Chapter 43: Ophel Aichel Transrente Part 2 

At Erin’s thunderous, earth-shattering words, Ophel slowly nodded and said, “I understand… are you saying that a lack of comprehension cannot be overcome through effort?”

“…Yes.”

The words of God written in the Bible were absolute, at least to the created beings.

It meant that it was just a matter of intelligence, and no amount of practice or action could change that.

So, in this situation, Erin had just told Ophel , who had been gleaming with excitement and determination to ‘understand God’s will herself,’ that no matter how hard she tried, she would never understand the clear facts of God.

Erin could not bring herself to meet Ophel’s gaze, as her yellow eyes sparkled with that same unshakeable enthusiasm.

To say such a thing to her, someone who had asked for God’s clear truth, was a cruel thing to do!

And not just anyone—Ophel was someone with the mission of a future Holy Knight, tasked with spreading God’s will alongside her fellow knights!

Of course, such words would wound her deeply.

However, ‘was it truly kind to let someone hold onto ‘false hope’ as if they could change their fate?’

Erin faintly realized that effort alone wouldn’t make a difference.

The words of God were absolute, written in the Bible.

Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to speak words of false comfort, like, “Just try a little harder.”

She could not justify such words.

In her mind, that would be nothing less than deceit.

After considering it all, Erin came to the conclusion that honesty was the best path.

She had prepared herself for this, but even so, she found that she could not speak any further.

Turning her head slightly, she let a brief silence settle between them.

“Is that so?”

Finally, Ophel broke the silence.

“It seems this is yet another trial bestowed upon me by the Honorable Igogodon!”

“…What?”

Far from being saddened or flustered, Ophel answered brightly, just as she always did.

“I’ve been chosen by God, but I know I have many shortcomings. I’ve heard many times that I lack understanding, and it’s true—I still can’t even remember the term ‘clear facts.'”

“Although I may never understand ‘God’s will,’ I believe it’s my fate to carry this burden.”

“That’s…”

Ophel boldly declared, contrasting with Erin, who appeared troubled.

“It’s alright, Holy Lady. I won’t give up. I will continue to try, and someday, even without your help, I will understand God’s clear facts. Even if I can never understand them, I won’t be disappointed, and I will keep moving forward.”

‘What must it have felt like, to accept that she would never understand, but to push forward anyway?’

Erin could not respond to Ophel’s words.

***

After that day, “Good morning, Holy Lady.”

“…Good morning.”

Ophel continued her duties as a Holy Knight with the same attitude as before.

She was undoubtedly the most outstanding of the three knights.

Even without being asked, she had ventured to a plague-stricken village, delivering God’s will in place of the Holy Lady and serving others.

She patrolled near dungeons where magic was rising, and in the slum, she provided opportunities for education, gathering children and bringing them to the newly established school of Igogodon Church.

In a time when the Church of Guodun was declared the national religion, her actions helped change the minds of many who resisted some of the teachings.

Even hearing all this, Erin felt relieved that Ophel’s resolve had not easily wavered.

But as time passed, some people within the Church began to ask questions.

Some even came to Erin quietly with their doubts.

“Holy Lady, I must humbly ask, but… why is it that Holy Knight Ophel cannot remember the term ‘clear facts’? She keeps asking about it over and over, and… well, of course, I’m not criticizing, but…”

It was natural for there to be some confusion.

How could someone who did not understand even God’s clear facts represent the Church as a Holy Knight?

Erin dismissed their concerns with as much solemnity and authority as she could muster.

“Ophel was chosen as a Holy Knight because of God’s will. Do you question the will of Igogodon?”

“Ah, no! I would never question the will of the great Igogodon!”

“Then do not worry. Everything will happen according to God’s will.”

Erin used her title as the Holy Lady to quell the rising doubts, but even so, there was no avoiding the fact that such questions would continue to emerge.

Despite everything, people would undoubtedly continue to question how Ophel could serve when she could never understand God’s will.

And ultimately, the sight of Ophel continuing to try despite knowing she would never understand stirred something painful in Erin’s heart.

Since childhood, Erin had been quick to notice things.

She could see that, little by little, Ophel’s usually strong expression was starting to falter.

No matter how lacking in understanding she was, Ophel was still human—a person who could be hurt, like anyone else.

Erin slowly began to pray.

With her hands clasped, she placed them gently over her pouch of divine power, closed her eyes, and silently spoke to the one who was always there for her.

‘Great Igogodon, I am so sorry for bothering you with yet another prayer. I know I have been blessed beyond measure by Your love.’

‘The words of God are absolute. I trust that the choice of Ophel Transevente is part of Your deep plan.’

‘But, if I may ask… I pray that those whom You have chosen may not lose their way. If there is a path, please reveal it to them.’

Her prayer was for Ophel, not herself.

If the Lord truly held her in His favor, then, please…

As Erin prayed, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of her reliance on God, and with that, tears fell from her eyes.

‘Why am I just a mere creation?’

‘I don’t want to just rely on God. I want to become someone who can also be relied upon by God.’

‘I want to be used by Igogodon.’

‘If the day ever comes when Igogodon appears, I will surely—’

Surely, I will dedicate this very body to Him and repay Him with the vast and clear truth.

Her pure heart only reflected Igogodon.

***

I finished reading the comic and slowly scrolled up to review the content again.

‘I don’t understand…’

In the Bible… Well, I had vaguely thrown out a few words that seemed to have caused this problem.

It seemed that Ophel, who lacked some intelligence, could not understand the Bible because of the words that came from it.

I never directly said anything like this, yet…

‘Does that mean the words of God have their own life force?’

I bitterly smiled at that thought.

Above all, the most bitter thing was that now, I had come to accept so naturally that I was ‘God’ myself.

***

[Igogodon: Is this the end of this episode?]

[MoneyPlease: Yes, that’s right.]

[Igogodon: It seems like Ophel doesn’t understand what I’m saying.]

[Igogodon: Is this an innate problem?]

[MoneyPlease: As you can see, Ophel has some difficulties with learning compared to others…]

[MoneyPlease: But it’s okay. With ‘divine power,’ nothing is impossible.]

[MoneyPlease: If I had divine power, it would be easy to help Ophel understand God’s will.]

[Igogodon: How much is needed?]

[MoneyPlease: In this case… about 80,000 won should be enough.]

[MoneyPlease: It’s a bit more power than usual since we are trying to change Ophel’s cognitive world.]

[MoneyPlease: But of course, it’s okay if you choose not to sponsor. Unlike Luca, Ophel’s fate isn’t twisted that much.]

[MoneyPlease: The only issue is that she can’t understand God’s will, so there’s nothing really to worry about.]

Right.

This world is like a comic.

And the author was creating emotional pull with a character like the foolish but hardworking Ophel, then saying, “Please give divine power to the pitiful Ophel.”

Of course, to avoid over-encouraging sponsorship, they also mention, “It’s okay if you don’t give money.”

“Honestly, I didn’t care about the money anymore.”

I honestly thought I had already received more than the amount I had spent on this author.

Every day, they drew custom comics for me without delay, created characters based on my preferences, or even drew female characters to my liking.

They had even made erotic art for me once.

I wasn’t about to criticize them for making money, though. I…

I just wanted to think about what it would be like if I were truly a god.

[Igogodon: Hey,]

[Igogodon: Based on what you said, I am God, right?]

[MoneyPlease: That’s irrelevant.]

[MoneyPlease: Igogodon, you are the only God in our world, and that truth has been established since you chose our world. It’s absolute and beyond the reach of any lesser being like me.]

[MoneyPlease: I’m just observing that fact.]

[Igogodon: Oh, well, anyway.]

[Igogodon: So, the right thing to do here would be to use the sponsorship to open Ophel’s eyes, right?]

[MoneyPlease: If it is your will, I can certainly do that.]

[Igogodon: But you know…]

Even I, the god.

Even I, when I focus only on Ophel’s lack of intelligence and just ‘fix’ the problem, I would end up solving everything through ‘God’s miracle,’ regardless of Ophel’s effort.

Her hard work would be rendered pointless.

[Igogodon: I don’t think that approach is right.]

I want to tell Ophel that her efforts are never in vain.

Because that’s what God should be doing.

Trusting those who trust me—saying, “Your righteous heart is not wrong!”

[Igogodon: I want to tell Ophel that it’s okay even if she doesn’t realize it.]

[Igogodon: What’s the problem with not understanding? Ophel is already putting everything into practice through her actions.]

[Igogodon: As God, shouldn’t I recognize how hard she’s trying to understand before imposing my truth into her mind???]

In the real world, that might not be the case.

But in this world, I am God.

My will is God’s will!

[MoneyPlease: Is that so…?]

[MoneyPlease: But if she doesn’t understand God’s will, the same problem could arise again…]

[Igogodon: I’ve been thinking.]

[Igogodon: What if instead of directly intervening with a miracle, I help Ophel indirectly prove that she’s right?]

[MoneyPlease: I understand what you’re saying, but…]

[MoneyPlease: Indirectly shaking the world is a much broader use of ‘divine power’ than directly performing a miracle. It will require more power.]

[Igogodon: More widespread divine power??]

More widespread divine power.

In other words, it means more money for sponsorship.

‘Ha.’

Thump, thump.

My heart was pounding.

It felt different from the time I saw a woman’s naked body.

It was just… something was getting hot.

I could feel something inside me heating up, as if being submerged in fire.

‘Maybe this is what they call passion?’

It might seem silly to immerse myself too deeply in a comic, but…

[Igogodon (Sponsorship/500,000 won/ Is this enough? (Not sure, though))]

I don’t want to make fun of Ophel, who considers me as her god.

That was my honest feeling.

And…

***

[ShortSell: Are you really going to sell the helmet to Gilma for 1500? If you spend some more time, you could probably get 100 more coins.]

[Igogodon: The price I’m selling it to Gilma for is fine, haha. I still have plenty of time to sell it.]

[Igogodon: And]

[Igogodon: I have plenty of money.]