The Successor of the Saint Does Not Fight - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Soon to be known as the ‘Holy Saint of Non-War’

I ― Meril Klein, am by nature a special and noble human being. Above all, my lineage is excellent.

My mother, a living miracle who has vanquished numerous demons, is hailed as the world’s strongest saint, even referred to as the “Heavenly Angel on Earth.”

Furthermore, my birth background is distinctly different from that of ordinary people.

My saintly mother, without going through marriage, conceived me, Meril, through the miracle of God.

In other words, it is not an exaggeration to say that my father is God Himself.

Everyone called me the “Saint who would surpass even the Holy Saint.”

I, too, was not displeased to be called like that. In fact, I was quite proud.

Believing without a doubt that I would follow in my mother’s footsteps, leaving behind numerous tales of valor and becoming a great figure recorded in the history books of the future… Until this very day.

“Huh, are you here to exorcise me, demon slayer…?”

Growling with a jaw that seems capable of swallowing me whole, is a towering white wolf that I gaze up at.

My 14th birthday. My first task as a demon slayer.

Just a few minutes ago, I was arrogantly saying things like, “Is it a matter of how many seconds it will take to defeat them, considering victory is a given?”

Even that mountain pass at night where demons were said to appear was nothing to worry about.

It felt like a pleasant little picnic in comparison.

However, seeing a real demon made all that arrogance disappear in an instant.

The enormous white wolf in front of me is on a different level as a living being.

It wasn’t a matter of reason; I instinctively understood it to be true.

Not an opponent that an ordinary human could face even standing on their hands.

Its sheer intimidation sends shivers throughout my entire body, rendering one unable to even scream out of fear.

Mother’s advice flashes through my mind like a lantern running wild.

Mother used to say, “Unless it’s a really high-ranking demon, if I just think ‘Disappear,’ they usually just vanish on their own, you know.”

Trying to follow her advice, I repeat “Disappear” rapidly in my mind, but there is no sign of the white wolf vanishing even a bit…

Could it be?… Perhaps I don’t possess the same power as my mother?

Suddenly, a despairing doubt wells up within me. Behind me, in my battered state,

“Come now, Lady Meril! Please show us your divine power!”

“Bring death to that wicked demon!”

The underlings from the church who followed to witness my first mission are energetically cheering with torches raised.

What a bunch of wretched individuals.

Hiding behind a fragile girl like me while taunting the opponent.

I would like them to grasp the true meaning of shame.

And right then, the white wolf flinched.

“Meril…? That name sounds familiar. Could it be… are you the daughter of that accursed woman?”

“Uh, yes?”

Behind me, I let out a voiceless trembling sound, and the underlings roar in response.

“Exactly! Lady Meril is indeed the daughter of the Holy Saint, and she is the divine messenger sent to vanquish you demons on behalf of the gods!”

“Tremble in fear, you demons!”

“Begging for you life is futile! Lady Meril won’t be deceived by the words of a demon…!”

“Silence, all of you. Do not further anger this monster.”

A mixture of anger and fear reached its peak within me, and my complexion turned almost purple.

“Now, demon! Atone for the sins of slaughtering countless humans with your life!”

At that moment… In response to the words uttered by one of the underlings, the demonic white wolf visibly gritted its teeth.

“Sin, you say? Regardless of what I say, you won’t listen, will you? You all…”

In that muttered response, there was a somewhat feeble undertone.

Even the suffocating sense of intimidation seemed to be momentarily forgotten.

…That’s why I could reflexively shout out like this.

“I will listen!!”

I raised my hand resolutely, desperately hiding the trembling.

With every ounce of courage in me, I appealed to the white wolf.

“If, if you have something to say! I, Meril Klein, will listen to everything! We can fight after that!”

It was my desperate resistance, trying to postpone the seemingly hopeless battle for even just a second longer.

At the same time, a large commotion erupted behind me.

“Lady Meril! Don’t do this! Don’t listen to the whispers of that demon…”

“Mercy is not allowed!”

“Purify it immediately!”

I could hear a sharp crack and the sounds of a blood vessel bursting in my ears.

“Silence! Even if the opponent is a demon or anything else, if there are words to exchange, the first step is to listen to their argument. That’s common decency for any human being!”

With bloodshot eyes, I roared at the underlings.

Demons are terrifying, but if it’s humans, I can act as arrogantly as I want.

I’ve been raised that way since childhood.

Suppressing my fear, I meet the eyes of the white wolf head-on.

“Now then. If you have something to say, I will listen as much as you want—until the sun rises and sets countless times! Speak freely!”

The white wolf stared at me intently, as if assessing or gauging me.

There was a long silence… and as I began to calculate the chances of escaping by sprinting with all my might as soon as possible…

“I have not killed anyone.”

The wolf uttered those words in a dismissive manner.

Afterward, it growled fiercely, sharpening its claws and fangs.

“What do you think? It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? You’ll likely dismiss it as the devil’s deceit. However, I swear…I have never…”
“I understand! Then, I will thoroughly investigate!”

“…What?”

The white wolf, taken aback, partially opened its massive jaws.

“If you say that, I can’t turn you away! I, in any way possible, will prove your innocence!”

And with a glimmer of hope, I shouted.

“So, for now, how about we both lower our weapons and find a resolution!”

And with this event began my first mission, which would ultimately earn me the title of the “Holy Saint of Non-War.”