Chapter 122

Chapter 122

Saintess Gracia of Servitude.

She lived over 700 years ago, a woman likened to an angel for devoting her life to serving those in need. She shared her bread with the poor and, with her limited knowledge, prepared herbal remedies for the sick.

One day, a plague struck her village. Despite Gracias best efforts to care for the people, some tragically died. Subsequently, a villager accused her of witchcraft, leading to her being reported to the heresy tribunal.

What? Why accuse someone who helped?

Well, it was a long time ago. They believed the plague was a curse from a witch, and falsely claimed she was the source from the start.

Gracia faced three trials ordered by the inquisitor. She was thrown into a cold riverbed, made to walk over hot coals, and submerged in boiling oil.

However, due to the divine care of the merciful Lord, admiring her pure heart, Gracia safely passed these trials and was eventually acquitted, returning home. The villager who falsely accused her was struck by lightning as punishment from the Lord.

Even after this ordeal, Gracia continued to serve people throughout her life. On her deathbed, she left this testament:

Should danger ever befall blessed Delcross, I will be reborn time and again to serve the Kingdom of the Lord.

Her noble will was recognized by later generations, and the Orthodox Church canonized her as a saint.

Currently, one of the five orders of knights, inheriting her legacy and valuing [Sacrifice] as a virtue, conducts missionary work. This is none other than the Order of Saint Gracia.

The trials she facedof water, fire, and oilbecame known as the Trials of the Saintess.

Since then, occasionally, some challenge these three trials to prove their faith and innocence, Logan explained.

Seongjin frowned upon hearing this.

Not even a triathlon, and they choose to challenge this? Thats insane.

So, are these trials actually passable?

To Seongjins question, Logan shook his head.

Since her time, no one has successfully completed these trials. The very first trial is impossible to endure.

The trial of water requires ones body not to float to the surface when submerged in a river. The logic is that those whose souls are pawned to the devil weigh less spiritually, and thus, cannot help but float.

Well, one might think that with adept use of aura concealment or strong divine power, it could be possible, but the real challenge is the duration. A person is thrown into the water and must be submerged for two to three hours.

Even if someone is skilled in using aura or possesses strong divine power, no one can survive without breathing underwater for more than two hours.

Inevitably, they either come up for air or drown. Those who survive this face the trials of fire and oil, only to suffer terrible burns and death.

So why do people still request these trials?

The reason is clear. Rather than dying slowly under the prolonged torture of the heresy tribunal, they prefer a swift suicide.

The problem is that the will to undertake the Saintesss Trials is still respected. Once a woman declares her intention to undergo the trials, she cannot be interrogated or tortured until the trials are over.

Seongjin looked up at Seo Yi-seo, who was walking ahead at a distance.

Surrounded by the capitals guards, she maintained a demure posture, her hands clasped over her chest, even while being escorted. For someone seeking suicide, she was remarkably composed.

What could her true intentions be?

Seongjin, do you know this?

Logan, who had been gazing at him, suddenly asked.

The reason why Sisle was unanimously declared a saint by the Orthodox Church despite her young age?

Huh? I heard it was because of her strong divine power. Is there another reason?

As Seongjin looked puzzled, Logan continued in a calm tone.

It probably happened when Sisle was around seven. One day, stigmata appeared on her body. These were the same marks said to have been acquired by Saintess Gracia during her trial by fire.

After Gracias death, there had been several instances where young women developed such stigmata.

Since these women possessed immense divine power, the Orthodox Church believed it to be the realization of the saintesss will to be reborn. Therefore, each of them was consecrated as a saintess and dedicated their lives to serving the faithful.

Then one day, a clear divine symbol was engraved on the soles of the youngest princess, who had peacefully woken from her sleep. The Orthodox Church acknowledged Sisle as the reincarnation of Saintess Gracia.

If, by some rare chance, that woman actually passes all of the Saintesss Trials

Logans voice trailed off, worry evident on his face.

I have a feeling I know what hes worried about.

[Its not surprising you felt that way. Her body was intricately constituted. It might be slightly heavier, but her weight wouldnt be much different from the humans of this world.]

Compared to Seo Yi-seo, Madam Justines body was almost like an empty can.

Indeed, unlike Madam with his almost non-existent aura activation, Seo Yi-seo had a level of aura activation similar to an average person.

[If her soul hadnt had the typical characteristics of a human from the regular world, I wouldnt have noticed so quickly.]

The demon king explained that the souls from the regular world dont take on the complete human form like those from the world of appearances or the original world. They usually have the characteristics of a round sphere or a hard crystal.

Its somewhat reminiscent of the soul terminals that the Arenja creatures create, isnt it?

Anyway, if its confirmed that she came from the regular world to here, its not strange for her to know about Dilelaria butterfly, which crosses dimensions.

She might even know how to open gates between dimensions. Its worth investigating.

The problem is, since she publicly declared her intention to undergo the Saintesss Trials, the heresy tribunal, which oversees the trials, has swiftly taken her into custody.

[If shes gone there, isnt she as good as dead?]

Well, the Saintesss Trials are supposed to be public. Shell be safe until then. Just get a cooperation document and barge into the heresy tribunal.

Seongjin thought so, but the information Dasha brought him that evening was unexpected.

Already in the torture chamber?

Wait. Wasnt it that nobody could touch her before she underwent the three trials?

As Seongjin expressed his shock, Dasha shrugged her shoulders.

As you know, Your Highness, that place is a den of high-ranking clerics. Probably by the time shes presented to the public, all her wounds will be meticulously healed.

.

Seongjin felt a chill run down his spine.

The idea of a den full of clerics filled with divine power felt terrifying in a way he hadnt expected. They torture, heal, and then torture again.

It made sense now why those who underwent the heresy trials would go mad if they didnt die.

So, there are rumors within the heresy tribunal itself that she might indeed be a saint.

According to the information brought by Dasha, Seo Yi-seo was enduring the torture remarkably well. Despite having her flesh cut and being branded with hot irons, she maintained her devout demeanor, continuously praying to the Lord.

The inquisitors, notorious for their cruelty, were reportedly so moved by her devotion that they even joined in her prayers.

Could she really be a saint? That cant be, right?

Seongjin slightly furrowed his brows.

A true saint should possess strong divine power. However, both the demon king and Logan had asserted they couldnt sense any divine power from her.

Furthermore, Logan had said this with apparent disgust:

Everything she says is a lie; its hard to know where to begin questioning. Her guidance from Saintess Gracia and her oath to the Lord, none of it is true!

The unsettling feeling Seongjin had when Seo Yi-seo was first taken into custody still lingered.

That strange, tingling sensation in his chest, as if being enchanted, and the odd reactions of the people around her, mesmerized by her face.

Lost in thought, Seongjin eventually looked up.

Has there been any word from my father?

Indeed, the emergence of a suspicious saint candidate who might threaten Sisles position was significant.

What would His Majesty, the emperor, think of this situation?

Hmm

Dashas response to this question seemed a bit stiff.

Its that His Majesty didnt say anything but just gave a slight smile.

Smiled?

But they said it was incredibly frightening.

.

Ah, I think I understand what that means.