The Saintess’s Debut

“Knight Ilivy,” Anto said, his gaze fixed on their reflection in the mirror as she arranged his long hair.

His tone was casual, as if making small talk.

“Have you… often helped people with their appearance before?”

“…Not often, but I have on occasion. When I was young, a senior knight would help me, and later… I did the same for my juniors,” Ilivy replied, her voice measured. “Lord Anto, you possess a beauty that anyone would envy.”

“Thank you for the compliment,” Anto replied with a smile.

With Ilivy’s assistance, he finished arranging his hair, donned a formal hairpin-hat, and put on his ceremonial attire.

As a final touch, Anto chose his mother’s jeweled cravat with its cross pendant, fastening it at his chest.

The reflection in the mirror was that of a beautiful nun, her face radiating a sense of sanctity.

Anto stared at the figure in the mirror.

He imagined that his mother, whom he had never met, must have once looked just as holy and gentle.

A face like this was truly worthy of the title ‘Saintess.’

She had left him this appearance and these gifts, but did he truly possess her piety and sanctity?

“This is the path I have chosen,” he murmured, his gaze still fixed on the mirror.

“Even if I must grit my teeth, I will continue down it. …Will you preach to me for this? My apologies, then.”

The beautiful nun spoke these words, then turned her head to face forward.

“Let us prepare to leave. Everything should be in order.”

“Understood, my lord.”

Ilivy followed behind him.

Though Anto was only thirteen, he possessed a resolve and maturity far beyond his years.

He might feel lost, but he would never show fear.

This was his first foray into a social setting, his first public appearance.

One could say his entire future was riding on this moment.

It was not a burden a child should have to bear, yet he had already made his choice.

That alone made him worthy of her loyalty.

As she watched the nun board the carriage and saw it pull away into the distance, Ilivy’s conviction solidified.

Lord Anto was the one she would pledge her allegiance to.

Only he could fulfill the prophecy.

Only he could realize their sorrowful wish.

Only he could… atone for her sins.

****

Inside the carriage, Rhys looked at Anto, dressed in a new black nun’s habit, and couldn’t help but say, “You look exceptionally beautiful today, Sister Antolia.”

“Is that so? It is my first formal occasion, after all,” Anto said. “If anything unexpected happens, I must ask you, Your Grace…”

“Of course, that won’t be a problem. To be honest, this is an honor for me as well,” Rhys replied. “To be able to legitimately claim before others that I am Sister Antolia’s teacher… Thank you for granting me this privilege.”

“It’s… not really anything special, is it? Bishop Rhys, you are indeed my teacher in theology and the Holy Light,” Anto said.

Rhys shook his head. “Whether as a Saintess or a Pope, with your standing, Anto, you are destined to become a Saint. To guide a Saint onto the correct path is the greatest honor for any priest. It is a truly glorious thing. Frankly, when I saw that magician, and heard you call them ‘teacher,’ I was initially quite frightened.”

“Is that… a problem?” Anto asked.

Rhys responded, “Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t be. But there are always those with ulterior motives, those who thrive on chaos. People who wish to attack you will seize upon such things. A Pope with an Otherworld Traveler magician as a teacher, raised by a witch and outsiders… Sometimes, regardless of your intentions, they will find a way to attack you to achieve their desired outcome. They won’t listen to your defense, because they have no need for it. They will only say what they want to say, and only hear what they want to hear in your words. The battles then will be much harder, so…”

“My identity could also serve as a bridge between the Otherworlders and the natives,” Anto suggested.

“But people don’t want to see that,” Rhys countered. “They only want to see what they wish to see. Even if the truth is laid right before them, they will choose to ignore what they don’t want to acknowledge.”

“Therefore, Anto… you may think me dogmatic or pedantic for saying this, but I do not want you to reveal your connection to the Otherworlders in public. At least, not now.”

Rhys’s tone was serious. “The identity we need to cultivate for you must be one that can garner the support of the majority on this continent. You have the aptitude… and the opportunity to become a Saintess. We must leverage this advantage. A Saintess must be flawless. She is the public face of the Church on the continent. You must hold yourself to this standard. Can you do that?”

“I understand,” Anto said, sighing. “It’s just as Eric advised before I left. While my position is still precarious, every step I take must be made with the utmost caution. One wrong move could mean losing everything.”

“But once you navigate these first few careful steps across the thin ice, the whole world will open up to you,” Rhys replied.

He looked at the youth before him, whose beauty was nothing short of divine, and a fire burned in his eyes.

He saw this person’s character and intelligence and knew that a place was reserved for him in the future of the continent.

Rhys realized he was witnessing the very beginning of a legend.

His divine mission was to play his part well, and he was determined to fulfill it perfectly.

****

The carriage slowed to a stop before the magnificent royal palace.

Bishop Rhys disembarked first, then opened the carriage door and addressed the nun in her formal attire within:

“Sister Antolia, we have arrived.”

“Yes. Thank you for your assistance, Bishop Rhys.”

Sister Antolia’s long legs, clad in white stockings, stepped onto the stairs leading to the palace gates.

The moment she emerged from the carriage, the world outside seemed to hold its breath, stunned by the beauty on display.

All eyes were captivated by the young, golden-haired girl in her splendid habit, which seemed to shimmer with a holy light.

Her attire was not overly striking, yet the nun’s uniform, combined with her unparalleled beauty, created a uniquely powerful presence.

High in the castle, a young man lowered his spyglass, his eyes fixed on the scene below.

He immediately rushed down, barking orders.

“You have one day. I want all the information you can find on that girl… that nun. Get it for me, quickly. Understood?”