It's already the season of snow. A white blanket covers the cathedral, which is based in the north.

　When it was time to board the carriage, no one claiming to be a friend showed up to see him off, and the only one who showed up was the Sister who had cared for him in any way was, indeed, his own human relations. Arueno couldn't help but smile in his heart. The breath that escaped his mouth was white.

　As he waved to the sisters, who were getting smaller and smaller in the cold that cut his cheeks, he casually felt the carriage at his waist.

　There were firm cushions under my waist, and even cushioning material between me and the seat to prevent swaying. On top of that, there was even a very expensive looking blanket to ease the cold, and it was so thoughtful that I couldn't believe that it was prepared just for me.

　Alueno's golden eyes twinkled unconsciously.

　He was treated very differently from when he had been brought here. Quickly wrapping himself in a blanket, Alueno pouted his lips.

　Of course, I know it's inevitable. When I first came here, I was nothing more than an orphan. Just a child with a background in magic.

　I remember hitting my head many times on the way to the cathedral because the carriage was so rough that I thought they were doing it on purpose.

　I remember hitting my head many times. I wish I had stayed with Lugis at Garleist.

　Unknowingly, I bite my lip. My heart felt as if it had turned to cold ice. I wrapped myself tightly in the blanket to keep myself warm.

　How fortunate, Alueno thought, to be able to travel through the cathedral like this, wrapped in a blanket, in a gentle rocking motion that lulled him to sleep.

　Even if this achievement is the result of enduring a persecution that shook his brain and made him lie down on the ground in pain that made him think he would bite his teeth, Alueno still thinks that he was lucky.

　The saint of divas. That was the name of the achievement that Alueno obtained. It was a sign that the cathedral recognized her faith and grace from God. Although she is called a princess, it is only for convenience and does not mean that she has acquired any position or status. She was simply given the title of the saint who was closest to her among the saints who were once present.

　Besides, she is still only a candidate for sainthood. Therefore, the title "Saint of Divas" is still a temporary name.

　But of course, there are only a handful of people who can reach that level. And among them, I have been chosen. Alueno could not hide the color of joy and the feeling of superiority that seeped from his heart.

　Her thin, white fingers were covered with scars, and her spirit was exposed to the trenches of humiliation, but she was finally able to grasp something. Now, looking at the treatment of this carriage, she finally began to understand. Tears are welling up in the corners of her eyes.

　And now, this journey is also about holding on to that achievement. To move my feet forward.

　--Only the path of pilgrimage can lead one to holiness.

　This was the teaching of the cathedral and the revelation of the one God Altius.

　Altius, the God who gives people the way to go, the revelation, and the salvation. To be a saint is to approach that God with awe.

　Therefore, in order to get closer to the god, one must receive the mysteries of the god, even at the risk of one's own life.

　The ritual to do so is called pilgrimage.

　The existence of these teachings and rituals is also the reason why the existence of saints has not been breathed into the world, although there have been many candidates for sainthood over the years.

　A pilgrimage is not just a ritual of walking along a set path. Even the journey is given by God.

　All the saints of the past, based on the revelation given by Artius, succeeded in their pilgrimage, overcoming the dangers that assailed them and the threats that consumed their spirit.

　Sometimes the path led to the end of war, sometimes to abundant harvest, and sometimes to absolute victory.

　In other words, the pilgrimage is nothing but a journey of miracles of salvation.

　Therefore, no matter how good you are, no matter how versatile you are, you cannot become a saint without the revelation of the one and only god Altius.

　However, it is said that if you receive that revelation and become a saint, you will have powers close to those of a god.

　It's no wonder it's said that. After all, the last time an actual saint appeared was so long ago that there are only records of her in literature. No one living today has ever seen a saint in their eyes.

　But now, in this time, as if cutting through the chaos of this age of conflict between the Great Saints and heraldry, the revelation was brought to the Holy Father. And so, of course, to the subject of the revelation, Alueno himself.

　So, Alueno thinks. I was really lucky. To be given a path to become a saint in this way is nothing but luck.

　Alueno squinted as he felt the blanket softly wrapping his body and the carriage rocking slowly. He could fall asleep like this. That's what I'm allowed to do now. The first pleasant sensation I've felt in a long time is making my eyelids heavy.

　The destination of the revelation was Belle Fain, a city-state near Galuamaria. Alueno understands that there will be no such thing as peace and quiet there. He felt that the revelation had been given because something would happen.

　But even this slight uneasiness was obscured by a mist of anticipation. Yes, that city is very close to Galuamaria, the home of the heraldic religion.

　So, if the coincidences coincide, we may be able to meet, though it is only a small hope. I'm not sure what to make of this.

　In the depths of my heart, I still wonder if my childhood friend is the same person as Lugis, the great sinner who belongs to the heraldry religion. In the event that you're not sure what to do, you can always ask for help.

　The stubborn man who is always with you for whatever reason is the life-size version of Lugis that Alueno knows.

　In addition, if the true identity of the one who is called the great sinner is your childhood friend, what should you do? Alueno himself did not know what color of emotion would be painted on his chest.

　If the heraldic man was a childhood friend, he might be able to meet him, which would be nice. But if he is, then Lugis has become his enemy. Why is that? It's painful.

　No, painful is not the word I would use to describe it. Alueno blinked his golden eyes as he almost slipped into a dream.



　--You're on my side, aren't you, Lugis? If you're not, I'm...

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.


　"Very well.


Very well. I'm not sure what to make of this.

　The words were said with an exaggerated tone. The words were said with an exaggerated hue, though they were not said to anyone, and melted into the surrounding darkness.

　A shadow emerges from the darkness, its outline flickering, as if lit by the emotional flicker of a candle. But indeed, the outline was beginning to emerge more solidly, more clearly.

　The mouth of the shadow opens.

"Come on, Altius. At the end of the day, it's not up to us, it's up to the people. It will be the helpless people who can only go through the agony and struggle that will decide everything.

　The shadows shake. The shadows sway, more dynamic, more feverish, and raise their voices. As if there is someone in that dark kingdom. The shadow speaks with an exaggerated gesture, as if the presence is right in front of you.

"Oh, it's that simple. You did not give once. So I gave once!

　It's the least we can do. And with that, the shadow gives a theatrical laugh, as if to say that everything is funny.

　Then it disappeared into the blackness again.