Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The Sponsored World Was Real
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"I'm home."
Even though I knew there wouldn't be a reply, I tossed out the words anyway as I returned home.
The weather's gotten pretty chilly now. Perfect season for peeling and eating tangerines.
I haphazardly took off my coat, and though I wanted to flop straight onto the bed—
'No.'
Who am I?
The 'god' who pushed forward the Ophelia who couldn't grasp Plain Fact.
If I'm a 'god,' shouldn't I set an example by diligently doing what needs to be done without slacking off? With that thought, I started by properly hanging up the coat I'd just taken off.
After stripping off my clothes and tidying them up, I turned the shower on right away.
Today's music choice—a highly cultured song brimming with anguish over bass.
As the smartphone blared "Hey hey, Kimi—!", I thoroughly washed my body, weary from the hot water.
Of course, I didn't crank the volume too high. Better no music at all than bothering the neighbors.
After finishing the shower, I lightly tidied up the room.
I double-checked for any discarded items lying around. Spotless.
Indeed.
Just thinking of myself as a god brought about this miraculous change in my demeanor.
Picking up trash from the roadside, helping an elderly person fumbling with their smartphone while lost—all because I figured a god would do such things.
If I'm the god whom Erin worships, Eirene loves, and the Dish of Holy Knights strives to emulate, isn't this the bare minimum?
"Pfft."
It was a bit amusing even to me, but still...
To earn divine treatment from Ophelia—who rejects even the miracle of comprehending incomprehensible truths and walks the hard path herself—wouldn't I need at least this much?
Something like that. Quite seriously.
'It was such a cool story...'
I recalled the final scene of the latest chapter.
I had stared blankly for a long time at the panel showing Ophelia's determined gaze, with the rabbit I'd made perched on her head, striding forward.
My heart ached so much I nearly teared up, but I desperately held it back. Cheering her on with tears while she marched bravely wouldn't suit a god's dignity.
Though Ophelia's decision was full of romance, it didn't resolve the root issue, so her path ahead wouldn't be all roses...
For minor problems, the 500,000-won Rabbit Lord would handle them without me needing to throw a 1,000-won punch, so no worries there.
Seeing it open some hellish portal and toss the extra Bandit Gang into a washing machine for a quick clean proved its potential was limitless.
Plus, this rabbit isn't temporary. At this point, it's a total bargain.
'......'
Lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, it suddenly hit me.
The emptiness in my heart had faded somewhat.
Something that online games, becoming a ranker, or running a guild couldn't fill...
Who would've thought a single comic could fill it?
That realization brought up a fresh question.
'Who the hell is this author?'
Even checking "Other Works" yielded nothing.
His only serialized work—the comic I'm reading—had views stuck at 1 since before Erin even appeared, and aside from my sponsorships, it wasn't making any real money.
Considering the side comics sent directly to me via DM, or the recent bath scene with Eirene... it wasn't an exaggeration to say he was drawing just for me.
Sure, I'm happy to have comics to read—
'Even accounting for all my sponsorships so far, is the workload enough for him to live on?'
Is that why he was so serious about sustainable sponsorships?
Anyway, the more I thought, the more intriguing he seemed.
He nailed 1:1 banter, drew whatever I requested, and though my sponsorships weren't massive, he thanked me profusely each time.
Come to think of it, he really did everything.
A phrase he kept emphasizing came to mind.
Drawing busty characters and brazenly saying, "Looks like a character to Lord Igugwoden's taste has appeared."
Or claiming he merely observed the world and couldn't fully read futures shaped by 'Divine Power.'
In one word: commitment. The author was a WWE-level pro at it.
The core of his 'commitment' was simple.
—Acting as if the world he depicted truly existed.
He desperately maintained the concept of "this world is a real, existing one," even using terms like new monetization that could fit our world.
If I were a bit younger, I might've seriously wondered if it was real—
'No way, right?'
No matter how immersed I got in the comic or how seriously I played the 'god' role the author tagged me with—
Comics aren't reality. That's an immutable fact.
Still... a little daydreaming can't hurt.
In light novels or webnovels I read often, getting possessed into such a world is a cliché.
What if I actually got possessed into that world?
Could I really meet Erin, who adores me; Eirene, who dated me; the Dish of Holy Knights friends embodying my teachings...?
Suddenly.
A chat with the author flashed through my mind like lightning.
[ Igugwoden: Lol wtf, how would I even enter there lolololol ]
[ Please Give Money: Why do you think that? ]
[ Please Give Money: With Divine Power, nothing is impossible. ]
'......'
Me too.
At my age, what am I even thinking? Once the imagination takes off, though, it won't stop.
Honestly, Erin's looks are totally my type; I'd love to see her once.
For Eirene, after that bath scene special—truth be told, she's been on my mind a lot lately.
Same for the Dish of Holy Knights. All three had their unique charms.
If I could actually see them, just a tiny bit... even possession wouldn't be so bad.
Pathetic, maybe, but don't all otaku think this? That's why possession stories are popular.
'......Enough.'
Shaking my head, I checked my smartphone.
Let's see.
No upload notification yet.
The comic uploaded daily, but not at a fixed time.
More accurately, one chapter up, next within 24 hours.
'How much to sponsor next time...'
Either way.
To keep the author—who draws custom comics just for me—from burning out, I should keep supporting.
At least while I enjoy it, I want to fuel his drive to draw with money.
I get comics, and he gets cash for chicken or whatever.
'Based on the pattern, next chapter around dinner time.'
Shower done, dinner eaten...
Might as well clean the house corners until then.
I got out of bed and started house cleaning with a light heart.
* * *
A few days after Ophelia's incident.
As Luca and Linea ate breakfast like usual, Ophelia's confident voice rang out behind them.
"Good morning, everyone!"
After a light greeting and taking her seat, Luca smiled and said,
"Lady Ophelia. I heard the news. The entire Bandit Gang that was captured has reformed!"
As Luca said, Ophelia's name was the hottest topic in religious circles.
Not only had the bandits reformed, but they credited it to Holy Knight Ophelia, chosen by Lord Igugwoden, and her Plain Fact—showing devout obedience that moved the Pope and clergy alike.
Who among the faithful would shun someone saying they'd become better thanks to their god?
"What did I even do? I merely followed the Lord's teachings. This is all thanks to Lord Igugwoden's cheeky fox."
"Igogodon."
"Yes, Plain Fact. That's exactly what I meant."
Luca already knew from rumors that Ophelia couldn't grasp the 'Plain Fact' in the scriptures.
Some priests disapproved of her, and with ears, she'd inevitably hear it.
Luca hesitated to offer comfort, but worried seeing the spirited woman crumbling bit by bit...
"Igogodon."
"Hm? Hungry too, Rabbit Lord? Here. Say ahh."
Ophelia handed the Rabbit Lord a whole steak from her plate.
It slurped it up like liquid.
—Crunch crunch.
After much munching, its round eyes sparkled.
"Pya, Igogodon!!!"
Since the Lord's messenger rabbit appeared, her expression had brightened noticeably.
Complaints from priests had dwindled post-bandit reform.
At first, the surreal 'carnivorous rabbit' flustered them despite its cuteness...
But as the Lord's messenger, it couldn't be ordinary. Unique cry too.
This must be Lord Igugwoden's Plain Fact.
"Good morning, Rabbit Lord!"
"Igogodon."
Luca petted the hopping rabbit on Ophelia's head a few times, then cautiously glanced at Linea.
Linea greeted then focused on eating.
If only she could strike up conversation... but no reaction to the rabbit suggested she wasn't into animals, making it tricky.
'I want to get closer to Lady Linea soon.'
For the three to truly become the Dish of Holy Knights, mutual trust was essential—bonding with her was following the Lord's will.
Just then, the Saintess's voice came from afar.
"Good... All three of you are gathered here."
"Hello, Saintess."
"Greetings, Lady Saintess."
"The greetings can wait. More importantly, all three of you can skip today's schedule."
"Is something the matter?"
Erin closed her eyes briefly in prayer—
Then, with unprecedented seriousness, eyes fierce in her blue gaze, she said,
"Her Majesty the Empress has approved. We're building a temple for Lord Igugwoden using an existing ruin."