Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The World I Sponsored Was Real
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After clapping for a good while, I let out another sigh of admiration for the author's 'design.'
Truth be told.
The biggest reason I'd been following this comic—ever since I sponsored 100,000 won to rewrite the Holy Scripture and alter history, essentially the journey of 'Erin Becoming a Saintess' was over.
She'd already become the Saintess, and she could hear my voice anytime. So what was there left to spend money on?
That's why I figured there wouldn't be any need to drop another big sum like 100,000 won anytime soon.
A simple, believable miracle could be handled just fine with a 1,000-won punch.
I kept up the small sponsorships in hopes that Erin would be recognized by all as a Saintess and thrive, but that was it.
Considering the labor of drawing the comic, even 1,000 won probably wasn't enough to break even from the artist's perspective.
But what if, right then, the author had suddenly drawn a meteor and pulled some crap like, 'If you don't sponsor, a meteor will fall and Erin will die! You need at least XX,000 won to stop it! Please save Erin with your sponsorship!' to bait big donations?
Even I would've been so pissed off by the contrived, illogical plot that I'd have skipped the sponsorship and dropped the comic altogether. Sure, the whole story had already thrown logic out the window the moment I became a god, but that didn't change how immersion-breaking a meteor drop would've been in the middle of it all.
The author was an expert at deep immersion, so there was no way they didn't know that.
That's why they introduced it. A new character!
More characters facing trials that would require divine blessings—no, sponsorships!
New monetization model!
Something I'd never imagined seeing while reading a comic, like a term straight out of a game.
Right on cue, a chat popped up from the author.
[ GimmeMoney : Here's a short side story comic featuring the two Holy Knight candidates. ]
[ GimmeMoney : zxcwww.wo.to <<< Linea von Ainsberg / wwdzxw.wo.to <<< Ophelia Translente ]
[ GimmeMoney : Check them out and appoint the knight of your choice as a Holy Knight! ]
No immediate pressure to sponsor.
Probably, once I appointed one as a Holy Knight, the 'sponsorship cravings' would start popping up one by one. Just like with Erin!
Still... honestly speaking, I liked harem stories. The more heroines, the better—nothing wrong with that, right?
I felt a twinge of guilt toward Erin, but since these Holy Knights would protect her, she'd probably be fine with me fancying them too. The moment that thought crossed my mind.
'Am I seriously worrying that comic characters might feel neglected?'
Splat!
A chill ran down my spine, and I chugged a glass of ice water.
The author... scary bastard...!!
[ Igugwoden : lololol New BM design is spot on ]
[ GimmeMoney : New BM? What do you mean...? ]
[ GimmeMoney : I'm merely depicting the changing world through your sponsorships as a comic. ]
[ Igugwoden : Sure, if that's what the author says ]
[ Igugwoden : The author is the god of this world, after all ]
[ GimmeMoney : Goodness... Lord Igugwoden, please watch your words. ]
[ GimmeMoney : I'm just an Observer at best. The one true god of this world is none other than you, Lord Igugwoden. ]
Ugh, no point engaging further.
Instead of bantering, I checked out the comics from the links the author provided.
They'd even organized them separately with links—thorough preparation, as expected from the boss...
* * *
'Whew.'
Side stories read.
Here's a rundown on these two characters.
First up, Ophelia Translente.
A devout, sword-skilled knight with a super cool way of speaking—the classic female knight archetype.
She dreamed of being a knight and had the talent for it. Her long straight red hair and oppressively massive knightly bosom were total passes.
I had a thing for red-haired big-boobed female knights, so I wanted to give extra points for her hair and figure.
Even the scene proving her sincerity—where she immediately pledged, 'I will devote everything to Sole God Igugwoden,' ditching her smooth path post-Saintess emergence—was satisfying.
Her biggest flaw? She was a total airhead.
The type who's a bit off from normal common sense, seems like she'd fall for scams easily, making you want to help her out. Classic cliché, right?
If I picked Ophelia, there'd be fun in shaping this dim-witted girl into the ultimate knight.
Probably with accidental good outcomes leading to predictable, delicious misunderstandings like, 'Lady Ophelia, did you foresee this would happen...?!'
Some might call it childish, but I loved that stuff, so extra points here too.
Next, Linea von Ainsberg.
She'd wanted to be a mage but realized she had no talent and took up the sword instead.
Golden long straight hair, beautiful gray eyes symbolizing the Imperial Family. The art really shone on her face—I thought she was prettier than Ophelia.
Only downside: her princess bosom was a tad smaller than Ophelia's... but fans of balanced big boobs might prefer her.
From the story context, picking Linea seemed politically advantageous for Erin and the church.
Better to compromise moderately between two massive powers than let them clash endlessly.
Her biggest issue? Not particularly devout.
The sole reason she aimed for Holy Knight? 'The Imperial Family needs influence in the church.'
Practically a tragic figure sold off to the church by the Imperials.
The comic emphasized her lack of faith with lines like, midway through: 'God doesn't exist. We can't rely on such things; we have to overcome trials on our own.'
Picking Linea would let me enjoy 'corrupting' her faith through sponsorships.
At first, she'd desperately avert her eyes, calling each miracle unfolding before her 'just coincidence'—
But as they piled up, until something inexplicable without a god saved her life?
Faith corruption!
She'd turn into the most devoted Holy Knight, squeezing every drop for me, right?
Whichever I picked, sponsorship urges galore!
Knight bosoms and princess bosoms maxed out just in case they caught my eye!
'Love how transparently obvious the intentions are.'
Whether I saw through it or not wasn't the point.
Truth was, what bugged me wasn't these two characters.
[ Igugwoden : All done watching ]
[ Igugwoden : Both pretty hot.. heh heh ]
[ GimmeMoney : Are they? I'm relieved. These women seemed right up Lord Igugwoden's alley, so I'd been holding my breath. ]
Women perfectly suited to my tastes got selected, huh.
Blatantly targeted, yet the shameless phrasing as always.
[ Igugwoden : But I got a question ]
[ GimmeMoney : Ask away, Lord Igugwoden ]
The two new characters were plenty appealing, as the author said—
Even so, one fact I couldn't overlook.
[ Igugwoden : Cecilia brought three photos, right? ]
[ Igugwoden : So why are you and Cecilia only hyping two? ]
[ Igugwoden : Any reason? ]
Exactly.
Cecilia had brought Erin three photos as 'Holy Knight candidates'—three people.
There was a clear third candidate besides Ophelia and Linea.
Yet neither the author nor the characters in-story mentioned her, focusing only on those two.
Erin hadn't even glanced at the photos before praying to me, so fair enough—but someone should've brought her up, right?
Not totally mysterious, though.
I'd probably understand why no one mentioned her once I saw the photo.
Plain black ponytail tied with a simple ribbon, ordinary features. Moderately sized chest.
Unlike the other two in flashy, pretty armor emphasizing their bosoms, she wore plain, featureless armor.
Background character.
The word that fit her best.
The comic probably hadn't even been drawn ahead of time.
[ GimmeMoney : That... ]
[ GimmeMoney : If Lord Igugwoden wants to see, of course I'll provide. ]
[ GimmeMoney : But observing her will take some time—is that okay? ]
The comic wasn't ready yet?
I considered just picking one of the two out of laziness...
'No.'
In-story, getting selected as a Holy Knight candidate was a huge achievement in itself. As a god, ignoring it felt unfair.
I chuckled at my over-immersion but decided to stop worrying about that from now on.
[ Igugwoden : Yeah send it ]
[ GimmeMoney : Understood. Be right back. Please wait a moment. ]
Huh? Wait a moment?
I figured drawing a new comic would take till tomorrow.
But astonishingly, the author sent a link in just 10 minutes.
[ GimmeMoney : axcqwz.wo.to <<< Here it is. ]
'What? It was pre-drawn?'
Then why not show it with the others?
A slight sense of unease crept in... but my curiosity devoured it, vanishing without a trace.
I cautiously clicked the comic link about the third female knight no one had mentioned.