After becoming the Saintess, there wasn’t an overwhelming increase in her duties.
In the first place, just the mere fact that she could hear the voice of the god – the words of Lord Igogodon – was enough to make her worth as a Saintess complete.
What was given to her was not obligation but power.
The power of a Saintess.
As the sole being connected to God, she fulfilled her role without needing to do anything.
Thus, the religious order had no reason to interfere with her.
The very existence of the Saintess alone magnified the influence of the religious followers.
Erin’s words represented the will of Lord Igogodon. In other words, there was no one within the religious order who could oppose Erin.
A new Saintess after two hundred years.
It had been only a month since she was appointed, and the influence of the order was soaring.
Not only in their power struggle with the royal family but also in the natural increase of the people’s support and faith.
Many were speaking of Lord Igogodon’s teachings.
Even those who hadn’t read the scriptures were now familiar with at least three “Simple Facts on a Plain Plate” that everyone had come to know.
What was most surprising here was that Erin’s value as a Saintess was growing day by day.
“Has your Holy Power Pouch… grown even further?”
“Yes, it has.”
Erin tried to speak as calmly as possible, but she was human, not a god.
She couldn’t completely hide the satisfaction welling up inside her.
In this world, the size of one’s Holy Power Pouch directly correlated to their divine power.
Even her attendant, Priestess Cecilia, bowed deeply, almost in disbelief, showing her reverence.
“I have never heard of a nun’s Holy Power Pouch growing at such a rapid rate after becoming a Saintess. Just recently, you created bread and wine from nothing, and now, even your Holy Power Pouch… Indeed, Saintess, you are an inspiration to all nuns.”
“What have I even done? It was only possible because Lord Igogodon’s Simple Facts were with me.”
That’s right. All Erin had done was pray.
She prayed out of pity for the starving poor, and bread and wine fell from the sky and sprang from the ground.
The bodies of the sick and afflicted, beyond the reach of the priests’ healing magic, were healed.
Recently, someone who couldn’t walk began to walk, and someone who was blind could see the light of the world again.
All thanks to Lord Igogodon’s grace! Lord Igogodon’s Simple Facts!
Although miracles occurred every time she prayed, Erin didn’t take it for granted.
She was aware that ‘too many miracles could burden God.’ She didn’t know the exact reason or cause, but it was as natural to her as breathing.
Yet, because these miracles were indeed happening, it was enough to spread faith in the one and only God, Lord Igogodon, far and wide.
Not only that, but recently, even her Holy Power Pouch had grown within her chest.
Surely this was also a blessing from Lord Igogodon.
Erin instinctively understood it.
The expansion of her divine power vessel was undoubtedly the will of Lord Igogodon.
God had cherished her heart dearly.
Even now, as she recalled the divine words, “Erin chuchuchan, so big,” the voice vividly echoed in her mind, filling her ears.
She felt a flutter in her stomach once again.
To Erin, this was a religious ecstasy unmatched by anything else.
She wished she could absorb even more of Lord Igogodon’s Simple Facts into her body, this earthly vessel.
“Anyway, please alter the garment so that it can properly support Lord Igogodon’s Holy Power Pouch.”
If it wasn’t adjusted, her clothing might rip open and spill out at any moment.
That would be unacceptable.
Unlike other nuns, the Saintess must never expose her Holy Power Pouch to anyone.
Her body was meant solely for Lord Igogodon.
“There is also the option of preparing a new Saintess’ robe to accommodate your growth.”
“No, I prefer this outfit. This was a gift from God.”
Erin said this as she held onto the hem of her garment tightly, as if handling something precious.
If it bore the trace of Lord Igogodon, including her attire, she wanted to cherish it all.
“I understand. My apologies. If you set aside the garment, I will arrange for its alteration.”
Without further question, Cecilia promptly moved on to the next topic.
***
“As for the next agenda, it is time for you to select the Sacred Knight who will guard you, Saintess.”
The Sacred Knight.
It was a knight chosen to represent the church, serving as the personal guard stationed closest to the Saintess.
Since it had been two hundred years since a Saintess had appeared, naturally, the selection of a Sacred Knight was also happening after two centuries.
Interest in this was high; it could hardly be understated.
As the one who would serve by the Saintess’s side for 24 hours, only a female knight could be selected.
For a knight’s career, being chosen for this role was the ultimate honor.
The one and only Sacred Knight to protect the one and only Saintess would be born!
Given the importance of this position, it was inevitable that only the finest candidates would be shortlisted.
Although the Saintess was to make the selection, choosing someone who wasn’t even qualified as a Sacred Knight would undoubtedly cause confusion.
Cecilia handed over three photographs and spoke.
“These are the individuals who have been shortlisted as final candidates.”
Erin didn’t bother examining the photos.
Instead, she bowed her head and closed her eyes.
“Judging these individuals myself would be meaningless. Everything should be decided by Lord Igogodon, the one and only God.”
“I believe so as well… however, I hope the Saintess will graciously understand with her vast Holy Power Pouch the necessity of relaying the Pope’s message.”
As it was, the royal family had repeatedly voiced a concern, stating, ‘While we understand God’s will a hundred, a thousand times over, it would be appreciated if the nun’s attire could consider the national sensibilities.’
Given the situation, the order could not ignore the royal family’s stance.
For reference, this “attire controversy” had been an ongoing issue, debated across centuries whenever theocratic or royal power was strong.
The order naturally argued that it was only right to expose as much of the Holy Power Pouch as possible in accordance with Lord Igogodon’s words.
Meanwhile, the secular emperor’s stance was that it might be acceptable to reveal it somewhat, given its importance, but covering at least the side of the chest would be more appropriate for public sensibilities.
The religious order, including Erin, naturally held to the former position, but the royal family appeared to feign acceptance while harboring discontent.
In this regard, Erin was invincible within the religious realm.
But outside the realm of religion? In the secular world, where the existence of the scriptures was treated as no more than a holy relic?
While she retained her position as a representative of the order and received due respect, it was impossible for her to wield unchecked power as she did in the cathedral.
This meant they couldn’t simply disregard every single one of these debates.
Yet Erin, as the Saintess herself, didn’t pay much attention to such political matters.
She hadn’t heard Lord Igogodon’s voice to become a Saintess.
She had naturally become the Saintess because she heard Lord Igogodon’s voice.
Expanding the order or spreading God’s word was important, but for her, the existence of God—Lord Igogodon himself—mattered far more than spreading His word.
Because of this, she had ignored similar stories she’d heard here and there.
But now, it was time to confront it fully.
Choosing a Sacred Knight ultimately meant officially defining her stance and that of the religious order.
Cecilia pointed at one of the photos with her finger.
“First, this is Ophel Aichel Transrente. Known as ‘the female knight closest to a Sacred Knight in the empire,’ she is supported by many priests and nuns, including His Holiness the Pope. Her devout faith in Lord Igogodon is second to none.”
“And this one is Linnea von Einsberg. As you might infer from her surname, she is a female knight from the royal family. Her faith in God is not as strong as Miss Ophel’s, but appointing Linnea as the Sacred Knight could help stabilize our relations with the royal family.”
Having completed her explanation, Cecilia bowed her head.
“These two are the primary candidates to consider. Both are fully qualified to serve as a Sacred Knight, so the final decision rests with you, Saintess.”
“No. As I’ve mentioned, I am merely a vessel to convey God’s will. I have no choice in this matter.”
Erin once again bowed her head and clasped her hands together.
Prayer.
The only means by which she could commune with the great Supreme Being who had brought her to this position.
‘Lord Igogodon, I humbly ask that you light my path with Your guiding hand. I, Erin, swear to uphold Your will at any cost. Lord Igogodon, please make the choice.’
[Who will you appoint as the Sacred Knight?]
Clap clap clap.
Unknowingly, I found myself clapping as I stared at my monitor screen after reading the latest chapter.
It was inevitable.
So they’re introducing a new BM (business model) here?