Saintess.
A special word used to describe a woman designated as the representative of the Goddess of Order Emeraude.
Only one is born in each country, and they’re seen as the Goddess of Order Emeraude interfering in some way.
Whole countries worship these precious few people, and they receive the protection and favor of royalty. Common people also adore them, and many devout followers would lay down their lives for them.
Their Divine Law Power is seen as their biggest characteristic. It has the effect to activate the power of being that is the essence of vitality, and even a wasteland can become an abundantly green beautiful land through the power of a saintess.
So basically, they are seen as symbols of good harvests.
But that’s not all. They have the power to bring harmony to the land, and stabilize its earth. As a former exclusive mage, I know all too well about that earth stabilizing part.
No matter where I walked on lands without their influence, also called uncivilized territories, I was attacked by mid rank monsters.
Those originally only appear deep inside forests, often in packs or with special abilities.
Lands with good harvests and stable earth. Those are the foundations of any kingdom, and important pillars that cannot be avoided.
Saintesses play a huge role in leading people to safe and prosperous lives. That means expelling one would normally be unthinkable.
But the unthinkable has happened. Iris was branded a false saintess, and expelled from her country. And now she’s right in front of me.
“It’s said that a country without a saintess will fall to ruin eventually. Did they find a new one already?”
I want to know that more than why they threw Iris out. It might be a rude question, but it’s also an important one.
And Iris nods. Apparently there’s already a new saintess fulfilling her role.
That’s nice, that’s nice.
Well, not for Iris. She had to face the harsh reality that things would be fine even without her.
But it’s strange. Saintesses are supposed to be one in each country, so why is there a new one already? Did two just happen to be born? I won’t know until I hear what Iris has to say.
“Hum, you might be worried about the saintess part, but there is already another one doing my job, so there’s no problem at all. I don’t care about being a false saintess either, so that’s done, and let’s forget about it. The present is more important than the past. I’m already a normal girl, not a saintess.
Iris, the saintess of justice, will destroy evil. That’s my reason to live now.”
She says she’s completely fine, but I can tell it’s still really weighing on her mind.
Right after saying she’s a normal girl, she called herself the saintess of justice who destroys evil. Now there’s a contradiction.
She’s probably emotionally unstable and doesn’t even realize it.
My eyes water a little, as I think that she probably doesn’t want to talk about that false saintess business a lot. I probably meddled too much anyway. Everyone has at least a couple of things they don’t want to talk about.
“Sorry for digging up bad memories. I won’t make you talk any more about the past.”
“Thank you. That makes me feel more at ease, hum…”
“Loyd.”
“Yes, Mister Loyd. I think it’s a wonderful name. Please call me Iris. And don’t think of me as a saintess. I’m a normal girl now.”
“All right, then that’s what I’ll call you, Iris.”
“Yes! I kind of feel like we are friends when we call each other by our names like this, Mister Loyd. You’re actually my first friend in this country.”
So I took Iris’ first. That sounds really wrong.
“How long have you been in Minerva?”
“This is the first day. I have been passing through different countries, until I finally got here. And I’m planning to stay in Minerva for about a week.”
“Eh… Different countries…”
So she traveled through different countries to get to the neighboring country. And she’s leaving in a week. That sounds odd.
Is she being chased by assassins or something?
I’m curious about that, but I promised I wouldn’t get into that saintess business, so I won’t. It will probably bother her, and I don’t want to get roped into trouble either.
One week is not a lot of time, but I want to do my best to treat her as a friend. It sounds like that’s what Iris wants too.
“Mumumu…”
She suddenly frowns and stares at me.
“Mister Loyd, there’s blood flowing from your cheek. Did you get hurt by them?”
“Hn? Ah, it’s just a scratch. It will heal on its own.”
I’m planning to heal it in front of a mirror when I get back.
It would look lame if I rushed to heal it now, so I’m putting on some airs and acting like I don’t care. Capable guys don’t sweat small stuff like this.
I feel like I can hear Ruby’s voice in my head telling me I’m lame the moment I even start thinking like this, but we’re not together anymore, so I ignore it.
Iris looks like she’s thinking for a few seconds, before she takes one step forward and touches my cheek without saying anything.
I’m really surprised about her getting close all of a sudden.
“I will heal you now, so please don’t move. Don’t worry, I’m actually good at healing magic.”
A gentle smile forms not only in her mouth, but on her eyes and straight nose too, as this perfectly beautiful girl whispers in my ear.
I’m more excited about her beauty right in front of me than any healing.
Her palm starts to silently shine, and I feel her Divine Law Power turning into heat on my skin and coursing through my body.
Not only does the cut on my cheek close, but I feel a sense of relief like the Holy Mother Elysia from the Emeraude myth is embracing me.
This is the healing power of Divine Law.
I really feel the divine power from Iris’ hand.
“It’s healed. The scratch is completely gone. I pray that you won’t need the divine protection of the Goddess of Order Emeraude.
She says that standard phrase with a smile. There’s a good chance she said it unconsciously because she’s so used to it.
I really feel the traces of a saintess in her.
A new friend.