"Saint!"

The head of the Knights, Latvan, who had brought Iris, exclaimed in surprise. But Evelina did not stop there. She continued to slap Iris' cheek relentlessly until she’s unable to endure any longer, and collapsed. Then Evelina, consumed by even greater anger, began to kick her relentlessly.

"You wretch! You think you can listen to the words of a true saint? Did you think I wouldn't know that your powers were crafted by the dark sorcery of evil heretics?"

Unable to contain her fury, Evelina kicked Iris' abdomen as she lay on the ground. Seeing Evelina's actions, the priests were shocked and tried to stop her. But it only fueled her rage even more.

"Cut her throat immediately! The punishment for impersonating a saint must be repaid with death!"

However, on that day, Iris did not die. It was because the Knight Commander, who had brought Iris, risked his life to prevent that command. Even the priests hesitated to oppose the Knight Commander.

"Please calm down, Saint Evelina. It would be wise to investigate further what has transpired."

"Am I supposed to know about such things? How dare they claim that I am a fake to the people!"

"If it is indeed the sorcery of the heretics, such incidents might occur again. Therefore, I believe it is right to conduct a thorough investigation."

Reluctantly, Evelina gave the order, her face contorted, her suspicions growing.

"Very well. Spare her life. But confine her to the deepest underground prison in the temple."

The underground prison of the temple was a place where the holy knights of the temple imprisoned the captured demons. It was a place devoid of sunlight, filled with damp humidity that suffocated and deprived one of breath, along with all sorts of insects. When news spread that Iris was locked up there, people were in an uproar.

"I saw it clearly. Saint Iris truly used her powers."

"Yes, but compared to that...has anyone seen Saint Evelina use her powers recently?"

Everyone felt something was amiss at those words. They had witnessed Iris' powers, but no one had seen Evelina use her powers in recent times. Doubts turned into certainties. It wasn't just the commoners; even the priests began to voice their suspicions.

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The powers of Saint Evelina are questionable.

Hearing those words, Evelina's face turned a bluish hue, and she descended to the underground prison. Then she took out a hidden dagger from her bosom and tried to kill Iris, who was bound by chains. If it hadn't been for the Knight Commander, Latvan, who had followed her suspiciously, Iris might have died there.

Frustrated by her failed attempt, Evelina shouted, "You wrench! You stole my powers! Otherwise, my powers wouldn't vanish completely!"

The sudden cry from Evelina caught the attention of the priests who were following behind. The priests, with stern faces, questioned Evelina.

"Is that true? Do you no longer possess your powers? Since when?"

Now the priests referred to Evelina not as a saint but as an impostor. In the face of such priests, Evelina, trembling with rage, pushed them away and hastily fled. Escaping from the temple, Evelina sought help from those she had once been infatuated with. However, no one came to her aid.

Meanwhile, in the temple, the inauguration ceremony for the new saint commenced.

Now, the 49th Saint Evelina was no more.

Her name was erased, and the name of the 49th Saint Iris spread throughout the continent.

And today, after all those days of fleeing while still harboring thoughts of taking Iris' life, it was the day of Evelina's execution.

"Kill the impostor!"

The crowd gathered at Evelina, who was bound to a pillar, still insisted that she was the real saint. Then they whispered among themselves.

"Whatever happened, it's truly fortunate that the real Saint is unharmed. It seems Knight Commander Latvan protected Saint Iris."

"Yes, I heard it too. It is said that the Prince Leon of the Empire has been assisting Saint Iris of Elysium for a long time. Rumor has it that he continues to stay in the kingdom, showing respect for Saint Iris’ benevolence and providing aid."

"That's not all. The King of the magicians, who despises the temples so much, also attended the succession ceremony to congratulate Saint Iris."

Soon, the executioner and the officials appeared. As the leading official began reciting the heinous acts committed by Evelina, the shouts of those demanding the fake saint's death grew louder. The voice of the official, who had been reading the charges for a while, ceased, and finally, the executioner approached Evelina and set fire to the logs beneath her feet.

The oil-soaked logs quickly ignited. Evelina's voice, which had been proclaiming her authenticity, vanished into the fierce flames beneath her.

That was the fake saint's final moment.

***

The impostor saint, who had indulged in misdeeds, was punished. One might think that I should rejoice and applaud the tale, but I could not bring myself to do so.

Revealed as a fraud, Evelina, burdened with the weight of her past transgressions, faced her just punishment.

For it was a future that awaited me, two years hence, wherein I would inhabit Evelina's body.