As the ominous energy that the necromancer had been emitting dispersed, the moon and stars spread across the sky once again revealed themselves.
Since the shabby god had said that everything was over, I could rest for a while. Leaning my body against my shield, I let out a long sigh.
Could it be because I exerted myself to purify the spirit? I felt tired.
I had indeed put in considerable effort to purify the spirit. Of course, there was no hindrance to my movements.
It would be a bit much to be gasping for my life like this. When training in the Alrn family, I had moved under worse conditions than this. I should be able to handle one more battle like this.
No matter how much of a disadvantage I might be at, I’ve gotten quite a bit stronger. I initially thought surviving would be a struggle, yet here I am, having succeeded in purifying the forest.
I should ask a professor for a sparring match later. I need to see how far I can go under the assumption that I don't have a disadvantage.
After exhaling a long breath, I stretched and checked the message sent by the shabby god.
Having completed one trial, he mentioned that I would receive a reward, indicating that this quest would have rewards given intermittently, with a final reward at the end.
Hmm. I wonder how many trials I need to pass before the quest is over. If all goes well, I might be able to reap a significant reward from the shabby god.
I need to test various things. Does the difficulty of the trial affect the rewards? Is there a set number of times rewards are given? How are the trials defined?
Ahh. My head is filled with a circuit of rotten water!
For now, let’s check the rewards granted to me. I might be able to infer various things from that.
[You have purified the dead forest that was once a place of spirits!] [You will receive a reward!] [The skill 'Now there is no resentment' evolves into 'All resentments shall fade away!']
This was just like what I saw in the game.
This skill upgrade was a reward given because I had completed Adri's quest beforehand.
Originally specialized in dealing with spirit battles, the skill evolved into a passive ability close to ending major spirit battles, but I had no interest in that.
What I focused on was another aspect.
Curse defense specialization.
This skill, which nullifies nearly all curses and even weakens high-level curses, is something I heard would be good to obtain if I could.
Great! Now I don’t have to worry about curses at all. Unless it’s at the level of an evil god, the chances of something going wrong...
Oh right. The one I ultimately have to face is an evil god. Correction: I should say that as long as it’s not at the level of an evil god, I shouldn’t have to worry.
Anyway, it’s true that it’s a good skill! I smiled and shifted my gaze to the next reward.
[You have overcome what everyone else turned away from!] [A great achievement!] [People will seek out the one who restored this forest!]
This one seems related to an increase in reputation.
It’s a bit abstract. Can’t you just say that my reputation has increased by a few points like in the game?
It doesn’t feel tangible. It doesn’t feel tangible at all.
And shabby god, can you really call this a reward? It’s just the outcome of what I accomplished.
No matter how grandly you speak of it, you did nothing, did you? Why must...
No. Calm down. Do you not remember what kind of ending you faced after rambling on until now?
Now is the time to quietly keep my mouth shut. Pay attention.
Alright! Let’s check the next reward!
I’m so looking forward to what the magnificent god will reward me with!
[You resolved an issue that the past knight order could not.][Your holy proficiency increases.] [Your reputation within the church rises.] [A mark is left on the cross. Show it to someone with a position of bishop or higher, and they will recognize your achievement.]
...Huh?
Eh?
Eh?!
What?! A mark will be left?!
Upon seeing that phrase, I hurriedly took off the cross hanging around my neck to check.
On the back of the cross, a small symbol was engraved.
Is this it? It feels holy, but I can’t decipher its meaning.
<...Stigmata?!>
As I tilted my head in confusion, the elder suddenly raised his voice in my head.
“Grandfather, do you know this?”
<Of course! How could I not know the marks left by the god? Haha! The god has been watching over you! To guarantee this!>
“Can you read it?”
As expected of the elder! Just like a holy knight who once saved the world, he could interpret it right away!
If possible, could you explain what it means? I want to confirm that it’s accurate!
Our god might be a mischievous one, so he might have played a trick on me!
<This is not something to read. It is something to feel.>
At the elder's nonchalant answer, my head went blank for a moment.
“What do you mean?”
<You will naturally come to know in the future. You are loved by the god.>
“...Anyway, this mark is proof that I purified this forest, right?”
<Yes. That’s right.>
This was something I had never seen while playing the game.
There was no need to leave a mark that you accomplished something. In the game, if I achieved something, the rumors would spread naturally.
Just as I finished the task and returned to town, I would hear lines like, “XX! I heard you solved that? You’re the best!”
But that’s not the case now. No matter what I do, the people of the world won’t recognize it.
I have just accomplished the feat of re-sealing the evil god that was resurrected in Menestale.
In a game, I would have immediately been recognized as a hero, but reality is different.
No one knows what happened there, so people don’t even realize that the city of Menestale has disappeared and that a great calamity has befallen the Magic Empire.
Naturally, the way people look at me hasn’t changed at all.
The same goes for what happened in this forest.
Since there are visible changes, people will search for the one who caused the miracle, but they will not think it was me.
Even if I shouted that I solved this, it would be the same. No one would believe me.
Why?
Because my reputation is poor. I’m not very young. I’m notorious for being irreverent. If you pick apart everything, wouldn’t it be more foolish to believe me?
However, if I have this stigma, the story changes. It’s a mark left by the great, holy, and fair god. How could anyone deny that?
Yes! Oh god! This is what I wanted!
Kyaa. With just this, my reputation will soar!
I might even receive thanks from the church, and perhaps songs from bards will be made about this!
<Hey girl. Are you thinking of taking this to the church?>
While I was grinning, the elder spoke up.
“Is that not alright?”
<Think about it. Do you think it would be good to be noticed by the current church?>
...Ah. I momentarily forgot in my glee that I could raise my reputation.
What kind of state the church is currently in.
The Church of the Holy Lord does not seek those who truly follow the will of the gods; they need puppets who will obey their commands.
What would happen if I shouted that I’m loved by the gods there?
The ending is obvious. Given my rebellious nature due to the mesugaki skill, I would undoubtedly become “Ru/Si” from Lucy. I’m still not strong enough to rebel against the church.
Ugh. After almost a year, an opportunity to raise my reputation in a good way has finally arisen. The god finally presented something substantial! I can’t brag about this? Am I forced to keep this a secret?!
It’s unfair! It’s so unfair!
I vented my frustration inwardly, but that didn’t change reality.
Damn church. I should just break it down quickly.
[You have received ‘The Necromancer’s Diary’.]
The settlement that began with rewards akin to the game concluded with rewards akin to the game.
The Necromancer’s Diary. A relic left by Adri’s mother.
It’s something I don’t need. This is a thing related to necromancy.
I should just hand it over to Adri.
“Impressive. I can’t deny that.”
As soon as I closed the settlement window, I turned to see Luka's voice coming from behind.
Luka. Has he been following me around here this whole time?
He probably showed up just as he was waiting for the right moment to speak.
<Seems like you have something. I couldn’t detect it.>
‘That would be the case.’
His base nature is that of an all-purpose thief. Naturally, he must have items to conceal his presence.
Thus, he’s more troublesome than an average boss. I have to smash him without any tricks.
As I pondered the strategy I had learned in the game, Luka continued with his words.
“To purify the forest in less than half a day! Wow. All I can do is marvel. Are you hearing the god's voice? Even the knight order of the Church of the Holy Lord cannot achieve such feats!”
Luka maintained a somewhat overly humble attitude.
What is he doing? He’s not the type for this.
Regardless of his confidence or lack thereof, he should be putting on a show of being difficult to deal with.
Another variable? What kind of variable has come up now?
“Lady Alrn. Your confident demeanor held such assurance. From the standpoint of this ignorant person, I have no choice but to offer my apologies.”
My confusion peaked the moment Luka bowed his head with an apology.
What the hell is wrong with him? What is he plotting? Is he trying to lower my guard?
“And I have one more thing to apologize for. Today's events are rather sensitive, so if things go awry, my life might be in danger.”
Luka channeled his magic into his bracelet. One of the magical items he had obtained in the past. An item containing magic that interferes with the minds of people.
He’s trying to erase my memory.
Hah. What am I to do?
That was to be expected. It’s not a problem at all.
As the blue light began to rise from the bracelet, I felt something being etched into my mind.
This doesn’t feel great at all. The sensation of consciousness flickering is reminiscent of when the penalty from the mesugaki skill struck.
I felt my consciousness gradually fade.
My eyelids grew heavy.
The gaps in my thoughts elongated.
Even the elder's voice became faint...
Crack! With a sound like something breaking, my consciousness surged back.
As I opened my eyes, what I saw before me was a flustered Luka, unable to even pick up his dropped glasses.
Huh?
Did I just resist that!?
Damn it. I messed up.
It would have been better to just quietly let it pass. I can always release the magic later.
If I resist, things will get complicated.
Luka is bound to try to silence me.
Seeing Luka approaching me, I gripped my mace tighter.
Is it possible to win against this guy?
Ha. That’s a rather foolish thought.
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Is it possible or not?
I have to do it.
Because that’s how I can survive.
Alright, Luka. What will be your first move?
Are you going to shoot magic at me and chip away at my health like in the game?
Or will you swing a dagger at me from the start to try and kill me?
Whatever it is, I’ll take it on.
I’ll strategize against you.
With the sanctity swirling around my body, I etched Luka’s movements into my eyes.
He suddenly stopped midway and knelt on the ground.
Huh?
“Please spare my life! Lady Alrn!”
Huh?!