The World I Was Supporting Was Real

Episode 15. And 1 more (2)

“Yes. This time, His Majesty the Emperor has decided to replace the new recruits of the Imperial Knights with the results of the academy graduation exam.”

This was what the professor said.

The news was that this time, if the top graduate of the Luprantia Academy wished, they could be directly recruited into the Imperial Knights without any additional tests.

There were some complaints about whether such a benefit could be given to Luprantia Academy, which did not have a high overall ranking despite its reputation in swordsmanship, but the noise quickly disappeared as the dean of Luprantia Academy had close ties with the royal family.

It was fortunate that it was a recommendation for the Imperial Knights. If it had been for selecting a wizard for the Magic Tower, there would have been much more backlash.

Regardless of the background, it was an opportunity for Luca. If she could take the top spot in the upcoming graduation exam, it would be a golden opportunity to become an Imperial Knight immediately!

It was truly an eventful recommendation. And it happened to coincide with Luca’s graduation!

If God wasn’t watching over her, how could she explain this incredible luck?

“That’s not all. Not only will the top graduate be recruited into the Imperial Knights, but the runner-up will also be given the special qualification to become a Holy Knight.”

“A Holy Knight?”

“Yes. Although a Saint has not yet appeared… if a Saint were to be born in this era, it could be considered an even greater privilege than joining the Imperial Knights!”

Unlike her childhood, Luca now knew everything she needed to know as an adult.

The qualification to become a Holy Knight. It was a seemingly good authority that was practically a hollow reward.

To select a Holy Knight, a Saint was essential. And a Saint had not appeared for nearly 200 years.

Expecting a Saint to suddenly appear was foolish.

Even so, the privilege of joining the Imperial Knights without a test was still enormous.

“If it’s the top spot…”

“Only one person can get it.”

One person.

Only one person could join the Imperial Knights.

Irina, Luca’s friend of three years who heard the news, smiled at Luca.

The confident smile of someone who had never failed.

Luca liked that smile very much.

“Luca. It’s a competition! No hard feelings, no matter who wins between us!”

“That’s what I wanted to say, Irina.”

A few months later, on the day of the graduation exam.

The winner of the graduation exam, conducted in a one-on-one duel format, was decided without much surprise.

Luca Hevnician. She, who rarely missed the top spot in her grade, defeated her close friend Irina in the finals and became the top graduate of the graduation exam!

‘I won…!’

At this moment, Luca thought that the time had finally come.

He believed it was the result of the god who had always watched over him showing mercy.

No matter what he did, he never lost his integrity. No matter how small, if it wasn’t right, he didn’t look at it.

Even if no one cared and no one was harmed, if it was wrong, he didn’t do it.

If he could join the Royal Knights, he would finally be able to earn a proper amount of money.

What Luca thought of was the orphanage. The children waiting for him, the headmaster, and the nuns.

Had Amon and Freya grown a lot? By now, they would be 15 years old, transitioning from boy and girl to young man and woman. He wanted to see his siblings growing up as soon as possible.

But.

“Sniff…”

“Irina…”

“Congratulations, Luca… If you hadn’t looked at me… If you had, I would have been really angry…”

“I’m truly happy… Thank you for doing your best… Thank you… Congratulations on becoming a Royal Knight…! I, I will… soon, soon follow you…”

For the first time, Irina’s heart, which had never been broken, was broken.

They were friends but also rivals, and although Luca had never lost to Irina in swordsmanship, Irina always smiled and said,

“Next time, I’ll win.”

It had never come true, but that promise was never empty.

If Irina hadn’t chased after him, Luca wouldn’t have reached his current level.

‘……’

Why was it?

What came to mind was not the happy faces of the headmaster and the children at the orphanage, but the image of his father.

His father, pointing at the sky with clear eyes like a child, at the dock where the evening glow fell.

――God is watching over you.

“Irina.”

Always, no matter what you do.

From up there, always watching you.

“I’ll give you the top spot.”

The soul of his father, engraved in his body, pushed Luca forward.

* * *

“Are you really okay…? I, I… I…”

“Becoming a Royal Knight was your dream. Honestly, I was interested because it paid well.”

“Ruka…”

“Anyway, you just have to take the entrance exam separately, right? You’re about to graduate soon.”

After discussing with the professors, it was concluded that Irina was equally matched with Ruka, and since her skills were by no means lacking, they suggested that if both of them wanted, they could switch their positions.

From Ruka’s perspective, there was no reason to hesitate. Between Irina, whose sole goal and dream was to join the Imperial Knights, and herself, who just wanted to live a stable life, there was a significant difference in weight.

“Besides, did you forget the benefits of being the runner-up? They said you’d be qualified to become a Holy Knight in the Order.”

“But that’s only if the Saint descends…”

“And actually, I kind of want to become a Holy Knight rather than an Imperial Knight. You know, God is always watching over us, right?”

“Come to think of it, Ruka, you always said that…”

She didn’t regret yielding to Irina.

Ruka was confident in her own skills.

Even without such privileges, she was confident she could join the Imperial Knights through the regular route.

It might take some time, but wouldn’t God always be watching over her?

Thus, instead of joining the Imperial Knights, Ruka finished her graduation exam by qualifying to apply for the Holy Knights—

Time passed, and another year went by.

* * *

That day was the academy’s graduation ceremony.

Although she finished the graduation exam as the runner-up, Ruka, who had overall excellent grades, delivered the graduation speech as the representative.

Everything was perfect up to this point. It seemed like only a path of flowers would unfold in her life from now on.

“…What?”

Until she returned to her hometown and saw the scenery.

The sunset had already faded, but her house—Hebnishian Adelia—was still burning red.

‘Wha… What is this?! What’s happening?!!!’

Without having time to grasp the situation, she ran towards the burning orphanage.

‘!!!!’

Some children… were lying on the ground, bleeding.

She also saw the fallen nuns.

At that moment.

“Ruka…!”

“Di… Director?!”

She ran towards the voice calling her.

From noble mtl dot com

Thump, thump.

“God is watching over you,” my father’s voice echoes in my ears, thump, thump.

In front of my eyes, the blood-soaked director looks up at Luca with a worried expression.

“I’m, I’m sorry… it turned out like this… I need to… explain…”

“Wait, wait a moment! I’ll quickly call for help―”

“They’ve already gone, to call for help… soon, soon it will be resolved…”

“What on earth is going on? What happened?!”

Instead of explaining, the director smiles.

A smile of someone who realizes that the time granted by God has come to an end.

“Luca… congratulations on your graduation…”

“Director…?”

At that moment, Luca’s world stops.

No sound can be heard.

Screaming at the top of his lungs, his throat hurts. He realizes that someone is rushing over from behind, but he can’t hear it.

Instead, he hears his father’s voice.

The words that God is watching over.

Always watching over. Always.

By God.

No matter what happens.

Good [bad] things [everything] all [all]

Watching over.

God is

watching over

you

If

if that’s true

Is this… God’s answer…?

* * *

An epidemic has spread in the nearby area, and recently, the attacks by the bandit groups have increased.

That was the conclusion.

The entire band of thieves was captured, and more than half of them died in the process of being beaten.

It is said that the leader was headed.

Among those involved, all those with deep guilt were killed.

‘… … .’

What did Luca do? Nothing.

The academy’s dean, who was worried about her, provided a place for her to stay, so she could at least eat and live― but her eyes were no longer those of a living person.

A life barely sustained by minimal food and water.

She spent more than half of her day lying on the bed. Her only concern was one thing.

If it is true that God is always watching.

Is this God’s answer?

There were many unfortunate moments. Nevertheless, she did not break and kept going. It’s okay. Because He is watching everything.

She had never done anything shameful. But why?

Why… … why?

She didn’t want to be acknowledged. Just, shouldn’t it not be taken away!

“Luca.”

Beyond the door, the dean’s voice.

Luca did not answer, but the dean did not pray, as if he understood.

“I have something to tell you. It’s okay if you don’t come out, just listen from there.”

――The Saint has manifested.

“Luca, it means you are qualified to become a Holy Knight. I will put in an application for you. So―”

I know you’ve been through a tough time, but I hope this becomes a stepping stone for your comeback.

After saying that, the sound of footsteps.

Thud, thud, the voice of her father.

God is always watching from above.

The dean does not tell Luca the truth.

The opportunity was given just as a bonus, not knowing that the Saint would actually appear. The possibility of Luca becoming a Holy Knight was practically zero.

Ophelia Transrente, Linea von Einsberg.

The possibility of the second seat of the Luphrantia Academy defeating the two prominent individuals was zero.

Even if it is God who bestows the Saint, it is humans who decide the Holy Knight.

I just hoped she would regain her strength.

If anything gave her motivation, I was ready to support her wholeheartedly. Luka had too much talent to fall apart here.

After the dean left, Luka buried her head in the pillow.

Normally, she would have been surprised to hear that a saint had appeared. But she wasn’t surprised.

Luka’s heart was broken. Having lost her second family, she whispered to herself instead of moving forward.

God.

So… was it you, Igogoden? I’m sorry. I’m used to calling you God, so please forgive me.

Are you there?

Are you always watching over me?

If so, is this also a trial I must overcome?

If I endure and move forward, will good things come, like when I got into the academy?

Like now, when the saint appeared and I got the chance to become a holy knight?

But… but.

‘Family…’

I’ve already lost my family twice.

Does becoming a holy knight have any meaning?

Is all this God’s will?

She asks questions that will never be answered.

She asks, and asks, and asks…

Father—something with her father’s name whispers to her.

God is watching over you.

God is watching over you.

God is watching over you… like a broken phonograph, click, clack.

* * *

Click, clack.

Realizing there was no more scroll to go down, I put on the most strict, solemn, and serious expression in the world.

Hmm. I was expecting something, but in the end, it’s just a melodrama.

People are so predictable. If they were of low standards, they would have been strongly swayed by this melodrama. The idea is so crude that it makes me laugh.

And then――

“Ugh… sob… waaah…!!!!”

From noble mtl dot com

Kuwooo!

I was a typical person who could be drawn as a ‘low-level person.’

“Uheongheong… Luka…!!! Luka…!!! You’ve worked so hard…!”

You didn’t break under misfortune and worked so hard! You’re really amazing…!

Moreover, despite what happened at the end, instead of blaming God, you’re asking for His will…!!!

You’re right!

God is watching over you!

He saw that you didn’t commit a single negative act, and that you gave up your place in the Imperial Knights!

Actually, I haven’t been able to watch you all this time. I’m sorry. But still…

But now.

I!

I am watching you!

“Uheuk… Uheohheong.”

Hot tears streamed down my cheeks and fell onto my knees.

Luka is just too pitiful.

If I hadn’t confirmed it, no one would have noticed this poor child.

I wish Luka could become a Holy Knight just once…

[ Igugugodon: Anma ]

[ Igugugodon: Why did you show this late ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: “No, sir, why did you show this late” is that what you meant? ]

[ Igugugodon: Yes…. ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: Because… Luka’s fate is so twisted that resolving it is not easy ]

[ Igugugodon: What do you mean ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: If you ask what that means, the power of support is certainly the ‘power of God’ that can do everything… ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: But you know that it acts individually on each problem, right? ]

I seemed to understand what it meant.

Removing a 3,000 won stone, and enlarging Erin’s chest with 7,000 won. Something like that, I guess.

[ Igugugodon: Yes ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: That’s why I didn’t show it. No matter how generous you are, sir]

[ Donjomjuseyo: I can’t burden the only one who takes care of this world… ]

Huh? Are you trying to angle for a high-value donation here???

Fine. How much?

How much!!!!

[Igwogwodon: Just tell me straight, how much]

[ GiveMeMoney: It’s 150,000 won. ]

[ GiveMeMoney: This is the minimum amount needed to move the wheels of her miserable fate and appoint her as a holy knight. But that’s not the end. Also ]

150,000?

Before the chat even finished, I quickly typed in the numbers.

[ Igwogwodon: ( Donation / 300,000 won / Shut up!!! Take the money!!! ) ]

[ Igwogwodon: Bring the next chapter!!! Bang bang bangkoakoak ]

Bring the next chapter!

Quickly!!!!