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* * *

[ #Igguquququgoden: Phew, finally sorted everything out. ]

[ #Umseot: Master Gil, are you really quitting the game this time? T_T ]

[ #LobbyNoCheese: Anyone got cheese? ]

[ #Umseot: If Master Gil leaves, our guild’s average power will plummet… ]

[ #Igguquququgoden: Yeah, lol. It’s just not fun anymore, I’ve done everything, and I’m tired of it all. ]

[ #Igguquququgoden: Plus, I’ve spent way too much money. ]

[ #NoFuture: Isn’t this WWE? ]

[ #Igguquququgoden: Nope, it’s UFC. ]

[ #Igguquququgoden: This isn’t a game; I should throw in the towel. ]

[ #Umseot: Seeing you dispose of all your gear makes it seem like you’re really quitting… ]

[ #LobbyNoCheese: Anyone got cheese? ]

[ #Dapdu: Sob, if the big spender leaves, who am I supposed to sell my loot to now… ]

[ #Igguquququgoden: Lol, Dapdu, you should start living in reality too; this game is hopeless. ]

[ Confirmed)Dumdol: I’ll buy Freya set items above +20, except gloves@@@@@@@ Whisper me. ]

[ #Igguquququgoden: Spending all day staring at the same screen, clicking the keyboard, killing monsters… ]

[ #Igguquququgoden: But well… ]

[ #Igguquququgoden: The time spent with you all was enjoyable. ]

[ #JudyuJudyu: T_T ]

[ #LobbyNoCheese: Anyone got cheese? ]

[ #NoFuture: Is that guy just here to beg for cheese? ]

[ #LobbyNoCheese: Why ask for cheese? Just give me some. ]

[ #JudyuJudyu: I’ll give you some cheese, Gastor. ]

[ #LobbyNoCheese: Thanks, there’s 10 in my stash. ]

[ #Igguquququgoden: Anyway, everyone, make sure to escape safely… I’m leaving first~~ have fun, bye bye. ]

[ #NoFuture: Alright, Igguqugoden, see you at the summer event. ]

[ #Igguquququgoden: Ugh. ]

Today was a sad yet refreshing day.

It was the day I quit the online game I had devoted years to.

In truth, it had already been several months since I decided to quit.

In the past, I would at least feel some dopamine hitting me, but now it was just sucking my money dry with zero thrill.

Still, I kept on playing because of loyalty to my guild members, some affection for the game, and simply out of habit.

Yeah. Habit.

Like a pesky habit that one can’t quit after starting just once, I would habitually log in, click buttons, and hunt monsters.

I had actually tried quitting several times.

Money was consuming me, and I should have maintained some moderation.

But with the overly toxic payment system, I thought I should quit quickly, yet I always returned like a salmon swimming upstream to type in guild chat, “Recruiting for a raid to celebrate revival!!!”

But now, I could actually quit. I no longer had to squeeze out dopamine like wringing a dry rag just to get a few drops!

“I can get my dopamine elsewhere.”

For half, or even one-tenth, maybe even one-hundredth of what I spent on this game, I could enjoy daily scenes of voluptuous smiling girls calling me a god?!

Isn’t that an insane situation to the point where I could almost hear exciting EDM music echoing from somewhere beyond?!

Anyway, I entrusted the guild master position to someone I could trust and sold all my items for cash.

As a result, I managed to gather enough money to not feel burdened by sponsorship for a while.

I had poured so much into this garbage game.

As it is with every game, I couldn’t reclaim everything I invested… But the remaining amount could just be viewed as the cost for enjoying the game; there’s no other way to think about it. I didn’t play to make money.

“Alright. For the time being, funds should not be an issue.”

That said, I wasn’t thinking of splurging recklessly with that money.

I wanted to enjoy this manga for as long as I could.

Back when I was with Luka, I splurged due to emotions, but spending big money every time dulls the thrill of enjoying the manga.

Taking my time to check, “Is this really all there is?” and only spending money at the right moments makes it way more fun than simply throwing it all out from the start!

And I am a god. If a god whips around carelessly, the world becomes chaotic. I think it’s time I became aware of my responsibilities as a god.

I’m quite serious, so I should avoid being labeled as over-immersed.

At that moment…

Ding!

Checking my phone triggered by the alarm, I saw a notification that the next episode had been uploaded.

“Here it comes!”

Now, let’s see today’s manga!

Was the latest chapter about the three of them being appointed as Holy Knights?

With a much lighter heart, I clicked on the next episode.

* * *

After the appointment ceremony of the Holy Knight Plate.

The three people who had just met started introducing themselves to one another.

“I am Ophilia Translerente, who will be your companion as a Holy Knight Plate from now on. Lady Luka, Lady Linea. I look forward to working with you.”

“I am Luka Hebnisian. I may be the weakest among us here, but… I’ll do my best so that I do not hold you back.”

“I am Linea von Einsberg. I would appreciate it if you could treat me as an equal companion without regard for my status.”

“I see! So you are the renowned Lady Linea. It is an honor to meet you. And, Lady Luka. You mentioned that you were second place at Rufrantia Academy?”

“That’s correct.”

“Do you perhaps know Irina? She graduated at the top of her class in the same year as you.”

“We are close friends. Do you know her by any chance?”

“Indeed. We studied mathematics together when we were young. So, Irina’s friends are also my friends! I hope we will get along well!”

“I too shall learn a lot from you, Lady Ophilia.”

With a radiant smile, Ophilia extended her hand, which Luka took.

“By the way, there was something I was personally curious about…”

In this way, it was Ophilia’s role to break the ice in their conversation.

The emotion reflecting in her golden eyes shone with curiosity.

She had a talent for swordsmanship but was quite late in learning about knowledge. Hence, she often asked questions casually to those around her without hesitation.

Even questions that might make one think, ‘Is it okay to ask this?’ would spill out without a thought, leaving some people in her company feeling exhausted—

“Interesting…! Truly, Lady Luka. There’s so much I can learn from the second-best at Rufrantia Academy.”

“That’s too much praise, Lady Ophilia.”

Fortunately, they seemed to resonate quite well.

Linea watched the two in silence.

Normally, she might have thought that, as Eirene had said, she should keep an eye on these two and ultimately aim to become a Holy Knight alone—but circumstances had changed, and Eirene was now more devoted than anyone to the Guoden Church. It was clear that raising unnecessary disputes in this situation wouldn’t be taken lightly by her.

Even so, Linea couldn’t easily open her heart. She knew the world was shifting toward an ideal direction, but the fear she felt from her mother and sister hadn’t completely faded from her heart.

At that moment…

“You were here, everyone.”

The being they were meant to protect, Saint Erin, approached, cradling the Bible.

As she walked closer, the overwhelming Holy Power Pouch swayed continuously.

“From now on, you will live in the Cathedral. Private rooms have been prepared for the three of you, and if you have preferences regarding food, feel free to talk to the nun in charge. I will inform you as soon as missions arise, so in the meantime, I would appreciate it if you could rest and stabilize your minds and bodies.”

“”Yes!””

“And…”

Erin looked at the faces of the three in turn before eventually landing her gaze on Linea.

“Thank you once again for accepting the sudden appointment as Holy Knight Plate without refusal. As I mentioned, forcing religion is not what God Igguoqueden desires. I believe everyone has different paces for accepting the divine will. So, please do not feel burdened… Take it slowly. Really slowly, and I hope you can feel the simple facts of the divine. Understood?”

Linea quietly lowered her head.

Erin knew as well. That she wasn’t particularly devout. Saying so much was perhaps her way of showing her concern for me. If not, then—

“I will heed your words, Saint.”

“Good. Now, everyone follow me this way.”

* * *

After each was assigned their room.

It was the moment they arrived in front of the last remaining door, Ophilia’s room.

“Saint! I have something I want to ask.”

“Are you talking to me? Of course! Feel free to ask me anything.”

Ophilia deeply bowed and expressed her respects like a true knight with a very polite tone.

In truth, among the three, Ophilia’s belief in God was likely the most intense.

Naturally, she was the one who revered the saint and maintained her etiquette the best.

“Recently, everyone I’ve met who has seen the saint has talked about the unique Almighty Igguoqueden’s… profound…”

“Simple facts, you mean?”

“Ah, yes! I heard that people felt the simple facts, but… is that true?”

Even with Ophilia’s remarkably basic mistake, Erin didn’t scold and smiled kindly in response.

“That’s right. The simple facts of Igguoqueden have guided many onto the path of enlightenment.”

Upon hearing those words, Ophilia excitedly clutched her golden robes and tapped her chest several times.

“Could I possibly have the opportunity to experience that as well?”

“Are you referring to me, Lady Ophilia? You, Lady Ophilia, have been chosen by Igguoqueden, so there’s really no need to experience the simple facts through me… but…”

“Well, it’s a rather embarrassing thing to say, but… I’m much slower in learning compared to others. I made a mistake just a moment ago… so, I want to experience a miracle of the divine here so that I can truly embody the worthy Holy Knight Plate and no longer be a disgrace to my companions. If it’s okay with you, I hope you can allow it.”

Erin smiled wryly at Ophilia’s words.

“Given the will of Igguoqueden that has chosen you, it must indeed be divine will. Since you’ve explicitly said you wish to receive the simple facts directly, how could I refuse?”

“Then…!”

“Come this way, Lady Ophilia. I will show you that the simple facts of God… are truly wonderful and magnificent…!”

With that, Ophilia knelt beside Erin who brought the Bible close to her chest before rubbing it multiple times against the Holy Power Pouch… Slowly bringing it to Ophilia’s forehead.

At that moment, a pure white light spilled out from the Bible, engulfing Ophilia entirely.

And… minutes later.

As the light faded, Erin slowly pulled the Bible away.

“What do you think, Lady Ophilia…? The divine’s wonderfully exhilarating yet simple facts?”

“Um…”

Ophilia slowly raised her head.

Her golden eyes were trembling.

From Erin’s point of view, this wasn’t an unusual sight. Those who experienced ‘a miracle of the divine’ often reacted like this, trembling and shocked while shedding tears as they witnessed the simple facts of Igguoqueden penetrating every nook and cranny inside them.

However—

“Um… is it over?”

“Yes…?”

“So, I closed my eyes for a moment when the light shone from the Bible and opened them again… but, is it over?”

“…???”

—A totally unexpected reply had flowed out of Ophilia’s mouth.