I am back – Chapter 43

Kalia’s presence was much greater than she had imagined.

“Honestly, the fact that so many people can gather like this is largely thanks to you. You spread rumors for a whole month about your bravery and nobility. And on the sly, you snuck in tales of an even greater Hero. They believe what they see before them. To understand the Hero’s courage and nobility, it’s better to throw in a comparable figure.”

Louis spoke with a serious expression.

“So, you could say this endeavor owes more to you than to me.”

Of course, it wasn’t that simple. People were gathering not just in the Duke’s territory but also in other regions.

Being thorough, Louis likely made contact with Pia as well. At least, he would have contacted the Church.

I can’t guarantee he heard the exact story. Pia certainly wouldn’t have shared the blasphemous tale of ‘striking a deal with the Goddess’ with others. But from even the bare minimum of what was heard, one could deduce that ‘more people are needed.’

Louis might have exerted influence over other nobles to make it flawless.

“…In that sense, you can say your choice was the right one.”

“I’m not intending for such a result.”

Initially, what she sought was honor.

Louis would take over the Duke’s territory from their father, but Kalia was not one of them.

If she had only aim to survive, she could marry a Count, another Duke, or even someone from royalty, and live a peaceful life. But Kalia was dissatisfied with such a life.

“I want to write history myself.”

“I want to have as much influence as my father or brother.”

…Yeah, in fact, Louis’ assessment of Kalia was almost accurate. At least in her childhood.

And what Louis said now was indeed correct. In the end, Kalia’s choice was the right one.

Even if Louis were to relinquish his role as the prospective heir and pass it to Kalia, none among the people would oppose it.

Kalia, who had fought alongside the great hero who saved the world, who remained composed even in the face of the Demon King, was one of the great figures who ultimately vanquished the Demon Army and the Demon King alongside the Hero.

If someone like her were to govern their territory, it would be an excellent arrangement both in principle and practicality for the people. Perhaps even the current King could not ignore that choice.

However, Kalia had no such thoughts.

Honor and nobility.

She had seen all of that with her own eyes.

At first, she merely chased after honor. To rise higher and achieve more. The reason she followed the Hero instead of remaining the commander of the Knight Order was for such reasons. If Kalia, being the daughter of the most noble family, fought with her life on the line, and survived, she believed she could become a hero in the future, writing a completely different history than her father or brother.

Even if she lost her life, at least her name would be engraved in the history books.

But soon, that thought changed.

There was someone who always did good without needing recognition. Someone who thought there was no one worthy of the word nobility.

There was a fool struggling to save everyone, completely unaware of the immense power in their hands.

And Kalia found herself chasing after that fool.

In fact, she thought that the one who should have died in the end was her. More times than she could count. In front of Pia, in front of Dana and Arna, she couldn’t dare to express that thought… but if someone among them had to vanish, Kalia believed that person was herself.

…There were plenty of people to replace her. Just like her brother once said.

She was merely one of the knights who admired the Hero.

“…You seem to have a lot on your mind.”

Louis spoke to her.

“Yeah.”

Leaning against the terrace railing, Kalia looked at those cheering for her. Originally, those cheers were meant for the Hero, not Kalia.

“Perhaps after meeting the Hero and having a conversation, you might feel even more. The stories shared during work and after are rarely the same.”

“…”

Kalia quietly gazed at her brother beside her before asking casually.

“Why are you being so cooperative? You think the Hero is a strange and incomprehensible being.”

And she even called him a frightening being. So why was he being so proactive in bringing the Hero here? Kalia found it hard to understand.

“…”

Louis momentarily fell silent.

“Well.”

Louis muttered as if he didn’t really know.

But this time, she could hear the answer.

“Perhaps, since it’s something I’ve never understood before, I just wanted to analyze it once more.”

If viewed that way, he would likely never fully understand.

Of course, Kalia didn’t voice that thought.

*

When many people gather, there are often instances where the Divine Power emitted from their bodies merges together. That sight is incredibly beautiful. To think that one exists among that crowd could bring immense pride.

However, such occurrences typically happened at a Grand Cathedral, occasionally taking place once every few decades. For everyone to pray with one heart and purpose is not an easy task. This usually happened only when a King passed away or when someone favored and respected by the people died.

“Will it really work?”

Kalia, who returned to the Capital City using the Arcane Gate, murmured, her voice slightly shaking with apprehension.

“Yes, absolutely.”

But Pia’s response was certain.

“Theoretically, it’s perfect. It happened when the previous Pope died, and even when His Majesty the King ascended. This time, there are many more people gathering. It might be somewhat difficult to reach Siyun’s world just with this power, but…”

Dana held onto a notebook filled with the characters Siyun had written. Just in case language barriers arose, there needed to be someone for minimal translation.

…Or perhaps, that notebook itself was something precious to her. Maybe it was proof to the Goddess.

“So you mean that by borrowing the Prophet’s power, we can open a gate to another world…?”

“…Yes, in fact, this prayer is closer to a ritual to meet the Goddess directly.”

“….”

Everyone fell silent at that statement.

“We can do it. We must.”

Pia said so.

And—

“……Ah…!”

Whose shout was that?

Outside the window, light shone through.

A light, characterized by the Divine Power—a bright white light mixed with sporadic black hues, a light that could never exist in nature.

All four of them were captivated by the view outside the building.

They didn’t go outside. Perhaps one of them might forget to pray, distracted by the sight.

However, even just viewing from within that small building, it was a sufficiently beautiful light.

“……Ah…”

This voice, she could clearly identify it.

It was Pia’s voice.

From her body, light flowed out, similar to that outside. A halo glowing behind her and light slowly but surely rising from her hands.

“……Did it work?”

Arna murmured quietly. Dana nodded, and Kalia silently watched Pia’s form.

“……Then, I’ll begin.”

At Pia’s words, all three nodded in agreement.

Pia clasped her hands together and began praying to the Goddess.

*

“In the end, we’ve come this far.”

It was an utterly disinterested voice.

It felt a bit awkward to judge the occasion as the first time meeting the Goddess, but that was genuinely how it sounded.

Should I call it a Temple?

The space they found themselves in was wondrous. A massive and endless structure that could only have sprung from legends, a place that one could never say was built by humans.

In the midst of the endlessly connected hall, a woman sat at a table with her chin resting on her hand.

With pinkish hair and a pure, simple dress. The skirt reaching down to her ankles and sleeves that wrapped around her wrists made her look very demure.

“……Goddess.”

“No, it’s fine.”

When Pia, with a stiff expression, was about to kneel, the Goddess waved her hand to refuse.

That motion seemed incredibly light.

Dana, Kalia, and Arna were all taken aback by the sight.

“There’s no need to waste time on those who have come all the way here just to have a conversation with me.”

At first glance, it sounded like a remarkably generous remark. A suggestion that there was no need to worship her with all their might, implying they could be at ease.

However, the following words were immensely weighty for them.

“Then, try to convince me. If you can, maybe I’ll grant you your wish.”

To persuade her.

That was the word from the ‘Goddess’.