Chapter 96
The carriage carrying Reina and Clael advanced toward the royal capital, passing through numerous miracles.
Along the way, they encountered a flooded river that swept away a bridge, attacks from monsters and bandits, and even a corrupt noble whipping a slave... There were many incidents, but all obstacles were removed by Reina's miracles.
No one could stop the advancing Saint.
They arrived at the royal capital much faster than originally planned.
"The royal capital... It's been a while since I last came here."
"Sir Clael, you used to live in the royal capital, right?"
"Yes... I moved to Eggbell right after graduating from the academy. I lived in the Byrne Marquis family's mansion here in the capital."
From now on, they would be staying in the royal capital for a while.
If that's the case... maybe I should stop by my family home at least once.
The carriage carrying Clael and Reina continued on, heading toward the Grand Shrine in the royal capital.
They had made plans to visit a café and such... but they couldn't go while still carrying their travel bags.
So, they decided to go to the Grand Shrine first to drop off their luggage.
"Welcome back... Saint Reina. And welcome to you as well, Priest Clael."
""""Welcome home, Saint!""""
However... upon arriving in front of the Grand Shrine, they were met by a large group of priests, Temple Knights, and Dilet Horst, the cardinal.
A massive white building. In front of this religious structure, far larger than the shrine Clael had managed, stood over a hundred people.
Clael hurriedly got off the carriage and greeted the highest authority of the shrine.
"Y-Your Eminence the Cardinal... Thank you for coming out to greet us. How did you know we were coming?"
"Ah... I knew in advance that you would be arriving."
"As expected of the highest-ranking priest. Did you perhaps receive an oracle from the goddess?"
"In a way, yes."
Dilet gave a wry smile and casually looked upward.
Following his gaze, Clael also looked up... and saw 'something' wrapped in white light flying directly above the carriage.
"Ah..."
It was an angel with the face of a bear plushie.
A muscular upper body, holding a spear and scanning the surroundings cautiously.
"Bear...!"
Noticing Clael's gaze, the angel with the bear face vanished in a hurry.
"We received a report from the soldiers guarding the royal capital's walls..."
"I-I see... Sorry for the disturbance."
"No... It just so happened that the soldier was someone who could see it. Normal people can't. More importantly... the flowers blooming along the roadside might cause more of a stir."
"Ah..."
Thanks to Reina's miracle, flowers were blooming in profusion on both sides of the road the carriage had traveled.
It wasn't anything troublesome... but people would surely talk about how the Saint had performed another miracle.
"The flowers themselves aren't a problem... but it's frightening not knowing what might happen if someone who desires the Saint's miracles picks one."
"I think... it'll be fine, yes."
Picking a flower the Saint caused to bloom shouldn't bring divine punishment.
But the fact that you couldn't say that with absolute certainty was the scary part...
"Well then, shall we proceed to the Grand Shrine? I'll guide you."
"Yes, please."
Guided by Dilet, Clael arrived at the Grand Shrine.
He was given an explanation along the way... the ceremony to recognize the Saint would be held the day after tomorrow.
Because of preparations like fitting outfits, it seemed they wouldn't be able to go out today or tomorrow.
"It's a shame... but it can't be helped. Let's go to the café another time."
Reina looked a little disappointed.
She probably wanted to explore the royal capital with Clael as soon as possible... but she didn't insist on it because she didn't want to interfere with Clael's moment in the spotlight.
"Priest Clael, you should also stay at the Grand Shrine tonight. We'll have your luggage delivered to the Royal Academy staff dormitory."
"Thank you very much."
"Well then, Sir Clael. I'm going to my room to change. See you later..."
Reina returned to her private room inside the shrine.
Meanwhile, Clael was invited by Dilet to the cardinal's office.
Only Clael and Dilet were in the spacious office.
He sat on the offered sofa and faced the highest authority of the shrine.
"Now then... I believe this is the second time we've spoken face-to-face like this, Priest Clael Byrne."
Dilet settled into the sofa across from him and began to speak.
"It's been half a year, hasn't it? Since Reina was taken in here... Is she doing well?"
"Yes. She's doing very well. More than enough, really."
Dilet gave a shrug, looking somewhat weary despite his words.
"Truly... I think again how amazing Saints are. It's more than the legends say. Every day is full of surprises."
"Is it really that much?"
"Yes... Since Saint Reina came to the Grand Shrine and began offering prayers, the kingdom's crop yields have increased by seventy percent. Plagues and disasters have only occurred on a very small scale, and monster damage has significantly decreased. Honestly, I didn't expect the Saint's power to affect the country to this extent... The power of god truly is great."
"............"
Hearing about the Saint's power from someone else again, Clael was genuinely surprised.
He thought he understood Reina's power well... but it was the first he'd heard of it having such a national-scale impact.
"It's probably a wonderful thing... but it's a bit dangerous too."
"Very few people understand that. It seems you're a wise person."
At Clael's words, Dilet gave a small round of applause.
The Saint's power was immense.
But... growing too accustomed to the prosperity brought by her power was dangerous.
Reina was still a human. She wasn't an immortal god.
When Reina was gone, and the Saint's blessing disappeared... would the people, spoiled by prosperity, be able to return to their former lives?
"Well, that's a story for the distant future. We've already warned the royal family and the major nobles, and the Saint's power is gradually spreading. As its reach broadens, the blessing's intensity should also stabilize."
Reina's power, which now had a strong influence over the Kingdom of Saintcl, was gradually spreading across the continent.
If the blessing was well-distributed, its effects wouldn't be as pronounced as they were now.
"That said... even if the influence is dispersed, we still can't afford to lose the Saint. We must bind her to this country, no matter what. Even if it means using any means necessary."
Dilet spoke with a serious expression.
It seemed... an unpleasant conversation was about to begin.
Clael straightened his posture and once again faced the highest authority of the shrine.