The gods had watched in sorrow as Pyro, the goddess of fire, made the ultimate choice to relinquish her divine powers to help her beloved brother, Ignis, and make sure that the other gods that joined the war and the people of this world were safe.
Her selflessness left an everlasting mark on the divine realm, and the gods, deeply moved by her love and devotion, decided to do everything in their power in order to make sure that Pyro's soul would never again know true suffering. To ensure this, they struck a sacred deal with the god of reincarnation and the god of destiny.
Thus, Pyro was woven into an eternal cycle of reincarnation, each life destined to be one of privilege, love, and admiration. Every time she was reborn, she would enter the world in a family of wealth and status, adored and revered by all.
But her most significant role was set in stone, she would always be recognized as the saintess of the Leuhtaz Empire, the holiest figure in the mortal realm. With each reincarnation, Pyro would live as a beacon of light, receiving unwavering devotion from the people.
Yet, her journey was far from ordinary. Unlike other divine figures, Pyro was always reborn as a mere mortal, devoid of magic. The power she once possessed had been given away, and transferred to her brother, Ignis. But Ignis, unable to bear the thought of his sister facing the world alone and powerless, made a desperate decision.
From a fragment of his own soul, he created an avatar, a counterpart that would always be reborn alongside Pyro, ensuring that he would forever exist as her brother. Bound to her by divine law, Ignis' avatar would awaken in every life and become her unwavering protector.
However, there was an unshakable condition: Pyro could only be recognized as the saintess once Ignis' avatar had awakened. This divine decree ensured that the saintess' true identity would always remain hidden until her guardian appeared, preventing any false claims or premature recognition.
This also meant that the world could never predict who the next saintess would be, for her existence was tied solely to Ignis' incarnation, a well-known fact among the people of the empire.
To regain her lost divinity, Pyro had to cultivate faith points, accumulating the reverence and devotion of the people with every reincarnation. These points, earned through acts of kindness, leadership, and divine service, and the worshipper's faith in her, slowly reconstructed her divine form and then finally returned to the divine realm to recultivate her power as a goddess.
As part of the gods' grace, she was also granted the rare ability to summon avatars of the gods, borrowing their powers when necessary. This sacred gift became the foundation of the Holy Light Order, an organization dedicated to protecting and serving the saintess, ensuring her safety while she worked toward reclaiming her full godhood.
Vivian had always been an avid reader, but the part of the novel chronicling this tale had left an indelible mark on her heart. Back when she was still on Earth, she had devoured every chapter of different novels immersing herself in the grandiose world of gods, destiny, and divine reincarnation but none struck her like this.
While she admired Pyro's self-sacrifice, what struck her most was the way the gods had ensured Pyro's happiness, weaving a fate where suffering would never again reach her.
Unlike some readers who questioned whether the gods really had to go that far to ensure Pyro lived such an easy life, Vivian understood the gravity of what Pyro had done for the gods and why they had done that for her.
Pyro's sacrifice had been beyond comprehension, and ensuring her eternal happiness was the gods' only way to atone for their failure to protect her in the past.
And yet, despite knowing all this, Vivian couldn't help but feel a gnawing sense of envy. A life free of suffering, always surrounded by love, power, and admiration—wasn't that the kind of fate anyone would dream of? Pyro had earned it through her sacrifice, but Vivian couldn't stop the small part of herself that longed for such a destiny.
Now, however, she was no longer just a reader.
Somehow, inexplicably, she had found herself inside this world of the novel. But she wasn't Pyro the saintess. She was a character used to highlight the female protagonist, she was nothing but the villainess.
She had taken the role of Vivian Anna De Rose Lomalot, a high-ranking noblewoman with real influence or importance but a weakhearted and naive woman who loves with all her heart. In the novel's original plot, Vivian is always overshadowed by the female protagonist and ends up being marked as villainess for nothing.
And that realization annoys her but also terrifies her.
Because Vivian Anne De Rose Lomalot did not have a happy ending.
In the original storyline, the original Vivian had met an unfortunate fate, one that she was desperate to avoid. If she wasn't careful enough, she could be swept into the same doomed trajectory as before.
But amidst her fears, one mystery lingered in her mind: Who would become the next saintess?
Among the novel's readers, speculation had always been rampant regarding the saintess' true identity. Many fans, especially those who loved the romance elements, believed that Isla, the supposed female protagonist, was the reincarnation of Pyro.
Isla's life seemed to fit the conditions perfectly, she was born into a family of a once wealthy noble, deeply loved and cherished by her parents. Her older brother, a brilliant mage and innovator, had caught the attention of the imperial family, earning their sponsorship.
Though her family had been plagued by financial struggles due to failed business ventures, they still maintained their place in high society, largely because of her brother's potential. If he succeeded, their family would rise to prominence once more.
On the surface, Isla's story had all the makings of a saintess' tale: a beloved daughter, a brilliant brother, and a life seemingly touched by destiny.
But Vivian knew better.
Having read the novel, she was all too aware of Isla's family's true nature. While the author had painted them as sympathetic underdogs, Vivian had always seen them through the facade. The family was greedy, manipulative, and obsessed with status.
They exploited others for money, hiding their cunning nature behind a mask of charm and victimhood. The nobles of high society despised them, though the novel tried to frame this disdain as mere jealousy.
Vivian couldn't help but feel a quiet dread—what if the world mistook Isla for the saintess? What if her family used that misunderstanding to their advantage?
One particular moment in the novel had sparked widespread controversy among readers.
A pivotal chapter had described Priest Alexander, one of the most powerful holy priests in history, inviting Isla on a romantic date during the festival dedicated to honoring Pyro's sacrifice.
Alexander, rumored to be the strongest contender for the next pope, was a figure of immense influence. His holy power surpassed all others, and his charisma had captivated both the characters in the novel and the readers alike.
The chapter had been written with heavy romantic undertones, portraying Alexander as Isla's potential love interest. The scene was filled with tender moments, warm glances, and subtle hints that he saw Isla as someone special.
The reaction had been explosive.
Fans had loved the idea of Alexander becoming Isla's primary love interest, even pushing for him to be the sole male protagonist. They romanticized his actions, believing that his interest in Isla signified her importance, not just to the story, but possibly to the divine fate of the saintess.
Could it be possible that fate had been altered?
Vivian wasn't sure. But as she knew one thing for cert
She had to uncover the truth behind the saintess' reincarnation and the identity of the next saintess and hopefully, it's not Isla as speculated, if possible she should even align with the saintess for her safety, and even if not have a connection with her is not bad
And, more importantly, she had to avoid her own impending doom.
Would she really be able to change her fate and not follow the original host foot footsteps? Was Isla truly be the saintess, or was there another mystery hidden beneath the surface? And if fate had truly been altered, what did that mean for the world of the novel itself and is this world really just a world made from world? Is her transmigration just an accident or there is more to it
Vivian had more questions than answers, but one thing was clear,
This was no longer just a story.
It was her reality.
And she would not be a mere stepping stone for someone