Glowing Heroine

It was just past noon.

After successfully concluding negotiations with Uma, Lucan returned to the temple.

"I'm back... huh!?"

As soon as Lucan opened the temple door, he was surprised to see the temple.

"I-Is it glowing...?"

Indeed, the inside of the temple was glowing with a soft light. The altar, the walls, the floor—everything was emitting a faint, sacred aura. Even though Lucan had visited the grand temple several times during his training as a priest in the royal capital, it had never been this majestic or mystical.

"Ah, welcome back, Priest!"

Maris appeared from the depths of the temple, running towards him.

"I'm back, Maris. Did you clean the temple?"

"Yes, I did."

"How exactly did you do it?"

"Just with a broom and a cloth, like usual..."

"I see..."

How could ordinary cleaning result in this? Clearly, the power of the Saint had been activated.

"Did I do something wrong? Did I mess up...?"

Maris's eyes shimmered with anxiety as she looked at Lucan, who hastily smiled to reassure her. He wanted her to have the best memories here; otherwise, how could he get benefits in the future?

"No, I was just surprised at how clean it is. You did well. Thank you."

"Yes!"

Maris's face lit up with a smile, like a bud blossoming into a flower. Watching her, Lucan pondered.

This is strange... Maris shouldn't have had such power when she first awakened as the Saint. She shouldn't be able to use miracles like this until after she enters the academy.

Lucan was confused but then decided not to worry. If she can use her powers, that's great news.

However, he was unaware that Maris had unconsciously activated her miracle due to the love and kindness shown to her. It wasn't because Lucan was special or superior to the main characters. In the game's story, Maris only opened her heart to the romantic interests and friends after enduring years of harsh training and abuse at the grand temple.

When she awakened as the Saint and the grand temple took her for training, she thought she didn't need to endure the abuse of her parents anymore and could live a happy life. But the grand temple made her go through harsh training with no human warmth. Maris closed her heart after this training and didn't appreciate others' kindness or love.

It took her time before she was able to accept others' kindness and love, and then awaken her true saint power.

Since Lucan had taken Maris before she went to the grand temple, she didn't lose her innocence and accepted his kindness and love, so her saint's powers were awakening earlier than in the original story.

"I also made lunch. Shall we eat together?"

"Oh, you made lunch too?"

Lucan tilted his head. He had forgotten to buy groceries, and there should have been almost no ingredients left besides meat and flour. What could she have made?

"I'll bring it right away. Please wait a moment."

"A wonderful aroma..."

As soon as he entered the kitchen, he was greeted by a delicious smell. Maris was dishing out stew from a pot.

"Here you go."

The plate was placed on the table, emitting a rich aroma from the white stew.

The stew was filled with large chunks of vegetables and meat, none of which should have been in their stock.

Lucan was confused. He knew Maris would not leave the house after he told her to stay, so where did she get the ingredients?

"Where did you get the ingredients?"

"The ingredients were on the table..."

"On the table?"

"Yes... was I not supposed to use them?"

".....!?"

Maris's expression darkened with worry, and behind her, something glowing like a fairy was floating.

"Don't bully Maris!"

"Comfort her quickly!"

Lucan looked at them and understood.

Spirits were Maris's companions; she could summon spirits in the latter half of the story. They protected her in battle and supported her during the romance parts of the game.

Other than the spirits, no one could bring ingredients, so where they got the ingredients from, Lucan didn't care.

Strangely, Maris didn't seem to see the spirits. Perhaps due to her inexperience as a Saint, or maybe the spirits chose to remain unseen.

"It's not like that. I was surprised that you could cook such delicious-looking food with those ingredients."

Lucan sat down and took a spoonful of the stew. The sweet and rich flavor spread through his mouth.

"It's very delicious. Thank you, Maris."

"Yes!"

Maris's eyes welled up with tears of joy. Unconsciously, a mysterious light emanated from her back, like a halo.

I need to help her control her saint powers soon. Otherwise, the grand temple would soon notice her presence, and she would be taken away. I can't let this investment get away from me, not before I build a strong bond with her. But for now...

"Let's eat together, Maris. Please, sit down."

"Yes!"

For now, Lucan decided to enjoy the meal Maris had prepared. They sat across from each other, eating the stew infused with the Saint's blessings.