Chereads / The Saintess Predestined to Die / Chapter 2 - The Beginning

Chapter 2 - The Beginning

"Is that me...?" I murmured, placing my hand over my face with a look of panic. My hair, once brown, was now white as snow, and my eyes, formerly brown, had turned blue like the sky.

Confronted by this new reality, I fell to my knees, unable to bear the shock. However, the appearance soon seemed familiar. In one of the illustrations created by the author of The Romance Between the Cursed Prince and the Saintess, a similar figure had appeared: the saint of the North... Not the saint who would have an unforgettable romance with the prince, but the one who would soon be sacrificed to save him and allow the continuation of the novel.

Still in shock, I remained on my knees, remembering the last words I said before death...

Realizing the situation, tears began to roll down my face, and I soon fell face down, crying out, "I become the saintess destined to die!?"

End of rewind.

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Start of chapter two.

Two hours after the events of chapter one.

After a few hours of pure, unadulterated panic—and a healthy dose of denial—I finally managed to piece together the chaotic mess that had become my head. Somehow, somehow, I'd been sucked right into the world of a novel I used to obsess over. A dream come true, right? Wrong.

If fate had any sense of humor (spoiler: it does, and it's mean), it decided to throw irony at me like a brick. I hadn't landed the role of a fearless warrior, a glamorous princess, or even one of those mysterious, morally ambiguous side characters everyone loves. Nope. Instead, I woke up as... a nobody. A literal background extra so insignificant that the author didn't even bother to give me a name before the series was unceremoniously canceled.

And now? Now, I'm stuck in a world where the plot is more unforgiving than a high school math test, and my odds of survival are about as promising as a snowball in the Temple of Fire. Speaking of which, that's exactly where I'm headed.

Here's what I've managed to piece together while suppressing the urge to scream: I'm apparently the "Saint of the Wind." Fancy title, right? Wrong again. In this context, it's just a poetic way of saying sacrificial lamb. The Temple of Fire, located at the foot of one of the continent's grandest (read: most terrifying) mountains, is infamous for its bizarre rituals. And guess what? The knights showing up tonight aren't here to celebrate my arrival with wine and cake—they're here to escort me to my doom.

It's all tied to some prophecy. Classic. Supposedly, sacrificing the Saint of the Wind will save one of the protagonists from an untimely death. Too bad nobody thought to ask the Saint of the Wind how she felt about this arrangement. Not that it would have made a difference; the author didn't even give me a proper backstory. All I know is that my role in this world is to die for the sake of the plot.

Great. Just great.

If I'd been smart, I might have stayed in panic mode a little longer. But no, my survival instincts decided to kick in. Because if there's one thing I've learned from years of reading stories like this, it's that nameless characters like me don't last long. The only thing more predictable than my impending doom is how many chapters I'll last before meeting a fiery, sacrificial end.

So here I am, stuck in a deadly prophecy, waiting for knights to show up and drag me off to my untimely demise. But hey, maybe fate has a sense of humor after all. If I play my cards right, I might just rewrite this story—starting with not dying horribly.

Now, before you start thinking, "Well, why not just escape? Take your chances and run for it!" let me break it down for you in vivid, panic-induced detail. This isn't your typical "hero narrowly avoids death" scenario. No, this is a world-ending, demons-running-wild kind of situation. You see, those charmingly horrifying creatures from the ancient past—the demons—are sealed away by divine magic. And my oh-so-glamorous death is apparently a key part of keeping that seal intact.

If I bolt, I'm not just risking my own neck. I'm risking everyone's necks—nobles, peasants, heroes, villains, and that one merchant who keeps price-gouging health potions. My sacrifice is supposed to delay the demons' return. Delay—not stop. A temporary patch job in the grand cosmic scheme. But if I don't go through with it? Well, that seal might snap like an overworked hair tie, and the demons will come pouring out of their interdimensional void to make this world their playground. And trust me, they're not bringing jump ropes or dodgeballs.

That said, I'm not entirely powerless in this situation. Sure, my connection to the Spirit of Wind is hanging by a thread (thanks a lot, fractured bond), but I still have potential. Yeah, I know. Potential isn't exactly comforting when you're staring down knights ready to turn you into a divine sacrifice. But here's the thing: my death isn't the only way to keep the demons at bay. The real secret lies in my divine power—the very thing I was supposed to wield as the Saint of Wind (well, I guess I already have it anyway). I can always use it to purify someone else...

Enter Prince Damien, the central figure of the prophecy titled The One Who Bears the Fate of the World. He's got the looks, the skills, and the dramatic backstory to carry this whole thing on his (probably very muscular) shoulders. If I can get close enough to him, I can temporarily channel my divine power into him, buying us all more time without me having to kick the bucket. Granted, it's a Band-Aid solution at best, but I'll take it.

And well, if I can't purify him in time, the prophecy will fulfill itself early, and let's just say it won't be a happy ending for anyone.

The stakes are so high they might as well be orbiting the sun. On one hand, I'm being dragged along by the prophecy and the divine mandate to keep the demons locked away. On the other, I really don't want to go down as a nameless, disposable NPC in someone else's story. I didn't survive this long just to become a tragic plot point for the protagonists to angst over.

Oh, and let's not forget that this world operates on an absurdly rigid power hierarchy. Warriors like Damien are ranked by a system that makes modern corporate ladders look fair. Damien's a Four-Star fighter, practically a demigod in combat (I'm exaggerating, but anyway, you got the point), but even he's small potatoes compared to the continent's real powerhouses: the Church, the Nobility (well, technically he is part of the nobility), and the Guilds. And then there's me, a glorified windmill operator with a fractured bond to the Spirit of Wind. My odds aren't looking great.

So, running isn't an option. Dying isn't an option. But you know what is an option? Being so annoyingly persistent that the universe has no choice but to keep me alive. If I can survive long enough to get to Damien, convince him I'm not insane, and figure out how to use this divine power without setting off a chain reaction of doom, I might just have a chance.

As the sun sets over this cursed mountain, I know I can't afford to sit around waiting for the knights to come knocking. They'll be here any minute, and I'd rather not have to explain why the "Saint of Wind" is hiding under a bed. I need to move, now, before my plan becomes a tragic footnote in this ridiculous prophecy.

So, to summarize: I have to escape capture, survive long enough to help the prince, prevent the demons from returning, and somehow rewrite the prophecy to save myself. Easy, right? All I need is divine power, a flawless strategy, a bit of wit, and enough luck to fill a dragon's hoard. No pressure.

Act 1: Escaping My Destiny

My time was running out, so after coming to the absolutely brilliant conclusion that I had no choice, I was forced to leave the cabin where I'd been holed up for the past two hours. The cabin, which had looked cozy at first, now seemed to be more of a glorified dustbin than anything else. But, you know, it was all part of the adventure, right?

With ten long, purposeful strides, I reached the door, which now looked as fragile as the resolve of a person in denial. I wasn't sure exactly why the house had decided to physically transform, but one thing was clear: it was somehow tied to the book I had opened earlier. It was probably the book-every bad thing that had happened to me seemed to revolve around it.

Before leaving, I turned for one last dramatic glance at the cabin. What had once been a charming little place was now a sad shell of its former self, covered in layers of dust and grime. It was like the cabin had aged about 50 years in the span of two hours. A sense of unease crawled up my spine as I grabbed the door handle, pushing it open. "Goodbye, depressing little cabin," I muttered under my breath.

The door creaked open, and the sound was so loud it was almost comical. What I saw on the other side made me freeze-not in a good way. What had once looked like a warm, welcoming place now resembled a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The once-lush field was now a lifeless, gray expanse. The few trees left standing were little more than withered, leafless trunks, their branches twisted in unnatural ways, almost like they were judging me. Seriously, what happened here? Was this the start of some sort of horror movie? Or just my luck?

The temperature had plummeted from "pleasant" to "why is it so cold?" My clothes, which were thin and about as useful as a paper towel in a rainstorm, barely kept me warm. "Great, now I'm going to freeze to death," I thought, but that wasn't an option I was ready to entertain. I had already ruled out surrendering to the soldiers-it would be preferable to freeze than to be caught without a fight.

Still, the wind was biting, and I quickly realized that I was woefully unprepared for the conditions. I briefly considered giving in and allowing myself to be caught, but then the thought of hypothermia quickly put that idea to rest. I might freeze to death, but at least I wouldn't have to deal with them.

I reluctantly stepped outside. The cold hit me like a freight train, and I nearly turned back before I'd even fully crossed the threshold. The wind was so cold it could probably strip paint. "Okay, maybe this wasn't my best decision," I thought, retreating inside after about 30 seconds. My body trembled uncontrollably, and my optimism was quickly evaporating. "Yeah, definitely freezing to death before I even make it halfway down the mountain," I muttered, starting to doubt my life choices. But I couldn't just stay here.

I needed to find a solution, and fast.

Just then, I spotted it: a blanket. It had gone completely unnoticed at first, but there it was, sitting innocently on the bed like it had been waiting for me to finally pay attention. "That's it...!" I exclaimed. I rushed over, grabbed it, and realized immediately how thick and warm it was. It was perfect. It was filthy, sure, but it was thick enough to block the wind, and that's all that mattered. I could survive if I wrapped myself in this thing-at least long enough to get to the bottom of the mountain.

I felt a surge of hope. A blanket-yes! Finally, something useful. I hastily draped it around me and strode to the door again. I flung it open, exposing myself to the relentless wind once more, but this time... the blanket worked. It blocked the cold, as if the universe had decided to throw me a bone. "Perfect!" I exclaimed, relieved.

However, the book remained as stubborn as ever. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't open it or take it with me. It was like it had decided to root itself to the desk with some kind of magical superglue. I didn't have time to deal with it, though. It wasn't going anywhere, and neither was I.

After more searching, I found a small cloth sack tucked under the bed. It wasn't particularly useful at first glance, but when I opened it, there were several crystalline stones inside, each glowing faintly. I had no idea what they were, but they were pretty. Maybe I could sell them later. Honestly, they might not do much now, but they were shiny, and in a world like this, shiny things had to be worth something, right?

That's when I thought I was ready. "Ready" being a relative term, because in reality, I had no idea what I was doing. With the blanket secured around me and the sack of strange, glowing stones in my pocket, I ventured out once more. The wind slapped me in the face, but the blanket did its job. I pushed forward, heading toward the slope that marked the edge of the field.

For a brief moment, I was distracted by the view. The place I was standing was about 400 meters high, and though that was already pretty impressive, it wasn't the height that had my attention. It was the road below me. A dirt path, wide enough for a carriage, snaking its way down the mountain. The kind of road you'd see in a travel brochure, if that brochure featured highly dangerous landscapes. I couldn't help but think that this was probably the same road the saintess had been carried on in the original novel-if the novel was even real at this point.

I marveled at the view: below me, I could see the lights of a massive city sprawled across the land. Above, an aurora borealis painted the sky with colors I didn't even know existed. It was breathtaking... but also slightly terrifying. And then I remembered that I had to get down before nightfall. If I didn't, I'd either be lost in the dark or possibly mauled by wild animals. Neither option sounded appealing.

With the knowledge that the sun would set in about two hours, I began to carefully descend the slope. However, after about four steps, I did what any sensible person would do: I slipped. "Oh, fuck!" I yelled as I tumbled down toward the road, crashing with all the grace of a falling tree.

"Ngh, damn it...!" I muttered, lying on the ground in agony. My hand throbbed from the impact, and for a moment, I seriously considered just letting myself be caught by the knights. But no. "Get up, you idiot!" I slapped myself in the face to shake off the thought. I wasn't going to give up this easily.

Despite the ache in my body, I stood up, brushing myself off. The blanket had cushioned my fall, but it was now covered in more dirt than I cared to admit. Still, I had survived. I wasn't going down without a fight.

With a groan, I began walking along the road again, hoping to reach the city before nightfall. The chances of that happening? Slim to none. But hey, optimism, right? Maybe it wasn't the most realistic goal, but it was all I had left.

One hour after starting to walk on the road

Though I hadn't exactly anticipated this being an issue, about an hour into my little trek, I was pretty much on the verge of collapse from exhaustion. My new body, somehow, turned out to be even weaker than my old one-don't even ask me how that's possible. At this point, I almost sympathized with the novel's heroine for not even attempting to escape her fate. I mean, if she'd tried, she probably wouldn't have gotten ten steps before being caught. And that's if she was lucky.

But exhaustion wasn't my only problem-oh no, that would've been too simple. The weather, already cold enough to make me question why I even existed, had now decided to make things special by becoming even colder. Honestly, at this point, I half expected a polar bear to waddle up and ask me what I was doing in the middle of the Arctic.

Also, hello, the sun was already starting to hint at its grand exit. It was only a matter of time before I'd need to find shelter unless I wanted to become a popsicle and/or an animal snack. And finding shelter on a mountain? Not exactly something you can check off your "easy tasks" list. But, plot twist: just as I was about to freeze to death, I stumbled upon an unmentioned cave by the roadside. Go figure.

"...?" I knew this mountain hadn't been discussed much in the novel-mostly because the moment the first chapter ended, the author probably just shrugged and said, "Yeah, whatever, it's a mountain." But even I didn't expect to find a cave of this size. It wasn't some tiny hole in the wall-it was more like a tunnel, and not the kind you'd casually stumble across while looking for your keys. The entrance was a whopping 4 meters high and 8 meters wide. I couldn't even see the end of it because it was so ridiculously dark inside.

Now, as much as I enjoyed walking into unknown caves, there was still that pesky "what if there's a monster in there?" thought, which made me pause for a second. However, a gust of cold wind slapped me back into reality. My dirty blanket definitely wouldn't keep me warm for the night, let alone protect me from whatever was out there.

"Fuck it..." I muttered, resigning myself to the idea of entering the cave. Sure, it was dark enough to make a horror movie jealous, but I didn't have much choice.

After walking about five meters into the cave, I spotted a crevice in the wall. It was pretty decent-sized-about one and a half meters tall by one meter wide-though, once again, I couldn't see what was inside. Naturally, I thought, "Let's pick the darker, more mysterious option, because clearly, that's the smartest idea." I stood there for a moment, staring into the abyss (as one does when making questionable life choices).

What I really needed was something to light up the darkness. And then, bam, it hit me like a lightning bolt: "I could use the stupid crystals I found earlier!" I pulled out the cloth bag I'd taken from the cabin.

As soon as I opened the bag, I was blessed with the faintest glow of the crystals. It was like having a tiny flashlight-if the flashlight only worked when you squinted at it and prayed really hard. The light only reached about a meter in front of me, so I could barely make out anything past the crevice. After some deeply sophisticated thinking, I realized I could just throw the crystals into the crevice. That way, I'd know how deep it was, or at the very least, get a nice game of "Is There Something Terrifying in There?"

I picked the brightest crystal (it wasn't much, but it was all I had) and threw it into the crevice. "One... two..." Thud. "Wait, that's it?" I was left standing there, staring at the short distance the crystal had traveled. The crevice wasn't deep at all, which, in the grand scheme of things, was probably a good sign. So, with a sigh of relief, I decided it was safe enough to use as shelter.

Just then, I glanced at the sky. The sun was setting, and my window of safety was closing faster than my optimism. I took one last look at the cave entrance, which was quickly losing the last bits of sunlight. The orange hue in the sky wasn't exactly a subtle clue that night was coming for me. So, without much fanfare, I marched forward, using the crystal bag as my dim torch.

The cave walls were rough and uneven, which wasn't exactly a surprise-this wasn't a 5-star hotel, after all. The floor was solid but hard, as expected, seeing as it was made of rocks.

Just as I stepped into the crevice, I froze. Wait, was that... human voices? I immediately tensed, my heart racing like I'd just been caught stealing cookies from a dragon. But, no, the voices weren't coming from the crevice; they were from outside the cave.

"Ah..." I sighed in relief. But that was short-lived as I realized the knights who were supposed to be hunting me were now nearby.

I panicked and dove to the ground, wrapping myself in the blanket like it was some kind of invisible force field. If they decided to check out the cave, there was no way they would find me-unless they were particularly good at cave spelunking.

The voices got closer, and I held my breath. At first, I couldn't make out what they were saying, but it didn't take long for the words to become clear: "We're almost there. If the rumors are true, she's about twenty minutes ahead. Stay alert for the..." and then, as mysteriously as they had appeared, the voices faded into inaudible mush.

"Twenty minutes?" I muttered. It had taken me over an hour to cover the same ground. Seriously? I was basically running on fumes, but they were already on track to catch up in half the time. And that was if they weren't taking their sweet time. My mind wandered briefly, wondering how long it would take me to reach the city at the foot of the mountain. Based on their speed, I'd probably be stuck up here for a lot longer than expected.

But no time to dwell on that-I needed to get a grip. After confirming the knights had passed, I decided it was time to act. I fastened the blanket to the crevice walls, hoping I wouldn't be spotted. It was cold, but at least the semi-glacial air wouldn't be blowing in.

With my safety secured, I took a deep breath and lied down, ready to embrace my new reality of sleeping on cold stone. At least I was alive, I guess?

But sleep? Yeah, no. The stone floor was about as comfy as a slab of concrete. I stared at the walls, trying to distract myself from my physical discomfort. And, because I was nothing if not good at torturing myself, I found my thoughts wandering to far more existential concerns: "Did I really die? What if this is all just a dream...?"

With a deep sigh, I snapped out of it. Focus, focus, focus. "Alright, after I leave this mountain, I need a place to stay, and... money. Wait, I have the crystals! And, despite being filthy, my clothes might be worth something..."

"Perfect," I murmured, grinning at my stroke of genius. But then the real problem hit me: how the heck was I going to approach the prince? But, hey, that's a problem for tomorrow.

For now, I closed my eyes, ready to fall asleep-eventually. Because, honestly, with all the drama going on, sleep seemed like a distant memory.

The Next Morning

The voices echoed (not the ones in my head... I think) through the cave like an unwelcome alarm. "That damn merchant must've pulled a fast one on us! There's no way she was here! Did you see the state of that cabin? It looked like it hadn't been touched since the dinosaurs roamed!" A man grumbled, his voice deep enough to probably shake the cave. "Ugh... what's going on...?" I murmured, still half-asleep. "If we find him again, 'prison' will be the least of his worries," he continued angrily, as if yelling at a completely inanimate object.

"...? Oh, crap! They came back!" I whispered, jumping up faster than a startled cat, instantly on high alert. "What the hell are we gonna tell the commander? If we go back empty-handed, he'll probably force us into more of those 'character-building' torture sessions!" one of the voices groaned. "Who cares? Just tell him the merchant was a liar, it's not our fault!" another voice argued, like they were all in an episode of Bad Decisions Weekly. "Yeah, but we've wasted enough time here... Let's go before another squad gets sent to babysit us."

"Ah... guess you're right. We should return soon." After that, the voices slowly drifted away into the distance like the fading echo of a bad reality show, leaving me in a stunned silence.

"A merchant...? Is that how they tracked 'me' in the original novel?" I thought to myself, still trying to get my bearings. I waited a few more minutes for the coast to clear before grabbing the bag of crystals and removing the blanket from the crevice entrance, breathing in the mountain's surprisingly fresh air.

"Huh... It's not as cold as before," I muttered, peeking out of the cave. The sky was a pleasant orange, and the sun was clearly trying to pretend like it wasn't already past breakfast time. Glancing at the time, I realized it was 8:00 a.m. I could get moving, but I decided to wait. The knights were still somewhere out there, and if I ran into them, it would be really bad. Like "game over" bad.

So, I sat there staring at the cave entrance, watching the stillness for any sign of movement. Minutes dragged on and my mind started wandering like a puppy on a leash. "I came here to save a prince, right? So why haven't I even tried to use my powers yet?" Then came the terrifying thought: "What if I can't even use them?"

After a long internal debate, I sighed. "Guess trying can't hurt anyone... right?" I muttered, channeling the most vague instructions ever written in the history of world-building.

"Feel the life energy surrounding you... focus it into your palm... imagine guiding it like a river... blah blah blah." As I read through the description again, I realized it was as confusing as a two-piece puzzle. But it was all I had to work with, so I went for it.

Taking a deep breath, I stretched out my hand and closed my eyes, repeating the steps like a bad student trying to pass a magic class. "Feel the energy around me..." A strange shiver ran down my spine, but I didn't stop. "And gather it in my palm..." A warm, cozy sensation engulfed my hand, almost like I was hugging a campfire.

"And... guide the flow of the river..."

Before I knew it, a blast of wind shot from my palm like a toddler's first spell, followed by an odd tingle that left me questioning whether I was a wizard or just getting frostbite.

I opened my eyes. A glowing orb hovered above my hand, sucking in air like it was some kind of vacuum.

"No way... Did that actually work?!" I whispered, staring in disbelief at the orb that was still growing in size. Then, curiosity got the best of me. I pointed it toward a distant mountain. "Go!" I commanded. And just like that, it flew toward the mountain like a pro, disappearing into the sky.

"Incredible...!" I cheered, still in shock. But then it hit me. Wait, this isn't how it's supposed to work in the book! The sacred power was supposed to be about support, not throwing orbs at mountains. The knights didn't have orb-launching as a key skill, after all.

If I could figure out how to make this "aura" thing work, I could be the most overpowered support character in history. So I tried again.

"Feel the energy... around me." This time, I felt the warmth wrap around my body. Instead of gathering it into my palm, I focused on surrounding myself.

"And... imagine altering the flow of a river..."

A gust of air swirled around me, and I thought, "Aha! I did it!" But when I opened my eyes, I found... absolutely nothing.

"...?" I frowned, disappointed. "Well, I guess that was to be expected," I grumbled. Despite the pleasant tingle still in my body, there was no aura.

"Great... Just great," I muttered sarcastically, trying again with the same results. Several failed attempts later, I realized I was wasting more time than I could afford. The knights could be back at any second, and if I didn't get moving, I'd be stuck in this mountain range for another 24 hours.

Sighing heavily, I got up, mentally checking off my to-do list. First: escape the knights. Second: find food, water, and shelter. Third: reach the city before noon. Easy, right?

Act 2: County of Dunhaven

After two hours of trudging along the uneven trail, my patience was wearing thinner than my boots, but then I spotted salvation: a stone arch marking the end of this godforsaken road. About two hundred meters ahead, it stood like a monument to my suffering—or at least, my ticket to civilization. My exhaustion gave way to a surge of excitement, and I quickened my pace, ready to dive headfirst into the sweet embrace of a bustling city.

Two minutes later, I reached the arch, only to find my hopes briefly crushed. There, in all their glory, stood a group of knights a few meters from the entrance, chatting like they were at a weekend barbecue.

"S-shit!" I hissed, ducking behind the arch so fast I probably looked like a particularly clumsy squirrel. I pressed my back to the cold stone, heart pounding.

Peeking around the edge, I saw the knights were still blissfully unaware of my presence, busy arguing about... something. Maybe lunch plans? It didn't matter. What did matter was not being spotted by them.

With a deep breath, I backed away slowly, circling into the thin patch of forest separating the mountain from the city. "Okay, Casey, you're practically invisible," I whispered to myself. "Just stick to the trees, don't step on anything loud, and—ow, dammit!" I grimaced as a twig snapped underfoot, loud enough to make me wince. Luckily, the knights didn't seem to notice.

After skirting around the group and resisting the urge to cheer at my own stealth skills, I finally emerged closer to the city, relieved to find the area was quiet. Only a few pedestrians wandered the streets, and none of them looked remotely like bounty-hunting knights. "Finally, civilization!" I muttered, stepping onto the cobbled streets with an exaggerated sigh of relief.

The residential area was quaint, with warm-toned houses painted in yellows and oranges that practically screamed, We have no plot relevance but enjoy the cozy vibes! I'd finally entered Dunhaven, a mid-sized city in the northern Sacred Empire—and, conveniently, the setting for the novel's first arc: The Sacrifice of the Saint. You know, where I'm the saint who was supposed to die but didn't. Kind of awkward, but hey, I'll take survival over sticking to the script.

First things first: I needed to sell the crystals I'd collected or at least trade my dirt-stained clothes for something less... conspicuous. Fortunately, I still remembered the city's layout from the book. The mountain was in the same position, so if I walked in a straight line, I'd reach the central market soon enough. Easy, right?

Wrong. As I strolled through the streets, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. People turned to look at me—not just casual glances, but full-on staring. Some even whispered to each other as I passed.

"Why the hell is everyone staring at me…?" I muttered, glancing down to make sure I hadn't somehow forgotten pants or something equally horrifying. Nope, pants were on. Shirt? Present. Hair? A bit messy, but nothing catastrophic. So what was their problem?

By the time I reached the busier parts of the city, the staring had mostly died down, but the occasional lingering gaze still made me sweat. Months of living in isolation had done wonders for my anti-social anxiety. Trying to shake off the nerves, I focused on the task at hand and soon found myself standing in front of a shop that looked promising.

The building wasn't too big, but it had an air of refinement. Through the large windows, I could see racks of clothes and some jewelry on display. Perfect. Ignoring the faint buzz of whispers around me, I hurried inside.

The interior was just as refined as I'd expected. The waiting area practically screamed we're fancy and overpriced, with plush seating and soft lighting designed to make you feel like royalty. The clothing selection was small—just ten outfits on display, five on each side—but they all looked like something you'd wear to a royal ball if you had more money than sense.

Before I could take it all in, I noticed the clerk behind the counter. A young red-haired man stood there, watching me with an expression that was somewhere between polite curiosity and mild suspicion. I froze, suddenly hyper-aware of how dusty and disheveled I must have looked. Great. First the staring, now this.

Well, at least he wasn't a knight. Probably.

"Eh... Hello...?" I said, my voice practically shouting "awkward," as it trembled with discomfort.

"Good morning! How can I assist you today? Looking to buy clothes? Accessories? Or perhaps something... specific?" the clerk asked, his voice almost too chipper.

"Ah, yes... Do you also, um, buy clothes and... precious stones?" I asked, inching closer to the counter like a nervous rabbit.

"Hmm... Yes, we do, but it depends on the quality of the garment and, uh, the precious stones you're referring to," the clerk replied, his face twitching with just a hint of annoyance-like I'd asked if they sold unicorns.

I reached the counter and, with all the seriousness of a spy about to deliver world-altering secrets, I said, "Right... So, I managed to get my hands on some crystals, but I'm not sure what they're worth. You think you can, uh, check them out? Depending on that, I might be willing to sell them to you." I gave my best "I'm a person of mystery and value" face.

"I see... Can you show them to me?" the man asked, raising an eyebrow like I was about to reveal a bag of live snakes.

"Oh, sure..." I said, pulling out the cloth bag from my waist and opening it, trying not to look like I was pulling out a deadly weapon.

"...?" For a split second, the clerk looked at me like I'd handed him a bag of toenail clippings. But then, as if he'd seen the Holy Grail, his eyes lit up. "May I... hold them?" he asked, practically leaning across the counter, eyes wide.

"...Yes?" I replied, more confused by the second.

"Perfect!" he exclaimed, snatching one of the crystals with all the finesse of a kid grabbing the last slice of pizza. He brought it close to his eyes, inspecting it like it was the last artifact of an ancient civilization. "Where did you get these crystals?" he asked, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Oh, well, I got them from a..." I started, before my brain screamed NO!-remembering that spilling where I'd found them might just lead to my untimely demise. Instead, I shrugged and said, "...Is that really necessary?"

"...Not necessarily, but I'd appreciate it if you were willing to share." The man's voice was practically pleading, like I was about to reveal the secret to world peace.

"Hmm... I don't think I should give away a trade secret like that, haha... I'll keep it to myself," I said with a nervous laugh, already imagining myself on the run from bounty hunters.

"Ah... I see, no problem..." he muttered, slightly deflated. "Anyway, follow me to the back of the store. I need to check the quality of this," he said, before thrusting the crystal back into my hands like I might suddenly run off with it.

"Oh, yes!" I said, catching up to him in a few quick steps, eager to get this over with. "By the way, do you know what these crystals are?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the escalating weirdness.

"Yes. They seem to be Sky Crystals," the boy replied, sounding like he was announcing a rare treasure he'd just discovered on a scavenger hunt.

"Hm..." The name sounded familiar, but my brain was running at half-speed, so I asked, "Sky Crystals...?"

"Yes. Stones formed from the condensation of divine power. You got lucky-they're pretty rare," the man said, practically jumping with excitement. "This is the first time I've seen one with this white color," he added, like he'd just found a unicorn in his backyard.

"Ah...!" Suddenly, it clicked. Sky Crystals. They were stones formed by the divine power of the four great spirits. They went by different names, but the core idea was the same: fancy stones made of godly power. "So that's what they were...!" I murmured to myself, feeling like a fool who'd just discovered something obvious.

"We're here," the clerk said abruptly, stopping short. I barely avoided bumping into him, which would have been embarrassing for both of us.

I looked around and gasped-apparently, we'd arrived at some sort of jewel storage. There were rows upon rows of glass boxes, each containing sparkling treasures that made me feel like I'd walked into a dragon's hoard. From necklaces to bracelets, everything gleamed like it was begging to be stolen.

The clerk picked up a green stone from the counter, placed it in a glass container, and said, "Alright, can you hand me the crystal again?" His voice was now a mix of excitement and professional seriousness-like this was his life's greatest task.

"Ah, yes," I replied, handing him the crystal like it was a fragile heirloom.

He placed it into the container, sealing it quickly. "Okay, now we just wait...!" he said, barely containing his glee.

"...? Wait... what exactly is going on here?" I asked, watching him fiddle with the glowing green stone inside the container.

"Oh! Right. Sorry, I forgot to explain. That 'green stone' is an Earth Gem," he said, like this was the most obvious thing in the world. "We use it to measure the quality of Sky Crystals. The more divine power the crystal has, the brighter the Earth Gem glows."

"Ohhh, I see!" I said, finally understanding. "So now we just wait? How long does it take?" I was suddenly way too invested in this little experiment.

"Well, it depends on the crystal's quality, but usually about five minutes for the middle-grade ones," the man replied.

"Alright, thanks for the explanation!" I said, eagerly watching the Earth Gem, which was already starting to glow faintly.

Two minutes passed, and the green glow shifted from "this might be a firefly" to "hey, we have ourselves a low-wattage lightbulb."

"I think that's enough," the shopkeeper said, his eyes wide as he opened the container and carefully removed both crystals, clearly trying to keep his excitement in check, though it was obvious he was doing an awful job of it.

"Ah, okay. Is that glow a good sign?" I asked, genuinely curious but also really hoping I wasn't about to be ripped off.

"Oh, it sure is, haha! That glow means these crystals are of intermediate-high quality," he replied, practically bouncing in place, his voice crackling with excitement like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Great! So, do you actually want to buy them?" I asked, trying to sound confident but feeling like a tiny, nervous blob of anxiety. I mean, I wasn't exactly sure about the crystal market, and I didn't want to accidentally ask for the moon and get thrown out.

"Hm... That depends on the price," he said, leaning in like I was about to unveil a rare artifact. "How much are you asking for each one?"

"How much do I want...?" I murmured to myself, my mind suddenly becoming a calculator. "Alright, let's see..."

Okay, I had this. In the Holy Empire, there are five main coins, each with increasing values. Iron, copper, silver, gold, and platinum. You know, basic currency stuff, like the game's tutorial trying to be helpful. The iron coin is about one dollar, copper is ten dollars, silver is 100, gold is 1,000, and platinum is ridiculously rare, worth 10,000. So, I was thinking, if he's saying this crystal is rare, I shouldn't undersell it, right?

"Okay, okay. If it's rare, it's gotta be at least a gold coin... But what if he thinks that's too much? Should I play it safe and start with two gold coins? No, I'm risking it all. Three gold coins per crystal! Yeah, let's do that. Then, if he freaks out, I can pretend I was joking and lower the price to one gold coin, and then he'll think I'm a bargain... Right?"

After this rapid-fire internal debate, I looked up at the shopkeeper, who was now staring at me like I was some kind of treasure chest. "W-What do you think about three gold coins per crystal?"

The man blinked. Twice. Then, he practically leaped out of his skin. "Three gold coins??? Sure! We can make a deal!" he shouted, so excited I thought he might spontaneously combust.

"Eh? Ah, alright!" I responded, half surprised that I hadn't been thrown out yet and half wondering if I'd just accidentally sold him the world's most overpriced paperweights.

With his eyes practically sparkling, the man asked, "How many of these crystals do you have?? Ten?"

"Ah, I'm not sure. Can you give me a second to check?" I responded, already starting to panic. Did I really just make that deal?

"Of course! Take your time," he said, his tone practically vibrating with excitement. It was like I'd just told him I had a pet dragon in my bag.

"Okay, thank you," I mumbled, turning around to lift the cloth bag. As I opened it, I started counting the crystals like I was about to crack a code. "One... Two... Three... Ten... Thirteen... Seventeen... Twenty... Twenty-four..."

Holy. Crap. There were twenty-four crystals inside the bag. Add the one the shopkeeper was holding, and that's a total of twenty-five crystals... which equals a grand total of seventy-five gold coins. My brain was starting to short-circuit from the excitement. That was more money than I'd probably seen in my entire life, and all I had to do was count some rocks.

After a few seconds of me standing there, my mind racing and my expression probably looking like a deer caught in headlights, the shopkeeper raised an eyebrow and asked, "...? Is everything okay? Did you manage to count how many crystals there are?"

"Ah! Yes! There are twenty-five crystals, including the one you're holding," I replied, my voice trembling like a leaf in the wind.

"Twenty-five crystals??" The shopkeeper's eyes widened comically, and before I could even process his reaction, he blurted out, "Alright, that's perfect! Deal! I'll separate the gold coins right away. Wait a moment."

"...? Ah, yes, thank you!" I said, still in shock, blinking a few times like I was expecting this all to be some weird dream. I mean, come on, it hadn't even been two hours since I stepped foot in this city, and I was already about to become ridiculously rich? This had to be a setup for a huge plot twist.

A sigh of relief escaped me as I started imagining a future where I didn't have to rummage through garbage cans for food or sleep under bridges. This was going to be great.

After about three minutes, which felt more like three years, the shopkeeper came back, practically dragging a sack of coins behind him. "Here! The money is ready!" he said, his voice so full of excitement that it was like I'd just handed him the secret to eternal youth.

"...? Ah, okay! Thanks," I replied, still too stunned to fully process the situation. I held out my cloth bag, which he grabbed faster than a squirrel with a peanut addiction and started counting the crystals like I had handed him the crown jewels. "One, two, three..." he mumbled under his breath, completely oblivious to the fact that I was staring at him like he was some kind of weird coin-counting robot.

"Eh... Can you just give me the coins?" I asked, not entirely sure what was happening. Was this some kind of customer service ritual? Maybe it was a special way of counting?

"Ah... Yes, of course," he replied, clearly embarrassed that I'd interrupted his counting, and handed me the sack of coins with the urgency of a man who just realized he left his oven on.

And then he got back to counting the crystals. "Ten, eleven, twelve..." he muttered to himself, as if somehow this was a crucial step in his business model.

By the third round of counting, I started to feel like I was watching a live-action math lesson. After what felt like an eternity, he finally turned to me with a relieved expression and said, "Alright, thank you very much! If you manage to get more of these, feel free to bring them back anytime!"

"All right! Thanks!" I said cheerfully, still trying to wrap my head around how smooth this entire transaction had gone.

Then, as if a switch had flipped in his brain, he leaned forward, looking unusually serious for someone who had just made a fortune off some random crystals. "By the way, my name is Ethan, Ethan Dunhaven. What's yours?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Dunhaven...? Like the city?" I asked, a little too surprised by the connection, but totally missing the significance.

"Ah, haha, sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier. My father is the count of this territory," he replied casually, as if being the son of a count wasn't something that should be shouted from the rooftops.

Wait. His father was a count? My mind immediately short-circuited as I panicked, unsure of what to do next. I froze for a second and then bowed-way too deeply. My legs nearly gave out as I scrambled to form the most awkward apology of my life. "Oh my God! I'm so sorry for not recognizing you!" I blurted out, absolutely mortified.

"Ah, right. That's not necessary," he laughed, waving it off like it was no big deal. "I don't like that kind of formality, especially from a customer, haha... Anyway, you haven't answered my question. What's your name?"

"M-my name...?" I stammered, anxiety creeping up my spine.

"...Yes?"

And then it hit me. I had no idea what my name was. I mean, I couldn't use my real one. And the saint's name wasn't revealed in the novel. So I had exactly three seconds to make up a name before this situation turned into a full-blown disaster.

"...? If you don't want to say it, you don't have to, but I believe that would be somewhat disrespectful. I revealed my real name to you without any hesitation. I think you should carefully consider that..." he said, sounding mildly disappointed, like I had just insulted him by not sharing my deepest, darkest secrets.

Without thinking, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind: "C-Crystal! That's my name!" I squeaked.

"Hmmm, haha, what a coincidence! Your name is Crystal and you came to sell crystals!" Ethan said, chuckling like it was the funniest thing in the world. "Anyway, it's a beautiful name. I hope we can meet again in the future."

"Ah...! Sure, thank you," I said, uncomfortable with the joke but trying to play it cool. Great job, self.

"No worries. Anyway, do you need anything else? Depending on what it is, I might even give it to you for free. I think it's the least I can do after you gave me such a great deal!"

"Hmmm... Well, I think you could help me with two things..." I said, locking eyes with him, trying to sound serious even though my brain was still caught up in the name thing.

"And what would those be?" he asked, his tone shifting to something a little more serious, like I was about to ask for a private jet or a dragon.

"Well... First, do you think you could get me some clothes? Right now, I only have this one I'm wearing, haha... The more, the better," I said, trying to keep it casual.

"Ah... Of course. For a moment I thought you were going to ask for something outrageous. That's pretty simple. I think I can get you some dresses for different occasions in your daily life."

"Ah... about that, I'd prefer men's clothing," I replied, my voice getting a little more awkward. I really wasn't in a position to be parading around in dresses and skirts while constantly facing danger.

"Hm...? Ah, that's fine. Should I pick the clothes and send them to you, or would you prefer to choose them yourself?" he asked, clearly a bit surprised.

"Hm... I think you can choose," I said, trying to sound confident even though I felt like I was throwing all my dignity out the window.

"Alright...! Well, what's the second request?" he asked, still looking at me with that weirdly intense curiosity.

"Well... Do you know of any cheap inns around here...? Preferably one that serves breakfast to its guests..." I asked, suddenly feeling way too embarrassed about how poor I was.

"Of course! In fact, if you're interested, my family owns one. I could give you a special discount if you'd like to stay there," Ethan said, practically bouncing on his heels with excitement.

"Really? I'd be very grateful if you did that. I don't know how to thank you enough for this!" I said, starting to feel way too indebted to him.

"Yes, as I said, it's the least I can do for a customer."

"Thank you so much...!" I said, practically bowing again, which only made the situation even more awkward.

A long, awkward silence followed.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I cleared my throat and decided to break the ice. "...So, can you point me in the direction of your family's inn?"

"Ah, of course. Don't worry, I'll take you there myself," he said, stepping forward like he was already on a mission.

Before I could even react, he said, "Follow me, I'll take you there!"

"A-Ah! Yes, alright!" I exclaimed, shaking myself out of my stupor and quickly following him.

30 Minutes After Leaving the Store

After about 30 minutes of walking through what felt like an endless parade of gleaming, high-end shops, I couldn't shake the feeling of my pockets suddenly feeling suspiciously light. Even though I had just made a decent chunk of change, I felt more and more like I had been reduced to a beggar in the presence of these ridiculously expensive stores. Then, Ethan stopped in front of a building so lavish, I briefly considered the possibility it might actually be a palace.

"We've arrived!" he declared, as though this were the most normal thing in the world.

I stared up at the towering structure, my mouth hanging open. This was no ordinary inn. This place was a colossus of marble, towering three stories into the sky, gleaming with gold accents like a wealthy wizard's dream. If the streets around us were lined with riches, then this inn looked like it had swallowed an entire treasury and then casually burped up a couple of jewels for decoration.

My heart pounded in my chest, and I asked the question that had been plaguing my mind since we entered the street: "C-can I really afford this...?"

Ethan chuckled, a wide grin plastered on his face. "Haha, impressive, isn't it? Don't worry about a thing. Since you're a valuable customer, I can give you a special discount. It's no trouble at all. Follow me!"

As we entered, I half-expected to see a gold-plated chandelier drop from the ceiling and a butler offer me a goblet of some ridiculously expensive wine. The lobby was a dream in white marble and black granite, and even the potted plants seemed to be so meticulously placed that they probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.

I paused, suddenly very suspicious. "Did he bring me here to rope me into paying some astronomical price? Did I just get duped into paying for a month's worth of rent in one night?" I wondered.

Two staff members greeted us. "What brings you here today, sir?" one asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't worry, I'm just here to bring a valuable customer," Ethan replied, practically skipping with excitement.

"...I see. Should we prepare a room?" the other staff member asked, eyeing me with a mix of curiosity and what could only be described as polite confusion.

"Yes, yes. Just wait a moment. I need to check something with her," Ethan said, turning to me. "Okay, I forgot to ask-how long do you want to stay?"

Taken aback, I muttered, "I-I think a week should be enough."

"Alright! Don't worry about the cost of the stay. I'll cover the expenses for the first week. After that, you'll only need to pay five silver coins per day," Ethan said, as though he was handing me a treasure chest.

"Okay! Thank you so much!" I exclaimed, genuinely surprised. This was way cheaper than I expected, and I started to wonder if he was secretly running a charity under the guise of a luxury inn.

Ethan smiled proudly. "No problem. Give me a second, though. I need to talk to the staff about your stay." He gave me a thumbs up before walking away, leaving me to feel both deeply grateful and slightly uneasy.

I tried to distract myself by idly glancing at the decor, but one of the staff members continued to stare at me with an intense enthusiasm, as if I were some rare specimen of animal. I waved at him awkwardly, and he returned my gesture with the dumbest grin I'd ever seen.

Ethan returned a few minutes later, practically bouncing with excitement. "I hope you didn't wait too long. I've already talked to them, and if you'd like, you can ask them to take you to your room. I've got to go now, but if you need anything, I'll be at the clothing store. If I'm not there, just ask the staff to call me."

"Ah, that's fine. I'm really very grateful! I don't even know how to thank you for all this!" I stammered, my gratitude overflowing.

"No, no! I'm the one who should be thanking you! Haha... Anyway, before I go, is there anything else you need?"

I glanced around, suddenly struck by a burning curiosity. "Well... It's not exactly a favor, but... how can you keep this hotel running with such a low daily rate? No matter how I look at it, I don't see how five silver coins could possibly cover this level of luxury."

Ethan paused, his face lighting up. "Ah, I see you've been paying attention. Well, this hotel wasn't designed for regular customers. It's more of a symbol of our family's power. Only the important people stay here, you know? We charge a symbolic rate for guests, but... well, normally it's two gold coins per day. The five silver coins? That's the discount I mentioned!" he explained, beaming as though he'd just unveiled the greatest secret of the universe.

"Ahhhhh, I see. So... is there anyone else staying here right now?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Ethan hesitated for a moment before responding. "Well... there is one other guest, but I can't tell you who. Privacy and security are top priorities here. Even if the emperor himself stayed, we wouldn't reveal that unless there was a royal decree. So, no spoilers!"

I raised an eyebrow. "The emperor? Really?"

"Eh, well, not the emperor... But you get the idea."

I sighed, trying to mask my frustration. "Right... Okay, thank you for everything."

Ethan waved his silly grin at me. "Good luck! Take care!" he called as he turned and disappeared out the door.

"Okay..." I mumbled under my breath, turning toward the reception desk.

"...? Can I help you with something?" the receptionist asked, giving me a polite but uninterested glance.

I felt a little embarrassed but asked, "So... are you still serving breakfast...?"

The receptionist gave me a regretful look. "Unfortunately, we stopped serving breakfast about thirty minutes ago. If you'd like, you can wait for lunch in about an hour."

"Ah... no problem," I said, my stomach growling in protest. "Can you just take me to my room, then?"

"Yes, of course." The receptionist raised his hand, and another staff member quickly appeared, who greeted me with the same curious glance as the others before leading me to... an elevator?

I blinked. Was this some kind of magic? Or maybe some fancy new mana tech? Either way, it was definitely unexpected. The staff member pressed a button, and I couldn't help but marvel at the strange contraption as we ascended.

"So... I've gotta ask," I began, seizing the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity. "Who else is staying here besides me?"

The staff member's face instantly turned pale. Cold sweat began dripping down his forehead, and he stammered, "W-well... I can't exactly say."

"...? Why not?" I asked, still confused by his reaction.

He swallowed hard, voice trembling. "Sorry, but I can't tell you anything. We value the privacy and security of all our guests. I mean... even if the emperor himself were here, we wouldn't spill the beans."

I blinked, a little taken aback. "The emperor, again? Are you sure you're not just messing with me?"

He didn't respond, just looked around nervously, clearly hoping I wouldn't press the issue.

"Tsk, okay," I muttered, frustrated. So much for getting the inside scoop.

After a few more seconds, the elevator reached the second floor, and we disembarked with the elegance of royalty... at least I tried. The floor, like the rest of the hotel, was absurdly opulent. A double-sided corridor stretched ahead, rooms numbered 1 to 5, and the length of the hallway could probably fit an entire parade of dragons. It seemed to go on forever, at least 75 meters of pure luxury.

"Wow... How big is this place...?" I muttered, more to myself than to the staff member. My eyes scanned the hallway, which felt like a small city.

The staff member, who had been trembling before, now puffed up his chest like a rooster after a bath. With a smug grin, he replied, "Huhu, that's a secret. This is your first time seeing such a large hotel, isn't it? This is the pride of our county."

Oh, the pride of the county? How charming. I put on my best poker face and shot back, "Ah, yes. I don't often visit places of this level. Just yesterday, I was in a cave with rats the size of cats."

He blinked, probably not sure if I was joking or not, but wisely decided to hold his tongue. We continued down the hall, and soon we stopped in front of one of the rooms. "Alright, here's the room where you'll be staying," he said, sounding a little too pleased with himself for just showing me the way. He handed me a key, which I snatched up with a quick "Thanks," eager to get to the good part-my new luxurious nest.

"No problem, thank you for your preference. If you'll excuse me, I need to return to the main hall," he said, bowing slightly before walking back toward the elevator, clearly relieved to get away from my sarcasm.

Now alone, I couldn't help but stare at the door in front of me. The material was ebony, with gold detailing on the doorknob. The door itself looked like it cost more than my entire family's yearly income. My heart pounded in my chest as I slipped the key into the lock and turned it.

As I opened the door, I couldn't help but gasp. The room was an absolute palace, decorated in whites and golds with platinum accents that screamed "expensive" at a decibel level that probably hurt the ears of anyone less refined than me. The room was huge, probably about 10 meters long by 8 meters wide, with two doors on either side-one leading to a bathroom, the other to a closet.

The centerpiece, of course, was the enormous king-size bed, which looked like it could comfortably sleep an entire royal family. Fluffy pillows, satin sheets, and a canopy that made it look like a fairy tale. On either side, two nightstands with more expensive-looking trinkets than I could ever dream of owning. And if that wasn't enough to make my jaw drop, a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, sparkling like it was straight out of a prince's private palace.

But wait-there was more! In the corner of the room, a small table surrounded by four armchairs, obviously designed for some rich person's breakfast, tea, or existential musings about how much money they had. I stared in wonder for nearly a full minute, taking it all in, before finally snapping out of it and stepping inside.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I ran toward the bed and flung myself onto it with the grace of a dolphin leaping into the ocean. And it was heaven. The mattress was so soft, it felt like I was floating on a cloud, or at least on a pillow filled with dreams and fluff. I sighed deeply, feeling the tension from the rocky ground I had just been on hours ago melt away.

Grabbing one of the pillows, I hugged it tight, like I was holding onto my hopes and dreams. "So this is what it feels like to be in heaven...?" I murmured to myself, my voice muffled by the fluffy pillow as I burrowed into it. Seriously, I might never leave this bed. Ever.

Of course, as much as I wanted to live in this moment forever, my mind couldn't stop spinning about the prince and how to get closer to him without anyone realizing who I really was. But for now, I'd push those thoughts aside. Let future-me deal with that.

Five minutes later, I was out like a light, the soft hum of the chandelier's glow and the weight of the pillow in my arms lulling me into a peaceful sleep.

End of chapter two.