Chapter 70 - 2.31

It was very simple. She had a brilliant brain. Given the clues, there was only one thing that could explain the dreams' contents perfectly. This was not her first time being contracted as a Host. Better yet, this was not her first time experiencing events similar to that of a transmigrator. Hopping around worlds constantly.

She experienced transmigrating firsthand. Why couldn't she secretly be a past transmigrator who got picked up by another System?

Thousands of worlds with its own fates. Systems like the one she had right now lurking nonstop, waiting to pick up their Hosts and start their own adventure. There was absolutely nothing that prevented Xu Jiaqi from becoming a second time transmigrator that lost her memories some how and ended up in the world that Xu Jiaqi thought was her original world.

Either way, she had to find a way to contain these thoughts. Now that she was beginning to understand herself, she needed to put a stop to it. It bothered her too much and would affect her performance even though she was known for her durability and tenacity.

Although she was still riddled with a lot of pain to her head, she still couldn't rest.

She wanted to get that sweet vacation in the System space as soon as possible. If not, she felt like her head would split at any moment. Just one push. One more push, and her sanity, which was held by a thin string would break down.

Then, she would consult with the System to obtain a way to solve this damned mystery.

"Zen, how long is the Saintess candidacy period usually for? How and when are they picked?" Xu Jiaqi questioned the knight. It was time to put her plans into motion. Taking down the Holy land and cleansing the Empire in one swoop.

"Answering the lady, it should be in about two months at most. The reigning Holy Cardinal will pick the new Saintess in front of the famous Goddess Eula's statue after the candidate is decided upon. They will be blessed by the Cardinal, and will be put into seclusion for another month to further perfect their role."

"Two months.. eh? I don't exactly plan to become the Saintess, to be honest. It would just be an extra restriction placed on me.. Hm, this is a bit troubling. Even if I want to fight for the seat, I need to have backing. The Maine Dukedom is definitely not going to back me up, while the others already have a proper investor." Xu Jiaqi mumbled.

"That would indeed be correct, lady."  Zenith answered.

"Then.. right, Zen, do you know who is a rightful powerhouse in this Holy Land? Someone I can get on my side, someone who doesn't have vile thoughts." Xu Jiaqi had to make her moves very carefully if she wanted to take the peaceful route.

Becoming the Saintess might be the only way she could reform the Holy Land without breaking the entire world's structure. She had to look for someone that suited that type.

If she was able to replace the Cardinal with another person who would obey her, then it would be checkmate. She didn't need to be majorly exposed to the public, she just wanted to control it from behind at the very least.

This would give her the leisure of commanding and reforming the land while staying behind the scenes.

"Rightful.. superior, hm? I suppose it would be the First Child? He holds authority, but he was recently detained for opposing the Cardinal's orders. Although the order wasn't disclosed, it should be something worrisome. Enough for the First Child to object." Zenith answered.

"First Child? That Ezra Lancaster?" Xu Jiaqi had actually researched about almost everybody in the Holy Land with the System to get data on who she could use. She only asked Zenith for clarification, and to further test him.

The so-called First Child was indeed in her list of probable allies. Ezra Lancaster, the only one bearing the title 'Child' in the Holy Land. Although his title was as such, he wasn't a child right now, but rather a relatively young man.

The Holy Land did not have Saints. They appointed Saintesses, but that was it. There was a rule that came out of nowhere, saying that the Goddess' second highest ranking apostle should be a chaste and pure female- a Saintess.

The Cardinal was the highest ranked servant of the Goddess. If Ezra's worth was put into comparison to this hierarchy, he would be akin to a faux 'Saint'. He was appointed six years ago, and up until now, he is the one and only bearer of that title. Although there was first in his name, there was not going to be a second one. 

The reason being, Ezra was simply out of the ranks that existed. He possessed extremely pure Holy Magic, perhaps even beating that of Serenia's. He was described as a legend, a man who loved peace and solitude so much that he confined himself to a stranded tower to serve the Goddess Eula with his heart.

Ezra Lancaster. The only thing that prohibited him from being called a 'Saint' was because of the old rule that existed up until now.

The name rang inside Xu Jiaqi's mind multiple times, making her consider if this was indeed a viable choice.

It was possible, but she had to check whether Ezra even showed a speck of interest towards her.

In any case, it was clear that the Saintess position needed to be hers. Even if that meant that she would have to oppose the leads directly, which will put her in great danger.

"Alright, it's settled then. We are going to try and make Ezra Lancaster our patron until I become the Saintess. With the Child on our side.. It should be hard to not appoint us, right?" Xu Jiaqi tapped her fingers rhythmically as she chuckled.

System: There goes the Host's scary antics again.. Hays. A storm is about to come! Everybody, take cover!