Chapter 2

In the orphanage's courtyard, where greenery spreads, the joyful shouts of children playing echoed.

"Big sister, over here, over here!"

"Whoa, wait for me!"

Laughing, the children ran around, while a young nun, who was being toyed with, chased after them. Despite being called out by the children, she couldn't catch the swift kids, no matter how hard she tried.

"Come on, wait... Ah!"

Perhaps because the fastening was loose, the nun's veil was blown away by a sudden gust of wind, fluttering in the air. Instantly, the silver hair, which she had been holding down with the veil, spread out like shining silk in the wind.

"Whoa!"

With her own hair sticking to her face and blocking her vision, the nun stumbled. Hastily brushing her bangs aside, a slightly childlike but dignified and beautiful face, worthy of a noblewoman, appeared.

"Oh no, my veil..."

Her face, which was so beautiful that one couldn't look away, was now on the verge of tears due to the unexpected mistake. But the children were merciless.

"Big sister, you're so clumsy!"

"Hurry up! Hahaha!"

"Wait! Big sister is tired!"

While running to retrieve the veil that had been carried away by the wind, the nun cried out with tearful eyes.

Under the eaves of the orphanage, the staff and visiting priests watched the game of tag with smiles.

The elderly nun who served as the orphanage director narrowed her eyes in delight.

"The children seem to be enjoying themselves with the Holy Maiden. Thank you for taking the time to visit our orphanage today."

"Oh no, the Holy Maiden was looking forward to this visit. Right, Sister Natalia?"

"Yes, indeed."

When the welfare priest, who was chatting amicably with the orphanage director, turned to her, the young nun who accompanied the Holy Maiden smiled and nodded.

Indeed, the nun who was being toyed with by the children in front of everyone was not just any nun. She was the current Holy Maiden, who belonged to the lineage of the Holy Maiden who had once saved the world from the Demon King alongside the Hero.

In the Gothland religious order, which boasts the largest number of believers on the Utrino continent, there exists a Holy Maiden, a divine representative chosen by the goddess's oracle from generation to generation. One could even say that the Gothland religion is the mainstream of goddess worship on the continent because it has a Holy Maiden.

The current Holy Maiden, the forty-third in the lineage, is a girl named Coco Spices, who is playing with the children right before everyone's eyes.

Coco possesses a mysterious and delicate beauty that perfectly fits the image of a Holy Maiden, and her modest yet bright personality is widely revered by believers.

Of course, being a Holy Maiden is not just about looks and charm.

Despite her fragile appearance, which makes one worry that she might disappear if left unattended, Coco is also known as a powerful user of holy magic and holy heart power, which only clergy can use. Moreover, she is considered to have the most extensive holy heart power among all the Holy Maidens in history, capable of wielding it more freely than exorcist priests who specialize in demon slaying.

A girl who combines the powerful divine power and fairy-like beauty.

She was truly like a goddess descended to earth.

At least, in appearance.

When the Holy Maiden, who had just finished playing and was panting, returned, Sister Natalia, who accompanied her, rushed over with a towel and a drink.

"Good work, Lady Coco."

"Thank you, Sister Natalia."

Coco took the towel happily and wiped the sweat from her forehead, then smiled. As she handed her a glass (or pretended to), Natalia leaned in closer and whispered with a frown.

(Are you intentionally extending your stay, Lady Coco?)

The Holy Maiden, after taking a sip of water, smiled slyly at an angle where only Natalia could see.

(You bet, Nuts. It's a rare visit to a remote area. How can I not earn some overtime pay during such opportunities?)

(One copper coin per hour? What can you do with such a small amount!?)

(Are you stupid? My daily wage is eight copper coins for an eight-hour workday. It's like a sparrow's tear. The pay is so low that even a sparrow would shed tears. One copper coin per hour, but if you work for forty-eight hours, you get one silver coin. Since I'm being underpaid, I have to earn money steadily during such opportunities!)

(Anyway, Lady Coco, a sparrow's tear doesn't mean that...)

The forty-third Holy Maiden, Coco Spices.

Outwardly, the ideal Holy Maiden.

Inwardly, a model miser.

◆

Deep within the Margrave Women's Convent, which is attached to the main cathedral of the Gothland religious order, lies the room of the Holy Maiden, Coco.

After returning from her trip, Coco dove straight into her bed as soon as she entered her room. She buried her face in the pillow and lay face down, spread-eagled.

"Ugh, being in a carriage for so long is really tiring."

Even though Coco was still in her mid-teens, two hours of being jostled in a carriage had left her exhausted.

As the Holy Maiden, still in her outdoor clothes, tried to cover herself with a blanket, Natalia, who was in charge of her care and supervision, immediately scolded her.

"Lady Coco, please take off your habit first!"

"Don't be so strict, Nuts. I'm tired."

Reprimanded by her caretaker, the Holy Maiden reluctantly got up, grumbling. She seemed to respect the slightly older Natalia.

The way she reluctantly moved when scolded by her "sister" made it clear that Coco was just a regular fourteen-year-old girl.

"Lying down on the bed without changing clothes is improper for a Holy Maiden."

While scolding her, Sister Natalia sighed, thinking, "She probably won't listen anyway..."

Natalia, who was originally just a novice nun, was appointed as Coco's attendant six years ago. Since her predecessors had all given up on Coco's behavior, it was debatable whether this was a promotion.

However, Natalia, contrary to the general expectation that she would quit soon, somehow managed to fit into the role of caretaker.

Perhaps because she was the third daughter of a minor noble family, Natalia was not rigid. Her flexible and homely nature seemed to appeal to Coco, who listened to her (relatively) obediently, and she has remained in her position as an attendant.

However, this has caused constant worry for the sensible Natalia.

This younger Holy Maiden is, to put it nicely, free-spirited.

To be honest, she is a wild monkey who knows neither morals nor manners.

And despite her cute appearance, she is very greedy for money.

Internally, she has no redeeming qualities.

When Natalia first learned of the Holy Maiden's true nature, she understood why all the educators had quit. Watching the Holy Maiden run across the wall like a cat, she had thought as much.

Because of her salary, the miserly Coco pretends to behave well and act like a good girl. However, since her true nature is like this, it's only a matter of time before her facade crumbles.

The religious order's leadership has strictly ordered her to "absolutely maintain the Holy Maiden's image." However, the real Coco is not just a tomboy; she is a born wild child. It's impossible to turn her into a delicate lady now.

As a result, Natalia, caught in the middle, is under constant stress. Her colleagues often comment on her frowning forehead and the dark circles under her eyes, and the twenty-something Natalia is on the verge of tears.

The term of a Holy Maiden is twelve years.

Coco, who was chosen by the goddess at the age of six, is now fourteen. She has four years left in her term. Since Coco likes her, Natalia will probably have to endure her for another four years... tears welled up in her eyes.

Unaware or perhaps aware of her attendant's feelings, Coco, who had quickly shed her layered habit, frowned when she saw the tired face of Natalia, who was preparing her change of clothes.

"Nuts, don't keep bottling up your worries. Try to live more carefree."

"Whose fault do you think it is?!"

Natalia's accusatory cry echoed through Coco's room.