Erica, who had been hit with consecutive fact bombs from Kara, left.
She didn’t get angry, didn’t insist on her way, and didn’t cry.
She only wore an expression that seed as if she’d been struck by sothing shocking. It seems the blunt statent of “selfish” had been quite effective.
‘I told her to go to Rize just in case…’
Erica’s expression was one I hadn’t even seen in the Soul World.
In the Soul World, it was more akin to an “Awakening,” not a reaction like she’d been hit with a hamr as she was now.
That’s why I beca uneasy. I worried that Erica might leave the Academy forever or sothing might go wrong.
Although I had no intention of recruiting her, I felt a little sorry for being too harsh.
Of course, it wasn’t but Luna and Kara who verbally pumled her. Especially Luna, who went as far as to deliver her words without even a hint of malice.
“Hmm… Was it a bit too much? I just get frustrated when I see soone like that.”
“She’ll be fine. Once she ets the Saint, her worries will probably be resolved.”
As Kara looked slightly awkward, Luna replied.
As I ntioned earlier, I told Erica to go et Rize just in case. In Byzantium.
Since she’s a Saint, eting her isn’t easy. But I told her to use my na, so there’s a high chance she’ll et her.
From Rize’s perspective, she might think, “Another Follower of Chaos?” and readily agree. The chances are very high.
So might ask if just using my na would be enough. I made this choice after considering various situations.
‘People probably still don’t know what kind of relationship I have with Rize.’
If soone asks what kind of relationship it is, I can only say this: I don’t know either.
The only connection is Chaos, but paradoxically, that’s why it will work.
‘She’ll take care of it well, I’m sure.’
In the Soul World, there’s also an event where Erica consults Rize.
To fulfill that event, quite tricky conditions are required, but most of them have already been t.
For starters, the fact that I’m a Follower of Chaos gave a significant advantage. Without it, it would’ve been difficult to even form a connection.
“If it’s the Saint, it should be fine. If even that doesn’t work, then there’s truly no solution.”
“Since she seed to feel sothing from your words, won’t she change?”
“I really hope so. For so reason, I feel like I’ll be entangled with her often.”
I really hope that’s not the case. I’d rather avoid Erica.
I wish she’d mature ntally, but that’s sothing for the future. Thankfully, we’re in different classes for now.
Of course, after the Academy Collapse, the chances of being in the sa class are very high. That can’t be helped.
For now, I just need to focus on my own tasks. Having finished eating, we returned to Rod.
“Oh, you’ve co at the right ti. Could you lend a hand?”
“What’s this about now?”
And as soon as we returned, we were greeted with a curious sight.
Rod was sitting on the floor with various tools, looking deeply troubled.
In response to Luna’s question, Rod checked the hamr and other tools as he answered.
“It’s hard to dispose of all this wood. Leaving it to rot would be a problem too. So, since I was bored, I thought I’d make sothing.”
“Are you planning to make a sculpture or sothing?”
“You can do whatever you want. Sculpting is excellent for calming the mind and body, refining dexterity, and visualizing ideas.”
It was basically a statent that he didn’t care what was made out of the neatly cut wood. Hearing that, I looked at the wood.
Since it’s co to this, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to make a food storage for Porori while also trying my hand at sculpting.
I hadn’t had a proper opportunity to utilize my dexterity until now, but who knew it’d be used in a place like this?
I couldn’t fill every day with just training, so having a hobby like this wasn’t bad.
“I’ll do it. Sculpting.”
“Ah, now that I think about it, you were sculpting during the Final Exam too, weren’t you?”
I nodded at Kara’s words but flinched. If I recall, that’s when I created a piece of my Dark History.
As I cautiously turned my head, I saw Kara wearing a subtle smile.
It seed she also rembered that incident. I tried my best to hide my flushed face.
“Should I play so music? It might help you concentrate.”
“…”
My face grew even hotter. She was definitely doing this on purpose.
I pretended not to notice, but I couldn’t hide my reddening cheeks.
Kara, noticing my change, chuckled and teased .
“Sivar, your face is all red. Your pale skin makes it even more noticeable.”
“Oh? It really is. What were you thinking about?”
“…Nothing.”
It’s nothing. Really, nothing.
I timidly denied it and finished preparing to work. Kara didn’t tease further.
Soon, using the dagger, hamr, and various tools Rod handed , I began with a simple carving.
‘What should I make first? Hmm…’
During the Final Exam, I made a model of Kara. But carving that now would be too embarrassing.
After much deliberation, I looked around. People were focusing their gazes on .
For so reason, they seed to have high expectations of , which made feel a bit burdened.
‘Ah. Should I make that guy?’
The demon who was the owner of the Bloodstained Greatsword. I didn’t even know his na.
But his appearance had left a strong impression, so I rembered it clearly. Thinking it’d be fine, I started carving.
Scritch, scritch—
The quiet sound of carving filled the air. It was so quiet that even the sound of the dagger cutting the wood could be heard.
That ant everyone was focused on . Entering a state of deep concentration, I didn’t make any mistakes.
After about 30 minutes, I managed to carve the demon I had encountered before.
“Wow. You made this really well. Who is it?”
“A demon. Soone I t before.”
“So this is what he looked like.”
Starting with Luna, everyone showered with complints. Feeling a bit proud, I shrugged my shoulders.
“Could you carve one for too?”
“ too. Make one in a Dancer’s Outfit.”
“ too, too.”
“…”
Sohow, it seed like my workload had increased.
“Hey, friend. Could you make one for too? If you do, I’ll forgive you for destroying my acorn storage.”
Who even are you?
*****
Erica firmly believed that her mindset was never wrong.
Cherishing life—what was so wrong about that?
Moreover, it wasn’t just empty words; she practiced it too. She abstained from at and only ate vegetables.
Even those vegetables were mostly sourced directly from nature. She even prayed to Gaia when harvesting them.
‘Selfish… ?’
But it felt like her conviction had been shattered, completely broken into pieces.
To be precise, it felt like her belief in herself had disappeared. The ideology itself was fine, but the one spreading it was the problem.
Starting with Luna’s big mouth and ending with Kara’s rciless fact bombs, her head was spinning.
Her spirit, which was usually unyielding, had been shaken to its core. Especially since both of them said her ideology wasn’t the issue.
‘How should I act…’
Kara’s accusation of selfishness had pierced her like a dagger. For a follower of Gaia, it was a word that bordered on insult.
Yet, she couldn’t refute it. She wanted to get angry, but every word they said was true.
She thought of rebuttals too late, but it was already over. She had already followed Sivar’s suggestion and arrived in Byzantium as if in a trance.
Sivar had suggested she go to Byzantium and et the Saint, Rize. He had said she could just use his na.
‘Will she really et ? But how does Mr. Sivar have a connection with the Saint?’
Rumor had it that Sivar was also a Follower of Chaos, but she wasn’t sure. That wasn’t the important issue right now.
Arriving at the Papal Palace in Byzantium, Erica decided to find Rize first. Rize was the most authoritative figure in Byzantium.
One might think it would be difficult for soone like Erica, who was just a follower, to et Rize, but surprisingly, that wasn’t the case.
Her authority was so overwhelming that no one dared to treat her carelessly.
Thanks to that peculiarity, Rize’s personal ti was relatively flexible. With just a little courage, one could et her.
Clang!
“Hahaha! Catch if you can!”
“Eek?!”
And as soon as she arrived at the Papal Palace, Erica witnessed a truly bizarre scene.
A fit man ca running and then escaped through the Papal Palace window—what on earth was happening?
To make matters worse, a large man chased after him and tackled him. The situation was already deeply confusing.
“Damn it!! Let go!! I said, let go!!”
“Training ti isn’t over yet, Your Holiness.”
“You insolent wretch!!!”
“······?”
What on earth was going on? For Erica, visiting the Papal Palace for the first ti, it was a bewildering sight.
In the anti, the retainer Gaspard, who had subdued the Pope, noticed Erica. Holding the Pope like a sack of luggage, he spoke.
“A new follower, I see. What brings you here?”
“Ah, well······ I ca to et the Saint······”
“The Saint?”
“Yes. Mr. Sivar said I could ntion his na······”
“Ah! So you’re a friend of Brother Sivar.”
As soon as she ntioned Sivar’s na, Gaspard’s face brightened.
His muscular build already exuded an inexplicable sense of intimidation.
“The Saint is likely in her private room right now. I’ll guide you there.”
“Th-Thank you······”
“By the way, do you serve Goddess Gaia? Judging by your aura, it seems so!”
Just as Erica was quietly following the retainer, the Pope, still slung over Gaspard’s shoulder like luggage, shouted.
Erica flinched montarily but nodded quietly. Since she did serve Gaia, she had no intention of denying it.
“Run away imdiately! Escape from these lunatics······!”
Thwack!
“Gah!”
The Pope, who was about to say more, went limp. Gaspard had struck the back of his neck with the edge of his hand.
The unfolding chaos was so overwhelming that Erica couldn’t even think clearly. Should she run away? Such a thought didn’t even cross her mind.
Only Gaspard smiled warmly. As if it were no big deal, he reassured Erica.
“You don’t need to worry. His Holiness tends to exaggerate.”
“Ah, I see······”
Is this really okay? That thought lingered in her mind.
However, considering how quiet the Papal Palace was and how the country seed to function normally, it appeared to be just another “ordinary” day.
Otherwise, there was no way soone would carry the Pope like luggage and strike him on the neck—a truly absurd act.
Erica chose to believe that.
Knock, knock, knock—
“Saint. A follower wishes to et you. Brother Sivar has recomnded her.”
[Co in.]
Before long, they arrived at Rize’s private room. The mont Erica heard the invitation to enter, she tensed up.
It was the Saint, after all. Known not only for her eccentricity but also as the Fist Saint, she was the most revered figure in Byzantium.
Moreover, despite her youthful appearance, she had lived far longer than most. Perhaps she could help solidify Erica’s convictions.
“Well then, have a good day.”
“Y-Yes. May Gaia bless you.”
“Ugh······ No, I must escape······”
The Pope seed to be regaining consciousness. Regardless, Gaspard carried him off without hesitation.
Erica stared blankly at their retreating figures before slowly opening the door and stepping inside.
What greeted her was Rize in her Saint Form. Erica’s gaze naturally traveled from Rize’s face downward.
Her ample figure, enough to make another woman feel defeated. Yet, as a Saint, she commanded reverence.
“Welco. You ca on Mr. Sivar’s recomndation?”
“Y-Yes······!”
“Please, have a seat.”
Struggling to calm her pounding heart, Erica managed to sit down.
Even the ntion of Sivar’s recomndation barely registered in her ears. Being in front of Rize made it hard to think straight.
And so, Erica found herself alone with Rize. She stiffened, nervously gauging the situation.
She couldn’t even et Rize’s gaze, her palms damp with sweat.
“So, what brings you here? Judging by your expression, it seems you have sothing on your mind.”
“H-How did you······”
“It’s written all over your face.”
Truly befitting of a Saint’s intuition. Erica felt her tension ease slightly.
Since she’d already been found out, there was no harm in pouring out her worries.
“Actually······”
Erica confessed everything that had happened so far—why she had started practicing vegetarianism and why she had co here.
Rize listened quietly, even offering a gentle smile. Her deanor gave Erica the courage to speak in more detail.
“And then, they told this: My heart isn’t the problem, but I, as a person, am selfish. Hearing that was a shock.”
“I see.”
“What do you think, Saint? Am I wrong, or is my heart the issue?”
“I think both are the problem.”
“······What?”
Erica’s desperate question was t with a blunt response. Both were the problem—a deeply shocking answer.
As Erica sat there, dumbfounded by the reply, Rize began to speak again, her face still adorned with a smile.
“The feelings you harbor are not wrong, Erica. But problems are scattered everywhere. You said you practice vegetarianism because you value life, correct?”
“W-Well, yes.”
“And you’re from a household known for its livestock industry, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Then, do you know how much grain cattle consu?”
“That is······”
She knew. Given their massive size, cattle consud an enormous amount of grain.
They couldn’t survive otherwise. As Erica pondered this, Rize continued.
“That amount of grain could save countless other lives. Yet cattle consu it to sustain themselves.”
“··· ···”
“It’s even worse in the wild. Take elephants, for instance—they need to consu an enormous amount daily just to survive. This leaves other animals without food.”
To sustain life, one must consu sothing. And consuming inherently implies “competition.”
Animals face fierce competition daily to survive, and humans, despite their civilization, are no different.
No matter how advanced civilization becos, there are still people starving to death sowhere in the world. It’s an undeniably ironic reality.
“You define harming life as evil and consider vegetarianism as good. Then, are locust swarms, which ruin crops, evil or good?”
“······Evil. If crops are destroyed, people will have nothing to eat.”
“I see. Yet locust swarms only eat plants.”
“··· ···”
The more Erica conversed with Rize, the more her thoughts grew muddled.
It felt as though the convictions she’d held so firmly were beginning to waver. Unlike with Kara.
If Kara’s approach was like striking with a hamr, Rize’s felt like drying her out from the roots.
She couldn’t even muster a rebuttal. Any attempt to argue would undoubtedly be t with another counterargunt.
“Erica, the essence of life is ‘evil’ because it survives by consuming. That’s why people hold the value of ‘good’ so highly.”
“··· ···”
“You must not deny the essence of life. That selfishness will only lead to your own ruin.”
“Then, what should I······ do······”
Erica murmured, her voice trembling with tears. Even Rize’s words seed negative, leaving her directionless.
She had no idea how to uphold her convictions. She wished soone would guide her.
“Don’t worry. I’ll help you.”
“W-What?”
“Since you were requested by the Sivar Brothers, I can personally assist you.”
“R-Really? The Saintess, helping soone like ······”
“No.”
Rize shook her head firmly. Then, with a smile still on her face, she continued.
“Erica, as a follower, you are more than qualified. You’re just lacking a little right now.”
“Lacking······ you say?”
“Yes. A Selfish Attitude and an Altruistic Conviction—I’ll help you find the right balance between them.”
“How······”
“There’s a saying: nothing is gained without pain.”
Rize smiled faintly as she spoke.
“Are you ready to embrace the pain?”
“··· ···”
Erica slowly nodded her head.
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