The World I Sponsored Is Real

After that, Erin's journey continued without any interruptions.

Whenever something seemed to obstruct her path, she would offer a prayer. The God, Iggokden, responded to her prayers and granted her requests.

Even when a massive boulder blocked her way:

"This looks like it's going to be tough..."

Though such thoughts naturally crossed her mind, Erin still prayed to God without wavering.

"Dear Iggokden, I humbly ask you to give me the strength to overcome this trial. Please, I beseech you..."

She pleaded earnestly.

Opening her eyes slowly... she easily realized that Iggokden had answered her prayers once again.

The boulder had disappeared as if it had never been there.

'As expected of Iggokden...!'

The more her prayers were answered, the deeper her faith in the one and only God, Iggokden, grew.

The issue was, it wasn't just the simple faith of a woman aspiring to become a saint that was deepening.

'The one who always watches over me and treats me with kindness...!'

Since hearing from the divine messenger to "remember that she is just a woman," something within Erin started to react to the existence of Iggokden in a slightly different, more intense way.

This was a first for her. For a woman who had been living through colorless days, feeling her heart flutter because of someone was a completely new experience.

Before even considering human affection, she had come to hold a fondness for 'God.'

Feeling this was almost sacrilegious, Erin wrapped this affection in the guise of 'faith' and convinced herself:

Yes, believing in God means being willing to do anything for Him.

'I just want to serve God. So, it's not strange at all...'

With such thoughts, how long had she traveled?

'Here it is...!'

Before her eyes spread a city that exuded an overwhelming atmosphere, like a grand fortress.

On either side of the wide road, perfectly suited for carriages, stood columns of exquisite marble, the likes of which could only be seen in temples, proudly displaying the grandeur of the capital from the entrance.

As she walked, she soon noticed that many people were using this road.

Silhouettes of other people.

After escaping a village that wouldn't have been surprising if it were cursed, this was the first time in a long while she saw others.

Following the road into the city gates—

'Wow...'

Pointed spires.

Buildings made of stone with a very classical design.

Far more people than she had seen at the entrance.

Yes.

This is Ophelaichel, the capital of the empire I've only heard about.

Compared to the nameless village she came from, it was a highly developed metropolis.

It almost felt like these people lived in a different world.

Overwhelmed by the grandeur of Ophelaichel, Erin looked around in silent awe.

For a moment, she felt dwarfed by the city, but—

'It's okay. I have God, I have Iggokden with me.'

Just thinking of Iggokden, she quickly regained her composure.

This was always how it was. Whenever her heart was troubled by difficult thoughts or situations, Erin would always think of Iggokden.

The fact that Iggokden was always watching her, even cherishing her.

This was the strongest weapon she had against anything.

'Now, to get to the Papal Palace...'

She thought about looking for a map but soon dismissed the idea.

Next to what appeared to be the royal palace was a spire.

Judging by the beautifully carved large cross on its facade... could that be the cathedral?

Even if it wasn't, what did it matter?

She would eventually find her way there. After all, Iggokden was with her.

'Let's go there.'

Erin started walking towards the building.

As she had guessed, it was indeed the cathedral.

The Great Cathedral of Ophelaichel.

And it was then that Erin noticed something strange.

'...Wait a minute.'

Right in front of the cathedral, engraved clearly on a plaque made of what looked like expensive obsidian:

――In honor of our one true God, Ophelaichel.

'What...?'

Having only experienced miracles and heard the voice of God, Erin had never really studied religion before.

In her childhood, the church was where she went to eat, and as she grew older, her family's fortunes declined, so she focused on farming to survive. When she reached adulthood, a plague devastated her village, and a raid by bandits killed everyone she knew.

Thus, she had no reason to know the name of the God worshipped by the Pope, nor that the capital was named after this God.

But this was odd.

The name of God is Ophelaichel?

'But the God's name is... 'Iggokden'...'

The one true God, Iggokden, whose existence she had witnessed through miracles several times.

But now, suddenly, Ophelaichel?

While she was momentarily lost in thought, a man approached her and spoke.

"Priestess, what brings you here?"

"Ah, um, that is...!"

Startled by the voice of an armored guard, she quickly gathered her thoughts. She wasn't here to do anything wrong, after all.

Moreover, regardless of the reason, the fact that the true God, Iggokden, was with her remained unchanged.

Erin straightened up, bowed her head, and spoke with great dignity.

"My name is Erin. I am walking the path of the capital."

"Erin, the priestess."

"Priestess...?"

Why was he naturally calling her a 'priestess'?

"The emblem on your clothes, it signifies you as a priestess, doesn't it?"

"Oh..."

This outfit, she had received it through prayer to Iggokden.

Perhaps because He is God, He had bestowed upon her an outfit with the emblem.

Anyway, this further proved that her God was not Ophelaichel but Iggokden, so Erin felt quite good about it.

"Could it be that I'm mistaken? Are you perhaps a high priestess or something like that?"

"…No."

"What brings you to the Cathedral of Ophelaichel?"

"I've come to meet the Pope."

At the mention of the Pope, the guard replied in a somewhat flustered tone.

"The Holy Father...?"

"Yes."

The guard hesitated for a long time before wiping the cold sweat from his brow.

"I deeply apologize, but the Pope only meets with those who have an appointment for safety reasons, and he's very busy with various religious duties-"

"I've heard the voice of God."

"Pardon...?"

The guard's eyes widened, but Erin answered without flinching or looking away.

"I've heard the voice of God, and I've come here to become a saint. Please consider my situation."

"Well, um, that is..."

The guard hesitated again, then nodded.

"Please, wait a moment. This isn't something I can handle alone... Please wait!"

How much time had passed since the guard disappeared into the cathedral?

"…!"

Hearing footsteps, Erin noticed someone emerging from the cathedral.

It was a young woman with long black hair veiled, her beauty undeniable even through the veil. Behind her were several guards wearing armor adorned with similar emblems.

Despite feeling momentarily overwhelmed by her aura—

'No. I am one who has heard the voice of God. I am to become a saint. A saint isn't someone even the Pope can treat lightly. So... I should maintain respect but not show undue weakness.'

With this mindset, Erin bowed her head and greeted her.

"Hello."

"Are you the one claiming to have heard the voice of God?"

"Yes."

The woman looked Erin over before asking in a somewhat cold tone.

"May I know the name of the priestess?"

"My name is Erin."

"Is that so, Priestess Erin. May I ask in which diocese you serve?"

"…"

Erin was momentarily at a loss for words, but she knew that lying would only complicate things.

"I wasn't originally on the path to priesthood. I became a priestess because I heard the voice of God."

"Pardon?"

Erin, keeping her eyes firmly on the woman, answered without flinching.

"I obtained the priestly garments through prayer to God."

"…"

The woman stared at Erin for a long time before covering her mouth and speaking in a tone of pity.

"Well, I thought as much, but it's just as I expected..."

"What do you mean...?"

"Recently, there have been many impious individuals."

At that moment.

'…!'

The guards behind the woman quickly surrounded Erin.

"Those who dare to lie about hearing the voice of God."

'Ah, this is so frustrating.'

I sighed while deeply engrossed in reading the webtoon.

Why is the plot like this?

Why so many frustrating scenes?

In this day and age, is there really a need to drag out such a frustrating moment?

Such thoughts naturally led to... 'that thought.'

'Ah... I feel like supporting this.'