Airan had been the most promising candidate for the position of Saint.
Even without resolving the Arsen Kingdom’s plague like in the original story, she had already racked up a few accomplishments.
By emphasizing those to the temple, she had gained their support and was steadily climbing her way toward sainthood.
If Ceres hadn’t suddenly stood out, she would’ve become Saint naturally.
“About Ceres Hyperion.”
“You mean the most beautiful man in the Empire?”
“They say he healed all the sick in his territory and is now being called a Saint.”
“How could he have such power?”
“Is it divine power?!”
The priests, upon hearing news of Ceres, immediately suspected it might be divine power and made a fuss.
Because if it truly was divine power, there would be no need for other Saint candidates like Airan—Ceres would become the Saint by default.
“What did Hames say when she went to confirm it?”
“She said she wasn’t sure.”
“Then maybe he’s not?”
They had sent Hames to verify it, but with no clear answer, doubts lingered.
“Apparently, Ceres Hyperion solved the plague crisis in Arsen Kingdom.”
“Then… is it true?”
His achievement was so great, it was hard to be certain.
In the end, the temple decided to send people once more to confirm.
Two high priestesses.
And Airan, the original Saint candidate.
A large delegation led by these three was dispatched.
“Wow, so this is the Hyperion territory!”
Airan gasped as she arrived in the territory governed by the House of Hyperion.
“It’s amazing. I can’t believe a mere count’s domain—not even the capital—is this developed!”
She praised it without reserve, and it wasn’t empty flattery.
The grand buildings, the well-organized facilities.
The sheer number of people walking the streets, and their general wealth.
It was practically a capital city in its own right.
Ceres, that annoying brat, has been worshiped and pampered in a place like this?
The more impressed Airan was, the more resentment she felt toward Ceres.
She didn’t show it in front of others, but she was gritting her teeth internally.
Raised as the only heir in a place like this, what could you possibly be lacking to go after my position?!
Airan had come from a nothing family—a minor noble barely worthy of the title.
By some miracle, she’d been born with strong divine power, and she’d clawed her way upward with immense effort.
Then suddenly, this Ceres appeared and looked poised to snatch it all away. How could she not hate him?
Hmph, I’ve thought he was obnoxious from the beginning. “The most beautiful man in the Empire,” my foot.
As she silently cursed Ceres, she turned to the side.
“I heard Ceres is said to be the most beautiful in the Empire. Is that really true?”
“I’ve never seen him myself, so I can’t say for sure.”
A composed woman with dark blue hair gave a faint, bitter smile.
This was Hairel.
One of the two high priestesses, and Airan’s strongest backer in her path to becoming Saint.
“But I think the rumors are a bit exaggerated.”
“So you think so too, Lady Hairel? They say even the Hero Alios and the Empress herself were smitten by Ceres. That’s just nonsense, right?”
Airan spoke excitedly.
She never believed Ceres was truly the most beautiful in the Empire.
“How could he be? He never even attended a single social event due to illness. How would anyone know? All those rumors are ridiculous.“
A painter hired to do Ceres’ portrait supposedly ran off with it, smitten.
His beauty was said to be legendary even in the distant East, called the “fairest in the West.”
The most recent gossip said the Empress fell for him at first sight during her debut party.
And that fight between her and Alios, who was supposed to be her partner—they said she got jealous, locked him up, and only recently released him. Who would believe that nonsense?
Airan scoffed, but beside him, Hairel watched with growing distaste.
Keep your expression in check. If the other priests catch on to your filthy nature, what then?
Hairel was growing disappointed.
“Why do you think I’ve been supporting you and investing so much?“
Her reason for backing Airan was purely self-interest.
She planned to craft her own Saint and use them as a puppet to seize power.
“Is it too late to abandon him and side with Ceres instead?“
She briefly considered whether Ceres might be a better tool to fulfill her ambition, but quickly shook her head.
“No… I can’t control someone like him. Heir to such an incredible domain!“
Sweat beaded on her back as she recalled the details of the Hyperion territory.
A population of over 1.5 million. A standing force of 5,000 soldiers. And assets enough to support all of it!
What kind of “count’s territory” was this?
In name only—he was effectively one of the top three nobles in the entire Empire.
As expected from a founding family since the First Emperor. This is closer to a duchy than a county.
Ceres was set to inherit this enormous estate, and with how things were progressing, possibly even more.
Foolish Airan, obsessing over who’s prettier. What really matters is that Ceres is an unmarried man who will inherit all this.
The woman who married Ceres could take control of the entire Hyperion estate.
That’s why the Hero Alios clings to him. If the Gravius Duchy swallows the Hyperion estate, it’ll become a monster.
Then even those strange rumors that the Emperor had Ceres imprisoned start to make sense.
A warning. If those two join forces and try something reckless, the Empire won’t stand idly by.
Ceres—he was at the center of a power shift that could reshape the entire Empire. Even the Emperor was wary of him.
And now he might become a Saint?
Hairel couldn’t even imagine trying to control him.
“If he becomes a Saint, my ambitions are done for. Not just mine—all the temple’s current power holders would be groveling at his feet.“
She could never allow Ceres to become Saint.
Resolving to do whatever it took to prevent it, she turned toward the other high priestess.
“Hames, you’ve met Ceres before, haven’t you?”
Hames had joined the delegation the moment she heard they were going to confirm Ceres’ status.
“So? Is he really as beautiful as they say?”
“You’ll know the moment you see him.”
Could you give a proper answer for once?
Hairel clicked her tongue. She’d hoped to use Hames for information, but no luck.
And then—
They arrived at the Hyperion estate, each hiding their true thoughts.
“So, you’re the ones who came looking for Ceres?”
The head of the household, Ares, came out to greet them.
“She’s… stunning!“
Airan’s heart skipped a beat upon seeing her.
Silver bobbed hair.
Flawless skin. A perfectly balanced, sculpted physique.
A striking beauty with a commanding presence—like a statue carved of ice.
They said she used to be the center of male attention in her youth, and clearly, she still was.
“Amazing. An estate this powerful, and she’s this gorgeous too…“
They also said she was frighteningly strong.
If only she were younger. Or didn’t have a child…
Airan, already captivated, shyly introduced herself.
“It’s an honor to meet you. Countess Ares Hyperion—I’m Airan, from the temple—”
“Get lost.”
“…Pardon?”
“I said get lost!”
Ares glared at her with contempt.
“Why do you keep bothering my child?! Can’t you leave Ceres alone for once?!”
“Please calm down! There are rumors that Ceres might be the Saint, so as the original candidate, I just came to talk and—”
“Then you be the Saint!”
If only I could.
Airan scowled, but she had to meet Ceres first if she wanted to do anything.
As Ares continued yelling,
“What matters is what Ceres thinks.”
Hames, arms crossed, spoke curtly.
“Countess Hyperion. I understand your concern, but don’t try to drive us out. Let him hear us out and decide for himself.”
So you’re encouraging that child to keep overworking himself like this?
Ares shot her a glare but didn’t argue.
She disappeared inside, and shortly after—
There he is!
Ceres?
Ceres appeared before them.
Long, silver hair flowing like silk with every step.
A slender face with impossibly perfect features, as if an artist had composed the ultimate ideal of beauty.
Blue eyes that shimmered like gemstones. Skin pale and flawless like milk.
Dressed in a crisp white shirt and fitted trousers, he walked with elegance, showing off his slim, graceful frame.
He brushed his hair back as if it annoyed him, and with that motion, a scent like flowers wafted through the air.
Is that perfume? How can a person smell like that?!
Is he even human?
“You’ll know when you see him”—that had been no exaggeration.
Just one glance, and you knew. He was in a league of his own.
Airan and Hairel stood frozen in awe.
Wait… the timing’s wrong. Why is she showing up now?!
And that dazzling presence—Ceres—was panicking internally.