Chapter 156

Chapter 156

I dont want to die like that.

Last night, Sisle shared the heartfelt sentiments she had hidden for a long time.

Hmm, then how about we try this?

Seongjin made a suggestion to her.

It was a method she had never considered before.

Before the events of the Chronicle unfold, you take the initiative to renounce your position as Saintess. Pass the role to Seo Yi-seo and retire gracefully. After that, why not join the Holy Knights like Logan?

What? Retire? Holy Knights?

Whats that about?

Sisle blinked her eyes.

She had often pondered how to overcome the slander targeting her, but never once thought about voluntarily stepping down from her position as Saintess.

In the first place, wasnt the role of Saintess a lifelong appointment once chosen?

Big brother. The reason Im facing this crisis is because my position as Saintess is in jeopardy. But what if I just give it up first? Wouldnt that only hasten my death?

Huh? Why do you think that?

Seongjin tilted his head.

Lets break it down one by one. In the Delcross Chronicle, your downfall began because Seo Yi-seo emerged, passed the Saintesss Trials, and even received Cardmoss blessing, right? As a result, your standing as Saintess was threatened.

Yes. Thats right.

So you said you tried to be recognized as a Saintess and undertake the blessing of the Holy Emperors sarcophagus before Seo Yi-seo appeared. But then you discovered that receiving the blessing meant having your body taken over by Cardmos and your soul vanishing.

Right. Thats what happened.

Sisle replied gloomily.

Then what are you hesitating for? If its absolutely impossible to fully satisfy the conditions of being that kind of Saintess, isnt it best to renounce it first before your enemies can exploit it? If you werent Saint from the beginning, would such tragedies have befallen you?

Hmm?

Upon consideration, it did seem that way.

As Sisle stood there looking dumbfounded, Seongjin gazed straight into her eyes and asked,Follow the latest novels at novelhall.com

Lets make one thing clear. Why did you become a Saintess?

Seongjin, who had not an iota of piety, couldnt understand it at all.

A Saintess. It was neither a salaried position nor one with any real power. Revered as a holy being, it was an honorary role where one had to serve selflessly for life without holidays, wasnt it?

Those old geezers in the Orthodox Church are using your young age as an excuse to make you work without sharing any power. Why are you so fixated on keeping that position?

Thats because

Perhaps it began when the mark of the Saintess appeared on her body.

She enjoyed the high priests of the Orthodox Church making a big fuss, proclaiming her to be the reincarnation of Gracia. It wasnt bad to be revered as Your Holiness by the faithful either.

She may have also felt a little defiant when the Holy Emperor expressed his opposition.

So did you find joy in living as the Saintess?

Honestly, she had never really thought about it. She had always believed unquestioningly that it was the right path.

Though the service was quite demanding, it was fulfilling to see the delighted faces of the faithful. But after dreaming of the Chronicle, she clung to the position as if it were a guarantee of her life.

However, if she wasnt truly the reincarnation of Gracia

If she wasnt destined from the start to be the Saintess, then what would happen?

Even if Im not the Saintess it may not matter much

Hearing Sisles feeble answer, Seongjin nodded.

Next, we need to clarify who your enemies are. Who was the first to claim you were unqualified?

Enemies?

Yes. Of course, there may be others if we look, but lets focus on the big two for now. You should do your utmost to seize power and topple them before they attack you first.

Seize power? Why is that necessary? Cant I just stop being Saintess?

In response to Sisles question, Seongjin clicked his tongue inwardly.

As he always thought, their father had truly raised the kids too sheltered.

Listen well, Sisle. Do you think it really matters to those bastards that another Saintess has appeared, that youre unqualified, or any of that nonsense? The biggest reason you met such an end in the Chronicle is that you held no power. Whats important is that you appeared weak to them because you lacked strength!

!

Even if you let it slide this time, your enemies who seek to harm you still remain. Unless you gain power, similar incidents can repeat at any time.

Its not that you become a target because youre guilty of anything.

Sisle decided to craft a new narrative.

For that, all the details had to be similar to the stories in the scriptures and explainable within the scriptures. So that night, Sisle scoured the scriptures, searching for usable passages.

Surprisingly, Cardmos found it very entertaining and helped out beside her.

-There was this anecdote too. See if you can find where its mentioned.

And she was able to uncover a few anecdotes.

An instance where five-colored lights filled the surroundings when an ancient saint received a divine oracle.

A tale of Saint Bastian protecting the soul of a child persecuted and murdered by pagans, delivering it to the parents.

-Mom, Dad. Now that Ive met you, I can rest assured and enter Gods embrace.

The childs soul thus went to heaven a heartwarming conclusion. But if someone else had manipulated anothers soul, they would have been labeled a heretic for defying the natural order.

Having finished her preparations overnight, Sisle now stood here with firm resolve.

She suddenly spotted big brother Morres, his eyes wide open, staring at her.

Hey! What are you trying to do? Huh?

Those eyes held a hint of suspicion, as if to say, Dont tell me?

Seeing them, Sisle couldnt help but chuckle.

Dont worry, big brother. I can do this well. Ill fabricate it properly, just as you said.

Then Sisle boldly declared to the audience,

On a day like today, I am glad to reveal the truth before you all. In fact, I am not the reincarnation of Saint Gracia.

Your Holiness Sisle! What in the world are you saying!?

Archbishop Wesker jumped up from his seat, his face ashen, but soon fell silent at the bright light emanating from the girl.

Immense divine power pulsated from the girls body. And at some point, five-colored lights began to settle in various parts of the banquet hall. It was the handiwork of Cardmos, who found it amusing and started playing along.

Until now, I have merely been safeguarding Saintess Gracias soul from corrupt entities.

Sisles voice carried a sacred resonance.

Though it was the unconscious result of her willpower infusing divinity, most people didnt realize this and listened to her voice in a daze.

Fortunately, I have now found the true owner of the soul, so my mission is complete. Therefore, I will now return Gracias soul to the Saintess!

Safeguarding a soul? And returning it?

They were indeed statements perfect for sparking a heresy controversy, but the majority failed to recognize that fact. The five-colored, captivating light enveloping the girl appeared too sublime.

And the moment Sisle grasped Seo Yi-seos hand

The audience couldnt believe their eyes. Was that not the distinct mark of Gracia appearing on Saint Seo Yi-seos hand? Of course, this too was Cardmoss mischief.

The shocking declarations didnt end there.

I, Sisle, am actually the reincarnation of Saint Marcias, inheriting his will!

!?

Now that the time has come to reveal this, God Himself has commanded me to lead the Heresy Tribunal and fight heresy! To that end, I intend to join the Holy Knights!

The emblem that subsequently appeared on Sisles hand was, without a doubt, the emblem of the Order of Saint Marcias!

Not only the high priests but everyone in the banquet hall couldnt hide their astonishment. Cardinal Benituss eyes seemed ready to bulge out of their sockets.

Carefully observing their reactions, Sisle declared in a calm voice,

In one hand, the scriptures! In the other, a mace! Thus, I will continue to fight heresy for Gods kingdom!

Then Sisle smiled. A smile that was flawlessly transparent yet somehow eerie.

Now, with the power to lead the Inquisitors in this hand I will fight you all to the very end as well.

Cardinal Benitus. Cardinal Cesare.

***

That night.

Late in the evening, Nate, who had just left the prayer room, heard astonishing news.

Sisle, Saint Mar

What?

For a moment, his stagger wasnt solely due to fatigue.

Sisle had stepped down from the position of Saintess. That in itself was good news.

Nates reason for involving Seo Yi-seo was to control Cardmos, but more importantly, to lighten the heavy responsibilities placed on the child.

He had wished for his daughter to live a freer life for herself.

But why the sudden decision to join the Holy Knights?

After blankly staring into the air for a while, Nate slowly held his forehead.