Chapter 68: The False Saintess (6)
-“Is being real or fake… really that important?”
The words of Yde, which had pierced deeply into Yuruf’s heart, lingered for days. She kept thinking about them—turning them over and over in her mind.
After all, it was something she had never considered before. And because Yde had been in a situation similar to hers, Yuruf wanted to lean on her answer, even just a little.
-“You know… whether you’re real or fake doesn’t matter at all.”
But was that really true?
Could it really be meaningless to distinguish between what’s real and what’s fake? Yuruf was nothing more than an imposter, a substitute created to take the place of an innocent village girl.
“What really matters… is the kind of person you are.”
She had never once asked herself what kind of person she was.
Ever since realizing the truth of her identity, Yuruf had been consumed with guilt—especially toward the girl named Yuruf, whose place she had taken.
Even after becoming a priestess with the help of a chance encounter with a clergyman, that guilt never left her.
Would the Goddess even forgive a sin like hers?
That was the only thought that ever occupied her mind. It hadn’t changed even after she became a candidate for saintess.
Even though none of this had been by her will, Yuruf had been quietly and deeply repenting her existence all this time.
Unlike others who could pursue the meaning of their lives, her reason for existing was painfully clear.
To live in place of the girl called Yuruf.
Perhaps that was why she’d been so obsessed with the idea of what’s real and what’s fake—blinded by that illusion, endlessly picking at her own wounds.
“What kind of person are you?”
It was a question too difficult to answer. So, she decided to think about it on her own. But even after days of reflection, no answer came easily.
She had only ever thought about the girl Yuruf—never once about herself.
So, she asked the people who had been with her all this time.
She asked, “What kind of person am I to you?”
Everyone looked a little puzzled by the sudden question, but they still answered her.
“You’re a diligent one. You’ve never once missed a single prayer since joining the Church of the Goddess.”
“You’re the kind of person who fits the title ‘saintess!’ That’s why I really like you, Yuruf unni!”
“Why ask me something like that…? I mean, no one would really object to you being a saintess candidate.”
“Sure, the higher-ups might have other thoughts, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re the most suitable for it.”
Diligent. Someone who fits the image of a saintess. The right person for the role.
The gap between how others saw her and how she saw herself was massive.
Only after hearing their words did Yuruf begin to understand what Yde had meant.
“Hehe… what was I so afraid of?”
Her black hair fluttered in the wind. Her arms, though fuller now, were still thin, and her delicate fingers trembled slightly.
Lying on the grass of the open plains, Yuruf finally came face to face with her true self. She looked up at the star-filled sky once more.
Still, she couldn’t find the constellation that was supposed to define her fate. But that fact no longer scared her.
Instead, she felt a strange sense of liberation, as if she had broken free from fate itself.
‘Yde unni… I still don’t know what kind of person I am.’
So from now on, she would begin to find out.
The meaning behind her birth no longer mattered. That was something the Emperor had imposed on her—never something she chose for herself.
Wooooom…
The sigil on the back of her neck burned red.
Before, she would have followed the Emperor’s command without resistance, overwhelmed by the pain. But now, things were different.
She was no longer a baby elephant chained and resigned—but an elephant straining to tear the ropes and reclaim its freedom.
Soon, a short string of words began forming in her mind—the Emperor’s command.
[Tomorrow, Oblivion Whale, Yde, ambush, stay far away.]
It was a simple command.
No—more like a warning.
Did he already sense that she had grown closer to Yde? It didn’t matter anymore.
Whatever the Emperor wanted was no longer her concern.
In fact, she might even be able to use his command to her advantage.
“So tomorrow… they’re going to ambush Yde unni.”
The Oblivion Whale.
The age-old enemy of the Holy Kingdom of Numen—a creature so many priests had vowed revenge against. A monster from the Forest of Forgetting, one that stole countless lives and memories.
If that was the enemy, then her decision was already made.
And this time, it wasn’t as Yuruf, the real girl.
It was as the false saintess that she would make her very first choice.
****
The third-dimensional rift had been discovered.
A massive fissure had opened midway up a steep mountain slope—one so sheer it was almost a cliff.
It was said that the deeper you went inside the rift, the larger it became—and the stronger the monsters would be.
Now, the rift’s size rivaled that of fortress walls, perhaps even greater. People began murmuring in unease at the sight.
“Isn’t it even bigger than last year?”
“Back then it wasn’t this bad…”
“Damn it. What happens next time?”
“What if it keeps growing next year?”
Most voices came from fear.
For the past few years, dimensional rifts had been expanding without fail—and the monsters growing stronger. It was enough to make anyone anxious.
Even the Holy Knights were stirred. Our own knights were beginning to shift nervously.
That’s when Abel stepped forward, slowly and calmly.
Even the knights blocking his path—Holy Knights included—moved aside to make way.
Abel walked to the front and turned to face everyone behind him.
“What’s this? Have you all lost your nerve?”
“N-No, sir!”
One knight answered, stumbling over his words yet trying to sound confident. At his boldness, Abel gave a cold smile.
“Then why is your voice shaking?”
“It’s not!”
This time, multiple knights answered at once. Though their voices rang out in unison, Abel crossed his arms, clearly dissatisfied.
“Then why are you speaking so softly?”
“It’s not!!!”
Now nearly the entire knight order shouted in reply. It was almost like they’d rehearsed it. But Abel’s expression remained unchanged.
Some knights still looked hesitant to raise their voices, and his brows furrowed in displeasure.
“Should I assume those who didn’t answer are afraid of something like this?”
“WE ARE NOT!!”
Not a single person remained silent. Their roars echoed as one, finally drawing a satisfied smile from Abel.
“The Black Raven Knights don’t flinch at something this insignificant. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!!”
Their unified shout seemed to electrify the air, lifting morale in an instant. The fear in their eyes washed away, replaced by determination.
That rare smile from Abel gave their spirits an even greater boost.
Who would’ve thought a few simple questions could raise morale like this?
He really is a Duke for a reason.
[Impressive.]
Right?
[Why are you, the contractor, acting like a proud parent?]
Sylphi shook his head in disbelief at my expression. I just chuckled and looked back at Abel.
Noticing my gaze, Abel glanced sideways at me and mouthed a few words.
I frowned, unable to hear him.
Sylphi, still floating beside me, must’ve read my thoughts because he kindly “translated” it for me.
[“Those who didn’t answer will be punished later.”]
Huh? Wait—no way…
That’s right. Technically, I was part of the Black Raven Knights too. Was he actually threatening to punish me just for not shouting?
I had just been admiring him—now that admiration evaporated in an instant.
[That’s on you, contractor.]
What are you talking about…
While bickering with Sylphi, even the slight anxiety I’d been carrying began to fade away.
Feeling lighter, I stretched out my body a bit—and that’s when the Pope approached Abel.
“Hoho, youth truly is a wonderful thing. Wouldn’t you say so, Holy Knights?”
“Yes, Your Holiness!”
“Oh my, no need to shout. This old man’s hearing hasn’t gone yet.”
Laughter rippled through the Holy Knights at the Pope’s words. Watching them, the Pope smirked.
“To those who just laughed—see you later in the Holy Nation.”
“Eep…”
The ones who’d laughed scratched their heads and quickly avoided his gaze.
“Anyway… You don’t plan to lose to them, do you?”
“Of course not!”
“Then show them with your strength—the might of the Holy Knights.”
“Yes, Your Holiness!”
Their answer came with a roar, as powerful as our own knights’. Whether this was a tag-team morale boost by Abel and the Pope, no one could say—but it worked. Spirits were high.
All the tension from earlier had vanished. The only thing left was the sharpened resolve in the warriors’ eyes.
While I smiled at the sight, someone gently tugged on my sleeve.
I turned—and saw Yuruf, smiling. It wasn’t the awkward smile from a few days ago. No, this one felt… light. Refreshing, even.
“Yde unni.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“I understand now—what you told me back then.”
She stretched her arms high, like a weight had lifted from her shoulders. With a long exhale, Yuruf continued.
“Thank you—for telling me.”
“No need for thanks. I’m just glad it helped.”
Still… something about her expression made me uneasy.
Yuruf nodded firmly, as if steeling herself, then lightly slapped both cheeks.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Yeah. I’ll be rooting for you.”
“Hehe.”
Her smile in that moment looked… strangely beautiful.
– – The End of The Chapter––
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