Game Opportunities Become Reality Episode 75
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Game Opportunities Become Reality Episode 75
21. Saintess Contest (6)
On November 25, 2019 of the Age of Magic, a proclamation was delivered worldwide from the Holy Land Everhill, the headquarters of the church that serves the Creator Sepia.
[Having selected 15 Saintess candidates and 11 Holy Son candidates, we hereby begin the contest to elect the two leaders who will guide the church.]
[The contest will proceed for approximately one month, and its proceedings will be disclosed transparently through broadcasts and online media.]
The content was that the Saintess and Holy Son, who could be called Rondel's religious presidents, would be elected.
This was an event greater than the war with the Bringham Empire and the Prius Republic.
So much so that on the day the Saintess and Holy Son are finally chosen, the war between those two great nations will have to cease.
Along with the proclamation, a list of candidates comparable to interns who passed in a company interview was revealed.
[Saintess Candidate List]
-Grace Hielven (210 years old / Elysian Coalition)
-Judy Esther (19 years old / Holy Land Everhill)
-Evelyn Francis (21 years old / Bringham Empire)
-Ibril Barnet (15 years old / Kingdom of Rhinehearts)
-Lami Curtis (18 years old / Croysen Empire)
No matter how hard one tries, if one isn't selected as a candidate in the end, everything is for nothing fortunately, Ibril's name was on the list.
And not just that fourth among the formidable fifteen Saintess candidates.
These candidates first received recommendations from high-ranking clergy of bishop rank or above, and then those recommenders were scored according to an internally prepared evaluation sheet to determine acceptance.
Since candidates are announced in order of highest score, this means Ibril was ranked fourth among the Saintess candidates.
As expected, all the effort so far wasn't in vain.
I consider that truly fortunate.
We brought Ibril on seven broadcasts, and poured enormous advertising money into the media to keep her constantly exposed.
Thanks to that, her recognition skyrocketed in a short time, and despite lacking any notable achievements, the public's high interest allowed her to receive impartial evaluations.
'This is only the beginning.'
I've been making all this fuss to make a Saintess with my own hands if someone asks whether having a Saintess under me is really that good, I can answer immediately: of course it is.
It's about fame, yes, but it's also becoming the sponsor of the Saintess, the world's single religion.
In business and in politics, there's no way I wouldn't enjoy immense benefits.
Of course, I'll need to use the Saintess's name appropriately so I don't get cut off.
"C-Can I really do well?"
"I will provide you with ample backup to ensure you do well. So please focus only on the contest with peace of mind."
"Ugh, understood."
The Saintess contest is not a battle of the candidates alone.
It can also be called a political struggle among the sponsors supporting each candidate.
Naturally, in that process, if a sponsor's power is weak, the candidate is inevitably pushed to the back.
In that regard, I know there is no small amount of doubt about whether I, a newly risen noble, am fit to be a Saintess's sponsor.
Marquis is not a low rank, but considering that there are candidates personally sponsored by imperial dukes and royalty, it couldn't be seen as all that high a status.
However, if sponsors were to be scored, I can boast that Ibril would rank in the top three.
The reason is that the well-connected Archbishop is actively working to make Ibril the Saintess, and the Linehart royal house is also showing great interest in this matter and providing national support.
In that regard, there was no need to worry about political standing.
"We should start moving as well."
"Yes!"
Currently, we are participating in a commemoration ceremony where the Saintess and Holy Son candidates and the sponsors supporting each candidate gather in one place.
As expected of the wealthiest organization in the world, the event felt grand and magnificent, yet befitting a religious occasion, it was not flashy.
Each candidate was limited to four attendees at the event Ibril, Eric Jones (possessor of political talent) listed as her attendant, myself as her sponsor, and Arcia as my attendant.
"Oh, is that him?"
"Given the importance of his position, isn't he too young?"
"But his competence is nothing to scoff at. Though young, he is a figure no one in this room can afford to ignore."
As our party moved across the event hall, sharp gazes and murmurs poured in from all around.
We stood out the most in the venue, because all of us candidate, sponsor, and attendants were young people who could be called youthful.
Moreover, the members' striking appearances were a major factor drawing attention.
"I don't know about anything else, but their looks are certainly striking."
"Did they put together a group of young, beautiful people? Clever move. They definitely stand out."
Ibril was impressive in her own right, but Arcia, properly dressed in a party dress, was undeniably the most breathtaking of all.
I'd like to think I don't fall short in looks either, but whenever I see Arcia, I can't help but feel a giddy flutter.
If I, who am with her every day, feel this way, how must others feel?
There were an immense number of male gazes following Arcia.
Even the Holy Son candidate was among them.
The place we arrived at, drawing everyone's attention, was
"We greet the Saintess, the Holy Son, and His Holiness the Holy King."
It was where the three leaders of the Holy Land Everhill, the pinnacle of all religious figures in the world, were seated.
The Holy Land Everhill is technically a nation, and its influence on the world is greater than or equal to the Bringham Empire's never smaller.
One might wonder if three people ruling such a power together could work properly, but surprisingly, there is no infighting among them; they get along like close friends and each does their best in their assigned domain.
The reason this seemingly absurd system works is because the divine being directly involves itself in the religion.
Generally, when one thinks of religion under feudalism, images of forced twisted beliefs or corrupt organizations come to mind, but in this world's religious circles, that simply cannot happen.
A priest who commits wrongdoing gradually loses their Divine power and is arrested by priests holding the position of Inquisitor, then pays for their crimes.
Because of this, Rondel's religion the world's only religion was able to maintain a clean and incorruptible image.
'Among the three leaders, the one Ibril should catch the attention of is, of course, the current Saintess, Sharon Sylvester.'
[Sharon Sylvester / Saintess]
Race: Human
Age: 67
Affiliation: Saintess of the Sophia Church, Holy Land Everhill
Talents: Divine power (Supreme), Intellectual ability (High), Command (High), Administrative ability (Medium), Command (Medium), Empathy (Medium)
Traits: Incorruptible leader / Goddess's blessing / Demon slayer
Relation: Interest / Neutral
Status: Observing / Curious
She is the very person who will become Ibril's predecessor.
The current Saintess is 67 years old, but thanks to the Goddess's blessing, she maintains her appearance from her prime.
Thanks to that, she looks no older than my age, but despite how she looks, she married over forty years ago and recently saw her great-grandchild she's a real grandmother.
"It's a pleasure. You're Marquis Lawrence, is that right?"
"Yes, that's correct, Your Eminence Sylvester."
"You're awfully young. If I were just a bit younger, I'd be making a move on you."
The good thing about the Sophia Church is that it doesn't force excessive asceticism on believers or clergy.
That's why there are quite a few celebrities linked romantically with the Saintess or Holy Son, and whenever that happens, debates like this tend to break out.
[The contents are grandpa and grandma, but the looks are beautiful 20-somethings! Possible? Impossible?]
└Totally possible!
└Still, this is too far!
└How dare these people speak of Her Eminence...!
In other words, even the church doesn't force stiff solemnity and mystery at all times.
"My fiancée is right here, so it's a bit hard to answer that."
"Oh my, how improper of me. Hahaha."
Indeed, whether on Earth or here, looks are a weapon for men and women alike.
Aren't we receiving such favorable gazes even on a first meeting?
But since I wasn't approaching to seduce the Saintess, I introduced Ibril to them.
"This is Miss Ibril, whom I'm sponsoring this time. I kindly ask for your favor."
Naturally, making a good impression on the Saintess before me would bring many advantages in the competition.
In that sense, I didn't need to do much work...
"Well now..."
Because I didn't think they'd fail to recognize Ibril's worth even the Archbishop had recognized it.
Simply showing Ibril would be enough to draw favorable gazes.
And this expectation hit the mark perfectly.
"Remarkable."
"You've selected a truly proper person, Marquis Lawrence."
The Saintess and Holy Son, clergy seated above the Archbishop, recognized Ibril's worth at a glance.
At their reaction, the participants who had been glancing at us sideways wore expressions tinged with bewilderment.
I answered seriously, maintaining my composure and courtesy without overstepping.
"If I hadn't discovered her, I wouldn't have set foot in this competition. I didn't participate simply for political gain."
It would be a lie to say I didn't seek political gain.
But unlike most candidates who were elevated by political choices, Ibril was the finest card in and of herself.
So, rather than flattering like the others, my earnest presentation of someone worthy of becoming the Saintess made me seem sincere.
[Relationship: Interest / Neutral]
[Relationship: Favor / Neutral]
And this drew a positive reaction from the Saintess.
After confirming that the relationship had shifted from 'Interest' to 'Favor,' I exchanged brief pleasantries with the Saintess, the Holy Son, and the Holy King.
But before long, I politely bowed and brought the conversation to a close.
"Oh my, leaving so soon?"
"Wouldn't it be fair to yield the floor to others as well?"
"A clever one, aren't you."
The reason was that the Saintess's status had changed from 'Curious' to 'Slightly Curious.'
So I decided to step away cleanly.
No matter how favorably the relationship had developed, she didn't seem to appreciate having too much time taken up at a first meeting.
I read the room and made a timely exit, and her status returned from 'Slightly Curious' to 'Curious.'
And so I was able to secure a modest gain.
Then, seeking out Duke Olivia Riverdale, with whom I'd formed an alliance, I scanned the surroundings only to spot an unexpected figure and curl the corner of my mouth upward.
"Well, who do we have here?"
I strode over to the sturdy middle-aged man and greeted him as if we were acquainted.
"Hm? And you are?"
"A pleasure. Duke Francis. I am Marquis Adrian Lawrence of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts."
He was none other than Duke Francis of the Bringham Empire, the one who had sent assassins to kill Ibril.
* * *
'Gregory! What is the meaning of this!'
'I told you, Your Grace, that I can no longer remain in your service.'
'How dare you decide that on your own!'
'Thank you for everything up until now.'
The Marquis Lawrence of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts and the Saintess candidate Ibril, whom he sponsored, had caught his eye, so he ordered the assassinations to Gregory and August, who commanded his shadow unit.
He had no doubt that the two of them would accomplish the goal, just as they always had.
That was how much Duke Francis trusted the two of them on a daily basis.
Naturally, the foundation of that trust was their skill.
The combination of an assassination-type Aura Master and a top-tier Mental-series Spirit Summoner was at a level that even he, a Grandmaster, could not easily overcome.
And yet...
Those two had apparently failed the mission.
No failure alone would've been shocking enough, but the two, as if frightened by something, suddenly declared their retirement.
That was absolutely unacceptable.
'Do I look like a joke? They came as they pleased, but leaving will require my permission.'
So he used force to block them.
Even with Duke Francis, a Grandmaster, and his finest subordinates charging in, he let the two slip away.
'71 Vanguards died, and one Sky Fortress crashed.'
'...'
'The Sky Fortress wasn't damaged too severely, so it can be reactivated with minor repairs. However, it landed in an industrial district by misfortune, so the property loss '
And he'd lost them while taking massive damage at that.
It was a moment that reaffirmed just how terrifying the two's combat prowess was.
But more than the property damage, Duke Francis couldn't forget the words Gregory had spat out before leaving the domain.
'Consider this one piece of advice for the sake of our past ties: never make an enemy of Marquis Lawrence. He is a monster.'
Because of that, he was certain that the reason Gregory and August had left the domain was the Marquis Lawrence.
Moreover, while Gregory was giving that advice, the sight of August who could only be described as an embodiment of madness trembling was something he could hardly believe even with his own eyes.
'How? By what means did he deal with those two?'
Duke Francis was in turmoil.
And now.
"Well, who do we have here?"
The very embodiment of that turmoil stood before Duke Francis.
"A pleasure. Duke Francis. I am Marquis Adrian Lawrence of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts."