Chapter 3

In the Kingdom of Kalflora, the miasma within the country becomes dense once every few decades, giving birth to demonic beasts that threaten the nation. Each time, these beasts are hunted down, but they continue to be born without end, making it an endless task.

Then, one day, a girl appeared as if in response to the demonic beasts and purified all the miasma.

The Holy Church recognized her as a Saint. Since then, a rule was established to search for a Saint when signs of miasma increasing were detected, and if none could be found, to cultivate one. Not only the Holy Church, but the royal family also made a decision regarding the Saint. This decision was to keep the Saint, who would save the country, within the royal family. In fact, the girl later became a queen.

The generation of Redlion coincided with a period of dense miasma, but despite a nationwide search, no girl fitting the description of a Saint was found. This is why the Holy Church decided to cultivate a Saint, and it was not unreasonable for the Duke Serenite to send his daughter Chloe to the Holy Church early for political reasons. By the time she turned ten, she was unofficially recognized as a provisional Saint and her engagement to the First Prince was also decided.

However, Redlion could not recognize Chloe as a Saint at all, let alone as a future partner. This was because she was arrogant and jealous, and thought of her fiancé, the prince, as nothing more than an accessory to adorn herself. Moreover, she could not bear the thought of her favorite 'accessory' being taken away by someone else.

The pain of standing next to her, acting as her fiancé, had finally reached its limit. It was around this time that he met Momo Palette, a girl who had awakened later in life and was now attending the Royal Academy as the true Saint. She was honest, bright, and kind to everyone without discrimination. Watching Momo, he found himself thinking about her, and began to hope that one day she would look at him alone. His feelings for Momo grew day by day, even as he found Chloe's increasing jealousy and harassment of Momo increasingly distasteful.

During the trial to determine the true Saint, held at the Holy Church and watched by many believers, the judgment was pronounced. Confronted with the numerous pieces of evidence stored in a magical brooch, Chloe turned pale and tried to cling to Redlion, who was protecting the girl behind him.

"It's not true, Your Highness! It's because that girl is so friendly with high-ranking men who are already engaged that I...!"

"Don't touch me! You have no right to call yourself a Saint... I will advise my father to reconsider our engagement."

"Such a thing!"

Chloe, who had fallen to her knees, was coldly looked down upon by Redlion, who then embraced Momo.

"I will inform the Duke's family of the decision. Until then, stay quiet... Now, everyone, we will proceed with the ceremony to recognize the true Saint, Momo—"

The believers filed out of the grand hall, and Chloe, lying on the floor, was ignored by everyone.