As I turned my head towards the source of the voice—

There stood the Messenger of God Rabbit.

“I thought it would take quite a while, but you arrived quickly.”

“What could possibly take long? I already know this area well enough. I hope you won’t underestimate me.”

With that, the rabbit hopped over to Ophilia.

“It seems you have some worries.”

“…How could you possibly deceive me?”

Tap, tap.

Ophilia’s lips slowly moved as they were reflected in the campfire.

“I was just thinking about whether someone who can’t even memorize a simple fact can truly act as a Holy Knight.”

“Are you bothered by what the young leader of that Thieves’ Group said?”

“If I said I wasn’t troubled, that would be a lie.”

Though she claimed to have reformed, it was ultimately thanks to the help of Lord Rabbit by her side.

Without Lord Rabbit, could I have possibly rehabilitated them by my own hand and strength?

After a moment of silence, Ophilia began to gaze slowly at the campfire.

“Perhaps…”

She started to face thoughts she hadn’t dared to consider.

“I was thinking that I might not have the qualification to be a Holy Knight.”

How could I, someone who can’t even remember the word ‘simple fact,’ possibly serve as a Holy Knight relaying the will of God?

“Hoho? Are you suggesting that God Igguoqueden made a mistake in appointing you, Ophilia?”

“N-no! I just—”

Ophilia struggled to find words and lowered her head again, unable to clearly articulate her thoughts.

The rabbit turned away to gaze at the campfire again and then hopped a few times from its place.

“Even though you do not understand the ‘simple fact’… still, you are the only human who can communicate with me.”

“That may be true, but….”

Just as the rabbit said—

Ophilia was the only one who could comprehend what the rabbit was saying.

To everyone else, whatever the rabbit spoke would merely translate into simple cries, including the phrase ‘Igguoqueden.’

“Since God has deemed you worthy and brought you here, why do you lack confidence?”

“….”

“Well, I have some awareness. I can at least understand why you are feeling that way.”

Hop, hop.

The rabbit carefully perched on Ophilia’s lap.

“Lord Rabbit…?”

“What strong thighs you have. They could only have been shaped through rigorous training over a long time. You must have put in a remarkable amount of effort.”

—I have a question for you.

“What is it?”

“Why did you decide to strive towards rehabilitating the thieves?”

The priest mentioned extermination. However, it was Ophilia who suggested attempting rehabilitation instead.

She paused for a moment in thought, then looked at the rabbit with a determined gaze.

“Firstly, it’s because none of the victims were struck so severely that recovery was impossible. And… wasn’t the increase of thieves in the Gracia region due to a plague outbreak? It might sound arrogant, but… I wanted to consider their circumstances.”

“I see. That does indeed seem like you.”

The rabbit hopped once from her lap.

Its head bumped against the soft part of Ophilia’s attire hidden beneath her breast.

“Ophilia, your desire to rehabilitate someone, your attitude of continuing without being discouraged even when you can’t understand, your sympathy for mere criminals… isn’t all of that a simple fact from God? You—”

—you are already putting forth all your effort to practice the simple fact.

Is the fact that you can’t understand that word truly so important?

“……!”

“This is the will of God, Ophilia.”

The rabbit closed its eyes and reminisced.

About the moment it was brought into this world.

And— slowly descending from her lap, it looked up at her and conveyed the words of God.

* * *

[Please give me money: Are you referring to a pet?]

[Igguoqueden: Yea]

[Igguoqueden: I hope to become a being that can help Ophilia when she gets confused about her path.]

[Igguoqueden: The pet’s abilities… well, just making it worth its price should be enough?]

[Please give me money: A pet that always follows and assists her… Based on your explanation, it sounds like this is the ‘Messenger of God.’]

[Please give me money: I think I could figure out how the world’s responses should move.]

[Please give me money: However, there’s one thing I want to ask.]

[Igguoqueden: What?]

[Please give me money: I believe you are aware that Ophilia lacks the intelligence to understand the term ‘simple fact.’]

[Please give me money: Given that circumstance, I think it’s obvious that she wouldn’t be able to communicate properly with the ‘Messenger of God’…]

[Igguoqueden: Does talking to a pet require intelligence?]

[Please give me money: That’s not the case.]

[Please give me money: It’s just not listed in the Bible.]

[Please give me money: But, given that it was born as a being of overwhelming ‘Divine Power’ worth 500,000 won— I can’t entirely rule out the possibility of unexpected situations arising that an observer like me cannot imagine… ]

[Igguoqueden: Hmm… ]

[Igguoqueden: So, you’re worried that since Ophilia lacks intelligence, she won’t be able to control the Messenger properly…?]

[Please give me money: Indeed, you are spot on, Igguoqueden.]

[Please give me money: You’ve accurately described what I’m trying to express.]

[Igguoqueden: Hahaha, well… ]

[Igguoqueden: Let’s put it this way.]

[Igguoqueden: If Ophilia possesses a truly sincere heart,]

[Igguoqueden: Attempting to act on the words of God without deviation,]

[Igguoqueden: Then let’s set it so that the pet can be loyal only to Ophilia.]

[Please give me money: Given her power, if that is the will of God, it can certainly be arranged.]

[Please give me money: In this case, however, if Ophilia fails to meet the conditions, it could yield an entirely separate ‘result’ regardless of your will.]

[Igguoqueden: No, no, I don’t think that will happen.]

[Igguoqueden: After all, Ophilia just doesn’t know that one word ‘simple fact,’ yet she is acting in ways that are equally admirable.]

[Igguoqueden: So there shouldn’t be a problem of the pet not listening to Ophilia.]

[Please give me money: You have a deep trust in Ophilia, Igguoqueden.]

[Igguoqueden: If she accepts things she doesn’t understand and believes in me,]

[Igguoqueden: Then how can a God not trust even a single flawed believer?]

[Igguoqueden: Of course, as a God, I might be able to fix her shortcomings with miracles.]

—The true will of the God.

[Igguoqueden: When we have children,]

[Igguoqueden: We don’t resent them just because they’re a bit clumsy or slow learners. We might have worked hard with them.]

[Igguoqueden: If Ophilia were to be seriously injured or harmed in any way, I would certainly heal her.]

[Igguoqueden: But if it’s just not understanding a word like ‘simple fact,’]

[Igguoqueden: I think it’s right to let her live well.]

[Igguoqueden: At least in the world where I exist as a God, I hope that those with some flaws can still live happily.]

[Igguoqueden: Ophilia ended up catching my eye, but there are plenty of others out there who aren’t perfect.]

[Ultimately… yes.]

—the simple fact that God wished to convey would be thoroughly ingrained in the Messenger.

[Igguoqueden: I hope there can be a somewhat flawed person who can still live happily in my world.]

[Igguoqueden: After all… I can’t take care of each and every individual,]

[Igguoqueden: And not everyone can become a perfect person, can they?]

[Igguoqueden: Even if they lack somewhat… if they face problems they can’t overcome, I want to see a world where they push forward without giving up.]

[Igguoqueden: If Ophilia can control the pet according to my will, wouldn’t that be the moment it’s proven?]

[Igguoqueden: That’s how I feel.]

* * *

“You are the only one among humans who can understand my words. This is the clearest evidence—”

—evidence that you have not lived in vain.

“God Igguoqueden…”

“Yes. God Igguoqueden has been watching you closely since the moment you were appointed as a Holy Knight.”

And just as God had anticipated—the rabbit enacted Ophilia’s wish for the rehabilitation of the thieves.

It was evident that Ophilia had not wasted a single moment and had worked hard.

Without saying a word, Ophilia stared at the campfire for a long time—

“Even if flawed, moving forward…”

She murmured Igguoqueden’s words repeatedly before getting up.

“Are you setting out?”

“Yes. Now that I understand God’s will, I don’t have time for despair in a place like this.”

As she said this with a smile, the rabbit bounced again.

“Will you not harbor any resentment?”

“Resentment?”

“If there is the ‘simple fact’ from the one true God Igguoqueden, then you too can become someone who can comprehend the simple fact, just like others. However, God did not do that. While His will may certainly be noble, honestly, it can feel quite harsh and unfair from your perspective.”

“Lord Rabbit, is it appropriate for the Messenger to speak such words?”

“I was created with God’s love after all. God would surely forgive it generously, so what is there to worry about?”

Ophilia slowly adjusted her clothing and then spoke.

“Even if God were to grant me a miracle to understand the ‘simple fact,’ my intention would be to kneel and pray.”

“Praying?”

“To please bring about a miracle.”

“……!”

“After hearing the words of God, I now have a new goal.”

“A goal?”

“To be a symbol.”

With steady eyes, Ophilia raised her head to gaze at the sky dotted with twinkling stars.

“Even someone who doesn’t understand the ‘simple fact’ can become a Holy Knight. Therefore, I could be a symbol that even those who are flawed like me can achieve something. That’s why I’m asking for a miracle.”

—To demonstrate that someone like me can do it, which would be a more noble choice, I believe God would understand.

“In order to do that, I should also avoid questioning my own qualities and feeling anxious over not understanding the ‘simple fact.'”

If I can do that—

“I think God would be amazed, saying, ‘I never expected this!’ It makes my heart race to think about it.”

“!!!”

The rabbit blinked in surprise, as if taken aback.

That God would be surprised by one of his creations; such a thought was something a person who understood the simple fact would never utter—an incredibly audacious statement.

However, does that mean it’s precisely because she does not understand that she is able to set such goals?

“If I think about it that way, then this trial must indeed be something essential for me. Just like a well-forged weapon comes from rigorous tempering. So, of course, I don’t harbor resentment against God. After all, how could I resent someone who gave me the chance to show and prove myself and allowed me to experience the joy of growing?”

The rabbit looked up at Ophilia.

It was indeed a bold attitude to declare right before God’s miracle that she would refuse it.

Her golden eyes sparkled like dust catching the sunlight.

After a long moment of watching her eyes, the rabbit finally began to move its little mouth—probably delivering the words God wanted to express.

* * *

“Igguoqueden.”

At the rabbit’s words, Ophilia was taken aback and waved her hands, her face turning utterly red.

“What…!! I-it’s a bit embarrassing to say all that so suddenly…!”

“Igguoqueden.”

“No, what I mean is… I’m still lacking in so many ways. To be close to God Igguoqueden… I have much more to prove, that’s the kind of person I am.”

“Igguoqueden.”

“…Anyway! It’s probably best if we leave that discussion here. The night is deepening, and my companions must be worried so I think I should head back.”

Ophilia hurriedly made her exit, embarrassed by the rabbit’s blatant words.

And not long after she took a few steps—

—Thud!

“…Ugh.”

She fell onto the ground, her ears turning bright red.

“…Igguoqueden.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Lord Rabbit. It’s not your fault. It’s just that I tend to trip a bit… too often.”

Ophilia stood up immediately, straightened her skirt, and dusted off the dirt on her body.

What’s the problem if one stumbles upon hitting their limits?

All it takes is to stand up, shake off the dust, and move forward.

If this path is blocked, then it’s simply about finding another way—it’s nothing.

“I’ll head back now, Lord Rabbit.”

“Igguoqueden!”

Hop, hop!

With the rabbit perched atop her head, Ophilia made her way to Igguoqueden Cathedral where her companions awaited.

Even if she stumbles, she has the will to shake it off and move forward.

The courage to trust someone else again even after being betrayed by faith.

And the tenacity to press on, knowing she may never reach her goals due to her flaws.

—The ‘simple fact’ of Igguoqueden was shining intensely once again in this world.