Chapter 203

“What did Ria ask your dad while following you around?”

Honestly, I had no clue how to respond to Ria.

“Hey, that armor looks great on you. Super cool!”

“Oh, really?”

Ria instantly brightened up.

I’ve noticed lately that not only has Ria been getting a bit more touchy-feely with me, but the slight psychological wall we had seems to be crumbling too.

That was definitely a good thing.

The armor Ria was wearing wasn’t dramatically different from the armor worn by the Inquisition’s Knight Order.

It was just way whiter and shinier. With my blessing sprinkled all over it, it practically sparkled.

“Is it uncomfortable?”

“Nah, I’ve just been wearing more casual gear while hanging out with you. It’s not like I’ve never worn armor before.”

Surely, the armor Ria sported had varied in size and style depending on the context and situation.

She raised her arms up and down like she was showing off.

Well, I doubt modern armor is as uncomfortable as it was back in the day. There must be all sorts of technologies involved. I decided to take her word for it.

Just for the record, I got some gear similar to armor too. Although it looked more like bulletproof vests than anything else.

I did learn how to shoot a gun and handle a sword, but that’s not really how I fight. I could only protect myself in dire situations or assist Ria a bit.

And currently, that was more than enough.

“Oh, by the way, Anna and Mari were asking about you.”

Another saint with the same name as mine from a different world.

No, a goddess.

And that goddess had just one follower.

So of course, there’d be stories to share in this scenario.

I nodded and walked alongside Ria.

Nearby, a large campsite was set up, giving off a strong vibe more akin to a modern military command than a medieval setting.

Knights were marching in formation, and Hunters with all sorts of quirky weapons strolled around. There was no mistaking the fantasy atmosphere here.

The tents for the high-ranking folks and the regular ones didn’t look much different at first glance. In reality, the insides weren’t that different either. Just more spacious spaces occupied by fewer people.

As I navigated through, soldiers, knights, and other folks turned their eyes towards me.

Some looked with awe, while others with curiosity. I shrank a little under the unfamiliar gazes—

Thump.

Ria lightly nudged my waist with her hand.

“Stand tall. Shoulders back.”

“……”

“You haven’t done anything wrong, right?”

Is that so?

I had my doubts.

Was I dragging people into unnecessary trouble? Should I have stopped when the government and church were fighting for support?

But we definitely needed strength. Not just my own but the strength of the people around me to repel the upcoming threats.

Keeping my mouth shut, I arrived at the tent where Anna and Mari were staying.

“You look pale. Like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Anna said that, as if trying to lighten my mood.

But her words just made me more tense.

I couldn’t tell Anna directly, but her world… faced dire consequences.

“However, the events ahead will surely differ from what I’ve experienced. In this world, there’s strength to rely on.”

“……Really?”

“Absolutely.”

She nodded as if affirming a prophecy.

The Church’s attitude towards Mari was, at best, one that can be labeled as “saint-like.” Nominally, she was in a position similar to mine now.

Yet at the same time, the Inquisition viewed the two with suspicion.

After all, it was already known that there was a goddess from another world.

There’s no rule stating there can only be one god in the world. If that being is considered a deity, then there could be more like them. But perhaps because of the old dogmas, the religious factions in this world were somewhat rigid about accepting new gods.

“I won’t say everything will go perfectly. The ways of the world are unpredictable.”

I could see a faint halo behind her. A silvery glow.

And that light seemed just a tad stronger. Maybe it was because the only goddess, Mari, was gathering her strength, or perhaps… more people had begun speculating, even if they didn’t voice it out loud, “Could this really be true?”

Somehow, I felt that both of them might not appreciate that latter situation all that much.

And the words that followed somewhat validated my thoughts.

“Surely, followers of Anna will emerge. Once they see Anna fighting over there, more will start to… ‘believe’.”

“……”

“Honestly, I can’t say much. I have failed. But I want to give some advice in advance. Blind faith—”

“Could turn from a symbol into an idol.”

“……Absolutely.”

I closed my eyes.

And when that idol collapses, faith will crumble alongside it. This doesn’t merely mean ’fewer people believing in me.’

They’ll betray, seek alternatives, and create something to establish a clear emblem.

Ironically, in that process, the idol could be resurrected, and the fragments rebuilt, or perhaps there would be those who shift even further away.

“There’s no way to completely prevent that. Everyone craves belief. Responding to that is, in a sense, an obligation.”

As Ria seemed about to say something, I turned my gaze towards her. Seeing my expression, she closed her mouth.

“However…”

Anna spoke up.

“You mustn’t get consumed by that purpose alone. Ignoring that calling might be tough…”

“—I know.”

I responded as calmly as I could.

I didn’t want this.

From my past life, I detested being burdened with responsibilities others wanted to push on me. Those who blame me for the original sin and the law that the Messiah had already taken on, those who seek to shun that reality—I didn’t like it.

I couldn’t make it to the top due to my lack of ability, but even if I could, I wouldn’t have gone that way. I didn’t want the responsibility.

But if I reject everything just because I didn’t want it, what would happen if I said to stop after coming this far?

No matter how it all began, I was here now.

Such a choice wouldn’t lead to a happy ending.

“…I see.”

Anna closed her eyes and exhaled softly.

“Then, I’ll just be here to help as much as I can. I owe you for saving Mari.”

Not that I was told to repay it.

It was just that someone had fallen along the path I intended to take—ah, explaining is just tiring now.

Furthermore, I felt that Anna probably already figured all of this out.

…Even the one referred to as a goddess didn’t believe her power was truly hers.

Would the higher-ups feel that way too?

*

As I stepped out of the tent, I saw the Knight Order waiting outside, as if they had sensed something.

All of them were donned in shining platinum armor, each resembling a knight from old tales rescuing a princess.

It was likely because I was a woman; they were all female.

Among them, someone who appeared to be their leader stepped forward. A knight with hair styled in an elegant wave.

Yeah, there’s no way to describe her other than knight. She looked Asian but simultaneously had a vibe that hinted at mixed heritage.

“Sister.”

It was a common term used when addressing fellow nuns, yet here this knight knelt down before me.

Thud.

The other knights made similar sounds and stood in formation. It was impressive how they could make the same noise while already standing straight.

“I am Berena from the Inquisition’s Knight Order.”

“Sister Berena.”

“Yes. I feel honored to support you at the forefront in this battle.”

“……”

My face reflected in her clear eyes.

The word ‘battle’ made me feel a little uneasy. These people were already making it sound like there was certainty in the fight ahead.

The looming future felt frightening.

Now the day when I’d actually step into that other side was fast approaching.

In the original story, I never even considered crossing over. I had no idea what awaited me there.

And yet here were people who were putting their lives on the line just for my name.

They’d cross over and swing their swords in the name of the god and in my name.

Though I hadn’t quite reached the status of being a saintess yet, to them, I had already become one.

Much closer than an unknown god but a living symbol.

I stood tall. Shoulders back.

“I see.”

And I replied as composed as I could.

Paying the price for that belief was my duty.

With a slight glow, the surroundings brightened. It wasn’t light from above, but a force flowing through me.

I decided not to dwell on what it might be.

“……Ah.”

The knight looked up at me with sparkling eyes.

Even though it was the first time she’d seen me, she was gazing at me with such admiration.

They would surely fight well. I genuinely believed that.

In some way or another, belief is something people create blindly.

That thought instilled a sense of fear in me.