The Fake Saintess Awaits Her Exit

The hours swiftly passed, and the morning of the prayer gathering approached.

“Quite a commotion since dawn. Did you sleep well, my lady?” The attendant who came to wake me asked, and I responded with a wry smile, nodding my head. The expression on the attendants’ faces indicated that they all knew well enough.

While others may have slept soundly, I had spent the entire night with restless eyes. The clamor of the people gathered in front of the temple had reached my ears even in the early hours of the morning. When I inquired with the attendants, they informed me that many people had come from the far reaches of the continent, eagerly awaiting the prayer gathering.

“It is an event that everyone wishes to attend at least once in a lifetime.”

“I heard that many people have come, carrying young children or elderly parents nearing the end of their lives.”

“There is fierce competition to receive your blessing personally at the final central square.”

Every day, as the attendants relayed the news, my heart grew heavier. I could increasingly sense the magnitude of this prayer gathering.

“Please come this way.”

Guided by the attendants, I made my way to the bathroom, where dozens of people were already waiting for me. An hour later, I emerged, completely cleansed and dressed in ceremonial attire. As I saw my reflection in the mirror, transforming into an increasingly perfect image of the holy maiden, an involuntary sigh escaped my lips.

Until yesterday, I had convinced myself that I would do well.

“Up until now, I have met only a limited number of people in restricted places…”

Lying in the hospital bed in the real world, I had never experienced anything like this before. Even with the strength drawn from Evelina’s memories, the thought of standing before thousands, or even tens of thousands of people and successfully completing this performance filled me with an overwhelming tension.

Unpleasant images kept flooding my mind. Suddenly, the gathering crowd would cry out, “She’s a fraud!” Such were the imaginations that plagued me.

While I struggled to avoid the looming death two years from now, if my efforts were to change Evelina’s future, could it not also worsen unexpectedly? In that case, would it be better to quietly await death?

I found myself sinking deeper into these thoughts, only to snap out of it and lift my head.

“I must succeed.”

It seemed that the impending magnitude of the task had caused my heart to become tense. Ever since I possessed this body, I had managed to carry out everything flawlessly, without any major mistakes. No one had yet discovered that I was not Evelina. With that in mind, I pressed my fingertips firmly together. Then, my gaze met the eyes of one of the attendants. She looked at my actions, nodded reassuringly, and said,

“Do not worry too much. Last year’s gathering ended safely, so there should be no major issues this year either.”

It was apparent that my nervousness was showing. Sensing that my secret had been exposed, I averted my gaze in silence. The attendant left the room momentarily and returned with a cup of tea in hand.

“Although it would be preferable for you to refrain from consuming anything, taking a warm sip may help ease your tension.”

“Thank you.”

In truth, I had been observing a light fast for the prayer gathering since last night. I accepted the tea brought by the attendant and took a careful sip, ensuring not to smudge my makeup. A warm sensation spread through my body, and my trembling hands finally steadied.

“This is only the beginning.”

Until Elysia arrived at the temple and became the holy maiden, many events would transpire for Evelina. Although this prayer gathering might be the largest in scale, it was accompanied by numerous troublesome and stifling matters. Yet, there was no retreating from this position.

“I can do this.”

Repeatedly making that determination in my heart, I was about to ask, driven by curiosity when one of the attendants approached me cautiously and spoke.

“My lady, if you are willing, perhaps we could make some adjustments to the schedule of the prayer gathering.”

“Adjustments? What do you mean by changing anything?”

This couldn’t be happening. I had memorized and practiced the schedule of the prayer gathering for the past few days, only to be told on the morning of the event that there would be sudden changes?

“For starters, we could omit the prayer of blessings to the crowd at the central square…”

I swallowed my breath at those words. The conclusion of the prayer gathering involved the Saint proceeding to the central square and offering a prayer of blessing to the ordinary people who gathered at the temple. In fact, it was one of the most important events of this ceremony. Yet they were skipping this schedule? However, the attending priests seemed to react as if relieved by those words. I hardened my face and asked,

“What has happened?”

His expression upon entering, his hushed voice while conversing with other priests, it was clear that something had indeed occurred.

As I inquired, he wore a troubled expression.

“Do not conceal it, speak up.”

“That…,” he hesitated, then closed his eyes tightly before continuing, “Rumors have spread among the people who were waiting in front of the Great Temple.”

“Rumors?”

“The Saint… daily… with certain men… within the temple…”