Chapter 10. Stubbornness and Arrogance (13)

A dim underground.

The place that, just a moment ago, was filled with all sorts of beautiful light sources, making the term “underground” seem ironic, now had only darkness left.

Perhaps it was because even the source of that light was mana.

No, with this much mana, it would have been the same even if mana wasn’t the source. Electronic devices malfunction in the presence of highly concentrated mana.

Within that storm of mana, there was only one reason people could endure.

It was light.

In that dark underground, there was a shining being. In a place where sunlight never reached, there was a place where warm light shone, as if the ceiling meant nothing.

“…What on earth is this…”

It’s no wonder the princess muttered that.

Chae-eun, despite having seen this scene once before, felt the same way.

There was something I didn’t consider before because it all happened too quickly.

Anna is talented in almost all aspects, but that doesn’t mean she has the talent to master all those aspects at once. That’s not simply a matter of talent. No matter how much of a genius there is in the world, it takes too long to learn and realize things on one’s own without learning.

Moreover, no magic in the world can instantly transport a person to another place. If that were possible, there would be no reason to go through such hardship to save the dwarves in the first place.

But Anna had done it. In the most dangerous moment, she saved Ria by switching places with her.

That was a power that couldn’t be called magic. Nor could it be simply called holy power. The holy power Chae-eun had seen so far was the power to heal people, not the power to produce effects similar to magic.

Therefore, perhaps, if anyone had witnessed that scene, they would have all thought of one word.

Miracle.

Something that no one expects to happen, but everyone hopes will happen.

If a praying person has something they wish for from God, it would be a miracle.

From the sky- from this white sky that should never be seen on this earth- a single thread-like thing was gently descending.

If all the clear light in the world were woven together, would a single strand of that thread have such a color?

A clamoring sound was heard.

At that light, the monsters were fleeing. As if they shouldn’t touch that weak and slender line. Even though the light wasn’t doing anything to harm them, it was just descending from the sky.

The light gently reached Anna’s hand.

“…My goodness.”

Gloria muttered, looking back.

Even Han Yu-ri, who was beside her, and Lee Si-yoon, who had been cutting down enemies at the forefront, had light flowing from their swords, but it was incomparable to the holy power overflowing from Anna’s body.

“…”

The first person to accept the situation was Lee Si-yoon. Si-yoon, who took a breath for a moment, rushed out beyond the broken door.

“W-wait a minute, Si-yoon!”

Han Yu-ri, who shouted that, looked towards Ria.

“I’ll go and follow that kid for a bit! I need to check the outside!”

Seeing Ria nod, Han Yu-ri also rushed out following her.

Gloria, who had been silently looking at Anna, slowly walked closer to Anna.

“…What kind of being is this person?”

“I don’t know either.”

Ria replied.

Slowly, she approached Anna. And sat facing her.

Just like Anna, she knelt as if praying, and looked at Anna’s face.

That face was simply peaceful.

“…You said you don’t believe in gods.”

Ria muttered.

Why was she smiling so happily?

What Ria felt seeing that sight was fear.

Normally, she seemed like a friend who could stay right by her side in a normal and friendly way, but at times like this, she looked as if she could disappear anywhere at any moment.

Like the holy power she summoned, after everything ended, she looked like she would disappear without a trace back to where she originally belonged.

I looked up at the miracle that continued thinly.

Is this what it means to be connected to God?

…More than a decade ago, when this world was being consumed by chaos. A Saint appeared in this world. No, the name “Saint” was actually given by those who remained.

That Saint died embracing the world’s chaos. Thus, she created a world that could maintain at least peace.

If even she was a being sent by God, then what kind of being is Anna before my eyes now?

A clamor was heard from beyond the broken door.

“…I can hear people’s voices.”

Gloria said.

“I hear them shouting… I hear fighting. Should I go?”

“…”

I might have to go.

Ria was trained to fight in any situation. She was the daughter of a proud hero, and she was destined to become one of those who would protect the world.

Therefore, she had to fight for those crying out outside. If Anna could speak now, she would have told her to do so.

Even if someone came and stabbed Anna here, Anna would have told her to save more people.

Whether she was chosen by God or not. Whether she could use holy power or not.

Because Anna herself is also a person.

When weighed against the lives of others, she ultimately only carried the weight of one person.

If she could save many by sacrificing herself, she would obviously say that was good.

Ria slowly reached out and placed her hand on Anna’s hand.

Anna’s expression did not change. The single strand of light that touched Anna’s hand simply enveloped Ria’s hand as well.

But, with just that, Ria felt like she knew what Anna was saying.

“…Is that so. I understand. This time.”

Ria removed her hand.

There was warmth left. Even though it only touched for a moment, Ria’s hand was also glowing like Anna’s hand.

“…”

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath for a moment.

Ria opened her eyes and looked at Anna.

“…Let’s talk after you come back.”

Ria said that and got up from her seat.

“Princess.”

When Ria called out, the princess, who was flustered without fully accepting the situation, was startled.

Even though she had been composed just before the incident started, seeing this scene in reality, she seemed completely clueless about what to do.

“What do you want to do?”

Ria asked.

“It’s okay to wait here.”

“…Ah, but if we leave the Saint like this.”

Saint.

If Anna heard it, she would definitely correct it, but Ria decided to leave it as it was for now.

“She’ll probably be fine.”

Ria said, looking up at the light.

Right.

If God cannot protect the Saint, then that faith will become irrelevant.

*

Feeling the warmth in my hand, I smiled.

Because Ria was the only one in that room who would hold my hand like this.

It was also proof that Ria could be safe thanks to my power.

I’m glad if I was helpful.

“…You can go.”

I told Ria.

“I’ll be guarding.”

The clamoring sounds slowly subsided.

The starlight gradually grew stronger, now like sunlight. I could feel people approaching the place where I was shining.

The souls that had been permeated by the mana’s thoughts slowly entered the light and disappeared. They are probably returning to where they belonged.

“…Do you think it’s worth it?”

“I don’t know what kind of value you’re talking about.”

“The value of your sacrifice.”

The being said.

The voice was slowly fading.

“The value of investing your life, without even knowing if you can win. Your power will prevent you from being in that world. In the end.”

“I suppose so.”

I said calmly.

“But you didn’t properly answer my question.”

I opened my eyes.

And looking up at the yellow eyes above, I said.

“What is my value? What do you mean?”

“…”

“I am just me. Just one person.”

Yes. One person.

If so, that value is just the value of one person, and there is no other value. There can be no more noble soul or less useful soul in the spirit.

Society defines it and divides it into layers, but if even the being above looks at people that way, what meaning does life have?

It’s not that you take money with you when you die just because you earned a lot of it. It’s not that the value of your soul increases because you saved someone else.

A person’s life is simply one person’s life.

As an atheist, from my perspective, if I can save hundreds of thousands with my own life, it seems like a profit in itself.

And, above all.

“Who says I can’t win?”

I asked, smiling.

The opponent does not answer.

They can’t. Because even that power is slowly disappearing.

I sensed someone standing up in front of me.

They looked at me quietly, then turned back.

Ria was holding her sword, facing the outside of the room.

Right.

The people here are not just me.

Do I look like someone who can’t even make that much calculation?

“…”

Hmm, but when Ria looked at me at the end, I felt a bit of a chill down my spine.

It’s just my imagination, right?