Chapter 14: The Swordsmanship Prodigy Saintess

Saintess (5)

1.

The Papal State.

Cosmos Grand Cathedral.

An ivory building soaring majestically skyward, its surface gleaming under the sunlight.

"This concludes my report on Lady Elia, whom I met at the Edel Convent," said Holy Knight Leode, finishing his account.

"Hmm..."

Pope Alexander II stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"...This is troublesome," he murmured.

Having heard the entire story, the Pope realized that persuading the girl named Elia had become even more difficult.

"It's easy to close off one's heart… but difficult to open it again."

"I take full responsibility," Leode said, bowing his head.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"If I had handled things properly, I could have brought her with me."

The Pope slowly shook his head.

"No. From the sound of it, the girl would have adamantly refused no matter what words we used to persuade her. If anything, that duel may have been the final opportunity she offered us."

"My apologies."

He had futilely thrown that final chance away—because of his own arrogance.

He shouldn't have judged people by their appearance alone.

But even so...

Even if he had taken it seriously, the outcome would likely have been the same.

He wasn't confident that he could have kept his sword sheathed before her blade.

"And what are your thoughts, Your Holiness?"

The Pope glanced over at a relic resting in one corner of the study.

The Chalice of the Sky.

A sacred artifact used to identify the Saintess.

If one drinks wine poured into that chalice, a person born with the soul of the Saintess will manifest a stigmata on their body.

"I'm not ready to give a definitive answer yet. However... I’m convinced the girl possesses exceptional power. I do believe she is worth verifying."

The fact that she could wield divine power at will from such a young age, without even reciting prayer verses—that alone sparked deep interest.

"The problem is... how to change her heart."

Stubborn.

Resolute.

Even from secondhand accounts, it seemed nearly impossible to persuade the girl.

"I’ll return and try speaking with her again."

"No. If we press her now, it’ll only push her further away."

The Pope fell into contemplation.

Even if she wasn’t the Saintess, there was no doubt the girl was a talent the Papal State needed.

Her intent to step onto the battlefield for peace was admirable.

It was not an easy decision to make.

And she also had the strength to back it up.

Even if it wasn’t actual combat, besting a Holy Knight in a duel proved she could contribute greatly on the frontlines.

A swordsmanship prodigy born into the body of a Saintess...

The Pope tapped his desk with his fingers.

If she truly wished for peace, coming to the Papal State would benefit her more.

Proper training in theology studies would let her save far more lives.

If she mastered purification magic, even monsters or demons would fall easily.

Bringing her to the Papal State was entirely possible—

If they used underhanded methods, that is.

They could block off every other option, leaving her no choice but to come here.

Or, if necessary, force her to comply with strength.

Had it been wartime, that might’ve been the method.

But now they were in a time of truce.

The Pope wished, if at all possible, to resolve this peacefully.

And just then...

“Shall I try meeting her?”

It was Hero Louis, who had been silently listening until now, who spoke up.

He had been in private audience with the Pope even before the arrival of the Holy Knight.

“You mean… you, Hero?”

“Yes.”

Louis nodded.

"It's not just the Papal State that needs a Saintess, after all."

She would also be necessary in forming the new Hero’s party.

The first Hero’s party had already failed.

They had reached the Demon King, but everyone had died, except Louis himself.

He alone barely made it out alive.

Had it not been for her help at that time…

Louis felt a phantom pain in his missing left arm.

Though it was long gone, it still ached as if it were there.

“I was lacking. I ended up causing trouble for the Papal State.”

“That wasn't your fault, Hero.”

“Even so, it’s true it happened because of me.”

Louis gave a bitter smile.

Everyone he cared for had died because of him.

His master died saving him from danger.

The Saintess had sacrificed too.

Neither of them regretted their choices.

But Louis still carried heavy guilt.

If only he had been a more competent Hero, none of it would have happened.

“I’d like to speak with her myself. And if she still refuses to come to the Papal State, I’ll take her under my wing. She wants to join the Imperial Army, right? Then I’ll keep her with me until she opens up.”

Yes.

That was probably for the best.

If the Papal State sent someone to approach her again, she’d likely shut her heart even tighter.

The Pope slowly nodded.

“…I understand.”

The Hero rose from his seat.

The two swords on his left hip clinked together.

As he walked, the empty sleeve on his left side fluttered like a flag.

*

2.

Elia was wrapping up her life at the convent.

She was packing her things into a bag.

She’d be leaving in a few months anyway, so leaving a little early wouldn’t hurt.

In fact, several of her peers had already left days ago.

One had gone to learn trade, another to study crafting at a textile workshop.

Elia was headed to the nearest knight order.

They accepted recruits year-round, so she planned to apply right away.

She wasn’t technically of age yet, but it wouldn’t matter—she’d be an adult in just a few months. Surely they’d be flexible.

Knock knock.

Just as she was packing her undergarments, a knock came.

From beyond the door, a careful voice spoke:

“Elia.”

It was Sister Bertina, sounding completely deflated.

A week had passed since that day.

While Elia was going through the formal withdrawal process with the abbess, Sister Bertina had been avoiding her.

“You can come in.”

The door opened.

Sister Bertina stepped in but hesitated at the threshold, fidgeting like a child who’d done something wrong.

An awkward silence hung in the air.

Of all the people at the convent, they had been the closest—

Like friends, like family.

Now, they felt like strangers.

“…So you really are leaving.”

“Yes.”

Silence fell again.

Parting like this felt wrong.

After 19 years of care and love, this ending was too bitter.

They had shared too many memories to let it end like this.

“I…”

“I…”

“You go first.”

“You go first.”

Their words overlapped like a mirror image.

What is this situation at her age?

As the adult, she should be the one to handle it with grace.

If you counted her previous life, Elia had lived more than eighty years.

But even in all that time, she couldn’t recall a moment that had ever felt this awkward.

Or… had there been one?

Ah…

She once ate the last piece of bread her disciple had been saving.

He’d been so mad—

She’d calmed him down by buying ten more loaves and told him,

A true Hero needs to have a big heart.

“Elia… I’m sorry.”

Sister Bertina bowed her head.

“I really thought I was doing what was best for you… but I didn’t consider your feelings at all. I should’ve at least asked…”

Elia had been emotional about it at the time, but she had already let go of her anger.

No, she wasn’t really angry in the first place.

Just… a little disappointed.

“If it’s about that, it’s already behind me.”

“Elia…”

“You were right, Sister. I was born with divine power. Maybe it really is a miracle. Maybe I could become a Saintess. Even if not, I could at least be a high-ranking priest someday.”

But the blood that runs in her veins is still a knight’s blood.

“Still, my choice hasn’t changed. Even if you’d asked me directly that day, I would’ve given you the same answer.”

Elia looked straight into Bertina’s eyes.

“I’m going to become a knight.”

Bertina closed her eyes.

A soft, wistful smile formed on her lips.

“…I’ll always be praying for you.”

At her age, it felt a bit ridiculous—

But Elia, like a little child, threw herself into Sister Bertina’s arms.

Not once had she done this since regaining memories of her past life.

“Thank you for everything.”

“If you ever need rest… this is always your home.”

“I know.”

“When you go to the battlefield, keep your rosary close to your heart.”

“Of course.”

The rosary hanging around her neck felt like a part of her now.

It would be empty without this now.

“When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“Is that so? Then shall we sleep together tonight?”

“Okay.”

Back before she turned ten, she often slept beside Sister Bertina.

Of course, that was purely as Elia, before her memories returned.

She used to be clingy and spoiled.

After she regained her past life, she had stopped doing such things.

She could tell that Bertina had been quietly saddened by that change.

But what could she do?

An old man acting spoiled and clinging to a woman for comfort—

Even if trapped in a girl’s body—was just… undignified.

“It’s almost time for evening prayer.”

Sister Bertina wiped the moisture from her eyes and left the room, saying she had to prepare for prayer.

Elia finished packing her things, then headed to the chapel.

“Hm?”

The chapel was unusually noisy.

All the sisters were gathered in one place, murmuring.

The hushed commotion echoed like a swarm of ants.

“What’s going on…?”

Elia stood on tiptoe to peer over.

“Ah…”

A man was standing there.

A familiar face.

He’d aged, but he still looked like a pretty boy from a romance novel.

The Hero, Louis.

Her disciple was standing in the chapel.

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