Chapter 1: The Twisted Thing Under the Saint’s Skin
In the dilapidated temple, a breeze slipped through the narrow windows long devoid of glass.
Sunlight poured down from the collapsed roof, illuminating the temple hall filled with broken tables, chairs, and a damaged statue.
“The weather’s nice today, isn’t it? The breeze and the sunlight are just perfect.”
Murmuring these words was a blonde girl, a low-ranking saintess dressed in plain temple priestess robes.Her golden, slightly wavy long hair, tied back with a headscarf, swayed like waves in the breeze.
Her exquisite, doll-like face, with scarlet eyes resembling rubies, squinted slightly in the comfortable wind.
But the next moment, a sigh broke the serene scene.“Suna, a house full of drafts can hardly be called perfect.”
Hearing these somewhat harsh words, Suna turned around immediately.She began lecturing the blue-haired, bespectacled boy approaching from behind.“How rude! Ace, this is a temple, the sacred temple of the great Golden Branch Goddess.Being allowed to stay here is already a blessing. You shouldn’t cast aside your reverence.”
While Suna scolded him, a blue-haired girl in a deep blue dress hurried over.She apologized politely.“Suna, please allow me to apologize on behalf of my brother’s rude words.”
The boy and girl, with their azure hair and pale blue eyes, looked as if they were carved from the same mold.Clearly, they were twins, around sixteen or seventeen years old.
“Frosty, that’s your brother’s problem. I’ll make sure to teach him a lesson.”
Suna said this while ruffling Frosty’s hair, then shot a fierce glare at Ace.“Ace!”
“Alright, I know I was wrong. I’ll repent to the Goddess during prayer time.But, honestly, Suna, it’s weird. You’re a half-elf, yet you worship the Golden Branch Goddess, who’s mainly revered by humans…”
Muttering these words, Ace saw Suna raise her fist and quickly darted to the statue.Suna could only sigh helplessly.“Learning too much makes him bold enough to talk back. Oh well, Frosty, go get ready.I’ll fetch Skul; he’s probably still practicing swordplay in the courtyard.”
“Suna, I’m back. I wouldn’t miss prayer time.”
A vibrant, confident voice rang out as a gray-haired young man waved and stepped through the doorless entrance of the temple’s main hall.His silver-gray short hair was stiff like wolf fur, and his azure eyes gleamed with a sharp intensity.
His well-trained body was clad only in a tank top and training pants, with a sword hanging from the belt at his waist.
“Skul, I’ve noticed you’ve stopped calling me big sister lately.”
“Well, I’m an adult now. Calling you that feels a bit embarrassing.”
Looking at Skul scratching his head, Suna spoke with a mix of sadness and pride.“That makes me a little sad. I’ve taken care of you for nearly two years, and now you’re all grown up, ready to leave…”
Realizing her tone, Skul stepped closer to comfort her.“What? I’d never leave this place for good, Suna.I’m thinking that once I register as an adventurer and start earning money, you’ll have less heavy work.Plus, we could even fix up this temple.”
Hearing this, Suna chuckled and patted Skul’s shoulder.She gently smiled as she pulled him toward the statue.“Such sweet words! I’m looking forward to the day you become the greatest adventurer.Also, get ready for your birthday party tonight. I’ve ordered a nice birthday cake.”
Watching Suna’s actions, Skul murmured softly, as if trying to etch her smile into his memory.“I really need to thank the Golden Branch Goddess.”
As everyone gathered before the damaged statue of the Golden Branch Goddess, the four knelt in their respective places and began to pray.“May the sunlight of the Golden Tree Sea forever bless the Empire.May the glory of the Golden Branch Goddess descend upon the world.I shall spread the blessings of the Golden Branch, heal those in pain, eradicate the world’s evils, and fulfill Your will and grand vision.”
After reciting the prayer in unison, Suna led the trio to the temple’s side hall.She had converted it into a kitchen and dining area.Breakfast after the morning prayer took place here.
During breakfast, everyone sat around the table, eating and chatting about recent events.“I heard there’s been a series of murders in our district lately. Suna, you should be careful.”
“Are you worried about me, Skul? Don’t let my slender frame fool you—I’m pretty strong.Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to drag you all back from the battlefield.”
Suna said this while flexing her fist.But Ace, sitting nearby, spoke in a flat, monotone voice.“Suna’s the strongest.”
“Ace, don’t mock me with that tone! And how’s your performance at school lately?”
Before Ace could dodge the question, Frosty chimed in.“Ace was sleeping in class again.”
“Frosty, don’t rat me out! I only slept because the lessons were too easy and boring, not because I was slacking.”
“Ace! Now I’m mad!”
Amid this lively banter, breakfast time passed quickly.
Afterward, Suna and Skul set out to take Ace and Frosty to school.On the way back, Suna accompanied Skul to the Adventurer’s Guild training camp and watched him head inside.
With her tasks done, Suna went to a slightly safer district nearby.She picked up a freshly made strawberry birthday cake and a gift, humming a tune as she returned to the dilapidated temple.Though this district had poor security and punks often tried to hassle her in the past, Suna’s fists had taught them the Golden Branch Goddess’s lesson of “peace is precious.”
Today, however, a venomous gaze lingered in the shadows, following Suna’s every move.
Pretending not to notice, Suna entered the temple’s side hall and began preparing for the birthday party.A simple birthday banner, a birthday cake, a small recording stone with a birthday song, and a short sword as a birthday gift.
“Phew, finally done. Now, I just wait for the uninvited guest to show up, and my real mission can finally be completed. Heh heh.”
Suna’s laughter rang out, her mouth stretching wide to reveal sharp fangs.Cracks appeared on her neck and limbs, revealing grotesque mouths lined with jagged teeth or writhing, twisted tendrils.