Trampled and Broken (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 4
“If you phrase it like that, what will become of Lady Hestia’s dignity?”
“But that doesn’t mean I said anything wrong, does it!”
Those words naturally revealed that Hestia, the former saintess, lacked sufficient ability, and people subtly began to think less of her qualifications.
As the conflict between the two factions within the temple intensified, Hestia grew increasingly anxious.
Thus, she tried harder to get along better with Anetsa.
She believed that if people saw her and Anetsa being friendly, they would be inspired to stop their quarrels.
But that remained nothing more than her wishful thinking.
Everyone was busy checking each other’s influence, and amidst this, slander continued to spread.
Moreover, Hestia’s goodwill toward Anetsa was often distorted, making it appear as though she was oppressing her.
〈Saint Anetsa breaks out in hives all over her body if she eats figs! And yet you dared give her figs as a gift?!〉
〈I—I didn’t know. Last time, I overheard her mention in passing that she liked the scent of figs… So I just gave them as a gift.〉
〈She only said she liked the fragrance—not that she could eat them! Saint Anetsa even forced herself to eat them out of gratitude for your thoughtfulness! She nearly choked during prayer—what a disaster that would have been!〉
Even at the banquet held in the royal palace.
〈Saint Hestia! Ignoring Saint Anetsa’s greeting like that—are you really showing such petty territorial behavior?〉
〈Petty territorial behavior? How could I possibly dare do such a thing? I was merely following the proper protocol…〉
〈So it wasn’t your intention to rob Saint Anetsa of her place among the nobles and humiliate her? I’m truly disappointed!〉
I’m sorry.
That wasn’t my intention at all.
I was thoughtless.
Hestia found herself apologizing more and more often.
Even saints were only human, after all.
The more she tried, the more trouble piled up instead of lessening, and she grew steadily exhausted.
Thus, at some point, she killed her own self.
‘Perhaps this way is better for everyone.’
Swallowing all resentment and sorrow alone, Hestia became utterly a shadow—so that Anetsa, the light, might shine even brighter.
She had no other choice.
While Anetsa’s divine power grew stronger by the day, Hestia’s already insufficient strength began steadily fading.
‘Why is this happening?’
It was almost as if Anetsa were absorbing Hestia’s divine power.
‘If my divine power disappears completely like this, what will become of me?’
Hestia was afraid.
‘I… have nowhere to return to.’
She had lived in the temple since childhood.
Though she had once held the title of princess before becoming a saintess, honestly, even that had been merely nominal.
After all, the king of Elsword was her uncle, not her father.
Yorgos, who valued dignity above all, would surely refuse to take her back if she lost her divine power and was excommunicated.
‘No matter how little power I have left, I must fulfill my duties as a saintess.’
So Hestia headed to the lowest places.
She took upon herself all the infirmaries and relief shelters in her district—those Anetsa had overlooked.
Every day, she walked to facilities for vagrants and the poor districts, praying sincerely that those nearing death might find peace in the arms of the divine.
‘Now I have only this much strength left. Until it’s all gone… at least I’ll keep doing what I can as a saintess.’
In the humblest places, Hestia prayed more sincerely for the suffering than anyone else.
“Saintess, thanks to you, I can pass without pain. I’m truly grateful.”
“I sincerely pray that only happiness awaits you, Lady Hestia. Please be happy enough for my share as well.”
Each time the sick left behind these brief words of thanks before closing their eyes, Hestia wept as if bidding farewell to a dear, long-time friend.
Living so close to death every day, there wasn’t a single day her eyes weren’t swollen from crying.
Meanwhile, Anetsa, seemingly born to stand before crowds, delighted in every public event.
She confidently attended state ceremonies and diligently participated in social gatherings, strengthening ties with nobles and securing substantial donations for the temple.
“Ever since Saint Anetsa arrived, only good things have happened to the temple. Heh heh heh.”
Factions within the temple who supported Anetsa loudly praised her, making sure everyone could hear.
Each time, Hestia’s followers subtly pressured her.
They wished she, too, would do something as noticeable as Anetsa did.
Yet Hestia never neglected her original duties.
.
.
.
Thus passed one year. March 11th, Kingdom Year 1099.
Hestia attended the banquet held to commemorate the first anniversary of Anetsa’s arrival at the temple.
Since it was a festive occasion, the atmosphere wasn’t tense, and the meal proceeded quite amiably.
But trouble arose just as the meal was ending.
“I have something to say to everyone, if I may borrow this moment.”
Anetsa paused briefly, then glanced toward Hestia seated across from her.
When their eyes met, Anetsa fixed her with a pitying gaze and twisted her lips slightly, as if about to speak but holding back.
‘Why is she looking at me like that?’
Utterly baffled as to why Anetsa would regard her with such pity, Hestia tilted her head slightly in confusion.
“Early this morning, I received a new oracle.”
“A new oracle? What could it possibly be?”
Anetsa handed the paper she’d brought to her own archdeacon.
He stood, cleared his throat, and unfolded the paper.
The priest who first skimmed its contents looked up at Anetsa with shocked eyes.
Staring directly at Hestia, Anetsa spoke calmly in a deliberately somber voice that was clearly feigned.
“I regret having to deliver such words.”
“…Yes?”
“But I cannot place our personal friendship above the will of the divine. I hope Lady Hestia will understand my decision.”
Hestia nodded vaguely, bewildered.
She couldn’t grasp the meaning behind those words at all, so for the moment, she had no other choice but to nod.
At once, as if waiting for this cue, Anetsa gave a brief nod to the priest holding the oracle, and he began reading aloud.
Now that my true child has found her rightful place, I shall gather the flower that took root where it does not belong, and level the earth smooth once more.
“What on earth…!”
The entire banquet hall stirred in agitation.
Hestia’s face turned deathly pale.
“So the oracle means… that Saint Hestia is a fraud, and Saint Anetsa is the true one?”
All eyes instantly turned to her, and she found herself trembling uncontrollably without even realizing it.
It felt as though everyone was condemning her.
“I… I…”
She tried to say something—anything—but her voice wouldn’t come out.
In everyone’s gazes fixed upon her, she felt only accusation: “How dare you deceive us?”
“Oh, how pitiful.”
Though she herself had announced receiving the oracle, Anetsa now lowered both eyebrows exaggeratedly as if hearing the news for the first time, clicking her tongue sympathetically.
Anetsa rose from her seat and approached Hestia’s side.
Then, grasping her hand firmly, she spoke again in a bright voice.
“Lady Hestia, please don’t worry too much. I’ve already pleaded with the divine and learned a way for you to survive.”
“I… I… that is…”
Hestia trembled violently, her face ashen as if she might collapse at any moment.
“I’m… sorry.”
With a dazed expression, she pulled her hand from Anetsa’s grasp.
“I’ll… take my leave now.”
Barely managing to steady her shaking legs, Hestia turned and quickly fled the banquet hall.
“Saintess!”
She heard someone call after her, but she couldn’t stop.
She knew full well she looked like she was running away.
But at that moment, she had no other choice.
[This is the timeline separator]“Saint Hestia?”
At Nasia’s call, Hestia finally roused herself from her reverie and lifted her eyelids.
Her chest felt tight—she hadn’t realized how long she’d been holding her breath.
She let out a long sigh and focused her eyes on Nasia.
In the meantime, the novice priestess had taken out a neatly pressed ceremonial robe and was approaching her.
“You must hurry and get ready.”
“…Why?”
Hestia asked in a hoarse voice, sounding as if she’d just woken up.
Nasia answered slowly, as if surprised she had to ask.
“Well… today is the festival commemorating Saint Anetsa’s arrival. You agreed to dine with the others, didn’t you?”
“Oh.”
Hestia let out a short sigh. After briefly searching for words in her mouth, she asked flatly,
“Do I really have to go?”
“…What?”
Nasia’s eyes widened in astonishment.
But unlike usual, Hestia was firm.
“I’m not feeling well, so I don’t want to go.”
“Saintess, but…”
Nasia trailed off with a troubled expression, but Hestia had already turned her head away as if dismissing her.
“I want to rest.”
Faced with such unyielding resolve, Nasia gave up trying to persuade her further.
She promptly clasped her hands respectfully before her and bowed her head to Hestia in acceptance of her decision.
“Yes. Then… I shall convey your words as such.”
“Mm, thank you.”
“…Rest well.”
Though she’d already bowed in farewell, Nasia kept glancing back at Hestia, her face brimming with reluctance.
The Hestia she knew had a gentle heart and could never ignore others’ difficulties caused by her own actions. Surely, if she saw Nasia’s woeful expression now, she’d change her mind and get up to prepare.
But no matter how many times Nasia stole glances at her, Hestia resolutely refused to look her way.
‘She really isn’t going.’
Only then did Nasia finally let go of all hesitation and quietly slip out the door.
Thud.
The sound of the closing door reached Hestia’s ears.
Now alone in the room, she slowly turned her head back to its original position.
“Whew…”
Returning her breath to normal, she tried to calm her troubled heart.
“Did I really travel back in time?”
When the male lead is punished by carrying the female lead’s child and having periods like a woman
“I’ve given birth to two children for you, yet you still think about him.
Was I nothing but his substitute to you from beginning to end?”
Synopsis:
Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends, transmigrates to a female-dominated country.
Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to date them than in modern times?
Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!
Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!
Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.
_____
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