I was tasked with the mission of escorting the priest while he gathered herbs.
The person I was escorting was the apprentice priest Aquinas.
He stepped ahead and entered the small path.
“Thank you for coming to help.”
“Though I wonder, is it okay for us? As you can see, we are quite young.”
“There are no particularly dangerous wild animals. Just wild dogs at worst. But for me, even those wild dogs are overwhelming, hence the need to hire someone.”
“Even wild dogs shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
“I trust you brothers.”
With that optimistic personality…
It’s just like I know him.
Well, I can trust him.
“You can trust me. This guy named Judas is quite something.”
“…Senpai?”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.”
“What exactly do you know?”
Argon rambled nonsense while unwarrantedly boasting about me.
Hermis joined in from the side.
It felt like the two were determined to embarrass me.
“He is indeed amazing. Yes, in many ways. Recently, he even received personal lessons from Gawain, and I can tell his skills are quite…”
“Stop it. Please, stop…”
The truth is, I don’t have much to worry about.
If anything happens, Hermis will step in.
That said, I don’t intend to rely on her.
This is my request, my opportunity to grow.
Though the real purpose isn’t the job itself.
Anyway, Hermis promised to refrain from stepping in as much as possible.
Her goal is to protect me, not to lead me.
Aquinas simply smiled warmly as he looked at me.
“It’s all right. You have golden eyes, after all.”
“Excuse me?”
“Golden eyes are said to be a symbol of a savior.”
I think I’ve heard that somewhere before.
It wasn’t really emphasized in the original, so I don’t remember the details.
Hermis and Argon seem unaware of it too.
Aquinas smiled as he continued.
“There’s a record in the first holy scripture. It says that the primal being was completed in gold, sealing the Evil God of Emptiness who devours the sun with the two forces that were once one. Since then, golden eyes have been considered a symbol of salvation.”
That’s a character I know well.
The future Aquinas often referred to the first holy scripture when he got the chance.
However, even I found it somewhat awkward to hear, as it had been quite a while since I last heard such content.
The other two didn’t seem to know much either, wearing somewhat puzzled expressions.
Aquinas chuckled bashfully.
“Haha…. It’s natural not to know. It’s a very old story, and the first holy scripture isn’t well regarded. Nowadays, it’s a tale known by very few.”
I understand the reason why.
The sun and moon have split into two religions.
However, the first holy scripture defines the sun and moon as one.
Even if polytheism is acknowledged, accepting that the two deities worshiped were once one is a hard pill to swallow.
“Um, this might be a bit random, but may I ask something?”
Hermis suddenly asked Aquinas.
“Of course, go ahead.”
“I noticed the townspeople were looking uncomfortably at us. Is something wrong?”
“Oh, that’s…”
Aquinas trailed off, seemingly in a pinch.
“It’s likely because you are followers of a heretical faith.”
At those words, I looked at Hermis.
The embodiment of the knight, harmoniously combining black and gold.
On her shoulder was an epaulet.
A blazing sun symbolized in red.
It was the emblem of the Sun Church, the primary religion of this world, followed by the Bevel Family.
“This area is under the influence of the Molsin Church.”
The Molsin Church and the Sun Church are notoriously not on good terms.
To the extent that, in the future timeline, the Molsin Church no longer exists.
It fades away because of the Bevel Family.
I don’t know the specifics behind it.
In fact, that’s one of my concerns.
Whether it’s okay for me to engage in matters related to the Molsin Church right now…
However, one thing I’ve learned from this moment is that their relationship isn’t as bad as I was worried about.
The mutual growling is a story from quite a long time ago.
I’ve heard that they’ve established some peace agreements and reconciliations nowadays.
“That makes me even more curious. If their relationship isn’t that terrible, why does the Bevel Family oppress and eliminate the Molsin Church?”
Hermis asked again.
“But it wasn’t like this when I was in other Molsin Church territories.”
“That’s due to the past here… No, never mind. Um. It’s a bit tricky for me to bring this up.”
Aquinas changed the subject.
“However, I suppose it’s because life is tough. People are inclined to create an enemy to hate to turn away from the hardships of reality.”
The war with the demon race that has persisted for a long time still doesn’t cease.
Because of that, life for the lower class in this world is unbearably harsh.
I simply haven’t seen it firsthand being inside Eliya’s training center.
“It’s been depicted brutally in the game….”
Selling one’s child has become a daily occurrence.
Taxes keep rising due to the ongoing war, and life for commoners and lower-class citizens grows increasingly bleak.
Meanwhile, the nobles indulge in excess and pleasure.
In safe places far from the battlefield.
Aquinas’s words were heavy truths.
His voice exuded loneliness, causing neither me nor Hermis to ask further questions.
He added with a late smile.
“In times like these, people like me must muster even more strength, so everyone can be happy.”
Hermis cautiously whispered in my ear.
“He seems like a very devout and upright believer. I can’t shake the feeling that someone so good makes me uncomfortable…”
I nodded slightly.
It’s not that I dislike him.
I think he deserves respect.
However, there’s something strangely unsettling about someone who is too good.
“Watching him makes me feel like I’m a deficient person…”
As I whispered, Hermis nodded in agreement.
Argon glanced at me and Hermis with suspicion.
That guy… No, he’s definitely imagining something weird again…
*
“This is where the herb-gathering mountain begins. I sincerely hope for your cooperation.”
Aquinas said.
Argon and I followed him to the left and right while being vigilant of our surroundings.
Hermis trailed behind.
Aquinas walked slowly, observing the surroundings and distinguishing the herbs as he put them in the bag he brought.
‘Hmm…’
This shouldn’t be how I feel, but I found his actions somehow frustrating.
Having entered the forest, I realized I know about the herbs that grow here.
What’s more, a “survival expert” has detailed the difference between herbs and weeds extensively.
‘For now, let’s not interfere… Huh?’
I raised my hand momentarily to halt the group.
“What is it?”
Aquinas asked cautiously.
I stepped forward and examined the ground.
The hunter’s senses keenly picked up traces.
Impressions on the dirt.
Dog footprints.
A pack of several.
And underbrush laid down in a specific direction.
‘Relatively recent footprints. Near a path used by wild dogs.’
Hermis and Argon crouched and observed the surroundings.
“Do you happen to have a regular path you use?”
“It’s not exactly what I’d call a path, but there are areas or directions that we usually frequent. Why do you ask?”
“There are recently made wild dog footprints.”
“Really…”
“Where?”
Argon asked, curious.
“Right here. Do you see it?”
The three of them gathered and examined the place I pointed to.
Hermis nodded, but the other two only frowned.
“And over there, the grass is unnaturally pushed down in a way that indicates a smaller animal has passed through. This might be a pathway for the wild dogs.”
“…What do you see?”
“Have you been learning to hunt professionally? How did you discern such traces? It’s amazing.”
“Well, it’s just…”
I scratched my cheek awkwardly, feeling embarrassed.
Hermis peeked at me, smiling.
A mischievous grin.
Somehow, it makes me uneasy.
“See? Isn’t he impressive? Even though he’s a newbie who just joined the training center, he stands out in many areas. Someone worthy of Lady Eliya’s favor…”
Argon joined in, excitedly teasing me.
Without realizing it, Aquinas looked at me with pride on his face and smiled.
“You’re truly remarkable for someone so young.”
“Thank you…”
“I acknowledge it! You know you’re remarkable, don’t you?”
“Just like Judas!”
“Can you both please wrap this up? Anyway, I think it’s better to go around this way, is that okay? For the daily quota and all.”
“Safety comes first.”
Aquinas agreed with my opinion.
We decided to change our route.
The only thing that changed was that I took the lead, and Aquinas closely followed behind me.
Hermis still kept her distance in the back.
As a result, Argon had to go back and forth.
Though busy, he didn’t complain.
With me leading, one more thing changed.
“What kind of herbs do you need?”
“I need herbal medicines for those suffering from indigestion or high fever the most. I also need materials to make ointments for light wounds…”
I gathered herbs with him.
Or I’d inform him of things he didn’t know.
I’m not uncomfortable with someone being too good, but I don’t dislike it either.
The world indeed needs more people like that.
Someone like me frankly doesn’t need too many of them.
If there are too many, it’d be a disaster.
In that sense, even if it doesn’t yield much benefit for me, I just wanted to help him a bit more.
Although this is part of my request.
Argon chuckled as he looked at me.
“What is it that you don’t know?”
“Surprisingly, a lot?”
“I can imagine. Honestly, when Lindell and Perlyn talked about you after the exam, I thought half of it was exaggerated. But seeing you now, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all.”
Thanks to me, the herb gathering was completed quickly and safely.
Aquinas wiped sweat from his brow and smiled with satisfaction.
The bag he held was overflowing.
“I think we can start heading back now.”
“Eh? I don’t think we’ve filled our quota yet, is that okay?”
Argon asked.
Originally, we were supposed to escort him for about three hours.
But feeling-wise, it’s hardly even two hours since we set off.
Hermis confirmed with her wristwatch.
It had been exactly 1 hour and 48 minutes.
Aquinas nodded with a smile.
“Of course. What we’ve gathered so far is sufficient.”
In the end, we followed Aquinas back to the church.
Having finished earlier than planned, Aquinas seemed pleased.
It also worked out well for Argon and me since the work was done quickly.
We returned to the church at a point not significantly different from when we set off.
“Here’s the promised payment.”
Aquinas handed Argon and me 3 florins each.
It was the promised payment.
In terms of currency, that’s about 12,000 won?
For 2 hours of work, it’s not bad, and considering it’s a forest with wild dogs, it’s surprisingly cheap.
“I’m sorry, but as for the knight…”
Aquinas hesitated, seeming sorry that he couldn’t give Hermis any payment.
Hermis quickly shook her hand.
“You don’t need to worry about that. I came to work for Judas.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
While the two were conversing briefly, Argon patted my shoulder.
“Thanks. If it weren’t for you, it would’ve taken longer or been dangerous.”
“It’s nothing, really.”
3 florins.
To be honest, it doesn’t hold any significant meaning to me right now.
I could use it somewhere if needed though.
The real purpose of my accepting this request is different.
“Aquinas, may I ask you one thing?”
“Yes. Judas, anything you’d like to ask.”
“I’d like to do some prayers.”
What I need isn’t the payment but the church itself for praying.
If I pray in the church’s prayer room for a certain period, I can gain its characteristic.
The grace of defense.
A characteristic that protects from magic for one time.
‘It’s okay to ask Aquinas about the first holy scripture later.’
However, there are two problems.
First, I don’t have a religion.
I don’t believe in God.
If I were to take a side on whether I believe in His existence, I’d be closer to being neutral, “I don’t know.” But still, I lean towards the non-believing side.
‘Will my prayer even reach if I don’t believe?’
In the game, all it required was to perform a prayer motion in a prayer room for a certain amount of time.
I’m not sure if it’ll be effective even now that this world has become reality.
And the second issue.
Only playable characters could gain characteristics through prayer.
According to the settings, those bestowed with a destiny.
I’m uncertain whether Judas meets those conditions.
I have received the quest “Twist of Fate, Beginning of Cause.”
But I’ve only just seen the name of that quest since coming here.
I’m not sure if Judas holds a destiny equivalent to that of the main quest.
‘If it doesn’t happen, I’ll just have to find another way.’
This characteristic is worth a day’s worth of sacrifice.
More than anything, I’ve met Aquinas.
Aquinas smiled brightly at my desire to pray.
“Of course. During this time, I can help you use the room freely. But, are you a believer of the Molsin Church?”
“No, not really…”
“That’s fine. Truth is like the sea, and learning flows toward the sea. There are no heresies in enlightenment.”
In a world based on polytheism.
It’s allowed to pray to one’s deity in the church of another religion.
Though it varies by religion, it’s rare for people to actually do that.
Even if they do, they’re treated as eccentric.
And right now, I’ve become one of those eccentrics.
Argon observed me as if I were bizarre.
“You don’t seem that devout…?”
“You shouldn’t judge a person merely by their appearance.”
“Even when you were with me, you never…”
I had no words to counter Hermis’s rebuttal.
So I decided to just brazen it out.
“I just suddenly wanted to.”
“Hmmm… You really are unpredictable.”
“That’s just who I am…”
What gives?
It seems like they understand that I’m a troublemaker, so they accept this strange behavior.
Is that my image?
I suppose it is.
Unlike the two, Aquinas simply smiled.
“Faith can indeed visit one unexpectedly and provide enlightenment. That’s a good sign.”
It felt almost holy, that smile.
Somehow, it left me feeling guilty.
I neither believe in deities nor am I just trying to gain a trait for selfish reasons…
*
Aquinas guided me to the church’s prayer room.
Hermis waited at the door, while Argon headed back first.
“May you have a time filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Aquinas said this and left.
A very burdensome and apologetic farewell.
I sat in the chair placed in the middle of the narrow prayer room.
In front of me, the emblem of the Molsin Church was placed atop the altar.
A large ivory circle.
The symbol of the moon, or more precisely, the full moon.
“Um….”
I pondered for a moment and then clasped my hands.
‘…Is this how it works?’
This is the ‘praying motion’ taken in the game.
Not even ten seconds in, doubts started creeping in.
Is this really how it’s supposed to be?
I don’t think it’s something that would be accepted as prayer.
If I were a deity, I’d be so offended I might unleash divine wrath!
Prayer.
Prayer is, after all, the heart of earnestly wishing and yearning for something, isn’t it?
If one fervently recollects that desire and calls upon someone, wouldn’t that also be prayer?
‘…Please give me the trait.’
And so, for an hour, I internally pouted for this trait.
*
[Hidden Quest ‘Sincere Prayer’ Discovered.]
‘This works?!’
If it’s a sincere prayer, that’s precisely what I know the quest’s title to be.
[Moon Trait Acquired.]
‘…Huh?’
[‘Sincere Prayer’ has been changed to ‘Discovery of Revelation.’]
[‘Discovery of Revelation’ in progress… (1%)]
What could this possibly be?
It should be fine, right…?
*
Outside the prayer room, Aquinas waited.
Seeing me, he spoke with concern.
“It seems it wasn’t a satisfactory prayer.”
I suppose it must’ve been my expression that gave it away.
I still didn’t understand what the last state notification meant.
I also had never seen that name before.
Because of that, I seemed somewhat dazed, and it must have shown on my face.
“No, um… It’s fine. Truth is, it’s my first time…”
“Everyone finds the beginning difficult. What’s important is the persistence of that will to continue.”
…This is still uncomfortable.
He’s just too upright and honest.
He seems much younger than I remember and carries much more eagerness and hope…
That aside.
I should ask about my curiosity.
“Sir, about the first holy scripture you mentioned earlier…”
“Oh! You’re interested in that story?”
Aquinas’s eyes lit up as he asked.
I feel a bit guilty, but…
“Yes. I found it fascinating as I hadn’t heard those details before.”
“That’s a good attitude. There are two things in the world that one can never fully comprehend, and one of them is learning towards the truth. It’s very commendable to listen to various opinions. If you immerse yourself in just one area, your insight will deepen but also narrow down.”
I feel like I’m bleeding from my ears.
“Are you able to read?”
I found out quite recently.
I can’t read the writing of this world.
The nickname that was given to me on the account provided by the information guild.
“My Evil Hedgehog.”
And “Blind Star.”
These two were shown to me by Yurideke, who taught me reading.
Florins are just numbers attached to digits.
So, I’m illiterate.
I didn’t realize this because there hadn’t been a situation where I needed to read.
This became clear when checking the request details, for Argon read it for me.
‘I need to… learn to read from someone….’
Aquinas nodded as if he understood.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I can read it for you instead. Do you have time?”
I glanced at Hermis.
She checked her watch and nodded.
“We have about 30 minutes. The request finished early, which gave us some leeway.”
“Seems that way.”
“Great! How much do you know about the first holy scripture?”
“Not specifically…”
I only know as much as others do.
I didn’t delve into the very distant history of the game’s background.
“Then this content will be good for you. There are various interpretations of the expressions and metaphors in the scripture, but this version is the easiest to understand. It was penned by a scholar named Scholarly, who personified the deity.”
Aquinas began reading the content.
Some of it resonated with what I already knew, but I listened carefully in case I missed something.
The being referred to as the primal existence.
Using the powers of the sun and the moon, which were once one, it sealed the Evil God of Emptiness.
Afterward, the sun and moon were separated.
“…Since what was once one was divided by external pressure, this wasn’t a normal farewell. Particularly, the sun exhausted much of its original power and became corrupted. The corrupted sun began to long for the moon to restore its power. To return to its true form, you see.”
Aquinas spoke with a soothing tone like telling a folk tale.
“The primal being, which sealed the Evil God, before falling into eternal slumber foretold that the evil god would break the seal and resurrect in the distant future. For that to occur, the sun and moon had to reunite. They needed the force of unity, not the separated powers. Therefore…”
It was a very peaceful tone.
Just as I began to feel slightly drowsy, I was struck with surprise at the next passage.
“The sun had to absorb the power of the moon to remedy its corruption and thus decided to seek out and kill the moon.”
“…”
Madness.
The corrupted sun.
The magical power I possess.
The moon trait. The power of the moon.
Tragedy.
Eliya choking my neck.
‘…No way.’
*
Eliya was reading a deciphered version of the first holy scripture in the study room.
She had reached a rather interesting point when someone knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
It was Miguel.
He politely handed her some papers.
“Here are investigation materials regarding the individual who attacked you on your birthday when candidates were being selected last time.”
The incident that had provided grounds for exiling Narcissi.
It had been long forgotten.
It was of relatively low importance.
“That did happen.”
Eliya skimmed over the documents.
Her eyes, which moved quickly, stopped as if caught on something.
At some point, they lingered longer than usual.
‘…From Judeca.’
The responsible guardian, Angra.
‘Just like Judas….’
Miguel cautiously began to speak.
“And concerning that note we discovered last time…”
It was a note presumed to have some instructions written by someone.
Although the contents had faded, Eliya sensed magical energy from that note.
There were signs of pressure from a pen tip, so she had requested a restoration from an expert.
“They said they’ve restored the content.”
Eliya immediately responded.
“Bring it to me.”
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