The chapters detail the protagonist, Alum Danlik, a fifteen-year-old baron's daughter and a Saint of the Holy Chastel Kingdom, enduring severe mistreatment from Johannes Chastel, the seventh prince and a priest. Alum is forced to perform all the work of the Saints, including tasks beyond her designated duties, and is constantly berated and belittled by Johannes, despite her diligent efforts. This relentless abuse, coupled with her lack of sleep and appetite, pushes Alum to her breaking point.
In chapter 4, after a particularly harsh reprimand, Alum dramatically quits her position as a Saint in the grand hall of the temple. She immediately withdraws her accumulated salary and leaves the temple, heading to a disused park on the outskirts of the capital. There, she purchases the land and erects a barrier around herself, finally venting her anger at Johannes.
Chapters 5 and 6 delve into Alum's past. Her father died when she was ten, and her older half-brother, who inherited the baronetcy, expelled her and her mother. Her mother remarried and abandoned Alum, leaving her half-brother to take her in due to her obligation as a noble to undergo the Saint Recognition Ceremony at thirteen. The ceremony confirmed her aptitude, and she was assigned to live and work at the temple. Initially, her year at the temple was peaceful, but it turned into a living hell when Johannes was appointed a year ago. He singled her out for harsh treatment, assigning her an impossible workload and criticizing her constantly, leading to her physical and mental exhaustion.
Johannes, in chapter 8, is frustrated by the incompetence of other temples and orders Alum to be summoned, only to be informed by his loyal Holy Knight that she has quit. The Holy Knight reveals that Johannes himself drove her away through his "demonic abuse," a revelation that shocks and bewilders Johannes. The other three Saints, Kisara Deloan and two others, also confront Johannes, accusing him of being a terrible person and expressing their relief that Alum escaped his torment. They explain that they initially ostracized Alum due to her lower noble status but realized Johannes's cruelty was far worse.
Chapters 11 and 12 further elaborate on Alum's suffering, detailing how she was made to do all the work, including tasks not meant for Saints, and was constantly criticized. The other Saints eventually tried to help but were rebuffed, as it only led to more criticism for Alum. Johannes, however, believed he was pushing Alum to realize her potential, as he saw her as having the strongest Saint abilities and crucial for reforming the corrupt temple. He thought her increased power was due to her training, while the Saints called it abuse and torture.
Meanwhile, Alum, in chapter 15, discovers a new ability: she can make plants grow from the ground by simply thinking about them. She uses this to create tea and sustain herself. She finds solace in her newfound freedom and the quiet park, feeling she has a place where she belongs.
Johannes, in chapter 18, is furious that no one will help him retrieve Alum, who he believes is essential for his plans. The Holy Knight explains that they happily let her go, seeing it as an escape from hell, and that Johannes's actions were akin to abuse. Johannes begins to question his own behavior, realizing his actions might have been perceived as mistreatment. He had intended to reward Alum handsomely for her contributions and even considered her a potential bride for a royal.
The narrative then shifts to the impoverished district, highlighting the harsh living conditions and the struggle for basic necessities like water. Alum, in chapter 22, has adapted to her homeless life, using her plant-growing ability to sustain herself and finding comfort in her freedom.
Johannes, in chapter 23, is still determined to find Alum, despite the temple's operational difficulties due to her absence. He is interrupted by his older half-brother, Fifth Prince Wionel, who has heard reports of a Saint in the impoverished district. Wionel, concerned, decides to investigate.
Wionel, in chapter 32, finds Alum in the park, protected by a barrier. He is surprised by her presence and the barrier, questioning why she is alone without her Holy Knight. When he asks her name, Alum reveals herself as Alum Danlik, a Saint from the Grand Temple. Suddenly, a massive sand wall erupts, separating them, and Alum disappears behind it. Wionel, unable to help, rushes to get Johannes.
The impoverished residents, in chapter 36, witness a miraculous event: a sandstorm clears the area, revealing a restored well with flowing water. They attribute this to divine intervention. A young boy, Domi, believes he received an apple from an "angel" he saw at the park, referring to Alum.
Johannes, in chapter 38, is informed of Alum's location and attempts to retrieve her, but the other Saints, led by Kisara, use a light magic barrier to restrain him, believing he is an evil entity. They declare they will not let him reach Alum.
Alum, in chapter 41, is bothered by the impoverished residents who repeatedly demand more food, despite her providing ample amounts. She feels uncomfortable with their attitude and the constant demands. First Prince Vendel arrives, offering to protect Alum and take her back to the Grand Temple. However, Alum, angered by his words about returning, creates a massive tree that envelops Vendel, seemingly to lull him to sleep.
Wionel, in chapter 50, visits Alum again and witnesses her distributing food to the poor. He advises her to stop giving things away for free, explaining that people can become accustomed to receiving and that she is too young to understand human nature.
Johannes, in chapter 52, is still being prevented from reaching Alum by the Saints and Holy Knights, who believe he treats her as a tool. He struggles to understand why they are stopping him and begins to worry that Alum might feel the same way.
The impoverished residents, in chapter 55, continue to demand food from Alum, even after receiving large quantities. Alum, feeling their attitude is unreasonable, states she cannot produce crops constantly as it tires her. The residents become abusive, leading Alum to feel uncomfortable. Prince Vendel arrives again, offering to protect her, but Alum, angered by his mention of the Grand Temple, traps him in a cocoon of tree roots and leaves.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Clendoll, in chapter 46, sees Alum's departure as an opportunity to undermine the Fifth Prince by recruiting Alum to his own faction. He plans to use Alum's situation to weaken the Seventh Prince and hinder the Fifth Prince's rise to power.
First Prince Vendel, in chapter 48, is approached by Clendoll, who manipulates him into believing that the Seventh Prince mistreated Alum and that Vendel should step in to "save" her. Vendel, eager to gain popularity, agrees to rescue Alum.
In chapter 55, Alum is again bothered by the impoverished residents' demands. She feels their entitlement is wrong, especially since she is providing them with more than enough. Prince Vendel arrives and is trapped by Alum's plant magic. He is then gently rocked to sleep within the tree, experiencing a sense of comfort he never had as a child.
Johannes, in chapter 44, is again thwarted by the Holy Knights, who trap him in a pit, believing they are protecting Alum by stopping him. He is frustrated, convinced that only he truly understands Alum's importance and power. He recalls their first meeting and his vow to make the kingdom worthy of her.
