"...This concludes the operational guidelines for our Ladia branch going forward. Do you have any questions?" A few days ago, at the Ladia Church.
Priests and nuns with managerial qualifications gathered in the conference room, listening to the speech of Claire, the new head of the Ladia Church.
Within the Ladia branch, apart from Paul, no one had expected Claire to actually become a saint... but seeing the appointment letter bearing the papal seal, and Claire before them in her magnificent saintly robes,
they had no choice but to believe it.
Furthermore, Bishop Paul, who had worked so hard to elevate Claire to sainthood, was actually a criminal attempting to exploit her for personal gain.
This was undoubtedly a shocking fact for the clergy gathered in the conference room.
Through this communication method, which alone required enormous costs, the king directly conveyed the message, and the lord himself testified... these facts should be beyond doubt.
But most surprisingly… after only about a month, Claire's demeanor seemed to have transformed into that of a completely different person.
Suppressed by this strange atmosphere, the priests and nuns gathered there were enveloped in an indescribable sense of unease.
"…Claire… Your Excellency. Um, is this really how it should proceed…?"
"Yes. That's right. Father Thomas, Head Priest. Is there a problem?"
Amidst this unease… a priest, looking at the paper outlining the future operational guidelines, cautiously raised his hand to ask Claire a question.
He had to ask. Because the operational guidelines he saw were simply too abnormal.
The male priests, aside from being assigned to external missions, were assigned tasks that everyone else avoided.
While missions to support monsters or demons had always existed, they should theoretically be assigned based on ability and the nature of the task, regardless of gender.
Now, aside from those external missions, the heavy workload had fallen primarily on the male priests.
At this rate, it seems the male priests are being assigned tasks that leave them with almost no time to be inside the church… In contrast, what about the nuns?
Aside from presiding over Mass, almost all their assignments can be done within the church.
Furthermore, all the important responsibilities related to the 'management' and internal operations of the church are being given to the nuns. Wouldn't the priests feel some dissatisfaction with this work allocation?
And the person in charge of these nuns is Sister Angela, who's only in her thirties—that's strange too.
This arrangement is truly odd, as if power has been concentrated in the nuns, and then a nun they're on good terms with is put in charge…
"Not suspicious at all, Priest Thomas."
As if to cut off the priest's doubts, Claire shook her head at Priest Thomas, who had asked the question, and said in a resolute voice.
"As it's said, the threat of the Hero Devourers will only grow stronger. Men will stand up against the threat, and women will guard the interior. What's so strange about that?"
"Ah, no, that…"
"Oh dear? Does Priest Thomas want the nuns, who are women, to be in danger?"
"No, no! How could that be!" Due to abilities such as skills or magic, the difference in strength between men and women in Esendia is almost nonexistent.
Even so, the outdated values created by the physiological difference between women who can conceive and men who cannot—these values remain deeply ingrained.
When this value is used as a weapon to question, Priest Thomas, unwilling to bear the name of 'the man who pushes women into danger,' can no longer utter a word of rebuttal.
Even though they are familiar priests, how can one object to such a statement from a saint whose status in the Cult of Goddess is second only to the Pope?
The only consolation is that male priests hold relatively high positions.
"...But Your Grace, why haven't you announced the appointment of the Saintess?"
Amidst the men's disapproving gazes, a nun raised her hand to ask Claire.
Claire's hometown village, destroyed by monsters. The question came from Angela, the nun who had fled with her and treated her like a younger sister.
"It's not that I don't want to announce it, but I want to prepare a little longer."
"This is hard for me to understand. Since the Church of Ladia has given birth to a Saintess, and she's active in Ladia rather than the capital, it's not surprising to hold a celebration..."
A Saintess is no ordinary position. Even when a bishop of lower rank visits, a welcoming ceremony is usually held during Mass.
But Claire not only wants her appointment not to be announced yet, but she also requests that the Church and even the lord not reveal her information.
This is a question that everyone naturally asks, harboring doubts.
"As I said before, I intend to focus on my activities as an adventurer rather than church life. I want to complete the preparations before making the announcement, before attracting attention."
"I see… If you reveal your identity as a saintess, many people will be willing to help with the preparations…"
"After all, because of what happened in the capital, it's difficult to trust outsiders right now. I'm sorry to disappoint you, Sister Angela."
"It's alright, Saintess Claire." The clergy remained silent about the somewhat rigid job assignments and policies, and the changed atmosphere surrounding Claire, precisely because of those events.
The rumors about what happened in the capital… being kidnapped, having her life threatened, and even the chaos caused by the appearance of hero devourers.
After experiencing those things, it's understandable, to some extent, that Claire, as a saintess, seems like a completely different person.
A saintess who should have been a source of pride was born, but the priests and nuns sighed with a hint of regret.
"So, when are you going to announce it...?"
"It's not decided yet. We need to hear Lord Zemo's opinion first." Zemo... the name of that divine beast was known to everyone in Ladia.
The divine beast that came to Ladia claiming to be an adventurer, and now practically a symbol of Ladia.
Although it could communicate and was quite gentlemanly, the beast's appearance was still so ferocious that some nuns feared its terrifying appearance... The way Claire used honorifics and smiled at such a divine beast
was a sight the clergy gathered in the meeting room could never get used to.
"...If we really send that divine beast named Zemo..."
"Yes, Lord Zemo. Please don't forget to use honorifics, Priest Thomas. This is an order from the Saintess, and also the policy of the Ladia Church."
This treatment was clearly excessive. But no one could object.
Not just because Claire held the position of Saintess.
The divine beast that accompanied Kleia to the capital, needing a trustworthy ally, played a crucial role in saving her and helping her become a saintess.
Because of this, Kleia, who trusted him excessively, even called him… a savior sent by the goddess to ward off an impending threat.
Having also bestowed upon the divine beast the title of "Guardian of the Saintess," it was now difficult to simply consider him an outsider.
"...Yes. Um…are you really going to engage in adventurer activities with Lord Shimo? Even if it's just providing support…"
"Didn't I already say that, Priest Thomas?" Kleia removed the gloves from her saintess robes, revealing a pattern engraved on the back of her right hand.
The clergy gathered in the meeting room were completely baffled as to what this strangely shaped pattern represented.
The pattern, bearing the number 2, was the guild emblem of the guild founded by that divine beast—symbolizing the membership of Beast Paradise… "I am already a member of that lord's guild. It is only natural for a saintess to help Lord Shimo, who is fighting against the threat of Esendia. This is more important than anything else now that I am a saintess, so please keep this in mind."
"…Understood." Claire's voice was filled with pride, but her tightly closed eyes exuded a chilling eeriness.
Faced with this sight, Thomas, who had previously grumbled in dissatisfaction, curled up in inexplicable fear.
"However…after announcing your appointment as saintess, I hope you can attend the mass this weekend…it would be strange if the saintess were in Ladia but we couldn't even see you at mass."
"…I will consider it. Although, depending on the situation, I may not be able to attend."
As if this was the only thing that was guaranteed, Thomas let out a sigh of relief.
The meeting continued in this delicate atmosphere, and as it drew to a close, Claire looked around and spoke.
"Then, that concludes today's meeting. Sister Angela has given further instructions; please remain alone with her." After everyone left, only Angela and Claire remained in the meeting room, facing each other.
"Saint Claire. Is there something…?"
"It's just the two of us; you can relax and talk. Sister Angela."
Claire's expression softened, and the subtle atmosphere in the meeting room eased slightly.
Sensing a glimpse of Claire before she became a saint, Angela spoke to her in a more relaxed manner.
"Claire. Is there something you need?"
"I have a favor to ask of you, sister. You're now second only to me as a representative in the Church of Ladia."
Watching Claire fidget with her saintly robes, seemingly somewhat agitated, Angela gave a slightly bitter smile.
"Speaking of which… why was I chosen as the nun representative? There were many other candidates… and considering the workload, it would be too much of a burden for me…"
"They're all too old. The only one who's neither too old nor lacks the appropriate qualifications is you, sister." As she loosened her nun's collar, Claire gave Angela a… subtle smile, as if savoring a memory.
"Plus, your appearance is suitable…"
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Nothing." Instantly, Angela sensed a unease in Claire's expression.
Although it was only for a moment, Claire exuded an eerie aura, like someone eyeing prey.
Even though she had regained her usual smile, it inexplicably made Angela feel as if she had become a different person.
"Because the Church of Radhidia needs to reform in the future. That's why I've given you so much authority."
"But…"
"Here. These are matters that you need to handle. With my permission, please proceed with confidence."
As she spoke, Claire took out a document and handed it to Angela.
Looking at the incomprehensible contents on the paper, Angela stared wide-eyed at Claire. "…I understand tidying up Bishop Paul's room…but isn't this going too far? It's practically rebuilding the entire room…"
"I don't want to see any trace of that man. Please understand, sister."
This point is understandable in itself, but the contents recorded on the paper go far beyond that.
There are also furniture orders with unusually extravagant specifications, unbelievably for clergy.
While a saintess certainly needs to maintain a certain air of grandeur, these large items seem a bit excessive for Claire…
"Since we're going to be conducting adventurer activities, Lord Shimo will likely accompany us to the church. This is to create a comfortable environment for him to rest."
"Then prepare several beds…"
"No. Please make sure to order according to the list."
Claire's attitude made a certain thought flash through Angela's mind for a moment…but she shook her head, dismissing the thought.
No, after all, she is Saintess Claire; such a thought would be too blasphemous.
Although Paul seemed different from what she had imagined, the thought that Kleia had a lover… and that divine beast… developing that kind of relationship…
"…So, all this written outside the room… what are these…" Startled by the thoughts that surfaced in her mind, Angela didn't dare to press further and looked back at the paper.
It was filled with bizarre instructions, incomprehensible and utterly inexplicable.
When Angela pressed for details, Kleia smiled and gazed at her, saying,
"…Don't worry. Sister Angela." And then, that sinister smile, so unsettling to Angela, appeared again…
"All of this is for the Church of Radia to be reborn."
Kleia spoke casually, as if trying to reassure Angela.
After raising a few more questions, Angela, still harboring lingering doubts, accepted Kleia's instructions.
As Angela said goodbye to Kleia and pushed open the door to leave the meeting room…
"In order to regenerate the Beast Church that serves its master..." Claire's sincere words, whispered softly, did not reach Angela's ears.