Chapter 150: Prayer to the Goddess

Beyond the arch, adorned with intricate golden patterns, the endless corridor evoked a sense of reverence.

The Imperial’s main temple.

The enormous marble columns of the temple stood like they were holding up the sky, and just stepping inside naturally filled one with a sense of sacredness.

“…I don’t feel well.”

Nia mumbled in a low voice as she stepped through the temple’s main door. Her furrowed brow clearly reflected her discomfort.

Well, it might actually be stranger if a demon could enter the temple without feeling any effect.

“Do you want to rest outside? Or you could return to the mansion first…”

I cautiously suggested, but Nia shook her head sharply, glaring at me.

“No! I can stay with Tina, this much is nothing!”

“No. Tina will be praying elsewhere.”

Nia’s eyes, which had been sparkling with joy, wavered intensely at Lillian’s words.

“What…? Why…?”

“Tina will be in my private prayer room to offer her greetings to the Goddess. That place is the closest connection to her.”

“I want to pray there too.”

“That place has a sacred energy many times stronger than here. Are you sure it’s alright?”

At Lillian’s words, Nia shuddered and trembled. The uncertainty in her eyes was clear.

“Many times stronger… that’s a bit…”

“I’ll guide you to a place with relatively lighter sacred energy.”

“What should I do there?”

“I don’t expect you to pray. Just… don’t cause any trouble.”

Nia nodded slightly, her face downcast. She carefully approached me and gently grabbed my hand.

“I was looking forward to praying together…”

“If you pray diligently to the Goddess, maybe one day we’ll be able to pray together.”

Upon hearing that, Nia’s eyes brightened again. The cross reflected in her eyes gleamed with a pure light once more.

“Well, fine! Let’s just try praying, why not?”

I wonder if she truly intends to pray to the Goddess. It seemed like Nia had completely forgotten that she was a demon.

Well, as long as she’s happy, it’s fine.

The interior of the temple was just as filled with reverence as the outside.

There were no lavish decorations or brilliant jewels, but the carefully crafted walls exuded a nobility equal to any of those.

I left Nia in the general prayer hall and followed Lillian to her personal prayer room.

“This is it.”

I could immediately sense Lillian’s words were true—the room was closest to the Goddess.

The rainbow-colored glow streaming through the bars. The statue of the Goddess, so delicately crafted that it was hard to believe it was made by human hands.

Just stepping into this space made a deep sense of devotion blossom within my chest.

“Is it okay? I was shocked the first time I came here too.”

“It’s more than okay…?”

It was a surprisingly large space for a personal prayer room. Could this be a benefit of being a saint?

I gazed at the statue of the Goddess, standing tall in the center of the room.

Even though it was just a stone statue, there was beauty radiating from it.

“Lillian… have you ever talked to the Goddess?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Hehe, yes. The Goddess is a real, living being.”

I secretly doubted the existence of the Goddess. To be honest, I had never been very interested in religion.

How many prayers had I sent up in my previous life?

Every day, I prayed desperately for my mother to return, just like before. But not once did my earnest prayers receive an answer.

The prayers born out of desperation just echoed in vain, fading away.

I thought this world would be the same. But listening to Lillian, it seemed completely different from what I expected.

“When I received divine energy, I actually heard the Goddess’s voice.”

“What… What did she say?”

“You asked me to make the world a better place.”

Indeed, it was a remark one might expect from a goddess.

“But I’m an exceptional case, and an ordinary person cannot hear the voice of the goddess.”

“Is it because Lady Lillian is a saint?”

“That’s right. A saint is someone who spreads the will of the goddess to the world.”

So, does that mean that even if an ordinary person prays, they won’t receive an answer?

“Hehe, still, the goddess is always watching over us, listening attentively.”

Did Lillian read my thoughts? She gently smiled as if to reassure me and patted my head.

I wonder if the goddess up there knows. That because of me, Lillian’s disposition has changed significantly.

“Would you like to pray?” Lillian suggested.

I nodded quietly. After all, the reason I came here was to become a follower of the goddess.

To be protected from the great demon. So that the misfortunes of the past wouldn’t repeat.

“Now, please stand here.”

I followed Lillian’s words without a word.

“Slowly kneel and place your hands at an angle.”

Lillian kindly demonstrated and corrected my posture.

At first, my knees hurt, but as I adjusted my body according to her instructions, I found an unexpectedly comfortable position.

“Lower your head slightly and close your eyes.”

“Yes, yes…”

I shut my eyes tightly and lowered my head deeply.

“Hehe, you lowered it too much.”

With a voice laced with a slight chuckle, Lillian gently lifted my chin with her fingertips.

“Perfect. You look beautiful even while praying.”

“Now, can I pray…?”

“Yes. You can express your wishes, confess your sins, or even talk about everyday matters if you have nothing else to say.”

I hesitated for a moment.

After much thought, I decided to confess my sins.

The countless people I have hurt, trampled, and broken. I thought the first thing I should do was atone to them.

I clasped my hands together tightly and closed my eyes. Not with words, but with my heart, I offered my prayer.

‘Ah, hello, goddess.’

The sin of turning away from those who offered me their precious hearts.

The sin of exploiting Viviana’s guilt and pushing her to the battlefield.

The sin of exiling the kind-hearted Lillian from society and causing her to be betrayed by her closest friend.

The sin of driving a nail into Artasha’s heart and leaving her with an unhealable wound for life.

And… above all else.

Mardian.

‘Someday, I really want to ask for forgiveness from her.’

Viviana didn’t say anything, but I knew. I knew she hadn’t drugged Mardian.

Viviana was not a villain who would do such a thing. And most importantly, what I gave her was not drugs.

It was simply a powder containing a common sleep-inducing ingredient. Even if it was administered, it wouldn’t harm her body.

I just pretended it was a drug.

At that time, I only wanted to warn her. To make sure she would never show up in front of me again.

Perhaps, by now, Mardian is living peacefully, far away from the Empire.

If that’s the case, then someday…

When the day comes that all my sins are forgiven…

I will go to her last.

I will find her, and with endless apologies, I will ask for her forgiveness.

‘Please give me the will to do so.’

I conveyed my final words to the goddess and slowly opened my eyes.

“Hehe, well done, Tina.”

Lillian gave a contented smile and carefully patted my head.

“Do you think the goddess… has heard my prayer?”

“Of course.”

I really hope so. I didn’t want to carry hope without meaning like in my past life. This time, I wish my earnest heart wouldn’t be scattered in vain.

“Don’t worry too much.”

Lillian gently comforted me with a soft smile.

“If you don’t give up and continue to show your faith, she will surely reward you.”

“I hope… so…”

“Of course. The Goddess is always watching over us.”

There was something more than simple confidence in Lillian’s voice. Perhaps it was because of such deep faith that she became a saint.

Or maybe, because she became a saint, she trusts the Goddess more than anyone else.

Lillian isn’t the type to lie. As someone who knows her better than anyone, I could be sure of it.

In other words, the Goddess truly exists.

Naturally, my gaze shifted toward the statue of the Goddess.

Her wings were large enough to embrace the whole world, and her smile was kind enough to wash away all sins.

“The Goddess is listening to everyone’s words…”

But how many people in this world truly live happily without complaints?

People all have a deep wish in their hearts.

Millions, tens of millions, maybe even more. These countless people are probably praying to the Goddess every day.

Then, it means that the Goddess is listening to all their words.

In a world that is overwhelming even for just living, hearing, embracing, and comforting the stories of so many people…

“…Respectable.”

I muttered softly while gazing at the statue of the Goddess. A sense of respect for her rose from deep within my heart.

Countless emotions bloomed inside me and flowed toward the Goddess.

You are amazing.

You are respectable.

You are beautiful.

You are compassionate.

You are strong.

You are warm.

…I like you.

Hmm, I don’t know why that last thought popped into my head. I must have unconsciously thought of my mother because of her warm compassion.

She is the complete opposite of me, who only caused harm to others.

An omniscient being who listens to everyone’s worries.

I truly wanted to be like her.

“I also… want to become a wonderful person like the Goddess someday.”

I want to be someone who is not a burden to others, but someone capable and strong who helps everyone.

“Let’s pray for a little longer, Tina.”

Lillian reached out her hand. I nodded with a faint smile.

“Yes. I… think I’ve really come to like the Goddess.”

“Oh my, hehe. The Goddess will be happy if she hears that.”

“Do you think so? I hope the Goddess likes me too.”

With a deep, fluttering hope in my heart,

I quietly folded my hands and offered a prayer to the Goddess.