No, How Can an Atheist Become a Saintess!?

No, How Can an Atheist Become a Saintess!? – 67

EP.67 Kindness and Calculation (1)

But just because I said I would go, that didn’t mean my deployment would happen the next day.

To be precise, my visit to another civilization wasn’t the same as sending a proper diplomatic envoy. It would have been far simpler if the church had just sent a team to deal with the Gate, but I was someone sent through the government’s mediation.

On the surface, it wasn’t carrying a political message, but in reality, it was a complicated position that combined the elements of diplomacy and the church’s mission work.

"Can't I just go as a nun?"

After saying that, I was met with looks of confusion, like, What on earth is she saying, Sister Anna...? So, I decided to just remain silent and wait for the situation to resolve itself.

*

Perhaps seeing this as an opportunity to assert itself, the church decided to form a 'diplomatic team' to accompany me to the other side of the Gate.

"...We're not going to war, are we?"

The 'diplomatic team' that showed up was a group of knights, fully armored in plate armor.

A group made up of inquisitors.

Though it wasn’t the first time I had seen them, their imposing appearance was far more striking than when I had been told they looked like 'bureaucrats.'

"Sophie?"

At the forefront of the group, there was Sophie. Oh, but she wasn’t in armor. She was just accompanying me as one of the saintess candidates.

"Don't worry, Sister."

Sophie gave me a reassuring smile.

"These knights won’t be going across the Gate armed. They’ll have minimal armament for escort, and they’ll carry their armor separately, but they’ll mostly be in regular clothes, acting as bodyguards."

It was true that, although bulky, they were all women. They looked like they could hop into a ring and easily knock someone out, which caught me off guard.

Ria, though taller than me, had a much more delicate appearance compared to them.

While I was still in a bit of shock—

Thunk.

One of the knights in front of me knelt on one knee.

I tried my best to suppress the involuntary grunt that tried to escape, but I’m not sure I succeeded.

Even though I had come to accept my position, I still didn’t know how to react when people around me raised me up like this.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure the saintess candidate is never harmed."

"…..."

I knew by now that even if I refused, there was no turning back.

I could only let out a small sigh and nod in response.

*

After that, the knights stayed at our church.

The church dormitory was quite large with plenty of rooms, so it wasn’t an issue. Orphans who had lost their parents or were abandoned regularly arrived, but not all of them came to our cathedral.

Though it was fine that the knights were staying, strangely, Ria’s mood had taken a drastic downturn since their arrival.

"...What’s wrong?"

Ria was glaring at me with a dissatisfied expression, so I stopped what I was doing and asked her.

Ria wasn’t looking at my face, though. She was staring at the tips of my fingers.

"Do you really have to do that?"

"…..."

I glanced down at what Ria had pointed to with her chin.

In my hand, I was holding a sword—an oversized two-handed sword, one you’d typically see in a medieval European drama.

It was enchanted, but not to the degree that I had personally consecrated it. It wasn’t something I planned to turn into a relic, but it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared, just in case.

"We're going to another world, right? It’s better to be ready for the unexpected. I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me."

I didn’t mind if people got hurt while I was around, but I never wanted anyone to be hurt because of me.

That included Ria, of course, but also everyone else.

Even if it wasn’t me, I figured they’d think the same way.

At the very least, if I consecrated it this way, I’d be able to deflect things like incoming arrows.

“And, I’ve already consecrated your sword, Ria.”

I had even imbued it with a fair amount of my own power, to show my affection. I had been bedridden with exhaustion after that.

Of course, I couldn’t do the same for every knight in the order—there were too many of them.

And besides, Ria always fought with my divine power, didn’t she? I had even created a relic in the shape of chocolate and given it to her beforehand.

“...?”

But despite what I said, Ria just sulked, propping her chin up and pouting her lips.

I stopped what I was doing and tilted my head to look at her.

After a brief moment of contemplation, I asked,

"Are you jealous, by any chance?"

Her reaction was instantaneous.

Ria’s eyes shot up from the sword she had been staring at with discontent, and judging by her furrowed brow, she seemed to be thinking, What are you talking about? But I didn’t erase the smile on my face.

In fact, I grinned even wider.

"What’s wrong? Are you jealous because this pretty friend of yours is giving attention to someone else?"

"I’m not!"

Ria muttered, her voice tinged with annoyance.

And once again, she quickly turned her gaze away from me, unable to make eye contact.

Ah.

That was actually kind of cute. How mischievous of her.

It felt strange to be calling someone taller than me cute, but I wasn’t going to voice my thoughts aloud. After all, if I pointed out her weaknesses, Ria would definitely use them against me later.

"…...”

A brief silence filled the room as a faint light swirled around us. The last of the knights’ swords had passed through my hands for consecration. It was faint, but the blade itself glowed with a subtle light.

"Whoo."

I let out a soft sigh.

Fatigue gradually crept up on me. It wasn’t like when I had exhausted all my divine power in one go and collapsed, but I could tell I would sleep deeply tonight.

"Or..."

I stood up, still holding the sword, when Ria spoke up.

"Did you receive some kind of divine revelation again?"

Her words made me stop and turn toward her.

"What?"

"Are you preparing like this because you think something’s going to happen again?"

Did it look like that?

...Maybe it did.

If I hadn’t mentioned prophecies before, she probably wouldn’t have suspected anything. But after I had accurately predicted something once, I couldn’t blame her for wondering if it was going to happen again.

"…..."

What’s going to happen?

Of course, something will happen.

But it wasn’t something that was supposed to happen this soon. I didn’t expect to meet the gnomes so quickly.

"That’s possible."

I spoke cautiously, trying to be as careful as possible.

Ria’s gaze was fixed on me.

"How much can you tell me?"

"…..."

I wasn’t sure.

Should I tell her everything? But there were still many limits to what I knew. Ria wasn’t the type to go blabbing other people's secrets around, but being cautious wouldn’t hurt.

When it came to prophecies, the less others knew, the better the control over variables.

When I said nothing, Ria sighed lightly.

"If it’s a dangerous prophecy, tell me in advance. Then we can try to prevent it."

"That..."

"Are you saying that it’s better for you to sacrifice yourself so that others can survive? Is that what you mean in terms of numbers?"

"…..."

I closed my mouth tightly.

Ria gave a disbelieving chuckle before abruptly standing up.

She approached me, looking down at me from above.

With her head held high and only her gaze directed downward, there was an overwhelming presence in the way she stood.

I, who could easily deflect bullets with a sword as long as I had divine power, knew that people like "Hunters" or "Heroes" were beings far beyond human capabilities, even in the world I knew.

"Hey."

"Yes?"

"I’ve been the daughter of a hero since I was little."

"Right."

"So I know. I’ve seen plenty of people think like that."

"…..."

Ria took another step closer, causing me to tilt my head further back, while she loomed over me even more.

"Do I look like that to you?"

"…..."

"If that situation arises, you’d be the first one to make that decision. You’re a rational and logical person, right?"

Her face came closer.

It seemed like she was trying to intimidate me.

"And the thing is, if that moment comes, I’ll be dragged into danger with you, right? So, if there’s any danger, just tell me in advance."

"Ria."

I couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Ria blinked at the expression on my face. The intimidating look she had was starting to falter.

I gently placed my hand on her cheek.

"Ria. Even if you talk like that, I’m not scared at all."

"Huh?"

"We’ve shared the same room for so long, and we’ve been together all this time. Do you really think I can’t tell when you’re genuinely angry versus when you’re pretending to be mad?"

...I knew this because I had seen it in the original story—Ria knew how to care for others.

But still, I was a little happy about it.

Ria’s face turned slightly red.

Ah, shoot.

She’s cute.

It’s so frustrating.

"Don’t worry. If anything like that happens, I’ll tell you first."

"Ah, oh, okay..."

It wasn’t a lie.

At the very least, I wouldn’t let Ria die because of me.

But still, if I had to choose between removing ten thousand from a hundred thousand or one from a hundred thousand, I’d choose the latter.

That one should naturally go to the person who made the choice.

And, in that situation, I didn’t intend to die either.

Taking ten thousand off a hundred thousand, making it ninety thousand, was far more logical and reasonable.

"And."

I leaned in close to Ria, who was staring at me absentmindedly.

"Your face is completely red. Are you embarrassed?"

"...!?"

Ria quickly pulled back.

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud as I turned away.

...

The sensation I had touched earlier was soft and squishy.

Who exactly called someone a sticky rice cake hamster?