episode_0169

Of course, Erina doesn’t need to solve every situation. In fact, trying to solve everything is incredibly arrogant. Even if demons are rampaging across the entire continent, each region will have its own clergy and churches. No matter how much faith in the goddess has declined worldwide, there’s no way there aren’t enough people to resist.

Despite that obvious thought, my heart is uneasy. I’m agonizing over my inability to even solve the immediate problems in front of me.

‘I need to pull myself together….’

I don’t know what to think about first. One thought leads to another in an endless cycle. My stamina is depleted, and I’ve… overdone it, leaving me seriously drained. It would be nice if I could endlessly use Heal, but divine power is finite, and so is my ability to recover it.

“Heal.”

A sacred light envelops everyone, replenishing our depleted stamina. Except for two whose maximums are extraordinarily high, everyone’s significantly recovered. That’s it, there’s nothing left.

“Thank you.”

“So… warm.”

“Consider this the last Heal. Any more won’t recover as much.”

While the exact principle isn’t clear, there’s definitely a limit to the Heal’s effectiveness on an individual. We only understand that it’s affected by the cleric’s skill and the individual’s constitution.

That applies to basic Heals; advanced techniques are different. But those are incredibly difficult techniques, usable only by focusing on an individual. Unless you’ve spent a long time breathing together on the battlefield… it’s hard to do just by sleeping together.

“It’s enough. I brought some potions, too.”

“Aries, since when did you learn alchemy?”

“That’s a misunderstanding. It turned out to be easy. Forgot? This body is a genius.”

“My bad, Asti. Hahaha.”

We’re all aware that we’re forcing a cheerful atmosphere, but surprisingly, it’s working. The mood, which had hit rock bottom, is slightly improved.

“Alright, this must be the final staircase. Let’s go, everyone.”

Is what awaits us the worst, or the second worst? Either way, we have to push through. The thought of facing that terrifying presence again sends chills down my spine.

Even without Asti’s Elven senses, the air feels refreshingly cool. We can definitely see the surface now.

“Pikii-ssi!!!!!”

Erina calls out his name loudly. Simultaneously, my companions assume battle stances. We may not have permission to fight, but we need at least a minimal defense. This time, I won’t let myself be caught off guard.

*Swoosh.* He appears like a ghost. He’s definitely there, yet there’s an uncanny feeling, as if he’d always been there.

“Yes, yes. A few hours? Or a few days? Whatever.”

“…….”

“Where were we? I can’t be bothered to remember.”

The group remains silent. His erratic personality makes it impossible to predict what impact his words might have. I don’t even want to bother answering him properly.

“From the beginning? Ugh, that’s troublesome too… and it’s not like you trash deserve to hear anything good.”

It’s not provocation. He genuinely means it, but it’s an incredibly insulting statement.

“S…”

“Trash? Watch your mouth!”

Erina shouts before anyone else can react. It’s a word unacceptable to her as a nun, as a person.

“So what? It’s the truth. That damned goddess…”

“…!!! Watch your tongue! You, a nun chosen by the Goddess…!”

“Hmph. You seem to be still enjoying yourself. Makes me sick.”

Even his mutterings are infuriating. I want to lash out, but I promised my companions I wouldn’t fight.

“Listen, nun. You’re being used.”

“……Used?”

Finally, we’re communicating. The conversation is unsettling, extremely unnerving. Honestly, I don’t want to hear any more. To dare defile the name of the Goddess… she’s barely worthy of heretical judgment. Even if she’s oblivious, she should understand that butting into this situation won’t end well. My four companions…

“Did you think she’s just a broodmare? Why didn’t you mention the demons?”

“State your point clearly. Where did you learn this manner of answering questions with questions?”

As the two are about to launch into a full-blown argument, Levi quietly gathers the others.

“Should we step back…?”

“……That’s unlike you, but good thinking.”

“I agree. This looks like more than a stray spark… it’s a meteor headed our way…”

Hanna nods. While they want to help, it’s obvious that staying here would only hinder, rather than help. Levi subtly approaches Erina, quietly telling her to call if she needs anything, and then goes to the side with the others.

Erina feels a little uneasy, but now all her focus is on the offense against the Goddess. It’s not anger. It’s absolutely not anger. She’s not emotionally unstable; just slightly annoyed at the provocation.

“It must have been mere coincidence then. Ignoring even the remains… it’s too early,”

“Don’t evade the issue.”

“Shut up. I’ll just kill you.”

A black, mist-like substance instantly surrounds Erina. Even someone ignorant of magic can feel the overwhelming power. Erina immediately disperses divine power to create a protective barrier.

“I said, don’t evade the issue!”

She trembles. The pressure, clearly sensed thanks to Insight, weighs down her whole body. It’s behavior completely unlike herself, making her heart pound. She’s yelled at someone only a handful of times in her life, let alone at someone with this kind of oppressive aura.

“You’re closing yourself off, bitch. Even if I told you more, you’d say ‘No!’, ‘No way!’, and make excuses, right? It’s a waste of time!”

“……!!”

She can’t deny it. No, it’s an undeniable truth. No matter what she hears, she won’t just accept it. This sharp rebuke calms her racing heart slightly. Remain calm; reacting to the provocation achieves nothing. She came to talk. This woman is undeniably a nun; there must be a reason. She will calmly attempt to converse.

“Yes. I got too excited… I apologize.”

“Whatever.”

‘This woman!! She is infuriating!! But since I’m clearly at a disadvantage, I have to endure this.’

From their first encounter, she’s been unpredictable, making her impossible to read. Her Insight gives no clear reading; she only gets a dark, negative feeling.

“It’s easier for me to talk when I get the chance. Fine, I’ll tell you. The truth.”

Such grand words leave Erina unsure how to react. The playful expression and light movements… she can’t even tell if she’s being serious, but she has no choice but to listen. She wants to relax her body, but she can’t. She feels her stamina draining unnecessarily.

“The Goddess is aiming for the revival of the demons.”

“…?”

She can’t grasp its meaning.

“Everything is part of the Goddess’s plan. Even things that transcend time… it’s all for a single moment.”

“No, but… that’s too vague, I don’t understand anything?”

That prophetic tone can be fabricated on the spot. This generic story is whatever.

“I told you. There was no mention of the demons.”

“…Th-that’s because, initially, my reason for becoming a messenger was to replenish faith, and that… could be to fight the demons, right?”

“That’s not all. You must have suspicions about the Goddess statues?”

She remembers the苦労 she went through collecting the scattered Goddess statues. It notably caused a major conflict with the Freed Church. One thing’s certain: the statues had a magical power to enthrall those chosen by the Goddess. She certainly had qualms about the statues.

“…Certainly, the statues were suppressing the demons.”

“Idiot. If you thought that, why were you collecting them?”

“The Goddess has her reasons. Surely, there’s a purpose.”

“I broke the taboo to escape that yoke. You’ll do the same when you understand her intentions.”

Erina shakes her head. Even this short conversation is overwhelming. She can’t fathom the Goddess’s will, but she suspects she manipulated her desire to break free of those restrictions. In retrospect…

‘No, this is also a trial. It’s a test of my faith.’

“I look forward to the day you’ll see it with your own eyes. …Is this the end of our time together? I hope we meet again♡”

“W-wait! Don’t just say what you want!!”

But Erina’s shout is lost in the air.