Chapter 346: Former Form

“You little ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) punk...”

The moment Liya’s fluttering figure disappeared into the crowd, Pink Bear sidled up and slung an arm over Muen’s shoulder, teasing in his usual sleazy tone:

“Spit it out—back in that little forest, what indecent things did you two get up to? Judging by that girl’s attitude toward you... something’s fishy!”

“You’re the one who’s fishy.”

Muen slapped that furry paw away in disgust. “What’s going through that head of yours? Liya and I are just normal friends.”

“Really?”

Pink Bear looked unconvinced. “Normal friends run up and throw themselves into each other’s arms?”

“You call that throwing herself into my arms? I didn’t even touch a single strand of her hair.”

“Don’t lie! My single-for-twenty-years ‘normie radar’ says the two of you definitely have something going on!”

“What’s going on is you. Read fewer lewd books, or you’ll go bald.”

Muen rolled his eyes and muttered, “If I really had some improper relationship with Liya, may I get stabbed to death by a yandere knife—no, by many yandere knives.”

“Hmph, you talk nonsense, let me just—”

Pink Bear snorted twice, ready to retort, but the words died in his throat.

Because the hall was changing.

The crowd stirred, then swiftly quieted again. In the focus of countless rays of light, a figure appeared—from her pale-golden hair to the sacred Goddess’s sigil upon her, to the boundless compassion in her bearing—everything about her radiated the holy aura of the title “Saintess.” Step by elegant step, she emerged from behind the curtains, seizing all attention in an instant.

The current Saintess had taken the stage.

“Is it starting?”

Even the lazy Muen couldn’t help straightening slightly.

He might not be participating in this ceremony, but since all five Saintess candidates were about to appear together, it was still an event worth anticipating.

Only, as he watched, Muen’s suspicious gaze slid sideways.

That Pink Bear—every time he faced the Saintess, he went uncharacteristically silent. Totally unlike his usual self.

Don’t tell me...

He’s actually into the Saintess’s white stockings? Planning something indecent?

“It seems everyone meant to be here has arrived.”

Standing atop the hymn dais, the Saintess’s gentle gaze swept across the grand hall. Her warm smile remained—soft enough to melt ice.

She wore a stately ceremonial gown, with only her calves visible beneath the long skirt, wrapped in white stockings.

But Muen only gave it a glance before losing interest.

Hmph. Different faiths, no fellowship.

“Since all are gathered, I’ll say no more. You should all know why you’ve been called here, so let us go straight to the point.”

The Saintess inclined her head slightly, pondered for a moment, then focused her gaze upon one direction, calling softly:

“Come forth first, my child—Marguerite.”

At the Saintess’s voice, imbued with gentle power, the crowd parted. A girl stepped out beneath the light, clad in an elaborate, resplendent gown.

Her platinum-blonde hair was piled high, her skin snow-white; her flawless face bore the tall, proud bridge characteristic of northern Slavic blood, lending that cold, wintry beauty even greater sharpness and depth.

“Wait—isn’t that the Platinum Princess of the Slavrel Kingdom?”

“So beautiful...”

“Her fame’s grown so much these past years. I’ve heard of her even in the south.”

“As expected of a Saintess candidate—how exceptional...”

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

“Princess?”

Muen blinked.

“Starting off with such a heavyweight?”

Though the original novel certainly mentioned the Saintess candidates’ introductions, these minor supporting characters had so little page time that it was hard to remember them clearly. Muen could only compare what he saw to the fragments he recalled.

“Platinum Princess, huh...”

Pink Bear had already returned to his usual tacky self, picking his nose as he commented:

“She’s no simple character. In terms of fame across the continent, she’s comparable to your own ice-cold tsundere back home.”

“And in other aspects?”

“I said fame.” Pink Bear shrugged.

“Alright, got it.”

So in other aspects, the ice tsundere still comes out on top, huh.

No—more than just a little.

Muen’s eyes drifted across the Platinum Princess’s chest, flat as a frozen tundra, and his gaze turned pitying.

Good thing Ariel wasn’t here right now.

Otherwise...

Four of a kind.

Boom.

“You’ve grown, Marguerite.”

The Saintess looked down upon the kneeling girl with the same boundless gentleness as ever.

“Did your mortal trial grant you any insights?”

“Yes, Teacher. I’ve gained much.”

“I see. But before that, I must still ask you this question...”

The Saintess extended a hand, her voice soft.

“Do you truly confirm that you will abandon your former identity and status, to set foot upon this cruel path?”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Without hesitation, the Platinum Princess Marguerite placed her hand atop the Saintess’s and replied:

“I will press forward with unwavering resolve.”

“Good.”

Holy light gathered in the Saintess’s palm, condensing into a pure crystal.

She placed the crystal into the girl’s hand and said, “Now summon your knight.”

“Yes.”

Marguerite turned, lifting her swanlike neck as she gazed into the crowd.

“Come.”

At that single word, the hall stirred again.

But whereas the crowd’s reaction to the first Saintess candidate had been one of curiosity and excitement, now it shifted to the wary caution one would show a wolf.

For unlike the Saintess candidates—most of whom had invested little into combat—the ones who followed them, aiding them toward final victory and bearing the title “Divine Attendant Knight,” were the figures most others watched with vigilance and envy.

“Divine Attendant Knights, huh.”

Muen rubbed his chin, mumbling,

“Honestly, I don’t quite get it.”

“Oh? What don’t you get?”

Pink Bear answered casually.

“Well, if this whole Holy Ablution Ceremony is to decide the next Saintess, and the candidates need knights to help them, why not just summon them all in and fight it out right here? Why make it so complicated? Isn’t that redundant?”

Muen griped the same way he had while reading the book in his previous life.

“Hmm... you’re not entirely wrong. But choosing a Saintess isn’t as simple as you think.”

Perhaps influenced by the solemn air around them, Pink Bear for once showed patience as he explained:

“The Holy Ablution’s predecessor actually comes from nearly a thousand years ago—at the close of that chaotic age which engulfed the whole continent, when the Church first established its supreme authority. Back then, to choose one who could truly lead the faithful, they held what was called—the Saintess War.”

“War?” Muen tasted the word.

“That’s right.”

Pink Bear’s tone turned cold.

“In that era—it was a war.”