I am back – Chapter 26

The Goddess had said nothing since then.

Pia interpreted that as “I will watch over you.”

Such a horribly subjective and selfish interpretation.

But unless she thought that way, she felt she couldn’t do anything, as if she had achieved nothing at all.

…Sometimes, there are priests who think their faith is absolute and look down on the beliefs of others. In front of commoners, and occasionally even in front of nobles, there are those who proclaim that their faith is the truth and that their words are nothing less than the Goddess’s intentions.

Of course, such people typically ended up as mute as a fish in front of Pia. Once they witnessed the holy light emanating from her when she communicates with the Goddess, they couldn’t help but doubt if their beliefs had been misguided.

Indeed, the belief they had to doubt was, ironically, the wrong one.

Except for a very small number of rigid priests, most would eventually confess their wrongdoings before Pia and reflect on them. A few priests usually had to go through a process of being taught the doctrines all over again. Those who suddenly plummeted to a status similar to laypeople often couldn’t endure the humiliation and would leave the church.

Then, if even the Saintess, closest to the Goddess, held a misguided belief, who should the Saintess learn from?

…Perhaps, only from the Goddess.

“Is there a chance to meet the Hero… Siyun again?”

Arna asked once more.

Hearing that they would persuade the Goddess, but wanting to verify it again, was typical of her. She was always cautious. Even during reconnaissance, she would double-check several times to ensure the safety of her party members. Even if a tiny mistake she overlooked led to an ambush, she always had several backup plans prepared. Thanks to Pia, they had been saved more than once.

…No, that wasn’t it.

The reason Arna was asking wasn’t to be cautious but simply to check if it was “really” possible.

If it’s truly possible…

She would surely follow Pia’s words.

No matter what danger followed.

“I can’t say for sure if it will be successful.”

That’s what Pia said this time.

Whether the Goddess would heed her words was uncertain.

They had made an excuse about wanting the rewards from having been a part of the Hero’s party, but the truth was that it was the Hero party who desired that power the most.

…Especially, it was something that, as the Saintess, Pia should never even think about.

Kalia’s strength was her own. It was power she had earned through rigorous training since childhood.

One could say that the talent she possessed was bestowed by the Goddess. Some of the divine powers she used were also the Goddess’s strength.

But even so, the biggest factor in her reaching that position was Kalia herself.

The same went for Arna. While Arna’s innate abilities as an elf were exceptional, everything she had contributed as a member of the party—particularly when each member was lacking—along with her skills in identifying various herbs, poisons, and what could be consumed were all thanks to the knowledge she meticulously built up.

…But Pia couldn’t do any of that.

All she could do was follow behind the party members, using the divine power granted by the Goddess to support them.

The reason the Saintess Pia followed behind the party was solely due to the Goddess’s grace.

For her to even think of asking the Goddess for a reward was something that should never happen.

“But if it’s not just me but all of you…”

If they were all walking beside the Hero using the talents they developed themselves, maybe the Goddess would see them differently.

Only Pia had the strength to face the Goddess.

If that’s the case, then it would suffice if Pia conveyed the words of the other party members to the Goddess.

“If it’s your words, given that you led the Hero party, the Goddess would never disregard them.”

“…….”

“…….”

In response to Pia’s words, Kalia and Arna fell silent.

The two exchanged glances before turning back to Pia.

They seemed to have many things they wanted to say to her. Even Arna, who had been dejected just moments ago, was included.

However, neither of them made a move to speak out in front of Pia.

Perhaps, the remaining person they would meet would speak for them.

There was no reason to wear themselves out just yet.

*

“You idiot.”

Dana muttered while pressing her forehead.

With her pitch-black hair and equally dark robe.

And a large wizard’s hat straight out of an ancient tale.

Though she didn’t often wear the hat when out and about, it was always placed on a corner of her desk to signify her status as the tower’s master. Dana had complained several times that it was a foolish act, but she never let that symbolic item roll around carelessly.

The term “idiot” was one that other party members had heard several times, excluding Arna.

Yet, no party member genuinely got angry at that remark. If the knowledge they possessed were to pose a serious threat to them, Dana wouldn’t waste her time berating them.

Moreover, when teaching someone, overly criticizing them only leads them to remember the emotional part, making the instruction less effective. Dana wasn’t so ‘thick-headed’ as to not realize that.

Therefore, Dana’s use of that term usually indicated a leisurely situation, specifically when everything was safe and routine.

Even then, it wasn’t to say they were truly being called an idiot.

It was when someone did something too kind, causing a loss or when someone was doing something pleasing yet undeniably foolish.

It was a phrase Dana used when she smiled.

Additionally, it was also used to snap party members out of their gloom when they worried over matters that weren’t their fault or lamented that they couldn’t save everyone despite their good deeds.

Right now, this moment seemed to fit the latter description.

“…Do you really think it’s a foolish thought?”

Usually, Pia would laugh it off, but after hearing Dana’s words, she just looked down today.

“No.”

Dana brushed her forehead down with her hand, revealing deep shadows under her eyes beneath the pale complexion that was usually quite fair. After days of reducing her sleep to research inside the Magic Tower, her face looked even more haggard than usual.

“Your remarks might surprisingly have some truth. Proposing a transaction to such a powerful being as the Goddess is indeed a bold venture, but… if you genuinely want to meet a soul that has already departed, then that method is indeed the only way. It’s a miracle beyond what we can achieve with our magic.”

“If that’s the case…”

“What I’m trying to say is, clearly it’s your previous statement I’m referring to. You idiot.”

Dana sighed deeply as if she really couldn’t believe how foolish she was looking. Some papers spread across her desk fluttered but didn’t fly away.

“How can you say it’s foolish that all you did was follow the party using the power granted by the Goddess? I’m saying this because I can’t imagine what might have happened to our party without you.”

“….”

“Kalia almost lost an arm and a leg several times. If it wasn’t for the holy magic you cast on her, she might not have an arm or a leg by now. Or perhaps, none at all.”

Kalia, who was leaning against the wall, nodded in agreement.

“Even if Arna is capable in close combat, she can’t perfectly protect the rear on her own. If you hadn’t enhanced her body with divine power, do you think she could have swung her sword, cutting down the goblins pouring in from the back? At the very least, she couldn’t have blocked them all.”

“And I took hits a few times too. You healed every single little wound.”

Arna concurred with Dana’s words.

“You were the one who maintained the final defense while I was chanting. It was you who crafted temporary potions with divine power, and you were the one who saved Kalia and me when we nearly perished in the last battle against the Demon King. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have made it that far. No, even more so, it was you the Hero sought out first—how could you say you weren’t helpful?”

“…But, it’s just a power given by the Goddess—”

“Is there someone who receives money from parents and then distributes everything to the poor that deserves no respect? Just because they helped others with someone else’s power?”

“….”

“And if it were really just the powers granted by the Goddess, there would be no reason for the Demon King to be winning in this world. We should all possess powers equal to yours; if we went as a group, we could probably just beat him up. It wouldn’t even take five years, let alone five weeks.”

Dana sighed deeply once more.

“So, don’t say that kind of nonsense. Wallowing in self-blame won’t lead to any progress.”

“…I got it.”

Though she still couldn’t completely grasp it, in the end, Pia had no choice but to nod her head.