Emojis
ForTestingPurposeThe High Priest of the Empire’s Goddess Church, Callisto, had finally returned to the Empire.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOf course, she didn’t bring good news.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Damn that fox woman. She still refuses to recognize the Goddess Church of the Empire!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer anger boiled to the top of her head.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAt least the attendant she picked up in Ashtar had taken her on sightseeing trips here and there, which had eased her mood a little.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut when she returned to the church, she was horrified.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAlready furious with the Pope, her shock overwhelmed her rage.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNot a single elderly nun could be found anywhere in sight.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe had sought comfort but found no one!
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe charming middle-aged women she had painstakingly selected were nowhere to be seen.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘What on earth is going on?’ she wondered as she searched the church.
EmojisForTestingPurposeStrangely, only young nuns were present.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven more peculiar, these nuns were… odd.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Today feels like a good day to hunt some orcs.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Shall we go? But let’s catch kobolds too.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“How about a drinking contest with the knights?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis was undeniably the Goddess Church.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis was a church!
EmojisForTestingPurposeAnd yet, the nuns were discussing hunting monsters, as if it were perfectly normal.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘What are they?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe wanted to assert her authority as the High Priest, but she was scared.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘How could nuns sharpen swords, wield maces, and even smoke in corners?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeSome were even burning cigarettes on the Goddess statue.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe High Priest, despite her large build, wasn’t particularly strong.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBesides, she wasn’t exactly clean enough herself to rebuke such behavior.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Still, as an adult, wasn’t she obligated to say something?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith that thought, she approached the nuns.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Who are you, old man?” one of them asked with a frown, failing to recognize her as the High Priest.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Raffel, you bastard!’
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe High Priest, having no outlet for her frustration, summoned Raffel and slapped him across the face.
EmojisForTestingPurpose***
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Zerato, a subordinate of the traitorous Four Heavenly Kings’ Clanis, turned out to be a descendant of the Kart royal family, causing massive damage to the Empire. The imperial family has decided to execute him according to imperial law. Despite objections from Pastia, the Emperor’s firm resolve led to the council carrying out the execution.]
EmojisForTestingPurposeReading the newspaper, I felt a sense of relief.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEmperor Belia was as reliable as ever when it came to executions.
EmojisForTestingPurposeZerato—what a tragic life that man led.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘What kind of brainwashing must he have endured to be filled with such hatred for the Empire?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn hindsight, I could only guess that his hatred had been instilled by Clanis.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Which made me wonder—was Clanis connected to Kart as well?’
EmojisForTestingPurpose“But anyway…”
EmojisForTestingPurposeI glanced at the nuns standing in front of me.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe church had undergone a complete transformation in just a few days.
EmojisForTestingPurposeMost of the nuns had been replaced.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt seemed that a former assassin guild member had been indoctrinating the new nuns.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Goddess Church of the Empire had effectively become Olivia’s Church.
EmojisForTestingPurposeYes, let me repeat—Olivia’s Church.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“You’re all doing great. Keep your faith in the Goddess.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeAnd yet, I couldn’t help but think, ‘What’s the point of me being a Saintess anymore?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeI just wanted to live as Olivia the Mage.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Should I ditch everything and head straight to the magic tower, concealing my identity entirely?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat seemed like the best option.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“We exist only to protect Lady Olivia,” the nuns said, bowing before me as if I were their superior.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘No matter how I look at this, this is not how nuns behave.’
EmojisForTestingPurpose“It doesn’t matter what others say.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“We are here solely to serve Lady Olivia.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Huh? What? Serve me?’
EmojisForTestingPurpose“What?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Our Mistress has instructed us to follow Lady Olivia, the next leader of the Assassin Guild.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven if any injustice occurs in Ashtar, or even if the Empire itself turns against you, we will stake our lives for you.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘No, please don’t! Really.’
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis was incredibly overwhelming.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI was going to become the leader of the Assassin Guild without ever having assassinated anyone.
EmojisForTestingPurposeZero experience, yet I was to inherit the guild.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHow absurd.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Sigh.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeKilling Lily and her mother wasn’t even assassination; it was… something else.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn any case, it seemed inevitable that I would naturally inherit the position of guild leader.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNo, it was certain to happen.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThere was no way my brothers would take over.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEspecially the current head of the family—if he became the leader, it would be a disaster.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThey would definitely pass it on to me.
EmojisForTestingPurposeJust then, I felt someone approaching from outside.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Lady Olivia, the High Priest has arrived and wishes to meet you.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘So she’s finally here.’
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Tell her I’m busy and she should come find me herself. Do people think being a Saintess is easy?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeSipping my coffee leisurely, I relayed the message to the knight.
EmojisForTestingPurpose***
EmojisForTestingPurposeNot long after, the High Priest appeared with Raffel in tow.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI pretended to be busy, shuffling through papers.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Hmm. Saintess.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Yes, High Priest. Did you return safely?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I have a serious question for you.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeJudging by Raffel’s red, swollen cheek, I already knew what this was about.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Yes?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“There were some nuns I cherished. Did you send them away?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Oh, she found out.’
EmojisForTestingPurposeWell, there was no helping it now.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Oh, yes. There were unavoidable circumstances.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“What circumstances?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeI was ready with an excuse.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe High Priest indulged in private relationships with the nuns but hid it in public.
EmojisForTestingPurposePeople are like that—they don’t want their flaws exposed.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI already knew all about it.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSo, I decided to play the situation to my advantage.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith a look of feigned outrage, I snapped, “Those women claimed you assaulted them! How could they utter such filthy lies about you?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeI pressed the accusation, implying that I had them removed to protect her honor.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Is that… true?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Yes. So, I dismissed them and brought in younger nuns instead. Surely, this is more pleasing to your eyes, isn’t it?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt might seem like I’m deliberately pushing the younger nuns, but they’ve already completed their training.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe High Priest wouldn’t dare touch them easily, and if anything happens, Nora will handle it.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“But the state of the nuns…”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Pardon?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“They seem rather intimidating and completely unrelated to the duties of a nun. Some even appear to lack basic manners. For instance, when I entered the church, I saw one sharpening a sword.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeAh, so she noticed.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe saw something she shouldn’t have.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Really? Do we have anyone like that?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeFeigning ignorance, I turned to Casey, who shook her head.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“No, we don’t.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Hmm, there seems to have been some misunderstanding. In any case, leaving those older women around could have turned the church into the leader’s private entertainment hall.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“That’s not true!” he protested.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Why? Feeling guilty?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat’s suspicious.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Did something really happen with those older women?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf so, it’s even more reason to get rid of them.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“So they had to go. If they caused more trouble, it would only damage the church’s image.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Cough. Understood. Then fill the positions with clean individuals.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeOh, that’s already done.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHe really has a thing for older women.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“They’ve already been replaced with younger nuns.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Already?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Yes. After all, it’s better for the church to be led by younger generations. Look at the Holy Land. Isn’t it chaos there because of the elderly clinging to power?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Holy Land rarely sees generational change.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven now, all its leaders are covered in white hair.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Well… no, we haven’t been acknowledged by them yet.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“What?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“The Pope hasn’t accepted us. Perhaps you should visit?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Me? Why? Why should I go there?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat old fox of a Pope—she’s sly beyond measure.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘How sly, you ask?’ She deceives everyone into thinking she’s young despite her age.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Pope herself is worse than the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Lord’s army.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf a person has any conscience, they shouldn’t walk around in a youthful appearance at her age.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt’s tiresome just thinking about it. I couldn’t even have a proper conversation with her back during Noah’s time.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Would the current me be able to communicate with her at all?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe might not even accept me, calling me a con artist pretending to be a saintess.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf she acknowledges us, the Holy Land may have to surrender the base of the Goddess Church to the Empire.
EmojisForTestingPurpose***
EmojisForTestingPurpose“It seems pointless to try,” I said.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Why?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“It won’t work. That old fox of a Pope would never want to acknowledge the Goddess Church.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeI shrugged.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ah.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Logically, if the Holy Land were to recognize the Imperial Goddess Church, its base would immediately shift to the Empire.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“That’s true. The Empire is the most dominant nation on the continent.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Empire is the leading power in every area—population, culture, politics, and economy.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf the Empire’s Goddess Church were acknowledged, the base of the church would undoubtedly move here.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Kingdom being the base is acceptable to the Holy Land, but they would never accept the Empire.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Holy Land still wishes to maintain its status as the sovereign state of the Goddess, but if that is taken away, it will become a hollow shell.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“That’s why they refuse to acknowledge us. Let’s just give up.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“A saintess saying such things so easily? You’re giving up already?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt’s not like I wanted to do this in the first place.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Think about it logically. Is there any reason we need their recognition?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Do you have some sort of brilliant idea?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Can’t they think for themselves for once?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Not that they lack ideas—it might actually be a way to provoke the Pope.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“If they refuse to acknowledge us, why don’t we establish our own Goddess Church?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Hm?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Logically, wasn’t the Holy Land originally part of the Kingdom?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“That’s true.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Let’s be honest. If the Empire gathers believers, how many could there be?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Even if you combine the Kingdom, the Holy Land, and various small nations, their population doesn’t come close to the Empire’s.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn that case, it would be fun to create an Empire-exclusive Goddess Church and compete for believers.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“You have a point.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“With the Empire having the largest population, just increasing our believers will shake the foundation of the Goddess Church.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“True. And after establishing our own church?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“After that, it’s up to you, Leader.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Why does this person rely so much on someone young enough to be his daughter?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter spoon-feeding them ideas, they’ll probably let Nora take care of everything at night anyway.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Hmm?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I’m a saintess. Technically, there are about four saintesses on the continent. So this is something the head of the Imperial Goddess Church, meaning you, should establish.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“A new religion of our own…”
EmojisForTestingPurposeTechnically, there are many gods in the Empire, so we could choose one of them.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHowever, the Goddess Church is deeply rooted here, and the leader has already spread the name of the Goddess Church everywhere.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAt this point, introducing a new god would be difficult.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFine. Let’s just push this responsibility onto the leader.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI’ll only offer advice occasionally.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“For now, I’ll head to the academy.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Already?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“It’s before summer break at the academy. I need to prepare for exams.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeNot that it matters much.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI just need to escape this dull church.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter all, it’s more of a private soldier training camp under my guise than a real church.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Is studying even meaningful for you?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Maybe not. But at least it gets me away from here.”