The World I Was Supporting Was Real

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* * *

After that, Erin’s journey continued without any obstacles.

Whenever something seemed to hinder her, she would pray. God Igguoqueden responded to her prayers and granted her requests.

It was the same when a large boulder blocked her path.

‘This seems like it won’t be easy…’

That thought naturally crossed her mind, but still, Erin unwaveringly prayed to the deity.

“I humbly ask of you, God Igguoqueden, grant me the strength to overcome this trial. Please…”

She prayed earnestly and repeatedly.

When she slowly opened her eyes, it was easy to realize that once again, God Igguoqueden had answered her prayer.

The boulder had vanished as if it had never existed.

‘As expected of God Igguoqueden…!’

The more her requests were met, the deeper her faith in the one true God Igguoqueden grew.

The problem was that this deepening wasn’t simply a “faith” of a woman aiming to become a Saint.

‘Always watching over me and holding me dear…!’

Ever since she heard from the divine representative to “not forget she is a woman,” something within her reacted intensely to the existence of God Igguoqueden in a slightly different way.

This was a first for her. It was the first time that something made her heart tremble so much in her previously dull life.

She found herself developing favor not just for a human, but for a “god.”

Due to her irreverent mindset, Erin wrapped it in the shell of “faith” and self-suggestion.

Yes. Believing in a god means having the determination to do anything for that god.

‘I only want to serve the deity. Therefore, it can’t be strange…’

With such thoughts, she wondered how much further she could travel.

‘This place is…!’

Before her lay a gigantic city exuding an overwhelming atmosphere, resembling a fortress.

To the sides of the broad road, refined for the passage of carriages, were elegantly carved pillars of luxurious marble, showcasing the capital’s grandeur right from the entrance.

As she walked, she soon noticed that an incredible number of people were using this road.

The silhouettes of those passing by.

Since escaping from a village that could easily be called cursed, it had been a long time since she had encountered other people.

As she entered through the city gate along the road—

‘Wow…’

Pointed spires.

Incredibly antiquated designs of stone buildings.

Far more people than seen at the entrance.

Yes.

This is the capital of the Empire called Opelaishel that she had only heard about.

Compared to her nameless village, it was a vastly developed, enormous metropolis.

So much so that it almost felt like she lived in a different world.

Erin was overwhelmed by the scenes created by the giant city Opelaishel and dumbly gazed around her without saying a word.

For a moment, the thought of being such a small existence compared to this city almost intimidated her—

‘It’s okay. I have the god, Lord Igguoqueden, with me.’

Just the thought of God Igguoqueden helped her quickly regain her composure.

It was always like this. Whenever her mind became tangled due to something difficult or painful thoughts, Erin would always think of God Igguoqueden.

The fact that God Igguoqueden was always watching over her and even cherishing her.

That was a sturdy weapon for Erin that nothing could compare to.

‘Now, to get to the Papal Basilica…’

She wondered if she needed to look for a map, but quickly abandoned that thought.

A spire next to the massive building that seemed like a royal castle.

Based on the beautifully carved large cross on the wall there… could that be the Cathedral?

Even if it weren’t the cathedral, what would it matter?

Even if she wandered, she would eventually arrive. Because Lord Igguoqueden was with her.

‘Let’s head that way.’

Erin set off toward where the building was located.

* * *

As she expected, this place was indeed a Cathedral.

Opelaishel Cathedral.

And only then did Erin realize something odd.

‘…Wait a minute.’

Right in front of the Cathedral, there was a very expensive-looking plaque carved from obsidian that was clearly inscribed.

—In honor of our one true God Opelaishel.

‘What the…?’

She had simply heard the voice of the deity and witnessed miracles, but in reality, Erin had never once studied about faith prior to this.

As a child, the cathedral was a place to go for food, and as she grew older, her family fell into hard times, focusing solely on farming to survive. By the time she became an adult, a plague swept through, turning her village into ruins, and everyone she knew lost their lives due to a thieves’ attack.

So naturally, she wouldn’t know the name of the god that the Pope in this world served. She also didn’t realize the capital’s name was derived from the god’s name.

But it felt strange.

The god’s name is Opelaishel?

‘Isn’t the god’s name… “Igguoqueden”?’

The one true god Igguoqueden; she could confidently affirm his existence by witnessing miracles multiple times.

Yet suddenly, there was Opelaishel?

She only knew the first verse and had never properly read the Bible, and in that moment, her soul was caught off guard as a man approached her and spoke.

“Priest, what brings you here?”

“Uh, uhm…!”

She was momentarily flustered by the armored guard’s voice, but then realized she hadn’t come here to do anything bad.

Moreover, for whatever reason, the fact that the true god Igguoqueden was with her remained unchanged.

Erin steadied her mindset, bowed her head, and spoke in a dignified tone.

“I am Erin. I am walking the streets of the capital.”

“Erin the Priest, I see.”

“Priest…?”

Why on earth was he casually calling her “priest”?

“It’s the symbol embroidered on your attire. It’s the emblem that proves you are a priest, isn’t it?”

“Oh….”

This outfit was just the clothing she received after praying to God Igguoqueden.

Since he is the deity himself, did he just casually embroider a symbol and give it to her?

Anyway, this further proved that the god was not Opelaishel but God Igguoqueden, and Erin’s mood was not too bad.

“Am I mistaken? Perhaps you’re a high priest or something like that?”

“…No.”

“What brings you to the Opelaishel Cathedral?”

“I came to meet the Pope.”

The guard sounded slightly flustered at the mention of the Pope.

“Meet His Holiness the Pope…?”

“Yes.”

The guard hesitated for a moment, then wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and spoke.

“I’m very sorry, but the Pope does not meet with anyone who isn’t scheduled. For safety reasons, and because he’s extremely busy with various religious duties…”

“I heard the voice of the deity.”

“Y-yes…?”

The guard’s eyes widened, but Erin responded confidently, not avoiding his gaze.

“I came here to become a Saint after hearing the voice of the deity. Please consider my circumstances.”

“No, um….”

The guard hesitated for a long moment before finally nodding his head.

“P-Please wait a moment. This isn’t something I can decide on my own… just a moment!”

* * *

How much time passed since the guard disappeared into the Cathedral?

“…!”

As she recognized the sound of footsteps approaching, she could tell someone was coming out of the Cathedral.

That person was a young woman with long black hair covered by a veil.

Despite being veiled, her beauty was undeniable, and behind her followed several armored guards adorned with similar symbols to her own.

Though momentarily overwhelmed by the aura she exuded—

‘No. I am one who has heard the voice of the deity. A person destined to become a Saint. A Saint is someone whom even the Pope cannot treat carelessly. So… I should show respect but not portray myself as excessively weak.’

With that mindset, Erin bowed and respectfully greeted her.

“Greetings.”

“Are you the one? The priest claiming to have heard the voice of the deity?”

“That is correct.”

The woman glanced over Erin before questioning her in a slightly cold tone.

“May I know the name of the priest?”

“I am Erin.”

“I see, Erin the Priest. May I ask which diocese you are active in?”

“….”

For a moment, she was at a loss for words, but she knew that lying at such a time would only complicate the situation.

“I never originally walked the path of a priest. I became one because of the voice I heard from the deity.”

“Excuse me? So you mean to say you’re not affiliated with any diocese?”

“That is correct.”

“….”

Upon hearing that, suspicion flickered in the woman’s gaze like wildfire.

“Then how did you acquire that priest’s robe?”

“God granted it to me.”

“What did you say?”

Erin answered without evading her piercing gaze, her eyes wide open.

“Through my prayers to God, I was able to acquire this attire.”

“….”

The woman stared at Erin for a long moment—

Then, she covered her mouth in a pitiful tone and said.

“Well, I suspected that but this confirms it….”

“What do you mean…?”

“I have been hearing that there are many irreverent people these days.”

At that moment.

‘…!’

The guards behind her quickly surrounded Erin.

“Those who dare to falsely claim they have heard the voice of the deity.”

* * *

‘Ugh, I’m stifled.’

I let out a sigh as I immersed myself in the comic.

Why is the development like this?

Why is it so frustrating?

In these modern times, is there any need to drag out such a suffocating scene?

Such thoughts naturally led me to… ‘that thought.’

‘Ah… I want a sponsor.’