"I am a true saint!" Evelina exclaimed in a voice tinged with bloodshed, facing the cold gazes.

"I am indeed! You are all deceived by that impostor!"

Her proclamation continued, but no one paid any heed to her words. They merely stared back with icy disdain.

It was to be expected. Who was Evelina, after all? Upon ascending to the position of the 49th saint, she had indulged in every form of luxury and pleasure, corrupting the sanctuary. And it didn't end there. She distributed the sanctuary's wealth as if it were her own, lavishing it upon those who pleased her whims. Most of the recipients were either sycophants who flattered her side or individuals she clandestinely summoned to her bed.

There was no longer anyone on the continent who revered the saints. After mentioning Evelina's name, they spat as if expelling something vile. They yearned for her to meet her deserved punishment and ascend to the embrace of the divine as soon as possible.

And today was the day when their prayers would be answered. Beneath Evelina's feet lay a pile of firewood, stacked like a mountain. It was meant for today's execution ritual. Soon, once the fire ignited here, Evelina, the notorious witch and false saint, would meet her end.

***

For a year now, rumors had been circulating throughout the continent, reaching every nook and cranny.

"Word has it that a true saint has appeared."

This rumor quickly spread throughout the entire continent. A woman with an extraordinary power, far surpassing any other residing in the remote corners of the continent, had emerged. She drove out demons and healed the wounded before vanishing without a trace.

Initially, the temple dismissed these rumors. They believed it to be mere gossip fabricated by those disillusioned with the current saint. However, the rumors continued to spread, growing more detailed and concrete.

"They say the true saint's name is Iris."

"Rumor has it that when the malevolent creatures catch sight of her, they flee in fear. She is said to heal dozens of wounded individuals at once!"

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Excitement coursed through the voices of those who shared the tales they had heard. However, as the whispers grew louder, they became cautious in their utterances. Those who hushed their voices spoke with trepidation.

"But they say there is only one true saint."

"In that case... what about Evelina, the saint at the temple?"

A false saint.

People exchanged unspoken words through their glances.

And so, the rumor expanded, eventually reaching the ears of Evelina herself.

"Fetch that woman immediately!"

Having received Evelina's command, the reluctant knights of the temple set out to apprehend Iris. At that moment, as Iris tended to the injured, she quietly addressed the knights.

"There is no need to apprehend me. I won't flee. However, would you kindly wait until I have healed all the people here... Latvan?"

Latvan, the knight commander who was already acquainted with Iris, understood her intentions and ordered the knights to withdraw. Once the treatment was complete, as Iris approached the location of the knight's temple, the people blocked her path.

"Run, Saint! The false saint will try to kill you!"

"Yes! We will stop them. Please, run!"

Iris smiled at the people who obstructed her, shaking her head gently.

"I promised the knights that I would go with them. Therefore, I must be protected."

Having spoken those words, Iris held the edge of her white robe and gently kissed the forehead of a sobbing child.

"Do not weep. We shall meet again."

Even though she herself was the most anxious, Iris' comforting presence subdued the tears of those around her. Those who had obstructed her path, now realizing that she intended to accompany the knights to the temple, pleaded with the knights, grabbing their sleeves.

"Iris is the true saint!"

"You all witnessed it a while ago. Iris healed us with her power!"

"If you knights are truly protectors of the saint, then you must safeguard Iris! The saint at the temple is the impostor!"

The fervent appeals from the people left the knights of the temple bewildered. Before coming to this place, they had never doubted the woman known as Iris. It was only natural, for throughout the thousands of years, there had never been more than one saint at a time. Occasionally, there were individuals who claimed to be saints, but they were all impostors. Thus, they had assumed Iris to be one of those charlatans.

With utmost courtesy, the knights guided Iris. The power she had displayed when healing the people just moments ago was undoubtedly saintly. As members of the knight's temple, they could sense it more keenly. Moreover, their commander, Latvan, showed Iris the utmost respect, more polite than ever.

When Iris arrived at the temple, Evelina was the first to greet her.

Evelina approached Iris, who lowered her head in silence, and after observing her carefully, commanded, "Raise your gaze."

At those words, Iris lifted her head, and a faint smile passed over Evelina's face. In the next moment, with a sharp crack, Iris' face turned roughly to the side, leaving a red mark on her fair skin.

"Don’t you dare impersonate the saint and pay the price for deceiving the people?" Evelina said with a voice filled with contempt.