I am back – Chapter 23

The stained glass adorning the cathedral is beautiful.

But in truth, those glass panes weren’t created because someone specifically wanted them that way from the beginning.

Long ago, when the cathedral was first being built, people didn’t possess the technology to create large glass panels as massive as the cathedral’s grand windows. At that time’s technology, it was impossible to make flat glass pieces larger than a certain size.

Thus came the idea to piece together small glass shards to create something big.

And while they were at it, the suggestion arose to carve colorful and beautiful images into the cathedral’s windows, which ultimately turned out to be a wise choice.

The beautiful stained glass, when illuminated by light, allows the light to pass through, giving those who pray underneath the illusion that they’re somehow inside the divine paintings themselves. The colors of the glass inadvertently darkened the interior of the cathedral a bit, but that actually helped maintain a more sacred atmosphere.

Pia clearly remembered the first conversation she had with the hero, Siyun, in this very place.

The kingdom is seeking a saintess as part of the party to eliminate the Demon King.

Those were the words spoken by the saintess shortly after the hero arrived in this world.

Initially, the church opposed the idea.

The saintess didn’t necessarily have to be at the front lines during battles with the Demon King’s forces. In fact, until now, the saintess had often played the role of supporting the hero from the rear. There were many capable high priests who could assist the hero, and unlike the saintess, who couldn’t be replaced once deceased, there were multiple priests available.

The symbolic significance of the saintess was enormous. Just as the king represents the kingdom itself and cannot recklessly step into the front lines, the saintess serves as a symbol for the church and an evidence of faith for all believers.

For the saintess to fall to the Demon King would mean that faith itself had fallen to the Demon King.

The high priests of the church gathered to discuss why the kingdom had specifically named the saintess.

Could it be that the nobles were moving to keep the church in check?

No, no matter how power-hungry the nobles were, they understood what would happen if the Demon King’s forces entered the royal castle. This war was one that concerned the survival of humanity. In a situation where merely defending was overwhelming, they would have no reason to betray the saintess, the one who would safeguard them in times of crisis. Even if someone could think that way, they could never be a majority. With the Goddess watching over, who among them would dare to do such a thing?

Could it be due to the hero’s words, who claimed to have met the Goddess directly?

Did the hero directly nominate the saintess? Yes, if it were that, there might be some possibility.

The hero was a being directly sent by the Goddess. If such a hero brought it up directly, the kingdom would have to take it seriously.

However, even so, questions still remained.

If the Goddess had spoken directly to the hero, why hadn’t she said anything more to the saintess, the being closest to her?

“Then I shall meet with the hero.”

The one to conclude such discussions was the saintess herself.

The saintess stated she would meet and converse with the hero.

Although she wasn’t the representative the priests had chosen, the saintess was the one who heard the divine voice from the closest proximity. Among all humans in this world, she was the one with the deepest faith.

“I shall meet with the hero and decide.”

There was no way the church’s priests could interfere with the words of such a being.

*

In fact, Pia had already received a few words from the Goddess.

Do you wish to help the hero?

Of course she did. Pia was prepared to dedicate her life if it was the Goddess’s will.

…….

But in response to her words, the Goddess fell silent. Though it was just a brief moment of silence, Pia felt uneasy.

Could it be that what I said offended the Goddess’s mood?

Always feeling the presence of the Goddess, Pia knew well how great and holy she was. If she had irked her, it could only be Pia’s fault, regardless of the reason.

After all, she was the Goddess.

Pia was just one among the followers. Though she held a representative position, she couldn’t claim to be higher than the Goddess.

……Um…….Er…….

The Goddess was momentarily lost in thought.

What kind of important thoughts could possibly warrant such deliberation?

Pia couldn’t even begin to imagine the depth of her contemplation.

…….

After a brief silence, the Goddess declared,

……Do not leave your future merely to others.

She gave her prophecy.

To step forward without a moment’s thought is a foolish act. Before deciding your future, think once more, weigh your options, and then step forward slowly, with your own will. Do not become a puppet controlled by someone else.

Every word was right.

And regarding the intention to assist the hero, perhaps you should meet the person first before making any decisions.

The Goddess added.

“But isn’t the hero someone sent by the Goddess? Surely, someone like that can’t be wrong!”

Even in a dream, Pia shouted towards the distant light.

Uh…….

The Goddess once again fell into contemplation.

……Well, um, they do seem to be a really nice person.

…….

Anyway, I told you to talk first. Even a good person might not be the right fit…… or maybe not…… wait, is that not the case?

Pia pretended not to hear the last sentence.

Are you doing this on purpose?

Pia ignored the Goddess’s uncharacteristically loose phrasing.

Instead, she stuck her tongue out slightly.

Ever since Pia, who was abandoned by unknown parents long ago, began praying to a wooden statue she stumbled upon by chance, and after being rescued by a priest who noticed her in the street, becoming a nun, using divine power for the first time at the convent, and later miraculously repelling the oncoming monsters before arriving at the kingdom’s cathedral.

To Pia, the Goddess was a guide, a parent, and her closest friend.

…….

The Goddess said nothing.

But Pia was convinced that the Goddess had smiled at her. She had that feeling.

Anyway,

The moment the Goddess’s previously disrupted voice returned to normal.

I will send you the hero who will save the world. Whether to help him or not will be your choice.

The Goddess said something different from what she had said before.

However, Pia would definitely choose to assist the hero.

Because there was no way someone chosen by that Goddess could possibly be evil.

Honestly, that’s true.

Pia was certain that the Goddess was making a very bored expression.

*

The first time Pia met the hero was in front of the cathedral’s stained glass.

After concluding her duties, Pia saw the hero standing at a distance.

If going by first impressions alone, honestly, it was surprising that this person might possibly save the world.

His untrained body seemed smaller compared to the holy knights she saw daily at the cathedral. It didn’t seem like he had developed any muscles, leading her to wonder if he’d be able to win against monsters in a fight.

Even though he wore a sword at his waist, his stance looked so awkward that it seemed quite unnatural.

Of course, since he was someone sent by the Goddess, it would be unwise to judge solely by appearance.

“Hello there!”

At the sound of Pia’s voice, the young man flinched and turned around.

He had a kind-looking face.

That was Pia’s first impression of him.

“Are you the hero, by any chance?”

“Ah, yes.”

He seemed a little flustered as his voice shook.

“I am the hero……Cha Si-hyun.”

That was a unique name.

However, many names of other heroes recorded in history were also quite unusual. Some were much longer than that name, while others were shorter. Pia nodded and introduced herself.

“I am Saintess Pia. It’s good to meet you again.”

“Ah, yes, yes. Hello….”

Pia gently placed one hand on her chest and gave a slight bow, and the hero hurriedly bowed in response.

The holy sword at the hero’s waist made a clanking sound.

“Did the hero perhaps request for my assistance?”

Without hesitation, Pia asked straightforwardly.

“Yes?”

“I heard that the kingdom personally nominated me to be sent to eliminate the Demon King, and I was wondering if you had requested something like that.”

“Uh, ah, I’m sorry…?”

The hero immediately apologized in that moment.

Seeing such a hero made Pia chuckle and say,

“There’s no reason to apologize. It’s not wrong at all.”

Pia lifted her gaze.

The hero was gazing at the stained glass he had been looking at moments before.

There, the image of a holy goddess with pink hair was depicted.

“How does it look? Pretty convincing, right?”

“Yes?”

“The appearance of the Goddess.”

Pia looked down at the hero and said.

“The saint who made that glass was also someone who could see the Goddess’s form.”

And she smiled brightly.

“Just like us.”

“Ah….”

“I’m very much willing to help.”

Pia once again looked up at the image of the Goddess and spoke.

“The Goddess told me to converse, so let’s first sit down and have a cup of tea while we talk.”