The morning sun had only just crested the temple roofs, and pale gold light streamed in through the wide lattice of the Quiet Wing. A faint breeze stirred the gauze curtains, carrying the scent of incense and warm stone. The world outside stirred gently-but inside her chamber, Jinn was still fast asleep.
For the first time in days, her body had surrendered to rest. Limbs heavy. Breath deep. Her mind adrift in that empty dark, unbothered by dreams or fear.
A soft knock. Then another.
"My lady?"
No reply.
The door creaked open. A maid entered, white robes pristine, posture respectful. She paused at the sight of the girl curled up under the pale covers. Her brow furrowed softly. Jinn didn't even stir.
"Forgive me," the maid whispered, stepping in. She crossed the room and gently pulled back the curtain. Sunlight poured in.
Jinn groaned, stirred, and bolted upright with tangled hair and a half-shouted, "Oh no... Am I late? Am I getting scolded again?"
Then she blinked. This wasn't her office. Or the guild.
"Ah. Right. Temple."
The maid bowed politely. "Good morning, my lady. I am Lira. Assigned to attend you."
Jinn blinked again. "Morning... Lira."
"Your presence is requested by the Luminarchs. The welcome ceremony begins shortly."
Jinn groaned again but sat up, rubbing her face. Lira assisted her carefully-washing, brushing, dressing-until Jinn froze at the sight of the dress laid out.
"Wait... this is... isn't this the Saintess's outfit?"
"Indeed," Lira replied. "The Grand Luminarch ordered it for your appearance. As the Envoy."
Jinn stood, stunned. "That's pushing it, isn't it?"
Lira said nothing. Just waited.
So Jinn wore it.
When she finally stood before the mirror, she barely recognized the reflection.
"It's... beautiful," she said under her breath.
Didn't think this reincarnated body would turn out like this, she thought. With this dress, I-actually look holy.
Lira smiled. "It suits you perfectly."
---
Outside, the Blessing Terrace overflowed.
Merchants, nobles, farmers, soldiers-all had come. A tide of bodies, anxious eyes, murmuring lips.
"We saw the silent parade," someone muttered. "No trumpets. No banners. What kind of announcement is this?"
"Maybe the Saintess came back. Or maybe... they found someone else."
A priest stepped forward at the edge of the terrace. He held a staff topped with a crystal orb.
"Good morning, honored guests. We welcome you to this sacred day-"
Behind him, in the shadowed chamber, the Luminarchs whispered.
"Where is she?"
"The ceremony has begun."
The Grand Luminarch remained still. "She won't run. She gave her word."
Then the doors opened.
Jinn walked in, cloak trailing behind her. Beside her, Lira kept silent pace.
"Greetings, Your Holiness. Luminarchs. I hope I'm not late."
The Grand Luminarch gave a calm nod. "You arrived just in time. Be at ease. This is your welcome ceremony."
"Me...?" she echoed.
"Yes. You are now the Church's recognized aid in the Saintess's absence. It must be public. For peace. You need not say much. A few words. A gesture."
Jinn swallowed.
Just a few words, huh? she thought. While the whole damn kingdom stares at you in silk robes?
The priest finished his greeting and passed the staff to the Grand Luminarch. Its crystal glinted in the sun.
Jinn squinted at it. "What is that thing?"
A voice behind her whispered, "A transmitter crystal. Projects voice across wide areas. There are receiver crystals scattered through the crowd."
"Like a radio station", she thought.
"Invented by a Tower mage a hundred years ago," the voice continued. "He called it a 'megaphone' once. His friend rejected that name. Said it sounded like a child made it up."
Jinn smirked internally. Otherworlder, huh? Bad timeline. Should've kept the name. At least it was honest.
The Grand Luminarch's voice rolled out over the crowd.
"In our grief at the Saintess's disappearance, we nearly lost faith. But the heavens have not turned from us. An envoy now walks among us, not to replace her, but to carry her light."
Jinn swallowed.
Then the priest raised his hand.
And the crowd began to cheer.
She stepped forward.
The Blessing Terrace stretched out below like a sea of breathless anticipation. Thousands of eyes turned upward. Watching her. Waiting.
Her fingers tightened on the crystal staff.
Just walk. Just breathe.
Her foot crossed into the open. The cheers rose again-scattered, curious, not yet full.
She raised the staff, heart thudding, and spoke.
"I... I am not the Saintess. I'm not chosen. I wasn't born for this."
The terrace stilled. Her words traveled, caught by the crystals spread across the crowd.
"But I was sent here. To help. To serve. And while the Saintess remains missing... I will do what I can. I won't promise miracles. But I won't run from your suffering either."
A hush settled.
"I ask for nothing. But I'll give what I can. Even if it's not enough."
She closed her eyes. Raised her hand.
The words came not from scripture, but from somewhere deeper.
"May the light find you. Warm you. Carry you. May your burdens ease. May your path be clear..."
And then-
Light.
It didn't descend gently.
It bloomed.
The clouds tore open in a blinding shimmer, golden rays cascading like falling stars-soft but immense, warm yet incomprehensible. A pressure filled the air, like the world itself inhaled and forgot how to exhale.
Gasps broke out. Some cried out. Others dropped to their knees, hands raised to the sky.
Jinn's eyes opened slowly.
"What... what is this? I didn't cast anything. I didn't even use mana."
The warmth touched her skin. Her breath hitched. It wasn't illusion-it was real. Her body recognized it. Her soul did too.
This... isn't me. This can't be me.
She looked down.
Some in the crowd were openly sobbing. A young mother held her child tight. An old man trembled. A knight knelt in silent confession. A noblewoman whispered prayers through tears.
Others just stared. In awe. Or fear. Or wonder.
They were all looking at her.
She didn't say another word. Just stood there-speechless, motionless-under a sky that still hadn't stopped glowing.
Then-
From somewhere near the front:
"Long live the new Saintess!"
A single voice. Cracked, unsure.
Then another.
Louder.
Then a group. Clearer.
Then all at once, like a wave:
"Long live the Saintess! Long live the blessed one!"
Jinn's spine stiffened. Her head turned sharply.
No.
She turned to the Grand Luminarch behind the veil of white curtains, whispering through clenched teeth.
"Your Holiness... this isn't what we agreed. I'm not-this title-it's not mine."
The Grand Luminarch met her gaze calmly.
"I know," he said softly. "But let them see you as the Saintess, just for today. Let them feel hope."
"And that light?" she whispered. "That wasn't me... right? You cast it?"
He looked at her gently. "We didn't do anything."
Her throat tightened.
She looked out again.
They were still chanting. Cheering. Crying. Smiling.
And every voice was saying the same thing:
"Long live the Saintess."
She gripped the staff tighter.
"I didn't run this time... but I don't know what I've stepped into."