Chapter 6: Lucia’s Prologue

“Ah…ah…”

Lucia stared at the scene before her, a whimper escaping her lips. Blood trickled down her clothes, staining them crimson. But it wasn’t her blood, and that terrified her even more.

“S-Sister…?”

A warm body shielded her.

“No… please…”

“It’s… alright…”

A blade, buried deep in her protector’s chest. The nun had taken the blow meant for her.

The nun’s trembling hand caressed Lucia’s cheek. Blood dripped from her lips, each breath a pained gasp.

“Your sister… will be… alright…”

She smiled, trying to reassure Lucia. But her smile faded quickly.

Slash

“…Huh?”

More demon blades sliced through the nun’s body. Soldiers tried to defend her, but their defense was crumbling.

“No… no, no!”

“Hey, you! Get out of here!”

A knight grabbed Lucia’s arm, pulling her away.

“I can’t leave her…!”

“She died for you! You have to live for her!”

“!!!”

The knight pushed the nun’s body aside, treating her remains with a callous disregard that made Lucia flinch. But the knight’s next words forced her to bite back her protest and run.

“Hold them back! Even if we die, we have to slow them down!”

“Raaaagh!”

“You shall not pass, demons!”

The sounds of fighting echoed behind her. They were sacrificing themselves to buy time. But trapped in the cathedral, there was nowhere to run.

The demons finally broke through the weakened defenses. The last barrier protecting the people had fallen. Only one outcome remained.

Slaughter.

“Aaaaagh!”

“H-Help me!”

Knights fought desperately, trying to save even one more life. Demons fought just as hard, eager to claim more victims.

“Hey, you! R…”

A demon lunged towards Lucia. She closed her eyes, whispering a prayer.

[Will you accept it?]

A voice echoed in her mind. Time stopped.

[Will you accept it?]

‘Who…?’

Chaos surrounded her, yet she heard a clear voice in her mind. Or rather, chaos had surrounded her. The world had turned gray, frozen the moment she heard the voice.

White light coalesced in the gray world, forming a single mass. A girl emerged from the light, her appearance strikingly familiar.

“Ar…”

[I apologize, but this is merely a temporary manifestation based on your most familiar memory. It is not her.]

The girl resembled Aria, but everything about her, from head to toe, even her skin, was pure white. She radiated an almost holy aura. She stopped Lucia from embracing her, then spoke.

[I ask you again, Lucia.]

[Are you ready to accept the fate of the ‘Saint’?]

The Saint. Not just a position within the church, but a symbol of hope for humanity, alongside the Hero.

[You have heard my call for some time now.]

It was true. Lucia had been aware of her destiny for years. She knew that if she wished for it, the Goddess would answer.

[But you were afraid. Afraid of the hardships and trials that awaited you.]

The legends and stories spoke of the Saint’s destined path: ‘To overcome adversity alongside the Hero and vanquish the Demon King.’

But that was only part of the story. Most Saints faded into obscurity, their names lost to history.

Lucia feared the burden of that fate. She’d hoped the Goddess would deem her unsuitable and reclaim the destiny. She’d avoided facing it, seeking solace in others rather than confronting her fate.

[I do not judge you for this. All my children have struggled with this destiny. Many have rejected it.]

[Even the most celebrated Saints in legend could not escape fear. Do not feel burdened by your hesitation.]

[So, Lucia. Are you ready to embrace the destiny you have shunned?]

The choice was Lucia’s. The girl resembling Aria tilted her head, waiting for an answer. Then, she smiled.

“I don’t know if I’m worthy of being the Saint.”

[…]

She was too afraid, too weak. She’d already lost someone precious. Was she truly fit to save others?

“But I can promise you one thing.”

Her eyes were resolute.

“I will no longer turn away from anyone.”

[I support your decision, Lucia ‘Iris’.]

As the girl vanished, the world regained its color.

[I am ####, the Goddess who governs this world.]

And…

[From now on, you are my agent. My new Saint.]

“Then please, help me.”

Grant a miracle. The new Saint prayed.

[So shall it be, my child.]

The heavens answered. Light descended.

Ironically, the demons were the first to sense the miracle. A sudden brightness, a sense of unease. Their instincts screamed danger. They searched for the source, but…

Flash

An overwhelming wave of holy power engulfed them.

“What is this…?”

“A miracle… a miracle!”

“The Goddess has answered our prayers!”

“The Saint…! The Saint has appeared!”

Joy, shock, reverence. Different reactions, but a shared understanding.

A miracle had occurred.

“Gah… Aaaaagh!!!”

“My… eyes…!!!”

Unfortunately, not everyone shared in the miracle’s blessing.

As in most fantasy stories, demonic bodies, composed of magical energy, were highly vulnerable to the Goddess’ holy power. And this light was a divine blessing, a miracle, a deadly poison to demons.

Lower and mid-ranking demons disintegrated instantly. Only those above mid-rank survived.

“You…! If I can just get rid of you…!”

Some demons, realizing Lucia was the source of the light, tried to attack her. It was the worst possible decision.

“Aaaaagh!”

“! Damn it!”

The light intensified as they approached, protecting Lucia. Their desperate attempts to survive only hastened their demise.

Frozen in place, their life force drained away by the holy power. Retreating wouldn’t save them. It would only prolong their suffering, and they’d face an even worse fate upon returning to the demon realm.

As the surviving demons contemplated their options…

‘To all surviving troops.’

A voice echoed in their minds. A ‘message’, a power only high-ranking demons, Legion Commanders and their lieutenants, could use. This was a direct order from a Legion Commander.

‘All forces are to withdraw from the city immediately.’

Retreat. Their instincts screamed at them to kill the girl, but they couldn’t disobey a direct order.

“Damn it…”

They turned and fled, abandoning the girl and the humans.

“We’ve won!”

“Wooohooo!”

Cheers erupted. The day Lucia became the Saint. Her first miracle.

“Aria… wait… I’m coming…”

“Saint! You mustn’t overexert yourself!”

“I’m… alright…”

But also the day she lost her only sister. A victory, and a defeat.

It was over.