Chapter 5 : Erin Part 2

God exists, and He is called ‘Igogodon.’

Erin had never once forgotten that moment.

The first time, when the heavens split, and the Spear of Judgment descended, literally slaughtering the bandits.

‘God exists…!!’

She no longer doubted the existence of God.

After all, she had heard His voice.

To doubt this fact, especially in such a situation, would be nothing short of blasphemy, would it not?

Though sometimes, words that could not be interpreted in any known phrase, like “Thank you for the ten-thousand won donation,” would echo in her mind. Yet, how could a mere creature fully comprehend the will of God?

Erin recalled the words of the nun who cared for the village children when she was young.

“The Holy Lady is the only person on the continent who can hear the voice of God. To be precise, she became the Holy Lady because she heard His voice.”

Back then, when the village still enjoyed relative peace, Erin had been a more curious girl, an ordinary child curious about every little thing, as is common at that age.

“What if someone hears the voice but doesn’t become the Holy Lady?”

The nun, with a gentle expression, had patted her head, seemingly amused by the innocent question.

Was it the warmth of her touch or the impression of her words that remained vivid in Erin’s memory?

That moment became one of the most memorable fragments of her peaceful youth.

“The moment one hears the voice, they come to realize it naturally—the destiny to become the Holy Lady. And humankind cannot defy that destiny. It’s something they come to understand, as naturally as water flows downward.”

As morning turns into noon, then dusk settles into night, and the moon fades to give way to dawn…

They accept it naturally—just like that.

Ah, I think I understand now.

Erin finally understood the meaning behind the nun’s words.

The immeasurable grace of Igogodon, filling her once empty heart.

She realized what it meant to become an apostle of God; it was something she simply ‘came to know.’

To become the Holy Lady.

To go to the Pope and proclaim that she had heard the voice of God.

Hearing God’s voice and doing nothing about it felt unforgivable to herself, to the great God, and even to the people of the entire continent.

In the plague-stricken, desolate village she left behind…

Erin embarked on a long journey.

To any third party, her journey would have looked nothing short of bizarre.

Throughout the journey, she did only two things: walked in the direction of the Papal Office and prayed.

In times of hardship, ask God for help.

If God favors you, everything will be accomplished.

Ever since hearing the voice of God, that phrase had become an absolute truth in her mind.

“Our one and only God, Igogodon.

I humbly beseech you; please, just once more, show mercy to this young lamb.

Grant me the opportunity to endure trials and convey Your word…!!”

And as she finished her prayer and slowly opened her eyes… all her problems would be resolved.

A continuous series of miracles!

Whenever she needed food and water or a place to sleep, she prayed.

After closing her eyes and praying sincerely, she would open them to find warm food and clean water before her.

When she needed a safe place to rest, a cave would suddenly appear in an empty place.

Food and shelter—these two things were essential for her journey to become the Holy Lady, so praying for them did not give her any hesitation.

The problem lay elsewhere—she wanted to bathe.

‘This feels grimy…’

Though she had obtained clean clothes through prayer, her body was not in the best state, as she had fled from the village.

Whenever she passed a river, she would wash her face and hands, but with a human body, the urge to bathe was difficult to suppress.

However, even though God was already providing for her needs, wasn’t it inappropriate to pray for something as trivial as wanting to bathe?

While food and shelter were essential for survival, and thus she had no qualms about asking, she sincerely wanted to resolve other matters by her own means.

Yet… she was just a young girl who had barely turned twenty.

A normal young woman, who, not long ago, had almost been killed by a bandit gang.

Despite her vow to suppress her desires and walk the path of spiritual discipline, the basic desire to stay clean was difficult to eliminate.

‘As someone who serves the one and only God, Igogodon, keeping myself clean is essential… Perhaps He will understand such a small request…?’

So, closing her eyes tightly, she prayed for the first time with a personal request.

“Igogodon, I humbly ask for a chance to bathe. To serve You with a purer body. I beg You…!”

And as she opened her eyes, there it was—a spring bubbling with hot water.

‘Igogodon… You granted my wish…!!’

Shedding her clothes without hesitation, she entered the hot spring.

She did not worry that anyone would intrude; after all, Igogodon would never permit such a thing.

As expected, the bathing time was peaceful and serene.

Soaking in the warm water and easing her fatigue, Erin found herself contemplating…

‘Could it be that Igogojeon finds me endearing…?’

But she quickly regretted the thought.

Such an unholy thought, considering God’s favor as if it were a cute indulgence! It wasn’t because of anything like that; it was due to her destined path as the Holy Lady.

As she reassured herself and submerged again—

<<>>

‘This is…!!!’

Suddenly, a voice echoed in her mind.

Was it the voice of God?

‘No.’

She instinctively knew that it was not Igogodon’s voice but rather a voice of someone representing Him.

It was as if she had known it all along.

<<>>

Fond of… her?

This phrase felt profoundly different from a mere ‘revelation.’

<<>>

“Wait, hold on!”

She shouted without thinking, but, naturally, no answer came.

The voice that had echoed in her mind disappeared without a trace.

Wait… what exactly did being ‘fond of’ mean?

Was it not simply that she was destined to become the Holy Lady and that He had answered her prayers because of it?

And what was more intriguing was the latter part of the message.

‘Not to forget being a woman, even as the Holy Lady… What could that mean…?’

Thump, thump.

Driven by the rhythm of her heartbeat, Erin sank deeper into the bath.

It was only after she submerged up to her neck that she realized her face felt warm.

This heartbeat… it was somewhat different from the feeling when she had first encountered Igogodon’s miracle.

Unlike the holy resolve she felt when approaching her savior, this was… the emotion a woman would feel.

Since choosing the path of the Holy Lady, she had never harbored such an unholy thought.

‘Calm down, Erin… calm down… It could have been a misunderstanding… No, that’s impossible.’

Now was not the time for self-denial.

From the moment she had been saved, this life no longer belonged to her—it was Igogodon’s, the God who had saved her.

Walking the path of the Holy Lady was both a calling and her desire to dedicate her life to Him, without hesitation.

Yes, to even question Igogodon’s words was absurd.

‘If Igogodon wishes me to remain a woman, then I shall abide by His will. My body and heart are already His.’

To dedicate her body and soul with complete sincerity.

That is what it means to devote oneself to God.

Thus, Erin’s empty heart was slowly, but unmistakably, filled with the hues of ‘Igogodon.’