[You insolent fool! Do you wish to burn to death?]

"Just go ahead and kill me."

You throw me into a situation of extreme hardship, and then what?

Infinite glory? The chance to serve you?

"Excuse me, Lord Ra. You seem not to understand humans well. A transaction, you see, isn’t like that. It’s called a ‘deal’ when you give the person what they truly desire."

[Do you think I would lower myself to make deals with mere humans?]

"Then just don’t, if you don’t want to. Look, I'm not that foolish."

I need to use my brain. By thinking things through, I can gain a lot. Absolutely.

"You've accused me of being arrogant, yet you've never actually harmed me, right? All that fiery display was just for intimidation... maybe?"

[...Do you think I cannot kill you?]

Her tone is extremely frightening. Honestly, it feels like my courage is about to shrink.

But take heart, Jahad! You are me, and I am you!

There's no need to back down from a kidnapper!

"I've been thinking about it. Last time you mentioned cause and effect, didn't you? And said it was impossible with such an offering?"

That's exactly what she said. And I remember it.

"To put it simply... cause and effect refer to the relationship between a cause and its result, right? If there’s no cause, there’s no result either... couldn't we see it that way?

Lord Ra, our dear Lord Ra. You made a big deal about even raising the level of a skill due to cause and effect, so can someone like me, who was suddenly thrown into this world without warning, be considered congruent with cause and effect?"

[You!]

"You say divine reality manipulation comes with a cost... that's the kind of narrative we're seeing, right? But, if you think about it, since you've forcibly brought me here, haven't you already paid quite a bit of that cost? Am I right about that?"

Ah, brilliant logic.

Hey. Ra or whoever you are, take a good look.

This is humanity!

The pinnacle of being a cunning asshole!

"While I might not be sure about the first, do you think the second is possible too? I'm asking if you can find a replacement for me, my beloved deity."

[This brat…]

Ra sighed.

[I chose the wrong person. I should have picked someone else from your group…]

"I'm the only one who completed that achievement, right? Is there anyone else who can handle most situations as well as I can?"

Ra let out a sigh. After a brief moment of silence, she asked,

[What do you want?]

Alright. Finally, ready to make a deal.

"It's simple. Let’s see..."

Even at a glance, it's clear that this will be more challenging than any scenario I've faced before.

Given that this is reality, if I fail once, there won't be another chance.

Even if I gather all the Hidden Pieces, it's doubtful if it'll be enough. Plus, I only have one body, so collecting every Hidden Piece is impossible from the start.

Perhaps the Hidden Pieces I can gather are in the northern part of the Empire.

"Before we make a deal, there's something I'd like to ask."

[What is it?]

"By bringing me here, you saw potential in me, right? But with the possibility of anyone falling into corruption, how can I monitor everyone by myself?"

[That is not an issue.]

A hologram appeared in front of me. Most of the names listed were ones I recognized.

The Red Fiend, Thigh Obsessionist... Goodness, even the Toxic King?

They just lumped all the important NPCs together! Every Main NPC seems to be listed.

"...I don't understand this even more. It's too many, isn't it?"

[You're right. There are too many to keep track of. But they all share something in common. Look closely. A cunning person like you should be able to figure it out.]

“Could you just tell me instead of speaking in riddles?"

[You need to think a bit for yourself.]

"So petty."

[Be quiet!]

She glared at me. I quickly scanned through the list inside the hologram.

[I'll give you a hint. It's time.]

Time? Why mention that? Do they all have the same birthday or something?

After some thought, I hesitantly spoke. When it comes to time, only one thing comes to mind.

The current era. The year 216 in the Empire.

If I had to pinpoint, that's the only thing. One of the major events. In the roguelike game, Gloria Fantasy, there's an abundance of enticing Hidden Pieces that you simply can't overlook during that time.

"...The Academy, right?"

[Seems my eyes weren't mistaken after all.]

Ra answered in a satisfied tone.

[You're correct. Most of the names on the list are tied to the Academy. They either have their children there, have enrolled themselves, or are already students. It's the Empire's most prestigious educational institution. Graduating from there virtually guarantees success, intertwining many people with it.]

"If it's the year 216 of the Empire, then the entrance season early next year is out of the question, so I'll have to aim for the year after next, right?"

[It's a preparation period. Isn't one year enough? The timing should align well. The 'Golden Age' when most important figures enroll will be in the early spring of 218 of the Empire.]

"Hmm."

Honestly speaking, if I integrate the known elements, it's feasible. If I gather all the mysteries scattered in the northern part of the Empire, it's doable...

Conversely, without Hidden Pieces, controlling those people at the Academy would be impossible.

"Are there any Hidden Pieces that have changed locations?"

[I can't tell you.]

"Not telling me means there are some."

[...I neither confirm nor deny.]

Okay. Let's find some solace in the fact that the Demon Sword Surtr remains buried here.

Just that alone is truly a relief.

"They say that by being active in the Academy, you can detect abnormal signs...but it's a challenging difficulty level. It's much harder than the real 'Hell' difficulty."

[.......]

"Ah! It's hard! So difficult! I want to die!"

[.......]

"I never agreed to do this, yet I'm dragged here without a save! If I just die, it's all over, just like that!"

[Enough! Just say what you want!]

"Well, if you insist."

I chuckled softly. Something I desire, huh?

Well, there's only one thing.

"As a divine being, you can do anything, right? If I save this world, the cause and effect apply, so you can make anything happen, can't you?"

[That's true, but?]

"Then, please grant me just one thing."

I closed my eyes for a moment in thought. I've lived selfishly and don't particularly have regrets.

Yet, if there's something that weighs on my heart, it's just one thing.

In this world and the other, I was a lone orphan, but there was one difference. My younger sibling, the one person who fulfilled the role of family for me.

"I had a younger sister named Han Seo-ah over there, you know?"

[...Then?]

"She died. Instead of me. Just, you know, it was absurd how she died. She got beaten to death in my place by the orphanage director."

And she was buried just like that. I later tried to kill that director myself, but when I grew up and searched, all I found was that he had already died early from illness.

Yeah. If there's something that lingers in my heart, it'd be only that one thing.

"Bring her back to life. And let her live prosperously while you're at it."

[...Is that all you want?]

"Yeah, well. It's about saving a life, but saying 'is that all' sounds a bit odd, doesn't it? I guess that's what makes a god a god."

[Strange fellow.]

For some reason, Ra seemed to be smiling.

[I thought you were just an asshole, but you do have some humanity in you.]

"Hey. I'm not a robot, you know. I take care of those who choose to follow me, after all."

[Fine. I'll grant you your wish. And when everything is done, you too will be sent to that world…]

"Uh, there's no need for that."

[What?]

Honestly, that's the truth.

"This world is much more fun."

Yes. Isn't the fact that it's fun reason enough!

[As expected.]

Ra clicked her tongue.

[You're crazy, aren't you?]

I dedicated myself to training. The top priority for now is targeting the hidden piece in the Cult Headquarters.

By obtaining the relics there, I could enter the Academy as the top student, literally. It's a way to gain strength without putting in much effort.

If I just endure a bit more and get dispatched to the Headquarters, then immediately I’ll become stronger!

While I was intensely preparing, I casually brought up the idea of being dispatched to Mierkant. He replied with a bright smile. The head pat was a bonus.

Lately, I've noticed that I've been receiving more affection.

However, the content of that affection wasn't particularly pleasing.

"Do you want to go to the Cult Headquarters? Well, with your exceptional intelligence and the fact that you always work hard, it's understandable you'd want to learn more theology."

"Yes, Priest. I want to learn more."

"But you'll have to wait a little longer. The number of Apprentice Priests that can be sent from the Branch to the Headquarters is limited. Our Branch can only send one."

"...That's too few, isn't it?"

"It's a Branch that was practically in ruins, so what can we do? Moreover, the person going this time has already been decided. Your senior, Irene, will go first."

"What about me?"

"You have to wait. Don't worry. It's only one year, and you'll definitely get to go next year."

No.

I only have one year.

I swept my hand across my face. I discreetly approached Irene. Surprisingly, her account was different from Mierkant's.

"The Junior is the one scheduled to go."

"What? But Priest..."

"The Junior need not concern themselves with this matter. Please pack your belongings before spring arrives. I'll handle the rest."

Irene looked at me.

"All you need to do is continue refining yourself as you have been."

"Well, if that's the case..."

Although I couldn't understand the reason, I was relieved to hear that.

As expected of the Blue Falcon! I trusted them! Although their name was on the list of those supposed to fall, seeing them act so kindly meant the chances of that happening were zero!

[Don't associate such trivial matters with the possibility of corruption!]

I ignored Ra's voice. Since Irene had confirmed it, all that was left for me to do was to train even harder.

However, an unexpected obstacle appeared.

"...Beverick has arrived in the city."

Mierkant glanced at me. Oddly enough, there wasn't a trace of amusement in his smile.

"Your senior is coming."

"The last Apprentice Priest you mentioned before?"

"Yes. To be precise, he's an Apprentice Priest dispatched from the Cult Headquarters to this Branch. He has about six months left before he returns to the Headquarters."

"That's tricky timing, isn't it?"

"He decided to stay a bit longer. I accepted that."

"He must be a good person?"

"......."

Mierkant, whom I'd always thought of as the nicest person I'd ever met, said nothing.

I just stared at Irene cleaning the prayer room.

"...Jahad."

"Yes, Priest."

"Are you aware that each branch should ideally have a bishop? Someone above me was supposed to be here. But since no one came, I took on the role as interim bishop."

Mierkant looked at me.

"The difference in status between a priest and a bishop is significant. A bishop is a high-ranking position who can oversee a branch. Their learning and devotion are far above that of a priest. Beverick has one of the bishops at the Cult Headquarters as his father."

"Can priests get married?"

"...Most religious people can marry. Didn't you know?"

"I didn't know."

I hadn't delved that deeply into the setting. Besides, I never really played as a priest.

Why choose a class that comes with penalties?

"An apprentice priest with connections to the Headquarters..."

Ah, I can imagine it.

"When the Priest talks like that, it sounds like his personality isn't that great."

"I don't want you to hold preconceived notions about people. But remember, Jahad. If you fall out of favor, your talents and abilities might also become useless."

Mierkant smiled sadly.

"I hope you will be happy. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful."

Why is he apologizing?

He hasn't done anything wrong.

"Don't worry. You know I'm an expert at being adored, right?"

"Haha! Of course! There's no one in the world who wouldn't like you. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but all I do is worry. Just ignore me."

Beverick arrived exactly two days after that. Early in the morning, I was cleaning the courtyard and pretended to wipe my sweat, acting as if I had been working hard.

A carriage stopped in front of the church. Oh, they must have some money.

The door opened, and someone jumped out. A rather handsome face. A man who looked like a dandy glanced up at the church.

He tilted his head slightly.

"...A lot has changed."

Hearing his reluctant voice, I quickly ran over to him.

I bowed deeply and smiled as brightly as I could.

He is someone connected to the Cult Headquarters.

If I make a good impression, it will be easier to obtain holy relics!

"Hello! Senior! I'm Apprentice Priest, Jahad!"

"......"

Our eyes met. I kept smiling broadly at him. Beverick's face slowly hardened.

Without acknowledging my greeting, he strode into the church. He looked around as if searching for someone, and soon approached Irene, who was praying with her hands clasped in the prayer room.

Just like that.

Interrupting a priest in prayer, he even took her hand.

"Irene. Have you been waiting?"

Irene's face instantly soured. Beverick beamed widely.

"As promised, I've returned. Now marry me."

...What?

What kind of development is this?

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