𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟔: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬
Has he calmed down? Kami-sama is sitting on the bed, motionless.
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“I apologize, Charlene. I promised not to do anything you disliked.”
“Well. . . . . .I guess I can’t help but be excited tonight. I’m not angry.”
“It’s embarrassing. I was often scolded by Charlene from when she was the first leading saint, ‘Don’t just put it in your mouth because you’re excited’.”
“Wait, in your mouth. . . . . .?”
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Being mouthed by a serpent god is quite a terrifying experience, isn’t it? I mean, does he put things in his mouth when he gets excited?
A destructive impulse of petting. . . . . .? Scary. . . . . .
I sympathized with my past self and handed a mug of herbal tea to Kami-sama.
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“Here, have a drink.”
“. . . . . .Warm.”
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As he thanked me, Kami-sama squinted his eyes, carefully holding the mug in both hands and sipping the tea.
I too, sat in between my knees, wetting my throat, and whispered.
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“So. . . . . .What should we do from here. . . . . .”
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How will I handle the responsibility of a country’s saint?
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“What will happen to the country if Kami-sama loses his blessings and the spiritual spring dries up?”
“The land will lose its power and won’t be able to be preserved as a country. Eventually, it will be conquered by another country.”
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Kami-sama casually says something terrifying.
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“That’s not chilling. . . . . .Then, what about Kami-sama?”
“I’ll become a stray god. Eventually, other land gods will aim for my life.”
“That’s the worst case scenario, isn’t it? Kami-sama, don’t you intend to return as the country’s Kami-sama? The thought of causing the downfall of the country is too heavy for me to bear.”
“I don’t want that.”
“That’s a quick answer.”
“I have no intention of protecting a country that doesn’t cherish you. To begin with, I won’t leave you, absolutely.”
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Isn’t there a better plan? I cross my arms and grumble.
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“For instance. . . . . .while living together with me, can’t Kami-sama, like, remotely give blessings to the spiritual spring?”
“If it were my original self, it would be possible. But now, I’ve only left the minimum abilities to myself. . . . . .However.”
“However?”
“The sacred relic of the first saint left at the spiritual spring. If we could get that, we could combine the godly powers that you and I have shared into one and use it.”
“I see, if we have a medium, we can provide blessings remotely.”
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Receiving Kami-sama’s words, I recall my memories while looking up at the ceiling. Indeed, at the spiritual spring, there was something like a rusty, battered rod stuck in it as a sacred relic left by the first leading saint.
So we need that.
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“Uhm, anyway, I’ll have to go back to being a saint.”
“That’s why I didn’t want to say it.”
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At my remark, Kami-sama visibly makes a dissatisfied face.
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“I don’t want Charlene to go back to a country that doesn’t cherish Charlene.”
“Well, if I can settle the turmoil in this country, they will treat me respectfully.”
“And you will be engaged to the crown prince again.”
“No way. After all, I’m a stray.”
“. . . . . .I won’t be able to spend time with Charlene like this, around the clock.”
“That’s. . . . . .”
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Kami-sama drops his eyes and falls silent.
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“I want to live a peaceful life with Charlene. Work together, travel to various places, share a bed, feel Charlene sleeping in my arms all night. . . . . .I want to continue such a life.”
“Uhm, um. . . . . .”
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Feeling embarrassed, I cross my arms and think.
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“I mean, I don’t like the job of a leading saint, and I don’t really want to do it. But. . . . . .if the country goes under as a result of my running away, I would hate that more.”
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While looking at my palm, I remember my father’s back.
I made a mistake in using my power and caused my father’s death. It’s an irreparable sin. . . . . .At least, by using this innate power correctly, I want to atone for causing my father’s death.
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“There’s a lot on my mind, but I don’t want to disrupt the peaceful lives of innocent people. If I can protect them, I would want to.”
“Charlene. . . . . .”
“Kami-sama. Would you permit me to temporarily return to my role as a saint? And I wish for your aid. . . . . .I will retire once this commotion settles. . . . . .It’s never too late to think about how to leisurely live together, right?”
“I know that’s how Charlene is. . . . . .That’s why, I love you.”
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Narrowing his eyes with affection, God kissed my fingertips.
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“Well then, is it okay if we head in the direction of resolving the country’s problems first?”
“Can’t be helped. Let’s do that.”
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I sip my tea and ponder.
Returning to the church is simple and straightforward.
Making good use of my rejuvenated appearance, I just need to step in headfirst, pretending to be a completely different person who [coincidentally woke up to the saint’s peculiar powers. It’s Charte-chan!].
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“But the church is infiltrated by the faction that killed me. They are foes that even Kami-sama did not notice.”
“It’s disgraceful.”
“That’s okay. . . . . .After all, I don’t want to be at the mercy of the church which might have killed my Dad.”
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I remember the scorched soil of the vacant lot where my old house stood. Soothing the impending anger with deep breaths, I continue to think.
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“Originally, Lulumia wouldn’t let a little girl who could steal the spotlight more than me be. That person would immediately come to kill me.”
“I’ll get her first.”
“Don’t kill her, okay? Anyway, I need a backer who can protect me. A backer that neither the church nor Lulumia could easily deal with. . . . . .”
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How about the royal family? They wouldn’t hesitate to cooperate in opposing the church and Prime Minister and Lulumia. But to have the royal family as backers, it would be difficult to make contact with the royals as a mere Charte.
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As Kami-sama strokes my head, I contemplate.
The outside has turned into complete darkness, and only God, whom I’m leaning on, feels warm and comfortable.
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“. . . . . .Kami-sama, don’t make me warm, I feel sleepy.”
“You should sleep. You’re a child after all, Charlene. Lack of sleep will harm your body.”
“Quite a sound argument for God. . . . . .Yawn. . . . . .That’s right. . .Let’s sleep.”
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Kami-sama lies down on the bed, as usual, he gives me a pillow of his arm and hugs me. After dropping a kiss on my forehead, he puts me to bed with the care of a parent to a child.
My eyelids are heavy. I asked.
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“When did Kami-sama. . . . . .learn to put me to sleep like this. . . . . .?”
“I saw it while working at a stall. A parent was putting a tired child to sleep on a bench by patting the child like this.”
“. . . . . .Haha. So you’re like my Dad, Kami-sama. . . . . .Thank you. . . . . .It feels. . .good. . . . . .”
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My feelings unwind gently, and I gradually fall into a pleasant sleep.
And as I’m falling asleep, an excellent idea crosses my mind.
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(Parents. . . . . .That’s it. . . . . .I had parents. . . . . .)
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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Meanwhile, after Charlene learned the secret of her soul,
Lulumia was being summoned to the Council of Saints. It was a trial ground, where Charlene was accused and dismissed as the leading saint.
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In the grand mahogany hall, Lulumia stood at the center.
From a position looking down at her, the high priest, members of the high priest’s faction, the priests Lulumia’s faction, and Lulumia’s father, the Prime Minister Duke Horsewood, and the related members gathered.
To summarize the council’s opinions and deliver a fair judgment, ten judgment priests were also lined up in their designated seats.
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After the solemn rituals, High Priest Mauricio looked down on Lulumia and declared.
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“In the name of the high priest, I call for the dismissal of the leading saint, Lulumia Horsewood.”
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Wearing the grand attire of the leading saint, Lulumia stood firm on the stage, not flinching a bit.
Who else but herself could become the leading saint? Such absolute confidence, composure, and spirit were ingrained in those sweet peach-colored eyes.
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