episode_0025

Aria’s dazzlingly beautiful smile.

It’s a smile that hasn’t changed even once while doing private requests so far.

Even the same smile can have different meanings depending on the situation.

What could the meaning of that smile be now?

It’s certainly clear that she’s suspecting me.

First, I have to somehow clear up the misunderstanding.

“Um…”

Before I could utter the first word, Aria had somehow grabbed me by the collar.

By the time I came to my senses, I had already been thrown out of the room.

Rolling.

After rolling on the floor a few times, I instantly took a stance.

Strange.

For being thrown so hard, I don’t seem to be hurt as badly as I thought.

Step, step.

Aria slowly walks out of the room.

Watching her, I checked my hand to quickly use a card, but…

“…!!”

I didn’t have a single card in my hand.

The status window didn’t even appear.

The status window always used to pop up with messages like “Killing intent detected” or “Combat initiated.”

Aren’t we openly fighting right now?

It doesn’t seem like the status window is frozen.

…For now, I draw cards.

3 cards.

[Hail (3)] [Wind Blade (0)] [Darkness (1)]

Normally, it could be considered a pretty good hand for a starting draw, but…

The fact that I can’t use Darkness right now is too significant.

Especially since she’s already suspecting me of being connected to the black mage.

Let’s test this new card I obtained.

[Hail]

Billowing.

White smoke, no, artificial clouds, appear in abundance from the ground.

The clouds instantly began to fill the wide space.

Hail pours down from the clouds covering the ceiling.

Rattling.

The hail was stronger than expected.

Although it’s enhanced by the power of the [Cat’s Paw] relic…

With almost apple-sized hail pouring down incessantly, it was enough to start cracking the stones on the floor.

However, the hail did not inflict any damage on Aria’s body.

A shield formed when she brought her hands together.

A shield, similar in shape to the shield from the [Paladin’s Deck], was deflecting all the hail.

Still, one positive point is that the hail’s duration is longer than expected.

Anyway, in this situation where neither she nor I can move.

Let’s clear up the misunderstanding.

“Sister, the reason I could read that book is because I studied related subjects.”

A lie that comes out as easily as breathing.

Still, Aria’s reaction wasn’t bad.

“Hehe, are you asking me to believe that?”

A voice in which no hostility could be felt at all.

What on earth is her true intention?

“Furthermore, I can also use the shield that you use, Sister.”

“Show me once.”

As soon as Aria gave her permission, I changed my deck.

『Deck changed.』

『Current Deck: Paladin’s Deck』

『Time until next change possible: 0:59:59』

『Time until next draw: 60… 59…』

Simultaneously, the hail and clouds disappeared.

“Oh, you let your guard down.”

As if waiting for the hail to disappear.

Aria dispelled her shield and gathered powerful light in her fist.

“…Sister?”

“Because you told a lie, I also tried telling a lie.”

An unusually large amount of light covers her arm.

Aria slowly walks towards me.

First, let’s buy some time.

“Self-destruct!!!”

An automatic defense golem that popped out of subspace charges towards Aria at my command.

Boom!!!

A powerful explosion occurred, but Aria was completely unharmed.

It was an explosion that even knocked the Death Knight back significantly, yet she took no damage.

As expected, she is definitely not an ordinary nun.

I slowly retreat step by step.

『Time until next draw: 45… 44…』

There is still a long time left until the next draw.

To buy even a little time, I fled into the passageway.

But somehow, Aria was already in front of me.

She swings her fist towards the wall of the passageway.

CRASH!!!

The passageway collapses instantly.

A thick cloud of dust pours out from the passageway.

Just a single attack.

If I were to be hit by that fist, I would die instantly.

Just as I was about to retreat immediately.

WHUMP!!!

A powerful impact strikes my abdomen.

And my body, sent flying, crashes into the wall far away.

Gasp.

Air is expelled in large amounts from my lungs, unable to withstand the pressure.

As expected, it’s strange.

It doesn’t hurt that much.

I was hit by a fist strong enough to destroy a passageway, yet I got up perfectly fine.

Is she holding back?

Step, step.

Aria approaches, smiling broadly.

The status window also shows no reaction.

Yet, when I met the Apostle of the Evil God, it displayed all sorts of messages.

A conclusion has been reached.

Aria has no intention of killing me.

If so, why is she doing this WWE?

What on earth does she want?

Let’s think carefully.

Combine the events and information from this private request.

Aria’s escort was a lie from the beginning.

She has a separate original purpose and is hiding it.

At first, I thought it was because she became curious after seeing me use the Holy Shield on the 2nd floor.

No.

Then, did she set a trap and wait?

Aria has no hostility towards me now.

The status window is one thing, but I can tell because my body is fine despite being hit by a fist that completely destroyed the passageway.

In other words, she didn’t come here to set a trap and bury me.

But then why did she send me alone to the Death Knight?

No, she didn’t send me alone.

She attached a wisp of light.

Perhaps if I were in danger, that wisp of light would have protected me.

“……”

If all of this so far is a trial they are giving me.

Why are they giving me trials?

It must be to test my skills, personality, etc.

The reason they approached me now is because they confirmed on the 2nd floor that I am a card-using mage.

The status window that appeared in front of the Apostle of the Evil God.

The story of the Apostle of the Evil God and the Apostle of the Main God, perfectly written in the black mage’s room which was too neatly organized.

Even the fact that the birth date of the Apostle of the Evil God and the date I was transmigrated are similar.

It’s certain.

The Main God, who loves cards like crazy, chose an apostle.

And that’s me.

A calculation that ran through my head in an instant.

Watching Aria slowly approach, I slowly got up.

A large wave of light somehow forms above Aria’s head.

It looked like she was using a finishing move.

But I approach without being afraid.

The Ariel Church is a group that follows the Main God.

If, as I expect, I am the Apostle of the Main God.

Since I am the Main God’s Apostle, shouldn’t I be a higher rank than Aria?

I don’t know the hierarchy table of churches or cathedrals in the Middle Ages, but that must be right.

Perhaps I can also use the divine power that priests use.

Even if I can’t use it, I might be able to interfere.

Just like I succeeded in reading mana and backtracking it even though I couldn’t use magic.

Widening sensation.

I close my eyes and feel the divine power.

Not mana, but something white begins to become visible.

Giant.

Aria’s divine power, which can be described in just one word.

As if chosen by a god, a giant angel was behind her.

Light from the angel was connected to her right arm.

Can I interfere with that?

I’ll try it once.

The skill difference between Aria and me in handling divine power is probably heaven and earth. But since she has no hostility towards me in the first place, she likely isn’t even preparing.

Crackle.

The light on her right arm shakes as if something is interfering.

Seeing that, Aria smiles brightly and swings her fist at me.

I calmly accept the attack.

Thud.

The attack stops right in front of me.

Aria immediately withdrew her fist and made an unbelievable expression.

“It’s beyond my imagination. I never thought you’d be able to interfere.”

“Am I the Apostle of the Main God?”

“Yes. I wondered what I would do if you didn’t realize it even after I made it this obvious.”

“Why did you do such a thing? It feels like you didn’t need to do it this way.”

I say, glaring sharply at Aria.

But she still smiles as if nothing is wrong.

“Please understand that there are so many heretics in the [Ariel Church] that I couldn’t call you out separately like this.”

“No, then there would have been a way to just tell me verbally.”

“…I apologize.”

Bow.

Her head bent 90 degrees, enough to bury it in the floor.

Although I still have many questions and don’t feel good.

Still, there’s no reason to make an enemy right now.

I somehow suppressed my anger and said, looking elsewhere.

“You will have to pay the price for testing me.”

“…Yes.”

Situation ended.

But I still had many things I was curious about.

“Is the black mage’s writing really different?”

“Yes. But if you are the Main God’s Apostle, you will be able to decipher it with [Special Power].”

That ‘Special Power’ probably refers to the status window.

No, more accurately, is this status window itself the Main God?

“What if I hadn’t figured out the trial?”

“Then we would have kept you well-confined in the [Holy Land] and educated you until you became useful somehow.”

Aria’s terrifying smile.

I thought it was fortunate that I succeeded in my deduction.

Holy Land, Ariel Church.

In original creative works, organizations like churches never seemed pure anyway.

No matter how deeply connected they are to me, I absolutely must not be dragged along by them.

Then, Kaman’s face suddenly comes to mind.

“What is a Card Mage?”

“We don’t know much about that either. It was erased from history. There are probably only a few people on the continent who know about it.”

“People who know I’m the Apostle?”

“For now, it’s just me and the Pope.”

What, does that mean Aria’s rank is that high?

“Lastly, if I may ask one more thing, please refrain from doing anything that stands out as much as possible. If you are discovered, black mages will constantly target you.”

“But if there are people on the continent who know that the Main God’s Apostle is a Card Mage, wouldn’t there also be people among the black mages who know?”

“Of course there are. So please be even more careful.”

Flash!!!

My body, touched by Aria’s hand, began to heal.

“Then let’s go back now.”

“No, before that, I’ll take the books over there.”

“Do as you please.”

***

The private request is over.

I received more money than I expected.

In addition, I received several high-priced items as gifts of apology.

Although this hasn’t completely alleviated my frustration yet.

Still, there’s no need to maintain a hostile relationship.

Since I’ve gained a slight advantage in my relationship with the Ariel Church, I’ll just make good use of this later.

The title ‘Apostle of the Main God’ still lingers in my mind.

Am I someone like a hero?

I have no sense of mission.

Honestly, I’m not sure if I should treat the Main God who dragged me to this world well.

I was living comfortably on Earth, and then I was suddenly dragged here and told to save the world.

For now, since I’ve been dragged here, I’ll just do my best.

Because I can’t die.

Anyway, I got more money than I expected from this private request.

The original plan to build favorability and recruit priests is on hold.

A supervisor will surely be attached to watch me.

Because I can’t trust them yet.

First, since money is innocent, as soon as I returned to the Labyrinth City, I headed to Sector 7.

I bought various equipment, but the most expensive purchase was a robe.

It’s heavily enchanted, so it doesn’t tear easily and is waterproof.

The cherry on top is that it becomes durable enough that a regular knife won’t pierce it, even with just a little mana infused.

It’s incomparable to a regular rag robe.

There is only one reason I acquired this.

Because I realized there are people targeting me this time.

I don’t regret it.

Because defeating the Forest Witch on the 2nd floor was something I absolutely had to do.

Wearing the robe, I left Lyman’s store.

“Make sure to bring me meteorite ore this time!!!”

“Got it.”

I said goodbye to Lyman, who was making repeated requests, and left.

I thought he’d scold me for not bringing it this time, but since he knew I had a hard time on the 2nd floor, he decided to postpone it.

I took out the bag I received from Aria.

Also known as a subspace bag.

I received that item, which even mid-level explorers have difficulty obtaining, for free.

It was worth the trouble.

Satisfying usability.

No matter how much you put in, the volume doesn’t increase, and the weight is just that of an empty bag.

They say good equipment and items change the quality of life, and that saying is exactly right.

After putting the items I purchased this time into the bag, I headed home.

*

The next day, [Bull’s Horn Inn].

It’s the inn where Grace is staying and where the party members gather.

Since the magic tower is in the center of Sector 11, it was natural for Grace’s home, where she lives near the magic tower, to become the meeting place.

“You’re here?”

Grace, with a small tomato skewered on a fork, welcomes me.

She immediately eats it with a munch.

It seems she’s gradually getting used to the vegan life.

It seemed I was the last to arrive, as everyone was already seated.

“What would you like to eat?”

Hans called a waiter to place an order.

“Just give me something to drink. I can’t eat meat in front of Grace.”

“……”

Grace glares at me slightly.

After consuming the [Elf Transformation] card, her personality seems to have become more prickly.

I don’t know if it’s the effect of the card, or if it’s just stress from being forced to be vegan.

“This time, let’s go up to the 3rd floor before the labyrinth resets.”

As always, Grace begins explaining.

Since it’s generally standard to follow the guide’s opinion, not a single person took issue with her words.

“Then let’s depart tomorrow immediately. Anyone have a problem?”

It was decided to enter the labyrinth tomorrow immediately.

Since the plan was ready, everyone left to prepare.

Now, only Grace and I were left in the inn.

As if I knew nothing, I casually threw out a question.

“Do you know a person named Aria?”

Grace is surprised.

“Mr. Ivan, did you come from some mountain village? To live on the continent and hear the name Aria for the first time.”

“…Tell me.”

“It’s the name of the Saintess of the Ariel Church, isn’t it?”

“I see. See you tomorrow.”

I came out of the inn and walked down the street.

Aria told me her name openly.

But my reaction was normal. That’s because I still lacked common sense about this world.

My indifferent reaction must have been the biggest evidence for her.

It seems she knows that I am a transmigrator.

She is a scary person.

She definitely said they would confine and educate anyone who didn’t please them.

Such a thing must absolutely not happen.

Becoming stronger than I am now, of course.

I also need reliable strong allies.

This time, should I try going past the 3rd floor to the 4th floor?

It seems I’ll have to push myself a little.