Chapter 31: It’s Finally Here

　Ever since she went to the bathhouse, Hirune’s desire to take a bath has been growing.

　She often leaves her duties as a saint to go to the healing baths.

　She has also been working hard to develop the chair that can ruin people. She instructed Leanne, a simple furniture maker’s daughter, to “make the fabric soft and stretchy, and the material inside lighter.” Thanks to the cleansing, the deserted shopping street was back in business, and the chair was becoming the talk of the town.

　She also showed up at Valhalla, the bedding store, and took a nap, saying that she was trying out their new product.

　Jeanne and Wanda, who usually searched for Hirune, now knew most of her patterns.

“Hirune-sama. I’m not letting you go anywhere today!”

　Jeanne, who had been outsmarted many times by holy magic, was very angry.

“Jeanne, I’m sorry.”

　Hirune gets depressed when Jeanne gets seriously angry with her.

(I act impulsively. …… I don’t know why. ……)

　She yawned loudly as she apologized and looked at Jeanne.

“It’s a nice morning again, isn’t it?”

“…… Is that so.”

　　

Jeanne felt strangely reassured by Hirune, who immediately put on a calm face even when depressed.

　She couldn’t scold her too strongly, so she retracted her rebukes and smiled.

Hirune got off the bed and did a Hail Mary pose, Jeanne expertly puts on her saint clothes.

“What’s for breakfast today?”

“Bread and soup, I think.　　There’s a package of jewel apples for you from West Church.”

“Jewelry Apples …… It produced fruit again this year. I’ll give you half of them, and we’ll eat them together.”

　Jeanne nodded happily as Hirune smiled at her.

　As they were getting ready for the morning, they heard a rushing sound in the hallway.

　As Hirune and Jeanne looked at each other wondering what was going on, there was a knock at the door of Hirune’s room. Jeanne opened the door, and a female priestess bowed.

 “Saint Hirune, please hurry to the chapel. This is a serious matter. All business for the day has been suspended.”

“Understood”

　As soon as Hirune answered, the female priestess bowed and closed the door. It seems that the saint next door is also going to be called.

“Is there something wrong?”

　Jeanne looked worried.

(I don’t know why the people of the main church would be that upset. …… Anyway, let’s hurry.)

　After yawning, Hirune nodded.

“Let’s go quickly.”

“Okay.”

Jeanne hurriedly fixed Hirune’s hair and they headed for the chapel.

　　　　　　()

　In the chapel, the executives of the Mephistopheles Church were gathered.

　The Pope, Archbishop Zekyutos, Archbishop Zappan, ten bishops, and many other executives.

　And the twelve saints who were currently active in the royal capital were also summoned. Among them, there were two saints from the Western Church who were elevated to saints after Hirune and Holly.

　Hirune found Holly talking with Wanda, the educator, and joined the circle. Jeanne stepped back without saying a word.

“Wanda, what’s going on?”

　Hirune asked, and the taller Wanda’s eyes softened.

“The Archbishop will be speaking to you soon. You must be quiet until then.”

“I understand.”

　After a while, the girls who were apprentices to the saints also gathered at the main church.

　When he saw that they were all together, Archbishop Zekyutos opened his mouth, his wrinkles deepening to the middle of his forehead.

“I want to thank you all for being here. I want you to calm down and listen. Tonight, a total lunar eclipse will appear in The Royal Capital.”

　At that word, almost everyone gulped.

　The only one who didn’t quite understand was Hirune.

(A total lunar eclipse, how unusual. It’s very rare.)

However, it seems that the total lunar eclipse in the other world of EverSophia was different from that of Earth.

　After hearing the story, Hirune felt like she was going to collapse.

“Some people have seen the miasma in the south gather into a black pillar. According to the astronomical department, a shadow can be seen on the moon. Tonight, a total lunar eclipse will surely occur, and a large amount of miasma will hit the royal capital.”

　As expected of the servants of God. None of them raised their voices.

　A tense air flowed through the chapel.

(A total lunar eclipse will cause the miasma to hit the royal city? What do you mean?)

“The kingdom will be packed with soldiers at the north, south, east, and west gates, and we will prepare the warding magic for The Royal Capital. The saints, saint apprentices, and priests will all work together to overcome this disaster. Zappan-dono will be in charge of the warding ceremony, and I will be in charge of other practical matters. Good.”

　Hearing Zekyutos’ words, everyone made the holy seal.

　In this case, the Pope should have taken the lead, but since he was quite old, Zekyutos was in charge.

　Immediately, the inside of the chapel began to move.

　A total lunar eclipse is an evil event that has never happened in the last hundred years.

　It was the first time for anyone to experience it, and Zekyutos, Zappan, and the rest of the executives were giving instructions.

“Saints and apprentices, this way please.”

　Wanda, a former saint who has purified a lot of miasma, was in charge of organizing the saints.

　At Wanda’s command, the girls gathered in front of the statue of the goddess.

　Hirune and Holly also gathered, and Jeanne was called by a senior maid and ran to the back of the main church. It seems that everywhere is short of manpower.

　Wanda began to speak in a calm tone.

“I’m sure you’ve already learned this in class, but I’ll give you a refresher. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the miasma gathers. By hiding the moon, which amplifies the power of purification, the miasma increases and tries to spread misfortune. This phenomenon occurs in places where many people gather. You understand so far right?”

　“Yes,” the girls replied.

　About one person opened her mouth absentmindedly.

(The miasma hides the moon and causes more miasma. So that’s what this is all about……)

“In order to prevent the miasma, we will activate the warding magic circle around the main church. For that, the power of the saints is essential.”

　Wanda said, and the saints in their pure white saint suits nodded their heads.

　Hirune also nodded after a moment.

 Many saints are currently out of the capital for the Southern Purification. …… We need to use our power to maintain the wards overnight. It is our role to protect the people of The Royal Capital.”

“Yes.”

(We have to protect everyone.)

　Hirune replied alone, and the other saints and apprentices replied loudly.

　Wanda smiles when she hears this.

“Nothing is impossible for you,” she said. “You have the blessing of the Goddess. The miasma that enters through the gaps in the wards will be defeated by the soldiers. So all we have to do is what we can do.”

　The girls nodded vigorously at Wanda’s words, looked at the faces of their peers, and exchanged glances.

　Hirune and Holly exchanged glances as well.

“The prayer begins at five in the evening. Until then, go to your rooms and sleep.”

“We can sleep. What a nice thing to say.”

　Hirune said in a relaxed tone, and a small laugh escaped from those around her.

　The tension eased a little.

“Hey, it’s only this time …… but yes. Take a lesson from Hirune and sleep well until evening. You’re going to be up all night. You can always go to the cafeteria for dinner.”

　Wanda said, and the girls looked at each other.

“The saints are dismissed. Apprentices, come with me.”

　After Wanda’s talk, each of them began to take action.

“Hirune ……, can you wake up properly?”

　Holly pulled on Hirune’s sleeve.

   Her large hanging eyes shaking with anxiety.

　This question was a manifestation of Holly’s anxiety, since Jeanne always woke her up.

　A total lunar eclipse is a frightening phenomenon that is depicted in picture books and is well known to the public.

“Holly, do me a favor. Will you sleep with me? I’m sure we won’t oversleep if we sleep together.”

　When Hirune said this with a smile, Holly gave a quick laugh and then quickly cleared her throat, perhaps embarrassed.

“Yeah. Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. It’s an emergency, I suppose.”

“Let’s sleep together, Holly.”

(It’s so warm in here. Thank you, Holly.)

　Hirune was happy to go at her own pace.

　When they returned to her room hand in hand, Jeanne was just coming out of Hirune’s room.

　 When Jeanne noticed them, she jumped up saying, “Oh,” then ran over to them, saying that something amazing had happened.

“What’s going on, Jeanne?”

“Hirune-sama, Something terribly amazing has happened!”

“Calm down.”

“Yes.”

　Jeanne looked up, catching her breath.

“Thomas from the bedding store Valhalla said that since Hirune-chan would be up all night tonight, he would like to donate a futon. He just brought me a comforter made of Pyory feathers!”

　Upon hearing these words, Hirune’s sleepy blue eyes widened. 

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter