Chapter 67

Chapter 7: Favor and Calculation

However, just because I said I would, it doesn’t mean my dispatch would happen the very next day.

To be precise, visiting another civilization wasn’t quite the same as sending a true diplomatic envoy.

If the Church had simply prepared a task force to tackle the Gate, that would’ve been much simpler, but here I am, a being ‘sent by the Church through government mediation.’

It may not overtly radiate a political message, but it’s a complex position that effectively carries diplomatic meaning while also serving the Church’s goal of ‘mission.’

“Can I just visit as a nun?”

After saying that, I saw so many people look at me as if to say, ‘What on earth are you talking about, Sister Anna…’ so I decided to wait in silence for the situation to resolve itself.

*

It seems the Church thought it was finally time to hold its head high, as they decided to form a ‘diplomatic group’ to accompany me beyond the Gate.

“…We’re not heading off to war, right?”

And the people labeled as this ‘diplomatic group’ were none other than the Knight Order clad in full plate armor.

A Knight Order made up of inquisitors.

Just to note, while it wasn’t my first time seeing them, somehow my impression was vastly different from when I heard the assessment of ‘they look like civil servants.’

“Sophie?”

At the forefront of the Knight Order was none other than Sophie. Oh, but at least Sophie wasn’t in armor. She was just accompanying me as one of the Saint Candidates.

“Don’t worry, Sister.”

Sophie smiled at me and said,

“These folks won’t head through the Gate fully armed. Of course, they’ll take minimal gear for protection, and the armor will be loaded separately, but basically, they’ll just look like a regular escort in ordinary clothes.”

Certainly, they were all women even if they were bulky. Each one looked like they could easily knock down anyone who stood in their way if they climbed onto any ring.

Ria was taller than me but somehow appeared much more delicate.

While I was flustered—

Thud.

One of the knights knelt in front of me.

I tried my hardest not to make a sound, but I can’t say I was successful at that.

No matter how much I came to accept my position, I still had no idea how to react when those around me lifted me up like this.

“I will do everything I can to ensure the Saint Candidate is not harmed.”

“….”

Now that it was here, saying no wouldn’t make them turn back.

With a small sigh, I ended up nodding my head.

*

After that, the Knight Order stayed at our Church.

The Church dorm itself was quite spacious with many rooms, so there weren’t any major issues. While orphans losing their parents or being abandoned continued to appear, not all of them came solely to our Cathedral.

It might be fair to say the Knight Order stayed, but strangely, Ria’s mood seemed to sharply decline ever since they had arrived.

“…What’s wrong?”

Ria was staring at me with a displeased expression, and I stopped what I was doing to ask her.

But Ria wasn’t looking at my face. To be precise, she was looking at my fingertips.

“Do you really have to do that?”

“….”

I looked down at what Ria was pointing at.

I was holding a sword. A pretty sizable two-handed sword that looked like it could come straight out of a medieval European drama.

It was a relatively enchanted item, but I wouldn’t call it extraordinary compared to my direct enchantments.

I wasn’t thinking of turning it into a holy relic, but it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared ahead of time.

“I mean, the people going with me to another world, right? It’s good to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.”

I’m okay with hurting someone else, but I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.

That applies to Ria and everyone else.

They probably would’ve thought the same way, even if it weren’t me.

At the very least, having this enchanted should help me block any incoming bullets.

“And I enchanted Ria’s sword too.”

Plus, I infused it with my Saint Power with a good measure of affection. I had high fever that evening from the effort.

Of course, I can’t do the same for every knight since there are so many of them.

Plus, Ria always fights while receiving my Saint Power. I’ve given her pre-made holy relics in the form of chocolate too.

“….”

But even with my words, Ria just sat there sulking, pouting her lips.

I paused my hand and tilted my head as I looked at Ria.

After pondering for a moment, I asked,

“Are you, perhaps, jealous?”

Ria’s reaction was immediate.

Her eyes, which had been glaring at the sword in dissatisfaction, snapped upward. With her brows knitted together, she seemed to say, ‘What do you mean by that?’ but I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

No, in fact, I laughed even harder.

“Why? Is this beautiful friend getting your attention making you jealous?”

“No, I’m not!”

Ria grumbled.

And again, she couldn’t meet my gaze, turning her eyes away to the side.

Oh dear.

That’s a bit cute. Frustratingly so.

I pondered whether it was appropriate to assess someone taller than me like that, but, well, whatever, I had no intentions of voicing it out loud. If Ria caught my weakness, she’d seize that opportunity to bite me right back.

“….”

In the midst of the brief silence, a gentle light filled the room. The last of the Knight Order’s swords was sanctified through my hands. The blade faintly glimmered with a soft glow.

“Huh.”

I let out a light breath.

Tiredness crept in. It wasn’t like I collapsed all at once as when I poured out all my powers, but it felt like I would deeply sleep tonight for sure.

“Or…”

As I stood up holding the sword, Ria opened her mouth.

“Did you receive some sort of prophecy again?”

This made me turn back to her.

“Huh?”

“Are you preparing ahead of time because you think something might happen again?”

Do I look like that?

…I suppose I might have.

If I hadn’t mentioned any prophecies before, she probably wouldn’t have even suspected anything, but now, after getting one right once, it’s hard to dismiss that possibility.

“….”

What is going to happen?

Of course, something will happen.

But that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen at this time. I never thought I’d be heading off to meet the Gnomes this quickly.

“That’s possible.”

So, I carefully opened my mouth. With utmost caution.

Ria’s attention was on me.

“How much can I tell you?”

“….”

That, I’m not sure.

Would it be best to tell her everything? But my knowledge still has a lot of limits. Ria wasn’t the type to spill secrets, but there’s no harm in being cautious.

After all, keeping prophecies unknown allows for better variable control.

Since I didn’t say anything, Ria let out a light sigh.

“If it’s a really dangerous prophecy, let me know ahead of time. That way, I can take precautions.”

“Well…”

“What? You’re not trying to suggest that it’s better for you to be sacrificed while others live, right?”

“….”

I bit my lip in silence.

Ria, looking incredulous, scoffed, before standing suddenly.

Then she came over and looked down at me.

With her head held high and only her gaze downwards, there was an intimidating aura.

Once I provide my Saint Power, she could easily deflect bullets coming at her with her sword. Beings like ‘Hunters’ or ‘Heroes’ were already a significant step beyond the capabilities of humans in the world I knew.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“You know, I’ve been the daughter of a hero since I was little.”

“That’s true.”

“So, I know. I’ve seen plenty of people think like that.”

“….”

Ria took a step closer. My chin lifted a little higher, and Ria looked down at me even more.

“If it comes to that kind of situation, you’d be more than willing to comply, right? You’re a rational and logical person, aren’t you?”

Ria’s face got a little closer.

As if trying to intimidate me.

“But, you know, if such a moment comes, it’s the same for me. I’m just as likely to fall into danger. If there’s a risk, I’d really prefer you to tell me in advance.”

“Ria.”

I smiled faintly.

Ria blinked at the sight of my expression, and her face that seemed to be scaring me cracked slightly.

I gently placed my hand on one of Ria’s cheeks.

“Ria. You don’t scare me at all talking like that.”

“Huh?”

“After spending so much time in the same room and sticking close like this, do you really think I wouldn’t be able to tell between your actual angry face and your fake angry face?”

…I only know Ria knows how to care for others because I’ve seen it in the original work.

Still, it made me a bit happy.

Ria’s face turned a bit red.

Ah, crap.

That’s cute.

Frustratingly so.

I pondered whether it’s appropriate to evaluate someone taller than me like that, but whatever, I had no intentions of voicing it out loud. If Ria caught my weakness, she’d seize that opportunity to bite me right back.

“So, don’t worry. If something does happen, I will definitely tell you first.”

“Ah, um, really…?”

It wasn’t a lie.

At the very least, I won’t let Ria die because of me.

But.

Still, if I had to choose between taking one from a hundred thousand or taking one from a hundred thousand again, I would choose the latter.

That one would, of course, be the person picking it.

And that person wouldn’t particularly think they were going to die in that situation either.

Choosing from a hundred thousand and making it into a new hundred thousand is surely a rational and reasonable action, right?

“And.”

As I moved my face closer to the still staring Ria, I said,

“Your face is completely red. Are you that embarrassed?”

“……!?”

Ria hurriedly pulled back.

I laughed out loud at her reaction and turned away.

….

The sensation I touched felt soft and squishy.

Who on earth called whom a glutinous rice cake hamster?