#958 The Saintess According to History  

What’s the deal with this saintess?

She suddenly came back to life from mere bones and started causing chaos everywhere. But her actual strength was nothing special. She got repeatedly beaten up by an average Lifeless King, the Earl.

Well, average or not, running into a Lifeless King usually means most of the strongest humans would be turned to dust.

Anyway, this lady barged into Sensei’s dungeon, the one feared as the strongest among the terrifying Lifeless Kings, with no chance of winning and, unsurprisingly, ended up dead. So, this is the so-called saintess?

“Her title and abilities don’t match at all...!”

Even Sensei, who once directly dealt with this saintess, is shocked at how mismatched she is.

“At this rate, she’ll die just from being careless, even without trying to kill her. If my attacks sent her flying, wouldn’t you, Sensei, accidentally turn her to dust?” asks the Earl.

This immortal king was called to gauge the saintess’ abilities, and it seems he did just that.

“Oh, right, you’re done here, Earl. You can go back now.”

“Bye-bye, see you in the next life!!!”

And so, the Earl was returned to his sealed orb.

His punishment continues.

But let’s set him aside for now and get back to the issue at hand.

What should we do about this resurrected saintess?

First off, what even is a saintess?

If we break down the term, it means ‘holy woman,’ right? So, a woman with a pure and noble heart?

But I think it means something different in this world.

Apparently, saints are chosen by the church.

The church was once a massive organization that dominated the Human Kingdom.

It tried to control people’s hearts with faith in the celestial deities.

After the fall of the old Human Kingdom, the Religious Order’s remnants went underground and caused all sorts of post-war problems. But last year, the Pope, their leader, was captured, and they were finally put to rest.

With that, the new Human Republic was established, but...

“Sensei,” I languidly call out to Sensei. “Do you know what a saintess really is? You were part of the church when you were alive, right?”

“Indeed, but I must confess, I had never heard of such a title as ‘saintess’ in my time. I couldn’t confirm its existence...”

Is that so?

But if no one talks about it these days, then it didn’t exist in ancient times when Sensei was alive, and it doesn’t exist now either.

So, did it appear in some in-between era and vanish before today?

Hmm... I can’t make sense of this at all...!

“Hmm, I have no clue what’s been happening at the church since I left. It’s embarrassing, considering longevity is my only merit...”

No, Sensei, you have plenty of other merits, right?

Otherwise, where would that leave the rest of humanity...?!

“Ah, I just remembered someone who might be helpful in this situation.”

Oh?

As expected of Sensei, even if he can’t solve it directly, he can come up with an indirect solution thanks to his experience!

“I’ll go get them, so wait a moment.”

While Sensei is away, the so-called saintess is lying on the ground, cheering, “Wow, my wounds are healing!”

She’s been like that the whole time.

Seriously, what’s her deal?

***

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I brought them.”

Sensei returned, leading an elderly human man by the hand.

Ah, I recognize this person.

Isn’t he Yartellens?

He’s a human who visited this farm some time ago and was particularly concerned about educational issues, right?

Upset with the slow progress in improving the human education system, he personally went to the occupation government and ended up visiting the Farm School.

He was so moved by our school that he stayed to help run it instead of returning to the Human Kingdom.

I once thought, “You’re not going back?” But he’s played an unexpectedly crucial role in smoothly running the ever-expanding Farm School.

So, why is Yartellens here now?

“What seems to be the matter? I’ll do my best to help in any way I can to serve the great Thomack Moore!”

“Please call me Sensei, not by that name...”

“Thomack Moore” was apparently Sensei’s name when he was a living human before becoming a Lifeless King.

He had forgotten it during his thousand-year life as a Lifeless King but recently remembered it.

But now, he’s more attached to being called Sensei than by his historical human name.

“Well, Yartellens, you used to be part of the Order, right? I thought you might be knowledgeable about history because you’re diligent.”

“I’m ashamed...! Indeed, I was a priest during the old Human Kingdom era, but I couldn’t correct the church’s corruption and only managed to keep my surroundings clean...! My humble self can’t face Lord Thomack Moore with my inadequacy...!”

“Don’t worry about it. One person alone can’t do anything about an organization’s corruption.”

More importantly...!

“Yartellens, have you ever heard of something called a saintess? Not the word's meaning, but was there such a position in the church...?”

“A saintess...? I’m surprised the great Thomack Moore is interested in such a thing...!”

“I’d appreciate it if you called me Sensei instead...”

From his words, it seems like he knows something.

Did Sensei hit the mark?

“Well, if Lord Thomack Moore insists, I suppose I must tell the tale, despite its... unsavory nature for the church.”

“It’s that embarrassing?”

“The ‘Saintess’ system in the Religious Order was around three to five hundred years ago. It’s completely obsolete now, almost forgotten.”

According to Yartellens, the system was introduced by a certain pope.

And not just any pope. This guy had twelve wives and a total of fifty-six mistresses in his lifetime. He’s quite the notorious womanizer, it seems.

This scandalous pope declared, “The church needs a fresh breeze,” and he recruited several female clergy members for the central church.

These women were given the title of ‘Saintess.’

But becoming a Saintess wasn’t easy. One had to go through rigorous selection or fierce competition.

The official requirements were strong holy magic, devout faith, and enough wisdom to understand divine teachings.

...But all of that was just the facade.

In reality, the top criteria were a beautiful face, skin as smooth and flawless as porcelain or silk, and a stunning figure with large breasts and a slim waist.

So, the prettier you were, the better your chances of becoming a saintess!!!

And why was that, you ask?

“In essence, Saintesses were candidates for the top brass’s mistresses.”

“How disgraceful.”

I could feel Sensei’s frustration.

“The Order leaders, like the pope and cardinals, would choose their favorites from the young Saintesses, who in turn competed to catch the eye of the highest-ranking men. Over half of that infamous pope’s wives and mistresses were chosen from the Saintesses.”

That’s not exactly something to brag about...

“The century or two when the Saintess system was in place is considered the period when church morals were at their lowest. But even such a scandalous era came to an end. Thanks to one true Saintess.”

Hmm?

The story’s taking a turn.

“This woman emerged at the end of the Saintess era and put an end to it. She redefined what it meant to be a saintess, transforming it from a title for mistresses into one of genuine piety and purity. She pushed for reform and eventually abolished the system! She was the true Saintess!”

Yartellens’ enthusiasm skyrocketed when talking about church history.

Listening to him, I couldn’t help but be impressed. Who knew the church had such a remarkable person?

“I see. So, the reason we don’t hear about the Saintess system anymore is that she eradicated the bad practices...”

“Yes! ...Though after the system was abolished, church leaders simply found wives and mistresses from brothels or among noblewomen...!”

So, the corruption didn’t totally end...

 Well, if it hadn’t, the Human Kingdom wouldn’t have collapsed together with the Religious Order.

“Still, it’s quite admirable. This last Saintess abolished such a corrupt system, even if only on the surface,” wholeheartedly commends Sensei.

“Indeed! The last Saintess who made her mark in history is the other great figure I respect alongside Lord Thomack Moore!”

Yartellens responds with delight.

And what’s the name of this extraordinary last Saintess?

“Saintess Maradona!!!”

...

Hmm?