──── This girl was not very smart.
She was cheerful, expressive, kind to everyone, and of an unwavering personality.
If one had to describe her with just a few, only positive, words, that would fit the bill perfectly.
However, she was a miserable girl with nothing to her name, who could be described in general terms as irritating or annoying.
Her family structure is that of a broken family that has been through hell and back, which is common in modern Japan today.
The family consists of three siblings: an older brother, her, and a younger sister, from whom her mother was the only single parent after divorcing her violent husband.
The older brother works early to help the family, while the mother works late nights and mornings.
Her younger sister was very young and to her was viewed as incredibly cute.
She was determined to protect her, but the younger sister did not like her.
The subtle age difference of four years also added to the problem as the years went by.
The three children were raised by their grandparents.
The mother worked very hard to support them, so it could not be helped.
The girl, who was supposed to have been raised in a relatively normal way by a strict grandfather and a kind grandmother.
Her common sense, her ability to sense the appropriate distance between people, and her ability to read the atmosphere, which is supposed to be essential in modern Japan, were all devastating.
Her grandparents were disappointed to see that the girl, who had been brought up relatively strictly to be upright, had grown up in such a way, unlike her sister and brother, though it may have been due to her love-starved childhood.
However, the environment is what brings up a child.
The family around her must have been similar to her.
Self-centered, a human manifestation of their own ego.
They thought themselves important and looked at others as if they were trash.
They were a group of people like that.
When she started going to school, she had a baby face that was a little too young to be appropriate for her age, and although she was not unattractive, or in other words, she was adequate, she could not make friends who were suitable for her, because she could not grasp the appropriate distance.
Her young face, as well as her early elementary school attitude and behavior, made her stand out from the crowd of boys and girls who were going through puberty.
She couldn't fit in with the girls' group at all, and when she started to socialize with the boys, she was ridiculed by the girls for being a flirt.
Such a girl must have been pathetic.
However, it was clearly reprehensible for her to try to use that pity to build relationships.
She looked down on the people around her, used them, and justified herself.
I guess that's just the way people are nowadays.
It's not even as if the upbringing was so bad to fall to that level.
If she wanted to be in the circle, if she wanted to be liked, she had to make a certain effort, but she did nothing.
Still, she wanted to be liked by someone, even if only a little.
She became obsessed with a man who was introduced to her by a classmate who she considered a friend, and she started smoking and even drinking at the suggestion of a man who was not even her boyfriend.
As a result, she was arrested by the police several times for being under age and was put on probation, leading to a rough life.
At the end of the day, she selfishly dissipated her innocence, which she was supposed to protect, and as a result, a life was born in her belly.
However, that tiny life was weighed against the life of the immature girl who wanted to give birth even though she could not raise her, and disappeared.
She thought she had made an effort, I guess.
She just didn't realize that she had done almost nothing.
She was dumb and therefore arrogant.
Such a girl's world would consist of only her family.
As expected, she was isolated and became a target of bullies, dropping out of high school after six months.
Even so, she started working part-time jobs to help her family, but was dismissed from all of them within three weeks.
The girl was not good at formality/honorifics.
She didn't like the seniority system.
Above all, she didn't know anything.
She thought that just because someone was older than her didn't mean that they should be treated with respect.
That was her opinion.
The women she worked with hated her, and the manager and other store managers told her not to come back, not knowing why she was there.
It's no wonder.
Society is not a lenient place.
Brown hair, bad make-up, more than 20 years younger, with an attitude of underestimating life.
"I'm not good at formal conversation, so let's talk in casual terms!"
"Since we're going to be working together, let's be friends! Can I give you a nickname?"
"We're free, how about a game of tag?"
Who in the world wouldn't be annoyed by such a thing being said to them, even though they have never met each other before?
What would a part-time worker who has only been working for a few days think if a part-time worker who has been working for a long time said something like that to her?
Even if she was not annoyed, she would probably be judged as not having the attitude to ask for help.
She was just trying to be friendly.
But she didn't know that in society, that is the same as insulting someone.
Even if they were both newcomers, it could be applied in the same way.
Not that there's anything wrong with getting along.
But being a classmate and a colleague are two very different things.
They may be synonymous in the sense that they learn in the same place, but they learn at different rates and have different goals in the classroom than in the workplace.
It's normal to get to know each other while working.
However, she couldn't understand that it was impossible to do so in just a day or two.
She also didn't understand her place in the world.
School is a place to learn, but society is a place to live.
There was no way that the girl, who was a bit of an outcast even at school, would be able to form smooth relationships in society.
Not knowing was not a sin, but what she was doing was a sin.
It was not the auspiciousness of being allowed to work, but the self-centered unconsciousness that she was working in such a shabby store.
The girl's world revolved around herself.
───It’s natural to teach newcomers, so why are you acting so superior and looking from above?
I seriously don’t get it.
Why does everyone treat me like this?
Is it because I'm weird? Because I'm not normal?
I mean, it's all my fault, right?
That's fine then.
But what's normal? Why do I have to be normal?
I don't get it.
That's just ridiculous.
Because I am who I am, you know?
It's weird that this world doesn't accept me.
It's awful, awful, awful! How awful! ────
The girl was dumb, self-centered, mean, and a child.
She would say that it's no wonder no one liked her since she was like this, but still to her she was the most important and she only thought about herself.
She says that her family is important, but at the same time she says that she wants to die as soon as possible.
I wish my family would cry for me.
I hope they're sad that I'm gone.
She doesn't even realize that she doesn't care about her family when she unconsciously has such self-centered thoughts.
The girl could not help but look at others as equal or even lower than herself.
What, that ugly girl has a boyfriend?
I don't like that kind of woman.
I don't like women like that.
Ugh, why do you have to look up to me like that and tell me what to do?
That's why men run away from you.
That's the extent of what she thinks about others, even her colleagues.
But she didn't realize that all those thoughts applied to herself.
Hating this kind of herself, but never making any effort.
Because my head is stupid, there’s no point in studying, so I don't.
Because I can't understand anything, and no one will teach me.
So, it can't be helped.
It's not my fault.
That's how she went on to justify herself.
Unable to love anyone, and unable to love herself.
Not doing anything.
She was such an incredibly stupid girl.
The fact that such a foolish girl was summoned to be a saintess was certainly a turning point for the country and for her.
A pure white room with a pure white altar.
In the center of the magic circle, which had lost its color, sat the girl in a daze, and a man in a priestly attire, full of joy.
The man laughed, shaking a little as if he was overwhelmed with emotion.
"Oh! It worked!"
The man must have realized that the magic he had performed had been properly activated when he saw the girl sitting in the middle of the magic circle.
A summoning magic circle.
It is said to have been laid down by a rare sorcerer, and now, as far as the man knows, only the wisest of the wizards can set up such a high level of magic technology to summon heroes or saints from other worlds.
“Where is this?"
The man in the priest's attire knelt reverently in front of her with a look of ecstasy on his face, ignoring her stunned mutterings.
"Beautiful Saintess-sama, please, tell me your name."
Even though she didn't understand what was going on, her feelings still soared.
No one had ever called me beautiful before.
Since it was a baby face for an 18 year old, the most anyone had ever said about was cute.
"You mean me?"
"Yes, that's right, my beautiful saintess-sama."
Puzzled by the man's praise, but being praised so much it certainly didn’t feel bad.
The reason why she was praised like that was because of the magician who summoned the girl.
It was like a blessing and servitude to the summoned person.
The girl was given the power of enchantment to captivate any person, and the illusion to look like a beautiful, immortal girl so that she would have the appearance to match.
She was also given the power of enchantment to make anyone fall in love with her.
The foolish girl is completely oblivious to the shackles being placed on her.
The only person who knows is the man who summoned her, but he is not going to tell her that.
The man had simply followed the procedure and activated a magic circle that selected and summoned only stupid and easy to handle people.
The fact that such a person would be summoned was written down in an ancient document, so the man and the country's upper echelons understood.
Ironically, the reason why the man who was supposed to use the girl became fascinated with her was because her magic power far exceeded that of the man, due to the tendency of otherworlders to having a large amount of magic power.
This would not have been the case if he had been a rare magician who had created a magic circle.
The amount of magic power is proportional to the amount of resistance.
As a result, the man who was defeated by the total amount of magic power of the girl was completely mesmerized.
It's a bit of a fallacy, but then again, this is the kind of country that summons people from other worlds just to use them for their own gain, so I guess it's their own fault.
“Eeh-, what’s with that-?
The girl looked at the man with an air of indifference as she swept her long, slightly askew hair, which she had curled this morning with an unfamiliar iron, over her ears.
“Hmm- it’s fine if I say my name-?"
"Yes, please, tell me."
The girl smiled wryly, unaware that she was being stared at with lustful eyes.
Her black hair, damaged at the ends, was shining like a raven's wet feathers after she had dyed it just yesterday for a part-time job interview, even though she said it was a hassle.
"It's like~, I'm.
Written as true love, said as Maria."
The man in front of her, with a look of ecstasy on his face as he listened to the words spun by his chapped lips that had forgotten to apply lip balm, let out a breath.
"Maria... What a wonderful and lovely name ......!
Now, please, come here. Let's get rid of those dirty clothes and change your clothes."
"Change of clothes? Oh, hey, wait, where am I?"
"This is Saint Ferdinand's Kingdom, founded by Saint Ferdinand, the most precious and divinely guided nation in the world.
You are a saint chosen by God."
The girl tilted her head, unable to understand the rapid-fire explanation.
"I don't understand."
"I can't blame you for being confused by this sudden turn of events.
But first, let's take a bath, hey! Somebody show the saint around!"
“Eh, wait, I say wait!"
"Come on, Saintess-sama, I'll show you. This way."
The girl was then cleansed like a princess in the most gorgeous, rose petal-strewn baths I had ever even thought of, and dressed in a beautiful silk dress.
And smiled as if she wanted to dance, not even shrinking from the gorgeousness of the dress that was out of balance with her face.
The rest of the days were like a dream for her, sweet and happy.
The beautiful faces of the powerful men who fought over her, and the women who worshipped her without even a hint of jealousy.
Loved as a butterfly and a flower, praised no matter what she did, and forgiven no matter what she did.
──── This is where I really belong!
It did not take much time for the foolish girl to believe that.
And she stopped looking in the mirror.
She couldn't accept the fact that she was getting uglier with time, but more importantly.
She didn't want to be reminded of her original, dull face.
She used the mysterious power of magic, without knowing how to use it, whenever she was asked to do so.
Thanks to her, the country that sheltered the girl became rich.
Many men wanted her.
As a beautiful saint, she charmed all kinds of people.
At that time, the girl met a young man from the demon tribe who visited the country for trade.
He was the most beautiful young man she had ever seen, with fiery red eyes.
The young man muttered to the girl with a look of disgust in his eyes as she assumed that he would immediately smile and give her words of praise.
What a creepy woman.
It was only for a moment, and perhaps due to the fact that it was quickly mended, only the girl could hear it.
But then reality finally hit her.
She looked in the mirror for the first time in years.
What she saw was a woman who was neither young nor beautiful, but in a terrible state.
Before she knew it, she was no longer at a age to be called a girl.
It had been groomed.
Her skin was beautiful, but her body was flaccid and wrinkled from indulging in pleasures, and her face was distorted.
Her black hair, which the men admired, had somehow turned gray.
She had not been able to overcome the passing of time.
The woman, who had been a foolish girl, screamed in a half-crazed frenzy.
"I don't want to be here! I want to go home! Please let me go home!"
The people around her rebuked her with troubled faces.
I didn't understand why she wanted to go home now.
"Where's Mom!? Where's my Mom? Big brother! Shiori! I'm sure they're all worried about me!"
The men around her, troubled by her crying and screaming, caught the young man who was thought to be the cause of the problem and banished him from the country.
However, the woman was unable to accept the reality of her situation and began to shut herself in her room.
Unable to accept her appearance, her current situation, or anything else, she simply grieved.
This is the year 253 in the legal calendar, and 312 in the Lunamia Kingdom calendar.
This was about four hundred years ago from the current time axis.
The foolish girl landed on a time axis that would take us to the Warring States Period in modern Japan.
With beautiful men at her side and a fascination that could tip the country.
God did not intervene in this event.
The saints were indispensable to the Holy Ferdinand Kingdom.
A saintess is a being that makes up a hero.
Summoned only to guide and help people, they are treated like convenient, disposable pawns in some countries.
So what happened to this woman?
Fortunately or unfortunately, she was treated very well for spreading fascination.
As a result, she grew up, became arrogant and jealous of everything.
With no way to return home and no way to accept the reality of her situation, one day she suddenly saw a beautiful senior maid who was younger than her and her fiancé, and she became terribly jealous.
──── It's not fair, even though I'm alone, someone like you. It's not fair that you have a family, it's not fair that you have a lover, it's not fair, it's not fair! ────
This feeling was aimed straight at the senior maid.
The next thing you know, the woman had become the senior maid
It was not physical predation, but an invasion by magical power.
The soul, the body, the magic power, the memories, everything was consumed by the woman and became her food.
The senior maid's soul mingled with the woman's soul, and fleetingly disappeared into the woman's overly strong ego.
It was a power that could be called forbidden.
The woman looked in the mirror.
Her gray hair was gone, her body was toned, and even her face had changed to look more like that of the senior maid.
The woman, who had become young and beautiful in this way, laughed.
──── What the hell, I should have gotten it done this from the beginning. ────
On that day, one of the senior maids disappeared without anyone knowing about it.
However, the upper ranks of the legal system tolerated it for the sake of the country's prosperity.
Because they were sure that the saint was enriching the country.
As the months went by, it became a tacit understanding.
─── The beautiful girl who was chosen to be a saintess was the sacrifice of Saint Mary.
The woman who took everything from the girls, including memories of being loved, happy memories, lovers, youth, and beauty, lives on as a beautiful saint loved by the people.
Four hundred years have passed, and she is still alive.
//Melki: *whistles* this time we were just introduced to another crazy bitch
Thx for the chapter!
Thanks for the chapter, I'm confused, isn't she the granddaughter of the prime minister? if the PM is "one of the upper echelons" that has "remained since the previous emperor" wouldn't he be able to... hide, the true nature of the Saintess??... unless this is a different country because I genuinely don't remember the name of countries in this settings hehe.