Chapter 22. Prayer and Salvation (2)

Since I was on Earth, I wanted to review the things I had done.

But it wasn’t easy.

The various holy artifacts I had produced almost like mass production in a factory had already spread throughout the world.

I couldn’t make enough to cover the entire world with holy power, but it seemed enough to be used in truly dangerous moments.

…Perhaps even after a hundred years, the holy artifacts containing my holy power will be so common that they won’t be considered very expensive items.

If the demons move, other countries will also be in danger, but ultimately, the most dangerous are me and those around me.

To put it extremely, even if this entire world were to be destroyed, as long as Ria and I are here, the demons cannot rest easy. After all, I’ve already killed quite a few demons with my own hands.

Eventually, they will come to kill me.

In my case, unlike Anna of that world, the source of my holy power is not people’s faith. While I can receive help, that’s all. Even before receiving that faith, I used to annihilate demons with my own power.

“Even if Sister accomplished it…”

When I asked if the things I had done besides the holy artifacts were working well, the Nun Superior pondered for a moment and said,

“Would you like to visit a goblin village?”

“…No, I think that will be fine.”

I replied, shuddering.

It was something I had forgotten about.

I saved them, but I heard that those goblins probably worship me as some kind of god. I was a little scared of what reaction they would show if I went there myself.

By the way, I haven’t encountered any monsters with that level of intelligence besides goblins yet. Then again, most of the opponents I fought were not naturally occurring beings but beings directly created from the demons’ magic power. They were literally no different from wild animals.

Do they have no intention of creating new monsters, even though they intend to create a religion targeting humans?

“There are also gnomes, dwarves, and beastmen. All of them are countries that can be visited directly from this country.”

As soon as I heard about the goblins, I shook my head vigorously, and the Nun Superior said with a wry smile.

“And all three of those countries are places where it has become difficult for demons to invade further. Thanks to Sister Anna.”

That story made a lot of sense.

The gnomes, even before any signs of demons appeared, and the dwarves, when those signs were gradually appearing.

And the beastmen, at the very moment the demons directly descended.

All of them were places where my intervention had nullified their schemes.

And-

I was silent for a moment.

“Sister Anna?”

Seeing me suddenly fall silent, the Nun Superior called my name with a hint of anxiety. It wasn’t strange.

Even before, I had suddenly heard a prophecy and decided my next course of action, and I had performed eccentric acts that were far from what others expected.

And, I was still having such strange thoughts now.

“Does that mean I can visit those three countries?”

“…Setting aside the fact that there’s no one to stop Sister Anna from moving now, I suspect you’ll be treated almost as a state guest in those countries. Ah, but you should still think things through before acting. Since you’re a ‘state guest,’ they’ll need time to prepare.”

“I didn’t need that at all before, so why would I need to do something like that now?”

At my words, the Nun Superior wore a blank expression.

“And, it’s urgent right now. At the very least, we need to convey our words and thoughts.”

I said that and looked at Ria.

Ria nodded at my words and actions.

“Okay. I’ll find a way to get there as quickly as possible.”

“…….”

The Nun Superior put her hand to her forehead, but she didn’t say anything further.

After all, when I act like this, it’s probably considered the will of God.

Now, if I don’t use the advantage of having come this far, it would be too unfair to have climbed this high.

“What are you thinking?”

“Well, it might be a bit unrealistic.”

It was just an idea that popped into my head. In fact, there was no way those three countries would accept my words. Even though I had saved all three of them.

…However, if at least the minimal story is accepted.

Then, even in the worst-case scenario, we could achieve a better situation than the complete annihilation of humanity.

*

If I had to pinpoint the cause of the idea that came to my mind, it would be a little difficult.

It was an idea born from all sorts of thoughts tangled together in my mind, which was literally a mess.

First, a while ago, I went camping with Ria.

Although we used a luxurious item like a camper van, camping is camping. And this world has the ability to mass-produce such camper vans.

If all else fails, we could bring containers, or at least pack tents for each household to use in emergencies.

Not just in this country, but in other countries as well, there are plenty of gates that connect to other worlds.

What lies beyond the gates is not just a small dungeon. There are cases where there is an entire planet that could be called a world in itself.

It would be best if there was nothing beyond it that we could use immediately, and even better if we could receive support. It would be perfect if we could make space and protect refugees.

“So, you’re saying you want to build refugee camps in other worlds beforehand?”

“Or you could call them fortresses.”

“They’ll hate it immensely.”

“They probably will. They’ll hate it immensely.”

Setting aside refugee camps, fortresses are literally military bases. Many countries are sensitive to foreign armies entering their borders, but to build a fortress and station troops inside?

However, I had to find another way.

“Well, it’s a story that suits you.”

“A story that suits me?”

“Believing in human goodwill.”

“…I’ve never believed in it.”

“Really?”

Ria tilted her head while sitting in the driver’s seat.

“I don’t think so. Someone who doesn’t trust people usually thinks all human goodwill is hypocrisy, and they don’t save people without any reward.”

“I received a reward.”

“The fact that you considered saving the countries where those people live as a reward, and received something that wasn’t even property or lasting wealth, already makes it almost so.”

“…Even if it wasn’t me, the government or the church would have received something.”

“Sigh, let’s not talk about it.”

As I kept nitpicking, Ria said that as if she was exasperated and focused on driving.

“After we get married, I’ll have to handle the financial aspects.”

“…….”

I couldn’t immediately think of what to say to Ria’s words.

*

“Of course, it’s impossible to accept all the citizens.”

The representative of the gnomes said so.

However, there were other words attached after that.

“However, we can accept refugees who were displaced during the war. A spot has opened up.”

“A spot?”

“Yes. It’s a spot you created, Sister. Thanks to you purifying the lake, a village has formed on the ground around that water. Although the hot sun beats down during the day, people can live if there is water and shade.”

“Are you saying you’ll lend me that spot?”

“Of course. Gnomes repay kindness, after all.”

Saying that as if it were a joke, the gnome representative raised a single index finger.

“Ah, and there’s something else I’d like to show you. Clanet has made something amazing. It’s a weapon that utilizes your holy power and magic. I think you’ll like it.”

I looked at Ria.

See, it’s not like I received nothing.

As I puffed out my chest, Ria let out a hollow laugh as if she was exasperated.

*

“Well, let’s compare the two conditions.”

The Dwarf King said with a smile.

“You saved my daughter, and furthermore, you solved the most troublesome part of this kingdom. Both were conditions that directly affected our right to survival.”

I thought he was saying something too grand, but the King said with a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.

“Most importantly, the troublesome magic faith has somewhat subsided. Although the problems of the Dwarf Kingdom are not entirely resolved yet, we can breathe a sigh of relief. In other words, we have gained some leeway. And speaking of leeway, thanks to you purifying the entire area that was filled with magic, we’ve also gained some space to expand.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“So, about those two conditions.”

The Dwarf King said.

“Dwarves, as much as they love alcohol, are also a race that considers loyalty. Well, it has faded a lot since the nobles and kings emerged-but still, I can’t help but say this in front of you.”

The King straightened his back and spoke with a solemn expression.

“Helping a benefactor and ignoring a benefactor’s help. If you ignore the latter, that person no longer deserves to be called a dwarf.”

I looked back at Ria again.

Seeing my confident expression, Ria wiped her face again.

No, why?

Isn’t it enough to get something back that you couldn’t buy even with money?