Chapter 68: Those Who Can Never Be Forgiven (19)

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection.

In my hands were two outfits.

One was a thick leather outfit provided by the elves.

Lined with animal fur for warmth, it looked as if I were ready to go on a hunt at any moment.

The other was my usual corset belt.

Of course, it wasn’t part of a nun’s habit or an adventurer’s outfit.

It was simply a fashion choice.

Since the cape poncho was enchanted with a warmth spell, it didn’t matter what I wore underneath.

Mateis said the prayer was what truly mattered, not the attire.

After all, I was just the kindling to ignite Lina’s power.

After a brief moment of consideration, I tightened the black corset belt over my white shirt.

I had no intention of lacing it up so tightly that it became grotesque.

Just enough to emphasize my figure slightly.

Even if my outfit wasn’t of great importance, I couldn’t exactly show up looking like a hunter.

Besides, it was enchanted with some decent magic, making it practical as well.

As I dressed, I glanced down at my lower abdomen.

A faint, tingling sensation accompanied the glowing sigil.

Was I a succubus or a saint?

This game’s setting was truly something else.

Shaking off the thought, I finished getting dressed.

The only thing left was the headband to shield me from the wind.

This enchanted dog-ear headband had excellent performance, but…

I hesitated before putting it on, then ultimately shook my head and set it aside.

As much as I liked it, I didn’t want to make Laura hate me any more than she already did.

If I wanted to avoid the Baby Ending, I needed to keep myself in check.

No matter how much I valued functionality, I couldn’t afford to be called a “b*tch” again.

Having made my final decision, I stepped outside.

The first location for prayer was the Flower Garden.

Once said to be the most beautiful place on the continent, it was now covered in nothing but snow.

Snow settled on the decorative structures, and the paths were narrow.

There wasn’t a single flower to be seen.

Rather than feeling like a place rich with history, it resembled an abandoned park no one visited anymore.

Well, considering that snow fell here all year round, it was inevitable.

Still, the elves seemed to put in considerable effort to maintain it, as certain areas were neatly cleared.

The path was already crowded with elves.

They looked like parents attending a school play to see their child perform.

They whispered among themselves, saying I was the rumored Saintess.

Yet, their gazes weren’t particularly warm.

Had I ever received this much attention before in my life?

Suddenly, I was reminded of my elementary school days.

I felt miserable.

I shouldn’t have thought about it.

So many eyes were on me that I felt like I might pass out.

The number of believers crowding the cathedral was far greater than this, but back then, I could smile brightly while letting my mind drift elsewhere.

Even the priests agreed that was the better approach rather than saying anything.

I had once tried to entertain the believers by telling them stories.

But when I told a pair of parents, who desperately prayed for their daughter’s recovery, “Ah, faith doesn’t really matter. You just need divine power and a prayer script,” I realized I had gone too far.

Still, what could I do?

Whenever I heard something, I couldn’t help but analyze it logically.

In the end, I healed their daughter, so wasn’t that what mattered most?

Anyway, the core of the matter remained the same.

I was the Saintess of this world.

I couldn’t keep being uncomfortable with the attention of others.

The more time I spent with the Hero, the more confidence I gained.

Besides, I had made my first friend in this world.

If I put in the effort, I might even make more.

From today onward, Sera the outcast would become Sera the social butterfly.

Determined to break free from my hermit lifestyle, I strode confidently toward the Flower Garden.

Amidst the gathering elves, I spotted a small open space.

There stood an elven woman who appeared to be an official.

“Ah, what am I supposed to do now?”

I knew I had to pray, but I hadn’t been told exactly how.

At least I arrived on time…

The elven woman, possessing the characteristic beauty of her kind, turned to me and asked, “A human? Who are you in the Hero’s party?”

“My name is Sera. I don’t really have a surname.”

“…The Saintess?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Well, your attire…”

She scanned me up and down, her gaze lingering on my chest and corset belt.

What was wrong with it?

I had dressed appropriately for a sacred ritual.

I felt unfairly judged.

Was I supposed to wear that ugly hunter outfit instead?

“I heard attire wasn’t important…”

My voice grew quieter.

I wanted to be confident, but my body was more honest than my mind.

I could feel the cold sweat forming under her piercing gaze.

Why was this happening?

I had the perfect plan to stop being an outcast…

“Well, if attire doesn’t matter, then what about that headband?”

“…Headband?”

She trailed off, unable to finish her sentence, prompting me to touch the top of my head.

A soft, fluffy sensation met my fingers.

It was unmistakable.

The very same headband I had bought in the capital.

When had I even put it on?

My face flushed red.

“Wow! So, as a Saintess, you can even attach animal ears?”

“T-This is because of the wind! It helps block the wind!”

“Oh, so the Saintess doesn’t like the wind? I’ll be sure to remember that!”

Just as I was dying of embarrassment, Kaellia spotted me from afar and began waving.

Now, thanks to her, everyone was staring at my dog ears.

Actually…

Maybe all those stares from earlier had been because of this.

“…Kaellia, please be quiet right now.”

“Oh! Right! I’m sorry!!”

Even while being scolded, Kaellia kept asking me questions.

To think that such an airheaded girl was a sub-heroine.

If I ever returned to my original world, I would demand they scrap the entire elf-related storyline.

“Well… It should be fine. If the Saintess wishes it.”

“No, I’ll get rid of it immediately.”

I made a mental note to thank the elven woman later.

If Laura had seen me like this…

The mere thought sent shivers down my spine.

Still, it was a shame to throw away the headband.

It had been quite expensive.

Maybe I could just… keep it safely in my pocket?

“Then, I shall begin the prayer.”

Shifting the atmosphere in an instant, I let my divine power flow outward.

A warm light enveloped my body.

While my abilities weren’t suited for healing or blessings, divine power was still my strongest asset.

Seeing divine power up close must have been a rare sight for the elves, as they began murmuring amongst themselves.

They evaluated my presence, exchanging whispers.

“She really is the Saintess.”

“Do all Saintesses dress like that?”

I felt humiliated.

What was wrong with my outfit?

Did elves not understand fashion?

“So, what is she even doing?”

“You haven’t heard? She’s awakening Lina’s power.”

“Lina?”

“Yes, the first Saintess.

You know, the one the elders keep mentioning all the time.”

As expected of the first race created by the gods.

Among the murmuring elves, some seemed to have personally known Lina.

“But the reason the forest ended up like this is because the World Tree’s power was shared with human lands.”

“Yeah. We used nature sparingly, but humans exploited it without thought.”

“Shouldn’t we just cut off the Blessing of Life from the outside world?

Why should we be the only ones sacrificing?”

“I don’t know. The Queen must have her reasons.”

The conversation was growing increasingly hostile.

I focused solely on recalling the prayer.

Occasionally, I heard someone mutter, “Is it really taking this long to come up with a prayer?”

But as long as I avoided eye contact, I had nothing to fear.

These damn elves.

Did they think making up a prayer on the spot was easy?

I took a deep breath and began to recite.

A moment later, silence filled the air.

It seemed I had completely messed up.

I forced a smile.

This was bad.

Really bad.