OMS Chapter 4

In this country, the Saint is considered to be a person of unparalleled nobility.

While they may not hold any political power, even the king kneels before the Saint, and if the Saint desires it, there is no place in the country they cannot go.

If a Saint wanted to enter the royal treasury, they’d be allowed in without hesitation, and if a Saint desired jewels or luxury items, they’d receive an endless supply.

The reason it’s okay for Saints to wield such privileges is that they are all said to be people with little greed.

There’s even a theory that being chosen by the gods requires a heart filled with love and selflessness.

…Well, if I compare that to myself, I wouldn’t say I have any special compassion, and it’s not like I have no desires either.

Since the Saint holds such special privileges, impersonating one is considered a grave crime.

At best, it results in exile; at worst, it leads to execution.

But exile isn’t just being kicked out. It means being thrown into the Forest of Magical Beasts without weapons, making survival impossible. Of course, anyone who conspires with the impostor faces the same fate.

I shudder to think what might have happened if I hadn’t been the real Saint. Veerant seemed confident, but I can’t believe he put me in that position without explaining anything first.

If he’d told me in advance, I might have had the chance to run away.

…Maybe they didn’t tell me on purpose because a Saint running away would’ve caused problems.

Anyway, while I was spared, the girl who seemed like a Saint has been imprisoned as a criminal.

It wasn’t just her, though; apparently, there were several people pulling the strings behind the scenes. The three knights who had been with her were part of the conspiracy too.

Based on her full confession, which she gave in a state of remorse, the investigation was more or less complete.

“So it was true that her mother was sick?”

“Yes, though she hasn’t passed away. We’ve managed to rescue her from the mastermind’s hands. She’s weak from being poisoned over time, but she should recover soon.”

“Using someone’s mother’s life to manipulate them… that’s the lowest.”

One of the first things I asked Veerant was how she was doing.

I had a bad feeling, so I asked just in case, but it turned out to be worse than I expected.

Impersonating a Saint carries a sentence of either execution or exile.

No matter how well one tries to fake it, they can’t lie in front of the gods. It would be instantly revealed that she wasn’t the Saint, and the result would be a fate worse than death.

Because of that, no one had ever dared to impersonate a Saint—until now. But with no Saint appearing for so long, some corrupt nobles hatched a wicked plan.

They thought, “The fact that no Saint has appeared must mean that the real one has died in some accident. If that’s the case, we can forge an evaluation paper and pass off someone as the Saint.” They decided to use a girl with high magic power to avoid suspicion.

She was a powerless girl living in the slums with her mother. If her mother fell ill, and if they used that illness as leverage, she would do whatever they wanted.

And so, the plot was set in motion. Her mother’s food was poisoned to make her sick, and with her mother’s life held hostage, the girl was forced to impersonate a Saint. “Even if you’re exposed, don’t reveal the mastermind’s identity, or else…” they threatened her.

What a disgustingly vile story.

“Where is she?”

“She’s been locked up in solitary confinement in the dungeon.”

Dungeon. Solitary confinement.

Just hearing those words gave me a bad feeling.

Knowing that she’s locked up there made my chest tighten with unease.

“Take me to her.”

“But—”

“Veerant.”

If the Saint wishes it, they can go anywhere, no matter where it is.

Even if it’s the royal treasury or a dungeon cell for the worst criminals.

I met Veerant’s gaze, unyielding in my resolve, and he let out a sigh, dropping his shoulders.

It seems he’s going to take me.

✢

I thought we’d head straight to the dungeon, but instead, Veerant took me to the late Saint-sama’s room.

Since not many people know that I’m the new Saint, no one bows their heads to me as we walk. They probably think I’m a new servant or something.

The only people who know I’m the Saint are those who were present during the ritual and the Saint-sama’s personal knights. I believe they wore navy uniforms, and by the time I remembered this, we had arrived at the Saint-sama’s room.

This was my second time here, since I had come to pay my respects earlier. The knights in navy uniforms, who were kneeling when they noticed me approaching, looked at me with puzzled expressions.

They must be wondering why I’ve come back, despite already having offered my prayers and firmly rejecting their company.

Honestly, I want to know why I’ve come here too.

“Saint-sama wishes to meet with the girl in the dungeon,” Veerant explained briefly.

The knights’ eyes widened in shock, and they froze in place.

…Oh, that’s right. I had heard they were the ones who had been in charge of the investigation.

Given the severity of the situation, it was said that the investigation had been conducted under the direct command of the Saint-sama, with all of them involved.

I see. That means I need their permission.

If I were widely known as the Saint, I could force my way in, but I don’t intend to push things too far.

“We can’t allow you to meet with someone who committed the grave crime of impersonating a Saint…”

“The woman in question should have already been executed by now.”

The knights, having recovered from their shock, began voicing their opposition.

It seems the previous Saint-sama’s sudden death right after the investigation concluded delayed the punishment, but otherwise, she would’ve been executed immediately.

Impersonating the Saint is such a serious crime, and because they served the late Saint-sama, their anger must be especially intense.

I can’t say I don’t understand their feelings, but I can’t back down here.

According to the investigation, she was a victim as well. If someone had to weigh their parent’s life on one side of the scale, they wouldn’t be able to abandon them. If there’s something I can do to help, I can’t just sit by and do nothing.

Executing her would be too cruel.

“Please.”

I bowed deeply, pleading with them, and the knights seemed to silently scream in shock.

I can imagine what they’re thinking—something along the lines of, “A Saint doesn’t bow their head to anyone.”

Saints only bow to the gods.

They know that, logically. Saints are supposed to be the highest of the high.

Logically, they know.

…But for me, who’s lived as a villager for 42 years, it’s hard to wrap my head around that idea.

After a while, the knights gave in and accepted my request.

Two knights took the dungeon keys and led the way, with Veerant and I following behind.

As we descended the stairs to the dungeon, the air grew colder, and we continued in silence.

✢

When we stepped into the dungeon, I was surprised to see so many people imprisoned. They were wearing shabby clothes and had chains around their wrists and ankles, but some of them were quite fat. They didn’t have the calloused hands of laborers, so I assumed they must’ve been nobles.

There were also women who looked like maids, but perhaps these were the masterminds behind the plot.

Some were spitting as they made excuses, others were shouting for release, and some were wailing that they didn’t want to die.

I frowned at the noise, which the knights repeatedly tried and failed to silence, and we finally arrived at the solitary cell.

The knight opened the three heavy locks, and it took two of them to slowly open the door. Even with two grown men, the door only creaked open bit by bit. Just how heavy is it?

Thick stone walls, three locks, and a door that couldn’t be opened by one person.

The security for this cell was on a completely different level from the others—clearly, they didn’t intend to let this dangerous criminal escape.

With a dull thud, the door fully opened, revealing a girl huddled on the floor.

When the girl, who had been called out to, raised her face, her eyes widened as she saw me.

Even though we had only met briefly, it seems she remembered me.

“You…”

“I’m Zef. Uh…”

“My name is Emilia, Saint-sama. I deeply apologize for everything that has happened. I will accept whatever punishment you see fit.”

The chains clinked as the girl pressed her forehead to the floor.

Though she looked much more emaciated after thirteen days in prison, she still had the same delicate and fragile air about her.

Seeing a girl like her bowing so low made me feel incredibly uncomfortable.

—I’m not here to punish you, though…

I scratched my head roughly, then plopped down in front of her.

I patted her on the shoulder to get her to raise her head and looked straight into her eyes.

Even though so many of the other prisoners had been wailing and screaming, her eyes were still clear. She might be stronger than she looks.

“Emilia, I came here today because I wanted to talk to you.”

Her round eyes blinked at me in confusion, and in them was the reflection of an awkwardly smiling old man.