Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: The Sponsored World Was Real
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At Erin's words, which struck like a bolt from the blue, Ophelia slowly nodded and said,
"Is the lack of comprehension... something that effort alone can't overcome?"
"Yes."
The words of God written in the Holy Scripture were absolute, at least to the created beings.
It meant that an issue of mere intelligence couldn't be resolved through practices like asceticism.
In other words—in this situation, to someone whose eyes sparkled with determination to "understand God's will directly"...
She had essentially told her, "No matter how much you strive, you can never comprehend a dish of plain facts from God."
Erin couldn't bring herself to meet Ophelia's eyes, which asked the question so casually.
To the girl who had gazed at her with shining yellow eyes, pleading for plain facts... telling her, "You lack the comprehension to understand plain facts," was how cruel?
And not just any knight, but someone who would bear the mission of spreading God's will alongside her comrades as a member of the Dish of Holy Knights!
Of course, it was bound to hurt.
However.
Was it truly kindness to give her "false hope" here?
Erin vaguely realized that effort wouldn't suffice. The words of God in the Holy Scripture were absolute.
Yet, telling her it could be overcome with effort, saying something like, "Just try a little harder," felt wrong—almost like deception to Erin.
After weighing everything, she concluded that honesty was the only answer—
She had steeled herself for it.
But even so, she couldn't bring herself to speak further.
With her head slightly turned away, a brief silence followed.
"I see."
Finally, Ophelia broke the silence.
"This must be another trial Lord Igugwoden has given me!"
"Pardon?"
Far from looking sad or flustered,
Ophelia responded in the same bright tone as always.
"I was chosen by God, but I have many shortcomings by nature. I've heard 'lacking comprehension' many times in life. And indeed, I keep forgetting even the phrase 'plain fact.'"
"Even if I may never understand 'God's will' from now on... I believe that not understanding it is a fate I must bear."
"Th-that's..."
In stark contrast to the troubled Erin, Ophelia declared her resolve with a spirited tone.
"It's fine, Saintess. I won't give up. I will strive to one day understand God's plain facts without your help, Saintess. And even if I can't, I won't be discouraged by that fact—I will press on."
"..."
What must it feel like to accept and move forward, knowing you may never understand in your lifetime?
Erin couldn't even respond to Ophelia.
* * *
From that day on.
"Greetings, Saintess."
"...Hello."
Ophelia carried out her duties as a member of the Dish of Holy Knights with the same attitude as before, working diligently.
Indeed, among the three Holy Knights, Ophelia was the one showing the most remarkable results.
Without being asked, she went down to a village ravaged by plague and spread God's will in the Saintess's stead while engaging in volunteer work. She patrolled near dungeons where demonic energy welled up, and she went through slums gathering uneducated children, bringing them to the newly established Hall of Learning at the Igugwoden Cathedral to give them opportunities for education—producing tangible outcomes.
In a time when the Igugwoden Church had been declared the state religion, this greatly helped improve the perceptions of many who had resisted certain doctrines.
Hearing that, yet her will didn't break easily—it was truly fortunate, Erin thought—
But gradually, doubts were arising among the cathedral staff who worked with her.
Some even cautiously approached Erin with questions.
"Saintess, if I may be so bold... Why does Ophelia of the Dish of Holy Knights keep forgetting 'plain fact'? She asks me about it every time, which feels a bit... No, of course, a mere priest like me has no complaints about it..."
Though they said that, it was only natural to be puzzled.
One couldn't help but question whether someone who couldn't even grasp God's plain fact could represent the church as a member of the Dish of Holy Knights.
Erin dismissed such doubts with the utmost solemnity and firmness.
"Ophelia was appointed to the Dish of Holy Knights by God's will alone. Priest, are you questioning Lord Igugwoden's will?"
"N-no! How dare a lowly created being like me question the great Lord Igugwoden's will...!!"
"Then worry not. Everything will unfold according to God's will."
In that way, she suppressed the rumors using the Saintess's name...
But this too would eventually reach its limit. No matter how much time passed, with her unable to understand, the religious folk would surely continue to harbor doubts.
'Haa.'
And crucially—
Seeing Ophelia strive despite knowing she couldn't comprehend—it somehow hurt Erin's heart.
Ever perceptive since childhood, Erin could tell. Ophelia's expression, which seemed eternally strong, was shaking little by little with each passing day.
No matter how lacking in comprehension, she was human. An ordinary person who could be hurt.
Erin slowly offered a prayer.
She clasped her hands neatly, gently placing them over her Divine Power Pouch... closed her eyes, and addressed her one and only lord.
'Lord Igugwoden, I'm truly sorry, but here I am praying again. I know the love You've bestowed upon me so far is more than enough.'
'Your words are absolute. Selecting Ophelia Translente must carry profound meaning.'
'If I may humbly ask—please ensure that those You've chosen do not wander lost. If there is a path, just illuminate it faintly.'
Not for herself, but for Ophelia.
If God cherished her, please, somehow...
The more she prayed, the more she realized she was relying on God again—tears flowed from Erin's eyes.
Why am I merely a created being?
I want to be not just one who relies on God, but one who can be relied upon by God.
I want to be of use to Lord Igugwoden...
'Someday, when Lord Igugwoden manifests—'
—She would surely offer this body to Him, repaying His vast plain facts.
Her pure heart shone solely on Igugwoden.
* * *
"..."
After finishing the comic, I slowly scrolled up to review the content once more.
'Can't comprehend...'
The Holy Scripture... or rather, the book spawned from a casual remark I tossed out—a phrase about intelligence.
Because of that word, Ophelia, who was somewhat lacking in intellect, couldn't understand the scripture.
I hadn't said it so directly, just spat it out thoughtlessly—
'Do God's words carry life in themselves?'
With that thought, I gave a bitter smile.
Above all, what was most bitter was how naturally I now thought of myself as 'God.'
[ Igugwoden: Is this the end of this chapter? ]
[ Please Give Me Money: Yes. ]
[ Igugwoden: Seems like Ophelia can't understand my words. ]
[ Igugwoden: Is this congenital? ]
[ Please Give Me Money: As you see, Ophelia struggles more with learning than others... ]
[ Please Give Me Money: But it's fine. 'Divine Power' knows no impossibilities. ]
[ Please Give Me Money: With divine power, making Ophelia understand God's will safely is extremely simple. ]
[ Igugwoden: How much would it cost? ]
[ Please Give Me Money: In this case... about 80,000 KRW in divine power should suffice. ]
[ Please Give Me Money: It requires altering her cognitive world, so a bit more power is needed—please understand. ]
[ Please Give Me Money: Of course, you don't have to sponsor. Unlike with Luca, Ophelia's fate isn't that twisted. ]
[ Please Give Me Money: Aside from not understanding God's will, there's nothing to worry about. ]
Right.
This world was a comic.
And the author was doing some sentimental pandering with the dumb but hardworking Ophelia, then saying, "Please bestow divine power on poor Ophelia."
Of course, to avoid turning readers off with too much push, adding "it's okay not to pay."
For me, the monetization didn't matter anymore.
Honestly, I felt like this author had given back more than I'd spent long ago.
Drawing custom comics daily without fail, creating self-inserts, drawing female characters to my taste. Even rolling out some spicy art once.
No thoughts of it being a waste or criticizing greed. Not from me.
I just...
Wondered what if I were really a god—
[ Igugwoden: Hey. ]
[ Igugwoden: If what you say is true, then I'm a god, right? ]
[ Please Give Me Money: What I say is irrelevant. ]
[ Please Give Me Money: Lord Igugwoden is the Sole God of our world—from the moment You chose us, it's an absolute truth beyond the will of beings like me. ]
[ Please Give Me Money: I merely observed that fact. ]
[ Igugwoden: Yeah, whatever, anyway. ]
[ Igugwoden: Here, it's right to sponsor to open Ophelia's eyes, yeah? ]
[ Please Give Me Money: If that's Lord Igugwoden's will, we shall do so. ]
[ Igugwoden: But hey. ]
Even me, as a god.
If I fixated on Ophelia's intelligence issue and just "fixed" it.
Wouldn't that make it a "miracle from God," separate from her efforts?
Her hard work would become pointless.
[ Igugwoden: I don't like that approach. ]
I...
Wanted to tell her her efforts weren't in vain.
Because that's what a god should do.
Affirm the faith of one who believes in me. Tell her her upright heart wasn't wrong!
[ Igugwoden: I want to tell Ophelia it's okay even if she never realizes it. ]
[ Igugwoden: What's wrong with not understanding? She's already living it through her actions! ]
[ Igugwoden: As a god, shouldn't you recognize how hard she tried to comprehend before obsessing over scripture and shoving truths down throats??? ]
The real world might not work that way.
But in this world, I'm the god.
My will is God's will!
[ Please Give Me Money: Is that so...? ]
[ Please Give Me Money: However, if she can't understand God's will, the same issues could arise again... ]
[ Igugwoden: I thought about it. ]
[ Igugwoden: Instead of direct miracles, how about indirectly helping prove Ophelia is right? ]
[ Please Give Me Money: I understand, Lord Igugwoden. However, ]
[ Please Give Me Money: Shaking the world indirectly requires far more extensive 'Divine Power' than a direct miracle. ]
[ Igugwoden: More extensive divine power?? ]
More extensive Divine Power.
Meaning, more sponsorship money.
'Hah.'
Thump, thump.
My heart pounded fiercely. It felt different from seeing a woman's nude body.
Something was heating up. Something in my chest forging me hot.
Maybe this was passion?
Others might find over-immersion in a comic laughable—
[ Igugwoden ( Sponsorship / 500,000 KRW / Is this enough? (Really not sure) ) ]
—I didn't want to make Ophelia, who worships me as god, look ridiculous.
That was my true feeling.
And.
[ Showshot: Guild master, you're really selling the helmet for 1500?? You could get 50-100k more if you invested time. ]
[ Igugugugerdeon: Takes forever to get full price lol, selling cheap to guildies. ]
[ Igugugugerdeon: And ]
[ Igugugugerdeon:
Plenty more to sell, so it's fine. ]
I've got money.