01

“Thus, the Word of the False God has been corrected, and the Holy Woman described by the Word of our True God is now worshipped here.”

For Philia, today was the worst. She gazed at the people standing in front of her. Everyone had their backs turned to her as they looked at someone else.

A woman standing between two rows of shrines approached with graceful steps. Philia stared at her with a blank expression.

That woman’s title once belonged to Philia.

Our lady, Saint Bianca.

The God of Mischief would send Saints down to let others know of his existence.

The Saint entrusted with this task was Philia. However, the new government, who had recently reviewed the Word of God, made their own decision, stating that the Word was misinterpreted, “fabricated” to be exact.

Philia had done nothing wrong, she was truly innocent. But the Word was properly reinterpreted and this new Saint was graceful and stately, the ideal Saint. She looked very different from Philia, and Philia had many doubts about herself.

Everyone began to cheer as Bianca, wearing the Holy Robes, smiled as she stood by the High Priest. Philia smiled bitterly and clapped.

“There’s nothing I can do.”

At that moment, Bianca looked at Philia. Following her gaze, the High Priest’s eyes widened.

“What are the priests doing, she’s still here!”

Everyone’s eyes were on Philia. Sadly, no one had been interested in her until now, after it was revealed that the Word was fake. Now, everyone was eager to find and bring new Saints.

Philia looked at the High Priest, who was no longer friendly towards her. He looked at her like she was something dirty that needed to be cleaned up.

Philia glanced around. Everyone was staring at her like she was a stranger.

Philia, who had been raised in the Temple since she was a child, no longer seemed to exist. Her loyal subjects, her Holy Knights, and even her servants were all looking at her with hostility.

Their eyes all seemed to be asking, “Why are you here, you fraud?”

When she was 13, the Word of God was declared and the High Priest had taken her away from her parents and forced her to live as a Saint. Everyone had been so sweet to her that she had quickly forgotten the sadness of leaving her family. But, their kindness disappeared as soon as it was revealed that Philia was not a Saint.

Swallowing her bitter emotions as if she were swallowing saliva, Philia stepped out from the crowd and greeted them while clasping her skirt in her hands.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to live up to your expectations. Thank you for being so kind to me.”

“…..”

“I won’t dare speak with God anymore. I wish everyone good luck.”

This was the last pride Philia showed.

I know they didn’t mean to make this mistake. In the past, women who received the Trust of God could also use the Power of God, which would prove whether they were Saints or not. But now, they can’t use His power. Therefore, the only thing that can identify a Saint is His Word. Thus, mistakes can happen.

“It’s my fault.”

Back then, I should have spoken up when the priests came to get me, calling me a Saint. When asked, I should have declined the High Priest’s offer without hesitation. It was my fault that I didn’t say anything. I was too afraid of losing their affection and love.

One day, at the age of twenty, holding back her resentment, a Holy Saint left the Temple and became an ordinary girl named Philia.

***

“Saintess!”

As she was mounting her horse, someone called out to Philia.

“Logan?”

He was one of her Holy Knights.

He said with a grin, “How can you just leave? That would make me sad, Saintess.”

“I’m not a Saint anymore, Logan.”

“S-sorry.”

At Philia’s words, Logan gave her an apologetic look. Philia, however, was fine with Logan’s mistake, since he was the only one who had come to find her.

“Eric will be sorry too.”

“If you’re a substitute for Eric, you should serve the new Saint as well.”

Eric was a knight who had served Philia and who refuted the fact that the Word of God was fabricated. Eventually, he had confronted his lieutenants and was imprisoned. It was regrettable that she could not say goodbye to Eric because he was a great commander in the Temple. But, it wasn’t good for him to be associated with her.

“Let’s go.”

“Pardon?”

“You were a loyal servant before you were a Saint. It’s dangerous to be outside by yourself, how could I let you go off on your own?”

“…..”

“I’ll take you home.”

Philia smiled at his words. Home. She thought she had a home. She did have a place she could go to. In exchange for becoming a Saint, Philia’s family had received an enormous amount of money. That alone brought her comfort.

How about living with my family? That would be a normal life. Best of all, I wouldn’t have to pray every morning. I wouldn’t need to read and memorize the Bible. I wouldn’t have to live a life for others. I can live a normal life from now on, that would make me feel better.

“Thank you, Logan.”

“You’re welcome.”

The corners of Logan’s mouth lifted upwards into a grin as he stared at the Saint’s back, who was now riding her horse.

It was quite difficult for her to ride a horse, since she always rode in a carriage. She became sunburned very quickly, so Logan took her to a lodge to rest.

“Thank you.”

Logan used his own money to pay for everything. Entering the room, Philia looked around at her accommodations. The walls were a murky gray and the large bed didn’t smell very good.

“I’m sorry that you have to stay here. I rented the best room that I could.”

“It’s all right.”

She had to get used to these kinds of accommodations from now on. She looked at Logan. Logan had not left the room. Instead, he was looking back at her.

“Logan?”

Logan responded to her question with an awkward look.

“I’m so sorry, I can’t let you stay alone, Saintess.”

“Pardon?”

“I wanted to rent a room next door, but they don’t have any more vacant rooms.”

“…..”

“It’s dangerous to stay alone in a place like this. I’ll protect you.”

Philia was reluctant, but she nodded her head. In the past, when she went on pilgrimages, there were times when her knight escorts would sleep in her tent. However, back then, she would also be with her maids.

“If you don’t like that, I can go outside and stand guard.”

Philia recalled the narrow corridors of the inn. She couldn’t send him out into the hallway. She was no longer a Saint after all. She no longer had to abide by the Temple’s strict rules.