“Any other questions?” I looked around, but, finally, no one spoke up. “Okay. So, since it is about time for lunch, would everyone like to join me?”

Everyone agreed, so we ate a nice, albeit late, lunch with the Cardinal. And once we were done, it was time to head to the main temple. Surprisingly, well, probably not actually, everyone decided to join me.

And, as Cardinal Caitlyn understands me, the Gate hadn’t been opened yet! Now even if I don’t get the robes, this trip will have been worth it. Though, I’d still like to succeed.

After my dance, and the barrage of ‘as expected of the saintess,’ we passed through the Gate.

“Welcome to the temple, Saintess, Samuel, Cardinal, and guests.” Huh, Samuel is more important than Cardinal Caitlyn. “Please tell me should you need anything.”

“We shall. For now, the Saintess desires to attempt to bond with the robes.” Cardinal Caitlyn reported.

Bond? That’s an odd word to use. Haa, well, I’m about to find out.

Before we could leave, I was called to. “Is that the little dancer?”

“Hmm, oh, hello David, how are you?” I ask, recognizing the man.

“Fairly well. Congratulations, by the way, I always knew you’d become the saintess. Anyone that danced like that had to.” He smiled.

“Haa, yeah yeah, as expected. I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.” I sighed.

“Of course! Well, I won’t keep you. Good luck getting those robes!” He waved as we left.

“He seems nice. A friend of yours?” Melly asked.

“Yeah, since this Gate primarily links to our country, I usually used this one whenever I came to the temple. We got close because we are both orphans, albeit from different cities. He helped make sure I felt welcomed.”

“I see. He also mentioned your dancing, have you been doing that for long?” Rapunzel added.

“Eh, kinda. It started with me just waving my arms through the light. Eventually, I noticed the light moved in a sort of pattern, so I tried to follow them. That led me to the dance.” I explained.

“There’s a pattern!?” Samuel exclaimed. “That teaches you a dance!?”

“Kinda? The light flows similarly to ocean currents, I think. It only gave me a bit of inspiration; I had to make up most of it.” I corrected.

“That makes sense. Why do you do various different dances, though?” Cardinal Caitlyn asked.

“Oh, that’s because I’m following different currents. As each current moves in its own unique way, I ended up making several dances. And I’m still making more!” I smiled.

“Ah, that must have been difficult.”

“Not really, the currents are the same every time, after all.”

“How would such currents even be similar, much less identical?” Greg questioned.

“Simple, the room, the process, the Gate itself, they’re all nearly identical for every Gate opening.”

“Marvelous, I never knew that, but it does make sense in hindsight. Thank you for informing me.” Cardinal Caitlyn thanked me.

As we talked, we’d arrived at the front of the temple, since the Gates are arranged outside the premises as a defensive measure.

“So this is the famous Holy Temple of the Gods. It is not often that outsiders are permitted to even glimpse at such a wonder.” Greg complimented.

“Indeed. Thank you, Elizabeth, I would not have been allowed to witness such a sight without you.” Hansen added.

“I’m glad I could help.” I shyly accepted, though I’m certain they’d be given permission even without me, especially once the Demon lord has been killed.

“It is impressive, isn’t it? I’m always filled with wonder whenever I see it.” Samuel reminisced.

“Yeah, I feel the same.” Cardinal Caitlyn agreed. Everyone then looked at me. I guess they want to hear my thoughts?

“Well, it is big.” I got odd stares at that. I just shrugged. “I never really particularly cared about the main part, it was just a test site to me. Besides, I was always more interested in the Gate.”

“Haa, I will admit, the Gates are more wondrous, though your lackluster reaction still saddens me. This is your home after all.” Samuel sighed.

Haa. “It’s not,” I say in annoyance. Haa, I need to stop being such a brat, but home is a sensitive topic for us, especially after all my effort trying to get one.

“But it is the main temple? Of cour-” He argues.

“IT, IS, NOT. Okay.” I firmly declare. Haa, I’d thought he’d understand me a bit better by now. Oh, I see. I want a home, and this technically is one for me. Haa, that’s… “Samuel, you are misunderstanding me. If anywhere would work, I wouldn’t have tried to become a priestess.”

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“I see, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Saintess.”

“It’s fine, it’s the thought that counts. So, where are the robes? I’ve never seen them before.”

“Haa, of course, you haven’t. Even though it’s standard to show it to all candidates.” Cardinal Caitlyn dryly commented.

“Yeah, there’s a lot of things that I don’t know,” I admit.

“Well, it doesn’t matter all that much, you can take your time to learn everything once you have dealt with the demon lord.” She informed me. Nice! However, I don’t know if that’s because they understand my mission or they’ve just given up on me.

“Oh, is everyone allowed to see the robes?”

Cardinal Caitlyn gave me a weird look. “You want them to watch you put it on?”

“Huh? Oh, No! Not at all! I just wondered if they could see them beforehand, or if it was restricted, or something. Besides, am I actually putting them on? You said I would have to bond with them, and if I could wear them, I could keep them. So what is it?”

“I see, that makes more sense. So, you put them on and then see if you can keep wearing them. If you feel that you can, you can just take them, though it is highly recommended only to do so if you are actually close, as forcing it can be… bad.”

“Really? Does that mean something could go wrong if I’m not powerful enough?”

“No. And even if it did, your true healing could fix it. Also, should you obtain them, DO NOT let anyone else wear them. There’s a reason only you are allowed to wear them, and it’s not political or religious.” She advised me. “Also, while normally only those with high ranks in the church, or the candidates, are allowed to see them, the hero’s party is also allowed to. And, of course, anyone you bring with you. The robes do belong to you, after all.” She added.

“Cool. Let’s go then. I’m curious as to what they look like.” I smiled.

Cardinal Caitlyn led us through the halls of the colossal temple as we went to where the robes were stored. Our path led out of the outer temple and into the inner courtyard, consisting of a massive garden surrounding another, smaller, temple. One around the size of a town church, just with a different layout, hinting at its age.

“Oh, the temple was split into parts?” Gregory asked.

“Yeah, what we wandered through is the outer temple. It was made around the original temple once the church grew beyond its capabilities. I’ve rarely been here, as only the Cardinals and such are allowed here usually.” I answered.

“Correct. I thought you wouldn’t know?” Cardinal Caitlyn commented.

“Really? I thought you knew about my interest in history? After all, other than learning magic, that’s what I’ve spent the most time on. The history of magic is by far my favorite subject.”

“Then why…” Didn’t I know about being a saintess?

“Personal holdups.” I shrugged. “I’m actually fairly well-informed about the history of things like the temple. Oh, as an example of my knowledge, I’ve mostly memorized where every book goes for the last hundred years or so of history stored in my church. The only reason I haven’t done more is that I haven’t had the time to yet.”

“That’s, very impressive.” Cardinal Caitlyn says in shock.

“Truly?” Greg asks.

“Have you seen a church library? It’s all organized by year. I’ve had to go through those sections hundreds of times struggling to find specific books. Haa. It’s such a chore, though the looks I get when I can just casually grab whatever book someone’s looking for without searching is so worth it.” I smiled.

“I see, that is quite impressive.” Greg complimented.

“Thank you. Anyway, where we are now is called the Miranda Garden, named after the unofficial first saintess who asked the gods for the power to save her people. By the way, I’m surprised how easily we were allowed to enter,” I commented.

“Hmm, why’s that? While Saint Cameron removed the last checks that limited people’s entrance, this garden has been open to everyone in the temple since the Inquisition ended.” Samuel wondered.

“Oh, that’s why. So, I knew we could enter the garden, I just thought that we’d have to go through an inspection to do so. I’m quite certain we will have to go through one to enter the Second Temple, though.”

“Well, not really. While even cardinals usually need to undergo an inspection, you, as the saintess, do not, as well as anyone with you, if you allow them. The only ones with such privileges are those that a saintess has made to be exempt, like Samuel, though you can choose to remove that privilege.” Cardinal Caitlyn explained.

“What? I can do that?”

“Yes, it’s one of the few ways you are truly above the Pope. This temple, and everything in it, belongs to you. Not even the Pope can go against that, as even he has to be checked to enter, currently.”

“The Pope needs to be inspected!”

“Yes, unless you declare otherwise. Removing that privilege is usually done to show a saintess’ displeasure with the pope’s actions.”

“Then isn’t it bad that he’s restricted right now?” I started to panic. I didn’t even do anything, yet I’m already somehow picking a fight!

“Hmm? Oh! Don’t worry about that. It’s tradition to remove the pope’s privilege whenever a new saintess is appointed. In addition to basically everyone else’s privilege; with the only exceptions being those that were truly close to the previous saintess, as a traditional form of respect. Though that privilege can be removed.”

“Okay. Good to know. Though, I thought I was below the Pope in authority. Why can I do that?”

“That’s because the Pope was elected, therefore to the church, they are above you, especially as the saintess also votes. They are also the one that deals with all of the paperwork and politics and such. So, they are commonly seen as the ones with the real authority. Officially though, you are actually higher ranked, hence all your special privileges.”

“I see. It makes sense that the person running everything is actually in charge.”

“Yes. That is also why you are mostly free to do as you wish. Though you can technically become more involved if you want more authority, it’s a slippery slope that I do not recommend.” Samuel advised.

“Aye, that sounds good to me. I’d rather study than govern anyway.”

“She’s remarkably unambitious.” Cardinal Caitlyn commented. “Well, at least her reign should be peaceful, considering she has the rare opportunity to seize substantial power.”

Um, that sounds dangerous. “Uh, about things I need to do…” I changed the subject. I’m not about to start another inquisition.

“Yes. You don’t need to do anything, but you can allow your companions the privilege to enter freely if you want. You can even give them rooms here. Just remember that there are only so many.”

“Oh! Let’s do that then.” I smiled.

“Understood, I’ll fetch the paperwork while you try on your robes.” Ah, yeah, paperwork. That makes sense. Haa, let’s get it over with.