The World I Was Supporting Was Real

Episode 33. He Does Not Wish It

That night.

As I stepped outside the monastery amidst the sudden chaos, Rayfield had come again, accompanied by soldiers.

This time, there were far more soldiers than when he had come earlier.

Egon, without losing his composure, looked Rayfield straight in the face and asked.

“I don’t see the Saintess.”

“The Saintess is busy praying. So, I thought, we can’t wait forever and risk losing her. We’ll capture her in advance and then have her pray for repentance immediately.”

“That’s absurd…!”

“Well, isn’t it a good plan? God is generous enough to share a plain fact with even non-believers! Surely, He will forgive this much. Don’t you think?”

Rayfield boasted and then-

He looked at the woman standing next to Egon with an amused smile.

“There you are, Your Majesty. Or should I say… Eirene von Einsberg.”

“……”

“The nun’s habit suits you quite well. I never thought someone who kept the religious world in check would end up wearing a nun’s habit. It seems even the great Emperor values ​​his life, doesn’t he? Ah, though you’re no no longer an Emperor.”

It was a provocation that wasn’t even funny. Eirene didn’t bother to respond. There was no benefit in giving them the reaction they wanted.

“But don’t worry. You can’t die just yet. Your existence is crucial for ushering in a new era.”

Though curious about what this new era meant, it wasn’t the important issue at the moment.

After all, what she had to do was already decided.

Eirene took a step forward without saying a word.

―I will never forget.

The days I spent here as Sister Rinashita, never.

The short life in the monastery was the most sparkling time of her life.

Here, she learned what it meant to live. Shed curiosity about things she could nurture never reach in her lifetime.

But, all of this was over.

Because I am not Rinashita, but Eirene.

Accepting everything, she was about to walk slowly when-

“Eirene.”

“……”

At Egon’s voice, Eirene stopped again.

“Since you ran away before I could tell you, I’ll ask now… If you truly believe that returning is the right thing to do, I won’t stop you.”

“But, even if I don’t want to go back… please trust me. I can resolve this.”

“What…?”

Resolve?

When I turned my head at the absurd word, he was wearing that incredibly charming smile, as always—

Like a naive girl who couldn’t grasp the situation, my heart pounded again.

No.

That smile is not mine.

It’s ridiculous to covet a smile that could never be mine at this age.

“But if I don’t go back now, it will surely lead to a troublesome situation. They… they might really do it. This could put not only you but also the abbot in danger.”

“I told you. I can resolve this. It might be hard to believe, but it’s true.”

“This is…”

Eirene looked at Rayfield again.

He had brought a large group of soldiers, about a hundred at a glance. It felt like a resolution to never let me go.

If I refuse to go, they will surely use force. And there is little that Egan, just a mere priest, can do.

Yes. Even if I risk my life… I won’t be able to resolve this situation.

But.

But why am I…

Eirene stood blankly, looking into Egan’s eyes again.

The conversation they had just shared vividly echoed in her ears.

Among the various images swirling like a storm in her mind, the one she least wanted to acknowledge was—

—The one she least wanted to acknowledge was… her own feelings.

Such pure, untainted feelings—joy.

When Egan wiped Eirene’s tears, the emotion she felt was joy.

She was happy that he held her. She was happy to hear him say that they would find out together what it means to believe again.

Even though she knew she had deceived him, she was happy that he didn’t scold her and kindly reached out his hand.

And as soon as she realized she was happy, she ran away in fear.

Afraid that, by being swayed by this emotion, by leaning on him… she might harm what he holds dear.

She was grateful to Egan for so many things, but she couldn’t repay him and didn’t want to make him unhappy.

She couldn’t drag him into her misfortune.

Even so, Eirene couldn’t move forward.

Even though I know, I can’t take a step.

With such a wonderful smile.

With such a reassuring voice… If you tell me that you can really solve it.

I…

“…believe.”

“Will you believe me?”

“Yes, I believe. This is. I… I believe in you.”

Tears flowed again from Eirene’s eyes.

The tears she shed just now at the monastery were the first since she ascended to the throne.

She, who never cried in front of anyone… so easily crumbled in front of Igeon.

“I will believe in you. So… help me. I don’t want to go back…”

Igeon gently stroked Eirene’s tearful face with his large hand.

Eirene loved the touch of Igeon’s hand holding her. Naturally, she became aware of her feelings again.

—I like this person…

I like this person. I want to be with this person…

And then-

“Thank you. I wanted to hear those words.”

After saying that with a smile, he walked towards Rayfield instead of Eirene.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do what she doesn’t want.”

“What? She?”

Rayfield made a face as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, then nodded as if he understood.

“She? Didn’t I say that woman is no longer an emperor or anything! I don’t understand why you’re being stubborn when there’s nothing to gain by opposing us?”

He shouted in frustration, looking at the silent Igeon. As if dealing with a foolish human.

“I didn’t want to say this… This is just a small monastery. You’re just a mere priest. Do you naively believe that the Gwoden Church can handle us just because you took care of them?”

Rayfield glanced back.

The sound of soldiers drawing their swords filled the darkened forest.

“Hey. Let’s not make this troublesome for both of us. I don’t want to mess with you. I want to get along with the Gwoden Church. Nothing will happen if you just hand over that insignificant woman. Why don’t you Do you understand that?!”

Igeon, who had been silent…

With a puzzled expression, he tilted his head.

“When did I ever say that?”

“……What?”

“When did I ever say that I couldn’t do something humans didn’t want?”

* * *

[ Donjomjuseyo: What Mr. Igugugodon wants, Miss Eirene von Einzbern’s ‘Faith Corruption’ ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: ‘The Response of the World’ is moving solely according to Mr. Igugugodon’s will ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: The trial is just a fleeting moment. ]

What?

A trial……?

I pretended to adjust non-existent glasses and shook my head from side to side.

Then, I typed rapidly faster than anyone else――

Enter, click!!!

[ Igugugodon (Donation / 10,000 won / Eirene already has faith, so why is a trial… necessary?) ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: Please wait a moment, Mr. Igugugodon ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: For ‘Faith Corruption’, there needs to be a buildup ]

[ Igugugodon (Donation / 20,000 won / Didn’t God say a trial wasn’t necessary?? Just believe in me, right?) ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: No, I mean, thank you very much for your donation, but ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: First of all, please calm down ]

[Donjomjuseyo: If you suddenly donate like this]

[Igugugodon (Donation / 30,000 won / Just do it while saying “tdu tdu”?) ]

I don’t know!

I’ll do it with money!!!

I hate buildup! Give me cider!!!

I slowly waited for the author’s reply.

How much time had passed?

The author’s reply slowly appeared on the monitor screen.

[ Donjomjuseyo: Understood ]

[ Donjomjuseyo: If that is God’s will ]

* * *

“God cannot do what He does not want.”

Egon said this and raised his hand to the sky.

And then―

“What, what is this?!”

At that moment.

Rayfield and the soldiers looked around in confusion.

In their minds… they heard the voice of an unknown entity.

“What, what is this sound?!”

“Ahhh!! A, a ghost!!”

The sound was also heard by Eirene.

A sound that seemed to penetrate the skin and resonate in the mind. The voice of an absolute being.

＜＜God does not desire meaningless trials.＞＞

＜＜God does not acknowledge your very existence.＞＞

＜＜God does not want your story itself―＞＞

“Everyone, calm down! That, that priest must be using some kind of magic-”

What Rayfield, unable to hide his panic, heard was-

――What can you do?

“……!!!!”

And, not long after-

“Thyu.”

“……?!”

Egon’s voice echoed loudly, as if it were resounding from the heavens.

Thyu. It was an incomprehensible sentence. But, somehow, everyone realized.

That was… the voice of God.

It came from a human mouth, but it was something that was never human.

In a fleeting moment.

As Egon swiftly lowered the hand he had raised high into the sky, slicing through the wind―

“……Thya!!!”

――Bang!

―Rayfield’s soul, vanished.