레브 gasped, “Huff!” He set down the pudding he was holding, stared blankly at the fading messages, and tears began to fall.

[ Congratulations! ]

[ Lena’s dream has come true. ]

[ True Ending 1/2: Receive a blessing from Lena! ]

What a massive misunderstanding I had. Making Leah a princess was not the goal of this game.

[ Raising Lena ]

The deity, our God, commanded us Leos to fulfill Lena’s dreams. That much was clear.

It was now autumn, and the time for the apprentices at the Monastery Church training facility to graduate was approaching. Leah… Leah had become a priest.

Priest Leslie had predicted it would take Leah at least three years to become a priest. That estimation was already optimistic based on Leah’s solid foundation, but perhaps the achievement of ‘Twenty Photos’ had influenced it; Leah achieved her dream in just two years, providing us with a true ending while we floundered.

Leah wanted to be a priest.

No matter how much we tried to make her a princess, Leah charged ahead towards her dream. The Lenas drifted further from the game clear. Minseo found the Lenas frustrating, while I resented Leah for wanting to become a priest…

Reb buried his face in his hands. I couldn’t bear to look at Lena Ainar, who was wearing an apron and making pudding instead of armor. This Lena, who was now cooking with her once-calloused hands softened—

A failure. Just like that egg pudding.

She wanted to become a knight.

Though she was a quirky Lena whose path was unpredictable, her heart remained steadfast. Until Leo Dexter became a Swordmaster. As Leah blessed me for achieving her dream, it was the last piece of the true ending, just like this Lena wanted—

“I dream of becoming a knight and marrying you. So I was trying to delay it on purpose. Sorry. Won’t it be tough to become a knight after becoming a mom?”

She had a dream of becoming a knight alongside her brother, a long time ago, with a flushed face, she shyly confessed to us.

Then what about our sibling… our sibling?

Reriana, who wandered the streets with her brother, wanted to have a home. In the second round, she had proudly presented a box full of gold coins and said—

“This is my money. With this, I can buy a really nice house!”

…she said it with her ridiculously bright face.

We’ve come a long way around.

Only when I was faced with the impossible throne did I realize. If Leah’s exceptionally quick wits hadn’t stopped us from leading her down the wrong path, we would have gone even farther off course. There was a reason Ashin warned Ceres not to contact her.

“Reb, what’s wrong?”

With tears in his eyes, Reb looked up at Leo Dexter. “Is it so bad it makes you cry?” Lena Ainar asked, not understanding the words as she confessed that the true ending had appeared. That condition was what fulfilled Lena’s dream.

Leo looked like he had been struck. Despairing, he watched Lena take the remaining pudding with a dejected expression and screamed, filled with rage.

“Ah!!! Aaaahhhh!!! Aaaaaaaah!!!”

The table he slammed shattered.

Lena’s painstakingly made dishes flew up, crashing down with a clatter! Leo twisted his body.

“You, you, you…!!”

Leo Dexter stammered in rage. It looked like he was about to swing a punch at Reb, but instead grabbed the arm of Lena, who had rushed over in her apron.

“Get away!”

A crowd of students rushed in. Leo roughly shoved them aside and dragged Lena away.

“Why are they acting like that?”

“They’re a bit of a weird couple sometimes. Are all northern people like that? Let’s not end up like them, Vann.”

Reb could do nothing. He just gazed blankly at Leo and Lena, who left without looking back.

*

I lost track of how much time had passed since then.

Reb Gaidan relinquished the throne. He instructed Marquis Drazin to handle things and took off on Bante without a plan. When he regained his senses, it was winter, and he had arrived at the Monastery Church.

In front of the church, where white snowflakes danced, stood Leah. She was flashing a dazzling smile in her pure white priest robes.

How could it fit her so well?

A priest in her late teens with distinct features. Having received enough love, her upper lip was slightly plump, and her eyebrows were tenderly arched. Her gracefully elevated nose seemed intelligent but ended with a kind curve. Reb gazed at her without leaving a trace of emotion.

“Reb! I was going to contact you, but the Holy Woman… blah blah blah.”

Not a single word of her chattering reached him. Reb was fixated on the face of his friend, Leah, who had achieved her dream, and he ultimately received a sharp reproach. This had been said at the start of every round.

“Reb! Are you listening to me?”

“……I hear you now. Congratulations.”

“Only now?”

Leah smirked.

She casually took Reb’s hand. He wished to bless his friend right away, but he held back, leading him into the tranquil garden of the church. There, she boldly asked,

“Will you marry me?”

“…You’re a priest. You don’t have to strain for me, Leah. I’m just glad you achieved your dream.”

Leah grabbed Reb’s flinching ear and said firmly.

“Keep your ears still and stop lying, okay?”

The lips of the ascetic priest were so close. His heart raced, and as Reb struggled to gather his thoughts, Leah declared,

“No matter what’s in your heart, we’re getting married. I decided that. You have no idea how hard I worked just to marry you?”

Thump!

Leah’s lips met his.

Yet, as he closed his eyes far too tightly, he looked quite ridiculous. Anyone would think it was forced.

“Pahhahahaha!”

Squeezing his lips shut and diving right in was so silly that Reb burst into laughter after who knows how many months. He embraced her tightly, and when Leah shyly pulled away, the long-time childhood friends had become lovers.

Priests can’t marry.

But Leah’s absurd declaration had some foundation; she was searching for arguments under which a priest could marry Reb. Leah was able to become a priest in just two years because this year, her thesis had been outstanding.

‘Theory of Chosen Ones.’

The deity selects the created beings.

All beings born on this land are chosen and live with specific missions. That is ‘the burden.’

At first glance, it seemed like just a reinterpretation of the fifth chapter of Constino Raono’s ‘Burden of Creation,’ but Leah sought to intertwine the two great roots of theology (the burden of creation and the responsibility of creation).

The decision to fulfill or not fulfill the assigned mission was in the creature’s hands. The intertwining of the ‘free will’ assigned to humans and the burden creates life and allows them to be reborn as the choosers of beings.

Leah’s 77-page thesis triggered immediate repercussions at the Monastery Church. Her colleague Veronian also announced a study titled ‘Reflections on the Instrumental Role of the Church and the Wandering Shepherd,’ developed from the readings of the Fourth Saint, Udane, and together with Leah’s thesis, it created a new wind in the stagnant theology since Cardinal Berg’s ‘Universal Priesthood Theory’ was suggested. Accordingly, changes began sweeping through the strict rules of the Cross Church.

Of course, Leah’s thesis contained not a single line discussing whether priests could marry or not.

It merely provided arguments that suggested it should be fine, and the lifestyle of ancient clergy who lived without being bound by rules, highlighted by Veronian’s thesis, sparked claims that church regulations restricted the free will of priests.

Cardinal Michael, a believer of the ‘Burden of Creation’, had long been stripped of power by the Holy Woman.

Though the road ahead was long, the atmosphere had relaxed somewhat. The once sacrosanct church began to take on a more human scent. Leah and Reb spent happy days together as secret lovers.

Occasionally holding hands, their relationship seemed wholesome to the outside world, but for Reb and Leah, that was all they needed.

Leah and Reb stayed at the Monastery Church for a while.

For Leah, there was no reason to go elsewhere as long as Reb was by her side, and also because the newly ordained Veronian had asked her to support him in reforming the church.

Reb applied for admission to the Monastery Church training facility. To become the Holy Knight who would escort Leah. There was no need for a Swordmaster, famous in the Orun Kingdom, to evaluated in swordsmanship; he just needed to study theology a bit.

Leah helped him study. They lodged near the church, and as they visited each other, they welcomed spring. On the eve of the new semester, Reb spoke.

“Now, bless me.”

Having been together for a couple of months, they would continue together.

In his heart, he wished for this to last a thousand years, without needing a blessing, but Leo Dexter and Lena Ainar were on his mind.

It wouldn’t be right to leave the ruined engagement just like that. {Tracking Skill} revealed they had returned to their hometown…

‘Alright. I’m fine with this.’

“Are you okay?”

Leah asked. Reb smiled and replied.

“Yeah. Should I make a prediction too? Next time, you’ll be even happier. Because I’ll be following you.”

“Ew. I don’t like that. Gross.”

Leah smirked playfully. She gently kissed Reb on the cheek and raised the brass chalice received from the Holy Woman.

A radiance intertwined around the chalice. The brass cup shone brilliantly, reflecting its former master.

[ True Ending 2/2: Complete ]

While trying to wave at Leah, Reb failed to notice the ‘Footprints of Oriax’ stamped on the palm of his hand disappearing. Just like the ending of the beggar siblings’ round, Reb’s gaze soared skyward.

In a corner of the church, he saw himself and Leah embracing tightly. The garden, trees, and sculptures surrounding them came into view, along with the grand church. Soon darkness fell.

[ Thank you for playing Raising Lena. ]

[ Leah ]

[ Final Class: Cardinal ]

[ Marriage Partner: Reb Gaidan ]

[ Reb Gaidan ]

[ Final Class: Holy Knight ]

[ Marriage Partner: Leah ]

[ Childhood Friend Ending: The Bishop ]

[ True Ending ]

– Born in Demos village, Leah had a happy childhood. Despite being poor, she received warm concern from her parents… (omitted) … as a priest, Leah was assigned to the Orun Kingdom. She settled with Holy Knight Reb at Nevis Church, and when church laws were revised, they married and lived happily ever after. –

– Born in Demos village, Leo had a happy childhood. He received warm concern from his parents… (omitted) … as a Holy Knight, Reb was assigned to Nevis Church. Taking care of his sister, Hirie Gaidan, he lived happily ever after with Leah. –

[ The engagement scenario ending has changed. ]

[ Lena Ainar ]

[ Final Class: Cook ]

[ Marriage Partner: Leo Dexter ]

[ Leo Dexter ]

[ Final Class: Cook ]

[ Marriage Partner: Lena Ainar ]

[ Engagement Ending: Peace of Abrival Castle ]

+ Born at Abrival Castle, Lena Ainar… (omitted) … participated in the war as a squire but gave up her sword. Instead of returning home immediately, she married in the Jerome Holy Kingdom, then went to the Orun Kingdom before returning home. Having given birth to three children, Lena lived happily running a restaurant with her husband, Leo Dexter. +

+ Born in Barnaul, Leo Dexter… (omitted) … became involved in the rebellion of the indigenous people in the Orun Kingdom after retirement and displayed remarkable prowess, but returned home without accepting any rewards. He quietly lived, helping Leah run her restaurant. +

[ The beggar siblings scenario ending has changed. ]

+ Born in Rutina Castle, Reriana had an unhappy childhood… (omitted) … and returned to become a princess. She received countless proposals but chose the servant, Santian Rauno, who saved her life. She gave birth to two sons and lived happily under the protection of her brother, Lean de Yeriel. However, in her later years, she experienced some hardships. With no children under Lean de Yeriel, the throne was left vacant, which ignited her two sons’ ambitious conflicts over succession, leading to the earlier departure of the eldest. +

+ Born in Rutina Castle, Lean had an unhappy childhood… (omitted) … returned to defeat Prince Eric de Yeriel and Oriax. By that time, King Kaderik de Yeriel had already passed, allowing him to ascend the throne immediately. Lean de Yeriel became known as a wise ruler. He established ‘public schools’ nationwide together with Cardinal Berg and made peace with the long-ongoing neighbor, the Orun Republic, bringing peace to the southern continent. However, his queen, Ksenia Yeriel, was unable to conceive, leaving him childless. This lit the ambition of his two extraordinary nephews resembling his sister. +

Ending it early was a job well done.

The spherical Reb nervously read through the long ending credits, then relaxed his mind. This was a problem that each scenario had to handle on its own, so he decided to focus on his own.

Three photos came to mind.

The first one was of Leah, now a cardinal, and himself, as a holy knight, sitting across from each other in the church’s chapel, sipping tea.

With the subtle tension between them, it seemed they were married… and just living like that, huh?

Not bad. Good.

Reb, fully satisfied, turned his eyes to the other photos. They looked happy for now.

In the second photo, Lena Ainar, now a cook, was causing havoc. The soup was overflowing, and there was a fire over there. An egg she tried to flip flew off in the wrong direction, and behind the surprised kids, Leo was rushing to clean up the mess.

Hahaha! Guests were laughing.

They were from the Ainar Tribe. They must have been living happily after all. Poor Leo must have had it tough, Reb thought as he shifted his gaze to the next photo.

To his surprise, the third photo didn’t feature Reriana.

It showcased Lean de Yeriel, dressed in a glamorous red cloak adorned with gold embroidery, standing proudly. His sister could only be seen in a corner and was holding back her sons, who were eyeing the throne. The dancing Ksenia and Cardinal Berg, who was establishing schools, were also visible.

As the ending credits stretched on for what seemed like eternity, Reb slowly lost his consciousness. He muttered softly.

“Minseo, it’s okay. I don’t blame you. You were just swept up by the deity too. Everything will be fine…”

With that, in the silent darkness, only Minseo remained, standing alone. The perpetrator of great sins was trapped in guilt and numbness.

‘Dream… is it?’

Then what have I been doing all this time?

I ruined everything. If fulfilling the dreams of the Lenas was the condition for the true ending, I could have seen the ending much sooner. It wasn’t a speed issue; I wouldn’t have gone through all that hardship.

So trivial was the condition for the true ending.

Then why did the Prince Maker deceive people? If it was going to be like this, why did I even need to be here? They could have just let Leo and the Lenas handle it. That would have sufficed…

Just as he was about to throw a tantrum, Chaehwa’s voice struck him hard.

– “So you’re telling me I have to live my life doing things I don’t want to do? I can’t do it. Honestly, you don’t want to be a civil servant either! You wanted to work at a theater, remember? You said you wanted to become a playwright!”

…That’s right.

I had promised to create scripts for her to act in, as we were both aspiring for our dream.

But that promise dissipated when I began preparing for civil service. Chaehwa may have held her hopes until the end, but I had forgotten. I had used the excuse of making a living to find a secure job guaranteed by the country.

I abandoned both mine and Chaehwa’s dreams.

The spherical Minseo trembled.

The real issue wasn’t that the game resembled a rip-off of Prince Maker, it was that he realized the problem lay within himself, and tears fell.

The Lenas, who had desires.

If only I had thought of fulfilling their dreams, even just once, it would have ended quickly. Just like with Chaehwa, I had been abandoning Lena’s dreams, entrapped by the enticing pretense of being a princess.

At that moment of self-reproach, a glimmer suddenly shone. In the darkness where the ending credits and photos had vanished, a text appeared. It unapologetically chided Minseo, just like always.

[ Choose the scenario reward. ]

There were no options. Not in the void, nor in Minseo’s heart. Minseo just

‘Please let Lena live happily.’

He made a wish, which wasn’t a choice at all.

The text shining white in the darkness flickered and disappeared, asking, is that truly your wish? After a brief gaze at Minseo, it faded away.

[ You have cleared Raising Lena. You can choose the scenario you wish to play. ]

[ Childhood Friend – True Ending ]

[ Engagement ]

[ Beggar Siblings – Cleared ]

What kind of scolding will I receive this time?

Although he was terrified of meeting Leo Dexter, Minseo chose the engagement scenario. That side… was the most urgent.