Vol 3. Chapter 51: Determination
The Saint or the Saintess
held the highest position within the Asumos Church second only to the Cult Leader.
They were the Church's second-in-command, wielding immense authority. Even the Three Archbishops had to treat them with the utmost respect. When it came to divine revelations, the Saintess's authority even surpassed that of the Cult Leader himself.
However,
ever since the previous Saintess had her heart torn out and was killed by the Demon King-class existence "Higanbana" over two hundred years ago,
the position of Saintess had remained vacant for more than two centuries.
During all that time,
the Asumos Church had continuously searched for a new Saintess—or a Saint.
However,
not just anyone could become a Saintess.
The very first requirement was possessing extraordinary affinity for Holy Aura. On that criterion alone, eighty-five percent of the Church's followers were immediately disqualified. Besides the mandatory affinity requirement, candidates also had to pass a long series of extremely difficult examinations.
Finally—and this was the hardest part—
they had to obtain the recognition of the Church's Sacred Beast.
Only after receiving its acknowledgment could someone truly become the Saintess or the Saint.
Over the past century, several people had completed all of the examinations, only to lose their qualifications because they failed to earn the Sacred Beast's approval.
Back then, even White Yama herself had participated in the Saint Candidate Examination. In the end, she had been blasted away by the Sacred Beast and failed.
Without question,
the position of Saintess was anything but easy to obtain.
But,
Mengxi was different!
She was the Child of Destiny foretold by prophecy!
White Yama, along with the vast majority of the Church's followers, firmly believed that as long as Mengxi was willing to participate in the Saint Candidate Examination, the position of Saintess would undoubtedly be hers!
The problem was,
until now,
Mengxi had never shown the slightest interest in taking the examination.
The Saintess was the Church's second-in-command, naturally burdened with an enormous workload. She had to oversee countless affairs, participate in all kinds of diplomatic activities, and represent the Church at numerous social occasions.
Since Mengxi had absolutely no interest in power or those kinds of events, she had refused to participate in the examination.
After passing the Holy Aura Affinity Test and receiving the title of "Saint Candidate,"
she simply ignored everything else...
No matter how White Yama and Archbishop Nick tried to persuade her, Mengxi had remained completely uninterested {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} in becoming the Saintess.
She had looked down on the position so disdainfully just a short while ago.
So why...
Why had she suddenly changed her mind today?
At the thought of this, confusion gradually appeared amidst White Yama's shocked expression. Even the other members of the Asumos Church who had accompanied her to find Mengxi stared at the silver-haired girl in utter disbelief.
Their expressions practically screamed,
'Are you serious?'
After hesitating for a moment and suppressing the shock in her heart, White Yama cautiously leaned close to Mengxi's ear and whispered,
"Um... Mengxi... are you serious? Or... are you still drunk?"
Hearing that, Mengxi smiled helplessly and raised a hand to her forehead.
"Sister Bai, I've sobered up a long time ago. Besides, do I look like someone who enjoys joking?"
"Uh... not really."
"Exactly."
"So you're really going to take the examination?"
"That's right."
"You really want to become the Saintess?"
"Yes."
"Did those people from the Black Rose Family brainwash you last night?"
"Sister Bai, enough already."
"Alright, one last question. Mengxi... are you serious? You hated the idea so much before."
"Sigh..."
Letting out a long sigh, Mengxi looked seriously into White Yama's blue eyes before gently patting the white-haired girl's shoulder.
"I'm serious, Sister Bai."
"..."
After receiving Mengxi's affirmative answer,
White Yama remained silent for a moment.
Then all the doubt and confusion vanished from her eyes, replaced by joy and excitement.
She instantly jumped forward and threw her arms around the silver-haired girl.
"Hahahaha!! That's wonderful, Mengxi! You've finally decided to take the Saint Candidate Examination! You'll definitely pass! Then I'll have a Saintess as my best sister! Hehehehehe~"
"Do you really have to get this excited..."
Wrapped tightly in White Yama's embrace and struggling slightly to breathe, Mengxi couldn't help complaining.
White Yama simply stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Of course I'm excited~! It's been over a hundred years since we've had a Saintess! You know she's the spiritual symbol of our Asumos Church~"
"Uh..."
Mengxi rolled her eyes.
"Sister Bai, I don't think you really care about symbols. You just want me to become the Saintess so you can get a raise and have less work, don't you?"
After spending so much time together, Mengxi already knew White Yama's true nature all too well.
Hearing those words, White Yama's cheeks immediately reddened.
Pretending to be upset, she leaned close to Mengxi's ear.
"There are people standing nearby! Don't say it so bluntly!"
"Alright, alright, I know."
Mengxi's voice was filled with helplessness.
"Hehe, Mengxi, your big sister here will support you with everything she's got! You'll definitely succeed. After you become the Saintess, remember to give me a raise~ And when I secretly slack off, don't deduct my performance bonus either~"
"Sigh..."
A bitter smile appeared on Mengxi's breathtaking face.
"Please, Sister Bai... becoming the Saintess isn't nearly that easy..."
Inside the Church,
there were still quite a few people
who didn't want her to become the Saintess...
—
Meanwhile,
inside White Star Manor,
within Miss Yumo's room,
completely unaware that her actions had already changed Mengxi's plans,
Miss Yumo collapsed weakly onto the sofa.
There was no doubt that far too many troublesome matters had piled up recently.
The Marquis and Marchioness had been arrested.
Yuan'er had disappeared.
Karina had been captured.
The Child of Destiny kept acting recklessly.
And then there was Mengxi's sudden drunken assault...
All of it had left Miss Yumo utterly exhausted.
If the children of the Black Rose Family hadn't still been around watching her, she would've wanted nothing more than to throw herself onto the sofa and throw a childish tantrum without caring about her image.
Just then,
after knocking on the door,
the old butler walked gracefully into the room with both hands clasped behind his back.
"Lady Yumo."
With no outsiders present, Saiboke naturally returned to his usual form of address.
"Hm? What is it, Little Sai?"
Yumo asked slowly without opening her eyes.
"Lady Yumo, we've 'finally' figured out the situation inside the Heavenly Prison."
"Hm?"
The moment she heard those words, Yumo's tightly closed eyes flew open.
She immediately sat upright on the sofa and looked anxiously at Saiboke.
"Then... what about Karina? How is that child?"
"Please don't worry, Lady Yumo. Lady Karina is safe for now."
"Then... now that you've figured everything out... can I secretly go see her?"
"You can, Lady Yumo... but you'll have to wait another two days."
"Two days? Why?"
Hearing that question, an almost imperceptible trace of embarrassment flashed through Saiboke's eyes.
"Well... although we've figured out the defensive barriers and the operation patterns of the various alarm systems, a large number of Imperial Guards are still stationed around the Heavenly Prison these next few days. It would still be difficult for you to enter without alerting them. If Xue Tianao were alerted, Lady Karina might end up in danger. However, after another two days, the Imperial Guards will be occupied preparing for Xue Tianao's coronation ceremony. Security will be much more relaxed by then, and..."
...
Saiboke continued speaking at length, giving Yumo one logical explanation after another as he persuaded her not to rush and to wait another two days before visiting Karina.
Of course,
every one of those explanations
was merely an excuse.
As for the real reason...
the people over there still needed a little more time to make everything look convincing.
If Lady Yumo went now,
they might accidentally expose the truth.
And if that happened...
his butt would definitely be finished.
No,
not just his!
If Lady Yumo discovered that they had all joined forces to fool her,
a whole group of people would lose their butts together...
Thinking of that,
Saiboke couldn't help shivering inwardly.
"So, Lady Yumo... please wait another two days."
Fortunately,
Yumo had always trusted her children completely.
Combined with Saiboke's flawless acting, she suspected nothing. She merely looked disappointed and let out a helpless sigh.
"Sigh... alright."
"Lady Yumo, are you feeling alright?"
Seeing that Yumo still looked listless, Saiboke deliberately asked with feigned curiosity.
"Do you really think that's possible?"
"Sigh... fair enough. How about this? Lady Yumo, since you've rarely had the chance to come to Skyvault, why not go outside for a walk? You can relax a little while taking in the scenery."
"Go out for a walk..."
Looking out through the window, Miss Yumo murmured thoughtfully,
"I suppose that wouldn't be a bad idea... Staying cooped up inside only makes me feel even more depressed... Sigh... alright then. I'll go out for a walk."
"Indeed, Lady Yumo."
After nodding in complete agreement, Saiboke thoughtfully looked toward the dragon-horned girl nearby.
"Xizhi, you're quite familiar with this place, aren't you? Since Lady Yumo wants to go out and relax, accompany her. While you're at it, introduce Lady Yumo to Skyvault's culture, history, and some of its... local customs."
Upon hearing Saiboke's instruction, Xizhi respectfully lowered her head.
"Understood, Lord Saiboke."
As she replied,
the corners of the dragon-horned girl's lips curled upward into a meaningful smile...