Chapter 29: After the Ceremony

TIPS!: The Shindōkyō is the main religion in Japan of this world, worshipping an unnamed "Benevolent Goddess."

Like the Exorcists, the priestly positions are generally held by women.

Chapter 29: After the Ceremony

The reception room of the Madozono family residence.

Among them, a particularly dignified room for entertaining special guests.

There, the High Priest sat in the seat of honor, and Mima sat across the table from her.

The High Priest of the Shindōkyō holds a higher position than the head of the Madozono family, one of the three prominent families of Exorcists.

On the table, the Japanese tea prepared for the after ceremony was steaming.

"High Priest. Thank you very much for performing the appraisal ceremony today."

Mima bowed deeply to the High Priest.

"No, it was an honor to be able to attend the ceremony for the 'Phoenix Twin Princesses' of the Madozono family."

The High Priest returned Mima's bow with a smile.

"'The Phoenix Twin Princesses'..... is that what you've heard from the members of the Shindōkyō?"

"Yes. The sisters of the Madozono family are exceptionally talented, very close, and harmonious young ladies. Both possess the charm and intelligence befitting princesses."

".... I'm humbled."

It was the first time Mima had heard that her daughter and niece were being praised so highly in gossip.

It had only been less than a year since Maria came to the Madozono mansion, and yet such rumors had reached even the members of the Shindōkyō.

If she had only one biological child, Tomoe, it surely wouldn't have come to this.

Mima analyzed the situation objectively, yet harbored complex emotions.

After the High Priest took a sip of the tea on the table, she began to discuss the results of today's appraisal.

"So, as you mentioned at the beginning, the appraisal results of Maria-san's magical attribute will not be made public, is that correct?"

"....Yes."

Mima nodded clearly, though only once.

"If Maria-san were an ordinary Exorcist, she would likely be protected by the Shindōkyō, but as a young lady from the Madozono family, that concern should be unnecessary. In fact, considering the benefit of your family,
wouldn't it be better to make it public?"

The High Priest peered into Mima's eyes, as if seeking to know her true intentions.

"That girl, Maria, even if we keep the appraisal results secret, I believe she will eventually become famous in the world of Exorcists as a 'Saint'."

"A 'Saint,' you say...? Certainly, if she possesses magic of the 'Holy' attribute, that might be the case, but...."

The High Priest's words were cautious.

Because being a 'Saint' isn't something one can claim simply by possessing rare magic of the 'Holy' attribute.

However, seeing Mima's troubled expression, the High Priest sensed that there was another reason to consider Maria a 'Saint'.

"Does that mean Maria-san has something special about her?"

"Yes... It seems that Maria.... can see the future."

"So you said that she possess the power of "Foresight" or "Precognition"."

Mima nodded in response to the High Priest's confirmation.

"She said that she doesn't understand how that works, but there are some things that she just somehow, 'understand' to some some extent...

Just last month, her 'precognition' led to the resolution of two serious crime cases."

The phrase "two serious crime cases" immediately brought the High Priest back to her memory.

She repeated the information she had recalled, then asked Mima for confirmation again.

"The arrest of a former university professor who attempted to conduct human experiments on his own child using illegal drugs, and a businessman involved in human trafficking.

I had heard that the Madozono family assisted in the investigation, but you mean that girl, Maria-san, contributed to solving the case with her 'Precognition' power?"

"Yes..."

"As the head of the Madozono family, this should be a source of pride. But.... It seems it's not a source of joy for you, Mima-san."

The High Priest, sensing Mima's expression as she nodded, deliberately guessed her true feelings.

"To be honest... I didn't want the appraisal result for Maria to be of the Holy attribute during today's appraisal ceremony. Even if it was a mistake, I didn't care. I just didn't want the appraisal result to be of the Holy attribute.

But, as it turns out, I've been made to realize that she is truly destined to become a Saint..."

"Why....."

The High Priest began to speak, but stopped midway.

She noticed something shining in the corners of Mima's eyes.

"That girl knows her destiny, that in the future, she will fight a powerful Kaima and defeat it at the cost of her own life."

"Isn't that—"

(Isn't this exactly like the legend of the "Saint"?)

The High Priest almost blurted that out.

However, she spoke different words.

"I see... After hearing that, it finally all makes sense."

"It all makes sense...?"

"Yes... Maria-san's face right after the appraisal results came out... at first, it was very stiff.

Even though it was determined that she possessed all four elemental attributes, the Light attribute, and even the Holy attribute of magic, she didn't seem happy at all.

A small child like her would naturally be happy."

The High Priest closed her eyes briefly, recalling the change in Maria's expression at that time.

That smile Maria showed after she gave her advice.

That was a smile of enlightenment, accepting everything.

"Maria-san knew the outcome of the ritual from the very beginning... She knew that today would be the day she would begin her ascent as a Saint."

"Probably so..."

At Mima's nod, the High Priest instinctively covered her face with her right hand.

"Just because you possess the 'power' doesn't mean you have to bear all the responsibility yourself. Please be sure to rely on the strength of your family and those around you.

And beyond that, I hope that your 'power' will be used correctly. May the Goddess guide you."

What incredibly cruel advice.

It's not advice at all, it's practically a curse.

(For Maria-san's power to be used correctly, it means destroying evil Kaima with her very life...!)

AN

Everyone involved with Maria becomes clouded...

Looking at it this way, Maria's every move is truly sinful (^∀^;)