As Faybi made her way back to her dorm, she couldn’t suppress the clumsy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, despite the fact that her eyes were still puffy from crying.

Since childhood, she had always been taught to maintain the dignity of a saint, so keeping a calm and composed expression was second nature to her. But today, she couldn’t help it.

One line kept replaying in her mind.

“I don’t care what you did. In the end, you’re still a worthless saint.”

When Faybi first heard Lucy call her a "worthless saint," she found it unsettling.

There weren’t many people who dared to insult her to her face as a saint of the Holy Church.

At the time, she wasn’t sure how to respond. It felt like a criticism of her shortcomings, and she couldn’t help but feel a bit stung. She had even been a little angry.

But now, it felt different.

The term “worthless saint” had become a word of comfort to Faybi.

It wasn’t meant to belittle her, but rather, to validate her.

Because despite knowing that Faybi was fundamentally flawed, despite knowing that she doubted God's mercy out of ignorance, and despite knowing that she had been tempted by an evil god and reached out to him in a moment of weakness—

Lucy still affirmed her as a saint.

Reflecting on that moment, Faybi felt the tears welling up again, and she bit her lip hard.

Oh no, what do I do? My eyes are burning, and I can’t hold it in.

If she let it out, she’d probably break down and sob right here in the middle of the street, just like she did in Lady Alrn’s room!

Thinking about how she had bawled like a child, Faybi covered her face with both hands.

Stupid Faybi. What on earth were you doing in there?!

If the Apostle of Armadi had forgiven her, knowing the sins she committed, she should have thanked her profusely and apologized properly. Instead, she broke down in tears!

Recalling how she had tearfully sobbed, sniffled, and repeatedly muttered “I’m sorry” and “Thank you” in front of Lucy, Faybi felt her tears dry up from sheer embarrassment.

With a heavy sigh, Faybi fanned her flushed face to cool down.

Well, at least the tears stopped. But I’m sure this shameful memory will haunt me for a long time.

I need to think of something else, something to help me forget this humiliation.

Yes! I’ll go over what Lady Alrn told me again. That should help distract me.

Before leaving her room, Lucy had told Faybi that she needed to wait.

“I’m sure you hate the Holy Church. As a clueless, wandering saint, you must have a lot of questions. But now isn’t the time. If you act too soon, you could get hurt.”

Lucy didn’t explain exactly what kind of danger she was referring to, but Faybi could guess.

It likely meant that if she moved recklessly, the Holy Church might erase her altogether.

It seemed that the Holy Church harbored far more darkness than she had originally believed.

Though Faybi believed in and followed righteousness, she never assumed that everyone in the Church was righteous. Where there is light, there is always darkness.

However, the darkness in the Holy Church was far larger and more organized than she had imagined. It might even be strong enough to swallow the light whole.

Looking back, it was obvious. After all, they had fabricated divine words to raise someone like her, who was a nobody, into a saint.

That darkness must be so thick that even looking ahead would be difficult.

...If Lady Alrn hadn’t told me to wait, what would I have done?

It wasn’t hard for Faybi to imagine.

If Lucy, the Apostle of Armadi, hadn’t been there, Faybi would have acted without hesitation. She would have fought to drive out that darkness.

She would have struggled to create a Church that aligned with her ideals. Even if it meant losing her life, she would have believed it was her duty as someone chosen by Armadi.

But now, Faybi had no such thoughts. Lucy, the Apostle of Armadi, had told her to wait.

Hearing the voice of someone who spoke with God’s blessing, Faybi knew that Lucy’s words were aligned with Armadi’s will.

The great, wise, and righteous Armadi must have foreseen the future and made plans accordingly. Faybi had no doubts and was content to follow that path.

As she thought of this, Faybi felt her emotions calming down. She unclenched her hands and took a deep breath.

Alright, let’s get back to my dorm, wash up, and—

“Saint?”

At the sound of someone calling her, Faybi instinctively turned her head and met the gaze of a young girl who had always looked up to her.

“Ahn... cough. Hello.”

As she tried to greet the girl as usual, Faybi was startled by how hoarse her voice was. She cleared her throat before smiling and answering properly.

How hard did I cry in front of Lady Alrn for my voice to still be like this?

I should’ve cast a healing spell on my throat before leaving. I was too overwhelmed to think about it.

“...Are you okay?”

“Huh?”

Hearing the girl’s question, Faybi tilted her head in confusion before recalling what she must look like. Her appearance probably explained the girl’s worried expression.

She must have looked like a complete mess. It was only natural that people would be concerned.

“Of course, I’m fine.”

Faybi put on her most reassuring smile and nodded confidently.

It was true. She felt better than she had in a long time.

But despite her best efforts, the girl’s concerned look didn’t disappear.

Does she think I’m just putting on a brave face? I really am okay.

Faybi tried to convince the girl, but her hoarse voice only seemed to deepen the misunderstanding.

This is so unfair.

I often say I’m being treated unfairly, but this time, it’s not an exaggeration.

I was truly, genuinely upset.

Why the hell is there a rumor going around the entire Academy that I bullied Faybi?!

I really don’t get it!

This is weird! I didn’t do anything to Faybi!

I helped a girl who was on the verge of despair after learning she was a fake saint by boosting her confidence!

I even gave her advice, telling her not to act recklessly to avoid any accidents!

I’ve done nothing but look out for her, and now there’s this rumor that I bullied her!

I first heard about it from Bissy.

After finishing my morning training, he came up to me and asked, “Lady Alrn, did you do something to the Saint?”

When I told him I didn’t do anything, he nodded as if he expected that and then explained what he had heard.

Apparently, there was a rumor spreading among the students that I had brought Faybi to my room and bullied her.

At first, I was so stunned that I couldn’t even respond. But the more I thought about it, the more I started to piece things together.

Yesterday, when Faybi left my room, she was a complete wreck.

She went in looking fine, but by the time she came out, her eyes were swollen, her hair was a mess, and her voice was hoarse.

It was only natural for people to be suspicious.

My suspicions were confirmed when I confronted Avery.

According to her, my reputation had regressed. I went from being a capable but harsh noblewoman, who had mellowed a little, back to being labeled as a talented but unruly tyrant.

Seeing Avery stammer in fear as she explained this, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated.

“And you just sat there and listened?♡ Really?♡ What should I do?♡ My dear little lady is so useless that I feel like my mouth is about to spill some secrets♡”

“No! I did my best to defend you, Lady Alrn! I swear! But since this rumor didn’t start among the nobles, there was only so much I could do! Please believe me!”

Whether Avery truly tried to defend me or not, the rumor had already spread like wildfire.

By the time classes started this morning, it was only whispered among a few students. But as the day progressed, it spread to more and more people.

By lunchtime, it seemed like almost everyone in the Academy knew about it.

So, what does that mean?

It means that I’m now known as the vile scum who bullied the saint, who is widely beloved both inside and outside the Academy.

These stares are really starting to hurt.

Ever since becoming Lucy, I’d grown used to hostile gazes from others. But this was different. It was far more intense.

Thanks to Joy, who must have said something, her group wasn’t giving me dirty looks. But everyone else wasn’t hiding their contempt for me.

Messing with someone like Faybi, an idol to many, was bound to cause a big problem.

And yet, I hadn’t done a single thing to Faybi!

<Won’t things calm down after a while? If Faybi explains the situation, it should clear things up.>
‘Do you really think Faybi explaining will solve it?’

I could already imagine the scenario in my head.

Even if Faybi explained that nothing happened, people would twist it into something else. They’d say, “The saint is so merciful, she even forgives those who wrong her!”

Some people might even believe it’s their duty to punish the trash who dared to harm their beloved saint!

Ugh. I didn’t see this coming.

If I’d known this would happen, I would have made sure Faybi composed herself before letting her leave.

But it was too late to change the past now.

Sigh. What can I do? I’ll just have to get used to it. It’s not like this is the first time people have looked at me with disdain.

Even as I tried to cut into my steak, the stares around me were so intense that I thought I might choke.

It was strange. The steak was tender, and the sauce was delicious, so I should have been in a good mood. But the more I chewed, the more my mood dropped.

“Lady Alrn.”

When I turned at the sound of someone calling my name, I saw Faybi standing there, her face full of guilt.

“May I sit with you for lunch?”