“Hiss… Why do I feel like a wave of malice just washed over me? This young lady…”
As a high-ranking existence of the Holy See on par with Idledra, Issar possessed Holy Magic that was either second only to or very close to Idledra’s, as well as an excellent Aura Perception.
This sensory ability was even a step above Idledra’s, allowing him to clearly perceive the goodwill and malice of those around him.
“Ahaha, what are you saying? You’re a guest. How could I possibly strike a guest, right…?”
Hailey looked guilty as she lowered the desk lamp she had been hiding behind her back.
‘Is this guy’s vision that sharp? If I’d known, I would have used something more discreet…’
“Whether you believe me or not, at least this time I don’t have any ill intentions. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come alone.”
What he said was true.
As the supreme ruler of the Holy See, he had many ways to capture these two powerless girls.
“Of course, that was just talk.”
If they actually came to blows, Idledra might still have some hidden power.
“I only came to find Idledra this time to clean up the Holy See’s mess and to check on you two while I was at it.”
Issar spoke very sincerely, and his gaze didn’t flicker away, yet Idledra still wore a look of suspicion.
As the person most familiar with the Pope, Idledra knew well that the man before her was not as friendly and sincere as he appeared — at least, he hadn’t been in the past.
“In any case, Pope, tell us your plan. Otherwise, don’t even think about getting me to cooperate.”
“Alright, alright. It seems I really can’t hide anything from you. The reason I came to find you is because of the Emperor’s side…”
Hailey wondered if it was just her imagination, but this small villa seemed to be enveloped by a strange mana, as if a layer of a transparent Barrier had been attached to it.
The Holy See was an organization that relied on the faith of the people to exist and develop, gradually establishing itself within the territories of various nations.
However, every advantage had its disadvantage.
As the prestige and influence of the Holy See expanded, the original rulers of the land began to feel threatened.
“The Emperor of the Empire seems to have grown wary of our power here and has begun to gradually infiltrate our ranks. For example, the recent incident where this Miss Doll — she’s called Hailey, right? — where Miss Hailey was kidnapped by Priest Hydra, had their fingerprints on it.”
As the most noble Saintess of the Holy See in name, how could Hailey have been so ostentatiously taken away by a Grand Priest right under the Holy See’s nose, only for him to brazenly speak of an “execution”?
Someone must have been maneuvering behind the scenes to ensure the Pope’s eyes and ears could not reach that far, which led to the event occurring.
“Regarding Grand Priest Hydra, I feel quite regretful. In the end, he was incited by others and actually came up with such an extreme method.”
He was clearly a very good pawn, but unfortunately, he was used by those with ulterior motives and tried to force his way out of the game.
In the end, he could only be ruthlessly abandoned.
With just a slight nudge from the Pope, the two girls understood the profit-driven layer of this incident and who the greatest beneficiary was.
The Saintess was the symbol and face of the Holy See, the object of the residents’ faith and love, and might even possess influence far exceeding the Pope’s.
If the Saintess were to disappear or even die in an accident, the faith and trust the believers and imperial citizens had in the Holy See would inevitably plummet, possibly turning into resentment.
“I have already suppressed the public opinion at the Holy See, but to be safe, Idledra, I need you to do one thing for me.”
“I refuse.”
Before the Pope could even finish, Idledra interrupted him without hesitation.
She did not want to get involved with this guy any more than necessary.
The Pope seemed to have anticipated this and proposed a deal she found harder to refuse.
“If you agree, I can guarantee the safety of the lady next to you as much as possible. Do you think the Emperor’s side will let you go?”
Idledra fell silent for a moment.
Finally, after some thought, she nodded reluctantly and agreed to the Pope’s request…
***
By the time the Pope left satisfied, Hailey, who hadn’t dared to speak, finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Looking at the solemn Idledra, she spoke with some hesitation.
“Are you really going to agree to him? To temporarily return to the public eye and act as the Saintess?”
The deal the Pope made with her was for Idledra to swap identities back with Hailey and appear before the public as the true Saintess of the Holy See.
As for Hailey’s fate, under Idledra’s firm demand, the Pope still allowed her to remain by Idledra’s side.
“Hailey, do you think I can really handle the task of being the Saintess? I feel like I’m not like you…”
As the Saintess, one fulfills the creed of the Goddess: “God Loves All People.”
Therefore, a Saintess is kind, gentle, and friendly to everyone.
This was the most typical image of a Saintess in everyone’s mind.
But Idledra couldn’t seem to do it.
She couldn’t show much kindness to anyone other than Hailey, not even toward the innocence of a child.
Just like with Little Mary, who was closest to them, Idledra only mechanically learned how to treat the child well.
“Before Hailey came to my side, the only evaluations I heard were words like holy, noble, and inviolable…”
Before Hailey’s soul possessed the Doll, although Idledra was raised as the Saintess, she rarely appeared in places like the Church.
Her appearances were more like a festival for the Holy See.
An envoy of the Holy See would announce the Saintess’s arrival in advance, and then the believers would piously kneel in the Church while she only had to wave her hand randomly, like a mascot used to represent the Goddess…
“Alright, alright, you’ve said all the good and bad things yourself. You’re the holy, untouchable mascot, so what am I? Some bonus merchandise?”
Moreover, compared to the work she did, why did it feel like the Holy See was starting to take a more “approachable” route?
Or was it just because those old fogies at the Holy See felt that since I was a doll, a few bumps and bruises wouldn’t matter?
“With me by your side giving you step-by-step guidance, what are you worried about? At worst, if we’re about to be exposed, I’ll just stand up and take your place.”
‘This girl… while she’s so resistant to these things, she always ends up accepting them for my sake. Ah, what am I thinking?!’
‘Sometimes I almost forget that my original goal was to replace her. Tch, what a pain…’
Without a word, seeing Idledra’s slightly dejected expression, Hailey mustered her resolve.
She picked the girl up in one swift motion and strode toward the room.
“Hailey, we haven’t had lunch yet…”
“We aren’t eating. Today, I’m going to teach you properly what a real Saintess should do…”
‘I’ll bet my cream-like “Saintess Certificate” on it!!’