Chapter 88 : The Saint (4)
Levana was running across a fluffy cake. Around her, rainbow-colored macarons floated, tempting her. She reached out, grabbed one, and popped it into her mouth.
Munch, munch.
The sweetness spread throughout her mouth, and a happy smile appeared on her face.
At that moment…
“Stop!”
Something burst out from the cake’s surface.
It had the body of a baby angel but the face of Archbishop Andersen—a bizarre creature.
“Saintess! You mustn’t give in to sweet temptations!”
Andersen flapped his wings and flew toward Levana, who screamed and fell back.
“Saintess! You must maintain purity of spirit through modest meals! That is the path to a pure heart and a stronger faith!”
At Andersen’s words, Levana sprang up and began to run, still munching on the macaron in her mouth.
“Stop, Saintess! Do not succumb to the sweet temptation! Saintess!”
Andersen shouted as he chased her from behind. But Levana didn’t stop. She kept running, shoving floating macarons into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out.
“Saintess! Spit them out! You mustn’t eat them!”
Levana grabbed even more macarons. Just as she was about to put another one in her mouth, the ground beneath her gave way, and she started to fall.
“Ahhh!”
Flailing her arms, Levana opened her eyes.
Above her against the night sky, she saw Ariel looking down at her.
“A… a dream?”
Levana blinked and sat up, realizing she had been sleeping on Ariel’s lap.
“Oh.”
Levana quickly touched her head, startled. Her hood had completely fallen off, likely while she was sleeping.
She glanced nervously at Ariel.
Munch, munch.
Ariel was just quietly eating a macaron, her cheeks puffed up like Levana’s in the dream.
It didn’t seem Ariel had recognized her as the saintess. Considering Ariel was an elf and an adventurer, she likely didn’t know the saintess’s face.
‘But she saw my face. This is definitely risky…’
Just then, Ariel offered her a macaron.
“Want one?”
Levana immediately stopped thinking and opened her mouth. Ariel placed the macaron in her mouth.
‘It’s… delicious!’
The soft texture and the sweetness filled her mouth completely. It was the heavenly taste she had felt in her dream.
“I also have milk.”
Ariel pulled out a cup filled with milk from the air and handed it to her. Levana took it and drank it in big gulps.
The combination of the sweet macaron and the creamy milk felt like it was melting her.
She felt so happy, like she was in paradise.
“Thank you, Ariel.”
At Levana’s gratitude, Ariel gave a small nod, then stood up and said to Levana,
“It’s time to go.”
“Oh, really?”
Levana looked disappointed.
“Uh, Ariel, can we meet again? I’d feel sad if we parted like this….”
Her eyes reddened slightly.
Levana didn’t have many friends—just two or three, and all of them were older clergy members. This was the first time she had made a friend her own age, like Ariel.
Ariel looked quietly at Levana. Answering her question was a bit difficult. Even Ariel didn’t know if they’d meet again.
All Ariel could say was, “I had fun today.”
Levana hugged Ariel tightly, a farewell embrace.
“I had fun too, Ariel….”
Levana spoke with a trembling voice.
“Let’s definitely meet again someday….”
Ariel nodded silently, then slowly turned and started walking down the alley.
Levana felt a pang in her heart, but she wiped away the tears forming in her eyes and smiled. If fate allowed it, they might meet again someday. If she worked hard and looked forward to that day…
“Oh.”
Levana suddenly raised her head.
The sky had grown dark without her realizing it. She couldn’t waste any more time here; she needed to return to the sanctuary.
The prayer service at the cathedral would be over by now. Archbishop Andersen would be waiting for her at the sanctuary’s entrance.
Levana quickly got to her feet and started running.
Panting, she raced down the narrow, dark alleyways, weaving through the old, dilapidated buildings until she reached the hidden passage.
The passage led to the basement of an abandoned building. At the entrance, a small kitten was sitting, wagging its tail as if it recognized Levana.
If anyone else had approached, it would’ve run away, but for Levana, it showed unusual affection. Almost as if it sensed her saintly presence.
“Hello, little one.”
Levana petted the kitten’s head gently, and it purred in delight.
“Sorry, but I’m in a bit of a hurry. I’ll see you next time.”
Levana passed the kitten and descended the basement stairs. At the bottom, she found a small door, which led to the cathedral’s holy barrier.
The holy barrier was extremely strong; any being without sacred power would be repelled. But for the saintess, it was harmless.
Levana passed through the barrier effortlessly and entered a small room leading to the sanctuary. On the wall was an inscription by Saint Christina.
“Thank you, Senior… because of you, I had a wonderful experience.”
Levana bowed her head toward the wall and then climbed the ladder.
“Oh.”
She stopped midway and removed the shabby robe she was wearing. Returning to the sanctuary in such attire would certainly raise Andersen’s suspicions.
“Hmm….”
Then she realized that the smell was an issue as well. The musty odor from the old robe had clung to her body.
Suddenly, Levana thought of a solution.
“Purification.”
She murmured softly, casting a purification spell.
A radiant light enveloped her entire body, flowing gently and purging every bit of dirt and grime.
As the light subsided, Levana was left in her original clean and pure state. The unpleasant smell had vanished entirely, replaced by a subtle, sacred fragrance.
“Hehe.”
Levana thought herself rather clever. To have thought of using purification in this situation!
‘Am I… perhaps a genius?’
But then she realized something.
‘No, I should’ve just purified the robe from the start. That would have kept it clean.’
Perhaps she wasn’t quite a genius after all.
Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about this.
Levana resumed climbing the ladder.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Andersen was pacing anxiously outside the sanctuary. Despite the prayer service ending, Levana hadn’t come out yet.
‘She’s taking quite a long time in prayer today.’
Normally, by now, she would have already finished and rushed out of the sanctuary, eagerly looking for something to eat.
‘I hope nothing has happened to her.’
Andersen felt a surge of unease, but there was nothing he could do. The sanctuary was the holiest place in the cathedral. Only the saintess was allowed to enter, and it was forbidden to disturb her prayers.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the sanctuary door opened, and Levana emerged.
Andersen greeted her with a smile.
“Welcome back, Saintess.”
“You too, Andersen.”
“Aren’t you hungry? Shall I prepare some food?”
“It’s fine.”
“…Really? You’re not hungry?”
“I don’t feel like eating.”
Levana began walking.
Earlier that day, she had eaten a massive amount of desserts at Delight, and later, Ariel’s macarons and milk. She didn’t think she could eat anything more; she might even throw up if she did.
“But, Saintess, you haven’t eaten in days. It might harm your health.”
“It’s fine. I can heal myself.”
“Are you… upset about something?”
“Andersen.”
Levana looked at him with a gentle smile.
“I experienced a new world today. I no longer crave the cathedral’s food. As you said, I plan to adopt a more modest diet. Since it’s late, I’ll have a modest breakfast tomorrow morning.”
Hearing Levana’s words, Andersen looked thoughtful.
Usually, after prayer, Levana would come out starving, complaining and devouring her food. But today, she seemed like a completely different person, as if she had achieved enlightenment overnight.
“…I understand now.”
Andersen nodded.
“You’ve been to that place, haven’t you?”
“Huh?”
Levana’s eyes widened in surprise. Did he know about her going out for a massive dessert binge?
Andersen continued, “There’s a story that devout prayer in the sanctuary can lead the saintess to a spiritual realm. There have been several cases of this in the past. Saint Christina, for instance… after praying in the sanctuary, she would emerge radiant and lose all desire for food, having transcended bodily desires. She would spend all her days praying without leaving the sanctuary. Perhaps you are experiencing the same state?”
“Yes, I think so.”
Levana nodded quickly.
“I’ve completely transcended physical desires. I seek only divine love and grace. So, no need for food. I’ll head to my room to rest.”
Levana walked away hurriedly, feeling a slight pang of guilt for lying as a saintess.
‘…Is this going to be a problem?’
‘…No, Senior Christina told plenty of lies, after all. It shouldn’t be an issue, right? Even if it is, I don’t care. I’m going out again tomorrow. No one will disturb me as long as I pretend to be praying in the sanctuary. Hehe, maybe I’ll visit that bakery again.’
Unaware of Levana’s thoughts, Andersen watched her with a content smile.
Meanwhile, at the cathedral entrance, Ariel was preparing to make her next move.