Ch.290Chapter 290 – Mechanic, Apostle, Saint, Hero

After Epitrina disappeared, Elena showed an unusually polite attitude, saying, “I… I’ll be going now,” and left the repair shop.

Right after Elena left, I looked up at the ceiling of my shop.

Did that pillar of light have some physical force? The ceiling was completely shattered.

I could fix it in a snap using my abilities, but I’d prefer if she appeared more safely next time.

“Marquis? Is something wrong?”

“The repair shop is half-destroyed! Check if there are any suspicious individuals!”

Of all times, why did the security patrol have to show up now?

I stopped the guards who thought it was a terrorist attack and were trying to find the culprit.

“Stop. There’s no need to search.”

“But, Marquis, your repair shop is completely wrecked!”

“It’s fine. It’s just a small accident that occurred when the Great Goddess descended.”

“T-t-the G-Great Goddess, you say?”

The guard started stammering in genuine shock when Epitrina’s name came out of my mouth.

“Yes, the Great Goddess. This happened due to the aftermath of her descent, so there’s no need for further investigation.”

“I-if that’s the case… understood. Since you’ve explained it that way, Marquis, I’ll report it as such.”

The guard bowed to me and then left to continue his patrol.

Sigh, what kind of commotion is this in broad daylight because of Epitrina?

With no other choice, I went into the repair shop, took out a ladder, and began repairing the blown-off roof.

It was a job that would be finished with just three taps of my hammer, but I wish there would come a day when I didn’t have to use the hammer at all.

When something you do as a hobby becomes work, it really becomes something you don’t want to do.

Ah, even I find it tiring despite being able to fix the roof with just three taps of my hammer. How much harder must it be for people who have to actually carry materials and repair roofs?

“I really respect people who do physical labor.”

After about 15 minutes of struggle, I fixed the roof of the repair shop and went back inside.

The one fortunate thing was that the debris from the broken roof hadn’t fallen to the floor.

Otherwise, I would have had to deal with the hassle and effort of cleaning up the fragments too.

“Sigh.”

As I sat in the repair shop, customers began to come in again.

“Marquis, did something happen?”

“It’s nothing serious, just something that happened when someone visited. Show me the equipment you need fixed.”

“Ah, yes.”

I gave brief explanations to those who asked about what happened, and as I spent time repairing the equipment they brought, the day gradually came to an end.

Perhaps because it was the first day of business after the new year, there were more people than usual.

Even the security patrol members came by with pleading eyes, asking if I could help with their regular equipment inspection, so I lent them a hand.

Before I knew it, the sky beyond the academy’s barrier had turned red.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve properly seen a sunset since coming to this world.”

Seeing the red sunset, it seems tomorrow will be a clear day.

A clear day, huh.

‘Have I ever thought about what tomorrow’s weather would be like since coming to this world?’

Thinking about it, I realized I had never considered tomorrow’s weather since arriving in this world.

When was the last time I had enough leisure to peacefully watch the evening sunset and end my day like this?

With that thought, I finally felt the reality that the Demon God had been annihilated.

“How funny.”

Of all things, I’m realizing the Demon God’s annihilation while finishing my daily routine and watching the evening sunset.

Anyone who heard this would think I’m crazy, but I’m just honestly expressing what I’m feeling right now.

Still, this was the life I wanted. I lived so intensely in my previous life; don’t I deserve to enjoy a more relaxed life now?

In my previous life, I struggled desperately to survive, living tenaciously.

I managed to get a job and make enough to support myself, but a life of leisure never came.

Leisure. Isn’t it leisure to be able to finish the day, watch the evening sunset, and wonder what tomorrow’s weather will be like?

“The Demon God is dead, maybe I should properly attend the academy now.”

I’m a third-year student this year, so I think I should aim for completion rather than graduation and properly attend classes.

With my abilities, if I go out into the world and do various things, I’ll probably become even more famous than I am now.

But if I live like that, would it truly be the life I wanted?

“A simple life, sharing happiness with those around me.”

That’s what I wanted. Not a grand life as a hero or apostle, being served by others.

“I’ve been lost in thought without realizing it.”

Look, I’m even muttering to myself now.

My previous life is in the past, and this world is my home now, yet I’m still going on about my previous life.

‘Do I still have lingering attachments to my previous life?’

Hmm. I’m not sure myself. They say people live with dreams they absolutely want to fulfill in their hearts. Perhaps my dream is to visit the world I lived in during my previous life?

Actually, if I could go back with just this ability, I wouldn’t have to worry about making a living until I die.

“I wonder. If I end my life in this world, will I be given another chance?”

No one knows that. Well, I’ve finished for the day, so shall I head back now?

As I was about to close the repair shop and return to the mansion, I heard someone calling me from afar.

“Marquis! Marquis Severio!”

When I turned my head toward the voice, it was the guard who had visited the repair shop earlier.

“What is it?”

“Huff, huff. A priest from the Great Goddess Order has come to the academy and wishes to meet you, Marquis.”

“From the Great Goddess Order?”

No, why would the Great Goddess Order visit the academy… oh, right.

I remembered that Epitrina had descended here this morning.

Had Epitrina already given an oracle to her priests?

As I followed the guard to the reception room, I sent a message to Sister Regina through the student management window.

[Me: Someone from the Great Goddess Order has come, so I’m going to meet them.]

[Sister❤: Okay~ Be careful.]

She replied within a second of my message. It seems Regina has become more relaxed since the Demon God’s annihilation.

Cheonhyeryeong said she would go to the Eastern Continent for about a month, not knowing what might have happened there due to the Demon God’s annihilation.

Now that there’s no need to worry about attacks from the Demon Cult, she seemed to have eased her mind a bit.

“It’s here.”

Lost in these thoughts, I had already arrived at the reception room.

Passing through the door opened by the guard, I entered the reception room to find a priest I had seen before.

“Oh! Marquis Severio. You’ve arrived.”

“What brings you here?”

“Ahem, actually, the Great Goddess herself delivered a message to us today.”

Ah, I think I know what this is about.

“The Great Goddess has officially declared that Marquis Severio should be appointed as a saint, apostle, and hero of the Great Goddess Order.”

Wow, she’s really doing this? More than that, Epitrina’s decisiveness is truly remarkable.

“Therefore, there will be an official appointment ceremony for Marquis Severio as a saint, apostle, and hero in Aurelios, the capital of the Gelebrio Empire, during the New Year’s Grand Festival. The festival begins on the second seventh day of the first month, and detailed information will be provided through an official letter.”

The priest said that was all the news he had for me. However, he didn’t leave but looked at me and bowed his head.

“Thank you, Marquis Severio. Thank you for annihilating the Demon God. Thanks to your courage, this world has regained peace.”

After saying, “May the Great Goddess’s infinite grace be upon you, Marquis,” the priest hurriedly left the academy.

By the way, people used to jokingly call me a “saint”…

‘Now it seems I’m really going to become one.’

But it’s quite troublesome since I can’t refuse even if I don’t want it.

◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈

Time flew by, and the New Year’s Grand Festival arrived.

Until then, I had been thinking, “No way,” but when I saw the incredibly elaborate stage set up in front of the imperial palace, I realized this was real.

“…Therefore, following the will of the Great Goddess, the Great Goddess Order officially bestows upon Marquis Patos Severio of the Gelebrio Empire the titles of Saint, Apostle, and Hero of the Great Goddess Order.”

“As a noble of the Empire and as one who lives under the protection of the Great Goddess, I consider it an honor and accept these titles.”

I had no choice. After going to such lengths, I had to accept it.

It would be better for my mental health to think of it as gaining reliable backing that would be valid anywhere in this world.

“Now, to celebrate this, I declare the beginning of the New Year’s Grand Festival and Victory Celebration!”

As soon as His Majesty the Emperor finished his speech, fireworks were launched into the sky, announcing the official start of the festival.

“It’s been a while, Marquis Patos Severio. Or should I now call you ‘Saint’ Patos?”

And with the start of the festival, Princess Karen approached me.