Long ago, a girl showed up. She was a blessed person. She was said to have possessed Holy Powers. She could use them both ways. She could heal people and also had the power to destroy nations. But she was kind. So people revered her as the Saintess. She spoke of Gods and Divine beings. She helped people in need. She was loved and respected by the King. People followed her. And one day she disappeared.
Centuries passed after that. And people prayed every morning, sometimes in the shrine or sometimes in the corner of their rooms. Some prayed in the evenings too. Still hoping she would return to guide them. But with time it became a tale children listened to and grew up thinking it's just a story. Made up by their Ancestors to instill belief in Gods. So they diligently prayed to Gods. Except the Priests. The Priests believed. They came here believing in the Gods and the Saintess. Praying and whispering sermons everyday. Bowing their heads. For blessings. And for a sign. This was a place with home.
But this was the first time they have received a Stone Tablet. And that prophesied the arrival of the Saintess. And the usual quiet morning turned into chaos.
Everyone wanted to express their opinions but no one was able to. Voices overlapped each other and then.
"Aaaahhhh" they heard a shout. They hurried towards the hall. There were two figures. The man was sprawled on the floor. And the woman stood beside the man. She looked nervous.
"He fainted on his own, I didn't do anything" the girl spoke awkwardly. Priest Hill blinked. Then he looked at the others. They were doing the same as him. Gawking at her. She was very different from their expectations. She was wearing something nobody has ever seen before. Her skin colour stood out the most. It was very different from theirs. But she looked warm. Then the man sprawled on the floor and sat up. He looked at her and asked.
"Are you the Saintess?" The girl gave him a gentle smile. The previous awkwardness vanished as soon as the man sat up.
"Yes, were you waiting?" she spoke loudly. Then she grinned.
"I am Garima, the Saintess. At your service" then she bowed in a dramatic way. The priests blinked. She didn't look holy. Nor do they feel like bowing or revering her. This was the first time they have seen a Saintess. They were confused. So they looked at each then nodded and dropped to their knees.
"The Saintess has Returned". And Chaos followed. They were shouting and bowing. Garima stared at the crowd. She was unaffected by the chaos. She kept looking at the handsome faces of the priests. There were old handsome men, young handsome men and cute boys. What the hell was wrong? It was visually fatal. So she started looking at other things. Then she noticed the stone tablet on an old priest's hand.
"Oh, Cos…I mean the Goddess wrote this" The priests froze.
"The God..dess...personally wrote them" another priest asked. "Yes," Garima smiled. Then one person got up from his knees.
"Saintess, my name is Hill sorry for the imprudence, but…as told in the tablet were you raised by the Goddess" he asked nervously. "Yes, I was but now as I came of age, she sent me to guide you" Garima answered clearly sticking to the story as planned.
"Oh, Holy Goddess finally we got our sign" "The Saintess and the Tablet both arrived like miracles" "Well, I always believed" "I am blessed to be born in this era"
"Saintess bless up" The priests started shouting one after the other. Garima kept smiling. It was overwhelming but she had to smile. This was her first Isekai trip. She can't make any enemy out of anyone. So she smiled trying to imitate Cosmo's serene expression. As she watched a bunch of crazy handsome fanatics. Maybe her expression gave away, the priest named Hill coughed.
"Your Holiness, would you like to rest? We will talk later." He continued "Perhaps you are hungry? Would you like to eat or do you eat?, shall I arrange a room for you?" He looked nervous. His old handsome face was captivating. Garima told herself its nothing wrong in Gazing a Handsome Grandpa
"Of course I eat, I would like to taste the food" Garima answered laughing a little. "But before that I need a bath and change of clothes" Priest Hill looked at her outfit and frowned. "But, the clothes here are a bit different then what you are wearing, your holiness"
"It's okay, I don't mind, besides I didn't get time to pack"
"Pardon?"
"Oh, nothing, I am fine with anything"
"Holy Saintess! Please let me take you to your room. We have prepared the garments too" A woman rushed towards her. She too was clothed like the rest of the priest.
A few women followed behind her and stood in front of Garima. Garima blinked. She hadn't expected a priestess. She remembered mentioning them once. But she forgot about it. And they are beautiful. Even the old ones. They aged so beautifully. She felt envious. Would she be able to look like them without botox? It was a question worth thinking about.
"When did you prepare?" Priest Hill asked. He looked angry.
"When you men were hyperventing with the tablet!"
"YOU old woman just wanted to score points with the Saintess"
"I am only in my forties, you bald guy" The priest and priestess started bickering. And Garima looked at the bald Priest. She hadn't noticed him before. Such a handsome bald fellow.
"Please ignore them, Saintess" the girl beside her spoke.
"I don't mind, it's funny," Garima laughed. "I am Priestess Ava, feel free to call me Ava" she introduced.
" I am Garima," Garima said. Ava smiled and then she bowed.
"Your Holiness, Please follow me" Garima nodded and followed, letting the others bicker. She was feeling a little heavy now. Finally excitement finally caught up to her body and made her tired. She was exhausted.