The Saint Disappeared with Her Memories — Her Broken Engagement Decided the Kingdom’s Destiny - Chapter 33

Without my knowledge, the surrounding circumstances had changed drastically.

Until a few months ago, I held the highest authority in the temple. As the Saint, I was revered by everyone. When I walked through the temple grounds in my work attire, everyone would bow their heads and show respect. But now, no one even listens to what I say. They seem completely preoccupied with their own affairs. How pathetic.

Looking back, the temple’s downfall probably began when we received financial support from the prince. Apparently, they received a request for a top-secret mission, though I don’t know the details. But since the request came directly from the prince, it must have been an important mission.

I wish they had included me in the discussion, but the elder sages proceeded with their plans on their own.

The elder sages were ecstatic. They seemed to think, “This will restore the temple’s influence.” The elder sage with the patchy beard kept repeating over and over, “If we succeed in this request, we’ll regain the royal family’s trust.”

In the end, their scheme ended in complete failure. Apparently, a somewhat famous young sage named Alexis, along with the shrine maidens who adored him, fled the temple. I was focused on my important date with Prince Eric at the time, so I don’t know the details. Since the elder sages handled everything on their own, it’s only natural I wouldn’t know. But I can easily imagine the chaos in the temple; their faces were completely pale.

They apparently issued orders to retrieve those who fled the temple, but there was no one capable of doing so. Those who escaped were all highly capable individuals. With them gone, the temple’s functions were severely diminished.

The manpower shortage was critical. The temple’s ability to handle incoming requests plummeted, and public dissatisfaction exploded. Yet the elder sages made no effort to handle things themselves and dumped everything on me, the Saint. Those old fools, they wouldn’t lift a finger themselves.

“Lady Elise, could you handle this request as well?”

“Lady Elise, this blessing ceremony too.”

“Lady Elise, the monster subjugation request as well.”

Are they stupid? Like I thought before, if the Saint has to do everything, what’s the point of your existence? What would you do if I collapsed from exhaustion? Besides, I can’t perfectly wield every type of magic either. They just flatter me, calling me capable, and expect me to handle everything.

“I can’t do any more than this. Have the people who accepted the requests handle it themselves.”

“B-but you’ve always managed to solve things until now. Why suddenly…!”

“Impossible means impossible. I’m already pushing myself as it is. Don’t increase my burden any further.”

They demanded even more work from me, an absolutely impossible amount. And if I failed, they’d make it my responsibility. I absolutely refuse to accept that. After making me work this hard, what if my beautiful looks get damaged or I develop wrinkles from the strain? Prince Eric might come to dislike me.

I reported the situation to the prince. I told him everything without hiding how terrible the temple’s condition was. Of course, I also mentioned my own hardships.

“Your Highness, the temple is on the verge of collapse. I can’t support it alone. Those elder sages do nothing, yet they make impossible demands of me alone.”

He let out a deep sigh and seemed to decide to abandon the temple. It was written all over his face—”I don’t want to deal with the temple anymore.” Lately, he’d been acting somewhat cold toward me too, which frightened me.

I had no choice. I decided to leave the temple and live in the palace instead. Even though Prince Eric made a displeased face, I’d cling to him somehow. If I were abandoned along with the temple here, I wouldn’t be able to survive. If I lost my position as Saint and missed my chance to become queen, I’d be reduced to just another shrine maiden. I absolutely refuse.

“Your Highness, even if I leave the temple, I’ll still fulfill my duties as Saint. I can even bestow blessings from the palace. Besides, if I’m by your side, I can endure anything.”

Facing the prince’s dissatisfied expression, I desperately forced a smile. I made it as cute as possible to capture his heart. I gave it my all to avoid losing my position with him.

Later, I heard rumors about an organization called the “Healing Church” that mimicked the temple. Apparently, its reputation among the citizens was excellent. They performed healing and blessing ceremonies more cheaply than the temple, and more reliably too.

Normally, the temple would have crushed them. In the old days, they would have been condemned as heretics. Even if they tried to compete, they’d never win. But in the current situation, the positions might reverse. That’s how much the temple’s authority has declined.

It might be dangerous to underestimate them and leave them alone. But when I thought that, the temple folks made no move to act. The church’s influence grew rapidly, and in no time, the temple’s presence faded. Now, the citizens only support the church. The temple has become something despised.

“The temple is finished, isn’t it?”

Looking at the temple’s current state, I became certain. I should have left sooner. I never had any attachment to the temple in the first place. All I wanted was the authority the temple possessed. Now that it’s fallen into the mud, it holds no value anymore.

I made up my mind. I’ll stop clinging to the title of Saint. Instead, I should aim to become queen. I need to get closer to the prince and capture his heart.

Now that the value of “Saint” has fallen along with the temple’s decline, that’s the only path left for me. I’ll discard my position as Saint and honestly follow my desires.

I, Elise, will become queen.