The World I Was Supporting Was Real

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* * *

In a place where only darkness existed, a presence that was nothing whispered.

――Everything is for God Igguoqueden.

Everything is for God Igguoqueden.

* * *

Clink, clink, clink—

After my sponsorship, I was refilling my empty ice glass with zero cola, when several chats popped up.

[Please give me some money: First of all]
[Please give me some money: I would like to start by expressing my gratitude for the generous donation of 20,000 won]
[Please give me some money: God Igguoqueden is truly… truly a breathtaking individual]
[Please give me some money: Um… at any rate]
[Please give me some money: If the power of 20,000 won is present… it seems possible to carry out the will of the gods]
[Please give me some money: However, since changing a long-held tradition is a significant matter, I have a request]

[Igguoqueden: Speak]

[Please give me some money: I believe we still need ‘the words of the gods’ here]
[Please give me some money: If you have something you wish for me, I would appreciate it if you could tell me actively]

[Igguoqueden: You mean the words of the gods this time for the other girls?]

[Please give me some money: No, this time… how should I put it]
[Please give me some money: Should I say that we need the power contained in the words of the gods to get both Miss Ophilia and Miss Linea to join as Holy Knights?]
[Please give me some money: If you have nothing to say, I will look for the best alternatives myself]

In that moment, the thought of “What’s with the ‘let’s change history and now you want something else?’” crossed my mind, but I quickly grasped the author’s intent.

Judging from my past experiences, the author is a WWE expert. Even when giving out rewards, they were committed to maintaining the ‘concept’ to avoid breaking the immersion in the world.

So, that’s what this is about. “Do you have any ideas or preferences? If not, I’ll handle it myself.”

In other words— “You’ve given money, so how would you like it drawn, dear customer?”

This was a perfectly legal opportunity!

[Igguoqueden: Hahahaha, seriously, I can’t refuse when it’s such a good deal]
[Please give me some money: …?]
[Igguoqueden: Nope, it’s nothing]
[Igguoqueden: Just wait]

I replayed the events of the comic in my mind.

A drawing that would let those two join as Holy Knights as naturally as possible…

They’ve given me something, so it should be fine, right?

With those thoughts, I typed without much consideration.

[Igguoqueden: What does the past tradition matter? Hahaha, the will of the gods is more important]
[Igguoqueden: Just push it forward]

It’s a comic, so why overthink it?

[Please give me some money: The will of the gods is more important than the past…!]
[Please give me some money: Indeed, it is you, God Igguoqueden. The moment I heard that, the world has already begun to respond to you!]
[Please give me some money: ‘The power of the gods’ and ‘the words of the gods.’ With both combined, what do I have to fear?]

[Igguoqueden: Hahaha, just handle it well, I’ll prepare the money]

[Please give me some money: Is there even a question? Then, see you in the next episode]

After closing the chat window, I logged into the online game that I had practically abandoned for a long time.

‘Should I sort my items soon?’

I need to gather as much ammo as I can since I don’t know what will happen next.

I was smiling, thinking about such things.

* * *

The Holy Knight has been decided.

Although it hasn’t been officially announced yet, everyone in prominent positions within the religious order had already heard the news.

At the same time, it was clear there would be controversy.

It was an age-old question of ‘Will the church prioritize pragmatism or justification?’

And since the answer was neither pragmatism nor justification, it was all the more controversial.

The decision of Saint Erin— Luka Hebnisian.

Before the saint appeared, he was an unknown knight who had received the ‘Holy Knight support qualification’ given to them during the power struggle between the church and the imperial family, with the Rufrantia Academy as a benefactor.

While it was certain that he had the potential for success to some extent, as evidenced by receiving a recommendation, all he had shown was being the second best at the Rufrantia Academy.

That gave him no merit compared to ‘pragmatism’ Linea von Einsberg or ‘justification’ Ophilia Translerente.

Of course, the words of the gods were absolute.

But this reasoning was only acceptable within the religious community.

To others— especially from the perspective of the imperial family trying to establish connections with the church— this was an utterly unacceptable decision.

If the church’s decision had been someone like the esteemed female knight Ophilia Translerente, who exhibited faith far superior to Linea’s, perhaps it could be accepted. But Luka was absolutely not to be recognized!

Knowing that, Pope Linus III stood outside the Room of the Saint, sweating profusely as he appealed desperately.

“Saint, it’s not too late. Please reconsider. This choice is too burdensome for us. There is no good that can come from breaking ties with the von Einsberg royal family now.”

No response came, but I could sense her presence. The Pope bowed repeatedly at the door.

Although the Pope was at the top of the religious hierarchy— when facing the saint, the only being who can communicate with the ‘presence of the gods,’ he was merely a subordinate.

“Making known the will of the gods can occur even after our influence has grown stronger. Isn’t that right, now that the saint has appeared? The truth of God Igguoqueden is just beginning to spread to many; to solidify that, we absolutely need the imperial family’s help, so please—”

At that moment.

With a creak, the door opened.

The Pope was startled but quickly regained composure and stepped aside, bowing his head.

“Saint!”

“I am here to announce the Holy Knight now.”

“Wait, Saint, please let me—”

“It’s alright. The words of the gods have illuminated our path forward. I believe the Pope will be satisfied as well.”

“Yes…?”

I didn’t understand what she meant… did she change her mind?

“More importantly, I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor…?”

Erin’s blue eyes sparkled with light.

“Please summon all available priests to the Great Hall immediately.”

* * *

In the Great Hall of Igguoqueden Cathedral.

As fitting for its grand size, there were several hundred priests gathered here, diving deep into the study of the truth of God Igguoqueden.

Almost all of the priests here were elites, due to their association with the saint; thus, various debates were ongoing regarding the nameless knight’s appointment as a Holy Knight.

“If it’s the will of the gods, then it’s the right thing to follow, isn’t it?”
“I think it’s an extremely reckless decision…”
“Come on, the saint called for us, didn’t she? I’m sure she’ll provide some perspicuous explanation.”

How long did we wait?

“The saint is entering!”

Finally, the atmosphere of the Great Hall became solemn as Erin walked in.

Tap, tap.

“It is the saint…!”
“Saint… God Igguoqueden…!”
“Please, let there be clear facts…”

While there were questions regarding her decision, all of them were devout religious individuals at their core.

Just hearing the footsteps of the saint elicited a sense of sacredness among them.

What she held dear to her heart was the Bible.

The world’s most beautiful book, containing the words of the one true god, Igguoqueden.

Upon stepping onto the podium, Erin looked down at the priests and spoke loudly.

No.

To be precise— she spoke ordinarily, but her voice resonated loudly for everyone present.

“Everyone, I am Saint Erin.”

“…!!”

Everyone was startled at the unexpectedly loud voice of the saint.

While there are magics that can amplify sound, the priests here employed healing white magic, and crucially, there was no mage by her side.

So how did she create such an effect?

At that moment.

“…”

Erin closed her eyes, lightly pressing the Bible against her forehead—

“What, what is that?!”

A pure white light began to emanate from the Bible.

Everyone gathered here could tell. That light was not just a flash.

It was… the clear and undeniable, candid fact shared by God, Igguoqueden!

And at that moment—

――Crash!!!!!

“What, what is going on?!”
“Ahhhhh!”

A stained glass featuring the apostle following God Igguoqueden shattered with a loud noise.

This started to happen— the holy murals and ancient sculptures adorning the cathedral began to break one by one.

Among them was the statue of the Eighth Apostle ‘Jonah,’ which had never broken even amidst long human history and countless wars.

This was shocking. Even when the cathedral had burned down and lost over 80%, it had never broken, earning the nickname ‘The Miracle-Maker Jonah’—

Yet everything created out of human reverence for the gods had suddenly shattered in an instant.

And in the ears of everyone present, someone whispered.

A voice that could be of a man or a woman, human or something else entirely.

――Abandon the old, embrace the new.

‘……!!’

The light entering through the shattered stained glass was— a light.

As if indicating the protagonist of this world, the light descended upon Erin, enveloping her as though it transcended any absolute law.

Everyone gathered here— the high priests who had cultivated their sense of spirituality knew.

That light was the light of the gods. If ordinary people were exposed to that light— their souls would surely be obliterated!

In fact, all substances through which the light permeated turned to powder, scattering everywhere.

But Erin accepted that light with her whole being… and continued to pray.

The Bible hovering above her, emitting light, kept scattering clear facts to everyone in that space.

At that time, someone shouted loudly.

“The gods are looking down upon us!”

Basic religious individuals, among the priests and a few others, began to kneel in awe of the miracle of the saint and the divine power, seeking to bow to their rightful one true god.

“Oh… God Igguoqueden….”
“God…!!!”
“Please grant me the clear fact…!”

Finally, Erin, who had been continuously praying, opened her eyes.

As her platinum blonde hair danced, a glint sparkled in her blue eyes.

And—

“One clear fact.”

The moment Erin spoke that sentence, everyone responded in unison as if it were a promise.

“”The name of the god is Igguoqueden.””

Genesis 1:1.

Could anyone who did not know that be called a priest?

In accordance with the saint’s words, the gathered priests, sisters, and bishops recited the world’s most sacred book.

“Two clear facts.”

“”All evidence that Igguoqueden is the one true god is evidenced by the donation history.””

“Three clear facts.”

“”If one claims to be a god, but their name is not Igguoqueden, then they are a deceitful fraud worthy of death.””

Simply.

Simply by reciting three lines from the Bible… the priests, who had dedicated years to the study of theology, began to tear up.

These tears could not be controlled.

When faced with something overwhelming, tears are instinctively triggered.

Ah, I was born to witness this scene. I have been studying the words of the gods for this moment…

The priests embraced the truth with their wide eyes. Embraced it. There was no escape. No rejection.

Only then did they realize why the murals and statues had all shattered.

Abandoning the old to embrace the new—that was exactly this!

Ah, I understand totally, God Igguoqueden!

“Having combined three clear facts, we refer to it as ‘one clear fact plate’—”

“”If you eat even one plate and do not comprehend the words of the god, then it’s simply a matter of intelligence….””

Finally, the recitation reached Genesis 1:5.

Erin cried out the words of the gods with a compelling voice.

“Everyone. Even the gods’ clear facts come together into one plate. So why do you think there can only be one Holy Knight?”

“……!!”

The Pope, who had been watching everything with awe, gasped, staring at Erin with wide eyes.

Saint, could it be…!

‘What you just said…!’

“The gods have spoken. ‘Give it all to me.’ The gods wish to have more lambs with me, to protect, and to spread the teachings as Holy Knights. That is right!”

“Is it true that there can only be one Holy Knight since ancient times? That’s!”

Crash!

The masterpiece portraying the words of Genesis 5:4, ‘The Saint Caressing the World with a Great Bag,’ cracked.

“What does that even mean?!”

Indeed!

The old has no meaning.

What is important is only the new! The new will of the gods! The newly delivered words of the gods!

“What we need is— one Holy Knight plate!”

If three clear facts combine to become one plate of facts, then isn’t it only natural that three Holy Knights together make one Holy Knight plate!

“I hereby declare in the name of the saint representing the deities present here. Luka Hebnisian, Linea von Einsberg, and Ophilia Translerente. These three knights shall henceforth become Holy Knights protecting me, Erin, and will uphold the words of the gods as the ‘Holy Knight plate’ of our church!”

“Igguoqueden! Igguoqueden!”
“Follow the new order of the gods!”
“Gwo—men! Gwo—men!”

The moment the new concept of ‘Holy Knight plate’ came into existence.

The cathedral may have been collapsing, but the faith was burning more intensely than ever.

* * *

‘?’

After checking the last panel featuring the crumbling cathedral, I felt dazed for a moment, lost in thought.

I mean, they said to push forward, but I don’t think they said to break the cathedral…

Well, still…

‘Anyway, we got three Holy Knights, so that’s good!’

We got three plates, so that’s good!