How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

Chapter 747: A Goddess’s Advice to Godhood 4

The room was quiet.

Small.

Modest.

Exactly the kind of room I’d expect the nuns living in the cathedral to use.

A simple wooden bed rested against one wall, while a neatly organized bookshelf stood beside a small desk. There weren’t any luxurious decorations or expensive furniture, only the necessities.

Most of the shelves were filled with books.

Scriptures.

Records of miracles.

Theology.

The history of the Church of Light.

There were even manuals on etiquette and guidance for those who had devoted themselves to the church.

Judging by the worn corners and faded pages, they weren’t just decorations either.

Someone actually read them.

Frequently.

”...”

It wasn’t exactly an exciting room.

Most people would probably call it boring.

But...

There was something oddly comforting about it.

Maybe people really did find peace in simple things.

Some would laugh at those who devoted their entire lives to faith, calling them naïve or foolish for believing in an unseen god.

Yet...

For many people, faith wasn’t about proving whether a god existed.

It was about finding purpose.

Finding something to believe in.

Something to keep moving forward for.

Even if it was nothing more than following the teachings left behind by someone they admired.

”...”

I glanced around the room once more.

I guess this really showed just how devoted the followers of Eris were.

A benevolent goddess.

That title certainly suited her.

Though...

I couldn’t help wondering.

Did Eris ever get tired of hearing people praise her as the absolute embodiment of good?

No matter how kind someone was...

Surely being placed on a pedestal for centuries had to become exhausting at some point.

”...”

With nothing else to do, I continued wandering around the room.

There wasn’t much to see.

Still...

Sitting here and waiting somehow felt...

Awkward.

Waiting alone inside a room belonging to a group of nuns wasn’t exactly an experience I’d expected to have today.

It wasn’t that I felt guilty.

Or embarrassed.

If anything...

The cathedral itself made me feel strangely restless.

Ever since I stepped inside, there had been a faint sensation in the back of my mind.

Like something was quietly rejecting my presence.

Not enough to push me away.

Just...

Enough to remind me that I didn’t quite belong here.

”...”

Maybe it was because of my divinity.

Or maybe I was just overthinking things.

Click.

The sound of the door opening pulled me out of my thoughts.

”O-Oh! Senior Riley...”

Emilia hurried inside before quickly closing the door behind her.

”I-I heard you were here... h-hello!”

”...Saintess.”

She immediately puffed her cheeks.

”P-Please just call me Emilia when we’re alone.”

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she held out one of the paper bags she had been carrying.

”A-And here! I brought you some bread!”

”...”

”...Thanks.”

The bread was still warm.

Freshly baked.

A pleasant aroma immediately filled the room.

Somehow...

I wasn’t surprised she’d thought about bringing me food before asking why I was here.

Emilia smiled happily after seeing me accept it before nervously clasping her hands together.

”S-So... Why are you here today, Senior? Vanny told me you needed to talk to me about something.”

Her curious blue eyes met mine as she tilted her head ever so slightly, waiting patiently for my answer.

Emilia closed her eyes for a brief moment as the magic item around her neck shimmered faintly. The illusion slowly faded, revealing her familiar appearance once again.

Her brown hair returned to its silky ebony black, while her green eyes shifted back into their clear sapphire blue.

Even the freckles decorating her cheeks disappeared, and in an instant, ”Enna” was gone, replaced by the innocent Saintess of the Church of Light.

I guess she’s really comfortable around me now if she’s willing to remove her disguise the moment we’re alone.

”So...” Emilia clasped her hands behind her back with a gentle smile. ”What did you need me for, Senior?”

”I actually came here to ask you for another favor, Junior Emilia.”

Her eyes widened slightly before she hurriedly shook her head.

”A favor? Senior, you don’t have to ask like it’s something difficult. We’re... we’re close to each other now. I-I mean...” A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

”We’re close friends, so it’s only natural for us to help each other. Besides...” Her expression gradually turned more serious.

”The Great Mother has told me from time to time that you’re secretly working to protect the world. She never explained everything, but she told me enough to know you’re carrying a burden no one else knows about. If anything, a hero like you shouldn’t be asking this Saintess for favors.”

She puffed out her chest, trying her best to sound dependable.

”I-I’d even accept a direct order from you if I had to!”

I couldn’t help but smile a little.

”There’s no need to exaggerate.”

Honestly, everything I’ve been doing has always been for myself and the people I care about. Saving the world just happens to align with those goals. Calling me a hero still feels strange.

”By the way...” I looked back at Emilia. ”You mentioned Eris—the Goddess—is speaking to you again?”

Emilia nodded almost immediately.

”Yes. For a while I couldn’t hear the Great Mother’s voice at all. I thought perhaps I’d done something wrong.”

She lowered her gaze before smiling again.

”But after you came here asking for a favor last time, I slowly began hearing her voice again. It’s not as clear as when I receive a true oracle, but... I’m just happy I can hear her again.”

”I see...”

That was honestly better than I’d expected. I thought Eris had completely cut off communication with Emilia after everything involving Erebil and the laws of causality. If she was speaking to Emilia again, then things must have settled down somewhat.

Or perhaps the laws of causality were simply allowing her to interfere again. Either way, it made my reason for coming here much easier.

”Junior Emilia... I want to establish contact with the Goddess.”

Emilia blinked several times before her expression stiffened.

”...Contact?”

She looked away, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

”U-Um... Senior... you know that means I’ll have to prepare the Ritual of Light... right?”

The moment she said those words, her cheeks turned bright red.

This wasn’t the first time we’d performed the ritual together.

Which was exactly why she was reacting like this.

I knew how embarrassed she felt every time. The ritual itself required physical contact more specifically a kiss, and she had to wear almost see through ceremonial garments reserved only for communicating directly with the Goddess.

Even remembering the last time made me feel a little awkward.

”...Yeah.”

I scratched the back of my head.

”I know it’s asking a lot from you, but—”

”I-It’s not embarrassing at all!”

Emilia hurriedly interrupted me before lowering her voice almost immediately.

”I-It’s just...”

She hesitated, avoiding my gaze.

”...You got all your lovers’ permission... right?”

”...”

That...

Was a surprisingly difficult question.

How was I even supposed to ask them?

”Hey, I need to contact the Goddess for a bit. You don’t mind if I perform another ritual with the Saintess, right? haha don’t worry we’re just going to kiss for a bit”

...

Yeah.

That conversation would probably end with me getting buried under several layers of ice.

Snow would probably understand after hearing the explanation.

She had seen the ritual before.

She knew it wasn’t anything romantic.

But...

Understanding something and being completely okay with it were two different things.

Rose would definitely have questions.

Alice would probably smile first before interrogating me later.

Then seo....

I’d rather not imagine their reactions.

Still...

They were all reasonable.

...Probably.

”Senior?”

Emilia’s gentle voice pulled me back to reality.

”...Yes.”

I nodded with far less confidence than I should’ve.

”I already have their permission.”

”...”

Emilia stared at me.

Then...

She puffed out her cheeks.

”You’re lying.”

”...”

”...You know I can tell when someone lies to me, right?”

She sighed helplessly.

”I’m still the Saintess. Detecting lies is one of the blessings granted to me and besides...”

She looked at me with an expression that was somehow both sympathetic and amused.

”...Your lovers are really scary.”

”...”

”...Sorry.”

I let out a defeated sigh.

”I shouldn’t have lied. It’s just...”

I searched for the right words.

”This is more of a personal matter. I don’t really want to involve the others if I can help it especially if it’s related to divinity they already worry enough. If they hear it’s something involving gods or divine power... They’ll probably overthink it.”

Emilia quietly listened without interrupting.

”So...”

She looked at me gently.

”You don’t want them to worry?”

”...Yeah.”

For a brief moment, neither of us spoke.

Emilia lowered her eyes in thought before letting out a small, understanding smile.

”I think...”

”They’d probably still want to know.”

She looked back at me.

”But...”

”I also understand why you’re trying to carry this by yourself.”

”You’ve always been like that, Senior.”

”Trying to solve everything before anyone else notices.”

She clasped her hands together.

”I can’t promise I’ll agree with that way of thinking... ...But if this really is something only the Great Mother can answer...”

Emilia let out another small sigh before looking at me directly again. There wasn’t any disappointment in her eyes, only concern.

”But Senior... I really think you should put a little more faith in them.” She smiled helplessly. ”I think you’re the one overthinking things too much. From what I’ve seen, everyone around you trusts you a lot. If they knew why you were doing this, I’m sure they’d understand.”

”...Maybe.”

”I really think so.” She nodded confidently before her smile softened. ”But... since you’re asking me personally...” She placed a hand over her chest and gave a small, cheerful smile. ”I’ll help you. Hehe.”

”...Thanks.”

”Ah!” Emilia suddenly remembered something and lightly clapped her hands together. ”I’ll need some time to prepare the ritual first. Since we can’t exactly use my room... or yours, how about we meet back here later tonight?”

She looked around the room before lowering her voice.

”It should be quiet by then. Just... try not to let anyone see you entering.”

She scratched her cheek awkwardly.

”It’d be really troublesome if someone saw a boy sneaking into a nun’s room.”

”...Yeah. I’ll be careful.”

Honestly...

She was far more cooperative than I’d expected.

If anything...

That only made me feel worse.

For some reason, it felt like I was taking advantage of her kindness.

Maybe I was just overthinking it again.

As if noticing the guilt on my face, Emilia tilted her head curiously.

”Senior?”

I shook my head.

”No... it’s nothing.”

After a brief silence, I looked at her again.

”Since you’re doing me another favor... Please ask me for something in return.”

She blinked.

”Huh?”

”Anything. The same as last time as long as it’s within my power, I’ll do it.”

”W-What?”

Emilia hurriedly waved both hands.

”You don’t have to do that!”

”I already told you, this isn’t a favor. I’m simply helping you.”

”I know.”

”But I still feel like I’m asking too much.”

She smiled wryly.

”So next time... Ask me for anything I’ll owe you one.”

Emilia looked genuinely troubled.

She lowered her head, quietly thinking about it before finally giving in.

”...Alright.”

She nodded ever so slightly.

”But...”

A mischievous smile suddenly appeared on her face.

”Don’t blame me if I ask for something unreasonable later, okay?”

”Haha.”

”I doubt you’d ask for anything unreasonable.”

Knowing Emilia...

She’d probably end up asking for something simple.

Maybe accompanying her somewhere.

Helping someone in need.

Or eating bread together.

She was just that kind of person.

”...We’ll see.”

She giggled without denying it.

After settling our little agreement, neither of us was in much of a hurry anymore.

Our conversation naturally drifted away from serious topics.

Instead, we talked about ordinary things.

Life around the academy.

The festival.

The cathedral.

Even the bakery she’d discovered earlier.

Most of the conversation was honestly just Emilia enthusiastically telling me stories.

Every little thing seemed exciting to her.

She talked about Vanessa accidentally falling asleep during a long sermon.

Anna getting annoyed because Emilia kept sneaking out to buy bread.

Amon somehow ending up carrying everyone’s groceries despite never volunteering.

Listening to her cheerful stories, it was hard not to smile.

Before I realized it, quite a bit of time had already passed.

One thing I noticed, though...

Whenever Emilia talked about her friends, Reina’s name would occasionally come up.

Apparently the two of them had grown surprisingly close.

Hearing about my little sister’s daily life from someone else’s perspective felt... strangely refreshing.

Reina herself barely ever talked about what she did each day.

So listening to Emilia happily ramble about the little things—training together, chatting after classes, or simply spending time with their friends—was enough to reassure me.

It sounded like...

She was genuinely enjoying her life at the academy.

And knowing that...

Made today’s visit feel worthwhile, even before I’d gotten the answers I came here for.

Before long, I stood up from my chair.

We had talked far longer than I’d originally planned, and if I stayed any longer, people would eventually start wondering why I was spending so much time inside one of the cathedral’s private rooms.

”I should get going.”

”Mhm!” Emilia nodded before standing as well. ”Then... I’ll see you tonight, Senior.”

”Yeah.”

I made my way toward the door, but just as my hand reached the handle...

”Ah...”

Emilia suddenly spoke up as though she had just remembered something.

”Senior?”

”Hm?”

I turned back around.

She tilted her head innocently.

”Earlier today... I met someone.”

”...Someone?”

”Mm.”

”She suddenly came up and started talking to me. I thought it was a little strange at first, but she didn’t seem like a bad person.”

I frowned slightly.

”Who?”

Emilia smiled awkwardly.

”She was really beautiful.”

”White hair...”

”Red eyes...”

”And...”

”I think you’re very familiar with her, Senior.”

For some reason...

A bad feeling crept into my chest.

I already know who It was as well but just in case... I was wrong.

”...Who was it?”

”Liyana Heavens.”

”...”

The room fell silent.

”What did you say?”

Emilia blinked, startled by the seriousness in my voice.

”U-Uhm...”

”I met Lady Liyana earlier.”

”She suddenly approached me while I was walking back from buying bread. I was really surprised because she somehow recognized me even though I was using my disguise.”

”...”

My expression gradually stiffened.

”She recognized your disguise?”

”Y-Yes.”

”But she said not to worry. She even cast a noise-cancellation spell so no one around us could hear our conversation.”

Emilia scratched her cheek, trying to recall everything.

”It was... kind of strange.”

”She said she was simply curious. She mentioned you too.”

”...Me?”

”Mm.”

”She called you her darling, or at least I think she’s referring to you...”

”...”

Of course she did.

”What else?”

Emilia placed a finger against her lips as she thought back.

”She said she was curious about the people you’re acquainted with.”

”And...”

A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

”She teased me a little.”

”Saying you’d become... a player...”

”...”

”...”

”Then she suddenly said something about there not being any ’essence’ left on me. I honestly didn’t understand what she meant. And before leaving...”

Emilia instinctively touched her lips.

”...She wiped some bread crumbs off my mouth. She said, ’There... much better,’ smiled, and then left.”

”Hehe...”

”It was a really strange interaction. I still don’t really understand why she wanted to talk to me.”

Emilia laughed awkwardly, treating it as nothing more than an unusual encounter.

Meanwhile...

I stood there in complete silence.

Knowing Liyana...

There was absolutely no way she’d approach the Saintess just because she was ”curious.”