CH 18

Holly was in the waiting room of the main church chapel.

She, too, was wearing a white saint’s dress, and the embroidery that matched her light blue hair suited Holly’s large, hanging eyes.

“Hirune, you’re late.”

Holly looked behind her, surprised to see Hirune in a saint’s dress.

“You look like a goddess, …… at least in appearance.”

“Is that so?”

“It would have been perfect if you hadn’t dozed off, but knowing what’s inside makes it all the more disappointing.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Is that a compliment? – Half compliment, half resignation.”

Holly smiled as she said this and took Hirune’s hand.

“We can be saints together. Let’s do our best for everyone from now on.”

“Yes, let’s work hard for everyone’s sake, for the sake of a good night’s sleep for all mankind and for my own lounging time.”

“Fufufu, that’s right.”

Holly laughed and took her hand away from Hirune.

“I’m more worried about your drowsiness. Jeanne, are you okay?”

Holly asked, and Jeanne made a subtle face.

“She went to bed early last night, but …… I think it was probably no good. This is the first time I’ve woken her up at four o’clock since I became Hirune-sama’s maid, so I can’t say for sure. ……”

“That’s not good. ……”

Holly and Jeanne looked at each other and then at Hirune.

The person in question tilted her head “hmmm? I was half asleep, I didn’t hear a word.”

(Sleepy …… waking up at four in the morning is like a body blow. …… I’ve never received a body blow before.)

Hirune rubbed her eyes and bit back a yawn.

“I just wish I could somehow stay awake long enough to hear the Pope give his scripture. Its been Thirty minutes, right?”

“Thirty minutes? …… By the looks of it, I’d say five minutes at the most. ……”

Hirune sat down on the sofa on her own accord and put all her weight on it, letting out a sigh of relief as they looked at her with concern. Then, within two seconds of sitting down, she started rowing the boat. It was a case of dozing off for sure.

“We’ll have to use that thing.”

“Yes, That’s right, let’s use it.

“Please rest assured that I will tell Hirune.”

“Yes, I’ll support you from behind the scenes.”

The thing that they were referring to is the holy magic of physical manipulation.

They always tell Hirune to use it at important ceremonies. The reason is that It’s better to be frozen in place than to be drowsy and let your head wander. For now, it was a secret between them.

“Also, I’m worried about the prayer of trial. I wonder if she’ll be okay.”

“My heart is breaking with worry.”

Jeanne makes a worried expression.

The trial prayer is a time of prayer without eating or drinking after the Pope has given you a scripture.

If your thoughts reach the Goddess Sophia, a holy light will come out of your body and you will be promoted to a saint. When you become a saint, your magical power improves dramatically.

“I think I can handle it.”

Hirune said, leaning back against the sofa as if she had been listening.

“I can only worry about you.”

“Hirune-sama, can you stay awake for six hours and pray?”

(What? ………… six hours??)

Hirune froze at the first mention of the unit.

“The average is six hours, but it can go on all day. If you give up halfway, you will never be a saint again.　　That’s why Wanda is so strict with us every day.”

“That’s right…. I guess it’s okay. I’m sure it will be. Yeah”

Hirune suddenly became anxious.

She never heard of the six hours.

“Let’s do our best to overcome today, and we can become saints.”

Holly nodded, placing her hands on Hirune’s shoulders as she sat on the couch.

(Since it’s happened, I’ll just have to do it…… )

“When we’re praying, the Goddess will watch over us. According to the senior saints, we won’t get hungry or thirsty. Everyone said it was a precious experience.”

“I see. I feel a little better now.”

(If something happens, I’ll ask the goddess. Yes, I’ll do that.)

Hirune recalled the Goddess Sophia’s compassionate expression and regained her composure.

The only way to become a saint is to undergo trials.

“All right, I’ll definitely become a saint.”

(For a lazy slow life, ……!)

Hirune clenched her fists in a show of spirit.

Jeanne added, “You’re doing great, Hirune-sama.

“I hope it’s okay. ……”

Holly looked worried.

In the meantime, the bishop who would perform the promotion ceremony came into the waiting room.

“Hirune, Holly, let’s go to the chapel.”

()

This church chapel is the most important facility of the Mephistopheles Church.

It’s the place where important events are held for the kingdom, such as the royal wedding ceremony and the annual dedication ceremony. As such, it was a place of such tranquility and solemnity that the air would change just by stepping into it.

The statue of the goddess was carved from the bones of an ancient dragon said to have been defeated by a great saint several hundred years ago, and the floor was covered with multiple layers of magic circles. The chapel is said to be the closest place to the goddess Sophia, and in the chapel, stardust was dancing irregularly, glittering, fluttering.

(…… This is going to be one hell of a restful place to sleep.)

Of all the priest solemnly making their preparations, only Hirune was thinking about such things.

There are many priests in the chapel, Archbishop Zekyutos and Archbishop Zappan standing on either side of the Pope with Bibles.

Hirune and Holly knelt in front of the statue of the Goddess and received a scripture.

(Let’s take Holly’s advice and go to sleep.)

During the Pope’s long scriptures she immobilized her body and made it sleep.

The time passed quickly, there was a chorus by the choir, Bible readings by all the priests, and finally the prayer of trial.

Zekyutos spoke gravely.

“Now, Saint Apprentice Hirune and Saint Apprentice Holly, will pray to the Goddess Sophia and ask her permission to become saints. No one is allowed to enter the room except them. Hirune, Holly, do you choose one of those four doors and swear not to leave until the holy light comes out?”

“I swear it.”

Said Holly.

Zekyutos shifted his gaze to Hirune.

Hirune, who had somehow managed to stay awake, did her best to focus her eyes and said, “–I swear,” and Zekyutos exhaled quietly so as not to make a sound.

“Holly, Which door do you choose?”

“I choose the second door on the right.”

“Hirune, Which door will you choose?

“I’ll take the one on the left.”

“Good. Then enter.”

Hirune and Holly slowly opened their doors and went inside.

(I can feel the magic in this …… mysterious room. ……)

Inside was a pure white room with a glass ceiling. Scripture was carved all over the walls and floor, and the entire room was as beautiful as the furnishings.

(We should pray to the goddess. Right.)

Hirune wanted to get down on both knees and express her gratitude.

(Thank you, Goddess, for finding me, for watching me–)

(Thank you for bringing me into this world.)

(Thank you for the wonderful friends I’ve met.)

(The time I spent talking with you is the most wonderful memory I have.)

( Meeting gentle people, laughing, eating delicious fruits, feasting on warm bread, Sleeping warmly with Jeanne and Holly…… When I was in Japan, I was always in a hurry, running around, trapped, and …… so ………… this world …… Ever Sophia…. and I am ……)

Hirune was saying thank you in her head, filled with gratitude, and fell asleep with peace of mind.

She lay down and used her own arm as a pillow.

There was a nice warm light spilling through the special glass ceiling.

Before she knew it, the room was filled with the sound of her sighing in her sleep.