Final Preparations (5)

“Ha… Haha… “

Celica could hardly calm her pounding heart.

No matter how hard I tried to go to sleep, I couldn’t fall asleep.

There were many days when I felt anxious before.

Even when her monastery collapsed and she almost became a vagabond.

Even when Seohyun was hurt by Catherine and was on the brink of death.

Even when I infiltrated the forest of the Demon World and got trapped in a cave.

There were many crises along the way, and I was in trouble more than once.

Every time that happened, Celica prayed to the goddess and found peace.

Because there is a belief that the goddess will always be watching over oneself.

But after learning the truth about the world, confusion came to my mind.

The goddess is not immortal.

Rather, he was defeated by Erina and imprisoned in heaven.

So where should the faith go in our hearts?

As my faith, which had lost its subject, collapsed, I became lost.

Who have you prayed for so far?

Where does your power come from?

Even now, divine power was flowing from his body.

A power that ordinary people cannot have.

Where on earth did this power come from?

At that time, the words Kayla said passed through my head.

‘My lord, you are a being higher than God. Literally the Creator. It is the same being as the Creator who created this world.’

“Ah…”

Originally, a being of a higher dimension than a goddess.

Seohyun is the one who truly deserves to be worshiped.

As that thought stuck in her head, Celica’s head kept spinning.

The events that have happened so far have passed like a panorama, and the memories so far have been overlaid with a new perspective.

Even though there were many excellent healers in the world, he found himself.

Why was he encouraged to join even though he had never worked as a healer before?

‘Seohyun knew everything about me.’

Literally an apostle chosen by God.

She was chosen by the Creator and became a demigod.

Otherwise, what happened so far cannot be explained.

Therefore, I concluded that it was because I received help from Seohyun, not from the goddess.

‘Okay. That’s right…’

Celica looked back at her memories.

Have you ever received help from a goddess?

Not even once. I just unilaterally asked for help.

But Seohyun was different.

‘I rejected Seohyun at first…’

At first, Celica refused the request to join the party.

But he led me to the end and even saved my life.

He allowed himself and his children, who had no place to go, to stay in the mansion.

Until now, I have guided her to grow.

‘It’s all Seohyun’s help. ‘Not the goddess.’

In the past, thoughts that should have been erased as unclean kept coming to mind.

I finally realized that the faith that should be directed to the goddess should be directed to Seohyun.

The faith in my heart began to change completely.

‘When I’m in real danger, when I’m truly hoping for help… ‘

The goddess did nothing.

Rather, Seohyun helped him.

And I looked back on my memories.

Have you found the goddess in a situation where you are in a difficult situation?

‘No. I desperately hoped that Seohyun would help me.’

Even when the monastery is attacked, when fighting monsters, and when trapped in a cave.

Everyone was praying while thinking of Seohyun.

Celica found stability in her gradually distorted memories.

Even though the prayers she had been praying and the object of her earnest heart were changing, she remained calm.

Like a seeker who realized the truth.

Celica faced the truth and found new enlightenment.

The object of true worship was not the goddess.

The person who chose me and stayed by my side.

“Seohyun…”

The person to whom faith should truly be directed was very close.

When she realized that fact, Celica’s heart filled with uncontrollable excitement.

My confused mind found stability, and one truth spread in my head like a hot fire.

‘I have to help Seohyun.’

Revealing Erina’s atrocities and protecting Seohyun.

For that reason, he was chosen and given a mission.

What Erina did can never be forgiven.

Not only did they bring the Creator, who was in the position of God, to the ground, but they deceived the truth with lies.

In a situation where it would not be enough to immediately reveal your mistake and repent, you are shamelessly lying.

Blasphemy. It was an unholy act that should not exist in the world.

Nevertheless, Seohyun accepted Erina.

Even though I was insulted, forgiving wasn’t enough, so I decided to embrace it.

A decision that is completely incomprehensible.

Celica couldn’t accept it.

“I can never forgive you…”

What can I do? It was Seohyun’s decision, so she had to follow it, but Serika couldn’t hide her unpleasant feelings.

To calm my mind, I pictured Seohyun’s face in my mind and began to pray with all my heart.

Then, an uncontrollable light began to flow from my entire body.

The brilliance that flows out as if pent-up power explodes.

Celica was no longer afraid of the light that surrounded her.

Rather, it is because it is a feeling that one has been chosen.

He exerted even more power and radiated brilliance.

A sanctuary spreading to the surrounding area.

Because the place where she stands is where God resides.

Around her, a sacred space spread out where monsters were prohibited from entering.

Celica gathered her strength with a determined expression.

‘This isn’t enough.’

That day, she couldn’t sleep all night.

He continued to pray endlessly to reach his breaking point.

***

“Seohyun. Good night.”

Serika comes every morning to check on her wounds.

I was less worried when I saw him come with a bright voice.

I was confused after hearing yesterday’s story, but did I accept it well?

As expected, it seems like Kayla told the story well.

However, there was something a little different from usual.

There was a look of fatigue and exhaustion on his face, and the light flowing from his body was more intense than before.

Before, I couldn’t see it or it was faint because I was suppressing it.

As of now, it was glowing without hesitation.

Even Erina was surprised.

I glared at Celica with a very wary expression.

“Celica. It seems like the light flowing through your body has become stronger.”

“Yes. I will do my best for Seohyun today.”

Celica put her hand on my top and unbuttoned it.

As she came closer, I could feel an intense warmth that I had never felt before.

“How do you feel? Doesn’t it feel a little different?”

“Yes. I think my energy is stronger than usual.”

A warmth enveloped my entire body so much that I thought the wound on my shoulder had improved.

However, it felt as if the wound on my shoulder had healed for a moment, and my shoulder was constantly being lifted.

Celica sent the healing light even more intensely, but there was no change.

The pain was reduced as the black salt no longer ate into the flesh, but the wound did not completely disappear.

“Celica. It’s okay now.”

“…”

“It’s okay to stop.”

Celica doesn’t answer what I say.

When she looked back, she was sweating heavily and with great light.

As I held both hands and stopped Celica, the light faded and the warmth dispersed.

Her body was surprisingly hot.

“I always said, there’s no need to overdo it.”

“Ha… Ha… I thought I could succeed today…”

Celica exhaled harshly and pulled herself together.

It seemed like it was difficult to control his body, as if he was exerting quite a bit of strength.

In the end, he calmed down while being held in my arms.

“I’m sorry… I just used my full power…”

There was resentment mixed in the tired voice.

I could definitely feel that my strength was stronger than before.

She couldn’t erase the permanent injury that was part of the game’s system.

Has Kayla not told you this fact yet?

I’ll have to talk to Celica separately later.

“…Slowly fall.”

Erina threatened Celica with a cruel voice.

Is it starting again? Just as I was trying to stop Erina.

“Can’t we just stay like this for a little while… ?”

Suddenly, Celica refused in a pitiful voice.

Normally, I should have been afraid of Erina’s feelings.

Erina looked at Celica with a surprised expression, probably not expecting her reaction.

“…What?”

“It’s so hard right now… I want to rest like this for a while…”

Sweat was beading on her thin body, and her voice was lifeless.

Of course, Celica is not suffering from lies.

Normally, I would have quietly retreated rather than complained.

‘Has there been a change of heart since yesterday?’

I’m glad I wasn’t shocked after hearing the story.

I was a little embarrassed when it showed a slightly different appearance than before.

“Get away from me right away..!”

“Ugh… ?!”

As Erina screamed in frustration, Celica trembled and came closer to me.

The acting was so natural that I hugged Celica without even realizing it.

Then, a spark appeared in Erina’s eyes, and her hands clenched into fists.

“Fall!”

Erina grabs Celica’s clothes and forcibly pulls her.

Celica, who looked like she was about to shed tears at any moment, did not fall for me.

“Erina. Stop.”

“I don’t like it…!”

Should I have a power struggle with Erina in the morning?

It was only with great effort that I was able to open Erina’s grip and untie her clothes.

“Celica is in so much pain. She could rest for a while.”

“But in your arms…!”

“Please just pass this one time, Erina.”

That morning, I had to spend time calming down an angry Erina.

She couldn’t let go of her anger until lunch time.

Meanwhile, Celica was watching me with a gloomy expression.