Chapter 33
Baeksan heard that the entire continent shared a common deity.
The name differed by region.
Some called her Tengri, others the Sea Goddess, and some called her Sol.
Yet despite the different names, everyone understood when referring to the “Goddess of the Heights.”
‘Could this be possible without her actually existing?’
Moreover, there didn’t seem to be any atheists in this world.
‘I just hope this god isn’t the game developer.’
Baeksan knelt on the prayer room’s carpet.
While she came to the prayer room to receive her special reward, she had another purpose.
She wanted to ask the goddess if there was a way to get rid of these troublesome quests.
‘Is this how you do it?’
Though unsure of the proper method, she clasped her hands and closed her eyes.
“…”
Goddess, are you there?
“…”
Please answer if you’re there. I might be transferring to your department soon.
“…”
But due to circumstances, I’d like to stay in this department…
“What am I doing…”
Baeksan opened her eyes before ten seconds had passed. Having never prayed in her life, this felt completely awkward.
As she stared at the innocent goddess statue, a window appeared:
[QUEST]
Damage the goddess statue to weaken its sanctity.
-Success: 999 gold
-Failure: None
“…”
Her shoulders slumped. Guess there’s no god.
‘But wait, sacred power exists though. It was glowing in their hands earlier.’
Then why no answer? Wouldn’t it be a loss for the goddess too if I get transferred to her department?
Clicking her tongue, Baeksan opened the quest window again.
[MAIN QUEST]
Make the world fall to ruin.
-Success: Attain divine status
-Failure: ???
Her eyes fixed on the ‘???’
‘I hope it’s not death at least.’
She couldn’t tell.
Baeksan roughly ran her fingers through her hair.
‘At least I’ve confirmed it has nothing to do with the goddess.’
The treatment was done. The forced quest was completed. No reason to stay here longer.
“Receive special reward.”
[Receiving special reward.]
The air briefly flashed with the window.
Baeksan closed and opened her eyes.
“This is…?”
What appeared with a small light was a large shawl in pale pink.
The outside had a silk-like smooth sheen. The inside was navy blue, with human-shaped patterns embroidered all over.
‘…No, those aren’t just patterns, they’re actually moving.’
The embroidered people raised their hands as if greeting or jumped up and down.
“What in the…”
Baeksan immediately appraised the shawl.
[Edelperas’s Shawl]
A shawl woven with thread made from the great dragon Edelperas’s ground scales.
Enchanted to protect the wearer from physical damage, magic, curses, flames, cold, poison, and corruption.
Baeksan’s eyes widened.
‘I think dragon-given items were top-tier in «Another Saga» too.’
And this was made using those scales.
‘This is perfect timing.’
She’d been feeling uneasy lately about not having any means of protection.
Baeksan pulled the floating shawl and wrapped it around herself. It fit perfectly, as if it had always been hers.
‘This should be enough.’
Though she’d still need to increase her stamina…
After tucking the shawl away, Baeksan left the prayer room.
She caught the first priest she met and said:
“Please tell Her Highness I’m leaving first.”
“What?”
Leaving the bewildered priest behind, she left the temple. The priest seemed unsure whether to stop her but hadn’t received such orders.
At the building entrance, she unexpectedly found Dominic.
“Are you leaving?”
The blue-eyed knight with military-short black hair who served as Bathilda’s guard.
His tone had become respectful.
‘Because I’m the Sage, huh.’
Baeksan smirked.
“Yes, I am.”
“Then I’ll keep this brief.”
“Please do.”
“Would you consider supporting Princess Bathilda?”
Baeksan looked at Dominic.
‘Doesn’t seem like Bathilda ordered this.’
Even if she had, it wasn’t a request worth considering.
“I’m sorry, but I want to live quietly.”
Blue eyes gazed down at her steadily.
What. Why.
“Why is that?”
“Because I want to live.”
Baeksan paused, stroking her chin.
‘That’s right. That’s why I wanted to keep my distance from politics despite the potential for wealth. Violence is too close in this world…’
In fact, if the Emperor said even one word about her ‘daring to treat him without permission,’ she’d lose her head.
‘Sure, I could think my way out of it, but I don’t want to create troublesome situations in the first place.’
While she was considering leaving for another country, Dominic asked:
“If that’s how you felt, why did you save His Majesty?”
“I had my reasons, but I see no need to explain them to you.”
“It would be better to hide in Her Highness’s shadow.”
“I’d like to try with my own strength first. Besides, the Princess isn’t my only option.”
Dominic flinched uncomfortably. He seemed to understand she was referring to Exarch.
“Anyway, I won’t be meeting the Princess anymore, so I won’t be seeing you either. Please give her my regards.”
“Wait…”
“Take care!”
Baeksan quickly dashed toward the entrance.
Fortunately, Dominic didn’t try to stop her.
After leaving the Grand Temple, Baeksan absently stared at the capital’s view below the hill.
‘But how do I get home?’
It would be awkward to go back now.
She started walking aimlessly. Having overcome a major hurdle, she felt like walking without purpose.
At the bottom of the hill, a black carriage was coming up the road.
‘A late-arriving noble?’
As she was thinking this, the black carriage stopped beside her.
The crest on the carriage door was a black lion.
‘A lion. Lions are… the Schröder symbol.’
And black is…
“Mine.”
When the door opened, it was Exarch.
Seeing Exarch in formal attire, Baeksan almost gaped awkwardly but managed to stop herself.
“Exa. What brings you here?”
“I heard His Majesty was critical.”
Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen Exarch in Dmitri’s Hall.
“Why weren’t you here earlier?”
“I can’t appear before His Majesty without permission except at official functions.”
Right.
Baeksan recalled the text that appeared while making the medicine.
[Creating medicine for one who betrayed blood relations for ambition…]
The son of the brother he killed. From the Emperor’s perspective, he wouldn’t want to keep him close.
“Well, it’s resolved now, so go ahead. He seems in a good mood, so he probably won’t be too harsh.”
At Baeksan’s words, Exarch let out a small laugh and stepped down from the carriage.
“Get in first.”
Looking at his extended hand, Baeksan felt awkward.
Getting out just for that? Such a gentleman.
She awkwardly took his hand and climbed into the carriage. The carriage turned back toward the city.
Two people in an enclosed space.
Baeksan got straight to the point.
“I told Bathilda I’m the Sage, but I cleared her name and treated His Majesty. We’re done, right?”
“Fortunately, it seems His Majesty didn’t discover your identity.”
“Bathilda’s help was significant.”
“That’s good.”
Exarch showed a slight smile.
In formal wear with that smile, he had a properly mature masculine presence.
‘The atmosphere changes completely. As expected of an isekai idol.’
Averting her gaze awkwardly, Baeksan said:
“Thanks for going along with my unreasonable request.”
At those words, Exarch’s eyes widened slightly before he spoke gently.
“Right. I wonder why I did go along with something so unreasonable.”
“Must be your good judgment. Or maybe my goodness was overflowing.”
“Your confidence really is remarkable.”
“…You’re surprisingly good at subtle sarcasm.”
Baeksan laughed in exasperation before grinning.
“Well, anyway, this is the end. We won’t be seeing each other again, so take care.”
“…”
At those words, Exarch’s eyes widened again. His mouth opened but no words came out. His black eyes without double eyelids blinked repeatedly.
“What?”
“No… Right. That would be natural, wouldn’t it?”
“Of course.”
“Yes. That would be natural.”
Why are you repeating the same thing?
