Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Game-Like Observation of the New Continent
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Sponsoring two million won got the author to whip up a new observation method in just two days—a game-like view of the New Continent.
At first, what they called a game felt more like watching a moving GIF file, so it was a bit boring, no denying that.
But the more time passed, the more I found a strange pleasure in simply watching the characters from this quarter-view perspective.
The short comics that popped up were nice, too.
Even without them, their cute little movements here and there were endearing.
It was like raising a Tamagotchi in some massive world.
The way they gathered and chattered with gestures was adorable.
Even though.
When no comic was provided, I couldn't understand a word they were saying.
Still, by gauging the situation, I could easily infer things like the Rabbit leading everyone to a newly discovered area.
The characters' motions were expressed clearly and intuitively, too.
'This is plenty fun as is.'
The online game I used to play involved chugging a potion and standing in one spot hunting for hours.
Looking back now, it was a horrific time, yet I'd somehow endured that utterly boring grind.
Skipping even a day felt like missing out since everyone else was doing it, so that made it awkward, too.
'That wasn't a game...'
Anyway.
Besides that, there was one other thing immediately catching my eye.
[Rabbit / Duration: ∞ (Unlimited) / Rabbit / Pet (Owner: Ophelia Translente) / ???]
[RGB Flash]
At some point, a button labeled "RGB Flash" had appeared under the Rabbit's tooltip.
I'd tapped it a few times just before Ophelia came looking for the Rabbit, and aside from its body lighting up in RGB colors, there wasn't much else to it.
'But it's cute, so that's fine!'
I moved the view to follow Erin's group with my eyes.
They seemed to be entering a shady forest where an eerie energy was creeping up visibly... but that wasn't something to worry about.
Why?
[Thank you for your 1,500 won sponsorship!]
['Safe Forest Path' has been safely established!]
'I already spent some money on it earlier.'
Our Erin-chan in danger? No way I'd let that happen.
The Rabbit would probably handle it fine on its own anyway, but watching with peace of mind felt different from watching tensely.
Just watching was so much fun, why?
I was curious about their reaction when Erin's group spotted that short-statured race in the distance.
I carefully pulled up Erin's tooltip again—and recalled the interaction screen from when we'd met recently, specifically her face.
She looked just like a small animal when I petted her head, all happy and cute.
'She's probably too focused on entering the forest right now. Even as a god, trying to interact with Erin at this timing would be a bit much, right?'
Lost in such thoughts, I found myself fully immersed in this shabby little game—I had to admit it now.
I had become someone who couldn't live without Author-chan.
That's when, as I was watching the game screen.
—Whirrr!
'Hm?'
My phone alarm suddenly went off, so I checked it.
'Today's webtoon is up?'
As I confirmed the push notification, a message arrived from the author.
[ Give Me Money : We're not slacking on observing our original world either. ]
[ Give Me Money : The worlds merging has made things complicated, slowing us down with missed scenes and longer content. ]
[ Give Me Money : We'll do our utmost to normalize things as soon as possible. ]
No way, Author-chan... you're diligently uploading comics too?
I would've understood if you skipped them entirely.
You made the game and even draw short comics with it, and anyway, it'd just be views at 1 from me alone.
But you're going out of your way to draw and upload comics to honor the "worlds merged" setting???
'You don't have to push yourself this hard...'
Still, I should read the comic you went through the trouble of drawing.
I immediately clicked the link to check it out.
* * *
In Igugwoden Citadel, the empire's capital, the building with the tallest spire—Igugwoden Royal Palace.
With the throne's owner away, a young woman's charismatic voice filled the vacant seat.
"You've all worked hard. I'll personally report today's agenda to my mother, so rest easy and focus on your duties."
""Yes, Your Highness the Princess!""
Empress Eirene had been away from the palace for quite some time, staying on the New Continent, but Yuria—the all-around perfect beauty with both legitimacy and talent—had no trouble presiding over meetings with the nobles and handling politics.
From the start, as the First Princess, Yuria had been pegged as the successor in place of Ares, who was pushed out of the political stage early on.
Not only had she studied imperial governance, but she'd built ample connections with nobles since childhood, leaving them no reason to reject her.
And what era was this, anyway?
Religion held unprecedented sway, while the faith and the imperial family enjoyed a honeymoon phase.
After years of peace and prosperity, public sentiment was wholly directed toward House Ainsberg.
To harbor wicked thoughts just because the Empress was away would mean even nobles faced certain abandonment by their domain's people.
Numerous powerful nobles, including House Roengrin, fervently supported the Igugwoden Church—and by extension, the Ainsberg family it backed.
With the Saintess away, the one granted the most authority by the Church was Holy Knight Linea—and considering her family, the answer was obvious.
All these factors converged.
Thus, Eirene's prolonged absence brought no chaos to the Ainsberg royal house.
'This should do for today.'
Shall I study Lord Igugwoden's words now?
As Yuria settled at her desk to carefully read the Holy Scripture after the meeting—
"Your Highness. Holy Knight Linea is here to see you."
"Linea? Got it."
Linea was now fully a figure of the Igugwoden Church—but as the Second Princess, she shared Yuria's blood, a blood sister.
Virtually all real power on the Old Continent was concentrated in their house.
In the old days, Yuria might've popped a few champagne bottles in celebration—but enlightened now, she no longer clung to such meaningless power.
Power was God's will—meant only to benefit the people. It wasn't something a mere human like her could hold forever.
Down in the reception room, Linea greeted Yuria with a somewhat grave expression.
"You're here, sister."
"Is something wrong, Linea?"
"Do you remember when the sky suddenly split in two not long ago?"
"I do."
How could she forget?
That moment when the sky literally tore open.
It soon quieted with a bright flash... luckily no effects followed, but it was undeniably shocking.
"A letter came from Luca."
Linea pulled out the letter and shared everything she knew.
The whole incident stemmed from the Divine Messenger Rabbit's 'Armageddon'—and it had merged the Old and New Continents into one world, a somewhat hard-to-grasp explanation.
The old Yuria would've dismissed it as nonsense without a glance.
"I see."
But the devout Yuria no longer denied Lord Igugwoden or opposed His existence.
"Understood. If the New Continent is now our new world, we'll accept it. So you came all this way just to tell me? A letter would've sufficed."
"......"
Linea pondered for a moment.
Then cautiously broached the main topic.
"Sister. I want to go to the New Continent."
"You?"
"Yes. With the Saintess and Her Majesty away, you're the final decision-maker now, right?"
Yuria carefully mulled over Linea's words.
The empire side was fine with her here... but the Church losing Linea could be risky, no?
The Saintess probably knew that and left her behind.
The Pope wasn't a bad person—but truthfully, he was a bit too worldly to strictly follow God's word.
The moment of worry was fleeting.
Yuria shook her head lightly.
"I don't think it's a good decision. Linea, we need you to keep the Church in balance."
"Is there no way around it?"
"No. I think the Saintess would agree with me."
Currently, four people had officially received God's choice in the Church.
Saintess Erin.
Dish of Holy Knights—Ophelia, Luca, Linea.
With three away, leaving one to guard the Igugwoden Church felt like the right call, no matter how she thought about it.
Linea seemed aware, biting her lip without retort.
"......Understood."
"Sorry, Linea. I hope you understand. How about some tea before you go? It's been ages."
"Thanks for the offer, but I'm fine. I'll take my leave first, sister."
With a faint smile, Linea left the palace and gazed at the sky with its drifting white clouds.
'Lord Igugwoden. We humbly beseech You—please do not abandon us. Please always shower us with Your love and mercy. We earnestly pray.'
After her prayer, she headed to Igugwoden Cathedral.
* * *
That's where the comic ended.
It was definitely shorter than usual.
'Nice to see Linea after so long.'
Unlike Luca and Ophelia, she hadn't crossed to the New Continent to guard the cathedral, so it had been ages.
That nostalgic friend-like feeling faded quickly amid sentiment.
'She wants to go to the New Continent—must be a reason?'
The Observer said the world merger complicated observation, leading to missed scenes.
Was that why? I had no precise way to know why Linea suddenly wanted to go or why she prayed like that to me.
It nagged at me a bit.
'If I think of it purely as a story, it's just buildup for foreshadowing, right?'
Everything unfolds as the author draws it, after all.
I wanted to mull it over more leisurely.
—Ding-ding!
'Oh, looks like they made it through the forest!'
The sound effect drew my eyes—Erin's group had finally emerged from that dark woods.
Being a god isn't easy.
Watching individual characters like this, hearing their inner thoughts—
Is this how a real god watches over us?
With such foolish thoughts, I refocused on Erin's group.