episode_0114

Lewen was a child who grew up in an orphanage.

A very common child that can be seen anywhere.

No, if there’s anything special about it, it’s its appearance.

White hair that seemed to be made of pure white thread and gray eyes that seemed to be filled with moonlight.

Despite her young age, her shining appearance was especially noticeable.

Lewen became the first love of many children.

At the age of 10, she received revelation from God and became a saint.

The sight of numerous holy knights coming to the orphanage and saying that they had been chosen by the saint was still an unforgettable memory for Llewen.

At the time, Lewen thought it was quite strange.

This is because she thought of herself as someone who was far from a saint.

She was neither good nor special like the saints in fairy tales.

He’s just a kid with a special appearance.

Llewen thought of herself that way.

However, the symbol of her destiny as a saint was clearly engraved on the back of her hand.

That’s how she became a saint.

After becoming a saint, her life completely changed from before.

The etiquette of being a saint, the history of the church, how to handle the divine power gained from receiving the fate of a saint, etc.

Unlike the peaceful life at the orphanage, she was overworked to the point where one day wasn’t enough.

There were so few days that she could sleep that the word sleep itself became vague.

Later on, she realized that this was an attempt to narrow their status as saints and increase their authority. At that time, she was a naive girl who knew nothing.

I had no choice but to follow suit.

As each day passed, my mind became more and more exhausted.

It was common for people to lose consciousness when picked.

One day, I felt skeptical about this position and just wanted to die.

She went out for the first time two years after becoming a saint.

It was my first time escaping.

Although she would eventually have to go back, she walked the streets with a sense of freedom she felt for the first time.

A street I’ve been wandering around for the first time in a year.

She wandered around aimlessly, capturing the current scenery with her eyes so as not to forget it.

Obviously, it was a bright, sunny morning when she first walked around.

After wandering around for a while, the sun had set and the sunset had arrived.

Now it’s time to go back.

If there was any more delay, the Holy Knights would come to catch him.

However, Llewen did not want to go back.

To that hellish place.

She hated being tied to a place she didn’t want because of the fate of a saint she didn’t want.

That’s why I chose to run away.

She knows that there is clearly no escape.

You will get caught someday, and if that happens, you will never be able to go out for the rest of your life.

Still, she ran away.

For freedom.

I ran and ran again.

But such attempts did not last long.

This is because she was caught by the Holy Knight just an hour after she decided to run away.

Even though I was caught, I still struggled.

She was still young and did not have the strength to resist.

There is no hope anymore.

Now I was truly in a situation where I had to live trapped in a religious order for the rest of my life.

Is that why?

Lewen shed tears for the first time.

He could not overcome his despair about his situation, having been thrown into hell from which he would never be able to escape again.

How did you survive for two years?

It was a moment when I lost hope in not being able to truly see the outside world.

Sigh!

Someone appeared and cut down the paladins in an instant.

The bodies of the paladins holding Llewen went limp.

Even in the sudden situation, Llewen looked at the paladins.

Even though they came to catch him, he knew that they were only following orders, so he did not want to die.

Fortunately, the Paladins were injured enough not to die.

Lewen calmly looked at the person who created the current situation.

Even though he was wearing a mask, I could see that he was of a similar age and physique.

That means 12 years old.

But the movements she saw were definitely not something a 12-year-old could see.

That’s why Llewen was on guard.

I wonder if it is someone who has come to kill me.

Fortunately, the person in front of her put out his sword and spoke to her.

“As expected, you are a saint. First check the fate of those who tried to drag you.”

“… They are also the ones who received orders, so there is nothing wrong with them.”

“I see.”

He says that and laughs.

Llewen, who was unable to determine the party’s true identity, became even more alert.

“There is no need to be too cautious. I just came here to talk. Would you like to take a short walk?”

“… ”

Llewen did not answer hastily.

I wonder if there might be some kind of purpose.

However, Llewen nodded, knowing that if there was really a purpose, there would be no reason for the being in front of her to talk to her like this.

“Good. Please follow me.”

Turn your body and take a step.

Lewen followed behind him, much better than before, but still a little wary.

A moment of silence.

Llewen pursed her lips and spoke with difficulty.

“… What is it?”

“Are you talking about my identity?”

“Yes. Also, you know my identity. I think that force makes no sense.”

At the age of 12, I defeated 6 Holy Knights in less than 10 seconds.

Is this really even possible?

At least according to her common sense, it was impossible.

So, I was even more curious about the identity of the being in front of me.

“I can’t tell you exactly. I know what kind of concerns the saint is experiencing.”

“My concern… ”

I have never once confided in anyone.

It’s a worry I have no intention of sharing.

But how do you know what exists right in front of you?

Of course it had to be a lie.

It was clear that his words were purely intended to deceive himself.

But Llewen couldn’t believe it was just a lie.

No matter how you look at it, the person in front of you doesn’t seem like a person who would tell a lie.

Llewen asked with some doubt in mind.

“What is my concern?”

“Isn’t this liberation from the denomination that binds you? We are receiving a fate we do not want and living a life we do not want. Just running away right now can be seen as an extension of that.”

“… ”

Accurate.

It wouldn’t be strange to say that he was seeing it very clearly, if not accurately.

Lewen became even more curious about his identity, but knowing that he would not tell him about it, he asked something else.

“… Is this why you came to see me? To listen to your concerns?”

“It’s not wrong. I would like to ask one more question than that. Do you want to leave the religious order?”

“Sounds obvious.”

“Then, I will help you escape from the religious order as you wish.”

An unconventional proposal.

There was no need to ask what to do.

Because he has already proven his ability right before my eyes.

All I had to do was take it for granted.

But why?

Llewen did not fall silent easily.

Of course, accept the offer. Isn’t this what you’ve been wanting for so long?

Clearly, my heart was crying out like that.

As she said, she had been waiting for this moment.

But there was one moment that flashed through Llewen’s mind.

The people who survived thanks to their divine power express their sincere gratitude.

It felt like she was in hell for two whole years, but at that moment, she felt like she was the only one alive.

Although it was only a moment, that moment was so powerful.

Llewen felt hesitation.

Seeing her like that, the person in front of me spoke.

“You can’t answer quickly. Didn’t the saint clearly want liberation? But why are you hesitating?”

“… that’s right. I didn’t want to run away right away and live like a doll, tied to the position of a saint that I didn’t want.”

It is a feeling that cannot be denied.

How can I deny the emotions I felt for the past two years?

Llewen still wanted to run away.

I said I would let him know right away. I wanted to tell him to let me run away.

The memory of people thanking me for receiving treatment was so strong that I hesitated about the long-awaited moment.

‘I am… I’m not this kind of person…

Llewen still thought that she was not suitable for the position of saint.

Well, on the other hand, a saint is a good person who does not hesitate to act for the benefit of others. Because she herself judged that it was not so.

She herself is not good and is not suitable for the position of a saint. This was the thought Lewen had for a long time.

However, funny enough, contrary to what she thought of herself, Llewen hesitated for the moment she had been waiting for so long because of the thought that her help might be needed.

It’s the complete opposite of what you thought.

Looking at Lewen like that, the person in front of me spoke.

“As expected, you are the person I know.”

He spoke again as if he knew everything well.

“I cannot leave because I think of those who need my help. This is what you are saying.”

“… That’s right.”

“But in that case, wouldn’t it be okay to help after leaving the church?”

You don’t necessarily have to belong to a religious denomination to be able to help someone.

The person in front of me was pointing out that.

Lewen also did not deny this.

but.

“I won’t be able to help you properly… As long as I am gone, the church will always be looking for me, and naturally the scope of people I can help will be significantly different. and… I still lack a lot. There’s still more to learn… ”

The person spoke with a chuckle in a voice full of sincerity.

“Then there is only one thing I can tell you. You need to go back to your church and take the initiative. You must make them aware of their location so that they do not dare to come on top of the saint. A saint is a representative and daughter of a goddess. No matter how high a priest he is, he cannot be above you.”

The only thing that can be above a saint is a goddess.

If she truly realized her position and authority and exercised her rights, even the Pope had no power to force her.

If this is enforced, you will be punished by Paladin, who judges sinners within the church and serves warriors. In fact, it was a very easy problem that could have been solved as long as she was clearly aware of her status as a saint.

However, this was a somewhat difficult fact for her, who had been at the orphanage for a long time.

Most people know how great the position of a saint is, but most people have never thought about what that position truly means.

Therefore, the person in front of me was even more emphasized.

“The saint needs to be aware of her own position. There is only one thing in this world that can be commanded to you. Only a goddess. So be confident. You can do it.”

“Can I do it…? I am… ”

She is far from a saint.

Lewen, who was about to say that, kept her mouth shut.

Even though he is wearing a mask, his eyes, the only ones visible among the face of the person in front of him, speak volumes.

You are a saint no matter what anyone says.

Llewen felt that those eyes were full of meaning, so she had no choice but to keep her mouth shut.

Even though I can’t see my face properly because I’m wearing a mask.

He said, looking somewhat like he was smiling.

“Saint. No matter how pessimistic and critical one may be, the fate of becoming a saint does not go to those who do not qualify. So be proud. No matter what anyone says about the saint, she is a person worthy of the position of saint.”

After listening to him, Lewen couldn’t even figure out what to say.

A person I have never met even once in my life.

He understood his feelings better than anyone else and comforted him.

Even simply receiving comfort from someone can be awkward.

Llewen felt very awkward seeing someone she had met for the first time comfort her and understand her.

Llewen thought about her fate.

Saint.

It was fate and a usurper who took away his freedom.

Because her peaceful life was taken away in an instant, Llewen still thought that way.

However, on the contrary, it was fate that made me realize the joy of being able to help those who need my help.

There are bad aspects, but there are also good aspects.

She realized that her current position wasn’t that bad.

Although there are more bad parts now, this would change later.

“… I will try.”

And Lewen decided to do as he said.

If you don’t do it in the end, it won’t be any different from before.

If you are truly worthy of the position of a saint… If you can’t leave the church… Rather than acting like a puppet like before, I will stand above them.

“Good. Now you finally have the face of a saint.”

The person in front of me who said that bowed his head slightly.

“The saint has decided so, so I will leave now. There are a lot of things I have to do.”

“… Will we be able to meet again?”

“Yes. We will meet again someday. No, I will come find you. You, who have become a full-fledged saint and lead the church.”

The person’s image disappeared with a faint smile.

Lewen, who was left alone, walked towards the church on her own.

Now, the place called the church was no longer hell for her.

Now, for her, the church was a place of trials to become a true saint and a place to regain that authority.