Saintess Elaine stepped down gracefully, offering her greetings and blessings to the people of Crimson Valor.
Her voice was gentle, soothing, yet held an undeniable air of authority—not the authority of a ruler, but of someone truly devoted to her cause.
Rin observed from the crowd, his expression unreadable.
Something was off.
Despite her high status, Elaine had almost no attendants.
The only knight accompanying her stood rigidly by her side, but Rin's trained eye saw through him instantly.
Weak. Untrained. Barely any real combat experience.
"So she really does have no power..." Rin mused to himself.
It made sense.
Unlike the other two Saintesses, Elaine's neutral stance toward the Golden Oath had left her isolated within the Heavenly Doctrine.
She likely had no strong backers, no faction of her own—just her faith and whatever small support she could gather.
Even so, she did not waver.
She moved with purpose, directing her knight to distribute supplies to the gathered people.
As crates of food, medicine, and blankets were opened, the crowd fell into a hush.
The silence didn't last long.
A moment later, people naturally formed a line, stepping forward one by one to receive her aid.
It was an expected sight.
A Saintess fulfilling her role, tending to those in need.
Rin decided that he wanted no part in this.
This wasn't his business.
He turned, ready to slip away—
"You there!"
Rin froze.
The voice was clear, ringing through the air like a chime.
He turned back just in time to see one of the Saintess' attendants—a young cleric—smiling at him.
Her voice was warm, inviting.
"No need to be shy," she said kindly. "You may come forward and receive aid as well."
The crowd's attention shifted.
People turned to look at Rin.
Whispers spread.
"Is he a traveler?"
"Maybe he's poor?"
"He doesn't really look like a local..."
Rin sighed internally.
"...Great."
This was exactly what he had wanted to avoid.
Rin held back a sigh as the young cleric insisted again, her voice kind but unwavering.
"Please, don't be shy. The Saintess believes all who walk under the heavens deserve aid, no matter their background."
Rin gave a polite smile, shaking his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm simply passing by. There are others who need this more than I do."
But the cleric didn't back down.
She clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture.
"The Saintess insists," she said softly.
Rin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"...Insists?"
He turned his gaze toward the Saintess.
Elaine stood behind her attendants, partially hidden by the flowing white robes that symbolized her position.
Her eyes met his.
She was watching him.
**Not just observing—**watching him intently.
And there was something in her expression.
A silent plea.
Rin's mind worked quickly.
This could easily be a trap.
Someone of her status wouldn't usually go out of their way to single out a commoner in a crowd.
And yet…
Reports about Benevolent Saintess Elaine painted her as someone who was genuine in her beliefs.
Her sudden rise to power had been met with hostility, and she currently lacked any real political strength.
Would she really be the type to scheme?
"...No. Not likely."
But that didn't mean she wasn't desperate for something.
And now, she had turned her attention to him.
Rin could already feel the weight of curious stares from the surrounding crowd.
If he continued refusing, it would only attract more unwanted attention.
Tch.
He had no choice.
With a practiced, humble nod, Rin spoke.
"If the Saintess insists, then it would be rude of me to decline."
The cleric smiled warmly, gesturing for him to follow.
As Rin stepped forward, Saintess Elaine's expression lit up.
It was subtle—but undeniable.
She turned swiftly, walking behind her carriage, where no one else stood.
A private conversation.
Rin's suspicions deepened.
"She seemed to know something about me…"
Keeping his expression neutral, he followed.
Rin was led to the back of the carriage, where he found himself alone with the Saintess of Benevolence, Elaine.
He hadn't expected to meet someone from the opposing faith, let alone under such circumstances. The Saintess, however, appeared relaxed, her tranquil gaze resting on him for a moment before she offered a serene smile.
Rin studied her. She was undeniably beautiful, though he kept that thought to himself. He already had four consorts to deal with—adding another, especially from a faith that openly criticized the Golden Oath, would only complicate things further.
As the cleric left, the Saintess spoke first, her voice soft yet brimming with warmth. "May I ask your name?"
"Shimuzu Rin," he answered, keeping his tone neutral. "Just a commoner traveling through the Crimson Valor Kingdom's marketplace. What business does the Saintess of Benevolence have with someone like me?"
Elaine's golden eyes lit up as she suddenly stepped closer, seizing his hand in both of hers.
"To think I would meet such a beautiful soul!"
Rin instinctively took a step back, startled by the sudden invasion of his personal space.
"Beautiful soul? What do you mean, Saintess Elaine?"
She tilted her head, almost playfully, before clasping her hands together. "Ah, I forgot. I'm the only one who can see that kind of thing." Her expression softened as she explained, "You see, I was given the power of the Enlightened Eyes. They allow me to see the purity within souls. It helps me find those who are truly good."
She spoke so freely, so carelessly, that Rin inwardly sighed. She was far too vulnerable. If someone with ill intentions knew of this ability, she could easily be silenced.
Then, her golden eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Rin… That name comes from the Hoshimi Empire, doesn't it?"
Rin's body stiffened.
"I've heard of a talented apprentice from the White Flower Palace," Elaine continued. "And, coincidentally, the 2nd Imperial Prince bore the same name. Would you happen to be one of them?"
For the first time in a while, Rin felt his composure falter.
He couldn't reveal his true identity yet. So, he offered a slight nod. "I am Shimuzu Rin, an apprentice of the White Flower Palace."
Elaine didn't seem entirely convinced, but she didn't press further. Instead, she leaned forward slightly, as if studying him more closely.
"Then why are you here in the Crimson Valor Kingdom?" she asked. "I heard you left the White Flower Palace and became a wandering traveler. Do you not have a place to stay or work?"
Rin gave a stiff smile. "I simply wanted to see the world. Perhaps find work outside the Empire."
Elaine's expression brightened. "Then… why not work under me?" She clapped her hands together excitedly. "I don't have much to offer, but I can promise you fair payment—perhaps even equal to what you earned at the White Flower Palace."
Rin blinked. He hadn't expected such an offer, but it wasn't something he could consider. After all, he wasn't just a wandering traveler—he was the 2nd Imperial Prince on official duty.
With careful words, he declined, making sure not to offend her. Elaine pouted slightly but quickly regained her usual cheerful demeanor. "Well, if you ever change your mind, you can come to the Heavenly Doctrine and find me."
Rin couldn't help but think this girl was far too innocent. Then again, if she had the ability to see purity and evil, it made sense that she had survived without caution.
Just as he was about to excuse himself, he felt her grip on his hand tighten.
Her golden eyes locked onto his.
Something changed.
Her expression shifted from warmth to deep contemplation, as if she had just received a divine revelation.
"You're hiding something," she said.
Rin flinched.
For the first time, he felt as though he had been truly exposed.
Then, just as suddenly as the tension came, it dissipated. Elaine's grip softened, and she smiled again.
"But even so, your soul remains pure." She tilted her head slightly, almost as if speaking to herself. "And we will meet again. Otherwise, why would the Voice of Heaven grant me such a vision?"
Rin frowned. Why was she suddenly speaking to herself?
Whatever it was, he didn't want to be here any longer.
"Voice of Heaven?" Rin echoed, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
The moment the words left his mouth, Elaine covered hers, realizing she had said too much. Her golden eyes darted around as if searching for a way to take it back.
"Ah… please keep quiet about this, Rin," she pleaded, her voice suddenly filled with urgency. "I am someone who bears the fate of upholding the true values of the Heavenly Doctrine. Unlike the other two Saintesses, I wasn't chosen by people—I was chosen by Heaven itself. My mission is to reform the faith, whether I like it or not."
Her tone held a strange mix of determination and resignation. Even though she had the weakest influence among the Saintesses, she refused to let that deter her.
She hesitated before continuing, almost speaking to herself. "The Voice of Heaven told me I would meet someone important here… someone who will help me."
Her gaze returned to Rin, filled with hope. "I don't know who it is yet, since the revelation was vague… but I wish it could be you."
Rin blinked.
He had a feeling he had just been entrusted with something far more secret than she intended.
As realization dawned on Elaine, her face turned red. She covered it with both hands, groaning softly. "Why… why did I just say all that to you?"
She flailed her arms, clearly flustered. "I—I'm not the type to spill my secrets so easily! It's just that—your soul—it's so beautiful, I—"
Rin's eyes slightly narrowed.
Elaine flinched. Then fidgeted. Then shrunk back, shyly looking away.
"D-Don't stare at me like that! I-It's embarrassing!" she stammered. "Besides, you're… you're a handsome man. I'm not used to standing this close to one…"
Rin sighed, rubbing his temple. "You were the one who got close first," he pointed out, though his tone remained respectful.
Elaine's face turned an even deeper shade of red. Flustered, she lightly pushed Rin away. "T-That's enough! You can go now!"
Before he could turn away, she suddenly pressed something into his hand.
A delicate handkerchief—its fabric soft, its embroidery impossibly intricate.
In the center, woven in gold, was the sacred insignia of the Saintess of Benevolence.
Elaine took a step back, still averting her gaze. "If you ever find yourself in the Heavenly Doctrine State, show this to the temple guards. They will let you through."
Rin stared at the handkerchief, then back at Elaine, who was now fidgeting like an embarrassed child.
He sighed.
He hadn't done anything, and yet, somehow… he had won the favor of the Saintess.
Before he could say anything else, Elaine, still flustered, gave him one last light push from behind, ushering him away. "J-Just go already!"
Rin let out another sigh, stuffing the handkerchief into his coat.
His life was already complicated enough.
As Rin left the area, perhaps hoping to distance himself from the strange encounter, the Saintess of Benevolence, Elaine, finally finished tending to the people in need.
Once her work was done, she stepped back into her carriage, letting out a tired sigh as she leaned against the cushioned seat.
And then—
A voice echoed in her mind, calm yet commanding.
"Elaine… you have done well. Meeting him this early will set things into motion."
Elaine's golden eyes widened in shock.
"Huh?! Wait—he was the one I needed to find!?"
"Yes. A connection had to be formed, even if only a small one. This was necessary."
Elaine groaned, clutching her head. "Why didn't you tell meee?! I could have done better! I basically spilled everything about why I'm a Saintess!"
The voice responded with an amused tone.
"You would have ruined it by trying too hard. That man cannot be swayed so easily. Besides, his fate is intertwined with both the continuation and destruction of this world."
Elaine stiffened. "What…?"
"And you will not be the only one dealing with him. There are others, particularly the Golden Princess."
Her breath hitched. "The Golden Princess?! What does she have to do with that man!?"
"It's simple. Their destinies are the same. They have met before but were separated. She is merely waiting for the right moment to return. That said, they will be your allies in the future. That is why you must remain in contact with him."
Elaine's fingers gripped her robe tightly. "But… but still! Why him?! And why is his soul so—"
"Beautiful?" The voice chuckled knowingly. "You'll understand in time. But more importantly, Elaine… your current way of thinking is too weak for this cruel world."
Elaine's expression darkened. "That's not true!"
"It is. If you wish to reform the corrupted Heavenly Doctrine, you will need to accept that fighting evil sometimes requires wielding it yourself."
Her lips trembled. "I can't accept that! You can't fight evil with more evil!"
"There is no other way, child. You will see this truth soon enough."
Elaine wanted to argue. She wanted to deny it. But deep inside, she felt the weight of the words pressing against her heart.
After a long silence, the voice continued.
"You will meet Rin again soon. The ball will be your next encounter. There, you will finally see why his soul shines so brightly."
Elaine blinked in confusion. "The ball? But… Shimuzu Rin is just a commoner."
The voice chuckled again, amused.
"You believed that too, huh? Well… you'll find out soon enough."
Elaine pouted to herself, crossing her arms.
She had a feeling she had just been thrown into something much bigger than she could handle.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Rin finally returned to the Hoshimi Delegation Headquarters. The warm glow of lanterns flickered to life, casting long shadows over the entrance.
To his mild exasperation, a familiar figure was waiting for him—Takigawa Rei, arms crossed, lips pursed in an unmistakable pout.
Rin let out a quiet sigh. I just got out of one headache… and now another.
Rei stepped forward, hands on her hips. "So? How was your little trip?" she asked, her tone somewhere between casual curiosity and the sharpness of a wife questioning her husband's whereabouts.
Technically, that wasn't far from the truth. Rei, along with the other three consorts, was now officially his fiancée.
Rin smiled slightly, deciding to pacify her with a small gift. He pulled out a bracelet—a simple yet elegant piece he had found earlier—and gently placed it in her hands. "It was… interesting. I met someone unexpected," he admitted. "But first—how was your trip?"
Rei, however, was not going to let him change the subject. She narrowed her eyes, ignoring his question as she inspected the bracelet. "Who was this interesting person?"
Rin gave a tired smile. "The Saintess of Benevolence, Elaine."
Rei blinked. "The Saintess?"
"Yeah… and somehow, I ended up earning her favor even though I didn't do anything special." He rubbed the back of his neck, his expression unreadable. "At this point, I have to wonder if I'm fated to accidentally seduce people wherever I go…"
Rei raised a brow. "So? Did she fall for you?"
Rin immediately shook his head. "No. I don't think so."
"Well, that's a relief," she said with a smirk, before adding, "Still, she gave you a handkerchief, right? You should keep it. Even if she's from the opposite faith, having a connection with a Saintess is never a bad thing."
Rin tilted his head, surprised. He had expected her to be more possessive about the matter. "I figured you'd ask me to burn it."
Rei scoffed. "What do you take me for? I'm not like Suzuki."
Ah. That made sense.
Among his consorts, Chinen Suzuki was the most possessive—so much so that in the beginning, she would have burned any connection that could lead another woman to Rin. But lately, she had… mellowed. At least a little.
Rei continued, smirking. "Suzuki's goal now isn't to stop more women from getting close to you—it's to make sure she's your number one. She's taken our little rivalry very seriously."
Rin sighed for what he hoped would be the last time today. He had long since accepted that his life was never going to be peaceful.
Rei chuckled at his exhaustion before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Welcome back," she murmured.
Rin let out a small breath before placing a hand on her back.
At least, for now, he was home.