Voice of the Order
...Ouch.
It's sharp. And too fine a blade to be used on something like me.
It's okay, Elisa. If you do it properly... there won't be any pain.
Close your eyes tight... One clean cut, and no pain...!
Elisa! What's that in your hand?!
Eeeek?! C-Captain?!
Huh? They're... hairdressing scissors...
Because... I have to shave my head and become a penitent saintess now...
So it was something drastic!
This is the punishment I deserve, Captain!
I succumbed to desire and fell from grace... I've brought shame upon the Order.
I don't even deserve to wear these saintess robes...
I should wrap myself in rags that barely cover my front, hang a sign that says "I have fallen", and crawl through the streets blindfolded...
C-could you start by telling me why you're doing this?
Ah, well... I got a summons.
It seems there will be a disciplinary hearing about what happened at the plaza.
And it'll be presided over by the High Saintess herself...
I took the letter and read it.
It was short and formal, requesting Elisa's appearance before the Order.
I'll be bombarded with accusations and scolding... until I finally crack under the pressure...
And as I fall, I'll curse everyone in the room and shout, "I offer my everything to evil!"
Demons will rise from hell itself...! NOA will become a slaughter city filled with branded sacrifices—
Huh?!
B-but... Captain, you've done nothing wrong... And because of me, you'll...
Ah... Captain... are you saying you'll walk to hell with me...?
The fate of a Journey member is my responsibility too.
Ah... Captain...! I... I...!
I wouldn't mind...! Even if you were the Archdemon Ehror...!
...117th Saintess, Elisa, correct?
Yes...
I've come to deliver the decision regarding your case.
I'll read it as dictated by the High Saintess herself... Ahem.
Okay...
You interrupted an event open to both believers and non-believers, verbally assaulted the head priest and fellow saintesses.
A saintess represents the Order. Your actions have brought great shame upon it.
...
Therefore, the High Saintess decrees that the rank of Saintess Elisa...
is to be 117.
Thus is the will of the High Saintess.
So... that's it...?
...?
What number were you before?
117th...
Huh...?
That's... the same number.
Ahem, it's not over yet.
Y-yes!
Saintess Elisa's words have made us all reflect upon ourselves.
Huh...?
As Lord Gaph teaches, believing oneself infallible is the very essence of Ehror. We must forever doubt and question ourselves.
Saintess Elisa's voice has served as a vaccine within our Order.
Th-that can't be...
May you continue to guard yourself against Ehror within the Order.
...Though, next time, please choose a gentler approach.
Ahem. That last remark is my personal note.
The decree is concluded.
H-how do I feel?
I'm not so sure. Everything feels so muddy...
Ah.
...
97th Saintess Illene...
Hmph...
Bask in your little victory while it lasts, 117th Saintess Elisa.
You may have been right this time...
But next time, I'll make sure to wipe that smug smile from your face!
Uh...
Isn't that... basically a surrender?
E-Elisa...?
Eeeek?!
116th Saintess Muriel?!
I-I know I've... said some... harsh things to you...
And I might've been kind of mean...
But from now on... um... I'll do better, so—
N-no, I was the one at fault, 116th Saintess Muriel!
Uh, what?
F-for saying such... awful things to you... I'm really sorry...!
W-well, I mean... That's true, but...
...A-ahem.
...R-right? You were the one in the wrong, weren't you?
I-I was...
Th-that's right! You...!
A-and don't you ever make me worry... or, or scare me like that again, got it?!
...
Pfft.
W-what are you laughing at?!
I guess... it all worked out better than I expected.
Almost too well, honestly...
Maybe that's Lord Gaph's grace at work?
Right... it must be!
W-wait up, Captain!