Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Priest, Driven Out
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“Sorry, Kyle. I’d like you to leave our party.”
So that’s how it is. So that’s how it’s come to this.
I’d suspected as much from the looks in your eyes that day when the Lord took back the miracle He had bestowed upon me.
You’ve all grown so strong now that you truly no longer need my help.
Of course. With that saintess joining the party, what could I possibly say?
Yurinel. It’s clear that she suits the spot at your side far better than I ever could.
Not just Yurinel anymore. Now it’s Yurinel Rackfoncia.
She’s earned a noble title along with her barony for her outstanding achievements.
My former childhood friend has soared high into the skies. Holding onto her ankle like this might just be my own selfish desire.
“Honestly speaking, the fact that a commoner like you has come this far with us is already impressive enough. But no offense—you don’t even know the divine name of the goddess you serve, do you?”
“The Three Pillar Gods are definitely not it. And with the saintess joining us, there’s no need for you anymore.”
Lucia Western, second daughter of the Western family that has hunted demons for generations. And Pannel, the Magic Tower’s prodigy and youngest archmage.
Their words ring true without a shred of falsehood. The one I serve hasn’t even revealed Her divine name to me.
But one thing is certain.
Lady Nemi, Goddess of the Earth.
Lady Elicia, Goddess of Light.
Lady Hilai, Goddess of Healing.
The most famous and revered Three Pillar Gods across the continent are not the one I serve. Temples dedicated to Them dot the land, and every village folk believes in the Triune Faith.
There’s no way gods already worshipped by so many would choose a country bumpkin like me.
‘They’re right.’
Having someone like me around would only hold them back.
I realized it during the battle with the ancient demon king, Grimudo. No matter how much I supported Yurinel with my power, it wasn’t enough to overcome him.
As payment for seeing what I shouldn’t have, the Lord took one miracle from me.
That’s the limit of my abilities. To subjugate Grimudo, they need a priest superior to me. A saintess who serves Lady Nemi, Goddess of the Earth—like Lady Araidel—could surely do it.
‘They no longer need me.’
Not even as a spare.
Because one of the Nemi Church’s archbishops is joining the party alongside the saintess.
“Didn’t you say a priest is coming with the saintess too?”
“Yeah. Probably Archbishop Ruenheim. He’s renowned for his powerful divine power.”
“Yeah, Kyle. We don’t need a porter anymore, and there’s no reason to keep three priests in the party. I hope you understand that it’s just getting too hard to travel with you.”
Leaving the party was, in other words, already a done deal.
It wasn’t some sudden ambush. I’d known deep down that this day would come someday.
I’d anticipated that I wouldn’t be able to stick with Yurinel to the end. Still, the bitterness wasn’t from being kicked out of the party.
‘Yurinel.’
Her white, beautiful hair—not bleached, but naturally so—and sapphire-blue eyes.
My childhood friend merely gazed at me with those pretty eyes devoid of emotion. At the very least, a warm word like “thanks for all your hard work” would have been nice.
‘I’m really not needed anymore.’
I hadn’t expected a grand farewell party,
but if I’d truly been accepted as their comrade,
surely they’d have prepared at least a small gift, or even words of comfort?
“Everyone, take care. Don’t get hurt. May the blessings of the gods always be with you.”
It was regrettable that my long adventure ended here,
but if this is my limit, I must accept it calmly.
The bitterness was just bitterness; I quickly shook off the lingering resentment. And I bestowed upon them my final blessing, hoping that one day they might defeat the ancient demon king.
After finishing my last prayer, I murmured as I left the inn.
What should I do now? I’d left my village to help Yurinel, but with nothing accomplished, do I just go back? I received plenty of travel money as severance, but my wallet may be full while my heart feels empty. I’ve lost my purpose.
“Father. My Lord. What should I do now to live?”
My eyes grew moist. Even if it was expected, it still hurt. The Lord did not answer. Just as He always did.
The only times He had spoken to me were when we first met face-to-face.
“My Lord, my hope. I shall live according to Your will.”
It was a foolish question. The gods merely watch.
It is humans—me—who must live the life. With that, I knelt and prayed.
Please pretend You didn’t hear it, I prayed.
“May divine grace be bestowed upon those who need it most.”
Those were the words He spoke when He first beheld me.
It was not that I chose you, but that you chose me,
for you were the one who never gave up in any of the possibilities I saw.
I do not know the meaning of those words.
Thus, I can only strive to understand them.
“In Your name, I shall live.”
The one I serve has not told me Her divine name,
but She called Herself hope. And so I ask only that.
“In the name of hope, I shall live.”
I am probably the only one on the continent who worships this god.
The sole priest serving the Goddess of Hope.
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