Airan was the most likely candidate for sainthood.
Even without resolving the Arsen Kingdom's plague incident like in the original novel, he had already accumulated several achievements.
He was able to appeal this point to the temple, gain their support, and was steadily approaching sainthood.
If Ceres hadn't distinguished himself, Airan probably would have naturally become the Saint.
"Speaking of Ceres Whiperion."
"That greatest beauty in the Empire?"
"They say he healed all the sick in his domain and is being called a Saint.”
"How did he gain such power?"
"Could it be divine power?!"
Hearing the news about Ceres, the priests immediately suspected it might be divine power and caused a commotion.
If it was true that he possessed divine power, other candidates like Airan would become unnecessary, and Ceres would become the Saint immediately.
"What did Hames, who went to confirm, say?"
"She says she doesn't know for sure either."
"Then maybe not?"
They sent Hames to confirm, but since there was no proper answer, they remained suspicious.
"They say Ceres Whiperion resolved the Arsen Kingdom's plague incident."
"Then is it true?"
His achievement was so great they were uncertain.
Ultimately, the temple decided to send people once more to Ceres to confirm.
Two High Priests.
Airan, the original candidate for Sainthood.
It was a large-scale group led by these three representatives.
"Wow, so this is the Whiperion territory!"
Airan, who arrived in the territory ruled by the Whiperion family with the group, exclaimed in admiration.
“It's truly amazing. To think a mere county, not even a capital, could be this developed!”
He praised it generously, and it wasn't empty flattery.
Luxurious buildings and various facilities were well-maintained.
The number of passing domain residents was enormous, and they were generally affluent.
It was an incredible place, on par with the capital of a decent nation, so he couldn't help but be impressed.
'Ceres, that detestable guy, lived revered in a territory like this!'
The more he admired it, the greater his hatred for Ceres grew.
Airan didn't show it since people were around, but inwardly he ground his teeth.
'Growing up as the sole heir in a place like this, what could he possibly lack that he's aiming for my position too?!'
Airan originally came from an insignificant family, a lower noble house barely worthy of the title.
Within it, he happened to be born with powerful holy power and went through all sorts of hardships to succeed using that power.
But now Ceres suddenly appeared, looking set to snatch his position—how could he not hate him?
'Hmph, I always thought he was bad luck. The Empire's greatest beauty, really.’
Airan inwardly cursed Ceres and looked sideways.
"I heard that Lord Ceres is the most beautiful in the Empire. Is that really true?"
“I haven't seen him myself, so I can't say for sure."
One of the High Priests and Airan's most powerful supporter, backing his bid for sainthood.
“However, I believe the rumors are somewhat exaggerated.”
“So, Lady Hairell, you think so too? I heard that even the Hero Alios and the Imperial Emperor fell head over heels for Lord Ceres's beauty, which is ridiculous."
Airan spoke excitedly; he never believed Ceres was the Empire's greatest beauty in the first place.
'Does it make sense? He's never even appeared in high society because he was supposedly sick, so how would anyone know if he's the best in the Empire? Only rumors circulate, and they're all absurd things.'
The painter commissioned by Countess Ares to paint Ceres's portrait supposedly fell in love with it and ran off with it.
The rumor spread even to the far East, where he's called the greatest beauty of the West.
The most recent rumor was that the Emperor fell for him at first sight at the first party he attended.
'Wasn't it that she [Viol] fought with Alios, who was originally Ceres's partner, took him [Ceres] away, imprisoned him, and he was only recently released? Who would believe such rumors?'
Airan wore a scornful smile, finding it absurd.
'Hey, control your expression. What if the other priests see and notice your nasty true nature?'
Hairell, watching him from the side, was inwardly dishappy.
'Why do you think I'm supporting you and investing this much?'
Hairell supported Airan purely for her own ambition.
She planned to make a Saint with her own hands and use him like a puppet to seize power.
'It's not too late now, should I abandon this one and stick with Ceres?'
Hairell wondered if Ceres would be a tool to achieve her ambitions more easily, then shook her head.
'No. That man is beyond my control. The heir to such an immense territory!'
Hairell inwardly broke into a cold sweat, recalling information about the Whiperion territory.
'Total population over 1.5 million. 5,000 soldiers available for immediate mobilization. Assets more than enough to support it all!'
What kind of county is this?
Only a county in title. Befitting a great noble family ranking within the top 3 of the entire Empire.
'As expected of a founding contributor family dating back to the first Emperor. This is practically the level of a small duchy.'
Ceres is the one destined to inherit this territory, and looking at recent developments, he could become even more.
'Foolish Airan. Only caring about being the Empire's greatest beauty. The really important thing is that Ceres is an unmarried man who will inherit this territory.'
The woman who marries Ceres could gain the Whiperion territory entirely.
'That must be why Hero Alios is clinging to him too. If the Gravius Duchy swallows Whiperion, they'll become a monster.'
If so, she could guess the story behind the strange rumor that Emperor Viol imprisoned Ceres.
'It must be the Emperor's warning. A warning that she won't stand idly by if the two [Alios and Ceres] join forces and try anything funny.’
The key figure who could change the Empire's power dynamics, a man even the Emperor is wary of!
And such a man is becoming a Saint?
Hairell had no confidence she could control him.
'The moment Ceres becomes the Saint, I'll have to give up my ambitions. Not just me, but all the existing power holders in the temple will end up groveling under that man.'
Therefore, she absolutely couldn't let Ceres become the Saint.
Resolving to interfere by any means necessary, she turned her gaze towards the other High Priest who had come with them.
"Hames, you've already met Lord Ceres, haven't you?"
The third representative was Hames, who had quickly joined upon hearing the news that people were being sent to check on Ceres.
“How is he? Is he truly the best in the Empire, as the rumors say?"
“You'll know when you see him."
‘When someone asks you something, give a proper answer.’
Hairell, who had intended to pry information from Hames, clicked her tongue and moved away.
A short while later.
Hiding their respective thoughts, they arrived at the Whiperion County estate.
"Are you the ones who came looking for Ceres?"
Upon arriving at the county estate, the head, Ares, came out immediately to greet them.
'I've never seen such a beauty!'
Seeing Ares for the first time, Airan cheered inwardly.
Short silver hair.
Flawless skin, a balanced figure, and a beauty both sculptural and intense. She possessed a beauty like ice.
They said she had captured the gazes of many men in her youth, and it seemed she still could.
'Truly amazing. To possess such a vast territory, and be so beautiful and cool besides!'
He heard her martial prowess was formidable too.
If only she were younger, or perhaps didn't have a child.
Airan, captivated by Ares at first sight, spoke shyly.
“It's an honor to meet you, Countess Ares Whiperion. I am Airan from the temple…….”
“Get lost."
“What did you say?”
“I said get lost!"
Ares shuddered in disgust.
“Why do you keep bothering my child! Can't you just leave Ceres alone?"
"Please calm down! There are rumors that Lord Ceres might be the Saint, so as the existing candidate, I came to meet him and discuss….”
“Just let him be the Saint then!"
I'd like that too, but Airan wore a reluctant expression, knowing he needed to meet Ceres first to do anything.
Just as Ares was repeatedly yelling at them to get lost.
"What's important is Ceres's thoughts.”
Hames said bluntly, arms crossed.
"Countess Whiperion. I understand your concern for Ceres, but don't try to chase away those who came seeking him on your own authority. Listening to their story and deciding what to do is his prerogative.”
“...Have you always encouraged that child to overexert himself like this?"
Ares glared briefly at Hames but couldn't refute her. She disappeared as if accepting she couldn't stop it, and a moment later.
'That's...!'
'Ceres?'
The real Ceres appeared before Airan and Hairell.
Long, silky silver hair swayed with every step.
The features arranged on his slim face seemed like a combination of the ultimate beauty discovered by the greatest artist.
His eyes shone blue like jewels, and his skin was white and clear like milk.
Dressed in a form-fitting white shirt and trousers, he walked gracefully, showing off a slender, willowy figure.
As he brushed back his beautiful hair as if it were cumbersome, a scent like flowers spread in that moment.
'Is it perfume? How can a person's body smell like flowers!'
'Is this even human?'
It was true that you'd know just by seeing him. The appearance of a being whose very dimension seemed different just by looking! Both Airan and Hairell were mesmerized.
'The order is wrong. Why did they come now?'
That being, Ceres, was inwardly bewildered.