Chapter 19 : The Sacred Light

　That day, the royal capital was abuzz with talk of the promotion of the saints.

　When a new saint is born, the next day is a three-day holiday.

　The city was getting ready for the festivities. Everyone was walking fast and in high spirits.

“How’s the light coming out?”

“It’s been two hours since the ceremony started.”

　Everyone was looking up at the sky in the center of the capital.

　When the saint apprentice overcame the ordeal, the holy light rose into the blue sky. This time, two pillars of holy light were supposed to be raised from the main church of the Mephistopheles Church, as it was rare for two people to be promoted at the same time.

　In the city, there was a lot of talk about Hirune and Holly and stories about the saints.

“I heard that the great saint of the east, Sunsara, had her light up in three hours.”

“Yes. The light was beautiful then. Sunsara is beautiful too.”

“I heard that the saint apprentice, Hirune, is amazing. She has a huge amount of magic power and the kindest heart of anyone. I’ve heard that she’s a real beauty too. I’m sure she’ll light up soon.

“I heard that Holly is also very talented. After all, they’re both the youngest at nine. When I was nine, I still had a runny nose.”

“I’m sure you’re still sniffling, haha.”

　The men laughed happily together.

　The birth of a saint was a good omen for everyone.

　The main streets of the capital are lined with food stalls, and the shopkeepers are waiting with their hands crossed to sell their wares as soon as the two rays of light have risen.

　The entire capital was in a festive mood.

　Everyone was looking up at the sky, trying to catch a glimpse of the holy light.

　　　　　　()

　A thousand candles were lit in the chapel of the main church.

　The archbishop and bishop took turns coming to watch over the candles to keep them burning.

　Five hours after the ritual began, a great magic force was generated in the trial room, and a magic circle appeared that reached the middle of the chapel.

……”

　Archbishop Zekyutos looked at the room Holly had entered.

　From the stained glass windows, a dazzling light illuminated the chapel. Holly’s holy light rose up.

　The light was quite large and lasted for about thirty seconds.

　Holly staggered out of the room and slowly made the holy seal.

“I have seen the face of the ……  Goddess.”

“Go to the other room immediately.”

　Holly’s eyes flickered faintly due to the sudden increase in magic power.

　The maid and nun who accompanied Holly rushed to her side and supported her.

　Zekyutos watched Holly’s back and made the complicated holy seal, thanking for the birth of a new saint. A light that big is not something you see very often.

　Zekyutos was impressed with Holly’s rare talent.

　He then looked at the room where the other saint apprentice had entered, and his eyebrows twitched.

“I hope …… everything is okay.”

Zekyutos who made a sound that was very unlike him, realized that his heart was disturbed and voluntarily decided to pray in the chapel.

　　　　　　()

　On the other hand, in the saint apprentices’ dormitory, there was a cheer.

‘The big holy light has risen! “Holly? Hirune? It’s been five hours!”

　In the backyard, where jewel apples grow, the girls raised a feverish cheer.

　The saint promotion ceremony is a day off from all work, and they took turns praying for their brethren to be promoted safely.

　The light that had just risen to the heavens was large and powerful.

　After a while, a maid came running from the main church and shouted.

“That light is Holly-sama!　Holly has become a saint!

　Another cheer went up.

　The apprentice saints were overflowing with the hope that one day they would become saints themselves, and with a pure feeling of honest admiration for their fellow companions who had overcome their painful training. Every girl had a smile on her face.

“Wanda-san, Holly has done it!”

“Yes……  she’s a good girl. Of course she did.”

　Even the normally stern Wanda didn’t say anything on this day, tears welling up in her eyes.

　 As an educator, Wanda has seen the promotion of several apprentices to saints. She has seen the holy light rise to the heavens many times, and each time she feels as if she has given her own daughter in marriage.

(I’ll never get used to seeing that.)

　She thought as she looked up at the blue sky where the light had disappeared.

“And then there’s …… the most problematic person since the beginning of the West Church.”

　Wanda was relieved to see Holly’s elevation to sainthood, and then she thought of Hirune’s sleeping face.

 By her pace wherever she went. She would doze off whenever she felt like it. She had an unchanging attitude toward everyone, a mysterious girl who could purify the air just by being there. That was Wanda’s assessment of Hirune. She worries about her more than anyone else, and expects more from her than anyone else. She didn’t want to give her special treatment, but she was a special girl.

“……I wonder if she’s asleep. ……”

　Wanda began to feel fidgety and wanted to walk around irresistibly, but she suppressed her feelings and continued to stare up at the sky and pray for Hirune’s success.

　　　　　　()

　While the whole of the royal capital was paying attention,  Hirune, who knew nothing about it, was sleeping soundly.

　The room was filled with magic power, and warm heat spilled out from the magic circle. There was exquisite coziness there.

(……Goddess……)

Hirune moves her mouth cutely.

It looks like she feels good.

　The light is shining through the glass ceiling.

Hirune’s blond hair is spread across the floor like a big fan, glistening with luster.

(…… Ah, Goddess ……)

　Hirune’s consciousness, which had been asleep, began to awaken at some point and she realized that her body was flying into an empty space.

(Space? Flying?)

　She was surrounded by stars.

　It was warm as if she was wrapped in cotton, and light was passing backwards.

　It was like the stars were running.

“Am I floating? Lucky state?.”

　She was asleep, but awake. Hirune’s cheeks relaxed at the sensation of such a bargain, as if she had found a discounted product.

(it’s a pleasure, like getting a 50% discount on Ohagi and yakitori).

　As she recalled her favorite foods and thought about how she would like to eat them again, the stars disappeared and a vertical oval light floated in front of her.

　As the light subsided, the goddess Sophia emerged from within.

“Goddess!”

　Hirune was so happy to have met Sophia that she ran over to her and hugged her.

　Before she knew it, she was back on the ground.

　The scenery had switched to a chalk-white space.

“Oh dear.”

　With a giggle, the goddess Sophia accepted Hirune.

　The two of them looked alike, like mother and daughter.

　She stroked Hirune’s head repeatedly and kissed her on the forehead.

“Hirune, did you enjoy the world of EverSophia?”

“Yes. Yes, very much.”

　Hirune nuzzled her face into the goddess’ ample chest and nodded.

“You’re a dozer, aren’t you?”

“It seems so. I’m always sleepy.”

“You didn’t sleep much in Japan, did you? There’s nothing wrong with that. Don’t worry.”

“Yes. Sleeping feels good and I’m …… happy.”

“It’s good that you’re happy.”

　The goddess stroked Hirune’s head once more and twirled her fingers around.

　A gentle light enveloped Hirune.

“It’s warm. ……”

　For a while, Hirune felt the warmth of the goddess Sophia.

　It was warm just to be held in her arms.

(I think it would be great to take a nap with the goddess ……)

“I want to take a nap with her. It would be nice if we could one day.”

　Goddess Sophia smiled, as if she could hear Hirune’s heart.

“Hirune.”

“Huh. …… What is it?”

“I’d like to stay like this for a while longer, but let’s get back to the others. They will worry about you if so much time has passed. It’s been a while since you fell asleep in the real world, remember?”

“It’s only been a little while, right?”

　According to Hirune’s senses, she had just fallen asleep.

“It’s been three days already.”

　The goddess Sophia smiled happily, a gentle smile that seemed to revive the withered trees in an instant.

“So much time has passed, ……. I think Jeanne and Holly may be crying.”

“The maid and the saint girl, yes. You have a very clear soul. I have given Holly the power of a saint. I’ve asked her to help you.”

“Thank you very much. She’s a wonderful friend.”

“It’s time to go. Come on, Hirune. Wake up… there’s someone… waiting for you.”

“Goddess… will…I… see… you… again.”

“You… are… always… in… my… heart. –In your heart… always… there… is… me.”

　The goddess’s voice faded into the distance and her figure faded into the light.

　Hirune waved her hand and said, “Thank you, Goddess,” over and over again.

　As the light faded and the stars rushed by, Hirune’s eyes naturally opened as she felt her body float in a spin.

“…… hmm?”

　Her consciousness came back to reality.

　Looking at her surroundings, she saw that she was in a trial room. The night sky stretched across the glass ceiling.

　She raised herself up from the floor where the scripture was engraved and stretched widely.

　Maybe it was this room that made me wake up so well.

(I’m glad I got to meet the Goddess. I wish I could see her again.)

 As she thought about this in her sleepy head, she remembered Jeanne and Holly’s faces.

“oh, I have to get out of this room.”

　As she stood up, she heard a voice in her ear.

“Hirune–pray–“

　It was a whisper from the goddess Sophia, like the tune of a harp.

　Hirune remembered that she was in the middle of a trial.

(I was asleep, so it was an easy trial. …… I slept, and I got to meet the goddess, so that’s a good thing.)

　Hirune kneeled down and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

Then gently closed her blue eyes.

 (May everyone in this world have a good night’s sleep and get some lazy time. May everyone in this world have a good night’s sleep, and may we all have a good night’s sleep…) 

As she earnestly prayed the typical Hirune prayer, light began to gather in the scriptures and magic circles carved into the floor and walls, eventually flickering like a flashlight.

　The room was filled with dancing stardust, like a giant treasure chest turned over 

“It’s so dazzling.”

　Hirune opened her eyes then quickly closed them.

　In the dazzling flood of light, the flocks of stardust bounced happily as if they were happy to have met Hirune, and then flew out one by one, with Hirune in the center.

　Like a fountain, stardust spurts out of Hirune’s body and flies into the air.

　The stardust soon became too much to contain in the room, leaked into the chapel, and then overflowed into the main church grounds, reaching the entrance of the church.

(My body is warm.)

 As she thought this, an oversized magic circle appeared at her feet, covering the entire main church.

　The magic circle glowed with a flash of light, and holy light rose from Hirune’s body.

(…..I feel ……. magic power is …… overflowing …… )

　The holy light penetrated the clouds above the royal city, illuminating the city at night and shining for five minutes.

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