Chapter 8: Bible Reading

　Two weeks have passed since the incident at the jewel apple tree.

　Hirune has gone from being a simple girl to being seen as a prime candidate for sainthood.

　Her neighbors have taken to her well.

　Donations to the Western Church for Hirune are increasing, and there are signs of improvement in the alms for the people and the dietary situation of the saint apprentices.

　The jewel apple tree was still producing new fruit. The holy magic of the Goddess is very effective. The girls' faces brightened as the sweetness of the food increased.

(I'd like to ask for a futon offering, but...... I wonder if it can be done.)

　Hirune was thinking about this as she walked down the corridor after a short break.

　Her silky blonde hair was shimmering mysteriously, and no matter how one looked at her, she didn't look like she was thinking about a futon offering. 

"Hirune-sama, I finished my work early for the first time.

　Jeanne came running in, out of breath, during the saint reading practice.

“Congratulations, Jeanne. You did a great job.”

"Yes!"

　Jeanne ran up to her with a big smile on her face and her ponytail swinging.

“I didn't have much work today, so I worked hard without a break.”

"Are you okay? Don't strain yourself too much. My Bible reading isn’t worth much, you know.”

"No, it's not. Your Bible reading must be wonderful.”

“Is that so.....?”

(I'm just reading so I don't doze off. ......)

　Hirune groans with the Bible in one hand.

　When she read out loud, her own voice made her sleepy. She’s hit her head on the desk a few times because of it.

　As a countermeasure, she tried to add strength to her reading.

　If she consciously changed the way she read, perhaps she wouldn't get sleepy.

'Yes, you're right. I'm not good at anything else, but I think I'm pretty good at Bible reading.”

　Holly lined up next to her, probably catching up from behind. 

“I don't know what it is about Hirune’s reading, but it's unique. It draws the listener in. The devout congregation will surely be impressed.”

“I think this is the first time Holly has complimented me.”

“You do have your good points.”

　Holly makes a clear face.

“I'm looking forward to it."

　Jeanne's voice bounced as she grew more and more excited.

　Holly looked at Jeanne and admired her.

“How did you finish your work? My apprentice maid is eleven years old, and she never finishes at this hour.”

　The Bible reading was at four in the afternoon.

　The maids are not allowed to leave their posts until they have finished their rotating tasks.

“I worked hard without a break."

　Jeanne clenched her fists.

“You're always so cheerful.”

“It’s the only thing I have going for me.”

    It’s entirely due to the blessing she got from sleeping with Hirune, but no one had noticed.

　They arrived at the reading practice room.

　Inside, the saint apprentices were already gathered.

(Are the nobles coming here to watch?)

　In addition to Wanda, there is a male priest and a nobleman with a little mustache in the room.

　When Wanda, the educator, saw that they were all gathered, she opened her mouth.

“Today we have a special visit from Count Bon Hazel. This will be another opportunity for you to practice reading the Bible in public.”

　Wanda said, and Count Bon Hazel, with his little mustache, stepped forward.

　He was a gentleman in his forties with droopy eyes. His hairstyle was a mushroom cut.

(I want to eat mushrooms.)

　Hirune looked at the Count and remembered mushrooms in butter and soy sauce.

“My fellow saint apprentice girls, I am Count Bon Hazel. When I was a child, my parents were saved by a saint, and I realized that this world needs saints. More than anyone, I understand the preciousness of your existence. I wanted to be the first to see you become the new saints, so I asked the bishop to allow me to observe you.”

　There are aristocrats who are so-called saint freaks.

　In a world where entertainment is scarce, saints are revered and have fans all over the world.

　If you go to a tavern, you will hear people say things like, "I like the Great Saints of the North," "No, no, no, the girl who recently became a saint has a promising future," or "There's a cute girl in the Saints of the West. She's soothing," and so on, with both men and women arguing over who they like.

　Count Bon hazel has memorized saints from all over the world, even from other countries, and is said to recognize a full-fledged saint once he sees one. He knows more about the saints than anyone else, and worships them more than anyone else.

　His donations to the Mephistopheles Church were also enormous.

　You could say he was an important person.

(Can I eat mushrooms if I go to the forest? I don't think I've ever seen mushrooms for sale in the capital.)

　Hirune's thoughts were flying.

 “Now let’s start reading. Today we'll be reading from page 120, the chapter on the mountain of light.”

　Wanda, the educator, started as usual.

　Fifteen students a day would do the readings.

　Holly and Hirune were also included in today's order.

　The first one stood up and went to the front to start reading.

(This is the hardest time for me. ...... Sleepy, sleepy ......)

　Just sit in a chair and listen.

　A tremendous sleepiness comes over me.

　Holly pinched my thighs a few times, so I wouldn’t bang my forehead on the table.

　Holly began her reading.

　She read with poise, fluency, and fluidity. It was amazing that an eight-year-old could read so well. Stardust danced from the magic circle drawn on the floor.

　Count Bon Hazel was nodding his head repeatedly.

　Holly's turn was over, it was now Hirune’s turn.

　When Holly returned to her seat, she saw that Hirune was not moving and poked her on the thigh in a panic.

“Hirune, it’s your turn.”

"Huh? Oh, right."

　Hirune stood up slowly with a sleepy look on her face.

(I have to do my best not to fall asleep.)

　Hirune spreads out her Bible on the table.

　As she was about to start reading, she looked at Wanda.

“Wanda-sama, which pages?”

“..... Page one hundred and twenty, the chapter on the light mountain.

"Yes."

　Hirune nodded and flipped leisurely through the Bible.

　Count Bon Hazel had heard about the jewel apples and was looking at Hirune with concentration.

　Holly and Jeanne couldn't stop their hearts from racing.

　Holly shouted over and over in her mind, "Hurry up!"

"This is a chapter from the book….., the light illuminates the mountains…..”

　Hirune finally began to read.

"When thou seeth the light upon the mountains, think thou where it shineth..."

　The voice was thin, but it carried well.

　Hirune's voice was thin but clear, and she read with a loud intonation to keep herself from falling asleep. The reading proceeds at a steady rhythm.

　It was a strange reading that sounded somewhat like a song, and also like someone talking to someone.

(Reading the Bible gives me a gentle feeling, doesn't it? I wonder if it's because It brings me closer to the Goddess? I wish I could do something about my drowsiness, but I don't hate .......)

　The next thing they knew, the magic circle fluttered and danced with stardust.

　The way her beautiful platinum blonde hair shimmered and her blue eyes fell onto the Bible was fantastic.

　Count Bon Hazel's brow wrinkled at first, but within a few tens of seconds, he forgot everything and listened in fascination.

“--The flock of sheep will soon return to the clouds.”

　Hirune's reading ended, and the sound of the Bible being closed with a snap echoed.

　She marked the holy seal in front of her chest and returned to her seat.

　Count Bon Hazel pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped away his tears. He was so moved. He looked as if he wanted to applaud at any moment.

　Jeanne, who was listening to the reading for the first time, also shed tears and nodded several times.

“The only thing she's good at is reading the Bible ......."

　Holly looked at Hirune, who looked like she was about to fall asleep, and mumbled a mixture of dismay and admiration in her mouth.

　Hirune didn't notice it and went back to her seat to fight the drowsiness.

　　　　　　()

　That night, Jeanne walked into Hirune's room and shouted loudly.

"Hirune-sama! It's amazing!　　It's wonderful!

“What happened? Did you get a new comforter?”

“No, mam. Count Bon Hazel donated a hundred gold coins to you! To be used for your preparations in becoming a saint in the near future! It's a great honor."

　Jeanne is jumping up and down.

　This is a great honor. Hirune was grateful but made a subtle expression.

(Even if I get the gold coins, I can't use them myself. ...... It's hard being a saint.)

　Hirune is unaware that she has gained a powerful patron.

“The Count acknowledged you. Hirune is an amazing person.”

"Yeah? Is that so? Thank you."

　Jeanne looked happy, which made Hirune happy too.

(The mushroom head seems to be a great man. I wonder if he’s a businessman. I'll ask what kind of person he is later.)

　Depending on the funding of the Mephistopheles Church, the promotion to saint may be delayed.

　This is because saint clothes are high-class items and it costs money to prepare them.

“It's not that important, let's go to bed. Come here, Jeanne."

　Hirune lifted the quilt and beckoned with a smile.

　Hirune was one step closer to becoming a saint.

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