“Yeah.”

"......."

The silence was heavy, but it was clear she wasn't entirely convinced. For Hildé, merely refraining from asking a self-deprecating question like "Someone like me?" was already a step forward.

In general, trust requires evidence. The same goes for self-trust, yet some people struggle to find that evidence for themselves.

At times like these, good-hearted people might help, but Hildé Marcelion was exceedingly unlucky.

"Do you want me to help you find divine power?"

"......Is that possible?"

Her eyes widened again. She really was quite cute in moments like this.

"Yes, if you want, it can be done right now."

"Really?"

"Yes. There will be a small price to pay, though."

"A price...!"

The face of the herbivorous girl suddenly became resolute.

"Anything! I'll do it! I’ll do it!"

"I like the determined attitude, but you should at least hear the details first. You don't want to get scammed."

"But you're a saint...?"

"I'm not your typical saint. But to avoid misunderstandings, let me tell you upfront: the price is becoming a member of the Church of Eonryeong."

"Member of the... church?"

"Yes. You'll join our wonderful Church of Eonryeong and take on the mission of spreading the sacred gospel. Actually, calling it a price is more like calling it a privilege, don't you think? How about it? Doesn’t it sound exciting?"

[The "Divine Secrets Inspector" shakes its head disapprovingly.]

[The "Soul-judging Scales" looks displeased.]

"Is that all?"

Hildé looked a bit stunned.

"Anyway, a white mage is automatically affiliated with the Church of Eonryeong, as per the law... So, this is something I would have to do by national law anyway..."

She had probably figured out how white mages were treated in the Republic. A reform in the system for protecting rights was urgently needed.

"If that’s all you’re asking, there’s no real cost... Ah, as expected, you're a saint..."

Well, for now, being raised to a higher status was to my advantage.

"So, what's your answer? Make it clear."

"I-I'll do it! I will!"

"Good. Registration complete."

Having gotten her consent, it was time to start.

I climbed the invisible steps. Using the levitation from my divine descent, I adjusted my height, then proclaimed.

"Hello, citizens of the Mage Republic. I am Ayleth Rodeline, the apostle of the God of Eonryeong, sent here to spread the gospel of the world-building god."

[ The faith in "The World-Building Eonryeong" has been officially declared.]

[ The "Church of The World-Building Eonryeong" has been declared the national religion of the Lagnaep Mage Republic.]

[ Your world has transitioned from ‘The God-forsaken World’ to ‘The World where God Exists’.]

Perfect. This was it.

I wouldn’t be concerned with the dying Order of the Church. It was a direct confrontation.

"As I hold the position of both the Pope of Eonryeong and the Sacred Scriptures, you can call me whichever is more comfortable for you. If you wish to pursue faith or awaken divine power, come find me. In that case, I will baptize you in the name of Eonryeong. Like so..."

I reached my hand towards Hildé's head. The observant, good-natured girl immediately knelt down to lower her posture.

"As the representative of the God who builds the world, I baptize Hildé Marcelion, who desires to follow the path."

[ The followers of "The World-Building Eonryeong" have increased.]

[ Hildé Marcelion's divine power has been restored.]

The divinity of Eonryeong, connected through me, descended upon Hildé. Her divine power, which had been completely lost, rose back to the 7th level.

The people attending were all highly skilled magicians, based on strict elitism. They all had the perception to sense what had just happened.

"The white magic has been restored!"

"Oh my God!"

The room erupted in commotion.

The one who felt the change most clearly was undoubtedly Hildé herself. She struggled to contain her overwhelming emotions and eventually burst into tears.

Now, it was time to wrap things up.

"I won’t stand by if anyone persecutes my believers, so be aware. If any rebellious news reaches me, you will witness Eonryeong’s wrath."

I may have made my voice too heavy, but to lighten the mood, I ended with a kind smile. However, instead of the crowd's expressions softening, they only exhaled nervously.

<What’s with the smiling while threatening?>

[The "Cynic Who Tunes Balance" claps sarcastically, commenting on your high villainous synchronicity.]

[The "Soul-judging Scales" sneers, pretending to be concerned about the Church’s image.]

[The "Architect of Trials' Skyscraper" comforts you, saying what does it matter if you’re a heretic or evil god since you’ll be playing the villain anyway.]

[The "World-building Eonryeong" complains that in the previous timeline, you were a heretic, but now you’re an evil god.]

Sigh. The other gods seem to be picking on Eonryeong a lot today.

‘Where else would you find a benevolent god like our Eonryeong?’

[The "World-building Eonryeong" receives comfort from you, gaining peace of mind.]

At that moment, Reed, who had been indifferently observing the proclamation of the sacred national religion, stood up from his chair.

"It seems like it's about done. Now, I’ll add a new rule to the Mage Tower."

"...?"

It was an unexpected topic.

"From now on, only the Tower Lord may escort the Holy Scriptures at any banquet or event. That’s all."

It seemed like a petty addition, but maybe it was just my impression?

Reed, who had suddenly approached, slid past Hildé and grabbed my fingertip.

"Shall we leave, Holy Scriptures?"

"Ah, yes..."

He flashed a smile, making full use of his handsome face, and I reluctantly turned away. The time was almost up anyway.

✠

Through the window to the west, the orange light streamed in long. The end of the straight hallway seemed to meet the burning red sun.

The figures of the elaborately dressed man and woman seemed to walk toward the light. Their footsteps were swallowed by the soft carpet, and the hallway, now only for two, remained quiet.

A deep, low voice, filled with a smile, reached her ear.

"Now we’re perfect accomplices."

"You seem happy."

"Yes, it’s enjoyable."

The time had come. Ayleth’s hair and eyes slowly returned to their original spring-like color.

With her soon-to-be unguarded self before him, he seemed unwilling to hide his eagerness.

"It’s fine. We’re accomplices."

"......"

"Don’t worry, just leave your two days to me."

"......"

Ayleth quietly stared at Reed for a moment.

His eyes, filled with the sunset of the days he had lived, were even more intense than the waters ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) of the past she had seen. His gaze, colored by a deep red, seemed persistent.

He had said that betrayal was acceptable.

Yet, he was here, asking for her trust while revealing his transparent feelings. This was a contradiction.

Betrayal could not be acceptable.

At least, not her betrayal.

If he had truly decided to give humans and the world another chance, then the answer she would have to give back in this moment was clear.

"Alright. Please."

Without hesitation, Ayleth closed her eyes. Her consciousness slipped away, and her body fully leaned into him.

"......"

Soon, even the sunset sank beneath the horizon. The hallway, which had seemed like a path toward the light, was quickly swallowed by the deep blue darkness. It became a time and space dedicated to submission to him.

Reed slowly embraced Ayleth, his face expressionless as he looked down at her cradled in his arms.

Though he appeared calm, the truth could always be found in his eyes.

"More than I thought."

Desire and impulse swirled, shaking.

"It’s difficult, this."

He tilted his head.

Now would be the perfect time to steal something, but his nose avoided it, and his lips only grazed the air.

He held her close and melted into the deep darkness.

Chapter 5: Confession of a Fallen Sinner

When Ayleth opened her eyes, she found herself staring at a strange ceiling.

‘Did I possess someone?’

[The "Cynic Who Tunes Balance" nags, telling you to wake up quickly.]

It was an unfamiliar space. The bed, with a canopy, and the artistic interior looked like something out of a noblewoman’s bedroom in a romance fantasy novel.

However, the decorative patterns scattered here and there seemed more geometric than vintage. She had an inkling of where she was.

"The Mage Tower Lord’s bedroom?"

<Ayleth, you’re awake!>

"Yes, Agnes. Ugh."

She pushed herself up, lifted the blanket, and then noticed her attire. The flowing chemise dress softly clung to her bare skin.

‘Romance fantasy? Oh, wait, who dressed me?’

If someone had touched her defenseless body... That thought made her uncomfortable, so she decided not to dwell on it.

At that moment, a sound of something lightly tapping her attention. Reed, sitting on the couch, deliberately made the noise by closing a book.

"Ah, Reed. Hello?"

"......"

Reed didn’t reply.

He stood up, approached, and sat on the edge of the bed. The suddenly shortened distance brought his face closer to hers, and it looked strangely tense.

Something felt off, but why was his face getting closer?

[The "Soul-judging Scales" comments that the atmosphere feels uneasy and enjoys it!]