As the sun yielded to the land of dusk and the moon took its place, Karia sensed the warmth emanating from the orphanage and let out a faint chuckle.
So the employer was right after all.
Regardless of how the saintess was created by the corrupt elements of the church, Faivy indeed possessed the qualities deserving of the title.
But honestly, hadn’t those two forgotten their last close call?
After nearly getting interrogated by the church's inquisitors for invoking a miracle, they were at it again, pulling a spectacle on this scale. What would they have done if I hadn’t prepared for this?
“Alsetine.”
“Since the moment they arrived, I set up a barrier. Whatever happens here will be nothing more than a private daydream for us.”
At her pupil’s shrug, Karia narrowed her eyes.
“...Did you expect it would come to this?”
“Who was it that instructed me to prepare everything? Who else but you?”
“Ah, you used to be a bit more endearing.”
Despite her huff, Karia couldn’t deny Alsetine’s words. Sarcastic and prickly as she was, Lucy was almost never dishonest. And Lucy truly believed Faivy to be a genuine saintess.
Seeing Lucy’s unwavering faith, Karia had predicted things would unfold this way.
Nevertheless, she’d pressed on because she needed assurance.
She had to be certain that when Lucy eventually clashed with the church, Faivy would remain by her side.
Given how far the church had strayed from its former piety, it was only a matter of time before the god’s chosen apostle would stand on the opposite side.
But when that time came, if Faivy were to leave Lucy’s side, the facade of indifference Lucy might project would hardly mask the deep hurt she would feel.
For the Lucy she knew was as resilient as she was fragile.
So, Karia had pushed forward, considering the worst-case scenario, aware that she would incur Lucy’s wrath.
“Do you regret it, Master?”
“Me?”
“Yes. The lady will undoubtedly have words for you.”
“And so what if she does?”
From her days working in the shadows of the kingdom, Karia had always planned for the worst case. Even the king who had trusted her had often begged her to temper her caution.
Compared to all the criticism she’d faced, Lucy’s complaints would be nothing but a minor quibble.
“The lady should realize how much you worry for her, Master.”
“Enough chatter. Off to work.”
“Very well, Master.”
After Alsetine left to check on the scene, Karia’s gaze fell on Yohan, deep in prayer.
“Bishop.”
“Yes?”
“...Are you crying?”
“Hmph. Apologies. Seeing that sight made me realize how blind I’ve been.”
Watching the old man, usually so impassive, wipe away tears with his sleeve, Karia bit her lip.
Has he gone senile?
...Well, he is certainly at that age.
“Karia.”
“...Yes?”
Just as she began to wonder if this collaboration was a lost cause, Yohan’s voice broke her train of thought.
“You understand, don’t you, that divine grace does not discriminate between good and evil?”
“I do. It shocked me back when I first investigated that.”
Contrary to popular belief, divine grace does not exclusively dwell within the righteous.
The grace permeating the world only cares about how fervently someone seeks it, indifferent to their moral character.
This is why even the corrupt in the church can wield holy magic.
Grace disregards an individual’s background and is equally bestowed upon all.
Back when Karia was investigating the church’s high-ranking members, she had first learned this surprising truth and dismissed it as nonsense.
How could the divine, which the god in the heavens grants, lack moral discernment?
Initially, she took it as a trap and pursued other sources, yet all the evidence she gathered only supported the truth of her original information.
In the end, she had to accept it.
“Once this fact became known, it sparked much debate among the church’s upper ranks.”
Why does the god bestow his grace even upon the wicked?
The clergy offered various interpretations as they faced this disconcerting reality.
The mainstream view, in line with scripture, was that the god treats all humans equally. But there were other views, too—some saw it as the god’s way of inviting repentance, while others argued the god simply didn’t care about earthly matters.
Every priest tried to interpret it as best as they could, and Yohan was no exception.
“I disliked the mainstream view. To me, it seemed like indifference masquerading as equality.”
If the god treats good and evil alike, what reason is there to pursue goodness?
To receive punishment someday?
What does that matter?
When countless people are suffering right now, what meaning does eventual punishment hold?
That’s not equality; it’s indifference.
If the god were truly benevolent, he wouldn’t and couldn’t stand for that.
“Though I once received the god’s word, I struggled to make sense of this phenomenon.”
Despite his efforts to stay devout, a sliver of doubt had always lingered in Yohan’s heart.
“I even wondered if all I’d heard were delusions and that perhaps the god didn’t exist at all.”
Maybe that’s why he clung so tightly to his pious exterior.
For Yohan feared that even the slightest crack would expose his doubt.
“But then... then came an exception no theory could explain.”
Lucy Allen.
A girl whose survival would have been in question had she not been the daughter of the Allen family. A girl considered so irreverent that people openly said her life was spared only by her family’s status.
Now, she was proof that the god was present and actively watching over this world.
Witnessing the miracles she performed filled Yohan’s heart with hope.
He felt reassured that his faith hadn’t been in vain.
“And now, before my eyes, I see yet another exception.”
The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.
A soul born from human malice.
A being whose very existence was almost an affront to the god.
A poor child who, while possessing a faith more devout than any in the church, believed she was unworthy of the god’s love.
The god had not rejected her.
He hadn’t turned his back on her.
Instead, he had accepted her entirely, knowing everything about her.
“Karia, the world is changing.”
“Indeed, Bishop.”
“Whether or not there will be a place for an old man like me in this new world, I don’t know. But I am certain of what I must do.”
Seeing the divine light fading, Yohan composed his face.
“When my time comes to stand before the god, I cannot be ashamed.”
In the midst of the warmth now filling the basement, Faivy felt a new heat growing within her.
This sensation was different from the divine grace she was used to; it was a warmth all its own.
And she knew exactly what it was.
It was the same warmth that radiated from Lucy, whose hand was gently holding hers.
Great God above,
Are you listening to the prayer of this unworthy child?
If so, then there is something I must tell you.
This child, who embodies disgrace, has carried these words in her heart for so long.
Since recalling my past, I have always wanted to convey these words to you.
This wretched child does not believe in your omniscience.
If you truly knew everything happening in this world, there is no way you would not have heard our screams.
This wretched child does not believe in your omnipotence.
If you could do anything, you wouldn’t have simply watched countless deaths in silence.
But... I do believe in your goodness.
I believe you did your best to confront evil in this world.
I believe that you must feel sorrow each time you witness despair.
For I have seen your apostle carry out your will.
For she risked her own life without hesitation to save another.
For she has comforted and protected this wretched soul without fail.
And so, I wish to believe that your will is not different from your apostle’s.
Thus, I ask you to speak.
Make your shortcomings known to those who trust in you, and ask for their aid.
In doing so, may goodness spread throughout this world.
Let no more sorrow arise in places where it has already taken root.
Let your presence become a reminder, inspiring hearts to seek repentance.
If you must remain silent to this unworthy child’s plea, that is acceptable.
Even if you do not reward my faith, I will continue to follow the path of good.
I will strive to bring goodness to this world, with or without your guidance.
Just as your apostle does now, just as your champions did in the past, I too will uphold my beliefs.
If you choose to stay silent, then merely watch.
Do not turn away from the efforts of those who strive for goodness.
...I forgive you.
At the end of her prayer, a voice unlike any other brushed softly against her ears.
It was neither high nor low, both feminine and masculine, holding both severity and gentleness.
Although she had never heard the god’s voice before, the moment she heard it, she knew exactly who it belonged to.
It was the god’s voice.
...I am truly sorry.
The voice she had trusted and sought to believe in was apologizing.
Understanding this, Faivy let herself be immersed in the countless words cascading into her mind like a gentle rain from above.
And within that downpour, she found the words she needed to say.
Great God above.
You have forgiven this wretched child, so I shall forgive your sins as well.
But remember that this forgiveness is mine alone.
And remember that there are countless souls in this world who cannot forgive you.
...Yes. I will remember them all.
And with that response, the voice, as soft as a spring breeze, faded, leaving behind only its intention.
When the prayer ended, Faivy opened her eyes, met with Lucy’s red gaze watching her, attempting a smile only to feel tears well up again.
“My... my lady...”
“Why? Crybaby Faivy?”
“Will you hold me?”
Before she even finished speaking, Lucy’s arms wrapped around her neck, pulling her close.
“And... will you comfort me?”
“What else?”
“Praise me. Tell me I did well.”
“Haha. Finally, the pretentious Faivy is showing a little honesty.”
Feeling Lucy’s hands gently patting her back, Faivy let the long-restrained tears flow in her embrace.
Vowing that after today, she wouldn’t cry again until everything was truly over.