Late at night.
The disciples had all gone to bed, and I was lying alone in the room that Zebedee had prepared for me, trying to sleep.
So far, I had gathered a total of six companions through my clones.
The fisherman Simon and his younger sister, Iako, whom I met in the Galilee territory.
Mata, the former tax collector who came to find me in Capernaum.
Juda, a student from Calandra Academy who came to meet me along with Debea.
Johanna, the unfortunate girl who thought her natural abilities were a curse.
Jaime, the woman who was suffering from the claws of the Baal cult.
Everyone except Jaime had outstanding ‘Gifts’ and were popular characters that played a role in [Deus Ex Machina].
As for Jaime, while I don’t know if she possesses a ‘Gift,’ the fact that she made it to a candidate for a saint in the Baal cult must mean she has some exceptional ability.
And now, such strong and promising individuals were faithfully following me.
They would be of great help in bringing down the tyrant Dominik of the Nova Empire and eliminating those evil gods of ‘Chaos.’
Just a few more stops to level them up, and then we’ll break into the capital of the Nova Empire, Orias, and take down Emperor Dominik.
Unexpected events had occurred many times during this journey, but the basic outline remained the same.
If things go according to plan, restoring the Nova Empire should be entirely possible.
However… just as there have been many unforeseen circumstances so far, there could be variables…
Even if I manage to bring down Dominik, governing and controlling this empire is another story.
[Deus Ex Machina] is not a political simulation game like a 4X game.
Plus, I have no similar experience in real life, so how could I properly govern this empire?
I need a kind and strong figure suitable to take control of this empire in my stead.
If I can recruit her, she will be of great help on the journey to take down Emperor Dominik.
If only I could bring her on board…
The problem is that she is probably staying in the imperial palace at the center of Orias.
“Aurelia…”
Without realizing it, I mumbled her name.
Thud
At that moment, someone draped in a robe kneeled beside my bed with a loud noise.
“I’m sorry, Holy One!”
Wha, what?
I was alone in this room.
When did you come in?
“I apologize for sneaking in without notice. This girl, Princess Aurelia, greets you.”
…Excuse me?
Princess Aurelia?
The very same Aurelia I was just thinking about?
Why are you here?
Am I dreaming right now?
“Princess Aurelia. Have you come to see me?”
I was surprised internally, but thankfully, since it was my clone, I managed to maintain a composed expression.
If I had shown a shocked expression here, it wouldn’t have looked very saint-like, and my first impression would have been terrible.
Thank goodness for the clone.
“Yes, Holy One. I humbly seek your help late at night. It is an urgent matter, which is why I sneaked in at this time. My sincerest apologies.”
After I performed countless miracles, the number of those wanting to see me increased exponentially every day.
Despite the fantasy setting where commoners find it very difficult to leave their regions, many came from afar to meet me.
So, there were quite a number of people wanting to enter this home of Zebedee.
Just like the innkeeper-turned-mercenary who blocked them in Capernaum, in increasing numbers, my companions, I mean, my disciples, were alternatingly catching intruders every night.
Today was… Mata’s turn, if I recall correctly.
Did she manage to shake Mata off and reach my room?
…Thinking of Aurelia’s appearance in [Deus Ex Machina], it certainly seems possible.
But wait, she should be at the royal palace, and now she’s come to see me all the way here to Kinor? Alone?
You said you had something to ask me.
What could it possibly be?
“I’m listening.”
“Yes, Holy One. The current emperor of the empire, my father, Dominik Nova, is being controlled by some evil being.”
“Evil being?”
“Yes, indeed. When I was young, although my memory isn’t clear, my father was very kind, warm, and good-hearted. But he isn’t like that now. At some point, he changed, ousting my grandfather and seizing the throne.”
What Aurelia was saying was quite accurate.
The tyrant Emperor Dominik of the Nova Empire.
He was the fallen Emperor of ‘Chaos’ who appeared as the boss in the Nova Empire episode of [Deus Ex Machina].
His original nature isn’t clearly explained in the story, but he doesn’t seem like someone who would violently take the throne from his own father.
Yet with the return of ‘Chaos’ to this continent, evil gods have been quietly manipulating things, successfully corrupting Dominik without alerting the gods of other continents.
Along with the followers of the god Baal, who also got consumed by ‘Chaos’, Dominik seized control of the empire.
He gradually became more violent and started displaying the characteristics of a tyrant.
While Aurelia is the daughter of such Dominik, she is still a just and correct princess.
In [Deus Ex Machina], she greatly contributed to driving the tyrant Dominik out while cooperating with the protagonist team.
So here, is she seeking me instead of Dia to stop Dominik?
It seems I’m receiving the attention of the protagonist in [Deus Ex Machina]…
As a veteran gamer, how thrilling this is!
Hmm? But this is strange.
The Nova Empire episode happens in the second semester.
Why is she already here searching for me?
“After my father took the throne, he became increasingly violent. He punishes loyal ministers who make minor mistakes too harshly and has started ignoring the suffering of the people. Those who offered honest advice have all been executed. Now, the only ones left in the palace are filthy sycophants. This empire is gradually breaking apart.”
Aurelia’s statement upon finding Dia was very similar to this.
The situation itself wasn’t much different, but why has she come to me so quickly?
Could it be because of my existence?
Perhaps the main reason Aurelia sought out Dia was the Orias purification operation that Dominik was promoting…
“Not long ago, I had an opportunity to eavesdrop on my father gathering the generals for a meeting. It was a cruel operation to completely cleanse the dirty parts of the capital, Orias, by burning them away.”
What? Wait a minute. The Orias purification operation is happening now?
There’s still time left.
Why now?
The current Orias shouldn’t differ much from the Orias in [Deus Ex Machina]…
Could it be that—
“Currently, there’s a tremendous uproar in Orias due to Paula, the apostle of Deus. They intend to burn everyone she has gathered!”
Paula.
I’ve heard of her.
One of Deus’s apostles is active in Orias.
I thought perhaps someone who read my book had become a fanatic and was working there.
But if—
If Saul is following my command to go to Orias after being purified…
And if she’s changed her name to Paula and is now acting—
Then that means…
What I’ve done has accelerated the purification operation of tyrant Dominik.
No way, the things I did to save myself would lead to this…
In the original world, most citizens of Orias wouldn’t have known any of this.
Except for a few characters who had some role in [Deus Ex Machina], most people wouldn’t care less whether they lived or died.
But…
Now I find myself in a situation where I need the general public to believe in me.
If I lead that massive crowd to Orias to bring down Dominik, an immense amount of divine power will flow to me, granting me the strength to confront ‘Chaos’.
If Dominik burns them all away…
No, I must hurry my journey.
I don’t have time to dawdle around.
“Girl, I tried contacting Apostle Paula, but the response I received was a refusal. Unable to find any other means, I came to hear your story. I’ve heard of all the miracles you’ve performed—healing entire cities, feeding countless people, and purging monsters that threaten to harm others in an instant!”
Aurelia lowered her head and bowed to me in desperation.
“Please! Please have mercy on the people of Orias and save them! Only you, Holy One… only you are our last hope!”
A princess begging on behalf of the lower classes who have no connection to her royalty and have never met someone like me.
Even though there is no guarantee that I can accomplish such a thing, she came all the way here, holding onto the hope of a last resort.
“Lift your head.”
“Please!”
“Aurelia.”
“Yes?”
“The tyrant will fall, and the empire will obtain its rightful ruler.”
The rightful emperor that the Nova Empire should have.
Aurelia.
“I shall, for I am the Son of Deus.”
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