The founding of the Wallentian Empire was a grand affair. First, under the leadership of the priests of the Temple of Ishtar, the royalty and nobility of Wallentian gather in an open-air public square to pray to the god Ishtar.

After that, festivals were held throughout the capital, and from the imperial palace in Somnia, the empire’s nobles were gathered to celebrate with a grand feast that lasted for three days.

 As the most important national event, it was always held with great pomp and circumstance. It was so famous that tourists from overseas would come to witness it.

 ‘I heard that even during past wars, the founding ceremony was never omitted.’

After all, the emperor was the descendant of a hero chosen by the goddess to vanquish evil.

Among all the processes of the founding ceremony, the most attention-grabbing was the offering of prayers to the goddess Ishtar. Among these, the most prestigious role was being the one to lead the prayer from the altar.

In the founding ceremonies I’ve attended so far, the role of leading the offering of prayers has alternated among the priests of the Ishtar Temple.

I remembered reading in the history books that in the long history of the Empire, it had previously been performed by descendants of the now extinct House of Apelite.

The Apelite were said to be the chosen ones who were especially close to god Ishtar…….

Thinking this way, I understood why the priests wanted to entrust me, the “Chosen One,” with this role.

‘Hmm, I won’t do it though.’

As a member of one of the Four Great Families, I took my place on the elevated platform overlooking the plaza.

I was surrounded by Raeyan, who was there as an escort, and Carlot, who claimed to be the true escort.

Greed was sealed within the seal stone.

I looked down at the crowded plaza filled with people who had gathered to witness the offering. I knew they would have been instructed to keep quiet during today’s ceremony, especially with high-ranking priests and priestesses of the Ishtar Temple present everywhere, including the Great Hall.

 [Looks delicious-!]

 ‘Sshh! ‘

Greed seemed to want to taste the delicacies meant for the noble guests.

[……Isn’t it okay to talk a little bit? This is unbearable!]

 ‘No, you can’t. Last time at the Ishtar Temple, when you spoke, the high priest glared at us. So just be quiet. If you don’t want to be sealed in the temple.’

[Sigh]

Greed grumbled for a moment before quickly falling silent. He seemed to dislike the idea of being sealed in the temple. Finally managing to quiet Greed down, the problem now was Carlot.

 “Carl. You’re too close.”

 “I can escort you more safely if you’re closer. Sister Lili, I’ll protect you!”

The words, “Take care of yourself,” rose to the top of my throat and then disappeared. I’m sure he would probably respond by telling me not to worry, as if he was slurping up a bowl of kimchi stew. However, just as much as Carlot, Raeyan was also sticking close to me, alert and vigilant of our surroundings.

“Raeyan, there’s no need to be so guarded.”

 “Just in case. The Cult of Irkalla or even the House of Angellus might be plotting something. Especially with so many people gathered in an outdoor plaza like this, a conflict might arise.”

As much as I thought it might be excessive concern, the thought that such a thing might actually happen left me speechless.

“Surely they wouldn’t dare to launch an attack here, with the nobles and members of the Four Great families present.”

As I whispered to Raeyan, Carlot crossed his arms and asked in a whimper.

 “Sister. Aren’t I enough of an escort?”

 “No.”

 “……Ugh.”

Carlot pouted, but he didn’t move away from my side. At that moment, I overheard a conversation from a nearby group of ladies.

“They say Lady Dorothea will be in charge of the altar today, right?”

“Of course, she’s the only woman among the direct descendants of the Four Great families!”

“But, um… there were rumors that the original chosen person was someone else.”

“Oh, come on, you can’t be serious.”

I felt a brief gaze directed my way. Without pretending not to notice, I looked straight back at them. Among them was a familiar face, and as soon as our eyes met… I gave her a wink.

 “……!”

“L-Let’s go!”

The ladies scattered like startled birds.

[That woman, I have a feeling she’ll come back to pick a fight later.]

Greed added ominously, and Carlot chimed in.

 “She’ll come back and scratch at us again. Dorotea something.”

They’re communicating so well. It was as if they were having a conversation. But Carlot probably couldn’t hear what Greed was saying.

“By the way, what do those women know to give you such nasty looks? Sister Lili, I will kick their asses!”

Suddenly, as if about to sprint towards where the ladies had disappeared, I firmly pressed Carlot’s shoulder and sat him back down.

“Hey, hey, calm down.”

“But those girls!”

“Just sit quietly, Carlot.”

“Okay!”

Carlot seemed pleased that I simply placed my hand on his shoulder. Now, even I was getting confused.

‘Is he a person or a large dog, I can’t tell.’

***

Dorothea waited in the temple by the great square. Around her, priests bustled about, helping her get ready. Dorothea looked at her reflection in the mirror.

 ‘Perfect.’

Contrary to before, she looked even more vibrant and beautiful. Her previously blemished skin was now smooth and flawless, as if it had never been rough.

 There was no need to use illusion magic to conceal anything; she was completely healed.

This miraculous recovery was all thanks to the ‘elixir’ provided by her mentor, Gabe Jenade. She didn’t know what exactly the elixir was, but as Dorothea had no choice, she had to swallow the unknown liquid.

But the surprising part was that as soon as she ingested it, her skin started to regain its vitality, and all traces of blemishes vanished.

Including old scars from childhood injuries. The effects of the elixir were astonishing.

 Upon consuming it, her body felt energized, and she could lead a more vigorous life than before.

The only issue was that her dependency on the elixir had become excessively strong.

‘However, it’s already irreversible.’

Since not taking the elixir rendered her incapable of leading a normal life, there was no turning back.

“After all… people only remember the main character.”

Dorothea’s muttering caused the priest who was helping with the finishing touches to raise his head.

“Huh? What did you say?”

 “Oh, it’s nothing.”

The kind smile from Dorothea made the priest momentarily flustered, and then they resumed assisting her.

 Even if she had been the one to perform the altar service that Elodie Perdia had refused, no one would have remembered it later. Ultimately, Dorothea herself, who had taken on the role, would become the protagonist.

 “I am a direct descendant of one the Four Great families and the heir of the powerful Angellus lineage.”

Unlike others who had yet to manifest their powers, she could wash away her past disgrace simply by standing before the public once.

“It’s done, my lady. The dignified appearance suits you very well.”

“Thank you, priest.”

With a gentle smile, Dorothea stood up from her seat. She sensed the priest looking at her favorably. With newfound vitality, she would be able to manage her image even better.

‘I need to successfully conclude this.’

Successfully completing the ceremony was one of Gabe’s requirements. As Dorothea stepped outside and revealed herself to the public, a wave of cheers erupted, resembling an explosion of enthusiasm.

***

The Ishtar ceremony, the start of the National Day celebrations, has begun. They said it was a splendid event worthy of being watched from abroad, but I didn’t particularly feel moved.

After all, it was an event I attended every year.

‘Boring.’

Though evidence of Ishtar’s favor lingered in the radiant presence of divine light that filled the grand square along with the prayers of the high priest, even that excitement was short-lived.

 “When is it over, I’m getting a bit sore.”

It was Carlot who seemed to provide the voice of my thoughts, almost as if I had spoken aloud.

 “But Sister Lili. The First and Second Princes keep looking at you.”

“Don’t pay them any mind.”

I grabbed his cheeks and turned him around to face me, feeling the stinging gaze of the princes, who were seated higher than me, on the back of my head.

 “Didn’t you say you didn’t like the First Prince anymore?”

“That’s right.”

“So, did you really switch to the Second Prince? Was that article’s story not a lie?!”

Suddenly, as Carlot jumped up and dashed forward, I felt the gaze of people around us.

Especially in such a solemn event, causing a commotion drew disapproving looks from the Ishtar high priests. I calmed down the excitable Carlot, whispering softly to him.

 “I didn’t switch. The Second Prince was just annoyingly persistent.”

“Then why did you go on a date with him?”

“There were reasons for that.”

You don’t need to know all the details. Not explaining further, Carlot pouted again. While he made that expression, the ceremony was proceeding at a steady pace.

 As the high priest finished the prayer and the time for the priest’s chant ended, the next step was to climb the elevated stairs and receive the blessing of the gods at the altar’s end. Dorothea appeared before the people, greeted by their cheers.

 “It’s strange. That girl, I thought she would come to make a scene.”

Dorothea didn’t pick a fight with me this time, contrary to Carlot’s words. It was strange because Dorothea always managed to find a way to provoke me every time like a thorn in my side.

 In any case, it was a good thing for me to have less trouble dealing with her. Dorothea, who had been nurtured by the sincerity of the temple, looked more vibrant than usual.

Was it simply because she was smiling that her complexion looked exceptionally good and healthy?

Dorothea gathered the flowers created by the World Tree in her two hands and began ascending the stairs. It happened when she was about halfway up.

 “……!”

Suddenly, Dorothea’s body trembled, and she sat down right there. A moment of turmoil unfolded. Clearly, her face that had been healthy just moments ago had lost its color.

‘She suddenly collapsed; this is strange. But could it be acting?’

Even if Dorothea was a backstabbing character, she couldn’t have been acting that realistically.

Something must have gone wrong. Soon enough, Duke Angellus and the Ishtar priests took Dorothea to the waiting room, and the ceremony was interrupted.

“It’s a great loss, I’m sure she was excited to host.”

Carlot grinned while pretending to be concerned in words. Since the plan was to only show my face at the upcoming banquet anyway, I was sitting there picking at the food in front of me, eager to get home.

Suddenly, a shadow was cast over my head, and I looked up-.

 “Savior.”

Over a dozen priests, including the High Priest, stood before me.

 “……What is it?”

“We would like to request once again that the Savior take charge.”

“I’m pretty sure I declined before.”

“The chosen one for this task is the Savior.”

Determination was evident on the high priest’s face, as if they wouldn’t easily back down. Perhaps due to the priests standing in front of me, all eyes in the plaza were now on us. Not wanting to attract attention, I declined again this time.

“Wouldn’t it be enough if the high priest took charge?”

“God does not desire that.”

This was no mere coincidence: My birth mother, who suddenly entrusted me with a mission to save this world, an oracle from nowhere, and the priests of Ishtar calling me the Savior.

Whether it was the gods or whatever powers that be, they were expecting something from me in this world.

As I exchanged glances with the high priest, in the midst of our standoff, someone approached.

 “What’s going on?”

It was Crown Prince Adenmir, attending as the emperor’s representative. Behind him stood Duke Perdia, exuding an ominous aura.

“We were requesting the Savior to take charge.”

As Adenmir cast a questioning glance at me, I lowered my head without saying a word.

“I refuse.”

“If Your Highness the Crown Prince could assist in persuading her, I would appreciate it,” the high priest responded.

 “High Priest. Even I have no authority to force someone to do something they don’t want to do.”

“That would make it difficult to proceed with the ceremony.”

As the conversation continued, the murmurs of the crowd grew louder. Even though they had come a long way seeking the blessings of the gods, the wait was wearing on them, leading to increased frustration and discontent.

‘I’m tired of this, maybe I’ll just do it and be done with it.’

I even thought to myself.

 “There must be a reason you can’t do it. Have you done something to offend the gods?”

When I turned my head, I saw someone I had encountered before—Gabe Jenade.

He seemed to have been invited as a guest of honor as the master of the Southern Magic Tower, a man about whom I had been receiving steady reports through Raeyan.

It was said that he had become Dorothea’s tutor at the behest of Duke Angellus. Someone closely related to Angellus. If this man had stepped forward, there was only one answer.

 ‘This is a trap.’

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