I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

“Blessings on your soul’s journey between life and death. I heard you called for me.”

“Come in, Sister Agnesia.”

“Little bell, Agnesia is here to hear the voice of Orot.”

“Welcome.”

It was in the office of the high priest. Empress Arshilla, a saintess, sat at the head of the parlor in the center, with the high priest seated beside her. Agnesia, hesitating for a moment, took a seat opposite the high priest, close to the door. Arshilla’s gaze captured her movement without faltering for a moment, making Agnesia tense under the calm observation.

“It’s the first time we’ve met like this. I think the last time I saw you was when you were promoted to a priestess.”

“It’s an honor that you remember me.”

“How could I forget? You were the youngest to receive the priesthood in recent times.”

Arshilla’s eyes twinkled like the abyss beyond her deep, curving eyelids as she smiled warmly.

Thanks to her connections with the Transmigrators Club’s friends, Agnesia became a high priestess at this age, but her presence in the temple was minimal.

Throughout the tea and conversation, Agnesia was tense and only moved her eyes. It was hard enough to answer the questions in the presence of the saintess and the high priest of the Imperial Grand Temple, especially with something to be guilty about.

“The reason I asked to see you…”

Arshilla broached the main subject when Agnesia’s teacup, previously sipped amidst awkwardness, was nearly empty.

“It’s to ask you to bless the upcoming hunting competition.”

“The blessing? Me?”

The hunting competition’s blessing. The hunting competition held during the Harvest Festival, one of the empire’s two major festivals, was an important event for the temple.

It used magical beasts as prey, involving much killing. Hence, the temple conducted a requiem service instead of an opening ceremony, with blessings being the most important part.  Hence, it was usually conducted by someone of high repute in both the temple and social circles, typically the high priest or a high-ranking priestess in emergencies. So, it was unlikely for Agnesia, the youngest and lowest in rank among high priestesses, to be chosen.

Agnesia’s puzzled eyes turned to the high priest, who gestured towards Arshilla with a kind smile, indicating to listen to the saintess.

“Are you surprised? I understand. But it’s something Orot has prepared for.”

“Orot has?”

“At this requiem service, it was desired to hear the voice of someone who hasn’t represented the temple before.”

“B-But, why me? There are others…”

“Though Sister Agnesia is of low rank, you are the most well-known among the high priestesses, so you’re well-suited for the blessing.”

The words of the priestess, speaking on behalf of the divine voice, were considered to be Orot’s will. However, it seemed like a daunting task for Agnesia, who looked to the high priest for support.

“How could I dare…”

“You’re well aware that being called Orot’s voice isn’t without reason.” The high priest’s smile contained an irrefutable sternness. “As you are a high priestess, there’s no procedural issue, and your extensive connections among the empire’s youth make you perfectly suitable.”

“…” Agnesia lowered her head.

She didn’t want to mingle in social circles, especially after getting involved with the original male protagonist at the emperor’s birthday ball.

“Orot intends to use Sister Agnesia preciously, so don’t worry too much.”

“It’s truly a blessed occasion.”

However, there was no choice. Despite Agnesia’s shallow faith, having dedicated over half of this life to the priesthood for 12 years, she couldn’t defy the temple’s directive.

“It’s an unparalleled honor that both of you consider me.” Agnesia expressed her humility with a pure face. “I will humbly accept Orot’s will.”

“Very well.”

“May you be blessed…”

The high priest and Arshilla smiled contentedly at Agnesia.

“With royals from other nations attending this hunting competition, I hope you prepare well.”

“I will strive diligently.” Agnesia suppressed the curse words about to spill out, knowing it referred to Prince Erenst.

“The imperial family must also be busy preparing for the competition.”

“It’s just stamping for me. The bureaucrats are the ones struggling. This time, the temple’s role is more critical than ever, so I hope the High Priest pays special attention.”

“Of course.”

Orotism was a religion unique to the empire within the continent. It was founded 900 years ago when the kingdom’s founder dedicated the kingdom to Orot, expanding its territory under its glory to become an empire. Thus, Orot’s authority, a symbol of imperial culture, was synonymous with imperial authority.

“Since we’re on the subject… there’s one more thing I’d like to ask Sister Agnesia.”

A request?

Agnesia tensed up, awaiting Arshilla’s next words.

“I’ve heard a rumor circulating in social circles recently.”

“The social circles, you mean…”

“There’s a young lamb yearning for your company.”

“Yes?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected topic, Agnesia’s eyes froze.

Why would the saintess mention that?

“As you know, I can see a bit more than others, so I took an interest when something intriguing happened at the temple.”

“What do you mean…”

“His perseverance seems admirable because it’s meant to be… don’t you think so?”

“Meant to be…”

“It’s not for Orot’s followers to deny their destined place. Leakage is out of the question.” Arshilla’s eyes narrowed softly.

Agnesia’s heart raced.

Her underlying emotion was anxiety.

* * *

“I see, Lea. Have you found out anything?”

“Yes. I asked the fifth prince and also inquired through the Doli’s Guild.”

It was a few days later, in the office of Duke Elard.

Today, as usual, Count Norman, the duke’s aide, was present with coffee and tea food from Benichi Tea Salon arranged on the table.

The first coffee was offered by her father after declaring non-participation in the selection process. The duke, who didn’t even drink coffee, kept it stocked purely for his daughter, having only provided tea up until then, possibly as a mild rebuke.

“First, his holy relic is a sword. About this big?” Selleana spread her arms about twice the width of her shoulders. “There was a large jewel embedded in the center of the scabbard, and the blade and handle didn’t seem practical, more like a ceremonial sword.”

“A sword.”

“As for widely known swords among treasures, there’s the Dwarf King’s Sword and the Ice Blades of the Atnan Mountains…”

“It doesn’t seem to match the shield that the crown prince owned.”

“Yes. It also looks different from what’s known.”

“Those are good treasures, but not of relic level, so there’s no reason for the 5th prince to be kept in check…”

The duke and Count Norman frowned deeply at their speculation.

“It was said to be a relic from the kingdom era.”

“The kingdom era?”

“Yes. It seemed he didn’t want to disclose its identity, so I commissioned Doloret’s guild.”

“Interesting… As far as I know, no emperor since the proclamation of the empire owned a treasure from the kingdom era.” Count Norman added, making the duke nod.

“Using Lady Doloret’s guild means.”

“As you said last time, the list of treasures stored in the treasury isn’t public.”

“Yes. It’s not documented either. You naturally come to know what it is during the selection process.”

“That’s right… However, records of the relics owned by past monarchs and heirs exist. That’s what we looked into.”

“And?”

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a result,” Selleana recalled the report sent in Hangeul by Doloret that morning, frowning. “We combed through records since the kingdom era, but apart from the Dwarf King’s Sword and the Ice Blade, there was nothing recorded.”

“No record…”

The duke stroked his beard, leaning back in his chair. After a long silence, he casually spoke.

“…I have a feeling it’s entangled with the temple.”