Via stared at the mirror in disbelief, thinking she must be hallucinating.
Why, instead of seeing herself in the mirror, did she see humanity’s mortal enemy—a demon descendant?
“…Ah!”
The soft-natured Via was frightened by the demon’s gaze, instinctively stepping back, tripping over her own feet, and falling with a thud that echoed loudly.
“Via?”
Sophie, outside the door, heard the strange noise and hurried in, seeing her clearly startled sister on the floor and walking over.
“Big sister, there…!”
Via clung to Sophie’s arm, trembling as she pointed at the mirror.
“The mirror?”
Sophie, puzzled, walked to the vanity and examined the mirror; there was nothing unusual inside.
“Big sister, there’s a demon in the mirror!” Via shouted.
“Is there?”
Sophie inspected it thoroughly, even using holy power to sense it, but detected no demon presence.
“It’s gone?”
Via mustered her courage and approached the mirror, only to find the strange demon had vanished.
“Via, did you really see a demon?” Sophie asked.
“I…”
Via hesitated.
She was starting to doubt if she had imagined it.
“Then I’ll call others to check carefully—”
“N-No need! It must have been my mistake!”
Via immediately interrupted Sophie’s suggestion.
Tonight’s banquet required meeting the royal family of the Saint Luo Empire; the Holy Land placed great importance on it, as much of their development relied on strong imperial support.
If she was wrong and caused rumors of a demon invasion, stirring panic, she would be in serious trouble.
“Are you ready yet? Bishop-sama is already urging us!” a nun called from outside.
“Via, let’s attend the banquet first,” Sophie said. “If we’re late, Bishop-sama will be angry.”
“Okay.”
Via nodded and followed her sister out of the room.
Just after leaving, she realized something was wrong, touching her waist and discovering the pendant symbolizing the saintess successor had cracked from the fall.
Her face paled instantly.
This… no one will notice, right?
…
…
“S-So many people…”
Via trailed behind Sophie, deliberately keeping her head down to avoid others’ gazes.
The guests invited to this banquet were all nobles from the human world.
Though she wished to remain inconspicuous, she and Sophie, the saintess sisters, drew everyone’s attention upon entering, becoming the center of the hall.
Compared to the timid tagalong, Sophie carried herself with grace and poise, confidently meeting gazes with ease, earning praise with her elegant steps.
“Sophie’s performance is truly outstanding, reminiscent of Lady Sylvia.”
“In contrast, her sister is… hmph, her very existence dilutes the saintess bloodline’s power and undermines the Holy Land’s legitimacy!”
Sylvia Shirleyford was the previous saintess and Via’s and Sophie’s biological mother.
This former saintess was hailed as the world’s most perfect saintess; from royalty to commoners, all praised and adored her endlessly—her beauty, personality, talent, charm… a hexagonal all-rounder with every stat maxed.
Yet, this universally revered perfect saintess had left the world in a tragic accident.
People naturally projected their feelings for Sylvia onto her children.
Sophie resembled Sylvia greatly; from a young age, she showed exceptional talent, awakening holy power and mastering numerous skills, surpassing peers, seen as Sylvia’s rightful successor, believed to approach perfection with continued effort.
In contrast, Via was truly abysmal; even at her current age, she hadn’t mastered the nuns’ basic healing spell, unqualified even as a nun, let alone a saintess candidate, drawing considerable criticism.
Under external pressure, Via gradually became introverted and socially anxious.
“I’ve heard some families, to preserve pure inheritance, often have… ‘accidents’ that make unsuitable heirs disappear.”
“Will such a delightful ‘accident’ happen to you?”
The nobles’ teasing whispers reached Via’s ears, stinging slightly.
“…These guys.”
Sophie also heard the unkind remarks about Via and paused.
She wanted to confront them but was called over.
“Sophie, Via, come here.”
Hearing this, Sophie and Via turned to see a middle-aged man in luxurious robes, stern and unsmiling.
He was the Holy Land’s bishop, Belon.
Beside Belon stood a robust man in red-and-black imperial robes, wearing a gilded laurel crown, dignified with a faint emperor’s dominance in his brow, eyes hiding a lion’s ferocity.
He was Gustav, emperor of humanity’s strongest nation, the Saint Luo Empire.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Sophie curtsied flawlessly to the human emperor, displaying impeccable saintess etiquette.
“G-Greetings, Your Majesty… uh…!”
Via curtsied in panic, even messing up a step.
The contrast greatly displeased Bishop Belon, feeling the Holy Land had lost face.
“Sophie, as you grow, you increasingly resemble Sylvia,” the emperor remarked.
“Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty. Mother is far superior; I’m still striving to catch up to her,” Sophie replied.
“I heard you recently participated in a campaign against transcendent magical beasts?” the emperor asked.
“Yes, I served in a support role.”
“The warriors in the campaign say you played a key role and turned the tide,” the emperor evaluated. “Grow quickly to protect the precious peace the Sword Princess fought for.”
“Yes.”
“And you?” The emperor turned his gaze to Via.
“Um…”
Via habitually lowered her head, unsure how to respond; she couldn’t even use healing magic.
A flicker of barely noticeable disgust passed through Belon’s eyes before he proactively changed the topic.
“Your Majesty, regarding your previous suggestion to us, the Holy Land is considering it, actively eliminating factors harmful to our legitimacy, so about the imperial aid—”
“You’d better be considering it seriously. Many are already dissatisfied with the privileges I grant the Holy Land,” the emperor said with a half-smile. “I truly hope the Holy Land’s air becomes cleaner in the future.”
…
…
“Farewell, Your Majesty.”
The banquet ended; Belon led Sophie and Via to bid the emperor goodbye.
“Farewell.”
Before leaving, the emperor looked at Sophie appreciatively, then at Via, his expression shifting as if regarding a defective item to be discarded.
In that moment, Via felt like prey stared down by a lion, her heart skipping half a beat, instinctively hiding behind Sophie.
After the emperor’s entourage departed, Via thought she could breathe, but Belon commanded in a slightly angry tone: “Via, regarding your… future, we need to have a serious talk tonight when we return.”
what scumbags, they don’t deserve the saintess. maybe this is what led to the conflict between the former childhood friends back then.