"...Citizens of the Kingdom of Reinhardt."
Klaya's gentle voice echoed in the silent square.
"At this moment, Esendia is facing an unprecedented and severe crisis."
Klaya placed the paper on the podium equipped with a microphone as she spoke.
At the same time, the expressions of the archbishops sitting behind Klaya changed drastically, as if they had sensed something amiss.
"The monsters that defy the Goddess's will... among them, the 'Hero Devourer,' which has reached its peak of threat, is threatening Esendia." Slightly more than half of the archbishops, including the Pope, remained unfazed.
The rest showed expressions of surprise and panic, seemingly completely different from what they had expected.
"This is not a matter confined to the weakly protected remote areas of the kingdom. The threat of the Hero Devourer has recently spread to the capital, causing 4 deaths, 38 injuries, and inflicting enormous losses on the kingdom."
Hearing Klaya's somber words, the surrounding citizens nodded, listening intently with grave expressions.
In reality, it was only a minor loss for the vast capital city, but the very fact that the capital had been attacked was enough to have a tremendous impact on the people.
"Before becoming a Saintess, I twice defied the laws of nature to confront the monsters—the Hero Devourers. After witnessing those monsters, I am certain: the appearance of the Hero Devourers is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter." Hearing the words "the beginning of a new chapter," a slight murmur arose among the citizens.
"A tremendous threat is approaching. It may be a terrifying and immense threat that even the heroes who protect the kingdom cannot withstand." The Saintess's unwavering certainty gradually instilled fear in the citizens.
"Faced with this immense threat that desperately needs the protection of the Goddess… I, as the newly appointed Saintess of the Goddess's Church—Neris Claire—have glimpsed a ray of hope."
Hmm? Hope?
"I am certain. That hope is the grace of the Goddess bestowed upon us by Her Majesty to fight against the Hero Devourers…!" Claire spoke with absolute certainty, bowing her head briefly before clenching her fist and shouting.
"As you all surely know, it's about the divine beast that personally visited our kingdom—Lord Zemo."
Who? Me?
"Lord Zemo personally defeated the Hero Devourer that appeared in Radia… and also assisted in defeating the Hero Devourer that appeared in our kingdom this time."
Uh, that's true.
"Unlike other divine beasts that are indifferent to the kingdom, Lord Zemo came of his own accord and volunteered to step forward as an adventurer. Witnessing him save me, protect the people, and defeat the Hero Devourer,
I'm certain. He is… the divine beast that the Goddess sent down to protect the kingdom!"
Eh? Me? No, actually, it was the Wandering God who sent me.
"The existence of divine beasts! Some say they're nothing but monsters, others say they're sacred beings. Some resist those who see humans as ants, others yearn to worship them. But!"
Kreia's voice suddenly rose.
That voice, filled with certainty, inexplicably had a tremendous impact on those around her.
"He came to the kingdom willingly! He lived in harmony with the people! He protected the people! He pursued the Hero Devourer who threatened them and attempted to defeat Lord Shimo! As a saintess, I am certain of this. He is completely different from ordinary divine beasts; he is the true divine beast bestowed upon the kingdom by the Goddess!"
For some reason, the people around me were watching me and nodding frequently.
Ugh... I'm a little shy...
"As the newly appointed saintess, I, Nellis Claire, dare to speak here. I, Nellis Claire, will, with the authority of a saintess, designate the one who protects me as the Saintess Guardian of the Goddess Cult. At the same time! I will follow the one who chose the adventurer profession, and together we will embark on adventures to hunt down the Hero Devourer who threatens the kingdom—no, threatens Esendia!"
As soon as Claire finished speaking, the faces of the previously confused bishops showed even deeper bewilderment.
"The Holy Maiden should be stationed in the capital to uphold the Goddess's Church. I understand. But if she cannot truly counter the threat, the position of Holy Maiden is meaningless!" The slightly confused citizens gradually came to agree, nodding in agreement.
Soon, those nods turned into applause and cheers.
Perhaps because they had personally experienced the threat posed by the Hero Devourer.
Haha… Claire has created quite an interesting scene…
"Furthermore, there are other matters I need to convey to you all."
Huh, there's more?
"Currently, within the Goddess's Church, even with the impending threat, there are still corrupt elements who defy Her Majesty's will, only concerned with satisfying their own selfish desires. At this moment, I will use my authority as the Holy Maiden to punish these scoundrels!"
As soon as she finished speaking, as if anticipated, the knights gathered below the platform.
"Corrupt clergy who colluded with external forces attempting to manipulate the Church of Goddess, accepting bribes for personal gain... Archbishop Astus and his faction!"
After Claire turned and called out names, the knights ascended the platform and bound Archbishop Astus and several other priests.
Archbishop Astus tried to shout, but the Pope resolutely shook his head, staring at him with icy eyes.
Hmm... Could it be that Claire wasn't busy preparing for the Saintess selection, but this...?
"Furthermore... Bishop Paul!" What?
Paul?
"Those who attempt to profit from the Saintess selection should also be punished! We will work with the kingdom to thoroughly investigate the crimes of these corrupt individuals and punish them severely!"
Paul's panicked face appeared in the distance.
"...Leia! Claire! What are you saying!? No! It wasn't me! I...!" Paul, still shouting something to Claire as he was dragged away by the knights... Looking down at Paul in this state, Claire's expression was utterly cold.
No, rather than coldness, the expression was more like… a smile?
"I hereby declare to you all. Because of the long period of peace, such corrupt individuals have bred within the Goddess Cult. I offer my sincerest apologies." Claire watched Paul being dragged away, bowing to the citizens.
"After eliminating these corrupt individuals, the Goddess Cult will follow Her Majesty's will, joining hands with the Kingdom to become a shield against future threats." The citizens, who had been agitated by the priests' escort, listened intently once more to Claire's declaration.
"The Goddess Cult branch in the capital will be headed by His Holiness the Pope and other key figures. As previously stated, Saintess Claire will follow the divine beast Lord Shimo, joining his guild to strive to prevent the fangs of the Hero Devourer from reaching you." The Saintess was personally leading the attack against the monster, the Hero Devourer, which had recently threatened them.
This declaration seemed to have a profound impact on the citizens, who were accustomed to seeing saintesses reside peacefully in churches.
"As a saintess... I will surely eliminate the darkness threatening Esendia. That concludes my speech. Thank you all."
This initial shock gradually transformed into trust in the new saintess, eliciting cheers.
The saintess of the Goddess Cult, following the divine beast to vanquish monsters. Claire was born.
......
"...Claire!!!" After the saintess's speech, Clarice walked towards Claire, who was entering the lounge, and called her name loudly.
"Oh dear. Sister Clarice. Long time no see, only showing up now?"
"Don't joke around! The saintess actually said she was going to go around vanquishing monsters!?"
"Yes. Because of the threat of the Hero Devourer. It's only natural."
"That's all your conjecture! Do you think the saintess's duty is this!?" Clarice, completely lacking her previous composure, roared at Claire.
Claire responded with a smile and closed her eyes.
"Oh dear, what right does Sister Clarice have to question this? Though she is a senior nun, she is merely a nun."
"Resign from your sainthood immediately! Such willful and presumptuous behavior is intolerable!"
"His Holiness the Pope has given his permission. What if Sister Clarice cannot tolerate this?"
"Ugh...!!!" Although Clarice's face flushed and her body trembled as if she were truly angry... the words were indeed true.
Her behind-the-scenes supporters, including Astus, had all been expelled because of Clarice.
But even if those people were paid to become her backers, they were still clergy.
Even if the Church of Goddess is obsessed with peace, the position of archbishop is not one that just anyone can climb to.
Even those who haven't committed serious crimes have all been expelled.
"...Bivola...how is he...!" Clarice, her body trembling and unable to speak, asked in a shaking voice about her lover's whereabouts.
Bivola. That fool who had been through so much with her, and who, from a certain moment on, only looked at her.
The one who had silently helped her achieve her goal from the moment she said she wanted to become a saint.
After he said, "Just trust me," Bivola seemed to be hindering Claire… but suddenly, all contact with him was completely severed.
Although she had heard he was a wanted criminal… how could he, with his abilities, completely cut off contact?
What happened…?
"...Heh. Didn't I say I didn't know that kind of person?"
"...You know perfectly well. Don't play dumb."
"Aha. You hid the evidence very well. While everyone else is being arrested, Sister Clarice is helpless."
"Enough! What happened to Bivola!?"
"Hehehe…♡ Sister Clarice. I'll tell you now."
"...!? W-What!?" Claire approached Clarice, hugging her tightly.
Then, she whispered in her ear.
"Now that it's all over, stop being stubborn. From now on, live quietly like a dead rat." Claire's chilling voice pierced Clarice's ears.
"If you don't want to die like your male counterpart." Hearing the saint's whisper in her ear, Clarice turned around in surprise.
The black beast's narrow, horizontal pupils were fixed on her, a smile playing on its lips.
Soon afterward, it was said that a nun named Clarice in the Cult of Goddess had resigned.