Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: News of the Emperor's Visit!
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At the priest's words delivering that news to her, Ophelia bowed her head and replied.
"In that case, I must go out to greet Her Majesty at once. Thank you."
"Not at all. We on our side will prepare for an immediate audience as well."
Thanks to their work together up to this point, the duties of the Dish of Holy Knights had been streamlined into a rotation among the three of them.
Unless it was something major, it was inefficient for all three to stick together at all times, so naturally, they divided up the tasks that one person would have handled.
There was a chance it might change later, but for now, it was split into these three categories.
Assisting the priests at the cathedral. Exploring the area around the dungeon where demonic energy was rising. And traveling through the territory and nearby villages to focus on relief efforts for the poor.
Of course, there were plenty of other things that absolutely needed doing. The weight of the title "Holy Knight" was so heavy that without exceptionally devout faith, one couldn't endure it.
But was it Igugwoden's will? Issues with overwork had been mostly resolved once they became a Dish of Holy Knights.
Historical records said that past Holy Knights had performed so many tasks that overwork was the norm... but with three selected, the burden on each individual had certainly lightened.
Currently, Luca was handling the poor relief efforts, Linea was scouting the dungeon perimeter, so Ophelia had naturally taken on assisting the priests at the cathedral—
And so, receiving the visiting Empress fell to her as well.
"Then, I leave it in your hands. Though Her Majesty the Empress is currently taking a very conciliatory stance toward religion, one never knows when that might flip... so please, do take care."
Watching the priest leave after saying that, Ophelia fell into thought.
'Empress... huh.'
As far as Ophelia knew, until quite recently, the Empress hadn't been on close terms with the religious world.
No, far from just not close—she had viewed the church with displeasure.
This was something she'd learned while competing with Linea, her biggest rival in the Holy Knight selection, before God proposed the concept of "a Dish of Holy Knights."
People around her had repeated things like, "Linea only made candidate because of her imperial bloodline—Ophelia, with your outstanding knightly skills and faith second to none, God will surely recognize you."
So she couldn't have missed it.
There were rumors that the Empress wanted the church under her control, and Holy Knights were just a stepping stone.
Of course, God had instantly rendered such human political games meaningless.
Becoming a Holy Knight had been Ophelia's lifelong dream, and she'd resolved never to stop her devotion to understanding God's words no matter who was chosen—but even she hadn't anticipated "three make a dish."
And a few days later, the Empress who'd been hostile toward religion suddenly changed her attitude, designating the Igugwoden Church as the state religion—
From that moment, the number of Igugwoden Church believers visibly began to grow.
And today was the moment she would finally meet the Empress, who had changed her mindset.
"Rabbit Lord. Her Majesty the Empress is coming soon, so you should prepare your heart."
"Igogodon."
"Her Majesty the Empress is the highest in the land. She's the one who rules this country, you could say?"
"Igogodon."
"Of course, compared to the Sole God Igugwoden, she's infinitesimally low. So... think of her as the chief among all created beings."
Chatting idly with the Rabbit like that—
"Her Majesty the Empress arrives!"
Before she knew it, Empress Eirene had reached the cathedral.
Ophelia immediately headed to the cathedral's main entrance.
* * *
In the end.
She ended up coming to the cathedral.
Unable to contain her boiling passion for Igugwoden, Eirene had come to the holiest place connected to Him, however slightly—and she could already sense her heart pounding.
'Igugwoden...'
Ever since that day in the hot springs, bathing with the Saintess and reaffirming her feelings for God.
Eirene had been... most audaciously... meeting in her dreams every night with God—whom even the Saintess hadn't been graced to meet—her Master.
She knew dreams weren't reality... but even so, they were so sweet that she tossed and turned every night.
In the most recent one, as Eirene lay in bed, her Master appeared in the form of the man from the portrait... slowly approaching, whispering sweet nothings to her.
Upon waking, Eirene spent the sleepless night wide-eyed.
Her stomach tickled mercilessly, her thighs tingled—she couldn't fall back asleep.
For a woman who'd lived as a virgin for ages, never knowing a man, it was stimulation she couldn't handle!
They say those who realize too late fear all the more. That was exactly Eirene now.
And at daybreak, she came straight to the cathedral.
Because she had words she desperately wanted to offer to God.
As she stepped into the Igugwoden Cathedral—
"Welcome, Your Majesty the Empress."
A red-haired female knight knelt and greeted her.
A familiar face. Ophelia Translente. Before accepting Igugwoden's Plain Facts, she'd seen her as a rival to her foster daughter Linea and kept her most in check.
Looking back now, she wanted to crawl into a hole for such foolish thoughts—but
Having realized late, she no longer questioned God's choices; supporting those who worked for God with all her might was what she, as Empress, ought to do. With a sincere smile, Eirene replied.
"Pleased to meet you, Ophelia. I've heard much of that renowned name. Any inconveniences while carrying out the Dish of Holy Knights' duties?"
"None in particular. Not only the priests, but you've generously funded our activities each time—we're truly grateful."
The funds Eirene had sent for poor relief were an unimaginable sum compared to before.
Thanks to that, they could stably spread Igugwoden Church doctrine to farther places, more people.
Considering the church's budget alone couldn't cover this scope of relief, the Empress was undoubtedly providing great aid to the Igugwoden Church.
"No need. Just doing what I should. I have room to support more, so if it's insufficient, let the Saintess know anytime. More importantly, what's that on your head?"
"The Rabbit Lord. God's Messenger."
"......?"
Before she could ask what "God's Messenger" meant—
Hop. It jumped straight at Eirene.
She was a bit startled but caught it safely in her arms with her excellent reflexes.
And—
"Jarigotgodon."
"......!!!"
She was more shocked by the word from its mouth than the fact it spoke.
Jarigotgodon?
If she hadn't misheard... that's...!
"Rabbit Lord. Her Majesty seems startled—perhaps come back here—"
"Ah... no. Hm hm. You said this rabbit is God's Messenger. It feels like God welcoming me... delightful."
"Is that so? Then I'm glad... though..."
"Jarigotgodon."
It stayed nestled in Eirene's arms for a while, repeating "jarigotgodon," then hopped back and landed neatly on Ophelia's head.
'Jarigotgodon... well-ripened...?'
The pronunciation was mushy... but probably "well-ripened"?
As God's Messenger, directly conveying "God's will" to me...
'Ah... Igugwoden... if You say such things to me again...'
Suppressing the tingling in her thighs once more, Eirene cleared her throat a few times, unable to hide her flushed cheeks, and spoke.
"Well, I've come today to offer words to God..."
"This way, please."
Following Ophelia's guidance inside—
In an empty space with nothing but chairs removed, an altar for priests to pray stood.
"We've cleared out the old things, so it feels a bit sparse... but this is the traditional place where believers have prayed to Lord Igugwoden since ancient times."
"Sparse? Nonsense. All this is God's will, isn't it? Then, if you'll excuse me."
Eirene knelt immediately.
In the past, the very idea of "the Empress kneeling before a religious symbol" would have disgusted her, but not now.
Her mind was ruled not by petty political logic, but by her deep feelings for her Master.
'Lord Igugwoden. It's Eirene. The Eirene who used the name Linashita, as You told me to believe... the one who spent time with You at the monastery.'
Thump, thump.
Recalling that moment with God set her heart pounding fiercely again.
It was the first time. Speaking directly to God about that moment.
Calming her bursting heart... carefully, she whispered the words she most wanted to convey.
'From the moment You forgave me for not believing and lying to You. From the moment You wiped my tears and told me not to cry. The moment You reached out Your hand, asking me to believe, changing my doomed future and saving me... and... the moment You told me, I... well... ripened...
My thoughts have been but one ever since.
'Lord Igugwoden... Master... please... even in dreams is fine... take my first time.'
She kept dreaming of God.
Most were on the bed. Igugwoden tickled Eirene endlessly with a kind, gentle voice. But He never crossed the line.
Thus, her body heated up repeatedly, yet she could do nothing... so she wanted to convey her will like this.
'All of me belongs only to Lord Igugwoden. From the moment You gave me—the one who didn't believe, who deceived You—the peace only trusting in You, in people, could bring. I've resolved it since then.'
'I... I'm fine. As much as You want. If it's Lord Igugwoden, my one and only Master... I can offer all of me.'
'So, I beg You. Please... give me... Your "Plain Fact"... deep, deep inside... until my head spins... as much as You desire... please.'
'I won't demand the love and attention You give the Saintess. Just... even in dreams, even for a fleeting moment, please embrace me. Until that moment comes, I promise to keep body and soul pure.'
Others might laugh... but Eirene was sincere.
She loved God. In a way slightly different from ordinary believers.
She was certain He'd accept such coquetry. After all, Lord Igugwoden was... truly, wonderfully kind.
The Rabbit perched on Ophelia's head, watching her, hopped faintly and said in a small voice.
"Jarigotgodon. Jarigotgodon."
"As you say, Her Majesty's devotion to God seems genuine."
Ophelia thought, watching Eirene pray.
This is God's miracle.
This is God's... sticky...?
"Igogodon."
"...Ah, right. Plain Fact. Yes. Thanks, Rabbit Lord."
This is God's Plain Fact.
She might've been startled that it read her mind, but something else bothered Ophelia more.
'It won't do to keep relying on help forever...'
Though now she needed the Rabbit Lord's aid to avoid mixing up phrases...
Like how Lady Eirene, who seemed unlikely to believe, came to faith—perhaps with effort, she'd one day recite "Plain Facts" without error.
Thinking that... she gazed at Eirene's profile in prayer.
Eirene's pure white side-face sparkled in the sunlight through the stained glass...
As if God were stroking her in prayer with a gentle hand.
* * *
A few days later.
The incident happened on the day Ophelia took over dungeon perimeter scouting.