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I was once a hollow saint – Prologue

「Felix-sama, the Saint has arrived.」

「I see.」

I put down the paperwork I was working on to find that my close assistant, Byron, appeared as though he wanted to say something.

I urged him to speak up if he had something to say, and he expressed hesitation before finally saying what was on his mind.

「Are you really going to accept that incompetent ‘hollow saint’, as your Empress?」

「Yes, I am, and I’m serious about it.」

Byron clenched his hands firmly as he responded, and a look of impatience washed over his face.

His usually cool, controlled demeanor is now conveying rage and frustration, which is not like him.

「They are not only sending a saint who can’t even use magic properly, but also crowning her as our Empress…….you know how much we’ll lose face if the kingdom of Fallon taunts us any further, right?!」

「Trust me, I’m aware of this, but our country is in such dire need of even a decorative saint.」

The once thriving Reavis Empire is now called the “cursed land.” No new saints are being born, the number of demons is rising, plagues are spreading, and crops are not growing.

The saints who were finally welcomed from other kingdoms were dubbed “incompetent hollow saints” because they had little to no magical power and could not use magic properly. There was no question that this was done with contempt for the country.

However, the mere existence of a saint in a nation provides the people with emotional support.

Besides, people are not aware of the fact that the saints who come to our country have no power.

「But that doesn’t mean we have to make her our Empress…….」

「She is a precious saint, and she needs to be in a certain position. And I also need to get myself together soon and reassure the ministers and the people. Think of it as like a contract marriage till the conditions of our nation become more stable.」

He was going to use her to the hilt, and it would be far more practical to use someone from another nation rather than the daughter of a high-ranking noble in his own country.

「Even so, there are plenty of other suitable partners.」Byron said, appearing unconvinced, despite his king’s explanation.

Byron, who is my number one advisor, must be that worried about me.

「She is a woman sent by that kingdom of Fallon. She can’t use magic, and she must be quite an eccentric woman. Make absolutely certain that she doesn’t confine you in any manner.」

「You really don’t need to worry about that.」

He spoke clearly to his worried assistant and gently touched the scarred rod that was adorning the side of the desk.

This was the rod she used before her death as the Great Saintess.

（It has already been seventeen years since then.)

No matter how much time has passed, his feelings for her have not faded, but only grown.

And that will never change.

「Till the end of my days, I shall only love Else Reese.」