Chapter 82

“Well, the story that followed was, you know, a bit predictable.”

We talked about the benefits the Church could get from the Gnome region after securing my resources there.

The most important point was that I was able to gather quite a bit of means to store Saint Power. Apparently, as I purified that lake, I ended up pouring in too much Saint Power, and the lake itself became a bit sacred.

Even if it wasn’t to the level of the gems in my ring, I could definitely accumulate items that could store the power of regular priests.

“……”

I listened to such discussions in silence.

The Cardinal had not run all the way here just for that topic. No, it was definitely something far more important—and something I really didn’t want to hear.

“Sister Anna.”

The Cardinal called out to me in a rather polite voice.

“……Yes, Your Eminence.”

“Have you given much thought to the matter of becoming a Saintess?”

“……”

Seeing me tightly shut my mouth, the Cardinal nodded knowingly.

But that didn’t mean he would give up trying to convince me.

“However, quite a few people from the Church witnessed what happened. Of course, no one from the Vatican was there, but the fact that other races witnessed that spectacle is quite significant.”

“Um, I… well…”

“Oh, there’s no need to worry. It doesn’t mean you’ll be designated as a Saintess immediately. There were government officials involved in this journey, so the attorneys couldn’t come. At least, they did not see your powers.”

Saint Power doesn’t show up on camera. It’s only visible to the human eye, which is why it’s considered holy.

Whether it’s a relief or not that the attorney didn’t see that, I’m not quite sure. I just felt a bit better knowing it was still not ‘confirmed.’

“However, procedures will have to follow. Reports will be submitted. It’s possible that the Vatican might send someone directly.”

“……”

That’s just something I’ll have to deal with.

“Your Eminence.”

As I sat there quietly, unable to counter anything, Ria called out to the Cardinal with a serious tone.

“Sister Maria.”

“May I say something?”

The Cardinal looked intrigued, his eyes widening as he nodded at Ria.

“I understand that the criteria for a ‘Saint’ as mentioned by the Church is still somewhat vague.”

“That’s true. Unlike the elected Pope, the position of a Saint is simply one appointed by God.”

“If that’s the case, I think it would be wise to establish those criteria more clearly.”

“Is that so? It’s certainly a discussion worth considering.”

However, I couldn’t help but think that Ria’s points were unlikely to have ever been voiced within the Church. After all, there were indeed those who opposed defining someone like a Saint.

A Pope is a position chosen by people, while a Saint is appointed by God.

If a Saint has no interest in power, that’s a different story. But if they were to show even a slight willingness to participate in politics, it could lead to a major rift in the Church.

In the worst case scenario, a Saint could even establish their own faction. In that case, those left behind would have some serious issues. They’d be abandoned by someone they considered ‘God’s chosen.’

The current Church only maintains itself with legitimacy. Otherwise, this group, which could hardly be considered historical, would collapse instantly.

“However, the current candidate for Saintess, Anna, holds the opinion that there is no such thing as a God in this world.”

The Cardinal’s gaze flickered briefly towards me.

“It’s rather concerning coming from the one who naturally accepts Saint Power, especially considering it diverges somewhat from what the Church has taught until now.”

The Cardinal listened quietly to Ria’s points.

“What if the teachings so far have been shackled by some framework, thus hindering the acceptance of Saint Power?”

“Does accepting Sister Anna’s opinion mean that the powers of other priests could potentially align with Sister Anna’s?”

I blinked.

Could that happen?

Regardless of my questions, the Cardinal seemed to be deep in thought.

“……”

As I stared vacantly at the Cardinal lost in thought, Ria nudged my arm with her elbow.

When I looked over at Ria, she whispered to me softly.

“Just pray a little.”

“……Huh?”

“You know that light that comes down on your face every time you use Saint Power. Show it.”

No, that’s not my power, you know?

Besides, in a situation like this—

But before I could say anything, light fell onto my face. Seriously, she’s so needlessly cooperative. Even when she’s openly being irreverent, I still get the power flowing in.

The Cardinal looked at me with a question mark over his head.

And then Ria boldly waved her hand right in front of my face while the Cardinal was staring at us like that.

The light that fell on my face vanished in an instant like smoke.

The knights traveling with me, who had already seen that spectacle a few times, didn’t react much.

But for everyone else witnessing it for the first time, they all gasped.

Because Ria was actually the one ‘touching’ that so-called Saint Power, which I thought only I could do.

“Since I’ve been consistently influenced by Sister Anna, I can also touch the Saint Power. Isn’t that a possibility too?”

“……”

The Cardinal’s expression subtly shifted.

I doubt the ideas Ria mentioned had ever been brought up within the Church. People in the Church usually spent their days chatting about such matters.

But it must have been the first time for someone to actually witness that ‘result.’

“Next time, could you both share some more details?”

Ria and I nodded in agreement.

“…I’ve kept you both for too long, considering you’ve just returned and still haven’t fully recovered. I hope you can rest your body and mind for a while. The story you shared, Sister Maria, is very important, and it’ll take some time to process.”

“Thank you.”

Ria lightly bowed her head as she replied.

With that, we were able to excuse ourselves from that place.

*

On our way back to our room through the hallway.

Ria wore a rather serious expression, lost in thought.

Unlike Ria, I felt rather pleased.

While I hadn’t completely broken free from my worries, thanks to Ria, there was now a glimmer of possibility. Plus, I had bought myself some time.

“Ria.”

“……”

“Ria?”

But even when I called her name, Ria continued to think deeply with her hand on her chin, an intense expression still on her face.

“Anna.”

With that serious look still on her face, Ria looked at me and said my name.

“Yes?”

Is she worried about something? Is there something she sees because she’s the Hero’s daughter?

I felt a bit tense waiting for her to speak—

Anna said to me with that serious expression.

“You don’t have a swimsuit, right?”

“……”

I stopped in my tracks.

And then I gazed earnestly at Ria, racking my brain seriously.

Normally, when I stare like that, Ria would turn away first, but not this time.

“Why? Are you planning to go in the water? Are you trying to get in that lake?”

Just in case, I asked like that.

I can’t swim.

Ah, of course, if Ria teaches me, I might learn, but I’m not sure how quickly I could pick it up. Furthermore, don’t I need to know how to wear a diving suit if I want to go underwater?

But Ria effortlessly blew away my thoughts.

“It’s June now.”

“……”

“It’s summer.”

“Excuse me.”

“You haven’t forgotten our promise, have you?”

“Um, I remember, but wait a second.”

I held up my palm toward Ria.

“Isn’t June a bit too early? Sure, it’s getting warm slowly—”

“If you’re going to learn to swim, you should take your time. You never know what might happen in the sea.”

“Isn’t the sea just the sea? Even if I can’t swim, I can just float around on a tube, right? I can wear whatever I want and jump in.”

If it were a swimming pool, maybe I could understand, but I’ve never worn a swimsuit just to go to the beach. I always just jumped in and played around.

“You’ve never been to the beach, have you?”

Ria sighed heavily, almost dramatically.

“Anna, listen carefully.”

“……”

“Seventy percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by the ocean.”

“……And?”

“If a Gate were to open, which is more likely to happen: on the ground or in the ocean?”

“……Ah.”

“That’s right. And this is similar for most other planets too. Of course, the oceanic ecosystem of Earth has changed a lot since the Gates appeared.”

“Are you saying some monster might come out of the ocean?”

“There’s no guarantee it won’t happen.”

I stood there with my mouth hanging open in shock as I spoke.

“Then wouldn’t it be better to just not go to the ocean?”

“But it’s summer.”

But my innocent question was effortlessly countered by that single statement.

“We have to go to the sea.”

“……”

Well, how should I put it? While I don’t completely understand her feelings, I do get it somewhat.

“So, let’s go out tomorrow. To buy a swimsuit.”

“Now you’re just abusing the powers of a Saintess for your own personal desires.”

“Personal desires, you say? As a knight, I’m merely teaching someone who might become a Saintess someday how to survive!”

Once again, I found myself at a loss for words against that remark.

It was so logical I didn’t know how to respond.

……

Well, fine.

If we’re going swimsuit shopping, I won’t be the only one in a swimsuit.

Ria will probably be wearing one too, right?

With that somewhat scheming thought in mind, I resumed following Ria back to our room.