Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: My Self-Insert Appears
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* * *
"Cough, hack!"
After coughing a few times, I checked the final panel again.
The sudden new character, Igeon.
And his appearance...
'Isn't that... me?'
No matter how many times I looked, it was me.
To be precise, it felt like a deformed cartoon version of myself.
Come to think of it, I had said something like this before.
[Please Donate: If I may be so bold, could I ask what the revered face of the Sole God Igugwoden looks like?]
[Igugwoden: Me???]
[Igugwoden: Me, the account that used to leave comments, Freyja?]
It had been about three years, but it was definitely my photo.
[Please Donate: I see... So this is the revered face of Lord Igugwoden.]
[Please Donate: This has been incredibly helpful.]
[Please Donate: Then, if you fill in the content via the link I sent, I'll promptly share the 'Response of the World' with you.]
I'd wondered why they asked for a photo, but I never imagined they'd use it to feature me...
On top of that, the name was Igeon.
Derived from Igugwoden, maybe?
Anyway, from the rough plot, it seemed like Eirene was experiencing some kind of illusion this time.
Just like with Luca. It was probably right to assume Erin had sent her into an illusory world using the Holy Scripture.
For now, my self-insert had popped up as one of the characters.
And in the story, Eirene was reacting with disbelief to the sudden rebellion, so it was pretty much confirmed.
For reference, this author was pretty strict about the rules they'd set, even in a world where 'the dead can't be revived' and history could be altered.
It probably wasn't a plot where my self-insert was suddenly born into the actual comic world.
Plus, my sponsorship wasn't about harsh punishment—it was about redemption.
If a rebellion had broken out, that would mean she'd been harshly punished, but I doubted the author had ignored my donation and gone full 'harsh punishment drift.'
In other words, this wasn't a real rebellion, right?
It was still just speculation, but I'd been reading this comic for a good while, so I could predict this much.
If my prediction was correct, the plot itself wasn't something I disliked...
Rustle, rustle.
I scrolled up to my face, felt embarrassed, and unnecessarily glanced around.
'Jeez, come on.'
Soon after, I stirred the cup of ice with the straw for no reason.
'I'm such an idiot. Putting me in the comic without any heads-up—what's the deal? You gotta communicate properly, or it's a total miss.'
That's what I was thinking inside.
But I couldn't control the corners of my mouth turning up.
I kept replaying the scene where a character identical to me grabbed the hand of the pristine white Eirene.
No... this...
Hmm...
Umm...
'......'
Fine, I'll admit it.
I felt good. Honestly.
I didn't know exactly what would happen next, but the trigger for that plump, ripe Eirene's redemption turning out to be me?
It felt delicious! My inner sensor was going off like crazy!
If this were a real comic that multiple people read, it'd be a huge nuisance. But no one else reads this except me.
The author was essentially earning money by fulfilling my requests, and that was their only income.
Besides, these characters were already exposing their chests just because it was written in the Holy Scripture. So what if things got a bit brain-breaking now?
It was just a comic anyway, not a real world!
'...Hold on.'
That's when it hit me.
The survey I'd filled out carelessly—starting off carefully but then rushing through when I got lazy.
*
[How does God-nim scold you when things are tough?]
Sigh, no choice, just do it.
[Does God-nim have any special secret to overcoming trials?]
Where would that be? Just push through.
[What do you think is the most important element in human relationships for God-nim? (Multiple answers allowed)]
Trust.
[Why do you think that for the above question?]
Because human relationships can't exist without trust.
[If Eirene is struggling with an issue related to your above answer, what advice would you give her?]
Trusting people isn't a sin.
*'Why are there so many questions?'*
It all boiled down to one main theme, but the branching ones were endless.
Whatever, they'll figure it out and handle it well.
Too annoying. Gotta fill this out quick and submit.
Advice I most want to give Eirene... Trust in God a bit.
To convince someone who doesn't believe... No idea, how should I know?
When it's too hard and lonely... Eat and crash.
Motto... What's mine is mine, and what's yours is also mine.
Like that, I filled out the densely packed questionnaire at a miraculous speed of ten questions per minute.
*
And now.
At the moment my self-insert appeared, a chill suddenly ran down my spine.
All those Q&A. There must've been a reason for asking them.
'...It'll be fine, right?'
* * *
The next morning.
Eirene sat at the table, lost in deep thought with a gravely serious expression.
This wasn't just because the quality of her bedding had plummeted—the luxurious bed that granted sleep upon lying down versus the rough wooden one made a massive difference, but that wasn't the only cause.
The facts she'd delayed facing to prioritize escape were now rearing their heads, staring her down.
—How on earth did the rebellion happen?
It struck without any warning signs, leaving her defenseless.
Ares, who wasn't particularly exceptional in action or politics, had time to seize the capital's defense forces?
What happened to the two princesses and the retainers who followed me during this mess?
Did they go into hiding, or... were they already dealt with?
Or perhaps...
'No way...!'
Had all her sisters' children joined hands... to push her out?
She wanted to get out of the palace as soon as possible and do something, but without knowing the exact situation, she was stuck.
That's when the door creaked open, and Igeon appeared.
He carried a basket in his hand.
"You're awake, Lady Rinasita. How was the bedding? It must've been harder than what you're used to."
Igeon placed the basket near the table.
Inside were foods like bread, dried herring, and jerky.
"It might not be to your taste, but it should tide you over."
"......"
Eirene pondered for a moment.
What if there's poison in here—
"No poison or anything like that."
"......!"
Igeon said that, then broke a piece of bread from the basket and ate it first.
He smiled and offered the remaining bread to her.
"See? Nothing in it."
Eirene silently stared at the bread piece.
...I'm hungry.
Having fled the palace in a hurry, she really wanted to eat something.
The cold weather made her crave warm food, but... wasn't she past the age for such unreasonable complaints?
"Thank you."
She chewed and swallowed the bread.
It was dry and crumbly, without even butter... but beggars can't be choosers.
As she nibbled away, Igeon spoke in a serious tone.
"You shouldn't go outside for a while."
Pretending ignorance, Eirene asked,
"What's happened?"
"There seems to have been a rebellion."
'......'
Yeah. She knew that much.
She wondered if this man knew what was really going on.
"Any information you know of?"
"I only heard the speech, but it seems Prince Ares, General Bernheim, and all the capital defense knights are involved."
'What...!'
Bernheim Otomitia.
A belligerent Tour tribesman from the northern continent, shunned for his background, yet she'd appointed him Imperial Knight Order Captain based on his abilities.
And he'd joined the rebels?
Suddenly, she understood why the capital fell so quickly. If he, with his soldiers' strong loyalty, was involved, it wasn't strange.
She'd pushed through her retainers' opposition due to his origins, and now this betrayal?
—As expected, no one can be trusted.
Even though she hadn't trusted him completely, the shock lingered.
Faced with this unbelievable truth, all Eirene could do was barely hide her expression.
"They say the deposed empress is on the run now. And amid the chaos, some prisoners awaiting trial in the dungeons escaped—"
He glanced at her as he said it.
Did this man think she was one of those escaped prisoners?
Her attire was too fine for a prisoner, but nobles didn't have to wear prison garb until guilt was confirmed, so it wouldn't seem odd.
"Don't worry. I won't hand you over to the palace."
"You're showing quite the unfounded kindness."
"Well, it's written in the Holy Scripture. 'Offer even unbelievers a dish of facts.'"
"You're convinced I'm an unbeliever?"
"Yes. You've completely hidden that impressively swollen divine power pouch, after all."
"What...?!"
Eirene's face flushed slightly at Igeon's sudden words.
How dare this man say such a thing out loud...!
"Th-that's..."
"?"
It felt like they weren't communicating, but she grasped the context.
The Igugwoden Church revered women's breasts to an odd degree. Supposedly written in the Holy Scripture, though she had no desire to know.
As a religious man, he probably said it casually.
Such humiliation—mocking an empress—would normally be intolerable...
'But I must endure now.'
Considering her situation, the wise course was obvious.
She couldn't be so foolish as to ruin everything over mere breast-teasing.
Right now, she needed to grasp the situation.
"Anyway, with the rebellion, it's dangerous to wander around... You can hide here for the time being."
Hide here... okay.
This was on the outskirts of the city. Perfect for laying low until the rebels were quelled, but...
Eirene gazed into Igeon's eyes for a moment, then carefully parted her pink lips.
"You might as well be honest now."
"Pardon?"
"Tell me what you want. You're providing bedding and food, so you've judged there's something worth gaining from me, right?"
Yes. He must want something.
That actually made her more comfortable.
Unmotivated kindness was stranger.
"Do I have to want something?"
"Of course."
"Can't we just show each other kindness?"
"......I don't trust people."
Hadn't she just been betrayed by the general she'd trusted and promoted?
Her life had been one where trusting anyone meant getting the axe on her instep.
By trusting no one easily, she'd secured her throne.
"Uh... how should I explain this."
Igeon let out a small laugh and—
"Lady Rinasita, you have such refined features. And your face is exceedingly beautiful."
"......!!"
"Anyone can see you're elegant and noble-born. So naturally, you're used to fine beds and delicious food. That's why I worried. I wondered if it was satisfactory."
Flustered by the compliment on her beauty, Eirene turned her head aside, face beet red.
Wh-what is this man suddenly saying to me?!
'Is... is complimenting a woman's face also... written in the Holy Scripture...??'
"It wasn't some 'she seems high-class, so treat her well and maybe get something later.' I hope you believe that."
Eirene bowed her head silently.
Believe or not, she felt... embarrassed.
She could come up with a retort if needed, but right now, she wanted to change the subject.
"Then... you're really just helping out of kindness?"
"Yes."
"I can't believe that."
"That's fine. I think you'll understand in time, Lady Rinasita."
Igeon smiled brightly, but Eirene couldn't comprehend it.
He clearly wanted something.
Well... even if he wouldn't reveal it now, if things resolved well, she planned to reward his help—so it would be good if he opened up.
Then she could've asked him to contact the outside.
But until he revealed his intentions, she couldn't fully reveal hers either. He might turn on her anytime.
"I'll say it again: don't expect any reward for helping me."
She hoped this would prompt him to state his purpose, but—
"Yes. Got it."
"......"
No dice.
Whatever. It didn't matter. She wouldn't be here long anyway.
'With the rebellion, the surrounding territories will soon muster forces. I just need to slip out when the time's right. Holding out until then means reclaiming the throne is only a matter of time. Just hide for a bit.'
Eirene harbored hopeful thoughts, but—
The situation began to unfold differently from what she expected.