Chapter 26: My friend isabel

Things were progressing smoothly.

Thanks to our heartfelt conversation the other night, Belladriel seemed to comply with everything I said.

I no longer needed wagers. I simply asked her for a favor.

And that was…

“God has descended upon this land to save you! He says that when you cultivate this land and make it prosper, he will bestow great hope upon you!”

–Oh, God…

Belladriel’s sermon.

It filled everyone with hope.

They’d witnessed her healing miracles, the pillar of light reaching the heavens, the healing of the wicked villain, and the Bubble Gang’s declaration of peace.

Aria Village was saved by her influence.

“Oh, God!”
“Saint! We will heed your words! We believe in God!”
“Guide us, oh God!”

Everyone clasped their hands together, listening intently to Belladriel.

“God has spoken…! He will save you! He will…!”

There was a noticeable change in her sermon.

She didn’t mention Etherion.

The absence of the false god meant she was preaching the right doctrine.

The system notified me.

[Belladriel’s virtuous sermon has filled many with hope!]
[Belladriel’s good deed has decreased her Malice Gauge by 5%!]

Her Malice Gauge decreased again.

By 5%.

Only 5% remained.

“From this day forward, Aria Village will be a blessed land in the name of God!”

–Waaaaah!

Cheers erupted.

The people of Aria Village bowed their heads in gratitude.

They would become Belladriel’s followers, and this land would be blessed, just like Luminous Garden.

Everyone, including the knights, applauded.

I joined the cheers, pleased with the successful sermon.

After the sermon, we had some free time.

I strolled through the peaceful village with Belladriel.

“How was it?! My sermon!”

Belladriel’s eyes sparkled.

I praised her, “It was excellent, Belladriel.”
“Haha…! I didn’t know I could give such a good sermon.”

Her face lit up like a child’s.

She looked completely different from when we first met.

Her once-impure face was now filled with innocence.

She was transforming into a true saint.

“You should preach with me from now on! Deliver God’s message!”
“Me? Why? Haha.”
“It’s only natural! You hear God’s voice too, don’t you?”
“Me? No way…”

I’d never heard God’s voice in this world.

I wasn’t even religious in real life…

“I’m not confident in my preaching skills. You do it, Belladriel.”
“No! You must join me! You’re a priest too!”
“…Haha, is that so? I still need more training.”
“No! You must be by my side!”

Belladriel insisted.

Looking at her face and her prominent cleavage…

‘I could stay by your side forever!’

But…

I had to move on eventually.

After Belladriel’s complete redemption, I had to save the beastkin.

A terrifying villainous heroine who destroyed villages, devoured humans, and sought destruction.

I had a mission to redeem this monster and bring peace to the world.

So, I couldn’t accept her offer.

“Hmm…?”
“What is it?”

Belladriel narrowed her eyes and looked up at me.

“…What are you thinking?”

‘Can she read my mind?’

I chuckled and shook my head.

“Nothing.”
“No, you were definitely thinking something.”

‘Does she have observation haki?’

‘How can she read my mind?!’

…I wanted to joke, but she was probably just guessing.

I just smiled.

“Funny… anyway… as a saint, I think… you should quit being the Black Hound.”
“Haha, why?”

Belladriel chuckled.

“Isn’t it obvious? You’re a villain like me. Now that your identity is perfectly laundered, how about becoming a pope or something by my side?”
“A pope… I’m not holy enough.”

I smiled wryly.

“Not holy enough… you’re a remarkable person to me. And… someday, I might have to tell Rebecca, the knights… everyone who believes in Etherion…”
“Tell them what?”
“I’m no longer running Etherion.”

She was quitting the cult.

That was good, but…

I disagreed.

“That’s a good idea, but don’t reveal the truth.”
“What…? Why?”
“If you confess out of guilt, you might be ostracized, like in the past. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.”
“…Bliss.”

Belladriel looked ahead thoughtfully.

I continued, “And when you pray, you can start by calling Etherion, then gradually shift to just ‘God.’ Let Etherion fade away slowly.”
“…Is that alright?”
“It’s the same god, just a different name.”
“…I see. It feels like a heavy burden… after nearly committing an evil act.”

Belladriel’s near evil act.

It wasn’t as brutal as depicted in Lilith Tycoon.

No boiling people alive, no feeding them to beasts, no dismemberment or burning at the stake.

My intervention prevented any atrocities.

“Of course it’s a burden. You deceived people with lies. It’s natural to feel guilty.”
“Hmm, I suppose…”
“Yes.”

From now on, she just had to focus on healthy religious activities.

That alone would change Belladriel, and the Etherion religion.

It would become a holy gathering, serving a true god.

“Are you sure about this?”
“Absolutely. Don’t worry.”
“Alright. I trust you… however.”
“?”

Belladriel tightened her grip on my arm.

“You must never leave my side. Understood?”
“…What?”
“Your job as the Black Hound is over. You must stay with me. I won’t let you go. I rely on you… like a god…”

Her intense gaze felt burdensome.

She seemed to like me a lot.

‘Being popular is such a burden.’

I chuckled and shook my head.

“Is that so? Then I must stay by your side. But what if a villain appears, someone who torments you and spreads evil?”
“Hmm… I won’t use the knights. I’ll deal with them myself… with my prayer.”

She looked up at me with a chilling gaze.

Her prayer wasn’t just words.

It could alter reality.

It could summon a powerful “Judgment Light” skill.

Her prayer was equivalent to a declaration of destruction.

“No. Use your prayer for the people. And use the knights to protect you. If any villains appear, I’ll deal with them personally. For your peace of mind.”
“Hmm…? You’re saying you’ll leave my side…?”
“No. You’re the saint I must protect. I’ll protect you personally. Hahaha.”

Belladriel fell silent at my laughter, then looked up at me.

“…Isabel. So, you’ll defeat the villains and always protect me? Like a god…”
“Of course. I’ll make sure you always smile! I promise! Haha!”
“…You…”

Belladriel suddenly lowered her head, her ears turning red.

She murmured, “…I trust you… my precious…”
“My precious…? What?”
“N-Nothing…!”

She looked away, flustered.

“Look over there…”
“What is it?”
“Someone’s selling something in the alley…”

…That person?

A merchant who occasionally sold rare items.

Strange items, including items and others with powerful effects.

Nothing that surpassed the point shop, but still…

“Let’s go!”

Belladriel pulled my arm, eager to check it out.

“Alright.”

We walked towards the alley.

“The atmosphere here is changing.”
“You’re right.”

The alley, once dark and dingy, began to glow with a vibrant light.

Like neon signs, similar to Shine City.

An old woman sitting on a mat greeted us.

“Welcome… to my secret shop…”

As we faced her, the alley transformed, filled with warm, inviting lights.

Various strange items appeared on the walls, including mystical potions.

“Wow, so many interesting things.”

Belladriel looked around curiously.

I also examined the items.

They were all from Lilith Tycoon.

The affection potions glowed in rainbow colors, the pink “Love Potion” shining the brightest.

I picked it up and watched the bubbles rise within the capsule.

“Something you like…?”
“Oh, no. Haha.”

I placed the potion back down at the old woman’s question.

“Have you had many customers today?”
“Well… I just opened… business is slow…”
“Is that so?”

To meet the secret shop owner here…

She looked like an ordinary old woman.

‘What made her start this business?’

She seemed like a remarkable person.

“Isabel! Look! Don’t you like that?”

Belladriel grinned, pointing at something.

A small pouch filled with pink powder…

‘I’ve never seen that before…?’

“…You like that, young lady?”
“Haha! How much is it?”
“…”

The old woman looked at Belladriel intently, then at me.

Belladriel, sensing something strange, glanced at me.

“It’s free.”
“What?”
“It’s free, young lady.”

‘Suspicious.’

‘Why free?’

Belladriel seemed to have the same thought.

The old woman smiled faintly.

“I’ll tell you, if you listen closely.”
“…”

Belladriel leaned in, and the old woman whispered something in her ear.

Belladriel’s eyes widened, and she blushed.

“…R-Really?!”

‘Really what?’

‘This is getting weirder…’

I tried to ask, but Belladriel ignored me and continued talking with the old woman.

Like a grandmother and granddaughter reunited.

“Hoho… are you two in a good relationship?”
“…”

Belladriel looked at me, then back at the old woman.

“Of course! Haha! Isabel and I are like… best buds!”

‘Best… buds?’

‘You don’t even have… never mind.’

I held back my retort.

“…Then you must deepen your bond.”

Belladriel nodded.

“I’ll trust you.”
“Yes, yes. Here, take it for free. I enjoyed your sermon.”
“You heard the sermon?”
“I did. Take it.”

The old woman handed the pouch to Belladriel with trembling hands.

Belladriel thanked her, and the old woman smiled kindly.

“Be sure to use it as I instructed… do you know Aria Village’s specialty, pretty lady?”
“…I understand.”

‘What are they talking about?’

I smiled and asked, “What is that powder?”
“That’s a secret! You’ll find out later.”

‘Damn, now I’m even more curious.’