“So you really don’t believe that Neme’s worthy of Saint’s Authority, Arcie?”
“Well, no. Why would I? She’s greedy and lazy before all else, the polar opposite of what the saint should be.”
“I disagree. I think Neme was the most suitable candidate in the whole church.”
“Huh?” Neme gasped. She was shocked by Fran’s claim, not to mention confused.
Fran smiled and replied, “Arcie and the others at the church couldn’t see it in you, even though you were the most worthy among us. But, hey, at least God got it right, yeah?”
“Neme was the most worthy...?” Arcia asked in disbelief.
“That’s right.”
“On what basis?”
“I witnessed it myself the night before the presentation ceremony. I left something in the worship hall during my final prayer, and when I went back to get it, Neme was there doing hers.”
“So what?”
“What do you think Neme prayed for?” Fran asked.
Arcia paused for a moment. “Didn’t she ask for more desserts like always?”
“No. She prayed, ‘Please give Arcia the skill to become the saint.’”
“What...?” Surprise filled Arcia’s face.
Fran continued on, paying her no mind. “In contrast, what did we all pray for? Probably something along the lines of, ‘Please make me the saint tomorrow.’ Isn’t that right?”
“That’s...”
“When I heard her prayer, I realized that the rest of us weren’t cut out for sainthood. That Neme would get the skill. How couldn’t she after that? We prayed for ourselves, while Neme was the only one who earnestly prayed for someone else.”
“But she always prayed for desserts before that! Isn’t that just praying for herself too?!”
“Maybe. But what’s so wrong about wishing for a full stomach?” Fran pointed out. “The rest of us prayed for world peace, but what does that even really mean? Did you ever think about that? Is it a world without war? Without sadness? Weren’t those just distant abstractions to us? As saint candidates, we knew nothing of war or sadness. We just prayed how the sisters told us to. They were wishes of no substance.”
“That may be true, but—”
“In that regard, Neme’s wishes were simple, wouldn’t you agree? ‘Please let me eat until I’m full tomorrow.’ Isn’t that just a prayer for continued daily peace? It’s a lovely thing, and far more real than anything we asked for.” Fran placed a hand against her chest and continued, “Maybe that’s how the first saint lived. Maybe she wasn’t trying to eradicate war. Maybe she just wanted enough to eat. Maybe that modest wish is how she truly brought peace to Aifan.”
“You think Neme’s a worthy saint...?” Neme muttered.
The tiny priestess had never dreamed anyone would say that about her. She’d never even believed it about herself. She’d given up on the idea long, long ago. In truth, every time the nuns at the church had told her that she’d never be the saint, it had hurt her. It was like her existence was being denied. So to hear Fran say she was worthy now affirmed everything for Neme. She began to tear up.
“I didn’t think...I’d ever hear that...”
“Some of us know the truth,” said Fran. “Maybe not Arcie, but I do. You didn’t run away from the sainthood. You went into the dungeon in order to find God and protest Arcie’s skill, didn’t you? That’s what you told me when I helped you leave the church.”
“Why...would you...?” Arcia shook her head in disbelief. “I didn’t ask for any of that! And Neme, you said you didn’t want to risk your life as an adventurer!”
“But Neme believes Arcia should be the saint! So when Neme meets God, I’m going to make sure you get the skill!”
“Are you a fool...?” Before she knew it, Arcia’s own voice had gone nasally. Neme couldn’t see her expression through her tears, though. “I’m the one who isn’t worthy of being the saint! I was jealous of my friend getting the skill I wanted! I’m terrible!”
“That’s not true! You were always so nice to me!”
“That’s all in the past... The sweet Arcia you loved is gone now.” Arcia sat down on the floor, her tears showering the red carpet beneath her. “I don’t deserve such kindness from you!”
“That’s not true! Neme still loves Arcia even now!”
“Stop it! Don’t make me any more pitiful than this...” Arcia sobbed.
Though they’d lived together for ten years, Neme had never once seen Arcia explode like this. She wasn’t sure whether she should approach or keep her distance.
Fran stepped in instead, saying, “You haven’t changed at all, Neme, but Arcia and I are different now. We’re sullied adults. You’d never know we were once saint candidates.”
“That can’t be...”
“It is. We’re only human, and it becomes harder for us to accept our mistakes as we grow older. The more time passes, the more stubborn we get. Just look at Arcie.”
Neme turned to her friend, who was still hanging her head. Arcia’s gaze was fixed on her knees. She made no attempt at eye contact.
“But if we take our time from here, I know we can make up for our mistakes. Once we do, let’s meet again. Just the three of us, like a mini class reunion. We can laugh over how foolish we were when we were younger. How about it? Doesn’t that sound fun?”
“Fran...”
How hadn’t Neme noticed that she had such a good friend by her side? Would there truly come a day they could laugh about the folly of their youths? If that was possible, it was a future she would welcome with open arms.
“I’m not the only one who sees you for who you are anymore, right, Neme? You have friends who came to rescue you in spite of the dangers.”
Neme nodded silently. Fran smiled.
“In that case, you shouldn’t be dawdling here. You have no intention of walking away from the dungeon, right?”
“Right!”
There was no hesitation in her answer. It was true that Neme had originally set out to find God and change her skill, but Neme now had plenty more motivating her. There were the current Arrivers. There was also Jin, whose dream had been cut short. There was even the Ultimate Invincible Partyz, whose dreams Neme had promised to carry. Her life now revolved around so much more than just the sainthood. The story of Neme Pargin, adventurer and dungeoneer, was truly just beginning.
“But will you let me go? Can Neme leave?” Neme looked at Arcia nervously.
She nodded weakly. “Just...do what you want... I can’t see anything right now...”
“Arcia...”
Neme could only watch helplessly as her friend curled up into a ball.