episode_0002

“Do you happen to know how to return to the world I used to live in?”

“As a hero sent by the gods, only the gods would know.”

“Hmph, would praying work then?”

Having looked around with the thought of trying if nothing else worked, there were no visible deities or symbols that should typically be present in a temple.

All that could be seen in this shabby temple were worn-out chairs and a small podium for preaching, showing signs of the passage of time even at a glance.

In this sparsely populated place, there were footprints on the dusty floor.

“It seems like it’s not a popular religion.”

“Well… that’s true.”

“Why? Is there some extreme doctrine like executing non-virgin believers?”

“What?! No, absolutely not! The radical teachings like that, emphasizing premarital chastity and men’s responsibility, disappeared a long time ago!”

“Is that really all?”

As an elderly person of similar age nodded vigorously as if trying to prove their innocence, I felt an unnecessary suspicion arise within me.

Unable to refute his claim that his words were true, I couldn’t argue against his proclamation that if he were lying, he would be reincarnated as a non-virgin dishwasher in his next life.

Honestly, it was a bit unexpected. Even the goddess herself seemed like a lunatic who preached about the importance of virginity, so I thought the doctrine would be equally absurd.

“If what you’re saying is true, it’s quite a mild doctrine.”

“Yes… I’m relieved that you understand.”

“In the world I used to live in, there was a crazy country where they executed you just for talking to a foreign man.”

Careful to say such things after barely looking at a single building, this world didn’t seem to appear as developed in terms of ethics or human rights.

Even in the 21st century on Earth, such incidents occurred in the Islamic cultural sphere like the Middle East, so I thought this world would be even worse.

“What a tragic event that shouldn’t exist…”

“What?”

“…It’s just a lamentable event to have happened.”

Note: The translation provided above respects the original text structure, including line breaks, quotation marks, and single quotation marks.

I’m just enduring because I don’t have the energy, but is that what I really wanted deep down? It hasn’t even been an hour since I came to this world, but I already hate this world.

Especially those lunatics who worship the Goddess of Virgins, I hate them even more.

“…So there’s no real way to go back?”

Are they telling me to spend my whole life in this uncivilized land? It was when the anxiety I had been trying to ignore started to creep up on me.

Like the saying that there’s a way out even if the sky collapses, my future wasn’t completely closed off.

“…Actually, it’s not impossible.”

“What is it?”

“The hero who defeated the Demon King can have one wish granted by the Five Gods. With that wish, you can return to your hometown.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

It’s just that the hole is too small, that’s the problem.

“If you’re a hero, you can do it! Don’t you have the blessings bestowed by the Goddess?”

“Blessings?”

Could it be referring to that beggar-like ability to confirm the opponent’s acquired experience?

“Is this what you call blessings?!”

Without realizing it, I clenched my fist. It wasn’t particularly directed at Jarvis in anger, but maybe he thought that anger was directed at himself as Jarvis urgently shouted, raising his hand forward.

“P-Please calm down!! Blessings grow with the hero!! Right now, we don’t know what kind of blessing you’ve received, but it will surely become a powerful weapon to subdue the Demon King!!”

“Grow…”

Honestly, I don’t think this kind of thing will become a proper ability just by growing.

Now it’s an ability that shows the opponent’s acquired experience, so if it grows, will it show how many milliliters of ejaculate the opponent has?

“It’s not some kind of game….”

The more I think about it, the more this ability seems distant from purity and combat. But unfortunately, I didn’t have many paths to choose from.

“…So all I have to do is catch that Demon King?”

“Yes! But before that, you need to meet His Majesty first. As a hero of the kingdom, Her Majesty will support you.”

“Support…”

Earlier, it seemed like you were quite disappointed in me. Will you really support me?

Instead of taking me with you immediately and giving me a lively environment, did you leave me here to calm my mind?

I don’t think I can expect wholehearted support, even if I’m not being kicked out for a small amount of money like a retro game king.

“Well, let’s go for now. But where did that person go?”

“His Majesty said he is staying in the castle city of Pit nearby, so we should go to Pit first. I will be in charge of guiding you.”

Saying that, they stepped forward and set foot on the land of this world for the first time, along with Jarvis.

Honestly, the outside… it didn’t impress me much. It just looked like a remote European village placed somewhere in the corner, stretching beyond the horizon.

There were no distinct features of this world, such as multiple suns or strange creatures freely fluttering about, which cannot be seen on Earth.

Even if it’s not another world but Earth, the interest towards this world that was somewhat present disappeared in the landscape that didn’t evoke any discomfort.

“…Looks like a countryside here.”

“Compared to the streets of the capital, it’s rather humble. The capital is a splendid city that rivals heaven.”

“Well…”

Looking at the footprints on the ground, it seems that the king rode a horse and came this far.

Since the road wasn’t paved, it couldn’t be helped, but I couldn’t imagine how the cities in the world where the king rides horses would be, in a bad sense.

“Do they have toilets here?”

“Toilets?”

“No, what…”

“Hahaha! Just kidding! Of course, they have! However, this village doesn’t have sewage facilities, so there are no toilets like the one you mentioned.”

I was worried about what would happen if it was like the Middle Ages, where you throw it out of the fortress and outside the castle, but fortunately, there seems to be a toilet.

“Let’s hurry. Actually, I need to pee right now.”

“It will take about four hours on foot.”

“…I’ll just go in the bushes then.”

This place is like a dog-like countryside.

*****

“It seems like this world is quite a free world.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Just… by observing the passersby, I can tell.”

The reason is that, out of all the people I met during my nearly four-hour walk, excluding children, not a single one was a virgin.

In the countryside, there’s a saying that people often cross paths due to the lack of entertainment. I wonder if this saying applies in this world as well?

I would normally let it go, but when I saw a boy who looked like a middle school or high school student with three conquests under his belt, my mouth involuntarily dropped open.

“Is the concept of chastity weak in this world?”

Even in Korea, where casual dating is widespread, it wasn’t to this extent. Curious, I cautiously asked Jarvis.

“It seems that the three pillars of the faith are weak, so most likely, people tend to disregard the teachings of the goddess.”

“Why are they weak?”

“In fact, this is the first time since the invitation that the Goddess of Purity has chosen a hero.”

Even if I asked why, there was no answer. Only the goddess would know the reason.

“We’ve arrived.”

After what could be described as a short four-hour journey, we arrived at the fortress city of Pith.

In the center of the city, surrounded by walls about 5 meters high, there is the residence where the market is located.

If the king is present, that would be his residence. We stood in line in front of the gate to enter.

It’s not like I’m expecting any special treatment, but for a hero, it’s quite ordinary treatment.

“I don’t have anything like citizenship, is that okay?”

“The Majesty must have mentioned it. And the entrance process is not that complicated, so it should be fine.”

“I hope so…”

As we approached the gate, suddenly a booming sound came from the gate, and a knight clad in armor straight out of a movie approached us.

“…”

The blatant gaze that could explain why the term “eye rape” was coined swept over my body.

In those eyes that judged me, there was a subtle mockery as if asking, “Is this all you’ve got?” and an undeniable depth of disappointment.

“Ahem…”

Jarvis, who had been watching from the side, cleared his throat, and the journalist finally turned his gaze towards us, saying that this way. “It’s not much different here.”

Following the guide of the journalist, I looked around the city I entered and glanced sideways to find a maiden, but as expected, the maiden was nowhere to be seen.

I’m not someone who obsesses over virgins, but isn’t this a bit too extreme?

It’s not like they’re taxing virgins or anything. Couldn’t one of the people passing by be a virgin?

Does this fucking country send out breeding old men when you reach a certain age?

I solemnly swear at my ancestors’ graves that I am not such a pathetic man who obsesses over virgins, but I couldn’t help but be disappointed with the conservative mindset in this miserable world.

“This is the castle where His Majesty resides. Please be cautious in your actions. (Experience Points: 6)”

“…Yes.”

With that, we set foot in the main residence located in the center of the fortress city and were able to announce the king after a complicated procedure.

Since it was rare to receive the attention of so many people until now, honestly, it was a bit awkward to bear the gazes directed at me.

Around the king, knights crowded on both sides for the sake of courtiers and escorts.

Next to the king was a beautiful woman who, despite wearing a small crown, still possessed her beauty. The moment I saw the experience points written above her head, I couldn’t help but be astonished.

“He married a damn virgin…”

He married a fading maiden.