Chapter 62: Holy Land(2)

The Holy Kingdom was one of the five nations on the continent. Unlike the other four, ruled by humans, the Holy Kingdom was ruled by the Goddesses. However, as divine appearances were rare, the nation was governed by human leaders and the ten Archangels.

‘In my old life, I would have called this a cult.’

But such skepticism felt foolish in a fantasy game world. The records of their struggles in the war 700 years ago suggested the Goddesses weren’t omnipotent. Still, they wielded power beyond human comprehension, so perhaps the title of “god” wasn’t entirely inappropriate.

‘…Am I a god too, then?’

Raziel had claimed that the magic power he had witnessed from Avalli rivaled the Goddesses. And she hadn’t even been using her full strength in that fight. Perhaps she was even stronger than them.

Avalli’s assumption was, in fact, correct.

The maximum level in Sword and Magic was 500. If Avalli could see her status, it would show her level as at least 450.

The Transcendent Beings she had encountered—Sylvain, the Demon of Mist, the Archangels—were all around level 300. The Goddesses, far more powerful, were above 400, but still below Avalli.

This was the result of wiping out hordes of monsters in the Eastern Great Forest with multiple experience-boosting traits active. It was practically an exploit… but such was the nature of Very Easy mode.

And the difference would be even greater when factoring in the multiplicative effects of her stacked traits. Of course, Avalli had no way of knowing these numerical values.

‘”God” still feels… strange.’

She preferred the term “Transcendent Being,” as Sylvain had called her. Having been an ordinary human just a few months ago, the title of “god” felt… presumptuous. She wasn’t comfortable with it.

Though she was embracing her power, acting more assertively, her core identity as a human hadn’t changed that easily.

“Avalli.”

A wrinkled hand gently touched her shoulder. It was the elderly nun who served as the librarian in the small library tucked away in a quiet corner of the Holy Kingdom. Her kind face was etched with wrinkles.

“Yes, Sister?”
“Your snacks have arrived.”

Avalli nodded eagerly, like a puppy offered a treat. A few strands of silver hair peeked out from beneath her gray novice nun’s habit.

The librarian smiled warmly at the girl.

“I’ll bring some tea as well. The same hot chocolate as last time?”
“Yes, please!”

Not just ‘yes’, but ‘yes, please!’ Avalli’s childlike body craved sweets.

“Come down in ten minutes. And don’t forget to put the books back where you found them.”
“Okay.”

As soon as the librarian left, Avalli started putting the books away, humming cheerfully. The library was empty, as usual, so she used ‘magic’.

The books floated into the air and returned to their shelves. She had been spending most of her time in this small library lately. She had initially planned to deliver Sylvain’s letter to the Goddesses and then return to Asha immediately, but—

‘It’s taking longer than I expected.’

It had been a week.

According to the Archangels, the Goddesses resided in a separate realm, a ‘hidden plane’, along with the other five Archangels, not in the Holy Kingdom itself.

And the portal to that realm only opened on the night of the full moon. She had initially suspected some kind of scheme… but the Archangels’ desperation had convinced her to… play along, for now.

She had made two demands:

First, a place to pass the time.
Second, delicious snacks every day.

That’s how she ended up in this small library. The Archangels had even fabricated a noble lineage for her, the granddaughter of a powerful lord, currently posing as a novice nun, due to return home before the end of the month. They had instructed everyone to treat her with the utmost respect.

So, Avalli’s days were quite pleasant. She spent her time reading, then enjoyed the snacks the librarian prepared for her. Even the elderly nun, who had initially seemed uncomfortable around her, was now completely at ease.

‘It all ends tomorrow.’

Tomorrow was the night of the full moon. After delivering Sylvain’s letter, her business in the Holy Kingdom would be concluded.

She could stay longer, but…

‘That would be rude.’

Though she had been on her best behavior, the Archangels still took turns visiting her every night, anxiously inquiring if she needed anything, Raziel, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, being the only exception.

She had already vented her frustration on them, so she had no intention of causing further trouble. She could exert her will upon them, but…

‘That’s too much effort.’

She wasn’t that motivated. She missed Lucy and Camelia and was looking forward to teasing Hans again.

She decided to borrow a few books before leaving—and headed downstairs, drawn by the sweet aroma of snacks.

****

Another day passed quickly. After enjoying her evening snack as the sun set, Avalli bowed her head politely.

“You’re leaving tomorrow?”

“Yes. My grandfather misses me. I’ll be leaving on the early morning carriage.”

“…That’s too bad. They were going to make madeleines tomorrow.”

Avalli’s mouth watered at the mention of madeleines, but she had already said her goodbyes.

“It will be… quiet again.”

The elderly nun couldn’t hide her disappointment. The brief respite from her quiet routine was ending too soon.

Avalli smiled faintly.

“I’ll visit again.”
“Really?”
“My grandfather can’t refuse me anything. I just have to… be persistent.”

She said, using her fictional grandfather as leverage. If the other Archangels, excluding Raziel, heard this, they would have a collective headache… but Avalli didn’t care. She planned to return occasionally to borrow books anyway.

“…Thank you, Goddess.”

The librarian closed her eyes in prayer, a strange aura of holiness surrounding her. Avalli waited respectfully until she finished.

Night fell. As Avalli waited in her room, her bag packed, she heard a knock on her window.

“Avalli!”
“…Why is it you, Raziel?”
“Aw, don’t be like that. We’re friends now, aren’t we?”

Raziel said cheerfully, opening the window and stepping inside.

“It’s time to go. The ‘gate’ will open soon. Anything you’re forgetting?”
“I didn’t bring anything with me. I had to rush here because of… certain people.”

Avalli said sarcastically, but Raziel just chuckled, unfazed.

“Metatron’s such a stickler for rules. She could be a little more flexible.”
“…You have a good attitude.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Think what you want.”

Avalli shrugged, picked up her bag, filled mostly with books, and asked,

“Are you sure I can take these?”
“Yes. Metatron approved it. A few books is a small price to pay for… maintaining a good relationship with you, Avalli.”

That was true.

“She even offered to send someone regularly with more books…”

Raziel trailed off, and Avalli, remembering her promise to the librarian, shook her head.

“That’s alright. I’ll come back myself.”
“Really? Yay! I’ll tell her!”

Raziel beamed.

“…I still won’t participate in your weird experiments.”
“You can decide after you see the gift I have for you next time. You won’t be able to resist!”

Avalli chuckled, wondering what he had in store for her, then stepped onto the windowsill and leaped into the air. Unlike Raziel, she had no wings, but she flew effortlessly, following him into the night sky above the Holy Kingdom.

Towards the full moon, casting its soft glow upon the world.