episode_0036

We arrived at the completely sunken house just as the sun, which had shyly shone from the ridge, began to shine its rays on the forest. It is a private house located a little away from the estate.

“It’s closer than I thought.”

“Yes. It is said that a farmer came to pick up something he had left at home, and the house collapsed, causing an oyster to pop out. It looks like the goblins were digging a tunnel and completely destroyed the ground of the house.”

“That person suddenly lost his house.”

If it becomes a goblin, it will be a natural disaster.

They live by digging burrows, but they don’t know how to dig burrows, so they sometimes emerge in the middle of the city.

In most cases, they sense the sound above their heads and run away while digging.

Noan spoke to Thistle while clearing away the debris.

“But shouldn’t a ritual be a very sacred work? There is a choir in a huge temple and they bring sacrifices. Of course, it’s all just my imagination, but I think it’s somehow grand.”

‘This man stabs Thistle where it hurts.’

There is no way a poor, one-man denomination could make such preparations.

Thistle answers Noan’s words with a bitter expression.

“If it were other denominations, what Noan said would be correct, but fortunately Deshade said there was no need for such ostentation and only told me about the basic necessary steps and items. They say it’s okay as long as there is a body where God can enter directly and a place where clean energy is gathered.”

“Thank goodness.”

“A very frugal person, no, it’s God.”

Since soul disease is not from this world, the only way to find out about this world is by asking others. As we talked about this and that, I became curious about something, so I asked Thistle.

‘Now that I think about it, I’m curious about the feat.’

“Does Thistle dedicate his feat to Deshade? Is the method different from the Gaia Church?”

The church of Gaia, the deity believed in by many people in the kingdom, gathers at the cathedral once a month to worship on what is called ‘Offering Day’.

On the day of the event, people strengthen their spirits by performing a ritual to dedicate the achievements they have accumulated.

Of course, that is the Gaia Church’s method, and other races use different methods.

“As of now, I am the only one, so there are not enough people to gather to call it a separate event. It is enough to simply offer a prayer in front of the symbol when the time is right. And Deshade not only strengthens your soul, but sometimes gives you the strength to overcome the path ahead.”

This one was similar to the Gaia Church, but it seemed to give something extra as a bonus. I remembered how in the military they would give each other more food to come to their side.

“I guess you’re talking about the strength to overcome the path ahead, like the shining strength I saw last time.”

“You are talking about the light of judgment.”

‘Was there a technical name?’

“What a great name!”

Noan compliments with his eyes shining brightly. He’s that big and has eyes like those of a calf. oh my god.

“Thank you. Well, I’m not a wizard, so there’s no need to actually shout. Anyway, in addition to the divine spells like the ones I used, there are spells that strengthen the body.”

“Can I ask you something specifically?”

“Yes. So… yes? All right. sorry. For a moment, I heard Deshade say something. Deshade told me not to tell him that he hasn’t decided on a name yet. So far, you have taught us things like praying to not lose your mind in any situation and praying not to bleed. Since he is so capricious, he only gave me the prayer and said he hasn’t decided on the name of the spell yet.”

‘I’m not deciding on a nickname, but it’s been 10 years since Shin decided something like that?’

The more questions he asks, the more his image as an eccentric god grows.

At that time, the translucent veil covering Thistle’s eyes flutters.

I guess that’s evidence that Deshade is talking to me. Thistle pauses in response to the rustling, then responds to us or speaks to himself.

‘I’m a bit jealous of having a private meeting with a god.’

Is it because there is only one believer with God?

Thistle’s conversation with the invisible god was far from a solemn question and answer.

Since I only saw Thistle’s reaction, I don’t know exactly what kind of conversation was taking place, but the way she smiled slightly as she responded was like a daughter having a conversation with her father.

‘but. In 10 years, Thistle would have been young too.’

Through various conversations we had on the way, I learned that Thistle and I were the same age.

It is said that Thistle lost his parents at an early age, and Deshade came to visit him when he was 15, and from then on, he lived under God’s guidance as an adventurer.

Considering the period and age, it is safe to say that they are adoptive parents.

Noan becomes envious as he watches Thistle talking to God.

“It would be great if we could pray like everyone else and gain that kind of strength.”

“There’s nothing we can do because it’s a different world.”

It’s just as Noan said.

All other soul soldiers have the same thoughts.

‘Some people may think that they too would like to be freed from this bondage and live like ordinary people.’

Once a month, people flock to the church to offer prayers, and the soul sufferers just blankly watch those people.

They are all people who had their own world.

Instead of Gaia, which does not listen to the prayers of soul patients, some people pray to the god they originally served, but it is already outside the jurisdiction.

There are people who say they often heard the voice of God where they used to live, but I haven’t seen a single person who has succeeded here.

So, everyone is suffering from depression as a chronic disease because they have no one to rely on.

Since I and Master were non-religious, we lived with the feeling of supporting each other from the beginning, but that may have reached its limit at some point.

You may think it’s only been 5 years, but for us it was a whopping 5 years.

Thistle also knew about this situation, so he changed the topic during the conversation, probably because he was worried about me and Noan.

“What kind of god did you worship?”

“I… I’m not sure because I haven’t received any education about God yet. Still, it was there. There was a person called the goddess who protected the mountain.”

“I see. What about Lee Rim?”

“Oh, I am not religious.”

“Yes? No religion?”

Thistle was very surprised by my answer following presbyopia.

“Looking at the reaction, do you think Shamanism is a bit strange?”

“Oh, no. It’s not that it’s strange… It’s because most people say they have their own gods. I thought that Lee Rim must also have a god that he served in the world before he came here.”

“There were many religions rather than gods… but I wasn’t really interested in them.”

“So you’re saying you’ve always been an shaman?”

‘Uh, did I answer something wrong?’

Thistle’s eyes changed slightly.

Eyes that long for something.

It gives off the vibe that you won’t miss it.

“Then, are you thinking of joining our denomination…”

The voice seemed a bit cautious but courageous, as if it was considering the relationship between us.

‘Is it like this?’

But I still don’t like the feeling of belonging somewhere. I decided to pass on it in moderation.

“Well, sorry, not available at the moment.”

“I guess so. sorry. Even though I just heard that, I suggested it.”

“No. I’m even sorry…”

I’m sorry to see you so disappointed, but I really don’t want to make a choice that has no merit at the moment. It is currently impossible for soul disease to become stronger through God.

I have absolutely no desire to belong to religion when I have nothing to gain from it.

Then Thistle’s veil fluttered again, and she seemed to have something to say to God, and then she spoke again.

“… Deshade says that if his advent succeeds, he will save people like you.”

“Us?”

“Yes. Although the soul bottle’s body is artificial and cannot elevate the feat, he says he will listen to the story and answer regardless. He says it doesn’t matter if you don’t trust him, and that it’s okay, so if you come and talk to him, he’ll listen and answer your complaints.”

‘That’s something I really appreciate.’

God is originally a being to lean on.

Many people believe in God for psychological comfort.

From the perspective of other soul soldiers, if a god called Deshade could do something like that, it would be at least a consolation to replace the gods they used to serve, who are now unresponsive.

At least it might be better than a god like Gaia who doesn’t speak to anyone other than his priests, especially high-ranking priests.

I have a feeling that if this god were to descend, he would win the hearts of the soul-sick people.

“So, if you change your mind later, please come back. It’s okay if you don’t, so please come visit us anytime.”

“If that’s the case, I understand.”

Thistle asked with a rather sorrowful expression, so I made a promise that I couldn’t hit the wall from here. Perhaps because of this, her expression brightened a bit.

“Hearing things like that makes me want to talk to God too! I feel like I need to somehow succeed in the ritual quickly. You can see the collapsed entrance. I will go in first. Priest, brother!”

Before I knew it, I could see the entrance to the goblin’s den.

After hearing Thiseul’s words, Noan must have become very motivated, so even though I had promised to go in first, he said he would go in first.

‘But why does this guy keep calling me older brother?’

But even more than that, I was uncomfortable because I kept worrying about the title they used to call me.

“Over there. Presbyopia? You may be older than me, so you can talk to me. I’m 25.”

I really can’t get used to being called ‘brother’ by a muscular man with a stylish beard. However, after hearing Noan’s next words, I came to understand the name.

“No. You can just leave the words to me. Even if it looks like this, I am now 15 years old.”

‘what. ‘She was younger.’

It’s a title that makes sense if you’re younger.

Now I understand why they kept talking down to us, so I feel a little bit-

…

‘Wh-what? ’15 years old?’

For a moment, I looked back, wondering if I had heard wrong.

No matter how you looked at his crazy protruding frame, huge kidneys, and shiny mustache that seemed to have been coated with oil, it denied the fact that he was just 15 years old.

…

‘Then you were 10 when you just came here? ‘Isn’t that crazy?’

“Well, I think I misheard. Can you say it again?”

Thistle looked very dazed, probably embarrassed, so he checked again.

I also want to hear the word joke quickly.

“Hmm. Actually, I was 9 years old, but my birthday was the next day, so I am now 10. Five years have passed and I am now 15 years old. i look forward to! sister! older brother! Hahaha!”

“Oh, fuck.”

“Se, oh my god Deshade…”

I remember what Florian said.

‘Attentive child.’

By child, I really meant a child, a child who was around the age of an elementary school student in the world I was in.

‘Aren’t you crazy? I still thought there was no one this young. But why did he look like this?’

There is something called face value in the world. However, presbyopia is an appearance that completely negates that.

“Presbyopia. Did you ever look like that when you were alive?”

They tell me to do it, but no matter how much I look at it, it doesn’t make sense. Her voice is very loud.

“Do you mean this? Before I died, I was just like any other child my age, but I always strongly thought that I wanted to become an adult. So it might have been like this. I really like it the way it is now.”

Noan poses like a bodybuilder.

As the muscles expand, the armor swells and makes a sound of hitting each other.

I don’t know why, but the mustache is twitching.

‘It’s gross.’

It has the eyes of a calf, but looks like a muscular cow.

It’s also a muscle of a size that makes you wonder if steroids were mixed into the feed.

The child who dreamed of becoming an adult had his wish fulfilled too faithfully.

“Okay, let’s go in first!”

“Uh, no, you have to protect us from behind.”

“Ma, that’s right. It would be reassuring to have someone tall watching my back.”

“Then I will do that.”

When Thistle and I stopped Noan from taking the lead, Noan quickly moved and stood behind us. We go inside the cave in a single file.

Thistle and I exchange glances as we walk.

‘Are you 15 years old? 15 years old? ‘Did I hear something wrong?’

‘I think I heard it wrong, but unless we both misheard, it’s probably 15 years old.’

Thistle also seems very embarrassed. Perhaps my reflection in her eyes would be the same.

Although he looks huge, he is still a 15-year-old child.

Even by the standards of this world, he has not yet had a coming of age ceremony.

That child also became mentally ill and was living in this hell.

‘They really are crazy bastards.’

Once again, I come to hate the people who planned the soul disease.

If I meet those guys, will I treat them as human beings?

‘I don’t think I can.’

No matter how much I think about it, it seems impossible.

“I want to meet Deshade quickly.”

We sent Noan, who was so excited, to the back and entered the goblin den.