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“Mi-rae, wake up now. Mi-rae?”

“Ugh, mm…”

At the sound of Yoo-jin’s voice calling her, Shin Mi-rae slowly opened her eyes and sat up.

“…Are we already there?”

“Yeah. You must have been really tired? You slept like a corpse.”

“What about that person…?”

“That person? Oh, Desmond?”

Upon hearing that Desmond had gotten off at the crossroads a bit earlier for another appointment, Mi-rae let out a sigh of relief.

However, when Yoo-jin mentioned that his destination was also Yorn, Mi-rae asked in surprise.

“Wait, he came to Yorn too? Why?”

“He has a scholar he needs to meet in Yorn. Oh, and he’s also visiting our orphanage in three days. It seems he has something to discuss with a certain uncle as well?”

“…Is that true?”

“Mi-rae, what’s wrong? You don’t look so well.”

Concerned that Yoo-jin might think she was just car sick, Mi-rae finally spoke about Desmond, whom she had missed the timing to mention earlier.

Desmond, that man is an inquisitor.

“Oh, what? That’s what it was?”

Yet Yoo-jin took it lightly.

“Don’t worry. There are different types of inquisitors. Desmond is primarily a researcher who studies doctrinal differences between sects. He’s not the type to hunt down and interrogate heretics.”

“I know that, but still, he is an inquisitor. It can’t hurt to be careful.”

“Why should we be careful? He hasn’t caused any trouble, has he?”

“Well—”

Because he might hear my prayers and consider me a heretic with false beliefs.

Unable to explain the truth, Mi-rae could only stay silent.

Yoo-jin urged her not to worry and suggested they quickly head home.

…Yeah, home.

Once at home, she would discuss this with Kim Jae-hyuk. The conversation would undoubtedly include Desmond, as well as the worries she had long kept to herself.

After riding the carriage for about another day, Mi-rae and Yoo-jin finally arrived in the southern city of Yorn in the empire.

Their hometown, the Veloche Orphanage, was located on the outskirts of Yorn. It took about half a day to walk there, so by the time they arrived, the sun was setting behind the mountains.

“Head Nun, we’re back!”

“Welcome back!”

“Oh my, Yoo-jin! Mi-rae!”

In the late evening, the Head Nun greeted them with a beaming smile and open arms. Even though Yoo-jin was now a grown adult, she ran into the nun’s embrace like a child.

“I missed you, Head Nun!”

“Oh my, I thought you’d matured now, but Yoo-jin, you’re still a little kid, aren’t you?”

“Hehe, it’s been a while since I came home, so I’m allowed to act a little spoiled for a few days!”

“Sure, do as you like. I’m just glad to see you’re doing well.”

With a bright smile, Yoo-jin chatted cheerfully with the Head Nun. Watching this from a distance, Mi-rae felt a warm sensation in her heart as the nun turned to her with a kind smile and asked,

“Mi-rae, how have you been? How’s your university life?”

“…Yes, I’ve been well too.”

That smile made Mi-rae feel a warmth filling the corner of her heart.

Having arrived in this world at the age of ten, Veloche Orphanage was essentially her second home. By the mere volume of her remaining memories, she had far more memories with the Head Nun than she did with her parents from her original world.

-Sigh…

Thus, as Mi-rae stepped onto the threshold of the orphanage and inhaled the air, she felt a deep sense of stability.

All those worries, anxieties, and fears she had held onto.

She felt as if she could temporarily set aside those unresolved issues, making room for a sense of relief. A light smile appeared on Mi-rae’s face—a rare, carefree smile after a long time.

“Listen, Head Nun! Can you believe it? Mi-rae, she hasn’t missed a day volunteering since she enrolled! Because of that, the staff have been saying she’s the reincarnation of a saint!”

“Wait, a saint? I’ve never been called anything that exaggerated…!”

“Of course, they wouldn’t call you that in front of you! Or are you embarrassed by the title of saint or something?”

“Of course I am! I can’t even handle my own duties properly, and they call me a saint… Who’s been calling me that anyway?”

“I’m never telling~”

Watching the two of them bicker playfully, the Head Nun chuckled softly.

Yoo-jin and Mi-rae were particularly mature among the children at the orphanage. While Kim Jae-hyuk’s diligent early education might have played a part, the Head Nun sensed something fundamentally different about them compared to other children.

Other orphans had lost their parents. But the two of them had lost not only their parents but their homeland itself. The Head Nun often felt the maturity stemming from that difference.

The maturity of these children brought about convenience in upbringing, but it also evoked a sense of sadness.

How many times had she thought about how wonderful it would have been if these children could have grown up under the loving hands of parents instead of forcing themselves to act like adults while trying to overcome painful scars?

Particularly, unlike the always cheerful Yoo-jin, Mi-rae’s quiet nature made the Head Nun feel that she had unspeakable worries.

And that concern continued even after the two became adults and became independent. While they had certainly entered the Sacred University with ease thanks to Jae-hyuk’s education, the Head Nun often worried that they might be pursuing college as if they were running away from something.

However.

Seeing the two smiling peacefully like this, she began to think that perhaps they would be fine.

Although they had received irreparable wounds as children, and would carry those scars into their future.

If they had a sister to lean on and a home to return to when needed, maybe they would be able to overcome things somehow.

“Alright, it’s getting cold, let’s hurry inside.”

As she said that, the Head Nun silently prayed.

Yoo-jin and Mi-rae.

May the protection of the divine be with these cute and lovable two for all time…

*

That night.

After finishing some work at a nearby chapel, Kim Jae-hyuk looked for both Yoo-jin and Mi-rae.

-Knock, knock.

“Come in!”

As he opened the door, he found the two who hadn’t gone to bed yet, sitting on their respective beds. This was the room they had shared until last year, and now each had a magic lamp lit between their beds while they read books.

“Ah, Uncle!”

“You’re here?”

“Yeah, you both must be tired from your long journey. I thought about greeting you all tomorrow, but it seems like you’re still awake.”

The two sat up in their beds at Kim Jae-hyuk’s entrance. While it might have been embarrassing to see two grown young ladies in disheveled pajamas, they seemed completely unfazed by it.

After all, if the Head Nun was like a second mother to them, then Jae-hyuk was like a second father. And it was the same for him.

“I heard about you from acquaintances. Especially you, Yoo-jin, you’ve become quite a celebrity in college! Are you considering becoming a professor?”

“I wouldn’t mind that. I’ve actually been approached by a few professors with job offers.”

“I’ve also heard about you, Mi-rae. It might not be obvious to you, but good things have been said about you among those involved. You’re being touted as a rare, devout candidate for clergy in these times.”

“It’s not that much. I’ve just been volunteering in my free time and praying.”

And behind those actions lay her doubts, anxiety, and fears. Looking up at Kim Jae-hyuk, Mi-rae casually slipped in,

“Uncle, if you have time, I’d like to consult with you for a moment.”

“Consult?”

“If you’re too tired, we can always postpone it till tomorrow.”

Kim Jae-hyuk looked at Mi-rae in surprise.

He had known for some time that she was harboring some significant worries. Yet, despite telling her to voice any concerns she had, she had always declined.

So why was she requesting a consultation now?

The shift in her attitude brought him joy but also wariness. If she had finally decided to share her burdens with him, it could indicate that her situation had worsened to a point where she couldn’t handle it on her own.

And that concern soon manifested into reality moments later.

“…So, Desmond. So something happened with that man.”

As they stepped out of the bedroom, they chatted in the now-empty room. Once the story was out, Jae-hyuk spoke to her with a serious expression.

“First of all, regarding the concerns you have… like the truthfulness of your faith. You don’t need to worry. At least as far as I know, in the last few hundred years, there hasn’t been a case of gods intervening directly to punish their followers.”

The gods in this world had not revealed themselves since the Great War, fought over a thousand years ago.

Of course, there had been ongoing interactions sufficient to maintain faith. High-ranking clergy of each denomination received messages from the gods in the form of oracles, directing how the world should proceed.

However, it was unlikely that a mere believer would face divine punishment for their doubts. Jae-hyuk was confident of that.

For good reason.

“Me being alive is proof of that.”

Jae-hyuk had lived much longer in this world than the two of them.

And like Mi-rae, he did not genuinely believe in the gods. In fact, he possessed a lower quality of faith than Mi-rae since he didn’t even feel guilt about it.

Yet despite that, he had never been punished by the gods.

Mi-rae was aware of this fact, but when Jae-hyuk spoke with such assuredness, she felt a bit reassured.

“Anyway, faith ultimately revolves around personal conscience, so there’s no need to overthink it. However, being involved with an inquisitor might be somewhat dangerous.”

“They told me that not everyone labeled as an inquisitor is dangerous…”

“Of course, they would say that. And in fact, it’s true. The empire is a place that tends to be lenient in interpreting scripture and accepting doctrinal differences. There are hardly any heretics in this land to weed out and interrogate.”

In reality, people often called each other heretics over doctrinal or sect differences among those worshiping the same god, but fundamentally, this world tolerated a variety of faiths.

Regardless of worshiping a different god or having differing opinions on scriptures, it was usually accepted.

Truly serious cases, such as worshiping gods that don’t exist at all or interpreting scriptures in vastly over-zealous ways for personal gain, were different. However, it was uncommon for a typical faithful person to be suddenly accused of being a heretic.

But.

“Our case is a bit different. We became clergy to leverage the authority of the gods without truly believing in them. If we are discovered, it won’t end well.”

This was part of the reason Jae-hyuk had chosen to step back from his path to becoming a high-ranking clergyman and semi-retire.

While he could have risen to become high-ranking clergy, that increase in rank would subsequently lead to increased direct contact with the gods. Thus, he had intentionally given up his career at a relatively young age.

“I heard you eavesdropped on someone’s prayer… Right? Since prayers tend to carry a strong confessional nature, a regular person wouldn’t raise an issue even if they overheard sensitive content, but of all people, it was an inquisitor…”

“You know Desmond, right? What kind of person is he?”

“Honestly, this is my first time meeting him. The only public knowledge is that he’s affiliated with the unified Inquisition and is very capable. Well, that capability refers to his abilities as a researcher.”

“So is there a possibility he might be a dangerous inquisitor for us…?”

“I can’t say for certain. While he’s competent as a researcher, there’s also the possibility that he might reveal his ‘true’ self when dealing with heretics.”

-Thud.

At those words, Mi-rae’s knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor. The vague fear she had been feeling began to sink in as a stark reality set in.

“Don’t worry too much. Just as that man mentioned to you, nowadays there’s only about one inquisitor in a hundred who actually conducts heresy investigations. Plus, if he sensed something suspicious from you, he would’ve approached you much sooner. He wouldn’t have waited for several months.”

“R-really…? Is that so…?”

At Mi-rae’s anxious question, Jae-hyuk silently sat across from her and gently patted her back. That tender gesture brought a few tears from Mi-rae, and she buried her face in his embrace.

“Will we be okay, Uncle? We won’t get caught…?”

“…When I meet him the day after tomorrow, I’ll try to gauge his intentions at least. If it feels too dangerous, we can all just run away together.”

Jae-hyuk too had prepared for when things went awry. He whispered softly to reassure Mi-rae.

“…Thank you for saying that, Mi-rae. You’ve been grappling with these worries all this time, haven’t you? It must have been tough. But now you’re okay. Uncle will help you.”

“I’m sorry. If I had just spoken up a little sooner, maybe…”

“It’s not your fault. Meeting Desmond was just a coincidence. It’s best to think of it as simply bad luck.”

Kim Jae-hyuk gently stroked Mi-rae’s back, who was still in his embrace.

“Don’t be afraid. We’ll definitely survive. We’ll survive and return to our original world. For sure.”

Those words were meant for Mi-rae, but also a promise to himself.

“Alright, it’s getting late, so let’s get some sleep.”

“…Yes, Uncle.”

With her eyes red from tears, Mi-rae nevertheless nodded with a smile on her face. That expression reminded Jae-hyuk of his daughter he had left behind.

Kim Jae-hyuk had a daughter. A daughter he had never even called “daddy,” as she had been dragged into the dimensional rift when she was less than a month old.

If that child had grown well, would she be around the same age as Mi-rae? Even thinking like that, he couldn’t even imagine it. The face of his wife, whom he had intended to be with for a lifetime, was now fading from his memory.

He had been almost thirty years in this world since then.

The promise to return to his original world and see his family had now almost turned into a feeling of regret. Rather, what was precious to Kim Jae-hyuk now were the two in front of him: Mi-rae and Yoo-jin.

Thus, he resolved.

No matter what happens, even if he were to lose his life.

He would ensure that these two girls would return safely to the embrace of their original families.

“Nice to meet you. You must be Senior Magus Jae-hyuk, right? I’m Desmond.”

With that deep-seated determination in his heart, two days later, Jae-hyuk met Desmond.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jae-hyuk. I don’t have a surname.”

“Same here, Magus. I never expected to meet a commoner like you in a religious sector dominated by noble scions. Ah, but I’ve heard of your competence in the central power struggle.”

“Well, I’m currently half-retired from the power struggle. Now, I’m just a small chapel manager in a small town.”

“Perhaps walking the path of the clergy here in the outskirts is a more righteous path than trying to hold onto your position amidst the heel-digging politics of the center. Oh, but that last comment is a secret, alright? I still want to benefit from the central politics for now!”

Ha ha ha, Desmond laughed jokingly, though Jae-hyuk swallowed dryly.

Desmond left a very good first impression. He kept things polite while breaking the ice with light humor. He didn’t forget to show respect for his counterpart. Even with only a few exchanged words, it was quickly apparent to Jae-hyuk that he was a good person.

However.

What if all of that was an act?

That thought sent a chill down his spine.

Desmond must have had to meet a variety of people as a researcher. It was only natural that he would have acquired the skills to navigate human relationships.

And those skills would surely assist him when he acted as a ‘real’ inquisitor. An inquisitor must first lower his opponent’s defenses and penetrate deep into their hearts to detect heretics.

“Shall we go to my office then? I’ve already pulled the materials from the archive for you.”

“Sorry for troubling you. I urgently need the authoritative insight from a magus like you for our upcoming research. I’m afraid I’ll have to learn from you.”

Upon arriving at his office, Jae-hyuk saw the piles of documents stacked high on his desk. Desmond seemed both impressed and a bit overwhelmed, laughing as he turned to Jae-hyuk.

“You reached out just a few days ago; did you manage to review all this in that short time?”

“Honestly, I remembered most of it already. After leaving the central area, time has been abundant, so I’ve had more opportunities to read.”

“That’s truly impressive. It’s such a loss that such talent was driven out of the center because of power struggles.”

As he spoke, Desmond added an “ah,” and asked nonchalantly.

“Speaking of which, I heard that one of the new students at the Sacred University is under your guardianship. I bumped into a student named Yoo-jin or Mi-rae on my way here.”

So he’s directly asking that part. Jae-hyuk forced a benevolent smile upon his face, responding casually,

“Yes, both are kind and devout kids.”

“They are indeed. One of them is said to be a genius rarely born in a century. The other is diligent in volunteering every single day and devoted to her faith. I had a brief chat with them on the carriage ride, and they were as nice and devout as the rumors suggest.”

“Is that so?”

“However, since they’re still under twenty, they seem to be having some troubles even if they appear to be doing well in university. I wonder if the magus knows about any of this?”

“Well, I’ve always told the children they can come to me if they have any hard times, but they’re adults now. It wouldn’t be odd if they had a few worries that they might not share with me. What kind of worries do you think they have?”

In this case, instead of merely observing, it would be better to step in and proactively see how the other party responds.

At Jae-hyuk’s question, Desmond subtly gauged his reaction, then quietly said,

“…I happened to overhear Mi-rae praying in the prayer room. She was trembling as she pleaded for forgiveness and mercy from the gods. Now, I’ve prayed for penance before, but what I overheard then was beyond the norm.”

“Mi-rae has always been a cautious child. Yoo-jin has a bright personality and can let things go easily, while Mi-rae tends to mull over things too much. Plus, given her strong faith, she might feel excessive guilt over trivial mistakes.”

“Are you suggesting this purely comes from her personality?

Desmond’s query had a sharp edge to it as he looked at Jae-hyuk, whose earlier demeanor had changed to one of levity.

“…What are you implying?”

Are you suggesting that Mi-rae committed heretical acts or turned apostate against the gods?

Considering he was dealing with an inquisitor, it was inevitable that the underlying meaning of those words would lean in that direction.

If the conversation were to drift that way, Jae-hyuk would take the first opportunity to escape the empire with both girls in an instant.

Once the inquisitor harbored suspicions, there would be no peaceful resolution. Moreover, if it were revealed through the sacred magic of a high clergyman that they hailed from another world, it could lead to them being branded as heretics and punished simply for that knowledge.

“Since you’ve put it that way, I’ll be direct.”

However.

“Magus, did you perhaps pressure Mi-rae and Yoo-jin into submission for the sake of preserving your power?”

Desmond’s words surprised Jae-hyuk entirely, as they were entirely different from his expectations.