A peaceful resolution without any damage.
Although it was somewhat chaotic, in conclusion, I think it was the most effective method and, in its own way, a peaceful resolution.
After all, I managed to face the Demon Tribe without causing any damage to the people or buildings around me.
Perhaps because of that, handling today’s affair feels more fulfilling than ever.
– Rustle
First, I hastily moved the corpse of the Demon Tribe, which was left in the middle of the Abbess’s office, to a corner.
After letting out a shallow breath, I lightly brushed off my hands.
It had shriveled severely due to excessive blood absorption, but still, if I explain the situation to the Abbess, it should be manageable.
At least, I wouldn’t be suspected or pelted with stones.
– Creak….
Just as I calmly finished cleaning up and was about to step outside, a rather strange sound from the rusty hinges caught my attention.
“…?”
I gently turned my head toward the door, and to my surprise, the door that should have been firmly closed was slightly ajar.
It creaked slowly due to the wind, and a faint ray of sunlight streamed through the crack.
Upon seeing the door, an ominous feeling washed over me for some reason.
A very quiet presence beyond the slightly opened door could also be sensed.
“…….”
Finally, I approached the door, carefully pushed it open to check the hallway, and simultaneously, a very familiar face appeared quite unexpectedly right in front of me.
The presence that had faintly resonated from beyond the door was none other than the Abbess herself.
“Hi, hi…!”
“…….”
Upon seeing the Abbess trembling in fear like a quaking aspen, I immediately shut my mouth and fell into an awkward silence.
It was obvious that she had witnessed everything that had transpired here without missing a single detail.
I couldn’t make any excuses in this situation.
I thought I had acted quite systematically.
I never anticipated that such a nonsensical variable would occur.
“…Did you see everything?”
Struggling to break the awkward silence, I cautiously asked the Abbess.
She let out a heavy breath and immediately nodded her head.
“…All of it?”
Again, she kept her mouth tightly shut and nodded her head.
Seeing her like that, I found myself unable to say anything for a while.
The growing anxiety within the awkward silence began to envelop my entire body intensely.
“Uh, um, it seems you might be misunderstanding something…. I mean….”
“Goddess….”
Just as I was about to spew out anything to somehow evade this situation, a strange remark that I couldn’t help but doubt came softly from the Abbess’s lips.
My mind went blank for a moment, stunned by the sudden and confusing situation as my eyelids fluttered repeatedly.
At that moment, another low voice from the Abbess reached my ears.
“Are, are you a goddess…?”
My eyes widened in surprise.
I shook my head violently, denying the absurd question, but for some reason, the Abbess was already beginning to show an unnatural smile as if she was convinced I was a goddess.
“Goddess… Paelia….”
Her voice trembled severely, her gaze mingled with fear and reverence.
“W-what are you talking about all of a sudden…? Why would I be a goddess….”
“To save us foolish ones, you have come all the way here….”
“Huh?”
“I never even thought the caretaker would be a member of the Demon Tribe…. Moreover, to think such a horrific event was underway….”
For some reason, things were unfolding in a direction completely opposite to what I had expected.
I thought she would misunderstand me as a bad Demon and make a fuss.
Instead, this situation, where she was mistaking me for a goddess, was extremely bewildering.
“I was irreverent…. I didn’t know you were acting to lower the Demon Tribe’s guard…. I had the audacity to think you were a member of the Demon Tribe….”
“…….”
“But the moment I heard the sacred bell of the goddess that followed, I immediately realized I had made an outrageous misunderstanding…. Please forgive this foolish one….”
It seemed she had thought of me as the same kind of Demon as the caretaker until just before she used her skill.
Well, considering how the conversation had gone, I could understand that misinterpretation.
Still, being treated as a goddess just because of one skill is a bit overwhelming.
Moreover, the End of Ages skill only looked beautiful to others; to me, it still appeared horrifically like an apocalypse movie.
So, I felt even more resistance to the term ‘goddess.’
“I am not a goddess. Besides, there is a saint in this world….”
“I have heard much about Saint Ellie…. Although it’s a humble village, I haven’t had the chance to meet her yet, but just by hearing about her achievements and skills, it is apparent they are extraordinary….”
“Indeed. I think it’s even more so because I cared for her. Her personality is so kind and cute….”
Suddenly, I found myself bragging without realizing it.
This wasn’t the topic I intended to bring up.
As soon as the Abbess started praising Ellie, my mouth moved reflexively.
Realizing my mistake too late, I tried to cut myself off in the middle, but the situation seemed to have gotten quite complicated already.
“Ah…, so it is…. The saint grew up under the care of the goddess….”
“…….”
“Goddess Paelia… thank you so much for saving us foolish ones…. And I truly apologize for not recognizing you sooner….”
Now, the Abbess had even knelt before me, hands neatly clasped, praying solemnly.
It was genuinely a moment that left me feeling lightheaded.
“To think I dared to instruct you in front of the goddess….”
The Abbess’s words were filled with heavy self-reproach, leaving no room for me to respond.
As I stood there blankly, wearing a wry smile, the Abbess, who had been kneeling before me, suddenly bowed her head deeply, saying in a voice full of emotion.
“Please forgive my foolishness….”
Once again, I fell into thought.
From the current perspective, the situation was undeniably quite perplexing.
Yet, if I thought about it a little flexibly, it wasn’t such a serious situation.
It might actually be a good outcome.
If things had gone wrong, I might have been misunderstood as a bad Demon, leading to an awkward situation.
Being mistaken for a bad Demon is perhaps less favorable than being thought of as a goddess.
Moreover, such ridiculous claims would hardly be believed by anyone other than the Abbess, who witnessed the situation directly, and the nuns outside.
So, there wouldn’t be much to worry about the ripple effects caused by this incident.
“Please lift your head.”
So I lowered my voice and delicately tried to manage the atmosphere.
At that moment, I decided to think of myself as a goddess—
“I have no intention of blaming you. On the contrary, I’m thankful. Although it was just a day, I learned many things thanks to you.”
“…Huh?”
“It was quite a beneficial experience.”
Since I had suddenly found a reason to rush out, I thought this was as good an opportunity as any.
I could manage to navigate the situation somewhat naturally, and could leave the Nun’s Building without any discomfort.
“It is regrettable to leave the Nun’s Building in such a manner, but now that my identity has been revealed, it can’t be helped.”
“Ah, no…. We are always ready to serve the goddess with all our hearts…. So please don’t feel burdened and, by all means….”
“No. If you heard what I said earlier, you might have pieced it together by now, but the Demon Tribe is currently planning a massive conspiracy. As a goddess, I have a duty to stop it.”
“Du-duty…?”
“Yes. Ultimately, the children I cared for will eradicate the Demon King without a trace, but aside from that, I have my own responsibilities.”
“Are there more children under the goddess’s care other than Saint Ellie…?”
To the Abbess’s question, I slowly nodded my head.
“Aizen, Ellie, Iris, Rune. Four messiahs who will save a world consumed by darkness with a ray of light. They are my children.”
For some reason, pretending to be a goddess rather than a normal nun made my heart race wildly, and I began to sweat profusely.
Though I think I spoke quite naturally about an impromptu remark, I still had no idea how my actions would appear to the Abbess.
– Shake, shake
It was hard enough to move a finger due to the tension.
The World Tree necklace hidden in my clothing suddenly shook around, further intensifying my anxiety.
I had been keeping so quiet, only watching the situation unfold, yet now the creature chose this exact timing to react and make me uneasy…
Well, anyway, the situation had to be wrapped up for now, so I forced myself to remain calm and continued speaking as calmly as possible.
“I’d prefer today’s events to remain a secret. I’m not fond of commotion.”
“Ah…. Yes, of course…. I’ll make sure to inform the nuns outside as well….”
“Thank you. I will be counting on you for the aftermath.”
Having concluded my conversation with the Abbess relatively calmly, just as I was about to turn and step outside in a composed manner—
– Pachiiing—!!
A sudden gentle light erupted from the World Tree necklace, enveloping my entire body in an instant, creating a peculiar ambiance.
The light was warm and cozy, like sunlight streaming down from the sky.
It captivated the viewer, allowing no stray thoughts to cross their minds, immersing them completely in the light as it slowly mesmerized them.
“Ah…. Goddess….”
The Abbess’s voice, filled with immense emotion, echoed clearly behind me.
The light emitted from the World Tree made my lie appear even more plausible, but honestly, I was not thankful at all.
Perhaps it was because I felt it was mocking me for some unknown reason.
My expression began to harden even further, thanks to the World Tree, which was carelessly continuing to emit light.
“Stop it….”
With an ant-like voice, I muttered softly.
But still, the World Tree did not retract its light; instead, it seemed to shine even more brightly, making me appear even more resplendent.
“…….”
Thus, I became convinced.
The World Tree wasn’t helping me; it was mocking me—
It was emitting this light to put me in an even more difficult position.
“Don’t tell me you’re trying to get revenge at this point…?”
