Fall of the Saintess I

Chapter 1: Fall of the Saintess I

Vatican city.

As one of the smallest countries in the world, it has a permanent population of only a few hundred and covers an area of merely 0.44 square kilometers.

Yet, this tiny country received immense attention today.

It boasts not only massive libraries but also a museum to spread the word of the Biblical pantheon.

However, the most famous landmark is St. Peter's Basilica, which stands in the heart of the Vatican.

Today…

…In particular, was a day of prayer. The church was exceptionally crowded.

The seats in St. Peter's were filled from front to back.

There was even a long queue outside, all eager to witness today's miracles by the Vatican.

Unbeknownst to most believers, except a select few higher-ups in the church, due to an event in the past, for the past few decades, they have been actively showcasing "The power of Miracles."

This has become known to the hidden— the supernaturals, especially the gods, who particularly frowned upon it.

But at the same time, they all knew too well.

Heaven is on the brink of—

—That aside.

Many tourists and journalists held their cameras and equipment, capturing images of the clergy presiding over the mass.

They had heard of "The powers of Miracles" for a long time. Now they were here to witness it today.

The content of the message given by the pope was nothing more than praising God, being faithful to him and all that, keeping the crowd in suspense.

Most people from outside the faithful weren't even interested in the message given by the pope.

They all eagerly came here today to witness something else.

"Praise be to God. Amen."

After those words, the gray-haired old pope finally walked off the stage slowly.

However, the service was not yet completely over.

Looking left, many reporters had turned their cameras, pointing them in another direction.

To the left side of the altar.

Immediately after the Pope's descent, the crowd in the massive church all rose, their gazes reverent as they stared at that spot.

Some even had tears falling from their eyes as they sobbed.

"According to the words of a faithful follower, it's that time everyone has been expecting."

"Several worshipers are excited for the showcasing of the powers of miracle."

As the reporter described the situation in front of the cameraman, she too was excited for this.

Six gendarmes dressed in red strode slowly onto the altar. In front of them was a petite figure in a nun's dress.

A hood covered her face, with a few strands of golden blonde hair sticking out from under the brim.

Even though a white veil obscured her features, one could vaguely discern her appearance.

Her small, delicate face, combined with the fair skin typical of Europeans and the soft lines of her cheeks, hinted at a touch of oriental heritage.

From her height, she appeared to be a young girl of about fifteen or sixteen.

"Oh~ Lord in heavens."

"It's the Saintess."

"The Saintess is here."

This girl was known to the faithful and the church as the Saintess, with powers capable of healing any wounds.

They looked at her with reverence as she ascended the altar.

As she stepped onto the altar, the pope loudly declared:

"The Holy Lady of Essia is a gift from the Lord, and under the protection of the Lord, any believer who believes in the Lord will be saved!"

After that, a group of young girls in nun-like uniforms began to sing in unison.

The organs and harp of the cathedral also began to play together.

At that moment, the whole church became extremely lively.

"Now, people of God, step forward and receive healing."

The pope declared solemnly, spreading his arms before clasping his hands in prayer.

Several other popes followed suit, kneeling down as the Saintess descended from the altar.

She approached a man with bloodstained bandages around his head, looking at him with pity.

Clasping her hands in prayer, she then stretched them out toward him.

"Be healed in the name of God," she softly said, as an emerald light shone from her hands, casting a warm glow for all to see.

Everyone in the cathedral watched as the injured man's eyes filled with pain, changed.

His body collapsed to the ground, kneeling down, his body trembling.

He clutched his head before tearing off the bloodstained bandages on his head, his expression transforming into one of ecstatic gratitude.

"Healed… I am healed!"

"Are you kidding me? He was actually healed!" Other onlookers who came just for this were stunned speechless.

"I'm not dreaming, am I?"

They rubbed their eyes to check again if it was true.

But the believer who had a supposed injury was now jumping around, hale and hearty.

This was the miracle bestowed by the lord of heavens to humanity for them to use to protect themselves from other invasive species.

And to further fuel their faith in him.

"Miracle…? Is this truly a miracle?"

Was it faked or planned out?

None could find the answer.

Meanwhile, the reporters continued their work as camera flashes crackled.

They didn't care if it was real or planned out. They saw the special glow with their own eyes.

To believe it more, they examined the injury of one of the faithful.

Once again, they witnessed open wounds closing under the warm emerald green glow.

That was enough to make them believe in this "Power of Miracles," which is precisely what the Heavens wanted.

After some minutes, the Saintess huffed, slightly fatigued from the mental exertion of healing the injured.

Noticing this, the gendarmes surrounding the Saintess immediately escorted her away.

In coordination, the pope addressed the crowds.

"As our time is far spent—"

He twisted his words to make sense to the believers and crowds, dispelling their thoughts.

Reluctantly, the crowd withdrew, leaving the halls of the cathedral and stationing themselves outside.

Outside, in Cathedral Square.

A dark green-haired boy with short hair looked at the magnificent Cathedral not far away.

His eyes were full of longing desire, making him appear as a devout young believer to others.

However, his origin was unknown.

There was a gap between ordinary people and those like him. "Kukukuku."

The boy's lips curled into a smile as he turned to leave, blending into the crowd as he disappeared.

Late at night.

The night was dark and windy, with the moon hanging brightly in the sky.

The number of passersby on the streets increased, in contrast to the now-quiet St. Peter's Basilica after closing.

The clergy returned to their normal lives after work.

Therefore, the vast majority of those remaining in the cathedral, aside from the gendarmerie, are orphans adopted by the church.

With nowhere else to go, even when they grow up, they often choose to continue working in the church.

After a while, the wind picked up.

The streets, impenetrable during the day, are now quiet and empty.

A lone figure took advantage of the night.

Flapping his bat-like wings, he landed quietly near the cathedral dormitory.

He stretched out his hand, a green circle appearing in front of it.

The gendarmes on duty at night, confused, left their posts.

The figure then retracted his wings and magic, simulating an injury.

Lying in wait after luring his target with his magic.

Before coming, he had already planned this, knowing it was a convenient time.

Soon.

A cute but sleepy-eyed girl in a spring-white nightdress and shawl opened the door of her dorm room.

As she groggily left her dorm room, she heard a faint cry for help from the gardens.

"Who...?"

The girl rubbed her eyes, looking around, but the cry grew louder.

It was a cry for help.

"Someone... Help—" The voice continued.

The girl tried to find the gendarmes, but none were in sight. So, she had no choice but to head towards the cry.

Arriving at the garden, she saw an injured man with bat-like wings lying in the grass, bleeding profusely from his stomach.

"Please—help..."

"I... Can't—"

"Hiii—!"

Although she was initially a little scared, pity soon filled her heart for the unknown being before her.

"W-wait.. I'll ease your pain now."

"Th—Thanks…"

His voice trailed off as the young naïve girl moved to help the young demon, who orchestrated everything like a play.

And as if enacting a scene from a drama—

—Rustling and footsteps echoed through the halls.

It was as if the entire situation had been planned.

The gendarmes who had left earlier, after regaining their senses, returned, accompanied by several popes who found the situation with the gendarmes "odd."

The gendarmes of the church are trained to guard the cathedral, especially when the orphans are in their dorms at all times.

But then…

A pope, seeing them wander outside the gates of St. Peter found the situation odd…

But regardless—

"Impossible...!"

Everyone witnessed the Saintess healing the devil's wounds.

"Devil! It's actually a devil!"

Eyes widened and faces filled with incredulous expressions as they watched the emerald green light soothe the young devil's injuries.

"The Holy Saintess... The Holy Saintess is actually healing a devil? God, what's going on here?!"

"May the eyes of the Lord in heaven that sees everything and tell me this is not true..."

"The gift of God can heal even devils?!"

"Holy Saintess, what are you doing?!"

An unimaginable scene that no one could accept occurred that day.

The Saintessly girl, revered by thousands and believed to be a blessing from God, was using her "holy light" to heal a devil's wounds?

This situation undoubtedly shook their faith in God.