought, sifting through every memory, I felt the door open again and someone enter.

Unlike the people from before, this time it was a small girl.

Who is this?

The words floating above the girl’s head answered my question as soon as it arose.

Celia Sobeon

Beneath the name, as expected, were trivial details.

…Trainee Cleric?

This time, the occupation ‘Trainee Cleric’ caught my eye.

Moreover, she was a girl faintly present in Ronan’s memories that I had just skimmed through.

One of the Trainee Clerics who took classes with Ronan.

“Celia Sobeon?”

When I called her name first, Celia, who had entered and was flustered, unsure of what to do, startled and approached me.

“Y-yes! W-will you grant me the honor of k-kissing your Sacred Imprint?”

She stuttered so much I was worried for her, yet she managed to finish her sentence, which was almost pitiful.

Her aura, which she wasn’t even aware of, was noticeable.

Immense pressure, awe, fear.

And a hint of curiosity.

Is this how ordinary people feel when they encounter a Saint?

Those Cardinals must be up to something.

A Saint should be revered by everyone like this, shouldn’t they?

“There’s no need to be so stiff. We’re fellow Trainee Cleric classmates.”

“How could I dare!”

Her voice cracked in panic, and she covered her mouth, fidgeting, which was quite cute.

“If that’s what makes you comfortable, then I suppose it can’t be helped.”

As if there was no other option, I offered my right hand, and Celia took it as if receiving a precious object, kissing the back of my hand.

Much better than the old men kissing it.

“But what brings you here?”

“I received orders from Andreo. To serve Ronan from today onwards…”

“Hmm…”

A personal attendant?

I pondered for a moment at this unexpected turn of events.

It was quite common here, even though it seemed absurd that a religious group would treat one Cleric like a personal servant to another.

Clerics in high positions had other Clerics as attendants, and people didn’t find it particularly strange.

In fact, there was even a perception that it was natural to receive such treatment, as they were the ones who served God in the highest place.

Did they trade in the most common cheat codes for gaining people’s support in a religious group—brotherhood and equality—for엿?

However, according to that logic, even though they arbitrarily concluded that I was a half-baked Saint and left, I was still a Saint in name, so assigning a Trainee Cleric as an assistant was not fitting.

If they were going to treat me like a Trainee Cleric for the time being, and if they were really going to treat me like a Trainee Cleric, they shouldn’t have assigned an attendant at all.

To give me an attendant in such an ambiguous way, and even make that attendant a fellow Trainee Cleric? It was clearly strange.

Then there must be a reason why Celia was assigned.

…

The image of the Cardinals, who had been heatedly arguing until just now, came to mind.

I see.

In the end, this is also an extension of their own self-interest.

The Cardinals want to restrict my authority in preparation for any possible situation, but the more my authority increases, the more it benefits the Order, or rather, themselves.

In other words, they want to save face for me only to the extent that they can control me.

The conclusion they reached was this ambiguous treatment, neither really taking care of me nor completely neglecting me.

Adding my own speculation to this, the high-ranking Cleric who should originally be serving me would naturally already belong to a faction.

A believer without a faction?

With the Cardinals, the highest-ranking members of the Order, acting like that, such a person would probably have been weeded out long ago.

The Cardinals wouldn’t want to make someone from a specific faction my attendant.

They would be in contact with me more than anyone else, so why would they want to benefit someone else?

In the end, they came to an agreement.

Then let’s pick one of the children who don’t belong to any faction and use them temporarily.

Since they want to complete the Trainee Cleric course, we can pick one of the fellow Trainee Clerics.

Except for the children from families with connections anywhere.

And exclude your children too!!

I didn’t know whether to admire or be fed up with the way they were scheming even in such a short time, paying attention to these details…

Thanks to that, I have someone who doesn’t yet belong to the church’s factions, even if it’s only temporary, so that’s good.

Having concluded that Celia was harmless, I told Celia, who was still standing there watching me, to sit down.

…Hmm, a life where I can order a cute girl of my age to do this and that.

Might not be so bad.

It took quite a while for me, lost in idle thoughts, to regain my senses.