Seijo ni Narunode Nidoume no Jinsei wa Katte ni Sasetemoraimasu ~Outaihi wa, Zensei de Watashi wo Fu

     A few days after Natalie had left the temple to go home—

     The chief priest head to the ninth tower gate on the east side of the second temple. Beyond the gate was the first temple where the current saint resides.

     The chief priest knocked on the door. The door soon opened, the handmaids of the saint greeted him, “Come in.”

     They walked along the long corridor, statues were equally lined up in intervals until they reached the cathedral where the saint was currently in.

     The chief priest entered by himself, faint pale lights fell on the floor from the long windows that reached the ceiling. Its pattern can be seen on the stone floor, it appeared to be floating like a relief sculpture.

     At the center was the holy saint, kneeling and praying.  She slowly stood up and turned back. She’s wearing a white crown, which is only worn by the saints of Astoria. Her white dress is up until her neck with gold embroidery on the shoulders.

     ‘You’re getting old…’

     He’s used to how she looked, but for some reason he strongly felt it today.

     Even though her hair is still strangely black, the marks of old age are firmly rooted on her face. Wrinkles on her hand can be seen from her front. At the thought of it, the chief priest looked gloomy.

     Suddenly, when their eyes met, he realized that the saint was laughing. In an instant, he became ashamed of himself. The saint has seen through the chief priest’s heart. She laughed since he had a weird thought.

     “What is it?” She had a grin on her face, her voice slightly hoarse.

     The chief priest collected himself and bowed down, “There was a report that Liz Stefan had completely healed the burn marks of Natalie Neisan with her own sacred power.”

     “Is this true…?” The saint’s eyes widened.

     “Yes, it is rumored in the second temple that the next saint would be Liz. Since the holy dragon was born from her sacred fruit.” The chief priest shut his eyes, in deep thought.

     “I heard it.” In front of him was the saint, smiling, “—but it seems a bit too early to make that decision. The selection of the next saint is still likely to be eventful from now on.”

　* * * * *

     There was a hesitant knock on the door of Liz’s room.

     “Come in.”

     The door slowly opened, and there stood Prince Keefa. 

     People are restricted to enter the temple unless involved in the selection. She recently found out that Keefa is able to freely enter since he’s a direct descendant of the royal family. The temple is under their protection. As long as he doesn’t get involved with the selection, he has free access.

     It hasn’t been long since they’ve last met but it felt like it was due to the events that had happened. Liz unconsciously stared at Keefa.

     “There was too much work. I’m sorry that i wasn’t able to help you during the time of crisis.” His face clouded.

     They were attacked by the fruit monster, and had almost burned down by the white flame of the holy dragon. But there was no need for him to apologize, he’s not even a priest.

     “It’s alright. Don’t worry about it.”

     “Oh.” Keefa smiled sadly.

     She quickly looked away, she knew why he had that expression.

     He knew the incident had nothing to do with him. Even if he were present, he wouldn’t be able to help nor do anything. But still, if he were at her side, he would have protected her. He’s blaming himself for not being able to.

     Liz bit her lips, she felt a little happy about Keefa’s feelings. She cursed herself with all her might.

     “Kyu! Kyuu!” 

     Suddenly the holy dragon charged towards her and hit her hard on the nose.

     “Ouch!”

     Keefa stood in front of Liz, who’s holding her head down, groaning.

     “Are you alright!?—is this the Holy Dragon that the priests were talking about, by any chance?”

     “Certainly this is the Holy Dragon…Do you happen to like it?” she asked since his face shone excitedly.

     “Ah! I like all animals.”

     ‘Is the holy dragon categorized as an animal?’ she wondered.

     Keefa’s eyes were on the dragon, “Does it have a name?” he eagerly asked.

     Liz nodded triumphantly. She just thought of it yesterday. Since the holy dragon is white all over—

     “Shiro.”

     “Its name doesn’t sound like a holy dragon, but for a dog…No, i think it’s better to give it a more dignified and strong name. It’s a sacred being.”

     “—Great Shiro?”

     “Not that.” From Liz’s serious questioning gaze, Keefa decided to give up on it.

     The holy dragon stopped flying and landed on the floor, walking on his short legs. It ignored Liz and went in front of Keefa, it stared at him with its red eyes, “Kyu ”, it tilted its head to the side.

     “How cute!” Keefa happily exclaimed.

     ‘Eugene in the previous life was bad at animals, wasn’t he?’

     Liz recalled that Eugene was bitten by a dog in an orphanage when he was young. He didn’t like dogs, he was not good with them, even small animals like cats, or horses and donkeys that pulled carts.

     ‘He’s the exact opposite of Keefa’

     She’s also a different person in this world, she’s annoyed at herself for having thought such things.

     Then, Lloyd entered her room, he had quite an impatient expression which was rare.

     “Liz, there’s—Oh, Your Highness, Prince Keefa.” He stopped, surprised. He saw the prince interacting with the holy dragon.

     “Lloyd, I named the holy dragon, Shiro. Is it weird?”

     “Hmm.. If you ask me if it’s weird, I think it’s really weird, but isn’t it okay?”

     Then, he became serious, “Something more serious has happened. Come with me.”

     Since the hall is being repaired from the flames of the holy dragon. The candidate’s sacred plants have been moved to the festival hall on the  north side of the second temple.

     As they quickly walked along the corridor, she asked Lloyd, “What happened?”

     But his only reply was, “We’ll see.”

     “It’s strange. I thought it’s Liz who had the Holy dragon.” Lloyd murmured to himself, while Liz was looking at him with an anxious expression. Keefa, who was following from behind, stared at him.

     Once they arrived, they could hear noise and commotion even though it’s normally quiet in the temple. Inside, priests and the candidates were at the center of the room like walls.

     “Oh, Liz!” One of the candidates said. Everyone in the room turned and looked at her. Some had worried expressions, some were intrigued, curious, and some had awkward expressions.

     ‘What is it?’

     Just as she frowned, the Holy dragon on her shoulders spread its wings. Its red eyes were glowing. It cried out, “Gyu!!” with menace, as if to intimidate what’s beyond the wall of people. It was not its usual squeak, it was sharp and intense, hostility can be felt.

     She was surprised.

     “It’s moving!” the priest shouted in panic, the wall of people fled to escape.

     There was—

     “…!” Liz gasped.

     A glossy, black coat with golden eyes. It was a holy beast—a black leopard standing quietly at four feet tall. At its feet with sharp claws were shattered pot pieced and black petals. The remains of the dark sacred fruit lay with it.

     The black leopard, the holy beast, was probably born from that fruit.     

     The black beautiful petals on the floor were familiar to Liz. It belonged to one of the candidates, the court magician’s daughter. 

     The beast, who was watching Liz and her holy dragon, suddenly let out a roar. The air around them vibrated. Everyone moved back quietly due to its power.

     “No. This is not good.. stop it” The daughter of the Court Magician, who appeared from behind the black panther, exclaimed. The black leopard grew silent and curled up at her feet.

     “The Holy Beast came after the Holy Dragon—”

     “This has never happened before in Astoria.”

     The priests were buzzing, peering at Liz and the court magician’s daughter.

     Liz looked at the girl. She’s about the same age and height as Liz. She wore a purple-tinted black knee-length dress, her black hair a little longer, beyond her shoulder, and she had jet-black eyes. There was an aura around her that seemed to draw her in when she saw her, Liz wondered why it isn’t noticeable till now.

     The magician’s daughter, Manon Noiza, looked back at Liz with a bright smile, “The holy dragon and the holy beast are likely to have an interesting battle, right? Regards from now on, Liz.”