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

     The saint was carefully moved to the second temple since a candidate isn’t allowed to step outside. In hope that Liz is able to save and strengthen the power of the saint, she was brought to the festival hall. Even the bed that she was sleeping on was brought.

     The incense and charcoal were being fired and the area is being filled with a sweet aroma. It was a kind that seemed to be used for ceremonies for important people. The chief priest held the thin hand of the saint, praying.

     The expectations over Liz gathered and she managed to somehow swallow her saliva in her dry mouth. Her head ached. What should she do? At least she should know what to do to help, but she doesn’t even know what to do.

     The chief priest turned to her, “Then, Liz.”

     Wait a minute. She hurriedly grasped his robe, when he was going back.

     “What should I do? I don’t know how to do it.”

     “I do not know.” He responded to her with a straight face.

     “It’s alright. I’m sure you’ll know how if you look within, after all you have the power to put out the magic. So I’m sure you’ll be able to figure out.” he smiled and tapped her on the shoulder several times. Was it wishful thinking? Suddenly, his face changed into a serious expression, “We priests support and believe in you. We’ll try to help in any way. It is a wedge created by that impostor.”

     She knew that and at that moment, she nodded and the chief priest went down.

     “Please, Liz Stefan.” the king said to her as he stood at the bedside of the saint. With one swoop, her knees trembled. She’s never felt this pressure before. She slowly turned around and behind her were the chief priest and the other priests with their knees on the floor, looking up at Liz. And behind them were the king’s ministers as well as Olivia and Rebecca.  What was common with all of them was that their eyes showed that they were begging Liz. They entrusted their hope to her.

     At the end of the group of priests, her eyes met Lloyd. She could tell by the movement of his mouth that he’s encouraging her. Keefa, standing next to the king, smiled gently and nodded at her as if saying “Liz, you can do it.”

     With a small nod, she looked down at the saint’s figure. There was almost no more vitality left on her face and a painful feeling went through her mind.

     A white cloth covered her figure from her foot to her waist. The face of the real saint, that she sees for the first time, was exactly what the fake saint looked like, the clothes she wore were those of a familiar style that Manon wears.

     ‘I can…?’

     There is nothing to worry about, but can she really save the saint? Besides, she didn’t actually know that she possessed magical powers. She has lived and thought that she didn’t have one for a long time. Nevertheless, if that power is able to save the saint, Manon, who has been beside her all this time—

     She has to do it. Liz made a small nod, determined. At the foot of the bed, the Holy dragon was flying restlessly around, the black leopard was weakly on the cushion. 

     She called out, “Shiro” and it looked at the black leopard once and leaped on her shoulder. It’s okay. She’s not alone. Even though she doesn’t know anything about the saint, she knows that she’s loved by everyone. She’s someone that the country needs. So, definitely.

     ‘Help!’

      Liz’s whole body shone and she heard the murmurs of the senior ministers. She was calm and focused as she held her hands over the left chest of the saint.

     She can see it, the black wedge in her. The fake saint had indeed inserted the wedge into her with the intention of killing the real saint.

     Just before she was pierced, the saint placed so much power against it, therefore she had managed to survive. Otherwise, she would’ve certainly lost her life long ago.

     A cold chill ran down Liz’s spine.

     Still, the wedge with the curse on it is powerful. The saint is so exhausted and worn out that she couldn’t keep Manon’s figure.

     The chief priest said that it was an advanced type of magic to be able to change one’s appearance, though it is different in quality of the saint compared to the fake saint. The current holy saint’s magic can only be used by herself. On the other hand, the fake saint is able to change her figure many times as well as change someone else’s which is why it’s forbidden.

     In order to select the next female saint, she wanted to see the true nature of the candidates with her own eyes, rather than watching  the candidates from above. For the future of this country and thereof for the people.

     The fake saint was different. For her, it’s alright to hurt and make someone suffer just for the sake of her own desire and selfishness. She had the ability to use advanced magic, she was talented. Though, she’d use it for bloodshed. If Liz had the power, she’d use it for something else. To be happy, she’d deeply think about what she could positively do to be truly happy in the end.

     The fake saint didn’t lose to the present one, she lost due to herself. To herself, who could not overcome the hatred and not go against her immediate desire――

     There was a response. She didn’t actually touch it, but she knew she had to grab it. With great effort, she slowly pulled it up. A black wedge emerged from the saint’s chest as it was wrapped around in white light.

     From behind, came a sudden cheering. Perhaps it was waiting for that moment and as its last resistance, the wedge gave out a lurid light. Even though the fake saint is dead, Liz’s back felt cold as to how deep her hatred was

     In an instant the wedge broke itself. Little crumbling fragments of the wedge flew towards the crowd, making a very dry, unpleasant noise.

     “What is this!?”

     “Help me!”

      A magical wall appeared in front of the people, they were suddenly confused and tried to flee. The wedge shards thrust into the wall vigorously. As the chief priest chants a spell, every piece of the wedge wrapped up around the wall and hardened.

     “Your Highness Prince Keefa!” Liz heard Lloyd’s sharp voice. She looked back and saw that Keefa managed to avoid the wedge that had almost hit him.

     Wedge shards pierced the marble table near the wall. The fragments glowed and the heavy table floated.

     “What’s this…?” That moment Keefa and Lloyd muttered at the same time.

     The black light wrapped around the table flew towards Keefa. Lloyd used his magic and created a wall of light where the table crashed into with a loud smash. Liz let out a sigh of relief. However the table seemed to have its own will and was about to break through the wall. It was too intense.

     Then the Holy dragon breathed out a white flame. The table with the wedge burned down. The magic wall of the chief priest was engulfed with the flames.

     “Thank you, Shiro. I’m saved!” Keefa let out a relieved laugh and nodded to it, “You’re a very good fellow.”

     “I’ll do it, Holy dragon.” Lloyd said smiling. 

     It turned to him with cold eyes as if saying, “I hate you because you called me ‘Fat dragon’.”

     “Liz!?” Keefa cried out. A number of wedge fragments that attacked them also aimed at Liz. However, the white light surrounding her engulfed them and it did not touch any part of her body. It crumbled like burnt out charcoal, similar to that time with the manastone. 

     “Amazing!”

     “Is that what the chief priest said, the power to negate the magic power…”

     The priests who had been defending Olivia and Rebecca from the shards were amazed.

     From one of the wedges, the black light vanished, as if to  aim at a gap of commotion. The inconspicuous fragments fly towards the saint’s chest. It was like the fake saint had taken over it, grinning.

     The priests noticed and cried out. 

     However, Liz was quick to react as she extended her right hand to bring out the fragment. It was within her expectations. Liz, who had lost her door, figured the unlikeliness of the fake saint. Liz grabbed it and placed all of her strength into her hand.

     “Go away!” Her eyes were wide, it was like a voice of a crane. 

     The shards were doing its best to fulfil its last wish, but the hand where Liz concentrated all her white light in made it not able to push through. It then burned out and in a matter of seconds, it was destroyed.

     Exclamations of shock came from the priests. The wedge disappeared. Liz held her breath and stared at the saint. Behind her, she could feel the stares. The air was so tense that she could feel her skin tingling.

     Soon, color returned to the saint’s face. As she breathed in, her skin began to turn light red and her eyes opened.  The same jet black eyes that Manon had slowly twitched and looked at Liz.

     ‘She’s completely different from the fake saint.’

     Even though they looked exactly the same, her aura is different. It is soft and warm as if it were gently wrapping you. 

     The  saint slowly smiled at Liz, “Thank you, Liz.” her hoarse voice carried so much gratitude. 

     Liz gave a sigh of relief and smiled back at her.

     “Ah! The Holy Saint.”

     “Amazing, Liz Stefan!”

     A flood of exuberant cheers echoed throughout the festival hall. The priests thanked her with so much gratitude, Olivia and Rebecca joined hands and rejoiced and the senior ministers applauded.

     “I’m glad,” the king approached her with a smile. The saint tried to get up but he stopped her, “It’s alright. I’m just really glad.”

     The King smiled and turned to Liz. “Thank you,” he said, bowing.

     Liz froze again and noticed that Keefa doesn’t look like the king. She heard that he looked like the late queen, however the hair in front of her is as brown as Keefa’s.

     ‘…good’ what a relief

     It was a warm feeling. Keefa was blessed with a good father, unlike the one in his previous life. He asked Liz a favor and even bowed down to someone under the commoners for his country over his pride. He didn’t even hesitate to sincerely thank her.

     The priests rubbed their hands over their eyes. They were happy.

     “I’m afraid,” the saint smiled and raised her eyebrows, “chief priest your hair has receded a lot since last I saw you—”

     “Don’t touch it.”

     The revived black leopard lifted its head gently and swiftly ascended to the bed. 

     “Kyu…!” The Holy dragon joyfully squealed, then it shut its mouth as it had suddenly felt conscious. The Black leopard glanced at the Holy dragon and softly turned its head away.

     Lloyd held his forehead with one hand and let out a long breath as he felt truly at ease. When Liz smiled, he gave out a chuckle and a smile. 

     Keefa rushed over to her with a smile on his face, “You were really amazing. I was surprised.” his brown eyes sparkled with excitement, she can see the respect and affection for her in those eyes.  

     On the other hand Liz felt loneliness flow to her. She has to leave the temple soon. Even if she were hired as a maid, he’s still the crown prince. Even her position as a candidate could not even balance it. It’s slightly different from her previous life, but unless he’s in a different rank or position, she can’t stay with him.

     Only for now. Just now. As her emotions kicked in, Liz gazed at Keefa. His brown soft hair and eyes, gentle smile, she tried to imprint it in her mind. So that when she goes back to her home, she’ll remember clearly all features and details of him.

     The saint, who had risen from the bed, talked to the chief priest face to face, discussing something. The chief priest was worried about the saint’s body condition, but he had something to do. He nodded then looked at Liz and the other candidates, “It’s sudden, but we will start the final selection.” he said.

     “What? Eh!?”

     “Now!?”

     There were surprised cries among the candidates and the priests.

     With a smile, the chief priest continued, “Yes, starting now. Everyone’s here and I thought it’s just  right. Now, Olivia, Rebecca and Liz, Have each of you found your ‘door’?

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