---

“Cough, cough!”

After a few coughs, I checked the final cut again.

The suddenly appeared new character, Iggon.

And his appearance is…

‘This… is me?’

No matter how many times I look, it’s definitely me.

To be precise, it’s a deformed version of me in a manga character form, I suppose?

Now that I think about it, I did say something like this.

[Please give me some money: May I dare to ask how the face of the one and only God Igguoqueden looks?]

[Igguoqueden: Me???]

[Igguoqueden: That profile picture was mine when I left a comment]

It’s been about three years, but it’s still my photo.

[Please give me some money: I see… this is Igguoqueden’s face]

[Please give me some money: This has been a great reference.]

[Please give me some money: Then, if you could fill in the content through the link I sent, I will immediately tell you ‘the world’s response’]

I wondered why they were asking for photos, but I never expected they’d put me in the mix…

Besides, his name is Iggon.

Is it derived from Igguoqueden?

Anyway, from the rough plot, it seems this time Eirene is experiencing some sort of vision.

Just like with Luka. It’s reasonable to see that Erin sent her into the fantasy world using the Bible.

For now, my character has appeared as one of the characters.

Eirene’s reactions also seem to indicate disbelief in the sudden rebellion, so it’s almost confirmed.

For reference, this author, despite the world having historical changes with ‘the dead cannot be resurrected,’ was quite strict about the rules it had established.

It didn’t seem likely that my character was born and genuinely appeared in the comic world.

Moreover, my sponsorship wasn’t about educational reform but rehabilitation.

If there’s a rebellion, it means she’s been educated in some way, but I doubt the author would ignore my opinion of ‘education drift.’

In other words, it seems I can safely assume this isn’t a real rebellion, right?

Still in the guessing stage, I have been watching this comic for quite some time, so I could make this much prediction.

Regardless, if my prediction is true, I don’t mind the plot itself that much…

Click, click.

I scrolled up to see my face and, feeling awkward, glanced around.

“Ugh, seriously.”

Eventually, I found myself stirring the cup with ice absently with a straw.

“I’m really at a loss. What the hell? You just insert me into a comic without any discussion. Shouldn’t you give me a proper heads-up, what a mess.”

Though that’s what I was thinking inside, I couldn’t help but let my lips curl up.

I replayed the scene where a character who looked exactly like me held Eirene’s white hand over and over again.

No way… this is…

Hmm…

Umm…

‘I… I’ll admit it.’

Honestly, it felt good.

I don’t know exactly how things will unfold, but to think that the opportunity for such a delightfully soft Eirene to rehabilitate was actually me?

Honestly, it feels like a delicious prospect! My instinct is responding intensely!

If this were a comic seen by many, it would be troubling, but frankly, this is a comic no one watches except for me.

The author was essentially earning money by completely fulfilling my requests, and that was the author’s sole income.

Moreover, considering that the characters here, just because it’s written in the Bible, let the nuns expose their chests, what’s wrong with reaching this level of absurdity now?

After all, this isn’t the real world, it’s just a comic!

‘…Wait a minute.’

At that moment.

I suddenly remembered the survey that I had started with some care but then suddenly became lazy and just whipped it up.

*

[How do you push yourself when times are tough?]

Sigh, there’s nothing to do, so I just do it.

[Do you have any unique tips for overcoming trials?]

There’s no such thing; just do it.

[What elements do you consider most important in human relationships? (multiple answers allowed)]

Trust.

[In the previous question, please explain why you think that.]

Without credit, relationships cannot be established.

[If Eirene is struggling due to the answer she provided above, what advice would you like to give her?]

It’s not a sin to trust people.

‘Why are there so many questions?’

It seems like the main topic is one thing, but there are too many branching questions.

Well, if I do it roughly, it should go well.

It’s a hassle. Just need to fill it out quickly and submit it.

The advice I want to give Eirene… just trust God.

To persuade someone who doesn’t believe… I don’t know how I’d know.

When it’s too hard and lonely… eat and sleep.

My motto is… what’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is mine.

In that way, I quickly filled out the dense questionnaire at an incredible speed of ten questions per minute.

*

And now.

At the moment when my character appeared, I suddenly felt a chilling sensation.

All those Q&As. There had to be a reason for making me do them.

‘…Nothing’s going to happen, right?’

* * *

The next morning.

Eirene sat at the table, deep in thought with a very serious expression.

This wasn’t solely due to the drastic decline in the quality of her bed—between a luxurious bed where you could succumb to a demon merely lying in it and a rough bed made from hard wood, this enormous gap played a part, but it wasn’t the only reason.

The things she had delayed judging out of the necessity to flee were slowly raising their heads, staring at Eirene.

—What on earth caused the rebellion?

There was no sign of it occurring, and it hit her suddenly.

Did Ares, who isn’t particularly noted for either action or political skill, really have the time to seize the capital’s defensive forces?

What happened to the two princesses and the vassals who followed me during this mess?

Had they hidden away, or… been dealt with already?

If not…

‘No way…!’

Did my sister’s children band together… to oust me?

She wanted nothing more than to hurry outside the palace to act, but not knowing the precise situation left her frozen.

Creak, the sound of the door opening suddenly revealed Iggon.

He was holding something like a basket in his hand.

“You’re awake, Lady Linashita. How was your sleep? It must have been harder than usual.”

Iggon set the basket close to the table.

Inside were bread, dried herring, and jerky among other food items.

“There’s a high chance it won’t suit your taste, but there should be no issue for a quick bite.”

“……”

Eirene pondered for a moment.

What if there’s poison in here, then…—

“There’s no poison or anything.”

“……!”

Iggon said this, then cut the bread in half before eating it first.

Beaming, he offered Eirene the remaining bread.

“See? There’s nothing, right?”

Eirene silently stared at the piece of bread.

…I’m hungry.

It’s true that she hurriedly fled the palace, so she wanted to eat something.

With the cold weather, she wanted something warm, but she had long since outgrown any complaints about such trivial matters.

“Thank you.”

Then, she chewed and swallowed the bread.

Though it was crumbly bread with no butter… still, isn’t this better than nothing?

As she nibbled at it, Iggon spoke to her in a serious tone.

“It’s probably best not to go outside for a while.”

Eirene feigned ignorance and asked.

“What’s going on?”

“It seems there’s been a rebellion.”

‘……’

Yeah. I knew that too.

I thought might know what’s really happening, but…

“Do you have any information?”

“I only heard a speech, but it seems Prince Ares and the capital defense knights, including General Bernheim, are all involved.”

‘What…!’

Bernheim Otomitia.

A general from the warlike Tur tribe of the northern continent, recognized for his abilities despite his undesirable lineage, he had been favored as the commander of the Royal Knight Order.

He joined the ranks of the rebels?

In an instant, I understood why the capital was seized so quickly. It wouldn’t be odd if he had a thick bond of loyalty among the soldiers.

Throwing caution to the wind despite the protests of vassals hesitant about his background, he turned around like this?

—Indeed, there isn’t a single trustworthy person.

Even though I hadn’t fully trusted him, the shock was hard to shake.

In the face of an unpleasant truth, all Eirene could do was barely suppress her expression.

“It seems the dethroned emperor is on the run right now. And, in the midst of that chaos, some prisoners waiting for trial in prison have escaped—”

As he spoke, he glanced at her.

Does this man think I’m one of those escaped prisoners?

Though my outfit is quite luxurious for a prisoner, it would make sense since nobles do not wear prison clothes until their guilt is confirmed.

“Don’t worry. I won’t hand you over or anything.”

“You’re quite generously giving me that assurance.”

“Well, it says so in the Bible. It advises to extend a dish of fact even to non-believers.”

“Do you firmly believe I’m a non-believer?”

“Yes. You’ve completely concealed this gloriously puffed up Holy Power Pouch of yours, haven’t you?”

“What…!!”

At his sudden comment, Eirene’s face slightly flushed.

How dare he say that…!

“W-What do you mean…?”

“?”

Even though it felt like communication wasn’t going smoothly, I grasped the context.

Guoden Church absurdly worships women’s chests. It’s written so in the Bible, but frankly, I didn’t want to know.

Perhaps as a religious person, this man could casually bring up such words without a care.

The humiliation of daring to toy with the emperor—under normal circumstances, it would be utterly intolerable…

‘But now, I must endure.’

Considering her situation, it was clear how to act.

She couldn’t be foolish enough to ruin everything over just being teased about her chest.

Now was precisely the time to grasp how the situation was unfolding.

“Anyway, since a rebellion has happened, it could be dangerous to wander around, so… it’s okay to lie low here for a while.”

Staying here is okay… I guess.

This area is on the outskirts of the castle. It would be a perfect spot to hide until the rebels are suppressed…

Eirene glanced carefully into Iggon’s eyes, then slowly parted her pink lips.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d be honest about your intentions.”

“Yes?”

“I mean, tell me what you desire. Given that you’re showing concern about my sleeping arrangements and food, I assume you have something in mind for me.”

Yeah. There’s surely something he wants.

For her, that was rather comfortable.

It’s odd to extend unfounded kindness without wanting anything in return.

“Must there always be something I desire?”

“Of course.”

“Can’t we just lend a helping hand to each other?”

“……I don’t trust people.”

Isn’t it ironic she put her trust in a general who has just betrayed her?

Her life has been one of disloyalty, where believing someone would always lead to being stabbed in the back.

Because she didn’t easily trust anyone, she was able to establish her foothold as the emperor.

“Um… how should I explain this?”

Iggon chuckled slightly, then said—

“Lady Linashita, you have very elegant lines, you know? You have a beautiful face.”

“……!!”

“You naturally look noble and graceful, so I thought you’d surely have quality sleeping arrangements and delicious meals, which is why I was concerned. I wondered if you were satisfied.”

Eirene blushed deeply, turning her head away in embarrassment at the compliment of being extremely beautiful.

What, what is this man suddenly saying to me?!

‘Is, is complimenting a woman’s face also something written in… the Bible??’

“I genuinely didn’t mean it to come off as ‘I’ll be nice to you with the hopes of getting something in return.’ I hope you believe that.”

Eirene bowed her head in silence.

Trust and all, but… it’s so embarrassing.

If she had to choose her retort, she could have done so, but right now, she wanted to quickly change the subject.

“Then… are you really just helping?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe it.”

“That’s okay. I believe Lady Linashita will understand in due time.”

Though Iggon smiled brightly as he said this, Eirene couldn’t comprehend.

He’d clearly want something.

Well… she couldn’t reveal anything now, but if things worked out, she would think of repaying him for helping her, so it would be better if he’d speak honestly.

If so, she could have asked him to reach out to the outside for her.

However, as long as he didn’t reveal his intentions, Eirene couldn’t completely open up either. There was uncertainty about when he might turn on her.

“I’ll say it once more, just helping me does not mean you should expect anything in return.”

SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1YUcyU0laODBPYTBadTZtc1BYQjlVQ1gvbzd6SkovSHMvZk9tazFmL1Zhbw

Even after saying that, it seemed he wouldn’t reveal his purpose.

Oh well, it doesn’t matter. After all, she wasn’t going to be here for long anyway.

‘With the rebellion unfolding, nearby territories would quickly gather troops. Based on the situation, I only need to find a way to escape. Once I endure until then, reclaiming the throne will be just a matter of time. Until then, I’ll just hide here.’

Eirene held onto her optimistic views, but—the situation began to flow differently than she thought.