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Pia never thought of herself as particularly clever.

When she lived in the back alleys without a place to rely on, there was no need to read. The only thing to learn was how to survive, and that knowledge wasn’t written in any textbook with pretty handwriting.

She had to know how bad food could smell before eating it, when the bakery put out the bread, and how often the church conducted charity work. Who was the one harassing and trying to catch the orphans on the street?

The Goddess was always with her. Perhaps the reason young Pia survived against such odds until she caught the church’s eye was indeed the miracle of the Goddess.

Since she could talk to the Goddess from a very young age, Pia struggled to memorize the Holy Bible at the church.

It wasn’t that there were mistakes in the Bible or that the Bible itself was strange.

It was simply overwhelming to memorize all that was inscribed in tiny letters within that thick book.

If she got curious, she could just ask the Goddess. It was hard for Pia to understand why she had to memorize such things.

But strangely, all the adult clergymen could recite the contents of the Bible. Even if they didn’t know the whole content, they had important verses memorized and would whip them out as needed. Young Pia found that incredibly fascinating.

Even after entering the convent, Pia did not forget the days she spent in the back alleys. It was something she could never forget, no matter how dull she might be. Even if she couldn’t memorize the Bible, she always remembered the baker who baked bread for the orphans using leftover flour dough.

One day, while Pia was casually strolling in front of that bakery, she was already doing wonderfully as a candidate for Saintess.

Coincidentally, that timing overlapped with when the baker brought out the leftover bread and baked goods.

Since she was walking with a Holy Knight from the convent, she couldn’t acknowledge the baker.

In fact, even if she did acknowledge him, the baker likely wouldn’t recognize her. The orphans always hid in the corners, darting out to grab a piece of bread only after the owner went back inside.

When their eyes met, the baker’s eyes widened.

Of course, it wasn’t because he recognized Pia. He recognized that Pia was a ‘Saintess.’ In fact, although she was still a candidate, there were no other candidates, and the clergymen already determined she was a Saintess, giving her an influence beyond just a candidate.

Every week, Pia prayed for the faithful at the grandest cathedral in the capital city. If someone lived far away from the church, they may not know what kind of person the candidate for Saintess, who finally appeared after a hundred years, was, but for those living nearby, they’d likely come to see out of sheer curiosity.

That baker was probably among them.

The baker quickly set down the basket he was holding and knelt on the ground.

He wasn’t the only one. One by one, passersby began to recognize Pia in her white Saintess robes and knelt as well.

……It was only natural. Even setting aside the Holy Knight right next to her, Pia was surrounded by quite a few bodyguards.

With this many people around, it would be hard to have a decent conversation.

Thinking so, Pia slowly moved her feet.

Seeing the Saintess approaching him, the baker turned pale.

If he was worthy in himself, he shouldn’t have any reason to be afraid of her.

The Goddess had said so, but how many fully worthy individuals existed in the world?

No matter how good a person was, they would still be taken aback if a person with immense authority came knocking.

Pia, having lived at the bottom of society, was well aware of that fact. Plus, there were people around her holding fierce weapons like spears and maces.

Pia looked at the basket the baker set down beside him.

Inside were a few ugly breads that had failed in the making, alongside some oddly shaped food that was more like baked flour than bread and had no flavor.

She turned her gaze back to the baker.

Though he was still the same plump figure she remembered, wrinkles had deepened and his beard had grown gray.

With beads of sweat forming on his wide forehead, he was looking up at Pia.

He seemed to lack the courage to speak first, so Pia decided to open her mouth.

“These breads…”

“Oh, yes.”

Perhaps he was in a hurry, or he thought he’d better make an excuse no matter what. The baker quickly spoke up.

“I baked the failed breads and leftover flour dough. I put them out like this because the orphans grab them as soon as I do it at this hour.”

“Oh, okay.”

After hearing that, Pia found herself at a loss for words on what to say next.

It felt awkward to act like acquaintances here. They hadn’t known each other personally, so pretending would only make the atmosphere uncomfortable.

Judging by Pia’s silence, the shop owner continued speaking.

“Um, originally, I used to put out the leftover bread as is, but then there were people who would push the kids away and take them… I’m sorry.”

What was he apologizing for?

He must have done his best.

He only assisted others to the extent it wouldn’t harm him, so there was no need for him to refrain from it.

But it was unlikely he could take the orphans in himself. Times were hard, and the people living in this neighborhood weren’t doing particularly well either.

“No, that’s good. You’re doing a good thing. I will pray for the Goddess to bless you.”

Surely, the Goddess was keeping an eye on this man. The Goddess Pia knew was just that kind of person.

“Thank you… thank you…”

Seemingly a devout believer, the man bowed his head repeatedly in gratitude.

*

It was a coincidence, but Pia had many thoughts as she walked that street after a long time.

The street was almost unchanged. Still a place where poor people lived in the shadow of the grand cathedral, and the security remained unstable. The fact that so much military force accompanied Pia just for her to walk that short distance indicated that even a Saintess like Pia could face dangers on that street.

As Pia walked down the street, she didn’t hear the screams or cries she always did from her childhood. Just as that bakery remained, the group engaged in abducting and selling orphans would still be there.

Even after Pia entered the convent and finally had enough to eat, many people were still starving there.

Charity was always done. But doing it every day was overwhelming. It was tough to gather resources to send, especially since the church’s clergymen and Holy Knights were out on the battlefield.

……In times like this, it was hard to fulfill even basic duties.

The reality that such things happened under the shade of the brilliantly constructed cathedral, and that someone helping there wasn’t a high-ranking person like Pia but just another person from that place, was so despairing it couldn’t even be put into words.

“Pia, are you alright?”

Since she hadn’t officially become a Saintess yet, Pia was still called by her name.

She was glad about that. If someone had called her Saintess, she would have felt terribly embarrassed.

Even if she wasn’t smart enough to memorize the Holy Bible, she was aware of what a person’s duty was.

Maybe, compared to Pia, who only preached in the cathedral, it was the one finding their own way to rescue orphans who was closer to a saint.

Shouldn’t she be the one with faith directed downwards, rather than just someone with faith directed upwards?

“Yes, I’m fine.”

No, she wasn’t fine.

A candidate for Saintess appearing after a hundred years? That was absurd.

Just a receiver of everyone’s help, confined to the cathedral—

“Pia.”

“Yes?”

Suddenly hearing a voice, she turned her head, but there was no one there. It had definitely been a spot where the Holy Knight had been just moments ago—

“Pia!”

“!”

Pia jolted awake from the loud voice ringing in her ear.

“…….”

“Just how long are you going to sleep?”

There was a hint of annoyance in the voice.

Rubbing her eyes, she saw Dana’s face.

“Come out for breakfast. We should still have breakfast together before the two of us go to work.”

Dana had already gotten up early, finished washing up, and said this.

“Oh, okay.”

That’s when Pia’s brain finally started to function, and she responded blankly.

And then she suddenly recalled that everything had come to an end.

“Then I’ll go out and wait for you, so don’t keep me waiting too long.”

“Yes……”

Pia’s dazed reply prompted a look from Dana, who was puzzled by her behavior, before she left the room.

“……Hah.”

Pia let out a small sigh. She was worried that the sound might escape through the open door, so it was a very quiet, drawn-out breath.

There were still many things to do.

She couldn’t keep living this comfortably like this.

It had already been two months since she arrived here.

The kingdom might be slowly starting to worry.

However, part of her still wanted to stay here.

“……”

Well, worrying now wouldn’t resolve anything.

She should find a way back and also a way to come again.

It would be too sad if they were to part like this and only meet again after death.

“Ugh….”

Pia stretched out both arms and stood up from her spot.

Delicious aromas wafted in through the already open door.