“I’m the real Saintess!”
Yvelina yelled in a painful voice as she was met with cold gazes.
“I’m the real Saintess! You’re all getting tricked by that fake one!”
Her shouts continued again, but no one listened. They simply looked upon her with cold hatred.
It was expected, considering who Yvelina was. She was someone who corrupted the Grand Temple by drowning in luxury and pleasure as soon as she had become the 49th Saintess. That wasn’t all. She acted as if the Grand Temple’s property was hers, and gave things out to those she favored. The people who received these things were usually those who flattered Yvelina or those she secretly called into her bed.
There was no one in the continent that respected her anymore. Everyone spit as if they had said something dirty after mentioning Yvelina, and they wished for her to quickly return to God’s side and receive consequences for her sins.
And today was the day that the people’s prayers would be fulfilled. There was a mountain of firewood below Yvelina’s feet. It was firewood for today’s burning at the stake ceremony. Soon, when the fire is lit, the notorious witch and fake Saintess, Yvelina, will meet the end of her life.
* * *
Since a year ago, there was a rumor that began popping up all over the continent.
“They say the real Saintess appeared.”
This rumor quickly spread throughout the land. A woman from the outskirts of the continent has holy powers so strong that it can’t even be compared to that of the Saintess from the Grand Temple. She fights off monsters and heals the injured people before disappearing.
“I heard the real Saintess’ name is Iris.”
“The monsters that attack whoever they see all run away when they see that Saintess, and she heals tens of people who are injured at the same time!”
The people who had excitedly been spreading the rumors they heard became more and more cautious. Then they spoke in a lowered voice.
“But there should only be one Saintess.”
“Which means… Saintess Yvelina from the Grand Temple is…”
A fake Saintess.
The people exchanged looks, not able to say the words.
