As Johanna finally reunited with Jaime, I stepped outside Sebedee’s house, leaving them to clear up misunderstandings while I returned to my eager disciples.
“Welcome back, Teacher!” Simon beamed at my return.
“There were no issues while you were away, Teacher! I hope your work went well!” He had been strangely respectful ever since the incident where I filled a school of fish.
A dependable disciple, indeed.
“Did you arrive, Teacher? Since it’s your work, I’m sure that man’s daughter has been ‘healed’?” Judah greeted from beside Simon.
“Judah! Are you questioning what the teacher did?”
“…Of course not. I was just curious. Unlike before, there hasn’t been any of your infamous ‘wide-area healing’ in this city.”
“Well… that’s true. But it’s the Teacher! Surely there’s a purpose behind it!”
“Simon, bro… you’re too much…”
Judah’s comment sent Simon into a fluster, while Iako, his sister, turned red with embarrassment at her brother’s antics.
It’s nice to have such support, but it’s getting a bit overboard.
“Jaime, the daughter of Sebedee, has been healed through Sebedee’s faith.”
“Just as expected from the Teacher. Anyone who comes to you can be healed,” Mata marveled.
Though our journey was short, we had gathered such reliable companions.
And now, Johanna was added to the mix.
Despite their still weak appearances, considering what they showed in [Deus Ex Machina], I can’t help but feel excited for their potential.
If it’s these guys, they can face ‘chaos.’
Just the thought of leveling up all these appealing characters from the game to fight the final boss…
As someone who’s played the game long enough, I can’t think of any content that could be more entertaining.
Amidst watching my disciples chat away, I fell into my thoughts.
“Holy One, it’s getting late. May we receive the honor of hosting you at our home?”
Sebedee, Johanna and Jaime’s father, approached me to speak.
“At your house, you say?”
Are they indeed inviting me to stay at their place?
“Yes, we promise to devote everything to you, Holy One. You not only healed our Jaime perfectly but also brought back Johanna! You are the living Son of Deus, not some mere fake like Baal! Please grant me the chance to serve you!”
The house of Johanna and Jaime…
That sounds quite nice!
“Given your sincere faith, I will gladly accept.”
“Thank you! Thank you, Holy One!”
*
At Sebedee’s house, during dinner time,
Sebedee, his wife, Johanna, Jaime, and my dedicated disciples gathered around a large table to enjoy the meal together.
Being a successful priest, Sebedee’s house was lavish.
The space itself was a testament to how abundant they were, fitting all these people comfortably.
“It’s fine. The taste reflects your faith.”
But there’s a problem… I can’t truly savor it.
Though my clone senses everything, its experience is significantly dulled compared to the original.
Especially in taste and touch, where it’s particularly lacking.
As such, I could say the food… I’m not too sure about it.
It seems tasty, but…
Squeak.
Suddenly, Jaime shot up from her seat.
“Thank you for saving me from that horrible nightmare, Holy One!”
“Jaime, it was your father’s and sister’s faith that saved you,” I reminded her.
Originally, I had zero interest in Jaime, considering she didn’t even appear in [Deus Ex Machina]. I only healed her to solidify my bond with Johanna.
Not that I had any pure intentions, so it’s a bit embarrassing.
“Regardless, the fact remains that you saved me, Holy One. Without you, I would still be trapped in agony from the monstrosity’s wretched nightmare. I heard my father pledged everything to you, thus I will follow you.”
“J-Jaime, what are you saying?”
Sebedee was taken aback by his daughter’s words.
It’s understandable he’d be shocked to hear such a statement.
But I was equally startled. What are you saying, Jaime?
“I heard that you said those who forsake everything to follow you will receive eternal life when Deus’ kingdom arrives.”
Well… I did say that, but it was simply meant to entice my companions.
Thud.
“And the life you’ll be granting to me is thanks to you, Holy One. I will devote this life to you. Let me follow you alongside Johanna.”
Jaime knelt before me.
Seriously? Is Jaime really trying to follow me right now?
She literally just got out of the sickbed.
This is unexpected.
…Ah.
I get it now.
Is it because of Johanna?
Perhaps she’s worried about Johanna following me and wants to tag along too.
…Surely she’s not thinking of trying to take Johanna away from me.
Johanna is my ally. No way am I letting that happen.
Instead, she should make her own choice and come along too.
“I accept.”
“Of course, I’m sure you have prepared something in advance, but as the one whose life you saved… Yes?”
“I said I accept, Jaime. You too, be sure to follow me.”
“S-Sure, Holy One…. I will serve you with all my heart!”
I could sense Jaime’s happiness just from her tone and expression.
Is it really that joyful to be associated with Johanna?
I need to be cautious to avoid losing her.
*
After dinner, while I was taking a moment to relax, a stunning woman approached me.
She was Sebedee’s wife and the mother of Johanna and Jaime.
Kneeling before me, she grasped my hand tightly, begging earnestly.
“Ah, Teacher! Please take good care of my two daughters! I will do anything! Teacher!”
What’s going on here?
Suddenly?
“Oh dear, oh dear. Teacher, our Jaime is truly good-hearted. After deciding to serve the Baal faction alongside her father, she worked hard and even rose to be a candidate for Saint!”
Candidate for Saint?
That’s a position granted only to the most devout and capable women in the faction.
Though only one can actually become a saint among them.
“And that child suffered greatly due to that unfortunate incident. Thankfully, she has been saved by you, Teacher.”
She gazed into my eyes with deep emotion while continuing.
“Johanna has had a tough life too. Since childhood, her powers have unintentionally surged, wounding my sister, which she has regretted her entire life. Since that incident, their father has distanced himself from the children, leaving them both with wounds. Now that both have chosen to follow you, I hope you will take care of them. I will do whatever I can!”
Uh… so this is some kind of request…?
A plea to care for her daughters?
I never imagined I’d hear something like this, reminiscent of what previous teachers might hear from parents.
Now, what even is happening here?
“Ah~ Mom! What are you saying right now!”
Suddenly, I heard Johanna shout from behind.
“Don’t say weird stuff to Teacher!”
“Johanna! It’s not that…”
“Don’t, Mom!”
“Haha.”
As I naturally laughed at the heartwarming scene of the mother-daughter pair, both Johanna and her mother turned to me.
This feels fulfilling.
In [Deus Ex Machina], poor Johanna ended up having a tragically short life. Now, she’s grown into such a delightful character.
I can’t help but look forward to our adventures together.
By the way, I wonder how the war between the Calandra Empire and the Holy Kingdom is faring?
Hoping it’s going well for the religion I put so much effort into.
*
Holy Kingdom
On the battlefield where the Second Holy Knights and the Deus faction warriors clashed.
“Argh.”
General Hosea of the Deus faction fell, battered.
Crack.
“How dare you defy Lord Jephst.”
As he trampled Hosea, the leader of the Second Holy Knights muttered quietly.
“Y-You bastard….”
“Ha. Did you see just now? Jephst brought down lightning to judge evil. Unlike your false god, Deus!”
“Cough….”
“Long live Lord Jephst!”
*
“General! This guy is laughing!”
“Let him be. Seems he’s having a good dream. Send him to the faction as well.”
“Understood!”
“With this, the second holy knights can no longer stop us! All troops! Advance to the capital of the Holy Kingdom! Everything is for Deus!”
“““Everything is for Deus!”””
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