Chapter 30: A Prayer to the Goddess for an Unseen Tomorrow

Misunderstandings might cause more confusion, but everyone should be happy, so it's all good!

But that's not how it works, is it? (^∀^;)

Chapter 30: A Prayer to the Goddess for an Unseen Tomorrow

"Have you said anything about the Kaima that Maria-san will fight in the future?"

The High Priest removed her right hand from her face and asked Mima.

"No... Maria only confided her fear and anxiety about that future to one of her attendants, but she hasn't told anyone anything specific...

She's probably trying not to worry us, her family. She's such a kind child."

Mima wiped away her tears as she answered.

"But... one night, when we were sleeping together, I overheard her unconsciously muttering something in her sleep.

That even if she's facing destruction, she must protect her family and the other girls.'"

"!! She's still so young, yet she has such resolve...!?"

"If it had just been those mutterings, I would have dismissed it as she was just having a nightmare.

High Priest, I'm sorry to bring this up now, but... I would like you to keep what I'm about to show you a secret. I beg you, could you promise me, please?"

High Priest had never intended to reveal Maria's precognition to anyone, but after seeing Mima's tears, there was no way she could bring herself to say no.

The High Priest, rather, straightened her posture with a sense of reverence and nodded.

"Understood. I promise you, from here on, whatever you will show me here, will stay here as a secret between us. Is this enough?"

"Thank you very much. Then, if you'll excuse me for a moment."

Mima bowed, rose from her chair, and formed a magic seal with both hands.

Immediately afterward, a deep, rumbling sound echoed through the room.

The magical barrier that had been cast in this reception room had been activated by Mima's magic seal.

"Hoo~, this is a barrier to prevent sounds and magical energy from leaking out of the room, isn't it?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, but I can't let the High Priest's companion get caught up in it"

Mima nodded to the High Priest and then moved away from the table.

She spread her arms wide and closed her eyes.

["Come forth, guardian of the human world, and spread your wings."]

An ancient magical incantation heard from Mima's lips.

Clang!

With a sound like a metallic clang, a golden light spread and emanated from Mima, spreading throughout the room.

In that instant, a golden staff appeared from Mima's body, enveloped in particles of light.

"No way, could it be....!"

The High Priest's eyes widened in astonishment, and she let out a gasp.

Anyone associated with the Exorcists, especially a follower of the Shindōkyō serving the Benevolent Goddess, could not possibly fail to understand what it was at a glance.

"It's the Phoenix Staff...!"

Even the High Priest couldn't help but stand up, staring intently at the staff that Mima had manifested.

The divine beast, the Phoenix, was depicted at the tip of the staff, and sacred magical power overflowed from the entire staff.

One of the Three Legendary Sacred Treasure was now before her very eyes.

"Yes—this is the Sacred Treasure of our Madozono family, which was believed to have been lost in the great war against the Kaima."

Mima grasped the Phoenix Staff in both hands and held it out to the High Priest.

"I will omit the details of how it happened, but... it was Maria who revived this staff."

"Maria-san...?"

"Yes. At that time, as if she knew everything, and as if it were nothing, she used magic so powerful that she could have lost her life to revive this staff."

Mima lowered her head and her voice trembled.

"She's five years old. A five-year-old child, doing that so calmly!

And since then, she's continued to attempt reckless magic light manipulation training, and studied almost without rest. It's as if she's desperately trying to become stronger... 

But I can't stop her.

Should I respect her will, or should I stop her from such unreasonable training?

It's embarrassing to admit, but as a parent, I really don't know what should I do...."

"Mima-san..."

With tears welling up in her eyes, Mima continued.

"But there is one thing I am absolutely certain of... I will protect that child.

I will overturn the fate that will cause her to lose her life."

Mima raised her head and declared this to the high priest.

Then, she placed the Phoenix Staff on the table and turned towards the High Priest.

"What?! No! Mima-san! You mustn't do that!"

The High Priest frantically tried to stop Mima.

Mima, who had turned towards her, knelt on the floor and began to prostrate herself.

"High Priest! 'The Shindōkyō maintains fairness and neutrality towards the world of Exorcists.'

I am fully aware of that unwritten rule. But please, please! I beg you, could you lend us your help to save Maria! I will do anything I can. I will give you everything we have!

Please, please! Please lend us your strength...!"

With a voice trembling with tears, Mima pleaded clearly.

The High Priest was deeply moved by her plea, and she knelt down herself, allowing Mima to raise her head.

"The head of the Madozo family should not bow to others like that.

Now, please raise your head. I fully understand your resolve, Mima-san.

The followers of the Shindōkyō are servants of the Benevolent Goddess.

Why should we hesitate to assist the Saint sent by that Goddess?"

"Ah! Then...!"

"Yes. I promise to assist Maria-san to the best of my ability."

"Oh...! Thank you! Thank you, High Priest!"

Mima again placed both hands on the floor and bowed her head.

"Ah, there you go again... I told you that's not allowed, didn't I?

Oh, That's right, actually, today, my granddaughter is also undergoing an appraisal ceremony elsewhere."

Surprised by the High Priest's sudden announcement, Mima raised up.

"That's...! I didn't know you would be visiting our home on such an important day...
I'm terribly sorry...!"

"Oh, no, that's not it. I don't mean to utter any hateful or resentful words. Quite the opposite, actually. ...It's just a feeling, but...

I'd heard rumors praising Maria-san, so I had a bit of a premonition, and I entrusted my granddaughter to someone I trust, and prioritized this ceremony instead.

I guess I was excited, even though I'm too old for it. I thought, 'I might be able to witness the moment of the Birth of the Saint.'"

The High Priest gave her this mischievous smile, and Mima was momentarily stunned, but then she couldn't help but laugh along.

"That's right. It's amusing, isn't? The High Priest like me, neglecting her own granddaughter and completely captivated by the rumors of the 'Saint,' getting carried away... So, there's no need to bow your head

Mima-san has given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a part of the legend of the future 'Saint.'

I should be the one thanking you."

"....Thank you, High Priest."

After a mix of tears and laughter, Mima stood up and bowed deeply again.

"It's all the guidance of the Benevolent Goddess...

Mima-san, may the Goddess's blessing be upon you as well."

The High Priest nodded and offered a prayer to the good mother before her...

★★★

Little did she know that such a moving scene was unfolding just for her.

(Yess! As requested by the Goddess Lukimister, I'll give you a perfect Saint role-play!!!) 

Maria was burning with such determination in her room.

(That's right...the higher you fly, the more immeasurable the impact of the fall is!!

As expected of Lukimister-sama, you're truly in the know!!! You truly get it!!!)

If the Goddess Lukimister had heard Maria's thoughts, she would have been utterly disgusted and shook her head vigorously, saying, "No, no, that's impossible."

(From now on, I have to work harder and act more like a "Saint" ♪

Be kind to others, be strict with myself, be pure, righteous, and beautiful! 

"Effort"! "Compassion"! "Purity"!

That's it! I'll go with a Mickey-Mouse imitation of the main heroine's elements!)

Leaving aside the element of "effort," Maria, who is far removed from the other two elements, proclaims this in her heart.

(I will respond to Lukimister-sama's magnificent preparation of the MAIN DISH with splendor!!! ♡♡♡

So sharp ♡♡♡ So captivating ♡♡♡ All-hail Lukimister-sama ♡♡♡)

In Maria's mind, a grand, unprecedentedly exhilarating chant of excitement was soaring as she prepared for the glorious destruction that the Goddess Lukimister had prepared for her.

But Maria didn't realize it.

["If you run down the main street pretending to be a madman, you are immediately a madman."]

As a passage from a classic essay says, if she possessed the power that was undoubtedly that of a Saint, and behaved like a Saint, then it was only natural that she would be seen as a Saint herself.

Since arriving at the Madozono family mansion, the constantly active passive skill, "Elegance Cheat," has kept Maria living a life befitting a lady.

Adding to this, Maria's perverse efforts to live a life of pure and upright integrity, there is no doubt that the aura of "Saintliness" that Maria exudes around her is only increasing.

The trust that accumulates as a result cannot be damaged by a few mistakes, and will gradually move her further away from the "ruin" she desired.

(I've won! Hahaha!)

In her mind, Maria was laughing triumphantly.

She had no idea that her own choices were causing her path to her desired destination to veer off in a completely different direction.

AN:

From this point on, Maria decided to "act like a saint!"

Everyone's misunderstandings went into overdrive, so to speak (・∀・)