CH 37

One week after the total lunar eclipse, Zekyutos told Hirune that he would perform the ceremony to promote her to the rank of Great Saint, and she did a little dance of joy.

The Great Saint she had been aiming for.

If she became a great saint, she would get her own church.

Once she received the church, she planned on remodeling it to her own specifications, including a soft futon, a chair that would ruin people, and a magical floor heating system.

Suddenly, there was something that bothered her now that she got there.

(Hmmm ……, I was aiming to become a great saint, but would it be okay if I became one? I feel like I’ve just been sleeping since I came to this world.)

Swaying in her Great Saints robe, and putting her feet in white high socks forward,  Hirune proceeded to the Royal Capital square.

Incidentally, the clothing of the Great Saints was a special surplice that shows the lines of the body in precious white. Underneath is a women’s cassock, similar to a skirt, but much shorter in length. The magical thread was placed in the Holy Grail, and only thread that has not deteriorated in fifty years is used for the skirt. It takes a lot of time, effort, and labor to knit one, so the short length was a material circumstance. To protect her legs, she wears white high socks that extend to her thighs. 

All of them were embroidered with lace that resembled aurora roses, with gold and silver embroidery woven into them. It’s a more luxurious version of the saint’s dress she wore previously.

(My legs are so tight. I don’t know if I should say this, but it looks really good on me.)

It was a great saint’s dress that suits the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Hirune.

(It’s just … the contents aren’t …) 

She may look like a Great Saint, but she’s not.

That’s what Hirune thought.

In fact, Hirune’s actions were the most unorthodox since the beginning of the Mephistopheles religion, and for this, she had been scolded many times and punished by cleaning the thousand-hall corridor.

However, Hirune had a mysteriousness that more than made up for it.

All the priests recognized her as a Great Saint from the bottom of their hearts.

The fact that the gospel of the Goddess Sophia had been brought to her was the best proof of her high reputation.

“Hirune-sama, it’s finally happening.”

Jeanne said in a proud voice.

She walked one step behind her as her maid.

“Yes, it is. The Great Saint …… am I a Great Saint ……?”

Hirune turned her blue eyes sleepily to the ceiling.

She could hear the sounds of her own steady footsteps. Jeanne was walking silently.

If she walked down the long corridor to the end of it, she’ll find a square. She could see a number of priests waiting at the exit.

“Jeanne, thank you for everything. Thank you so much for helping me when I was so selfish and slept all the time.”

Hirune stopped and turned her big blue eyes to Jeanne.

“You’re a very important friend of mine. Will you continue to be my friend?”

Jeanne paused and nodded vigorously several times.

“Yes, Hirune-sama. I’m really happy to be your maid. I thank the goddess every day that I met you, you know?”

“Oh, really? Well then, I should start thanking the Goddess for my encounter with Jeanne from today.”

When she saw Jeanne smiling adorably, Hirune sent her a smirk.

Jeanne felt her body heat up when she saw Hirune’s blue eyes narrow.

“I’m the one who needs to say thank you Hirune-sama. I’ve been able to do my best because of you. I’m also happy that you always sleep with me on the bed. Please continue to be my friend.” 

Jeanne bowed deeply. Her ponytail spilled over her shoulder.

“Thank you Jeanne…….”

“Hirune-sama……”

Hirune and Jeanne hugged each other and felt each other’s body heat.

A strange sense of security enveloped them as their thin bodies became one.

The two of them had been friends for a long time, spending more time together than family. There was a bond between them that was more than family.

“Thank you. Now, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Hirune pulled away from Jeanne.

“I have to be recognized by the goddess and become a great saint.”

“I’ve heard that no one has ever failed in the past. I’m sure Hirune-sama will be fine.”

“Thank you.”

Hirune nodded at Jeanne’s kind words, walked down the corridor, and stepped into the square.

()

When Hirune entered the square, there was a big cheer.

In the square of the royal capital, countless people had gathered to catch a glimpse of the Great Saint Hirune.

(Wow, what a crowd. Great Saints are amazing.)

Hirune was a bit hesitant, but she had gotten used to being in front of people over the past two and a half years.

She took a deep breath and proceeded solemnly down the red carpet.

The great bells of the Royal Capital rang out, and a choir of a hundred people began to sing a chant.

The song had a unique rhyme scheme and was somewhat pastoral.

The square became silent, and only the voices of the choir could be heard.

(This is …… making me sleepy. ……)

The song was so pleasant that  Hirune almost let out a yawn, but she managed to hold it in by wriggling her mouth. It was a close call.

(Let’s see, I stand in the middle of the magic circle in the square and chant the verses of the Great Saints. ……)

She stared at the magic circle with puffy eyes and proceeded slowly.

A white bird flew in the clear sky, chirping in a beautiful voice to encourage Hirune’s promotion to the status of Great Saint.

(White birds …… Oh, there are many people in the windows of the houses. Everyone looks happy.)

People were peeking out of the windows of the houses around the square, looking at the square with happy expressions on their faces. The lovers were cuddling, families are hugging their children, and the adults are looking at Hirune with sincere eyes. Dressed in a pure white robe, Hirune looked to all as if she had stepped out of the Bible, a great saint with a kind heart.

“.. Fuuaaaah…”

A distracted Hirune yawns as she walks, her eyes fluttering open and closed.

(Ah … I yawned)

Everyone who was watching smiled as they saw something that made them warm inside.

Everyone knew that the Great Saint who looked so perfect was a dozing princess. The people were strangely happy to see that Hirune was still the same dozer, and happily whispered to the person next to them, “Did you see that?” And “She yawned.”

On the other hand, Wanda’s eyebrows twitched as she sat at Mephistopheles’ table, and Holly smiled. Archbishop Zekyutos looked as if he saw something important.

(Okay, I got to the middle. Just take a deep breath …)

Inhaling then exhaling, Hirune opened her mouth wide.

“–When the world is filled with light, when the stardust that fell by the lake shines and the sun rises…”

Hirune began to chant the scriptures in a unique way to avoid drowsiness.

It was a recitation that made even the aristocrats, who were the saint’s advisors, have high regard. The people around her were at once drawn in.

The choir lowered their singing voices and arranged the melody so that Hirune’s voice stood out.

By the end of the five minutes of scriptures, many were in tears.

(Now the scripture is okay … then prayer …)

Hirune got down on her knees and folded her hands.

(Peace and a good night’s sleep to this wonderful world … Smiles to all… Thank you Goddess for bringing me to EverSophia …)

Hirune remembered her life in Japan living like a running horse, and her days since her reincarnation in the EverSophia flashed through her mind.

In my previous life, I worked as if I was chased by something.

When I came to EverSophia, I noticed that the world seemed to shine brighter.

Maybe she just didn’t realize it when she was in Japan, but the world was always shining, no matter where she was – she thinks about that.

(…Thank you……)

Hirune recalled the joy, sorrow, and loss she had felt in Japan, the unstable emotions she had felt after staying up all night, the kindness, joy, relief, and contentment she felt after coming to this world… …she felt her eyes burning.

She didn’t notice for a while that she was crying.

As she prayed, the voice of the goddess Sophia echoed out of nowhere.

“Hirune, you’ve done well.”

“Goddess?”

“Your life isn’t over yet….be yourself “

“… I keep dozing, but is that okay …?”

“Everyone will forgive you if you doze off a little. You did a lot in your previous life. “

The Goddess Sophia smiles elegantly with a harp-like tune.

“I see. I’m relieved to hear that. I was saved by the kindness of everyone. I’m really grateful.”

“Don’t forget to thank them. …… Look, they’re waiting for you. ……”

“Yes … Goddess-sama …”

The presence of the Goddess Sophia disappeared.

When she opened her eyes, she saw the faces of the people watching her with bated breath.

When Hirune smiled unintentionally, the magic circle glowed and stardust spewed out, bouncing and sparkling.

The people around her shouted, “Oh!”

Another large circle of light descended from the air and surrounded Hirune, flashing several times before entering her body and turning into wings of light.

“Hirune-sama–“

someone says, then Hirune flew away, scattering stardust.

(May everyone sleep well …)

At the moment of praying for such sleep, stardust erupted and soar up into the sky, flying over the entire royal capital. 

From the royal castle to the back alleys, the stardust emitted by Hirune rained down in an irregular motion like the falling feathers of a bird.

“Wow!” “Beautiful …” “Stardust is falling” “Hurray, the Great Saint Hirune!” “This will make the world more peaceful …!” 

Everyone looked up at the sky, touched the stardust, and smiled.

The stardust bounced in the palms of people’s hands, sparkling happily.

(Does this make me a Great Saint? I’m so relieved ……  I’m starting to feel very sleepy ……)

Hirune yawns loudly while floating fluffily in the sky. 

–This was the moment when the dozing Great Saint who would eventually become a legend and be loved by all was born.