Chapter 3: How to use holy magic

　It’s been a week since I came to this world.

　As usual, the food is simple and the bedding is flimsy.

I wondered if there was anything I could do, but decided not to worry too much about it. Now is the time to surrender. When I become a great saint, the environment will improve. It’s just a matter of patience until then.

　I’m finally getting used to my job as an apprentice saint.

“Pray for an hour in the morning, cleanse the altars, listen to the scriptures, memorize the scriptures of the holy magic, sit in  meditation, serve lunch –“

“It’s not lunch duty, it’s alms to the people.”

　Jeanne corrects while combing Hirune’s beautiful hair.

　The platinum blonde shined like a jewel in the morning sun.

“Yes, charity to the people. I know it’s important, but my arm hurts.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

　Jeanne shook her ponytail and nodded once.

　It’s been a week since then, and the two have gotten to know each other quite well. This is probably because Hirune isn’t a shy person.

“I’m just scooping soup out with a big skillet. And chanting a little bit of scripture with the spices.”

“Hirune-sama, The scriptures are not an afterthought.”

“This is the end of the morning … huh … it’s hard being a saint apprentice … isn’t there any way to make it easier? I’m not sure how long I can keep it up. I can’t even stop my drowsiness … fwaah…… “

　Jeanne is worried when she sees Hirune yawning loudly.

　Yesterday afternoon, she had fallen asleep during the Bible reading and had just been scolded by the former saint Wanda, who was in charge of education.

　 Wanda, the educator, was feared by the saint apprentices and maid apprentices of the West Church. Of course they respect her, but her guidance is strict. If even a single gesture of your fingertips is noticed, you will get guidance.

　Hirune is guarded by Archbishop Zekyutos of the Church. Even that alone makes her a presence that is highly regarded.

　This is because the  Mephistopheles Church has churches all over the kingdom, and one’s position changes depending on which church they are assigned to. Even for the same position of Archbishop, there was a difference of about two classes between the remote church and the main church. In other words, Archbishop Zekyutos of the main church is an executive class. 

　70% of the saint apprentices here have passed the holy magic test, and the rest are recommended by priests and other related parties.

　It is not often that the Archbishop of the main church personally becomes the guardian of an apprentice saint.

　In addition, Hirune’s appearance has caught the attention of the people.

　Her platinum blonde hair looks like it could make stars dance, and her blue eye look like they could give jewels a run for their money. Her appearance is also very well-rounded. She has a relaxed atmosphere so delicate that it gives comfort to those who see her. She has already become the talk of the town among the saint apprentice freaks living in the royal capital. 

“I want to sit in a chair that ruins people while praying …”

“What kind of chair is that …?”

　Hirune herself was already in such a condition.

　No wonder Jeanne worries.

“Hirune-sama is too fearless”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right. Even when you’re scolded, you don’t care. It gives me a heartache.”

　Moreover, Hirune has no sense of crisis at all. While patrolling the streets, she was given a skewer by an old man she didn’t know and ate it with gusto. This was a problem even before she was a saint.

　If I take my eyes off Hirune, someone will probably try to kidnap her. If they bait her with a futon, she might try to get kidnapped herself. 

　Jeanne steeled herself to stay with Hirune as much as possible even without the maid job.

“Please be careful today. When I heard you were scolded yesterday, it made my blood grow cold.”

“I’ll be careful. Don’t worry.”

“I don’t know, Hirune-sama”

“Oh, by the way, I saw the Saint return from her pilgrimage yesterday.”

“Are you sure?”

　Jeanne stopped manipulating the comb with her hands and turned her steeple-colored eyes to Hirune.

“She looked pretty tired. Yes, she looked as if she was chased by a demon after staying in the wild for so long.” 

“So, she went to the south. What a noble deed!”

　Jeanne clasped her hands together and let out a passionate sigh.

“The saint went on a tour of the provinces and is now returning to the royal capital right?”

“Yes, that’s right. The world has been polluted by demons. It’s the role of the saint to cleanse the world.”

“I’m in trouble … When I become a saint, I’ll be forced to do the harsh work of traveling to rural areas.”

　Hirune crossed her arms, unlike Jeanne, who was thrilled that she was going to be “a great saint.”

(If I become a saint, I’ll have to be promoted to a great saint as soon as possible. I don’t want to stay out in the open on a pilgrimage … Oh, I wonder if sleeping bags are easy to sleep in? Well, sleeping bags are attractive, but I’d really hate them if it was every day … … I wonder if I have no choice but to become a great saint. I also owe Zekyutos-san.)

　Saint Apprentice-Busy.

　Saint-local tour is harsh.

　Great Saint-in your own church, in your own church,  in your church.

　This is how Hirune’s brain interpreted the situation.

(I’d like to know more about the Great Saints.)

“Well, please do your best. It seems that you need at least one year of training.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best in moderation.”

　Jeanne nodded loudly to Hirune’s positive remarks.

　　　　　　　◯

　Jeanne wiped every corner of her body, and when she changed into the clothes of a saint apprentice she headed from her quarters to the church.  

　There were about fifty saint apprentices already gathered there.

“Alright, good luck with your service. Please do your best.”

　Jeanne bowed and disappeared in the direction of the dining room.

　The maid apprentice has a lot of work to do.

“…”

(I’ve been in this world for a week now, but … the decoration of the chapel are so majestic that I’m always blown away …)

　The floors are marble and the scriptures are finely carved in detail, forming a magic circle.

Iridescent stained glass, a white statue of the goddess Sophia sat in front, and three hundred candles were lit in front. Paintings depicting the battle between humans and demons continued to cover the wall and reached the ceiling.

(Also, the goddess said holy magic, but when you actually see magic, you’ll be impressed. It’s so sparkly and beautiful.)

　Hirune received a sharp look from the educator, Wanda. Inwardly she thought “oh, no” I shouldn’t. She walked leisurely to the end of the saint apprentices and put both knees on the floor.

(Wanda-san gives a long sermon … but she’s a very nice person …)

　She’s a former saint in her late forties with all her auburn hair pulled back.

　She has a beautiful knight-like appearance and looks ten years younger than her age. She looks like she would look good in rimless glasses. She is wearing the vests and long skirts worn by the education staff.

　She went forward without making a sound.

“Apprentices of the Goddess Sophia, pious saints. Pray for world peace, world tranquility, love and gratitude for all living things …”

　She said solemnly, the saint apprentices all made the sign in front of their chests and folded their hands together.

　Hirune also made a freshly memorized sign in front of her chest and struck a prayer pose.

(Thank you Goddess Sophia … and may the rest of the world have a good night’s sleep  … I’m getting sleepy just thinking about it …)

　Hirune fell asleep within the first ten seconds after starting.

　From the first day, I’ve been thinking that the quiet and serene church would be a good place for a good night’s sleep if there were futons.

　As the girls began to pray, the magic circle of scriptures engraved on the floor emitted a faint light. Then it slowly became warm.

(Floor heating is here….!)

　It’s definitely not the same, but I’m pretty sure my legs are warm after kneeling on both knees.

“Hirune, don’t move. Concentrate on your prayers.”

　Wanda, the educator’s voice was heard from above her head, and she gently touches Hirune’s thin shoulders.

“Pray with all sincerity to the Goddess Sophia and feel her power.”

“…”

　Hirune gave a small nod with her eyes closed.

“It is the gateway to Holy Magic.”

　Wanda lets go of her shoulder and steps back.

　Silence fell over the church once more.

　The light from the stained glass and the magic circle intersected faintly, and a few tiny stardust grains danced in the air.

(Holy magic … actually seems to work. I’ve heard that you need to recite scripture, but … I wonder if it’s because the goddess blessed me?)

Hirune decided to try to secretly release the power that was inside her. 

(Holy magic … Physical manipulation … After that, if you fix your body …)

　The magic that manipulates one’s own body with holy magic instead of muscular strength was activated.

　In addition, the effect of Hirune’s original immobilization magic was activated, and her body became immobile no matter how much she relaxed. It’s a reversal of the idea that if she could move, she could also stay still.  Even if she was lifted like this, she would not move a finger.

　Normally, the process of  learning Holy Magic was as follows:

　1. Pray to the Goddess Sophia (it is said to be  a process of asking her permission)

　2. Chanting the scriptures (memorization and Recitation)

　3. Activate holy magic (manipulate magic power)

　This is a process that takes several years.

　The blessing of the goddess in Hirune had skipped all the affirmations and allowed her to use holy magic.

(Oh, I got it. It’s wonderful … this is so easy. I feel like I can sleep …)

　When I released the magic only on my eyes and gently opened my eyelids, I saw the saint apprentices praying seriously.

(Good night everyone … Thank you for a wonderful world …)

　Hirune went to sleep.

　Thanks to the magic, she didn’t even move a single muscle.

“…”

　Wanda, the educator, smiles admiringly at the newcomer, Hirune. 

　Her posture was better than before, and above all, her mind was not in disarray.

　Stardust glittered and twinkled around Hirune, indicating that her magical power was high. Perhaps it was because of her lovely appearance, Wanda never dreamed that Hirune was dozing off with holy magic.

　I’m sleeping, so I’m not disturbed or anything, but … I just pray that they don’t find out.

“… Suuu … Suu …”

　That’s how the morning prayers went.

　

 

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