CH 15

As of right now, my mind is overwhelmed with a mix of complex emotions, leaving me feeling confused.

In the game, when creating a character, players are given the option to assign a nickname.

However, the main characters in the story, including the player characters, are given default names based on their gender.

For male characters, the name “Weiden” is used, while for female characters, the name “Erina” is assigned.

And the girl with a rather familiar face in front of me now was introducing herself as Erina Viheria.

Her names and surnames match, and she have the same face too….

“Can I ask for your name..?”

Erina, showing a bit of anxiety, asked for my name.

“My name is Harold, and I’m just an ordinary adventurer from the royal capital guild…”

She raised her eyebrows, seemingly questioning my introduction.

“You said you’re just an ordinary adventurer, but you’re so cool! I couldn’t see your movement at all!”

Then, suddenly, she grabbed my hand with both hands and looked at me with sparkling eyes, filled with curiosity and excitement.

“Haha…Thank you…. Also, I’m sorry, but is it okay if I ask you a question?”

Then Erina tilted her head inquisitively and nodded, inviting me to ask any questions I had.

“May I ask where you came from…?”

Considering the possibility of a person with the same name, I asked Erina about the background and setting of the main character in the game, just to make sure.

“Um.., I’m not from this continent… I was born in a small village in the kingdom of Thalys, located at the continent of Hydrasil far away.”

What she said aligned perfectly with the place of origin of the main character in the game…

There’s my hypothesis that there might be someone with the same name in the same town, but if I entertain that thought, I would be denying the reality right in front of me, and the likelihood of such a coincidence is extremely low

“I understand, thank you.”

Hearing my words, Erina seemed to feel anxious, her expression becoming ambiguous as she nodded her head.

“..?, what’s wrong …? Your face doesn’t look good…”

At that, she shook her head hastily, loosening her expression.

“Ah..!! N-no..! It was just because I had a lot of personal thoughts! Don’t worry!”

As if trying to reassure me by those words, she just smiled.

With this, it is almost confirmed that the woman in front of me is the main character from the game.

Then, my mind is filled with countless questions, leaving me confused.

If this woman is truly the main character, then everything I have believed and followed until now is stupid.

The idea of myself as the main character, the expectation of returning after reaching the story’s end, all of it feels meaningless now.

Feeling lost and uncertain, I contemplate on how to proceed.

If Erina, as the main character, is destined to follow the path of the story and reach its end, I wonder how I will find my way back…?

Or even if she reached the ending, can I even return back to earth?

What the hell will happen…

The quests, the events, all of them seem to complicate matters, especially when it comes to Mir. I’d rather not dwell on it for now.

However, even considering the latter case, there were a couple of unresolved questions.

Why is she appearing as the main character now, and why is she acting a little different-

She mentioned that she has just started as an adventurer, and considering the appearance of the boss earlier, it’s clear that we are in the tutorial phase of the game.

Come to think of it, I didn’t experience the tutorial when I arrived in this world.

Now, considering the situation and the possibility that she is the true main character, I am becoming more convinced of her role.

In the tutorial, as the main character heads towards the royal capital, the main stage of the game, she is ambushed by a group of thieves.

The main character attempts to handle the situation, but is unable to overcome the boss alone, leading to a crisis.

However, reinforcements from the guild hall arrive just in time to help defeat the boss, concluding the tutorial.

Now, I have been dispatched by the guild hall to assist her in the area where the thieves carried out their attack….

“……”

It’s impossible for me to be the main character because Erina is here.

sigh….

As my mind became entangled with various thoughts, I could feel the overload weighing heavily on my brain.

Stumble-

Sensing my struggle, Erina stepped in to support me, reaching out to prevent me from stumbling under the weight of stress.

“H-harold-san! Are you okay?!”

Feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of the situation, I realized that dwelling on it for too long would only lead to a headache.

It was clear that I needed to take a step back and observe the unfolding events before making any decisions.

The intensity of the situation was demanding a break for my weary mind, and so I chose to temporarily set it aside and allow myself some much-needed rest.

“…It’s okay, I’m just a little dizzy after the fight…”

With those words, she let out a deep breath as if relieved.

“Ummm, Thank you once again Harold-san! I don’t have much, but I’d like to give you something in return…”

Saying that, she bowed again-

“It’s fine. You don’t have to give me anything.”

When I said that with a kind smile, she looks surprised and asked me again-.

“Is it really okay …?”

“Yes, it’s fine, so you don’t have to worry about it, because my share will be taken care by the guild.”

With those words, I looked back to the roads, waiting for the others to arrive.

“…How kind… haah…so kind…Harold-san…”

It sounded like Erina was murmuring something under her breath, so I turned my head to ask her about it-

“Is something wrong..?”

“I-it’s nothing..!!”

She just blushed shyly and refused to make eye contact with me.

◆◆◆

I am now at a crossroads of choice.

Should I help Erina, the main character, to move forward together?

Or should I proceed with the story on my own, like before?

No matter what choice I made, it seemed like it would leave a bitter aftertaste until I saw the ending…

Whatever…

“So this is the Royal Capital’s Guild Hall… It’s so big!”

After completing the quest, I returned to the guild hall and taught her this and that.

Originally, this role should have been played by Paulo, but strangely, he did not appear.

That punk, where did he go?

“Thank you so much, Harold-san! For being so kind to me!”

These lines too were originally meant to be said to Paulo, not me.

“……”

Although it was short, the more time I spent with her, the more the burden on my heart that was difficult to explain in words began to pile up-

“But are you really okay? Your expression has been dark since a while ago…”

Is my face that obvious?

Heup-

I took another deep breath to calm the rising discomfort.

“Yeah, it’s fine…. I’m not feeling well today, so there’s really no problem.”

When I answered that with a light smile, Erina smiled broadly.

“Then I’m glad!”

I nodded my head and asked about her plan.

“So, What are you going to do now? Do you have any plans?”

Then, as if in bewilderment, her eyes wanders around and her mouth twitches with an unnatural smile.

“Haha… Come to think of it, I must’ve come here without a plan… hahaha…”

Then, naturally, she started looking around the quest board, picked up a quest notice and presented it to the receptionist.

I took a peek at the paper, and it was the quest that proceeded after the tutorial.

It was the subjugation quest of the recently emerged Werewolves that had been ambushing and attacking merchants on the road, causing the deaths of up to 4 people.

“I’ll take this!”

At the same time, the receptionist filled out some documents, and confirmed the quest order.

“Then, Harold-san! See you next time!”

It seemed that she wanted to give the impression of being flexible by acting on the spot. However, her expression contradicted her intentions, it’s funny.

“Wait!”

Before she could get to the door, I called her out-

“Yes?”

Then Erina quickly turned around and looked at me with a face full of question marks.

As the wind caused her tied red hair to flutter, the somewhat picturesque direction mesmerized me, evoking a sense of awe and fascination.

So pretty…

“……”

“What is it, Harold-san?”

For some reason, I found myself calling out to her, hoping to revive the memory of the scene from the game that had left a lasting impression on me-

However, her question quickly brought me back to my senses.

“Why don’t you make an pledge with a God before you go?”

As if she had momentarily forgotten, she clapped her hands and opened her eyes wide.

“I-I see! I could make a pledge by taking an oath to one of the gods…!”

Then she opened a small notebook and examined it carefully. After that, she looked at me with a slightly uncertain expression and spoke.

“Umm…I’ve been considering Goddess Abne as a good option…, based on what I’ve heard in my hometown and from various books…”

“Ugh…”

At those words, a wave of unpleasant memories from the past suddenly overwhelmed me, causing dizziness and trembling in my body.

note : Harold face looking like this probably lol

Gulp-

Tremble-

Goddess Abne… It was a name that I don’t want to hear for a while…

“Eh!? What’s wrong, Harold-san?!”

“…kuhm.., it’s nothing… just a slight headache…Anyway, Goddess Abne is highly revered in the royal capital, and the tribute required is quite reasonable, so it’s definitely a good choice to make a pledge with her. I’m familiar with the place, so I can guide you there. It’s not too far from the guild hall, let’s go.”

Then, I gestured with a small motion, telling her to follow me, and she smiled joyfully and quickly followed me.

“Thank you so much, Harold-san! You’re so kind!”

◆◆◆

The temple was in a state of disarray, with a crowd of people gathered due to ongoing construction.

Traces of the previous chaos caused by Mir were still visible, with cracked walls and broken columns.

As I entered the temple, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of guilt as I saw the bewildered expressions of the believers and visitors who couldn’t comprehend the situation.

Knowing that the place had been damaged because of my actions, I couldn’t hold any grudges.

Ugh…

“Eh…? Contrary to the rumors, the people here seem a bit strange, and the building looks damaged…as if there was a major incident…”

Now, Erina, unaware of the reason behind the current state of the place, leaned in closer and whispered a soft question, her eyes filled with curiosity as she looked around.

“Um… well… yes…”

She speaks in a hushed tone, unable to say it aloud, but her expression doesn’t betray her words.

As we continue down the seemingly never-ending hallway, we finally arrive at the door of the audience chamber.

“What did you come here for?”

“I came here to offer my vow to Goddess Abne.”

Shush shush-

After Erina said that, the two knights murmured and opened the huge door that was strangely intact and let them in.

srrak!

The door closed and a woman on the altar came into view, and Erina looked up at the goddess Abne with her eyes full of ecstasy, as if fascinated by a dreamlike room.

“um.. greetings…, Goddess Abne…. My name is Erina Viheria… I have come here today with the intention of making a solemn vow to you and spreading your divine influence throughout the world…”

Goddess Abne listened to her words with a gentle smile and proceed with the ritual

…

..

“Are you the girl who wants to offer your vow~? Well done~, and next to you is… Ara~…”

Then, as her eyes fell upon me, she wore a somewhat surprised expression, but greeted me with a sly smile.

“You’re here with a little stranger, Harold~… What are you here for~?”

Then, in a voice that couldn’t contain her surprise, Erina frantically asked me questions.

“H-harold-san?! What’s your relationship with Goddess Abne? Are you also a servant of Goddess Abne?”

It seemed like she was making an effort to speak as quietly as possible amidst her excitement.

“…No, I’m not believer…, but she wants me to be her knight…”

“Wow! Harold-san, you’re truly amazing! I could sense from the beginning that you possess extraordinary talents, worthy of recognition from the goddess!”

It was the goddess Abne who raised the corners of her lips after hearing Erina’s words. Her words don’t mean to drive me into a corner, but the more she talks, the more stuffed I become.

“Erina, stop it…”

“Eh? Didn’t Harold-san mention that Abne-sama is the most revered goddess in the royal capital?”

“Hmm~…! Fufufu~!”

Upon hearing Erina’s unintentionally malicious words, Abne burst into laughter, finding it peculiar and amusing.

“Did you say Erina~? You’re only saying things I like~ Good, good~ I like you~. I’ll put aside the boring formality and make you my servant right now~.”

shiiing!

At the same time, Goddess Abne summoned magic and beckoned the air, causing a white jade bead to materialize on Erina’s chest. The bead quickly changed color, turning indigo.

“Eh… yes?”

When the ceremony concluded, Erina was taken aback by the sudden and swift turn of events. However, she quickly composed herself and knelt down, bowing her head in reverence to Goddess Abne.

“Thank you, Goddess! I will do my best!.”

“Yes, the pledge has been made, and you are my servant now~. You may go out~.”

At that moment, Erina rose from her bow and made her way towards the exit of the audience chamber.

I was also trying to follow along-

“Harold~, I have something to tell you, so you stay for a while~.”

As I heard those words, I froze in my tracks, my gaze shifting back to Goddess Abne. A sense of unease washed over me, causing my expression to tense up and beads of sweat to form on my forehead.

note : he’s going to shit himself lol

“Then I’ll be out first!”

Srkk!

When Erina left and only the two of us were left in the room, Goddess Abne slowly opened her mouth.

“You really don’t even know..hmm~, because you brought such an unusual girl~.”

“…yes?”

As I tilted my head in confusion, unable to grasp the meaning of the sentence, the goddess, who had the ability to see into the depths of beings, began to explain about Erina.

“Humans possess special abilities that are inherent to each individual. These abilities can be shared by many people or they can be unique and rare, one-of-a-kind talents~”

Hearing those words, I vaguely can infer what Abne is trying to say…

“…Does Erina have any special abilities…?”

“Yes~, a very, very special ability…~ That is the ability to unleash an unknown power according to one’s will~.”

Does that mean that she can become stronger or weaker at her own will… put simply, depending on her will?

“My estimate is that that ability is veery~, very rare and strong~…. It may be an ability that even the gods would envy, but from my eyes, Erina is too incompetent to make use of that power~.”

incompetent?

“What do you mean…?”

Then, with a gesture that indicated difficulty in explaining, Abne placed her hands on her temples, sighing for a moment.

“haah…~ It takes a clear conviction to make use of that ability~, but what I felt when I looked inside Erina was that she was so innocent that it looked stupid~.”

The words “I like you” she said seemed to have disappeared somewhere, and instead, there was a content that was openly derogatory towards Erina.

“To harness that power, one must have a resolute conviction…~

However, that girl possesses a constitution that is very easy to break~.

Confidence is crucial for utilizing that ability, but it is only temporary~…

True awakening requires a deep-seated conviction and a strong sense of purpose~.”

I had never heard of such a setting in the game, and I didn’t even know that the main character had such an ability.

Also, it was useful for me to learn unknown information that I did not know, but at the same time, it make me anxious-

“…Then what should I do…?”

First of all, I’ve decided that I wanted to move toward supporting her, the main character in the game, to some extent, so I wanted Erina to find a way in the best way possible.

“Well~… the first solution is to have a firm belief that she won’t break, no matter if it’s right or wrong~… buut~ It’s not as easy as it sounds~.”

In other words, does it mean that only when she grow mentally can she properly use that ability?

“Could that power be influenced by the people around her…?”

Humans are social creatures.

In order to adapt to society, it means changing values according to the environment and learning knowledge and normative skills.

Depending on what kind of environment you are in, what group you are in, and how much you are influenced by your surroundings, you are constantly being influenced by those things.

Her power stems from the belief and will derived from her values. In essence, in order to wield her true power, it can be interpreted that the surrounding environment holds utmost significance.

“Hmm~….It seems like you’re trying to do something rather troublesome, Harold~, judging by your words and facial expressions~”

She wears a playful smile, her expression hinting at amusement, as if she finds this situation intriguing and entertaining.

“…it may sound strange to say this after just meeting her, but in many ways.. I want to help her…”

She is the main character in the game, so I decided to go with her because it might be the key to the answer I was looking for.

So, I wanted to help Erina develop a strong will and conviction, which will make her future journey easier as she becomes stronger.

“Hmm~ I really want you, Harold~… But, I’m also interested in a girl named Erina~.”

“Unique beings like both of you~ hmm~, but from the point of view of others, she’s just an ordinary girl~.”

What is she talking about…?

She then lightly said, “It’s a pity~,” and opens the door to the audience as if she’s finished talking.

“Then let’s do well, beings from another world, let this goddess Abne encourage you on your way~.”

At those words, I bowed my head once and walked towards the end of the hallway where the light was leaking out.

When I came out of the temple, Erina, who came out first, greeted me and seemed to be very excited-

“Harold-san! Did you have a good conversation with the Goddess? Let’s go together!”

With so much excitement, she drags my arm across the crowded street.

Erina herself seemed to be pulling it lightly, but the power I felt came to me quite heavily.

For now, it means that her beliefs have grown stronger…

At the same time, the conversation I had with Goddess Abne run through my mind.

She emphasized the need for Erina to develop emotional maturity

….

..

Please… I hope she can achieve her inner maturity without any problems.

[note : she won’t bro lol]

With such earnestness, I pray in my heart and look up at the exceptionally blue sky today.