Chapter 8: Departure and a Name

I gazed upward and beheld the ceiling bathed in radiant light. In this hushed and brilliantly illuminated hall, where the faithful gathered to pray, only one person steadfastly observed me from the shadows: Miltiades. The man who had assumed the role of my father sat quietly within the cathedral.

Beside me, a voice intoned a prayer, its words flowing with solemnity. "As we await the return of your child, we lift her name in supplication," the prayer intoned, and a crisp, invigorating breeze encircled me as I sat, hands clasped in prayer.

"She shall explore this vast world and return to your embrace, as you have ordained."

Sacred flames consumed a piece of paper atop the altar. Simultaneously, the memorial stone before me bore the engraving of my name: 'Amelia Priscilla.'

The name bestowed upon me by Miltiades, 'Amelia,' was paired with the name of the original protagonist and possessor of this body: Priscilla. This choice was mine.

This world required Priscilla.

My decision wasn't solely based on the fact that Priscilla was the central character in the novel. I might have been the only person who comprehended why she received that name.

I couldn't live as her, for I was not her, but I could honor her memory. I would never forget whose body I now inhabited. This name was a testament to my determination.

The radiance surrounding my name did not wane; instead, the previously dimmed names of countless saintesses from the past seemed to gleam anew as if freshly etched.

"Now, the glorious judgment is complete. May the light of truth shine upon us all."

The final prayer concluded, marking the conclusion of the ceremony.

"We're leaving this place now," Miltiades declared.

"I see!" I responded.

Miltiades scrutinized me as though measuring my reaction. When he noticed my grin, he asked me with an unusual tone, "Aren't you sad to leave?"

Was he... concerned about me? My eyes widened. "Nope!" I reassured him. "I'm excited!"

It was evident that Daddy loved me. I nestled my head into his arms as he regarded me with a peculiar expression. "You're excited to leave?"

"I don't care about that! I'm excited because you're worried about me!" His perplexed face was a masterpiece. I wished I could have a sculpture of his expression just to show it off.

"Daddy, I have a favor to ask."

"A favor?"

"Yeah! I want to go somewhere."

"Really?"

I nodded, and Miltiades looked at me with an inscrutable expression. Everyone else might have been intimidated by this expression, but I knew it meant he was curious.

Love was the most powerful tool!

"Usually, I have to pray for three months before leaving the Vatican, but we're departing early. So, while we're traveling, I'd like to visit some temples and offer prayers there. I can also seek blessings for our journey!" Everything I said was a fabrication. "We don't have to go far! I just need to visit the temple on the border of the Holy Empire and the Northern Empire, the Revelenon Temple!"

That's where they kept the holy sword. I was doing this for Ludwig. In truth, I was also doing it because Daddy didn't like my paladin, and I knew he would ignore him.

I continued to coax Miltiades. "Hm? You'll come with me, right?" I took his arm and looked at him with sparkling eyes.

He met my gaze. If others were to see him now, they might think he looked like he was swallowing a knife, but I knew better. He was deliberating on what to do.

"Amelia believes in you, Daddy!" I said, clearly attempting to persuade him. I could tell he understood my tactics, but it worked nonetheless.

"It's on our way, so I suppose it's okay to check it out."

"Yay!"

I may have turned my dad into a bit of a pushover, but I had no other choice. I needed to stick close to him to ensure no one could take advantage of him.

Ah, he couldn't do anything without me.

Feeling slightly t guilty for deceiving him, I decided to share some information. "Daddy," I began, "I heard you can find the holy sword there!"

"The holy sword?"

"Yes! Sofia's holy sword!"

He might not like paladins, but the holy sword was different! And just as I had hoped, he was interested.

"This should be fun," he remarked.

Now that I had his consent, it was time to go! Goodbye, Holy Vios Empire!

The people who were ready to depart informed Callian, and he nodded toward Miltiades. "Your Majesty, everything's ready."

"Go bid your farewells," Miltiades instructed me.

Ah! I didn't want to, but since he was asking, I left his embrace and skipped over to the elders and the pope, who were all seeing me off.

Luciana gave me a signal. Right, I should at least say my goodbyes.

I clasped my hands and said, "I wish you peace while I'm away."

In my mind, I added, I loathed being with all of you. I hope we never cross paths again.

After saying my farewells, the elders and Pope Raphael blessed me. "May your journey be filled with good fortune."

It didn't take long. After they were finished, I returned to Miltiades and settled beside him.

Pope Raphael glanced at me and chuckled, addressing my companion, "I'm delighted that the saintess accompanies you so gracefully, Your Majesty. Please take good care of her."

I couldn't help but interject, "Well, I think you're asking the wrong person for a favor."

Despite Miltiades's brusque response, Pope Raphael's expression remained unchanged. Their tumultuous relationship was no secret, but the tension between them was palpable. I couldn't hide my discomfort, and in response, Miltiades withdrew his menacing aura.

The pope turned his gaze toward me, and I saw my reflection in his deep blue eyes. In an unusual display of genuine affection, he regarded me with warmth and asked, "Saintess, do you understand why you're leaving the temple to be raised outside?"

They intended for me to experience life beyond the Vatican and discover the world's vastness .

"I hope you return safely after exploring the world. I'll be here, praying that you find your purpose."

Standing beside him, I felt no regrets, but a pang of sadness tugged at my heart. The pope had cared for me in a way that others hadn't. However, there was nothing I could do. I distanced myself from Miltiades and tenderly embraced the pope.

"Stay safe and healthy, Grandpa," I whispered.

He chuckled softly. "I will," he replied, offering me a reassuring smile as he nodded.

I knew what lay ahead. The pope would pass away this year, making this our final farewell.

I offered a small bow to the elders standing behind the pope. "Stay safe, elder grandpas," I said to them.

They, too, shared a brief laugh. "Please stay healthy, Saintess."

"Yes, stay healthy!" I responded politely despite my reservations about their actions regarding Priscilla in the original story.

Miltiades extended his hand, breaking my reverie. "Let's go," he urged.

My heart raced as I eagerly took hold of my favorite person's hand, wearing a radiant smile.

Farewell, accursed Holy Empire, I thought, my determination shining through.

***

As Miltiades observed the excited Amelia, he recalled Callian's words before their departure: "Please take care of the saintess, Your Majesty. Isn't the Holy Empire like her home?"

Miltiades couldn't fathom why she was so delighted, yet here she was, sitting right next to him despite having her own carriage. This was the first time he had seen her throw a tantrum. Until now, she had always remained composed, making her outburst over such a trivial matter unusual.

"Saintess, you must relocate to a different carriage," Miltiades instructed, knowing that following the strict palace rules required such action. However, when Amelia heard that she had to travel separately from him, she froze as though lightning had struck her.

"No, I don't want to! I'm going to sit next to Daddy! I won't leave him!" She cried, clutching onto Miltiades's leg as if someone were trying to wrench him away from her.

"Saintess!"

Luciana and Callian both called out in an attempt to dissuade her, but their efforts proved futile. It appeared that she would burst into tears if she moved even an inch away from Miltiades. It was the first time he had witnessed her cry, and on top of that, she was determined to avoid speaking to Luciana, making it difficult to console her.

"I believe she's in an unfamiliar situation and is trying to suppress her tears. It seems she only feels safe when she's next to Your Majesty," Callian observed sympathetically. Miltiades, however, had a different theory; she probably just wanted to be close to him.

Despite Luciana and Callian's best efforts to separate Amelia from Miltiades, they had failed. In the end, Amelia had gotten what she wished for, traveling in the same carriage as him for the past week.

It was an unusual situation from the beginning, and Miltiades couldn't help but wonder what it was about him she liked so much. Now, he watched her with curiosity as she enjoyed a macaron.

"Is it delicious?" he inquired.

"Yes!" she replied.

Perhaps it was because Luciana had tried to take her away from Miltiades, but he was the only one Amelia had spoken to all week. Even now, she answered any question he posed.

What had he done to earn such affection? He couldn't quite believe Callian's envious assertion that she simply liked him because she wanted to and that he had gained a precious daughter.

It was indeed perplexing. Why him? Upon further reflection, he realized she had been following him from the beginning. It was truly baffling.

"Hey," he began, "do you really like me?"

She nodded in response to his earnest query.

"I'm not a good person," he challenged. After all, did this audacious child understand how much blood he had shed and how many sins he had committed? He had prepared himself to warn her, but she simply laughed as if she hadn't heard him.

Then, she leaned against him and closed her eyes. Miltiades was taken aback. "Are you falling asleep?"

Seriously? In this situation? He leaned closer to her and could hear nothing but her peaceful breathing.

"She really did fall asleep," he sighed.