Suddenly awakened, Karen, with tears streaking down her face, said, “Jonah, you really should become a priest.”
“I really don’t want to.”
Evangelism. This is inconvenient.
Just like throwing insults at The One Who Devours the Twilight, my rejection came pouring out without hesitation.
For a moment, Karen’s eyes, previously firm with faith, wavered.
“How about you think it over again? I’m not saying you should become an Inquisitor like me.”
“Still, no thanks. Following complicated doctrines is a hassle, and I’m not good enough to help others. Most importantly, you want me to start as an apprentice priest now? Absolutely not! I have things I need to do!”
A perfect display of cluelessness. Yet, it was all sincere. The people of the Pan Continent, who take the existence of gods and religion for granted, might not understand, but…
For someone like me, from a non-religious background on Earth, being a priest was not that appealing.
Moreover, I did not want a profession linked to the Goddess of Love. Despite my fondness for her, it was an unsettling thought.
Just think about it. One day, you write a story, and one of the characters grabs your hair and drags you into their book.
How terrifying and horrific is that? Not that I’m bald or anything, thankfully!
Listening to my explanation, Karen nodded and then firmly grasped my hand.
As she clung to me in such a desperate manner, still in a prayer pose, I couldn’t help but have some rather audacious thoughts.
As I gazed down absentmindedly, Karen continued in a confident voice.
“Doctrines are merely guides to help understand the teachings given by the Goddess. For someone like you, Jonah, who already understands and practices the Goddess’s will, they are just meaningless formalities.”
“Uh…”
“You don’t have to help others or live kindly. Compassion is a form of love, but it isn’t the only form of love. You know, you’ve experienced rationing, right? You understand that only those who distribute rations actually do it. At the Temple, only those who are dedicated to compassion are involved in distribution.”
“So they weren’t demoted after all…?”
“You don’t even have to start as an apprentice priest. With my Recommendation, you can receive basic training and become a full-fledged priest right away. I don’t know what you plan to do, but having the title of priest won’t be a disadvantage.”
“Being a priest isn’t some kind of certification…”
It isn’t a certification, but that’s not wrong. In this world, a priest has passed a basic personality test and received some form of education.
But even with all these merits, I still didn’t want to be tied to the goddess.
Maybe later, but not now.
Ultimately, I directed a pleading gaze towards Ellie and Lydia for help. It was hard to hide behind anyone since we were still holding hands.
“…Ugh.”
Caught off guard by the sudden change, Ellie finally snapped back to reality. Meanwhile, Lydia was muttering to herself with a serious expression.
“Nobility… revenge… The One Who Devours the Twilight… distortion. The Goddess… but still, in the end….”
I couldn’t urge her to hurry, as she seemed to be deeply engrossed in something.
Why is she like this? For some reason, Lydia seemed to have short-circuited too.
As I sighed internally, Ellie boldly grabbed Karen’s hand, breaking the connection.
“That’s enough. Jonah said no.”
“But didn’t you see just now? This person must walk the path of a priest!”
“What I see is a grown woman forcedly trying to make a little guy who doesn’t want to play along do it.”
“Oh, come on…”
Finally calming down, Karen released my hand. I quickly slipped behind Ellie and peeked out.
“I appreciate the offer, but I have things I must do.”
“…I see. May I ask what those things are?”
“Of course! First, I owe a debt to Ellie and Lydia, so I have to repay that.”
“If it’s money, I can cover it for you.”
“No, it’s not about money. It has to be paid back directly. In Ellie’s case, it’s a debt that can’t be settled with money.”
“What kind of debt warrants that?”
Karen looked puzzled. Ellie tilted her head at first but quickly seemed to catch on, her ears and tail standing straight up.
…I don’t know what she thought, but her reaction looked promising. I could utilize that.
Karen’s eyes are all about emotions. So, it’s less about how clever the lie is and more about what kind of emotions are conveyed.
I slightly lowered my gaze and gathered my feelings. I recalled the jokes I often shared and added a touch of sincerity.
A feeling of relief directed towards the first trustworthy person I met in this world. Gratitude for the kindness I received when I was at my lowest. I opened my mouth to convey this.
“Actually, when I was struggling, I received a lot of help from Ellie, you know? Even now, I’m living cheaply at Ellie’s place, eating her food, receiving various conveniences, and even getting trained to be an adventurer by Lydia…”
“Lydia?! You told Jonah about that?”
“Temple… conflict… knights… oaths are absolute… even voluntary….”
Of course, Lydia was still lost in her thoughts and couldn’t hear Ellie.
Karen glanced between the two of them and nodded.
“She sounds like a good person.”
“Indeed! So, I thought about how to repay this kindness. And Ellie said…”
I trailed off, looking at Ellie as if asking for permission to share.
Of course, Ellie had no idea, just staring at me blankly.
I whispered as if sharing a secret, covering my mouth with my hand.
“She said she’d make sure I repay her with my body when I grew up, so not to worry. I figured that was okay, so I said alright.”
“…Uh?”
“Me…?”
Karen, looking utterly bewildered as if trying to process what she just heard, seemed to be in disbelief, while Ellie appeared genuinely surprised.
Before Ellie could say anything, I quickly added, “I’m sorry. I already belong to Ellie, so I can’t devote myself to the Goddess.”
“……!”
Karen’s eyes widened as if she had been struck by lightning. Then she slowly turned her gaze to Ellie.
“W-What?! That’s not it! Hey Jonah! Why are you saying strange things all of a sudden? You’re making misunderstandings happen!”
Her yellow eyes swayed chaotically, and her tail drooped.
I might not be blessed like Karen, but I could still sense the feelings Ellie was experiencing right now.
Panic. And anxiety.
A classic response from someone caught doing something bad.
Karen’s expression twisted in multiple ways, then she sneaked a glance at me and sighed.
“…Understood for now. So you want to focus on repaying a significant debt, right?”
“Yes!”
“Then I will withdraw for now… but remember, my offer is always available.”
Nodding, Karen took out a small heart-shaped ornament from her belongings. It glimmered silver and looked rather expensive.
“If you hold this and mention my name at the Temple, you’ll receive the treatment you deserve.”
“Thank you! I’m not sure when I’ll use it, but I’ll keep it safe!”
“…That’s enough for me.”
With a complicated expression, Karen called over Ian, who had his head in his hands trying to make sense of what just happened.
“Ian. The mission is over so we’re returning as is. I have too many things to do already; I can’t afford to linger.”
“But….”
“No reversing. Let’s move.”
“…Yes.”
Reluctantly following Karen, Ian took one last glance back at us and nodded.
I waved him off lightly, and soon they vanished into the crowd.
So yeah. Ellie may have turned into a trashy person who snatched up a pretty little orphan and gaslighted him into submission!
And sure, I’m the poor victim who fell deeply for Ellie!
But hey, I managed to successfully fend off what seemed like persistent evangelism.
I thought maybe Karen saw some potential for me given my attitude towards this world, but…
The truth is, things in the real world don’t just happen through talent. Results require effort.
In the case of priests, that’s faith. And faith ultimately comes from sincerity.
Seeing that I still couldn’t genuinely accept the Goddess, I took a step back.
Of course, I wouldn’t completely give up. Whatever enlightenment she experienced, it looks like Karen suddenly awakened.
Having gone through firsthand experiences and seen something, she probably wouldn’t let go so easily.
For example… instead of dragging me straight into the Temple, she might try to coax me little by little.
Well, whatever. Even if that’s the case, that’s for another day! For now, I can purely enjoy being free from annoying tasks!
“Well done Ellie! I’m glad you didn’t send me off to the Temple!”
“…I feel like what I sacrificed for my social reputation hasn’t resulted in much.”
“Come on! You’ve gained me, Jonah! That’s a solid profit!”
“That was coercion…!”
Ellie’s voice trembled slightly.
