《Saintess》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    Translator: Yonnee


    The Empires one and only God is angry at that witchno, at the Saintess.


    The Devere Empire, known as the land of God, had been suffering from years of drought.


    The land had dried up, all the crops in the fields had withered, and the livestock had died one after another from an unknown epidemic.


    Children who were still in their mothers wombs did not get a chance to see the world, dying before their shapes could even take up their human forms. As the women suffered from infertility, so too did the men become crippled without any reproductive function.


    People have started whispering that the end of humanity was not far away.


    Worship and burning rituals were held each and every day at the capitals grand cathedral.


    All in the name of calming the wrath of the Almighty God, the pope had ordered for the capture of those suspected to be witches. As such, all who were devastated by the prolonged drought scrambled to join the witch hunt.


    The people who had been identified as witches were prostitutes, old women, noblewomen, unmarried women, blind people, lepers, gypsies, students, handmaids, slavesso on, and so forth.


    Women of all walks of life would be singled out by the priests, who would then make their ring fingers bleed and mix their blood with holy water. That was how they would ascertain their identities.


    If a witchs blood were to come in contact with holy water, black smoke shall rise.


    Through such a ritual, hundreds upon thousands of witches had already been executed.


    As they were brought to the execution pyres, the witches would start fearing their imminent entrance to hell, and they would either faint on the spot or sully their skirts with feces or urine once they were there.


    Of course, not one woman readily admitted that she was a witch.


    So many witches had already been devoured by large fires and had turned into handfuls of ashes.


    Yet, for some reason, Gods wrath was not tempered.


    Rather, the drought became even more severe. And, leprosya disease in which limbs started rottingbecame a widespread epidemic.


    As everyone was in despair, one day, a prophecy from the only God of the Devere Empire had finally come down.


    Pope Andreas, the first to hear the prophecy, immediately gathered the priests and the devotees.


    Standing in front of the church, the pope spoke in a solemn tone as he delivered the voice of God, which was enough to enervate them all.


    The one and only God of the empire, and the God of peace and the earthDernaus.


    God had henceforth proclaimed that his wrath had been incited not by the witches, but the saintess.


    The deaths of all the wicked women they deemed to be witches, who were caught and persecuted until now, had become meaningless.


    How dare this woman commit adultery with the Saintess body. How dare this woman flee and tarnish the very name of God. This immeasurable sin has angered our only God. And so, as the Almighty God proclaims, the Saintess must conceive, and all of mans sin shall thus be forgiven.


    However, the faces of all those gathered to hear the divine prophecy turned as white as a sheet.


    The Saintess shall conceive? Yet, what other sin could be more sinful than this?


    According to the holy bible, the saintess shall lose her divine power the moment she was to conceive.


    And a saintess who had lost her divine power would be treated as nothing more than a prostitute on the streets. It was an inevitable fate for her to, eventually, take her own life.


    But the problem was this that Gods wrath was limited not only to the saintess.


    A man who would commit the sin of disparaging the saintess body recklessly would also be met with His wrath.


    After hearing the word of God, everyone was rendered speechless, and they could only look alternately between the pope, the cross, and the statue depicting the likeness of Dernaus.


    Then w-who shall impregnate the Saintess?


    Eventually, one of the priests plucked the courage to ask.


    It was a question that was in everyones minds, so all the priests and devotees raised their heads in unison.


    The pope and the clergymen made a perennial vow of celibacy in the presence of God, and so each and every one of them had been castrated.


    Therefore, all the people here, except for the devotees, had already lost their ability to reproduce.


    Count Raon Toulouse.


    At that moment.


    One mans name was uttered by Pope Andreas himself.


    Then, the young nobleman, who had blond hair and mysterious blue eyes slowly, raised his head.


    The second that his name was called, its as if he could see the future that shall now unfold before him.


    His face, undeniably beautiful, was suddenly full of despair.


    Your Holiness! But I!


    Raon cried out, but he could not bear to say anything.


    When he turned twenty years of age, he lost his parents in an instant. They died in a fire accident when they went on a vacation to their family estate.


    All he was left with was his younger sister. However, he could not even pass the year without losing her as well, and in the end, he became alone.


    In front of her older brother Raon, she threw herself towards the sky.


    God said that His children would be given only pain that they could endure, but Raon could not overcome any of the sufferings that he faced at all.


    While he was trapped in an endless pit of despair, it was none other than the current pope who reached out to him.


    It was only natural for a citizen of the Devere Empire to serve only one God, but Raons faith grew even stronger ever since he met the pope.


    Even the deaths of every member of his family, which he suffered through for what seemed like eternity, was something that he overcame.


    And he soon believed that it was all the will of God, and that it was his fate to serve Him as soon as he must.


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 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    Translator: Yonnee


    After managing to overcome the nightmarish tragedy that had befallen him, Raon soon decided to become a priest. He was now learning theology and was carrying out the regular prayersall for the sake of committing to serve the one and only God.


    It had been three years since he started, and his seminary practice was soon to be completed.


    Standing in front of Him on this day, Raon was ready to vow that he would live only to serve the noblest and highest existence. In the face of religion, he was prepared to give up his peerage as a count and give up all his property and possessions.


    And then.


    The prophecy was brought upon Raon.


    The abominable prophecy that he must conceive a child with the saintess.


    No matter how much its said that it was Gods sacred order, fundamentally, it was impossible for a man who had such relations with the saintess to become a priest.


    The moment Gods will was brought down upon him, Raons dreamof becoming a priest and completely being enfolded in Gods embrace for the rest of his lifevanished into thin air.


    Count Raon Toulouse. You must accept the command of our noblest God.


    The solemn pope walked forward and stopped in front of Raon.


    Then, once again, he conveyed the word of God in front of Raon Toulouse.


    As if it were Raons fate, the pope slowly made a sign of the cross, praying for Gods grace.


    The popes solemn appearance made everyone in the grand cathedral hold their breaths.


    This, too, is the will of the almighty and omnipotent God.


    And when the popes final word fell, Raon closed his eyes.


    His long eyelashes, which spread like a fan, trembled like a butterflys wings.


    * * *


    Half a year had already passed ever since the prophecy for the saintess to conceive had been brought down.


    After the vigorous purge of witches, what followed was a widespread pursuit to hunt down the saintess.


    It spanned all across the Devere Empire. If there was any woman whos suspected to possibly be the saintess, she would be kidnappedthrough any means possibleand shed be dragged back to the Holy See.


    Besides the women in the capital, there were a number of suspected saintesses in the far-off borderlands of the empire.


    However, compared to the number of women being taken to the Holy See every single day, the saintess had yet to be found.


    Unlike how it was in the past, when witch hunts were still prevalent, the women would no longer be burned at the stake. The reason behind this was simple.


    Because the prophecy had pointed out one specific characteristic of the obscene saintess.


    You heard that Saintess has leprosy? What kind of Saintess has such an infectious disease?!


    Haa. Its not thatshe takes care of a leper and lives with him. That leper is the Saintess spouse who she committed adultery with! When he was still a bachelor, he was still fine, but he got infected with the disease after falling in love with the Saintess.


    Good gracious. How terribly vile. A woman who already has a husband must serve God for the rest of her life? Absurd!


    Thats not all, you know! The Saintess lives with a blind old woman, and that old woman is her mother-in-law.


    But the Saintess has brilliant silver hair, just like the almighty God, Dernaus. Isnt that proof enough that God loved her so dearly? Its only natural that Gods wrath is so great.


    A woman who dared to commit adultery by way of taking a husbandeven when shes supposed to be the saintess.


    A woman who dared to escape Gods embrace and hide from His eyes by living in seclusion with her husbanda leperand a blind old woman.


    A woman, so beautiful and with brilliant silver hair, who was once loved by the God, Dernaus.


    Keeping in mind all the characteristics of the saintess, people were getting impatient just to find this woman.


    However, for some reason, the woman who matched the characteristics that the prophecy had pointed out could not be found.


    They found a woman who was living with a leper, but there was no old blind woman there. Then, they found a woman who was living with a blind old woman, but she did not have beautiful silver hair.


    During the search for the saintess that had spanned for six months, the drought became even more severe. In the meantime, the countrys population dropped by a quarter, and the empires power gradually dwindled.


    Nevertheless, the power of the Holy See and the devout pope who served God was still strong.


    People were hungry, people were suffering from the drought, and people were dying from the epidemic, however


    They all believed that this awful, gruesome reality would all end through the power of religion, and religion alone.


    * * *


    Far from the capital, there was one particular rural province in which rumors typically moved at a snails pace.


    However, the negative perception of the saintess was still the same here.


    Agnes Larche.


    A beautiful woman with brilliant silver hair.


    Fluttering every time the wind blew, her hair was exquisite enough to elicit the urge to reach out to touch it, to sweep it aside and expose her long, thin neck, which resembled a deers neck in its vulnerability.


    At the same time, the word bewitching perfectly matched her gray eyes that looked rather mysterious.


    However, for more than half a year, she had not been able to show her hair at all.


    Exactly since the day that the prophecy to find the saintess had been passed down.


    Whenever she had no choice but to go out for food, she tied her hair tightly and pulled down the hood of her cloak deeply.


    Still, this wasnt enough, so she went around town as if she was a sinner, always keeping her head down.


    In her grave task to constantly hide her natural hair color, there was a time that she tried to hide it by covering it in mud, but it proved futile.


    Now that the widespread hunt for the saintess had begun, Agnes was struck with great anxiety.


    She was an ordinary woman who had never wielded divine power in all her life. But unfortunately, some of the characteristics of the saintess in the prophecy matched Agnes circumstances.


    An ordinary man for a husband, and a blind woman for a mother-in-law.


    They were the family she loved more than anyone else in the world.


    Yet, the harbinger of tragedy soon appeared in the form of red, mottled spots on her husbands body.


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 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    Translator: Yonnee


    The mottled spots were concentrated in the area around his groin first, but they gradually expanded and caused skin lesions. And, eventually, his skin soon started to rot and gave off a horrible odor.


    Not only did yellow pus flow out of his skin, but the bridge of his nose also slowly melted and sank. And apart from that, his tongue hardenedevery sound he made was closer to an animals groans than a human beings speech.


    Six months after the onset of the symptoms, his face became misshapen enough that he could no longer be recognized as human.


    It was a typical case of leprosy.


    Agness mother-in-law had long since succumbed to madness.


    Lunacy devoured her mother-in-laws soul day in and day out, and she would lash out in violence many times.


    When Agnes had no choice but to leave the house, she always had to tie her mother-in-laws hand with a leather strap and attach it to the doorknob.


    She knew that it was inhumane, but there was no other way.


    She did not know when her mother-in-laws madness would come out, or what form it would take.


    Despite all her care and attention to her family, something terrible happened this spring.


    Agnes was away for a while, and she had to leave her mother-in-law and the old womans son alone at home.


    Her mother-in-law cut the leather strap.


    Then she stabbed herself in the right eye with a blade meant for cutting meat.


    The old woman screamed in pain, but her son was completely unaware of his mothers agony. Due to his leprosy, he had completely lost his hearing.


    And, a while later.


    When the daughter-in-law returned home, she found that the sharp blade was already deeply embedded in the mother-in-laws eye.


    The old woman writhed and cried tears of blood. Agnes screamed in astonishment.


    Besides that, the tragic thing was that the old woman could not even receive proper treatment. They were too poor.


    All Agnes could do in that situation was to take a piece of clean cloth and dab it over her mother-in-laws eye.


    Despite her efforts, her mother-in-law eventually lost her sight completely in the other eye as well.


    The old womans blindness was caused by tetanus.


    Even so, this tragic event did not push Agnes to surrender to despair.


    She continued to struggle and live for the sake of her blind mother-in-law and her terminally ill husband.


    She did not mind doing menial chores, nor hard work in the fields.


    When she could not find any work, she begged on the streets.


    But even a decrepit life such as this was not easily acquiesced by God.


    The world around her had become more and more harsh due to the extended drought, and more beggars overflowed the streets.


    Agnes slowly felt despair crawling up to her, and she thought, Can life be more hellish than this


    But at that time.


    The prophecy came down.


    The prophecy that heralded the order to capture the obscene saintess who dared to betray the one and only God of the empire.


    At first, Agnes did not pay the prophecy much mind.


    Naturally, she thought that it was something that had nothing to do with her.


    She was not the saintess.


    She knew herself better than anyone else.


    As a citizen of the empire, it was natural for her to believe in and serve the Almighty God, but her faith did not run deep.


    For those who were hungry, who were thirsty, who were shackled to a life of devastation Gods glory was all but useless.


    But the rumors about the saintess became more and more detailed. Agnes slowly noticed that something was not right.


    Hadnt they all already witnessed enough of those widespread witch hunts?


    Those terrible scenes of pandemonium?


    Even now, Agnes could still clearly hear the cries of many, many women. They all screamed and cried that they were not witches, that they had not sinned.


    Whenever she witnessed a woman being burned at the stake, dread never failed to visit her. What if she was next?


    But then.


    A silver-haired saintess.


    Living with a blind old woman.


    And a spouse suffering from leprosy.


    The saintess in the prophecy perfectly described Agness current situation.


    She knew for a fact that it was just a coincidence, but the world would not be so kind as to easily believe her.


    In the eyes of those who had already been so devastated by the extended drought, humane feelings of philanthropy, love or benevolence no longer existed in this plane of existence.


    An instinctive fear ran through Agnes. Before the rumors could spread even further, she decided to run away, packing up only a few household goods.


    Of course, her husband and mother-in-law had difficulties in moving, so she sold the rest of their assets to hire a cart puller.


    At first, the cart puller refused to carry a filthy leper in his cart, but when he heard about Agness pitiful situation, he soon silently helped them move.


    Perhaps this was the final act of humanity that Agnes would ever receive.


    Thus, they managed to move to a new village, and they lived in an especially remote part of the forest.


    Since then, the whole family just lived in hiding, reducing their presence from the world.


    Her husbands leprosy and her mother-in-laws lunacy got worse and worse.


    Agnes herself suffered from hunger day after day. She became so malnourished to the point that her bones were clearly jutting out.


    Maggots began to fester in her husbands flesh. His breaths also became more laborious, his wheezing breaths pointing to the supposition that he might have contracted a lung disease.


    Seizures started becoming more common with her mother-in-law as well. The old woman would writhe and convulse as if she had become possessed by a demon.


    A leper for a husband, and a lunatic for a mother-in-law.


    As her life was now devoid of all hope, Agnes got ready for the day. She put on a robe and left the house.


    She needed to get some food on the table for her starving family.


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 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    Translator: Yonnee


    At the underground prayer room of the counts manor


    Gold candlesticks were positioned throughout and lit up the room with a gentle glow. And Raon, who was kneeling upon the velvet carpet, was absorbed in prayer.


    This basement had once been the cellar of this manor before, but the moment Raon had decided to serve God, he converted this place into a prayer room.


    With a cross in His embrace, the giant sculpture of God quietly looked down at the praying Raon.


    As such, God always looked so benevolent to him.


    The temperature inside the prayer room was low.


    There was a fireplace here, but Raon did not light up a fire whenever he prayed, even if it was the middle of winter.


    This was because he thought that warmth made humans complacent and slothful.


    Raon closed his eyes.


    His straight forehead, raised brow bone, angular nose, and sun-like blond hair were enough to exhibit that he was of noble blood.


    He wore only a simple white shirt and formal pants, and so compared to other high-born aristocrats, he looked relatively modest.


    The only accessory that he wore was a modest emerald on a bolo tie over his shirt. Even so, the emerald too was to symbolize God.


    This was so that each and every moment in Raons daily life was in contact with God.


    Soon, his heavy voice resounded throughout the underground prayer room.


    His prayer to God was more pious and virtuous than ever.


    O Almighty God, I believe that You are always with us, and as my weak heart dares to stray foolishly, I humbly beseech Your merciful grace.


    Raons prayer was like a perfect masterpiece.


    His appearance as he prayed was so elegant that it was clear how any painter would want to capture and immortalize him and this moment in a painting.


    It was of no exaggeration to say that he looked like a saint from heaven itself.


    Due to his heavenly appearance, there was also a plethora of noble young ladies from various households who adored Raon.


    There were even some of them who stopped by the church every day for worship just in case they might be able to see him.


    The young ladies couldnt help but sigh and feel bitter regret when Raon, who suddenly started living at the capital, suddenly announced that he would serve God wholeheartedly.


    If a man were to walk down the path towards becoming a true priest, he would completely lose his reproductive abilities as a man through chemical castration.


    Faced with the reality that Raon would soon become unable to take a woman, the noble young ladies felt utterly disappointed.


    But Raon himself minded not other peoples regrets. Instead, he steadily built his faith.


    He continued his life of asceticism by divesting everything, whether it be appetite, sleep or sexual desire.


    He stayed away from any and all greasy food, so his meals were mostly comprised of oatmeal, bread or souponly enough to abate his hunger.


    He slept only four hours a day at most, and whenever he was awake, he attended worship, read the Bible or was out on volunteer work to hand out food. It was to help his fellow men who were suffering from starvation due to the long drought.


    Of course, the most difficult thing to control among human urges was sexual desire.


    Raon, a 25-year-old hot-blooded young man, could not feel any more disgusted by his own genitals, which stood prominent every morning.


    Whenever his manhood was erect, he subjected himself to flogging until it would go down just so he could control his lust.


    The wounds and scars around his groin were all self-inflicted.


    It had already been half a year ever since the prophecy about the saintesss conception had been announced.


    Raon remained single for all his life and he had promised God his purity and cleanliness.


    However, Gods response was the opposite.


    It was for the saintess herself to partake in intercourse and to let a child be formed inside her stomach.


    At first, Raon felt frustrated.


    His faith faltered because he could not understand Gods will.


    He dared to question why He was giving such a harsh punishment.


    All of the empires people were eager to find the saintess.


    However, the woman whose appearance and circumstances matched the prophecy had yet to appear.


    In the meantime, the people suffered more from the ensuing famine, and more and more deaths from starvation continued.


    After witnessing such a tragedy with his own eyes, Raon realized one important fact.


    It was grace, not punishment, that God had given him.


    It was clear that the one and only God was no longer able to watch humanitys suffering.


    So, He gave him the opportunity to apologize for humanitys crimes himself.


    Raon finally accepted that it was his fate to conceive with the saintess.


    Even if he could not become an ordained priest, he vowed to continue to serve God forever and live the rest of his life as such.


    Raons prayers rarely ended before half a day had passed.


    He constantly uttered prayers, sang hymns and recited the Bible.


    Despite the freezing temperature of the prayer room, drops of sweat had formed upon Raons forehead.


    Then, the door to the prayer room suddenly opened, and Clovis, the households butler, entered distraughtly.


    Whenever Raon was in the prayer room, it was always his dedicated time to God, so he specifically asked that nobody disrupt him.


    Clovis had been serving the countdom by Raons side for a very long time, and he was very well aware that the only time the masters temper would rise sharply was if his time with God were to be disturbed.


    Nevertheless, Clovis determinedly walked further into the room.


    With a deathly pale face, he said,


    M-Milord. The S-S-Saintess, she has been found.


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 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    Translator: Yonnee


    The obscene saintess who everyone in the empire had, for six whole months, been searching for until nowshe had finally been found.


    Clovis thought that Raon would be greatly shocked to hear the news, but surprisingly, he did not even move from where he was.


    Rather, Raon had a serene expression on his face.


    Immediately, his pious voice continued uttering his prayer, which resounded throughout this room dedicated to God.


    In the end, I dare believe that all these trials shall lead us to complete happiness. Therefore, Almighty God


    As he paused for a moment, he slowly raised his head.


    His tightly closed eyes flashed open.


    The blue eyes, staring reverently at the statue, were very bright.


    And, finally.


    If this, too, is Your will, then I shall gladly accept it.


    Raon finished his prayer.


    * * *


    Yet again, today, it was a waste of time.


    Knowing that she was going to return empty-handed once more, Agnes felt that her steps were endlessly heavy.


    For three days now, not only she, but also her family, had not been able to touch even the smallest piece of bread.


    It came to a point this morning that her mother-in-law could no longer endure her hunger, and so she began chewing on a piece of cloth.


    This miserable scene lingered on Agness mind all throughout the day, but in the end, she had to hurry home.


    As she was thinking about whether she should go up the mountain, peel off the bark of a tree, and make porridge out of that


    Kyaah!


    A broad stallion suddenly hit into Agness slender body.


    And she fell to the ground, helpless.


    The forceful shock to her body was enough to make her fall unconscious, but she instinctively curled into herself as she felt that she was about to be trampled on by that big horse.


    Hiiiing!


    As the loud whinnies of the horse echoed on all sides of her


    You crazy woman, you must have really gone insane! Do you want to die?! What if it really ran over you!


    The man who managed to calm the runaway stallion grabbed the reins and shouted loudly at Agnes.


    He spat at Agnes, who was rolling on the dirt floor.


    Ah


    A small groan leaked through her tightly gritted teeth.


    Without needing to look at it, she knew for a fact that blood was now trickling through her knees, which were the first to hit the hard ground.


    However, there was another bigger problem.


    The hood of the cloak she was wearing had flown off.


    Her brilliant silver hair cascaded beautifully against the dirt floor.


    Because she was malnourished and could not eat any proper meals, Agnes was too petite for her age, even when she was already an adult.


    Strangely however, her hair was so luscious and glossy that anyone would naturally think that she was as beautiful as her hair, which gave off a natural glow.


    The horseman gawked at the womans shiny hair as if he was staring at the sun, utterly mesmerized.


    Then Agnes, who felt his gaze, hurriedly put on her cloaks hood once again and bowed her head.


    She apologized profusely.


    I-Im sorry. Im truly, truly sorry.


    Wait a minute. Your hair color Come closer to me, let me see for a second, will you?


    Meanwhile, the mans face was soon filled with doubts.


    It was obvious to anyone that the womans hair color was silver.


    More than that, the shade of her hair closely resembled that of the one and only god of the empire, Dernaus.


    If a woman was suspected to match the description of the saintess, it became a common practice for people to capture her alive and hand her over to the village guards.


    The mans eyes glinted, as if he had found a rare treasure.


    Agnes aptly predicted what the mans next move would be.


    Her face grew paler and paler, and cold sweat began to form on her forehead.


    No matter what, she must run away.


    She knew that running away was the only way shed be able to continue living.


    Hey! STOP RIGHT THERE!


    The man shouted, but Agnes kept on running without looking back.


    Behind her, she heard the loud steps of the horse chasing after her.


    She immediately ran through the thicket so that the horse would not catch up to her easily.


    She ran and ran and ran, regardless of the thorns that latched onto her and tore her ragged dress to pieces.


    Before she knew it, her whole body was filled with scratches, but just how long did she keep on running?


    She tripped and fell from time to time because she was running on injured legs.


    Whenever her body tilted over, she dug her nails into the dirt.


    Then, she gritted her teeth and got up againthen, ran and ran and ran.


    The fingernails that dug into the ground became cracked and broken.


    Those dirty hands looked more like an animals than a human beings.


    Haa


    She felt so suffocated and nauseous.


    Blood continued to trickle down her knees, soaking the hem of her dresss skirt.


    Although she felt as if she had reached her limit long ago, she was much too afraid to look back. She did nothing else but run forward, unconditionally.


    She ran until her eyes glazed over, she ran until she didnt even know anymore where she was headed. She could not stop thinking that she would get caught immediately the moment she let herself slow down.


    In time, her steps slowed down when she realized that she could no longer hear the sound of the horses hooves.


    Her entire body was drenched in sweat.


    The old dress she was wearing had long since become nothing but rags.


    Her pale skin showed itself through the torn hems of the fabric.


    And, red drops of blood sparkled from the wounds she had gotten from the thorn bushes.


    Agnes hid herself behind an enormous, beautiful tree. She crouched down and did not move for a very, very long time.


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 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    Translator: Yonnee


    So afraid that the man was still following her, it was not until the sun had disappeared down the mountains ridges that Agnes slowly rose from her seat.


    She walked towards the house where her family was, clenching her teeth together as she laboriously walked on her injured legs.


    Without letting her guard down, she tried to minimize the sounds she made as much as possible.


    Fortunately, the house was peaceful.


    Her husband was in deep sleep, and her mother-in-law was sitting in a chair next to the window with a blank face.


    As soon as she confirmed the safety of her family, Agnes was relieved.


    She sank to the floor.


    Hiic, hic


    Tears flowed down constantly from Agness pretty face.


    She was in shock because of what happened so suddenly, but in the end, she returned empty-handed again today. The guilt that weighed down on her heart seemed to weigh down heavily on her entire body.


    With her head on her knees, she cried for a long time, and her mother-in-law slowly drew close to her.


    Even if she was blind, she could walk around the house with relative ease.


    Feeling an approaching presence, Agnes slowly raised her head.


    Mom


    She called her mother-in-law simply as Mom.


    When her mother-in-laws sanity was still intact, she always smiled kindly at Agnes.


    Born in a brothel without knowing who exactly her parents were, Agnes was destined to be taken as a slave as soon as she turned sixteenas soon as her body took the form of a womans frame.


    It was her mother-in-law who prevented that tragic fate.


    For a reasonable price, she struck an agreement with the pimp and brought the girl home.


    Her husband, who was an ordinary peasant at that time, was also willing to welcome Agnes.


    The three of them became a family, and as soon as Agnes came of age, she married her current husband.


    They were the only family she ever had.


    The most precious people in the world who she kept wanting to be with, even at the cost of death.


    Food?


    This was what her mother-in-law asked as she reached for Agnes.


    Then, she smoothed Agness soft cheeks with both hands.


    The wrinkled hands of the old woman and the taut skin of the woman without a single wrinkle were in stark contrast.


    Theres none Im sorry, Mom.


    As soon as she heard Agness answer, her mother-in-laws pupils trembled finely.


    Her eyes were full of sores from infection, and even her eyelids had a hideous shape, as if they had melted away from burns.


    Soon, she began to go on a wild tantrum, as if she had been possessed by a frenzy.


    Y-Y-You! Food? FOOD!


    Mom, calm down Aack!


    Her mother-in-laws hands, which were caressing Agness face, grabbed her abundant hair at once.


    The grip of the frenzied old woman was beyond imagination.


    Agnes screamed, feeling a pain so excruciating that its as if her scalp was being torn off.


    But just as her screams grew louder and louder, so did her mother-in-laws actions become harsher and harsher.


    Eventually, she started verbally abusing her daughter-in-law, who she didnt even recognize anymore.


    Y-Y-Youre just killing me! Why cant you just get out of my house?! Youre the wicked witch who ate my good daughter-in-law! You think I dont know?!


    What do you mean, witch, Mom? Im your daughter-in-law! Please dont do this!


    Shut up! Youre trying to eat my son this time, you evil girl! Get out of my house right now, you demon!


    AACK!


    At last, with her hair still tightly clasped by the old womans grip, her head was crushed inexorably to the floor.


    And as her back hit the moldy ground as well, its as if her ribs would shatter at any given moment.


    Agnes closed her eyes tightly. She couldnt breathe.


    Already injured badly, she had no strength left to resist.


    Mom, Mom Spare, spare me, please


    She merely begged helplessly.


    Agnes was powerless, and she acted in a way that suggested it hadnt just been once or twice that she experienced this before.


    Its not her mother-in-laws fault that she went mad.


    So, its only natural that she must endure this.


    She should never resent or hate her only family.


    All Agnes wanted was for this nightmare to go by quickly.


    That night, Agness mournful sobbing resounded for a long time throughout the quiet house.


    * * *


    These days, Agnes rarely ever slept soundly.


    Her sunken eyes and cracked lips were indicative of her poor health.


    Besides the terrible malnutrition, the biggest cause began with anxiety and ended with anxiety.


    This gravely unsettling emotion had nestled itself deep in her heart the moment that horseman had seen her hair.


    She was constantly plagued with the thought that the soldiers might come and drag her away any time. Its what made her so sleepless.


    If she were to be honest, she wasnt afraid of being dragged away.


    However, she was desperate about wanting to stay by her familys side. She mustnt leave them alone.


    This was because they had both become half-invalids, and without her to take care of them, they would not even be able to act or maintain their roles as proper human beings.


    Unfortunately, however, Agness fears soon proved real.


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 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    Translator: Yonnee


    It happened during an exceptionally clear day.


    Without a single cloud across its wide expanse, the sky was flawlessly blue. And, even when the sunlight was ever so gentle and every so comforting, it was on this day that Agnes faced utter despair.


    Soldiers in black armor rushed into her familys house.


    G-Get out of this house right now!


    Even though she knew it was futile, she protested with a trembling voice.


    The soldiers who had surrounded the house laughed at the womans weak protest.


    Soon, her thin arms were forcefully yanked back, and her wrists were immediately fastened by handcuffs.


    Agness fine brows naturally knitted together at the pain shooting up from her arms being gripped tightly.


    No! I cant leave my family behind!


    Shut up, you filthy saintess!


    !


    What she was so afraid of had become reality.


    She had come to be suspected as a saintess.


    Agnes gasped.


    Only one thought ran through her mind.


    Agnes said the same thing that all the women suspected of being witches said.


    This time, with only one word changed.


    Im not a saintess! I-Ive never wielded divine power in all my life. Theres no such thing as a saintess who does not have any divine power! Please, please!


    SHUT UP!


    The man who appeared to be the leader of the soldiers slapped Agnes right across the face.


    In an instant, her head flicked to the side.


    If there wasnt another soldier holding her upright now, she would have collapsed straight to the ground.


    Disgusting woman.


    The man spat on Agness feet.


    If he could act out on his true desires, he wanted to cut down the saintesss treacherous neck, but its regrettable that he could do nothing more but act in accordance with the instructions given to him by his superiors.


    To capture the saintess alive and intact.


    Drag her away.


    Yes, sir!


    Please, please! Its not me! Im not a saintess!


    Agnes shouted countless upon countless times that she was not a saintess, but of course, no one listened.


    Uooh, ah-uhh.


    Behind Agness back, she could hear her husbands howling voice.


    Most of his sensory functions, which humans possessed, had long since been lost, but only one seemed to remainintuition.


    The tip of his tongue had begun to rot, and he sounded like a beast.


    He cried endlessly as if he was saddened that his beloved wife was being dragged away under false accusations.


    Hahaha, hahahaha!!


    On the other hand, her mother-in-law held her stomach as she cackled away, unaware that her daughter-in-law had been mistaken for a saintess and was being taken away.


    She laughed to her hearts content as if she was clearly picturing the situation in front of her according to her own interpretation.


    Perfect, just perfect! You goddamn slut!


    Even if it was told that the old woman would be crazy, shes just absolutely mad. Tsk.


    Seeing the old woman act in the way that she did, the soldiers clicked their tongues.


    After receiving a tip-off that there was a unique woman who matched the characteristics of the saintess, the first thing they all sensed while coming here was the terrible smell.


    When it came to lepers, they had this distinctively foul, rotten stench.


    The next thing that caught the eyes of the soldiers was a woman with a beautiful appearance that anyone would consider harmless.


    In particular, they became entranced by the shiny, silver hair beneath the sunlight leaking from the crack in the windows.


    Then, at the same time, they all became convinced that the slender woman who kept shouting that she was not a saintess was indeed that saintess.


    There wouldnt have been any other woman who could have matched the prophecy.


    Finally, finally.


    The terrible drought and the wrath of God, which made everyone tremble, would all end before long.


    Uuurgh! Please dont take me away I beg of you!


    Despite Agness pleas, the soldiers took her as if she was a mere sack of goods, and they threw her into a carriage that had only a roof and iron bars around it, just like that.


    It took half a day to travel from the border village to the capital, where the Holy See was located.


    There was no time to delay.


    So, the carriage rattled off.


    Agnes gripped the iron bars, tears endlessly pouring from her eyes. She had not been able to properly say goodbye to her family.


    The main culprit of all our misfortunes!


    Burn that filthy saintess now!


    How dare you commit such a deplorably unspeakable sin with the body of a saintess! What a wicked wretch!


    All of the villagers took to the streets and swore at Agnes.


    They were even more furious at the shocking fact that she had been living in hiding in their own village.


    Ack!


    A stone flew in through the iron bars and hit Agness forehead.


    And, in no time, her vision blurred and she felt a stream of blood flowing down her head.


    Pain and despair flooded her in an instant.


    Blood and tears mixed together, and Agnes could do nothing but cry wordlessly. It was such a bizarre sight that it seemed as if she was shedding tears of blood.


    After seeing this, the artists on the streets rushed to capture her image in paintings.


    It was to record this truly historical moment.


    Year 643 of the Devere Empire.


    The obscene saintess who all of the empires people had been waiting for so long


    was finally captured.


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 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    Translator: Yonnee


    Where is that saintess now?


    Shes being kept at the dungeon, sir.


    As soon as the sun rises, His Holiness the Pope will hold the proceedings to confirm whether she truly is a saintess.


    After Raons short exchange with Clovis, he headed straight to the dungeon.


    As of this moment, it was forbidden for anyone to visit the woman, but after recognizing his face, the guard immediately led Raon to the cell where she was being held.


    In the half a year since the prophecy of the one and only God had been handed down, there was not a single person who didnt know that the duty of conceiving a child with the obscene saintess was that of Count Raon Toulouse, a true devout believer.


    After passing through a long corridor, the surrounding air of the dungeon became more dismal.


    At last, the guard stopped walking.


    The keys that were hanging on his belt jingled as he took it, and it was with one of those keys that he opened the door of iron bars.


    Creeeak. The door opened with a loud, meandering noise, and Raon entered the prison cell where the saintess was being unquestionably held.


    A hazy silhouette could be seen vaguely in the dark.


    When Raon lit a torch, the bugs crawling on the stone walls scuttled away.


    The saintess was squatting in one corner of the prison cell, and quite literally, she looked like a beggar.


    Ragged clothes. Bare feet.


    Face, covered with blood.


    Even so, her long silver hair was truly beautiful.


    It was of no exaggeration to say that she must be loved by Godby Dernaus.


    It was as if she had stepped out of a peerless painters famous masterpiece.


    !


    Then, Agness eyes went wide.


    As soon as she saw Raon, the way she acted seemed exactly like an exceedingly wary female cat.


    Raon took the torch close to her face.


    Her pupils shook precariously, but even the color of those gray eyes were so mystifying.


    May I ask what your name is?


    Raon asked politely with a respectful tone.


    After being subjected to everyones contempt and verbal abuse, and now being kept in a dark dungeon, the mans gentle voice gave her a moment of peace, of reprieve.


    It was also the first time anyone had asked her name.


    With a small voice, she answered.


    Agnes.


    Agnes?


    As soon as he heard the womans name, Raon flinched and became frozen.


    Agnes. It was the same name that his sister had.


    His sister, who jumped to her own death.


    For a moment, this womans sickly pale face overlapped with the face of his dead younger sister.


    If that child hadnt died, she would be about the same age as the woman in front of him now.


    He smiled despondently.


    Of all names, it is Agnes that you bear. Tell me, have you betrayed God with that name?


    Raon slowly drew the sign of the cross.


    His gestures were so noble that even the dark prison seemed to light up for a moment.


    Are you His Holiness the Pope?


    It was impossible that the saintess would have known the popes face, but it didnt look like she said that in jest.


    Not all saints of the empire were born with divine power.


    Most of the time, divine power manifested in people aged seventeen or eighteen, and the moment its made known that divine power had manifested within them, they would be baptized at the Holy See. From then on, they would become officially anointed as saints, and they would serve the one and only God.


    In other words, even though she had manifested divine power, this woman named Agnes hid that fact and committed adultery with another man, thus eliciting Gods wrath.


    Furthermore, it was also an indelible sin because she had actively tried to hide herself from God.


    Raon replied in a calm tone.


    I am not His Holiness the Pope.


    I as well. I am not a saintess.


    Before anyone knew it, transparent tears started flowing down Agness cheeks.


    Her heaving breaths denoted the emotional labor she was going through.


    Looking at her with a contemplative expression, he recalled the various faces of the countless women who had been deemed witches and burned at the stake.


    Raon schooled his features into an even more stern expression so as not to show what he was thinking.


    If you are not a saintess, then you may prove it at tomorrows ceremony. If you prove it before God, you will be set free.


    How can I prove it?


    Mix your blood with holy water. The ensuing result will tell us everything.


    I am not a saintess.


    Then, please make sure to prove all false accusations against you tomorrow so that you may hopefully go back home.


    The conversation between them cycled back to the start, but it was soon cut off.


    In silence, the two of them stared at each other, unmoving.


    On the other hand, Raon was inwardly in turmoil.


    He would gladly accept Gods will. He had promised.


    However, the moment he saw the woman in front of him, mixed feelings began to brew within him.


    In any case, everything would be decided in tomorrows ceremony.


    If she was indeed that saintess, then the path that Raon would have to take from now on would become extremely clear.


    He would have to thrust his reproductive organ into this woman in front of him and inject his seed deep into her womb.


    To let his child be embedded inside the saintess.


    Realizing that his thoughts had deepened, he drew the sign of the cross once again.


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 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    Translator: Yonnee


    After confirming the saintesss face, Raon had fulfilled his purpose of coming to this place.


    So, he began to walk away. However, a weak voice from behind him reached his ears.


    Your name Can you tell me your name, too?


    How dare you! Who are you to ask His Lordships name so thoughtlessly!


    The watchguard shouted right away, but Raon raised one hand to dissuade him.


    Turning around to face Agnes again, Raon slowly opened his lips to speak.


    Raon.


    Raon.


    She uttered Raons name helplessly.


    Listening to that weak voice made his entire body go stiff.


    Goosebumps rose all across his skin, and there was this strange sensation wrapping around his whole body. However, he brushed this off as an insignificant thing.


    May the grace of God be with you.


    Gravely replying with only this, Raon soon walked away.


    Not long after, the iron bars clanged shut.


    As she was now left alone, Agnes curled into herself and buried her head between her knees.


    When the only person who was kind to her disappeared, her heart pounded again with such arresting unease.


    The grace of God, the grace of God


    She muttered the same words over and over with a blank face.


    She heard that the one and only God of this empire loved everyone.


    But she was not the saintess.


    Of course, she had never betrayed God because she was not the saintess.


    God must know this to be fact.


    However, for some reason, she could not disregard her fears.


    Agnes hoped that tomorrow would not come.


    * * *


    At the confession room of a chapel, where its stained glass windows glittered beautifully


    There was a woman who sobbed in a low voice, and at the other side of the solid wall, Saintess Veronica caressed her rosary, listening carefully to the womans confession.


    The middle-aged woman admitted that she and her wife had been fighting for a very long time now.


    She said that she had devoted her whole life for the sake of her husbands recovery, but there were no signs at all of him getting better. And this morning, she hated his sleeping husband so much that this thought crossed her mindthat she wanted to kill him.


    However, it was only a moment.


    Horrified by her wicked heart, the woman immediately rushed to a confession room.


    To wash away her heart, which was full of sin.


    Saintess Veronica recited a prayer in a perceptive voice.


    She forgave all the sins of the devotee who confessed her wrongdoings in front of the one and only God.


    Only then did the woman leave the confession room with a light expression, as if she had rid herself of a very heavy burden.


    The woman whose sins were washed away would now return to her daily life, and she would continue faithfully taking care of her sick husband.


    Veronica also had a satisfied smile upon her lips as the woman left.


    However, without a trace, this smile died down a long time after the woman disappeared from her sight.


    Then, hearing from a priest that Pope Andreas had visited the chapel, she hurriedly walked towards where he was.


    Your Holiness the Pope.


    Saintess Veronica.


    The pope made a sign of the cross and greeted her with courtesy.


    For a moment, Veronicas eyes gravitated towards the papal crown, glistening atop the popes head.


    With an emerald base to symbolize the one and only God, numerous gems such as sapphires, rubies and pearls were used to adorn the papal crown.


    In particular, the cross at the top of the papal crown was studded with a total of 300 carats of diamonds.


    A huge budget was used to make that very crown sitting atop the popes head, perhaps enough to feed all the people of the Devere Empire for years to come.


    As such, it was obvious to see that the religious institution of the empireor maybe the pope himselfhad such great power and wealth.


    Im sure youve heard.


    Hearing Pope Andreass solemn tone, Veronica nodded slowly.


    She could guess what was to come out of his lips.


    The news had already spread that the saintess of the prophecy had been captured alive.


    A ceremony will be held tomorrow at dawn to confirm her sainthood. All the people of the Devere Empire shall watch with bated breath.


    Veronica herself had also undergone the same ceremony before.


    It was the ceremony of identifying a saintess, and it was not all too different from the ritual of identifying a witch.


    Take blood from the left ring finger and drop it into holy water.


    If it was a witch, black smoke would rise. If it was a saintess, white smoke would rise.


    Veronica could still vividly remember the moment when white smoke, which seemed like a cloud, had risen from the silver bowl.


    She felt an onlooker much like the people around her, and their erupting cheers had been deafening. They were all happy about the birth of a new saintess.


    The presence of a saintess who would pray for the peace and the well-being of the empire was quite a major one.


    Once selected as a saintess through the ceremony, she would be given the duty of a saintess. For a majority of them, this meant that they would provide understanding for the people, to console and help them through their pain and suffering.


    If theres anyone whose faith in God were to be shaken, the saintesses would conciliate and lead them back on the right path.


    It had already been years since Veronica had been selected as a saintess.


    The birth of a new saintess would not be long from now, but this time, its undoubtedly going to be different.


    She would be recognized as a saintess, yet at the same time, stoned at the stake for the same reason.


    As if that wasnt enough, she would have to be saddled with an unwanted pregnancy as well.


    It was no different from treating her as an animal to be bred.


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 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    Translator: Yonnee


    Veronicas expression hardened once more.


    Your Holiness the Pope.


    You may speak, Veronica.


    If the drought does not end even after that saintess has conceived and has given birth to a child What will happen then?


    She knew that her question was out of line, but she did not shy away from the popes gaze.


    At one point or another, Veronica had become disillusioned.


    Disillusionment due to God, or disillusionment due to this dreadful drought?


    She did not know.


    Still, Pope Andreas laughed like a benevolent father.


    As if he was looking at his daughter, his gaze upon Veronica was tender.


    I remember the first time we met, Saintess Veronica. You were sixteen years old when you first came here, were you not?


    I was seventeen, Your Holiness.


    Is that so? Our one and only God will be very pleased to see that youve grown up well with His Grace, Saintess Veronica. The girl from a prostitution house who once begged for moldy bread is now being praised like this, yes?


    A human being cannot dare to determine Gods will. So, for you to ask me what plan there could be against Gods will is frankly wrong. We have no choice but to trust and follow Him.


    Veronica was silent.


    Because she knew well enough that there was nothing she could say back.


    After telling her that she must prepare well for tomorrows ceremony, Andreas left the chapel.


    The chapel that the pope left was still.


    Veronica knelt before the likeness of God.


    Before the statue, Veronica clasped her hands together, rubbing her rosary between her fingers as she concentrated on praying.


    Then, she murmured to herself.


    Dear Benevolent God, if mercy is something that truly exists, I beg of thee, please stop this tragedy.


    * * *


    The day of the ceremony had dawned.


    Though it was supposed to be a sacred ceremony, people began filling the entire area from the break of dawn.


    In case of a possible riot, the paladinswho wore pure white armorstood in front of the grand cathedral with stern looks upon their faces.


    It was none other than Raon, who appeared under their escort.


    As he weaved through the crowd, he remained expressionless, but carried himself with noble austerity.


    With neat eyebrows and beautiful features, Raon naturally attracted the attention of everyone who saw him. Men and women of all ages were completely entranced by him.


    Standing at the very front of the cathedral, he sat and reverently did the sign of the cross.


    Until the ceremony began, Raon kept his hands clasped together and concentrated only on his prayer.


    The paladins, priests and devotees pretended not to, but they found themselves constantly glancing towards his direction.


    It was no wonder. After all, it was through todays ceremony that Raons fate would also be completely and irrevocably changed.


    He was a very religious man, so he valued purity and abstinence, and he especially avoided women. Even so, he was now the very person who would have to impregnate the obscene saintess as soon as possible.


    Everyone who gathered here thought, if this was his fate, then that would just been too cruel.


    Finally, the long-awaited pope stood in front of the altar.


    The moment they saw Pope Andreass face, everyone cried in unison.


    Amid the tragedy they were all facing, they considered the pope to be their only savior.


    As soon as the pope finished the prayers, the ceremony proceeded quickly.


    Several paladins who had huge physiques dragged out one slender woman.


    The womans thin wrists were handcuffed, but there was a cloth embroidered with a cross covering those cuffs.


    Dear God!


    Its the same silver hair as our one and only God!


    Saintess! A real saintess has appeared!


    Soon, when one of the paladins took off the womans hood, her platinum silver hair was revealed to all.


    Compared to the intricate painting on the cathedrals ceiling, the womans silver hair looked even more like a work of art as it shimmered beneath the chandeliers glow.


    But rather than awe, this sight elicited the peoples anger.


    That brilliant silver hair must be a sign that she was loved by Dernaus, their God.


    How dare this woman betray God after receiving such a blessing!


    Obscene saintess! You will be punished by the heavens!


    Execute immediately! Execute!


    Its not enough to rip all your limbs apart before killing you!


    Words that should not be said poured out all at once towards Agnes.


    As the atmosphere reached a boiling point, the pope calmed the crowd by shouting prayers.


    On the other hand, Agnes continued to kneel at the platform at the front of the cathedral, staring in horror at the crowd as she trembled with fear.


    Strangers who she had not met before were all glaring at her viciously, so much so that they looked to be completely enraged.


    She thought that, at this rate, she might truly die.


    If this were to continue, rather than returning to her familys embrace, she would be tied to a cross and be burned until all thats left of her were ashes.


    !


    Her gray eyes, quivering in terror, came across one familiar man.


    The only one amongst the wrathful crowd who showed not a single emotion.


    It was Raon, the man who personally visited Agnes at the dungeon last night.


    Their gazes met for a while in the air, but soon, a paladin clad in all white blocked her view.


    Agnes Larche.


    As her name was called, Agnes raised her head. She recognized the voice immediately.


    It was the pope, now standing in front of her.


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 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11


    Translator: Yonnee


    The papal crown, which was shining brilliantly atop his head, seemed to show off that the pope was Gods true envoy.


    I will give you one last chance. Confess that you are the saintess.


    His Almighty God is merciful towards those who have sinned.


    I am not a saintess! Im telling you the truth, please believe me!


    Foolish human. You are abandoning even the last act of mercy that God is giving you.


    The kind pope also clicked his tongue as if he was disgusted by her.


    The onlookers were swept with even more rage, but some of them admired the pope for granting mercy to the last person who deserved it.


    Saintess Veronica!


    At the popes call, the grand cathedrals doors burst open, and Veronica slowly walked in while carrying a silver bowl.


    Soon after reaching Pope Andreas, she knelt down and lifted the silver plate over her head.


    Once again, the pope recited his prayers, and his voice reverberated throughout the entire hall. At the same time, he poured holy water into the silver bowl with such elegance.


    The series of acts that unfolded hitherto were something like a work of art, and everyone watched with bated breath.


    Finally, as the silver bowl was filled to the brim with holy water, the pope smiled at Agnes.


    If you want to be believed, then prove it.


    The two paladins who were holding Agnes led her to the silver bowl.


    Then, one of them clutched her left wrist cruelly and took out a well-sharpened dagger to make a cut on her ring finger.


    Drip, trickle. Red blood dropped into the silver bowl.


    Agnes screamed in pain, but it was quickly buried due to the exclamationsthe howls and outcriesof the crowd.


    Ah


    Agnes herself thus witnessed the scene before her, and she could do nothing but gasp.


    What appeared in front of her, blooming from the mixture of holy water and her blood, was a cloud of white smoke.


    As though she had already expected it, Veronica closed her eyes.


    White smoke! White smoke is rising! Shes certainly the obscene saintess!


    How dare you tell a lie in front of His Holiness the Pope! That is blasphemy!


    The problematic saintess who made our benevolent God so angry has finally appeared. And this is because everyones wishes and prayers have reached Gods ears.


    Finally, the pope announced that the obscene saintess had been found.


    The peoples rage took the form of outcries echoing throughout the hall, like the howls of wild animals. Their hatred towards the saintess grew out of control.


    Agnes, on the other hand, looked down on the ground, crying endlessly.


    To the very end, she denied it. She was not the saintess. She was not. Even in the face of such decisive evidence.


    As Raon watched the scene that led to everyones rage, Raons fine forehead wrinkled ever so slightly.


    This made it clear that he must come forward and do his role.


    Agnes Larche. Pay the price.


    As soon as the pope uttered these words, several devotees rushed forward and began to throw holy water all over her body.


    Holy water was usually used to edify those who had committed sins.


    This water was precious, but they held nothing back as they wetted the body of the saintess.


    Besides that, it was the first time that such a large amount of holy water was being used at once.


    Huuk, hgh. S-Stop!


    Agnes screamed. To them, it sounded as if the evils within her were being washed away.


    She cried and cried bitterly until her eyes ached, but they did not stop throwing holy water at her.


    Before she knew it, her silver hair, her pale face, as well as her clean sacred robes were completely soaked.


    The outline of her breasts were revealed, and her pert nipples became clear to all as they protruded from the sacred robes she was wearing, which had become translucent and wet.


    The sight of her like this made her truly look like an obscene saintess.


    One glance at Agnes made the crowd look away immediately. She was practically naked.


    But this time, there was only one person who continued looking at the disastrous sight of Agnes.


    Only Count Raon Toulouse.


    Soon, Agnes and Raons eyes met again.


    She anxiously sought out Raon from the crowd as if he were her only savior.


    It was natural for Raon to pity her.


    He regarded all human beings to be of equal standing in the face of God, and so he sincerely sympathized with every single person who was pitiable, be it street prostitutes or bar women.


    Agnes was no different in his eyes.


    I am not a saintess.


    It was last night when Agnes insisted on her innocence with such unwavering eyes. The image of her like this clearly flashed before Raons eyes.


    But you truly are


    the obscene saintess?


    He murmured to himself with a low voice.


    * * *


    At the end of the ceremony, Agnes fainted.


    The next thing she saw when she opened her eyes again was not the dark underground dungeon.


    She woke up to a high ceiling with a large chandelier in the middle. To the side, the sunlight was streaming in through gaps in the windows curtainsthrough which she heard a lilting song of a bird.


    Everything was peaceful. Serene.


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 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12


    Translator: Yonnee


    For a moment, Agnes thought that she had died, and God was giving her one last act of mercy.


    However, she soon realized that she was not deadthere was a throbbing pain from her hand thats screaming at her.


    It was from Agness ring finger, which was now tightly wrapped in a piece of cloth.


    The blood vividly oozing through the cloth was evidence to the hellish moment that she had been subjected to.


    Besides that, she also realized that she had yet to escape hell.


    Youre up.


    The magnificent double doors of the room opened, and an old doctor carrying a bag came in.


    Without any effort to ask for her permission or consent, the doctor suddenly raised Agness skirt up and cut off her underwear with scissors.


    As the pair of scissors snipped, more and more scraps of thin fabric fell to the floor.


    Then, the doctor opened her legs wide enough.


    Her nakedness showed her red flesh clearly.


    Agnes wanted to scream, but her throat was so dry that she could not bear to utter a single sound.


    ?


    Meanwhile, the doctor continued to observe Agness private parts dispassionately, his forehead crumpled.


    The place where pubic hair should be growing was covered with apparent scar marks from burns.


    For something that was supposed to be called a womans genitals, it had an incredibly hideous appearance.


    The doctor clicked his tongue.


    An obscene saintess indeed, tsk.


    Although she could not scream properly, Agnes struggled with all her might.


    As her resistance grew more and more, a man stepped in from somewhere and pressed down Agness shoulders. Hard.


    With a face bright red with shame, the woman just wanted to bite her tongue so she could die.


    This is just a medical checkup, so stay still and dont move.


    Meanwhile, the doctor put on some gloves and dug his fingers into her entrance.


    Agnes had to endure an unbearable amount of disgrace and shame as a woman.


    It was not enough that the doctor had put his fingers into her tight interior while stirring aroundhe even poked inside her with the various instruments and tools that he took out of his bag.


    Exhausted, Agnes could not put up a fight at all and only shed tears.


    Agnes was all skin and bones. The doctor pressed down on Agness nonexistent belly for the last time, and at that, the examination was completed.


    Until the moment he left the room, the doctor never once took off the disgusted look on his face, looking at Agnes as if she was a filthy bug.


    The doctor who left the room immediately headed towards Raons office.


    He was House Toulouses family doctor for a very long time now, and he was also the one who pronounced the deaths of the former count and countess, and the current counts only younger sister, Rene.


    Did you perform the examination well?


    Raon, who was standing by the window, gently asked the doctor who had just entered the office.


    The doctor briefly admired the counts brilliantly blond hair, straight forehead, clear features and flawless face. Even so, instead of answering the counts question pertaining to the saintess, the doctor first addressed Raons condition.


    May I ask first if you are alright? I worry about your condition these days, Your Lordship.


    There are no changes. I continue to live as I do, praying and serving God, who is close to me, every single day.


    Even as he had been given the disgraceful task of impregnating the obscene saintess, his faith remained unwavering.


    Hearing Raons blunt response, the doctor was slightly relieved.


    He was worried that the suffering that Raon was undergoing through this trial might form a crack in his thick, unwavering faith in God.


    As though it happened only yesterday, the doctor recalled the boy who had cried after losing his entire family.


    That little boy grew up so handsomely, and he was now the master of this countdom.


    He grew up as a straight-laced young man. He looked after his fellowmen who were in need, and his deep faith earned him the envy of many.


    Raons demeanor was also gentle and elegant, and he resembled the former count who had an excellent personality.


    The heavens are so indifferent.


    The doctor let out a sigh.


    Was it truly the will of heaven for such a man like Raon to be given a trial as heavy as this? He had already suffered through so much after he lost his whole family.


    The doctor could not help but think, what in the world was God thinking? The doctor was even doubting Him now.


    God might punish him for having such disrespectful feelings. No matter how omnipotent the one and only God was, it seemed as if human doubts about Him could not be stopped.


    Feeling bitter after these unnecessary thoughts, the doctor finally opened his lips to speak carefully.


    It is as expectedthe womans hymen is not intact. Nonetheless, Ive done a test to check if she has any venereal diseases, and the results will come in after a week.


    Raon nodded quietly, and the doctor went on.


    It would be too much for her to get pregnant now. Shes malnourished and severely underweight. Most of all There are many wounds in her perineal region. It looks as though she sustained wounds many times in that area, getting torn and healed over and over. Besides that, she is not infertile, but her uterus is not on the healthy side. And the most unusual thing is that she does not possess any pubic hair.


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 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13


    Translator: Yonnee


    Raons brow crumpled slightly the moment he heard it.


    He once heard that it was common practice in the slave trade to remove all the hair in the slaves pubic areas to make it seem like theyre younger.


    Raons picturesque expression darkened for a moment.


    I dont believe its become that way from a natural reason IT looks very much as if it was intentionally done by someone else Well, for obvious reasons, the only one whod know is her.


    What does that woman need the most right now?


    More than anything, Your Lordship, she needs mental stability. Mind and body are connected, and her body will only follow suit if her mind becomes healthy. Once she feels at ease, she will naturally gain proper weight, and she will successfully be able to conceive.


    Thats a difficult task.


    Raon blinked slowly.


    A woman who was forcibly taken away from her family would need peace of mind, he said.


    It was absurd.


    A brief flash of sympathy appeared across his face.


    Tactfully understanding Raons feelings, the doctor became a bit more brazen.


    Your Lordship, I know that this might be presumptuous, but I would like to let you know.


    Go ahead.


    Please, never impart any personal feelings for that woman. She is a dirty woman who deceived God and used her body uncouthly. So, I implore you to never be swayed by personal feelings. She is a woman who weighs only her current worth. Just livestockyou may think of her that way. If thats too much, then it would be enough to consider her as a mere vessel to be made pregnant.


    Explicitly inhumane words spilled into Raons ears.


    At this, desolation fell upon the innocent face of the man who had once promised his purity to God.


    Raon stared at the sky outside the window for a very long time without saying anything. Eventually, however, he smiled and glanced back at the doctor.


    I understand what you must be worried about.


    Your Lordship.


    So, you do not need to fret. If this, too, is Gods will, then I am willing to follow.


    Yes. I shall visit the saintess every fortnight for medical check-ups. I will notify the head butler when the time is ripe for her pregnancy.


    I leave it to you.


    Ka-chak.


    As the doctor left, he closed the door behind him.


    Left alone, Raon leaned back against his soft armchair.


    The smile that looked so picturesque upon his lips disappeared in an instant, and an expressionless face was revealed.


    May the grace of God


    May the grace of God be with us all. Please.


    As of late, these were the words that Raon had been uttering the most.


    * * *


    That night


    The Toulouse household was turned upside down.


    This was because Agnes kicked up a commotion. She sat precariously upon the window frame, looking as if she was about to jump from there.


    All the servants of the mansion gathered outside her room and stomped their feet in impatience.


    Shwaaa.


    The zelkova trees around the manors perimeter whispered along with the passing breeze, their leaves and branches shaking.


    At the same time, Agness silver hair fluttered beautifully.


    Even as she was trembling with fear, she stretched out one of her legs out of the window.


    She would truly fall to the cold, hard ground if she were to take just one step forward.


    Through the butler Cloviss words, the commotion reached Raons notice.


    And so, he immediately headed towards Agness room.


    The sight that welcomed him nearly made him faint.


    One single memory flashed across his mindthe day that his younger sister jumped to her death right before his eyes.


    His sister died at his arms reach. He wallowed in regret and despair for many, many days.


    He was not able to hold his younger sisters slender wrist on time, and for this, he resented himself wholly.


    Until this very day, Raon carried this indelible guilt with him.


    He prayed more earnestly than anyone else to God, and he confessed countless upon countless of times. However, his guilt did not diminish at all.


    Dont come any closer!


    As Raon entered, Agnes cried out immediately.


    It was obvious just from her unsteady breathing that she was very frightened.


    Agness anxious eyes overlapped with his younger sisters again, and his brows crumpled in anguish.


    Agnes, stop this.


    Tense, Raon spoke through gritted teeth.


    There was only one thought in his head.


    I will never let Agnes die this time.


    Please, please Agnes


    Only then did Agnes recognize him.


    In fear, her face was as white as a sheet. She called Raons name with a trembling voice.


    Raon?


    Yes, its me. Come here. Youre a good girl, arent you.


    He spoke tenderly, as if he was talking to his younger sister.


    Raon took a step towards Agnes.


    She stared vacantly at the face of the man who was approaching her.


    It was the one and only man who asked her what her name was in that dungeon. The one and only man who extended kindness unto her.


    Tears well up in her eyes once again.


    At last, Agnes let out her low sobs.


    Hiicc Im going to be burned at the stake anyway. I will die soon enough.


    Raons blue eyes went wide as he heard this.


    The womans face, which had been overlapped with his younger sisters image until now, eventually returned to its original appearance in his eyes.


    His mind was in such a daze that it felt like he was hallucinating.


    I, I dont want to die. I really am not a saintess, sir. I can swear before God! Hiic, hiicc


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 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14


    Translator: Yonnee


    The womans sobbing deepened.


    It turned out to be that she was the obscene saintess, and she seemed to be under the impression that, as though taken away by an executioner, she would be burned at the stakelike the many witches before who perished.


    You will not be burned.


    Raon took a step closer to her, gently persuading her.


    The distance between them now was not even one hands span away from each other.


    His entire demeanorhis expression, the tone of his voice, his behaviorwas gentle and tender. Due to this, Agnes felt as if she was being liberated, if only a little, from the depthless anxiety she had.


    Are you certain?


    I promise.


    If Im not going to be burned Why am I here? Please send me back to my family! They will die without me! They will die!


    For now, please get down from there. Come over here so we can talk, the two of us.


    At that moment, a cold wind blew in through the window, and her long hair fluttered beautifully as if they were dancing.


    And when her fluttering silver hair obscured her view


    Ah!


    At the same time, Raon quickly stepped forward and pulled on her slender wrist.


    Agness body staggered greatly, but soon fell into the mans large and solid arms.


    The many, many young ladies who wished to be in the embrace of the noble Count Raon Toulouse might have fainted if they saw this scene.


    They wouldnt be able to believe that they had lost this opportunity to this innocent woman who had been designated as the obscene saintess.


    On the other hand, the only thing Raon could think of was how slender the woman in his arms was.


    It was already obvious from just the sight of her that she was petite, but now that he had her in his embrace, he could clearly feel just how thin she was.


    Its as if one wrong grip would break her in half.


    Then, he suddenly recalled the doctors wordsthat it would be difficult for her to conceive a child for the time being because shes malnourished.


    He couldnt believe hed have to sire a child with such a woman


    This was the one and only Gods will.


    There was no need for Raon to feel guilty at all.


    Nevertheless, Raon felt distressed.


    Even feeling guilty about following Gods will seemed to be an act adjacent to betraying God. This conflict within him brought him terrible pain.


    Either path he took, Raon was not comfortable.


    Agnes


    Whenever Raon called her name, he felt numb.


    His younger sister, who died such a bloody death, kept coming to mind.


    Hicc, hiic


    Before he knew it, Raons white shirt had gotten soaked.


    Agnes wept ceaselessly.


    Holding her firmly on both shoulders, Raon leaned forward slightly and looked into her eyes.


    I promise. I will also make sure that your family is taken care of.


    He understood that reassuring her was the first priority.


    He was merciful, even towards the obscene saintess.


    The servants who watched this expressed their sincere admiration for their master.


    Then, what am I supposed to do now?


    As Agnes finally calmed down a little, she asked this question carefully.


    Her eyes were filled with determination, as if she would do anything for the sake of her family.


    All you have to do is


    Trailing off, Raon gulped dryly.


    He could not bear to say that what she had to do was get pregnant.


    Instead, the words that left through his lips were completely different.


    Dont ever try to die again. You have to promise.


    Pardon?


    You cant do that while youre in front of my eyes. At least, not with that name.


    What do you mean?


    Answer me first, Agnes.


    I promise.


    Agness pupils shook helplessly, but she eventually nodded.


    She felt compelled to answer in that way.


    As soon as he heard her answer, Raon turned around and told the butler to block all the windows in this room.


    Then, as he was about to leave the room without looking at Agnes once again


    Um Your Lordship Y-Youre a trustworthy man, right? Arent you?


    Raon had since regained his senses, and so he looked back at her with cold eyes now.


    He tried to keep in mind the advice that the doctor had given him.


    About how this woman was no different than livestock.


    And, if that was too much, just think of her as a mere vessel that needed to conceive.


    Even if she had the same name as his younger sister, she was not his sister.


    There was no need for him to feel any compassion or guilt towards her.


    He hardened his expression more and looked at her even colder.


    The only one you need to trust is the Almighty God.


    So, make sure that you trust and believe in God, not me. And, you must repent before Him.


    She was innocent, yet she was being told to repent


    Yet again, despair fell upon Agnes.


    Raon was the only one she thought she could receive kindness from, but that did not matter.


    It was clear that he, too, had branded Agnes to be the obscene saintess.


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 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15


    Translator: Yonnee


    As he entered the dilapidated shack that was on the brink of collapse, a rotten smell could be smelled palpably in the air.


    It was a terrible stench that smelled as if there was a corpse nearby, rotting.


    Covering his nose and mouth with a silk handkerchief, Clovis grimaced heavily.


    His head was throbbing from the reeking odor that was permeating everywhere.


    This is crazy.


    Soon, Cloviss eyes turned towards the man who was lying on a cot, not even moving.


    The mans face was in such a terrible state that, if his chest hadnt been moving shallowly every time he breathed, hed instantly be mistaken as a dead body.


    Festering to the point that there seemed to be no healthy skin left on him, the man lay there, certainly alive, but it was a life that was no different than being dead.


    There was no evidence that leprosy could be an air-borne disease, but Clovis nevertheless held his breath.


    All he wanted to do was run away from this shanty as soon as possible.


    He then nodded and gave a signal to the soldiers he came here with, and they soon piled not only drinking water but also an abundance of food ingredients on the collapsing table.


    They were common food ingredients such as meat, fish, fruits and flour. As the empire was suffering from a long drought, these were priceless things.


    Hihihi, youre here because of that woman?


    When the smell of food wafted through the air, the blind old woman rushed in.


    As she had been starving for days on end, the old woman reached forward with her wrinkly hands and gobbled up even the raw food.


    While greedily gulping down whatever she could get her hands on, the old woman laughed and cursed out.


    That wench is the culprit of all our misfortunes. Its not enough to burn her at the stake. Look at me, just look at me! Oh, my baby my baby Here, eat first. Momma will give you delicious food.


    In the midst of the old womans psychotic break, she chewed up the food she had been eating well until now to soften it, then she spat it all directly into the mouth of her son, who smelled terribly of a corpse.


    It was a sight enough to elicit ones sympathy, but even this disgusted Clovis.


    Tsk. His Lordship is much too generous that its a problem.


    Just as the senile old woman said, the obscene saintess had incurred Gods wrath, and so she truly was the main culprit of everyones misfortunes.


    However, who could have ever guessed that the count would still go out of his way to make sure that such a womans family was being taken care of?


    If its only because she has the same name as His Lordships younger sister


    Clovis once again clicked his tongue.


    It occurred to him that perhaps all of the kindness that the count was extending like this was due to her name.


    Agnes Toulouse.


    As the only younger sister of Count Raon Toulouse, she had been an exceptionally pure and intelligent young woman.


    After losing their parents in the fire, she had not been able to escape the shock of their loss, and this made her jump to her death. Even so, Clovis could still vividly recall her bright smile.


    Raon had also been a very sweet and tender older brother to her, and he cared very much for her.


    Theres no other tragedy more dreadful than this, tsk


    Sighing deeply with a complex expression upon his face, Clovis then hurried away from the foul smelling shack.


    * * *


    It had already been fifteen days since Agnes started staying at the counts manor.


    She realized that what the count told herthat she would not be burned at the stakewere not false, and surprisingly, she was met with only peaceful days thus far.


    No, just peaceful might not be enough to call it.


    Every morning, noon and evening, the maids brought her many different kinds of food.


    The table thats set before her was always filled with dishes that she had never tasted in her life before, like cannelloni with spinach and ricotta cheese, chicken pie and beefsteak.


    By the end of each meal, the maids would also present her with desserts like apple crumble, carrot cake, and sweet pumpkin custard.


    Though it felt to her like she was an animal being domesticated and raised, she was much too preoccupied with eating everything she could. After all, she had been starving for such a long time.


    After filling her stomach in that manner, almost madly, she felt depressed at the same time.


    She kept remembering her family. After disappearing so suddenly, she was sure that they must be awaiting her return, worried about her.


    The count promised that her family would be taken good care of, but she could not relax until she saw with her own eyes that her husband and mother-in-law were truly safe and sound.


    Regardless, the luxurious life that Agnes now treaded was not limited only to the quality of her meals.


    Every night, the maids took her to the central bathroom to give her warm baths and to apply medicine on her skin.


    Also, she was given time every morning and evening to take a stroll around the manors wide garden. She was free to breathe the air outside.


    Of course, whenever she took a stroll, she was always accompanied by sturdy male attendants who could act fast in case she ran away or acted in an unexpected manner.


    It was awkward to walk around the garden under such strict surveillance, but she thought that this was better than being confined to her room.


    Besides that, since she had a history of making a fuss about jumping the other day, all the windows of her room were nailed down so that they could not be opened. Staying there when the room was like that only doubled her discomfort.


    As she enjoyed these luxuries day by day, her body that was once literally skin and bones gradually began to gain weight.


    Her face glowed with a healthy blush, her gray eyes sparkled like gemstones, and her skin became as smooth as porcelain.


    And her silver hair, which already shimmered with a mysterious light, shone even more radiantly now.


    However, unlike her increasingly beautiful appearance, Agness heart was still plagued by a series of heavy concerns.


    This anxiety grew even more because she could not be certain of what the future held for her.


    The count, who was the precursor to making her feel at ease, never once appeared in front of her again ever since she had tried to jump.


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 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16


    Translator: Yonnee


    He must be somewhere here inside this vast manor, but she could barely find any trace of him.


    As the days passed, Agnes began to think.


    What in the world do they want from me.


    It was not long ago that so many people were pointing fingers at her, angrily calling her obscene saintess and shouting at her as if they were about to beat her to death.


    Where did all of them go?


    However, no matter how hard she tried to think of an answer for days and days, she still had no clue.


    In any case, as she tried understanding her situation all by herself this whole time, she finally plucked the courage to ask a maid.


    How long would she need to stay in this manor? When could she go back home? Where was the count?


    However, the only answer that returned to her was a cold look in the eyes of the maida contemptuous gaze.


    After that, no matter how many times she tried to ask, nobody paid her any mind.


    Then, one day.


    The maids busily washed Agness body in the morning and took her to the drawing room.


    Before long, a woman wearing snowy white sacred robes entered the drawing room.


    The woman said that she had come to the counts manor today to meet Agnes personally.


    Agnes and the woman were the only two people left in the drawing room.


    The count was still nowhere to be found even though there was a guest today. Nevertheless, the woman spoke first.


    Its been a while, Agnes. Have you been well?


    Who are you?


    My introductions are late. I am Saintess Veronica.


    The woman introduced herself as a saintess, and her name was Veronica.


    At first, Agnes couldnt recall who this woman was, but when she faced the gaze that was looking straight at her, she recalled the terrible memory of that horrendous day when she had been subjected to those countless, murderous gazes.


    Saintess Veronica!


    At the same time, she also remembered the popes sharp voice who called this name.


    After this, the cathedrals doors had burst open, and a woman had walked in.


    The saintess, carrying a silver bowl of holy water.


    Then, Agnes also recalled the red blood that had been drawn from her, trickling down to the holy water to create the disastrous white smoke that rose like a cloud.


    Everything came to her mind vividly.


    Only then did Agness face bloom with deep terror and contempt, revulsion and resentment.


    I was very worried for you, but you seem to be doing better than I thought.


    The woman made the sign of the cross and smiled kindly.


    It was a completely different face she made compared to the expressionless face she had during the entirety of the ceremony to determine whether Agnes was indeed a saintess.


    As if she was deeply sympathetic of Agnes, who was exceedingly wary of her, the woman continued speaking in a gentle tone.


    I am here today to inform you of your duty.


    Duty


    It was the very word that Agnes had been waiting for so long to hear. It was the first thing that she had asked the count back then.


    When she asked what she should do from now on so that she could return to her family, this was what the count said:


    Dont ever try to die again.


    The counts answer was not enough to resolve the perplexity that Agnes was feeling, but she nodded nonetheless and buried all of her surging questions.


    At that time, as his eyes were fixed upon her, he looked so desperate.


    Please tell me. Ill do anything for the sake of going back home.


    Agnes, too, was desperate.


    She was ready to do anything that could bring her back to her familys embrace.


    Then listen well, Agnes. You must conceive a child.


    Pardon? A child?


    A child, she said?


    Are you telling me to get pregnant with my husbands child? But my husband is


    After her husband had fallen ill with leprosy, he had long since been unable to father a child.


    His reproductive organ had decomposed to the point that it could no longer be recognized. Her husband could not even urinate properly without Agnes having to press down on his decayed genitals to help him do so.


    Observing Agnes until now, Veronica slowly continued.


    She looked ever so reverent that it felt like she was reciting a prayer.


    You must carry the child of Count Raon Toulouse. That is your duty, Agnes.


    W-What do you mean!


    The revelation that spilled through Veronicas lips was such a terrible thing that Agnes would never have dared to imagine.


    For her to say that Agnes must carry another mans child


    Agness face became bright red, an indescribable emotion billowing through her.


    No one else but a saintess, who was called Gods envoy, was the one demanding Agnes to do such an inhumane thing.


    Utterly shocked, Agness entire body started trembling. As she tried to answer, she had to squeeze out her voice.


    T-Thats impossible! I-Im a married woman! I have a husband!


    Of course. We are well aware.


    If you know, then how could you tell me to do such an impossible thing! Shouldnt you, a saintess, know better than anyone else that it is a sin for a wedded woman to lay with another man?


    Calm down, Agnes.


    I-Isnt it one of the Ten Commandments that a married person must not commit adultery? Am I wrong?


    Religious education in the Devere Empire was a privilege granted only to the imperial family, the nobles and the upper and middle class citizens of the country.


    The commoners also believed in God and followed Him wholeheartedly, but of course, they were never given proper religious education.


    So, let alone the contents of the Ten Commandments, they tended not to know even the basics such as the beginning or the end of the Lords Prayer.


    It was for this reason that Veronica was taken aback when Agnes mentioned the Ten Commandments.


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 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17


    Translator: Yonnee


    Many years ago, missionaries came to distribute bread in her village. Only, the people who were given bread were just the ones who could memorize the Ten Commandments and recite them without a single mistake.


    Of course, the nations treasury had become so increasingly scarce that donation drives like that had become difficult to do, and they had been suspended for a long time now.


    At that time, Agnes made sure to memorize the Ten Commandments with all her heart.


    Even if she couldnt remember all its contents completely anymore, she could recall this one point for sure.


    A married person must never commit adultery.


    Theres no way that the saintess sitting in front of her did not know this fact.


    Wasnt the saintess someone who constantly studied the sacred doctrines and was in contact with God more than anyone else?


    In the end, as if she could fully understand Agness concern, Veronica nodded.


    Agnes, have you forgotten that you have sinned and incurred the wrath of God by the very act of adultery in the first place?


    But!


    She could say nothing back.


    No matter how much Agnes screamed and shouted that she was not a saintess, no one believed her.


    Even the count, the master of this huge manor, told her to repent for her sins.


    You know about the prophecy to capture the obscene saintess, dont you?


    This time, Agnes nodded slowly.


    It was a widespread fact that there was one particular saintess who had committed adultery with another man and betrayed God.


    So, as everyone had been hellbent on capturing that saintess of the prophecy, Agnes had been suddenly mistaken for that saintess and was dragged away.


    However, the general public did not know the rest of the prophecy.


    Even at this moment, it was clear that they would be looking forward to the tragic downfall of that obscene saintess.


    Agnes did not know what her fate was either.


    As she had been branded as a saintess, she assumed that she would be burned at the stake like the witches before her. Fortunately, the count had denied this.


    However, what ended up being in store for her was even more unfortunate.


    It was a hundredor perhaps a thousandtimes better for her to just be burned at the stake, for the flames to devour her entirely and leave nothing but her ashes left.


    Rather than to be raped by a man who was not her husband and conceive an unwanted child.


    Even so, Veronicas subsequent words were enough to tear her heart apart.


    It is the prophecy that has come down upon us. Agnes, you must carry Count Toulouses child to relieve Gods wrath and end the long drought.


    W-What nonsense I, I am I really am not a saintess, Im not, Im not. Please believe me!


    Agness eyes trembled as tears flowed down.


    She had repeated the same words so many times already, but once again, she cried against the injustice being served to her.


    Even if it was futile, she couldnt just give up like this.


    Hiiicc, Saintess Veronica, please. There must be some mistake. If it is the Almighty God He cant be this cruel. It is said that God loves us all! Or is it because I have sinned so much?


    Have you sinned, Agnes?


    I-Im I really am not the saintess, but its true that I have committed sins in my life. When I was very young, I stole a piece of bread I, I also once blamed my husband whenever he struggled with his illness


    Agnes, those kinds of sins are committed by all humans.


    Veronicas solemn voice resounded low.


    Her unwavering gaze was directed on only Agnes.


    She looked into Agness eyes for a long while, but eventually bowed down.


    From her, the mysterious scent which Agnes also smelled in the temple lingered at the tip of her nose.


    I am here to help you.


    Help me?


    Agnes did not expect Veronica to say this.


    Just a moment ago, she had asked Agnes to carry another mans child, yet this time, shes telling Agnes that she would help her.


    Its regrettable, but No one knows better than I do that you are not a saintess.


    You believe me?


    Reaching forward, Veronicas long, slender fingers gently caressed Agness cheek.


    For a moment, Agnes was mesmerized by the simple and pious movement.


    Veronicas eyes were filled with compassion and sympathy.


    Dear Saintess! I truly am not a saintess. Its absolutely impossible. I have a family I need to care for. My husband is sick, and my mother-in-law is blind. Besides that, her mind is not completely sound. So, please Please send me back to my family


    Agnes had no other choice.


    All she could do was cling to the hand of the one person whos saying that she trusted and believed her.


    Agness face was filled with desperation.


    Veronica held Agness hand tightly back.


    She lowered her voice even more.


    Agnes and Veronica were the only two people inside the drawing room, but she seemed to be worried that her words could be heard, that the walls might have ears.


    In one hundred days, it will be the period of penance.


    Whenever the period for the sacrament of confession were to approach, the churches would always be crowded with visitors.


    On the surface, anyoneregardless of their statuscould confess. However, most of the chances to do so were occupied by aristocrats because they were capable of giving high donations.


    Therefore, the church made up for this by holding the period of penance twice a year. The church would not receive any donations during this time, and this would ease the peoples pain at the same time.


    Still though, such irregularities still persisted. Somehow or another, tickets were being sold on a first come, first serve basis to the nobles, so it remained the same that very few commoners could confess.


    In all her life, Agnes had also never confessed.


    Find me at the cathedral then. I will help you run away.


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 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18


    Translator: Yonnee


    Find you? But how I cant take a step out of this mansion.


    Tell His Lordship the Count that you wish to repent for everything. That you admit to being the obscene saintess and that you want all your sins to be washed away.


    Agnes understood at once what Veronica was saying.


    She was to deceive Count Raon Toulouse.


    Exactly one hundred days, Agnes. Remember this. You cannot get pregnant during those one hundred days. You understand what I mean, right? I know it sounds impossible, but even if Count Toulouse tries to overpower you, you must resist. He is a kind-hearted man by nature. If you resist loudly, he wont be able to do anything to you right away.


    Y-Yes I will. Thank you thank you so much, dear Saintess.


    Alright. If I stay here for too long, the Count might start to suspect me, so I need to leave now.


    Wait Saintess Veronica!


    Agnes urgently called Veronica, who was about to get up from her seat.


    Her gray eyes were still so full of anxiety and distrust, but a ray of hope had pierced through her, even if it was small.


    Um, why are you helping me when Ive been branded as the obscene saintess? Wouldnt it seem to others that you are betraying God?


    At her question, Veronica smiled kindly.


    She exuded nothing but composure.


    As if betraying God was of no consequence.


    Im sure that it looks like Im betraying God. But then, I will sincerely repent to Him.


    Repent?


    Yes, repent. If I sincerely repent, then He will definitely say this.


    Soon, Veronicas clear voice echoed throughout the drawing room.


    All your sins have been forgiven.


    * * *


    Did that saintess confess?


    At Raons question, Veronica shook her head.


    In the end, this meant that she had not chosen to repent.


    Instead, I informed her of her saintly duty.


    Her saintly duty.


    The truth that Raon had been keeping from Agnes thus far was the pregnancy.


    And what did she say?


    She cried out and insisted that she already has a husband. And she continued to deny that she is a saintess.


    Is that so?


    Raon answered calmly.


    He already predicted that she would answer in such a way.


    A heavy silence blanketed the drawing room.


    He recalled the words of the doctor who once again came for a visit the day before yesterday.


    After he examined Agnes without fail, the doctor gave Raon a meaningful look as he declared that Agness condition had improved greatly.


    This also meant that it would not be long before Raon would have to lay with the obscene saintess.


    The doctor said that three days from tomorrow would be the best time for the saintess to conceive.


    The choice is yours. Keep her limbs bound and force her to fulfill her duties. Or, with the carrot and stick approach, lend her plenty of sweet carrots. Either way, God shall understand you. Even so Dont be so cruel to her, Raon.


    At this very moment, Raon could only think that everything was so dreadful.


    It felt as if he had been turned into a horrible scoundrel who was to rape a woman.


    I dont want to be so cruel to her either. At least, not towards a woman who has the same name as my sister.


    Goodness Raon.


    Veronica also knew all about the tragic history of Raons family.


    Raon always gave high donations to the church and confessed regularly.


    He was in excruciating pain, and he blamed himself for not being able to save his family from death.


    He was especially hard on himself regarding his younger sisters death.


    Raons sister had jumped to her own death in front of his very eyes.


    The guilt of not saving her beloved family threw him into the depths of an endless quagmire. Veronica herself had absolved Raon of his sins more than a dozen times.


    However, the guilt that had etched itself deep into his bones was like a stigma that could never be erased for the rest of his life.


    It was for this reason that Veronica was trying to help Agnes.


    Its true that it was for Agness sake, but in a different sense, it was also for Raon.


    If he were to lay with the saintess and conceive an unwanted child with her, yet another guilt would fester in Raons heart, which he could carry for all his life.


    At the very least, Veronica wanted to prevent this tragedy.


    I do not wish for everyone involved in the prophecy to be awash with despair.


    Thank you, Saintess Veronica. If its alright with you, would you please pray for me?


    Of course.


    Veronica made the sign of the cross and bowed her head.


    Dear Benevolent God in heaven, in Thy holy name, let us not be swayed by the wickedness of others who wish to mislead us


    Her pious voice resounded clearly throughout the drawing room.


    With their eyes closed tightly, both Veronica and Raon were absorbed in prayer.


    The last chance to prevent the oncoming tragedy was in Agness hands.


    Veronica finished her prayers, sincerely holding that Agnes would be able to desperately resist Raon for the next one hundred days, and for her to return to her familys embrace safely.


    I dare to believe that, at long last, we shall all be graced with everlasting peace.


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