Chapter 33: Prayers Begin

　At four o’clock in the afternoon, Jeanne woke Hirune and Holly up.

　She felt like watching them sleep for a longer time, but there were things to be done. Jeanne gently took the comforter from them.

“…… Hm. Oh, good morning Jeanne. Is it time already?”

“Good morning Holly-sama. The magic circle is ready in the chapel. The saint’s prayer will begin at 5:00 p.m.”

“–Munya.”

　There was about one saint who showed no signs of waking up at all.

　Jeanne and Holly giggled at the look on Hirune’s face.

    Holly stretched and turned her slanted eyes to Jeanne. She seemed to be awake and refreshed after sleeping with Hirune.

“I’m going to go back to my room and get ready. I’ll meet you in the chapel.”

“Yes. I’ll see you later.”

　Holly took her saint’s clothes and left the room.

　It took Jeanne five minutes to wake Hirune up, get ready, and head to the chapel with her.

　　　　　　()

　All the couches in the chapel had been removed, and scrolls were spread out in a spiral on the floor. On top of the scrolls, there were many verses of scripture written with powdered magic stone ink for warding. 

　The scriptures were also written on the marble floor, which had been calculated to form a large spiral to match the scrolls.

　In the center of the spiral, there was a round space.

　It seems the saints take turns praying inside the circle 

　In the chapel, which could accommodate a thousand people, there was a scene that was different from their everyday life.

(Looks like a lot of preparation. …… The entire chapel is a magic circle.)

Hirune stepped into the chapel and felt an unusual heaviness in the air.

　In the four corners of the chapel, several groups of priests continued to chant scriptures.

“Hirune-sama. Everyone is gathered over there.”

　Jeanne said quietly.

　The saints were already gathered. Holly was there, too.

　They walked quietly along the wall, since they could avoid stepping on the magic circle by walking around the corners of the chapel.

“You’re the last one, Hirune.”

　Wanda said with a slightly nervous expression.

“ I’m sorry, the futon felt good and I couldn’t resist.”

“….. I thought so. Everyone, the youngest Hirune isn’t nervous at all. We’re just going to say our prayers like we always do.”

　Seeing Wanda and Hirune’s faces, the saint girls nodded.

 Hirune yawned loudly.

“Now the saint apprentices are praying in the next room, and we’re ready to start. Take a look. Do you see the twelve circles in the magic circle?”

　Wanda pointed around the magic circle.

　There were twelve circles in the spiral magic circle that could hold one person each.

“We’ll take turns moving through the circles in a clockwise direction while praying. The saint in the center circle will use the most magic power. I will make a decision and send you a signal, and you will move, pray, and move again, never breaking your scriptures and prayers. We will continue this overnight–“

　In turns they would play a major role in the center.

　That was the way it went.

　The saints outside of the center play an auxiliary role and are devoted to prayer.

(I wonder if I can last? …… I’m going to get sleepy. ……)

　She’d never stayed up all night since she came to this world. Hirune was worried that she might doze off.

“The first is Ashley, and the second is–“

　Wanda told them the order.

“The eleventh, Holly. Last is you, Hirune.”

　Thinking made her sleepy, so she shook her head and replied, “Yes.”

“I don’t know how many laps it will take,” Wanda said. “Nevertheless, we must maintain the warding until dawn. If the miasma gets into the capital, it will immediately spread misfortune. The peace of the royal capital depends on you saints.”

　“Yes,” they all replied.

　Holly also had a serious expression on her face.

(EverSophia……a wonderful world…… let’s do our best for this world. I’ll try to stay awake as much as possible. ……!)

　Hirune rubbed her sleepy eyes and renewed her determination.

　　　　　()

　Time passed, and it was five o’clock in the afternoon.

　The light of the setting sun was spilling into the chapel from the stained glass windows.

　The light seemed somewhat dull, making everyone feel uneasy. 

(The air is different from usual: …… I never knew it could be so eerie at night ……)

　Hirune stared at the stained glass.

　Perhaps it was a sign of the miasma, but she felt something awkward as if the soft air she usually felt contained spikes.

‘…… Holly, something’s wrong.”

“You feel it too ……?”

　Holly, who was in the circle to Hirune’s right, glanced at Hirune.

“Yes. The air is stale. …… Holly, let’s do our best to protect everyone.”

“Of course. I’m sure I can handle the miasma on my own though.”

　Holly smiled, and Hirune smiled back.

“Activate the wards. Pray to the Goddess.”

　 Wanda said this in a solemn tone, the twelve saints, including Hirune, all knelt down and folded their hands.

　As the entire chapel began to flicker, white stardust began to appear out of nowhere.

　Eventually, a hemispherical ward appeared, and they all flew out at once.

　The saint girl named Ashley in the center of the magic circle looked a little distressed. It seems that she used a lot of magic power.

(Ward ……, protect everyone ……!)

　This time, Hirune also forgot about being sleepy and prayed with all her heart.

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