The Cowardly Baby Saint Can See Ghosts [Novel] Chapter 15

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Episode 15.

"…Is that so?"

A Saintess.

Upon receiving the report, crimson eyes—the definitive proof of her Imperial bloodline—flashed with a cold, predatory light. Her black hair, cascading down to her waist, swayed slightly as she shifted.

Resting her chin on her hand, the woman pondered for a moment before muttering.

"Did it really work?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"That child managed to do what even the Pope could not."

Geitel Velium.

The First Imperial Princess who managed the Empire's affairs in place of the ailing Crown Prince.

She was a tragic princess who had hit the natural limit of her birthright; due to her gender, she could never become the Emperor.

Her icy composure, entirely unsuited for someone so young, was often suffocating to those around her.

Her shadow guard, Carl, looked up at his liege with anxious eyes.

"Put people on it. Scrape together every piece of information available."

"Yes."

"And my brother?"

"He is recovering."

Geitel's eyebrow twitched.

"Recovering."

She chewed on the word as if rolling it over her tongue.

"No."

She tapped her finger sharply against the report on her desk, pressing it down as if coming to a conclusion.

"I will check on him myself."

"What do you mean?"

Carl blurted out the question before quickly shutting his mouth.

Normally, he would have been severely reprimanded for questioning her, but Geitel seemed deeply lost in thought.

"I need to see for myself if she is truly the daughter of god."

Carl's breath hitched ever so slightly.

Geitel raised her head. A frigid chill spread through her crimson eyes.

"And."

Her lips barely moved, but her voice rang clear and absolute.

"I cannot leave my brother in their hands any longer."

Because drinking holy water was the only thing that slightly improved Damian's condition, the Imperial Family always fought a losing political battle whenever friction arose with the Temple.

But now, they claimed he could be completely cured?

"Bullshit."

Even though the Imperial Palace had exhausted every possible medical and magical method, Damian's condition had only worsened, acting as if a new personality took over his body every day.

And just because a single Saintess appeared, all of that suddenly vanishes?

Behind that innocent, pious face, the man was definitely preparing to swallow the Imperial Family whole while they were vulnerable.

Because the Temple had always operated that way since the old days.

Geitel raised her hand and waved it dismissively. In an instant, Carl vanished from sight.

"I need to see if that child can truly save my brother."

And if it turned out to be true…

"I'll have to use her, no matter what it takes."

"You look absolutely adorable!"

The girl in the mirror had changed drastically from her previous appearance.

My cheeks were still sunken and my frame terribly skinny, but dressed in a pristine white lace dress, I looked like a proper little princess.

When my silver hair was styled into twin pigtails, the maids around me actually clapped in delight.

"Th-thank you…"

Still unaccustomed to this kind of fawning praise, I mumbled evasively.

I didn't like how my face had turned as red as a tomato.

It was probably just empty lip service anyway. I hated myself for reacting to every little compliment with a racing heart.

I had somewhat gotten used to the layout of the Temple, but the Pope insisted that I take a walk twice a day.

He claimed it was a necessary process—to show my face to the priests and remind them of the Saintess's birth.

The sub-mission progress had only gone up by a measly 7 percent since I first received it. I stuck my lips out in a pout.

"Saintess, please drink this!"

Becky handed me a steaming mug. She was the priestess who doted on me the most. As I grasped the warm ceramic, a cozy heat spread through my fingertips.

"You need to drink plenty of milk to grow tall."

Ever since I discovered Lady Camila's corpse, the priestesses had gone out of their way to coddle me.

I had made an excuse about sleepwalking that night, so now there were even Holy Knights stationed outside my bedroom door while I slept.

As I took a sip of the warm milk, Becky gently wiped a white mustache from my upper lip and let out a small laugh.

"I have a younger sibling right around your age, Saintess. Whenever I look at you, it reminds me of them."

"How old is your sibling?"

"Eight years old. But…"

In an instant, a dark shadow fell over Becky's bright expression.

"Is something wrong?"

"They've been a little sick… But they'll get better."

She hastily added that the most skilled doctor in their village was assigned to treat them.

Wait, wasn't I the Saintess?

"Bring them over sometime! I'll take a look and heal them."

"Th-thank you!"

Seeing Becky's smile return made my chest feel warm and fuzzy.

I hadn't thought much about using my abilities for strangers, but thinking about using them to help my people felt completely different.

Besides, I had heard that I would need to start holding public blessing ceremonies soon.

The schedule dictated that I go out to the plaza about once a month to pray for the masses, and work in the private grace sanctuary twice a week for desperate individuals.

I still couldn't forget the shocking state of the outside world when I first arrived here.

To think all of that suffering occurred simply because a Saintess hadn't been born for 300 years.

I hated feeling this way.

I set down the empty mug and heaved myself up from the chair with a small grunt.

As I toddled around the Temple on my short legs, every priest I encountered immediately bowed their heads.

But whenever I bowed back, they would hastily retreat a few steps and whisper amongst themselves.

I was used to being ostracized for being a commoner.

I was also acutely aware that as I grew more accustomed to the affectionate attitudes of the Pope and Becky, the potential betrayal or hurt I could suffer might grow proportionally larger.

Still, the one undeniable perk of being in the Temple was the utter lack of ghosts.

Was it because the cat ghost bore no malice toward me? Or was it because I had let my guard down around him?

Whatever the reason, I didn't hate having at least one ally on my side.

Cheese only appeared occasionally when I called for him; otherwise, I had no idea where he wandered off to.

Sometimes I felt a pang of disappointment when he wasn't around, and right now was one of those times.

Anyway, behind the open areas of the Temple accessible to the public, there was a restricted section meant only for authorized personnel.

I personally preferred this back area. No one nagged me even if I ran around as I pleased, and…

When were they planning to reveal me?

Lost in thought, my feet carried me to the Temple's secret garden.

Honestly, it wasn't strictly "secret," but access was highly restricted. It was so beautifully manicured that I had just given it that name in my head.

Right then, a sound broke the silence.

There definitely shouldn't be anyone else here. Who is it?

I cautiously directed my steps toward the source of the noise.

Between the bushes—vibrant with blooming flowers maintained by holy power despite the winter chill—bright brown hair fluttered.

"Who is it?"

"Gasp…!"

Even though I had asked quietly, the girl startled violently and fell backward with a heavy thud.

She was a young girl, though significantly taller than me. Seeing her plain but immaculate clothes—completely free of dust or wrinkles—I guessed she was the daughter of a noble.

"A-are you okay?"

"Ah… Yes."

The girl hesitated, a blush creeping across her cheeks as she muttered.

"I'm fine."

It was pitiful watching her scramble to her feet, her embarrassment seemingly outweighing the fact that her hands were scraped red from the fall.

But if she was a noble, shouldn't she have an escort or two with her?

Unfortunately, my guard had been too lowered in the garden for me to notice how unusually still and quiet our surroundings were.

Because the girl in front of me was simply too pretty to warrant suspicion.

To think such large, striking, and distinct features could be harmoniously arranged on such a small face—it honestly made me feel a profound sense of defeat.

When her face was blank, she exuded a cold aura that made it difficult to even approach her.

"I'm worried I might have offended you by intruding."

She smiled awkwardly, and the way her eyes crinkled into half-moons was utterly captivating.

Making a brief internal assessment, I reached my hand out to her.

"Ah, my hands are dirty."

"It's okay."

Hmm. After a moment of hesitation, she carefully extended her scraped hand toward me. As expected, small droplets of blood were forming on her palms.

I roughly brushed away the dirt and blew on the scratches with my breath. The girl raised a surprised eyebrow.

It was then.

Closing my eyes, I focused on my holy power. A small, warm surge of divine energy flowed from my fingertips into her wound.

It was the first time I had used my power purely out of my own goodwill, completely separate from any system quest.

"Y-you're the Saintess… aren't you?"

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