Chapter 108: Doesn’t Remember

The meeting had ended.

Archbishop Belon had already assigned the tasks for the different areas of Saint Prayer Day to all the saintess candidates present. Next, it would be up to the saintess candidates to head to their responsible regions and perform prayers on the day of the festival.

“Via, don’t worry. On Saint Prayer Day, just leave everything to me.”

Sophie stood by Via’s side, whispering softly.

“Sister!”

Via heard Sophie’s voice and nodded.

She’s as reliable as ever.

“Alright, everything that needed to be said has been announced to you all. You may return and rest.”

Belon addressed all the saintess candidates. “Go back now. Don’t forget my words from today—think carefully about how to face the trials ahead!”

“Yes, Archbishop.”

The saintess candidates replied in unison.

“Sophie, come with me first. There are still some matters that need your attention!”

Belon called out to Sophie.

“Yes.”

Sophie nodded in acknowledgment. Then, she followed Belon and left ahead of the others.

“Oh dear, looks like we can’t slack off so casually from here on out.”

Mia yawned. “Since the Demon King has already resurrected, we have to seize the time and improve ourselves as quickly as possible.”

“Mia, though you say that out loud, in reality, you’ve been diligently training in secret quite a bit, haven’t you?”

Janice laughed.

“No way, I’ve always been looking for ways to slack off on the Holy Land’s assignments.”

“I heard your inner voice.”

“Oh, Janice, you really need to change that habit of listening to others’ inner voices.”

Mia replied. “Sometimes, it can cause trouble for those around you.”

“Then, as atonement, let me treat you to lunch. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”

“Sure, if you’re treating me to a meal, what more can I say? Let’s go~”

Mia and Janice made plans to go eat together.

From their conversation, it wasn’t hard for the others to see that Mia and Janice had a pretty good relationship.

“It’s time to go back and make preparations.”

Isher still wore her serious expression. “Saint Prayer Day doesn’t just affect the believers’ and public’s evaluation of us—it also concerns the Holy Land’s reputation. As saintess candidates, we can’t afford any mistakes.”

The other saintess candidates left the chapel one after another.

“Via, everyone’s so serious!”

Nana walked up to Via’s side. “Even I’ve been influenced. I feel like I have to take Saint Prayer Day seriously!”

“Have you not taken it seriously in the past?”

Via asked.

“I’ve always been serious before.”

Nana said. “It’s just that the results are always a bit off. All sorts of mishaps happen, and the believers frown when they see me.”

Nana was clearly talking about embarrassing things, yet there wasn’t a trace of awkwardness on her face.

What a thick-skinned person.

Via sighed inwardly. Sometimes, she envied these people who weren’t affected by external pressures, no matter how great.

“Ah, I really envy you, Via.”

Nana suddenly sighed.

“Me?”

Via was a bit surprised.

“Yeah. You get to act together with Sophie. On Saint Prayer Day, you just need to put on a show—you don’t have to do much to get by. After all, with the number one ranked Sophie there, as long as it’s not intentional, it won’t be messed up.”

“…You speak too bluntly.”

Via didn’t want to admit it, but that was indeed the case.

In these matters, Sophie was truly too reliable.

On the day of Saint Prayer Day, she could just tag along with Sophie, strike a pose up there, and pretend to be trying hard.

As for actually praying for the descent of divine grace, she could leave that to Sophie.

“Via, want to go eat together?”

Nana asked.

“Sure.”

Via wasn’t particularly good at dealing with Nana, but at least Nana had no malice toward her.

Whatever opinions she had, she said them straight out.

Though some of her remarks sounded quite piercing, it was still much better than the sneaky attacks from others.

“Since you agreed? Via, since when did you stop being so shy?”

Nana said. “Before, you were always hiding behind your sister.”

“It’s just eating a meal; it’s not like anything…”

Via and Nana set off together, planning to leave the chapel.

But just before the exit, she spotted the saintess candidate hugging her doll, blocking the doorway with a fierce attitude.

“Ruby? Do you want to come eat with us too?”

Nana asked curiously.

“Hey!”

Ruby ignored Nana and marched straight up to Via.

Clearly, this petite saintess candidate’s target was Via.

“Me?”

Via realized the other was here to talk to her.

“Even now, you still haven’t grasped holy power?”

Ruby asked.

“No.”

“Why?”

“You’re asking why… It’s simply impossible for me.”

“You—you’re too disappointing!”

Ruby was furious. “After so many years, don’t you have any awareness to make an effort? No matter what, you are Lady Sylvia’s daughter!”

Via had heard this line so many times it felt like calluses on her ears.

If it were before, such pressure would have made her feel extremely guilty.

But not anymore.

She only thought: I’m the Demon King! I don’t need any holy power or whatever.

“I said all that, why can you not say a single word back? At least get angry!”

Ruby’s emotions inexplicably surged with agitation. “If it were a normal person hearing this, how could they possibly endure it?”

“Is it not okay if I don’t speak?”

“If you can’t do it, then don’t say those kinds of things to me before!!”

Ruby threw down these words and stormed off in anger.

“What’s… with her?”

Via was completely baffled.

She could only look to Nana.

“Huh?”

Nana blinked. “Via, were you arguing with Ruby just now?”

“Huh? Arguing?”

“Yeah, it felt like an argument.”

“Was it?”

Via herself was confused.

What was she and Ruby arguing about just now?

“Oh, I thought you two always had a good relationship, like friends.”

“Nana, why do you think that?”

“Because I heard from others that when you were little, you often hung out with Ruby. People in the Holy Land saw it.”

“Childhood…?”

Via didn’t remember her childhood very clearly.

“Ruby is a bit like you. Her father is a priest in the Holy Land, and her mother is a believer from a noble family. From a young age, she often came to the Holy Land. You probably saw her a lot when you were little, right?”

“Probably…”

Via wasn’t too sure.

For some reason, her impressions of many things from childhood weren’t very clear; her memories were quite fuzzy.

Could it be that in my childhood, I really had something with Ruby?