Chapter: 143
As I entered the office, of course, Karl tried to follow me, but I stopped him.
The conversation I was about to have inside wasn’t exactly something a normal person would want to hear.
Forcing Karl out, I immediately ordered to cast soundproofing magic as soon as I entered the office.
I thought it would be wise to be cautious, no matter how much Alsatine knew.
“I’ve already cast it, Young Lady. It’s a story that could be dangerous if it leaks out.”
Alsatine must have been thinking along the same lines, as he had already prepared the soundproofing magic even before I said anything.
From the way he spoke, it seemed he had gotten closer to the truth.
As soon as the office door closed, Alsatine naturally seated me in the main chair and stood before me.
“How far have you investigated?”
“Information peddler. What have you found out?”
“I haven’t delved deeply. The duration just wasn’t long enough.”
That makes sense. There’s no way the Jushin Church, which affects the entire continent, would be sloppy.
If someone could unravel everything in just a little over a month, Alsatine wouldn’t be rotting away in this back alley.
If he were capable of that, he’d probably be pulling strings in the underworld by now.
“However, I believe I understand what Young Lady is looking for. The Jushin Church is researching something. And they’re using the children from their orphanage.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean Alsatine is incompetent. Just connecting with one of the strands proves he’s sufficiently capable.
Given the few clues I provided, he got that far—he must have some serious connections, thanks to his mentor.
Hmm. Even if I end up liaising with the Newman Family later on, I think it’s best to maintain my relationship with Alsatine.
“Evidence?”
“Information peddler. You can’t tell whether it’s your delusion or fact just by flapping your mouth.”
“I was just about to explain.”
Alsatine started explaining how it was immensely helpful that I mentioned the Jushin Church was up to some wrongdoing.
He had contacted his long-standing network, tracing things one by one, and eventually succeeded in uncovering evidence at the Jushin Church’s orphanage in some rural corner.
“I haven’t gotten the exact details but strangely, many figures have been coming and going at that orphanage.
High-ranking clergy who hardly move from their base. An alchemist who became a public figure due to research related to life. A black wizard who should be dealt with.
It was an unusual gathering for a small village.”
Even more suspicious was that a coroner frequently visited that orphanage.
“I suspect some kind of research is underway involving the children. I stepped back because digging deeper might attract specific attention on my side, but given more time, I think I can figure it out.”
Listening to Alsatine’s report, I was impressed by his informativeness.
While I had thought he was just a convenient NPC who would bring me all kinds of information, it was astonishing now that this world had become my reality.
Had it been an average person, they would have probably vanished without a trace while trying to follow the Jushin Church.
I had trusted him up to this point, but that didn’t dim my admiration.
“I’ve only investigated this much for now.”
[Hey girl. Is what he said true?]
As soon as the story wrapped up, Grandpa spoke with an unusually trembling voice.
Unlike me, who has no good feelings toward either the Shoddy God or the Jushin Church, Grandpa had devout faith.
Hearing about how the church he respected turned dark would understandably upset him.
“Yes. That’s right.”
Still, I had to tell the truth.
After all, if he’s going to be with me, he’ll eventually face everything naturally; wouldn’t it be better for him to be prepared than to see it all without understanding?
“To add to Alsatine’s explanation, what’s happening at those orphanages is the creation of someone with immense divinity.”
It’s well-known that our Shoddy God doesn’t choose anyone.
Even while countless apostles of gods traverse the continent, Armadi hasn’t created his apostle.
He merely speaks to those he believes in and guides them.
Although the Jushin Church claimed that the Shoddy God loves the world equally, deep down, they harbored different thoughts.
They were envious of the apostles of other gods.
It wasn’t because they were in close proximity to their gods or possessed special powers.
The reason the church people envied the apostles was simple. Their words served as justification.
What the apostle of a god said was as good as the will of that god.
From the perspective of the church’s high-ranking officials, who faced opposition whenever trying to take action, how enticing would an apostle be?
So, the high-ranking members of the Jushin Church decided to create someone to serve as justification, using the title of Saintess, which has existed since ancient times but seldom appears.
“At first, they were looking to select someone among manageable orphans who could be called a Saintess, but such a genius wouldn’t just appear, right?”
[So you mean they’re artificially creating someone with lofty divinity?]
“Yes.”
[Ha. It’s driving me crazy. How is it that those who claim to believe in the god are becoming increasingly sinister over time?]
Hearing Grandpa sigh, it seemed the church hadn’t always been a clean organization.
That makes sense. It’s true of any organization, but how can all members of a collective be good? That only happens in cartoons.
[Then, what about one of your friends, the girl named Phoebe?]
“Yes, that’s right. She’s a created Saintess.”
Phoebe probably doesn’t realize yet, but she has been artificially manufactured as a Saintess by the church.
Her personal story involves realizing she is a false Saintess, undergoing various confusions, and ultimately becoming the true Saintess.
I always loved her unwavering goodness even after facing all sorts of adversity.
<...If that child, who’s currently very shaken, finds out about this, it’ll be a disaster.>
“That would indeed be the case.”
Unlike the Phoebe in the game, the current Phoebe is filled with many uncertainties.
She’s worried about her failures and has doubts about the god. What would happen if all of this crashed down on her?
Since this scenario didn’t exist in the game, I can’t say for sure, but it certainly wouldn’t be a happy one.
That’s why I ordered Alsatine to investigate. To slowly reveal the truth to Phoebe based on his findings.
You wouldn’t start with a strong vaccine at first, right?
You gradually acclimatize them so that when facing something more potent, they’d be able to bear it.
For now, the evidence Alsatine brought is merely circumstantial, so I have nothing concrete to tell Phoebe.
Well, there’s no rush. The time for Phoebe to stumble upon the truth will be after the beginning of the second year.
Until then, Alsatine will probably bring back something.
“Keep up the good work.”
“Sigh. Information peddler. In the end, it’s just circumstantial evidence? Isn’t it embarrassing to say you did work like this? It’s totally sloppy. That title of information peddler is a waste.”
“…I’ll do my best.”
*
A few days after the field trip ended, Phoebe was somewhat managing the confusion she had been going through lately.
It was not that she wasn’t jealous of Lucy. As an apostle of the Shoddy God who hears the Voice of God, she still found herself envious of Phoebe.
However, unlike before, she wasn’t criticizing and getting jealous recklessly. Phoebe acknowledged Lucy as someone suitable to be an apostle of God.
This decision was greatly influenced by her experiences during the field trip.
She, who had set aside her pride, didn’t hesitate to use her infamy for the growth of others. In the end, she succeeded in bringing about a happy conclusion for everyone.
Watching all this unfold made it impossible for Phoebe to deny Lucy.
Unlike herself, filled only with shortcomings, Lucy was truly someone fitting for the position of an apostle.
It was natural. The great Lord Jushin wouldn’t select someone with ill intentions as an apostle.
From the moment Lucy was selected as the apostle, she had ample qualifications.
After accepting all of this, Phoebe felt a great sense of relief.
Put another way, it meant Phoebe hadn’t yet achieved enough for Armadi to speak to her.
If she works a little harder to become a better person, maybe one day, Armadi will reach out to her.
So until then, she had to keep striving to become a better person.
Right. The Shoddy God wouldn’t take kindly to the impudent statements of Lady Allen.
He must have something that could complement even that.
Even knowing that God wouldn’t act this way, I could only describe myself as insufficient for doubting Him.
After the Academy class ended, while walking back to the church, Phoebe chastised herself and then suddenly halted, chuckling to herself.
Ahh. Letting go of her past worries felt quite freeing. It should have been this way from the start.
“What are you thinking that you’re smiling so cheerfully?”
At that moment, a voice came from behind Phoebe. It was deep, heavy, yet oozing like a shadow.
“You.”
“It’s been a while. I wanted to prepare a satisfactory answer for the one who helped me, but it took longer than expected. I’m sorry.”
The Apostle of Evil God smiled, trapping Phoebe in his shadow with his enormous size.
“I’ve come to find an answer that would satisfy you…”
“Please go away.”
“Huh?”
Phoebe took a step back from the shadow and spoke up.
“I no longer wish to hear your story. If you come any closer, I’ll summon the church’s people, so go back.”
“Are you sure? Don’t you want to hear why Armadi hasn’t spoken to you?”
“I already know, so it’s unnecessary.”
Had she been the Phoebe who was once mesmerized, she wouldn’t have known. But now she understood the truth.
All problems stemmed from her insufficiency, so there was no need to hear explanations.
“Aha. Do you think that the reason the voice doesn’t reach you is that you’re lacking?”
The Apostle of Evil God looked at Phoebe’s face and said with a grin, as if mocking her thoughts.
“That’s a boring and foolish answer.”
“What do you mean?”
“I declare. The reason Armadi hasn’t spoken to you is not because of that.”
Your beginning was flawed; thus, no matter how hard you try, you won’t hear Armadi’s voice.
The Apostle of Evil God pulled Phoebe back into his shadow again and continued.
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