The World I Was Supporting Was Real

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Upon Erin’s thunderous declaration, Ophilia slowly nodded and spoke.

“Are you saying that a lack of understanding… cannot be remedied by effort?”

“…Yes.”

The words of God inscribed in the Bible were absolute, at least to creations.

This meant that it was simply a matter of intelligence, one that couldn’t be fixed through mere practice.

So— this very situation meant saying to someone who sparkled their eyes and declared, “I will understand the will of God myself” that…

“No matter how much you practice, you will never understand the plain, simple facts from God.”

Erin couldn’t bring herself to meet Ophilia’s calmly inquisitive eyes.

To tell the one who sparkled with bright yellow eyes, asking for clear facts that “you lack understanding, so you cannot grasp plain facts” was such a cruel statement!

Not to mention, not just any knight but a Holy Knight set to carry forth God’s will with her comrades!

Naturally, it was bound to hurt.

However.

Can it really be said that instilling ‘empty hope’ is a kind act?

Erin was vaguely realizing that nothing could be accomplished through effort. The words of God inscribed in the Bible were absolute.

Yet, suggesting that it could simply work out with encouragement like, “Let’s try a little harder,” felt absolutely wrong. To Erin, it was almost akin to deceit.

After weighing everything, the conclusion was simple: honesty was the answer—

She had steeled herself.

Though she had steeled herself, she still couldn’t force the words out.

With a slight turn of her head, silence lingered for a moment.

“I see.”

At last, Ophilia broke the silence.

“It seems this is yet another trial set upon me by God Igguoqueden!”

“…What?”

Instead of sorrow or embarrassment, Ophilia responded in the bright tone she always used.

“I have been chosen by God, but I am inherently lacking in many ways. Hearing that I lack understanding is something I’ve often heard throughout my life. In fact, there are times I can’t even remember what ‘plain facts’ are.”

“Though I may continue to not understand the ‘will of God’… I believe that the very fact I cannot understand is my fate to bear.”

“Th-that’s…”

In a tone much more upbeat than Erin, who was struggling, Ophilia boldly declared her ambitions.

“It’s alright, Saint! I will not give up. I will surely strive to understand the plain facts from God without your help someday. Even if I cannot understand, I will press on without disappointment in that truth.”

“…”

What kind of heart was it to accept that one may never understand and continue to move forward?

Erin found herself unable to respond to Ophilia’s words.

* * *

From that day onward.

“Greetings, Saint.”

“…Hello.”

Ophilia continued her duties as a Holy Knight with the same attitude as before.

Surely, among the three Holy Knights, Ophilia was achieving considerable results.

She diligently carried out community service, delivering the will of God in the towns plagued by epidemics without being told. She patrolled near dungeons crawling with monsters, and gathered children from impoverished areas to provide them opportunities to learn and took them to the newly established Learning Hall in the Igguoqueden Cathedral.

Given the Guoden Church had been declared the state church, this greatly helped improve the perceptions of many who initially resisted some of its doctrines.

Hearing such reports, Erin felt relieved that Ophilia’s will remained unbroken—

Yet gradually, some questions began to arise among those working with her in the cathedral.

Some cautiously approached Erin with inquiries.

“Saint. I am greatly honored to say this, but… why does Holy Knight Ophilia keep forgetting the ‘plain facts’? Every time, it seems a bit… I mean, I’m not complaining, but…”

Though they said that, it was only natural to feel puzzled.

How could someone who couldn’t even comprehend the plain facts of God act as a representative member of the Holy Knights?

Erin dismissed those inquiries with as much solemnity and firmness as she could muster.

“Lady Ophilia has been assigned as a Holy Knight by the will of God. Are you questioning the will of God Igguoqueden?”

“N-no! How could a mere creature like me dare to question the great will of God Igguoqueden!!”

“So please, do not worry. Everything will unfold according to God’s will.”

Thus, she used the name of the saint to suppress the burgeoning rumors…

But inevitably, this too would reveal its limits. No matter how much time passed, the clergy would no doubt continue to harbor questions regarding her inability to understand.

“Sigh.”

And ultimately—

Even knowing she was trying despite not being able to understand, it somehow pained Erin’s heart.

Having been perceptive since childhood, Erin noticed that Ophilia’s once unwavering expression was beginning to waver little by little.

No matter how much she lacked understanding, she was still a person. A person who could be hurt in mundane ways.

Erin slowly raised her hands in prayer.

With her hands neatly clasped, she gently placed them over her Holy Power Pouch… closed her eyes, directing her thoughts to her one and only Lord.

“God Igguoqueden. I truly apologize, but I offer my prayers again. I know the love you have given me until now is more than enough.”

“I believe your words are absolute. There must surely be profound meaning in choosing Lady Ophilia Translerente.”

“If I may be so bold as to ask— please guide those who have been chosen by God, so that they may not wander aimlessly. If there is a path, may you illuminate it just a little.”

For Ophilia, not for herself.

If the Lord looked kindly upon her, then please, let it be so…

The more she prayed, the more she felt the need to depend on God, and tears streamed from Erin’s eyes.

Why am I just a mere creature?

I don’t just want to rely on God; I want to become something that God can rely on.

I wish to be used by God Igguoqueden…

“If the day ever comes when God Igguoqueden manifests, then I must—”

—I will surely dedicate this body to God and repay the immense, vast plain facts.

Her pure heart devoted solely to God Igguoqueden.

* * *

“…”

Having finished reading the comic, I slowly scrolled up to confirm the content once more.

“I don’t understand…”

In the Bible… in other words, words derived from a casual remark I made— the phrase about intelligence.

Because of that word, it seemed the somewhat intellectually challenged Ophilia couldn’t grasp the Bible.

My offhand comment obviously hadn’t gone quite that far—

“Is the word of God inherently endowed with life?”

As that thought crossed my mind, I let out a bittersweet smile.

Above all, it was most bittersweet that I now naturally considered myself as ‘God.’

[ Igguoqueden: Is this episode really over? ]

[ Please Give Me Money: That’s right. ]

[ Igguoqueden: Seems like Ophilia doesn’t understand my words. ]

[ Igguoqueden: Is this a congenital issue? ]

[ Please Give Me Money: As you can see, Lady Ophilia has some difficulty learning relative to others… ]

[ Please Give Me Money: But it’s fine. There’s nothing impossible under ‘God’s power.’ ]

[ Please Give Me Money: If there’s power, facilitating Lady Ophilia to safely understand God’s will is quite simple. ]

[ Igguoqueden: How much is needed? ]

[ Please Give Me Money: In this case… about 80,000 won should suffice. ]

[ Please Give Me Money: This is a matter of changing Lady Ophilia’s cognitive world, so I apologize that it requires a bit more power. ]

[ Please Give Me Money: Of course, it’s totally fine if you choose not to support. Unlike with Luka, Lady Ophilia’s fate isn’t quite so twisted. ]

[ Please Give Me Money: There’s really nothing to worry about aside from her not understanding God’s will. ]

Yeah.

This world is a comic.

And the author, after wringing emotional responses from a foolish but hardworking Ophilia, wants to say, “Please grant powers to the poor Ophilia.”

Of course, to avoid excessive pressure for monetary support at all costs, they say something like “not donating is alright.”

For me, well, having the motivation to pressure donations is whatever at this point.

Honestly, I think I’ve received more than the money I’ve invested from this author long ago.

Every day, they draw custom comics flawlessly without delay, create my original character or draw my favorite female characters. Sometimes, they even throw in some explicit stuff for me.

I had no intention of feeling regret about spending money or criticizing someone’s business tactics. I was.

I was simply—

Thinking about what it would be like if I were really a god—

[ Igguoqueden: Hey. ]

[ Igguoqueden: If we’re following your logic, then I am God, right? ]

[ Please Give Me Money: My statement is irrelevant to this matter. ]

[ Please Give Me Money: Igguoqueden, you are the one true God of our world, which has been an absolute truth from the moment you chose us. ]

[ Please Give Me Money: I merely observe that fact. ]

[ Igguoqueden: Okay, okay, putting that aside for now. ]

[ Igguoqueden: Obviously, in this case, the right course of action is to help Ophilia open her eyes through donations, right? ]

[ Please Give Me Money: If that is the will of Igguoqueden, we can certainly do so. ]

[ Igguoqueden: But you know— ]

Even I, as a god.

If I were to focus solely on addressing Ophilia’s intellect, fixing that issue directly would amount to resolving it solely through a ‘miracle of God.’

That would render her efforts utterly futile.

[ Igguoqueden: I feel like that approach isn’t quite right. ]

I want to tell Ophilia that her efforts will never be in vain.

Because that’s what a god ought to do.

To believe in the faithful and reassure them that their sincere hearts are not wrong!

[ Igguoqueden: I want to tell Ophilia it’s alright if she doesn’t understand. ]

[ Igguoqueden: What’s wrong with not understanding? Ophilia is already putting her ideals into action sufficiently. ]

[ Igguoqueden: As a god, shouldn’t I recognize how hard it is to grasp something before merely shoving my own truth down their throat??? ]

The real world might not be like this.

But in this world, I am the god.

My will is God’s will!

[ Please Give Me Money: Is that so…? ]

[ Please Give Me Money: However, if she doesn’t understand God’s will, the same issue may arise again… ]

[ Igguoqueden: I’ve been thinking— ]

[ Igguoqueden: Instead of directly delivering miracles, how about helping her indirectly prove that she’s correct? ]

[ Please Give Me Money: I understand your words, Igguoqueden. However— ]

[ Please Give Me Money: Bringing about ‘direct miracles’ is far simpler than indirectly shaking the world, necessitating a much broader range of ‘divine power.’ ]

[ Igguoqueden: Broader divine power?? ]

Broader divine power.

In other words, that probably means needing more donation money.

“Sigh.”

Thump, thump.

My heart was pounding fiercely. This felt different than the thrill of seeing a woman’s naked body.

Something inside me was simply heating up. It felt like something within my chest was boiling me.

Could this perhaps be referred to as passion?

Becoming overly absorbed in a comic might seem ridiculous to others—but—

[ Igguoqueden ( Sponsorship / 500,000 won / Is this enough? (not really sure) ) ]

—I don’t want to make fun of Ophilia, who reveres me as a god.

That was my true sentiment.

And.

[ ShowShot: Are you really wrapping up the helmet for 1500? You could probably get 50-100 more with some time spent. ]

[ Please Give Me Money: To receive my rightful price, it takes an enormous amount of time, haha! But I’m selling cheaply to Gilwon. ]

[ Please Give Me Money: And…]

[ Please Give Me Money: There’s still plenty of time to sell left]

I have plenty of money.