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[Translator - Tangrine ]
[Proofreader - Seeker ]
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Chapter - 33: Someone to Watch Over Us
In the village where the Saintess lived, there was a small orphanage.
Though it was unlikely that an orphanage in such an estate, far from a major city, could be properly run, but a single figure known as the ‘Saintess’ maintained the orphanage.
Much like orphanages in the cities that operated with the support of followers of the god of
‘Philanthropy.’
"Teacher! You’ve come!"
"I brought some gifts... I thought the children would need them more than I would, so I came."
When the Saintess arrived at the orphanage, the head of the orphanage hurried out and bowed deeply.
It was somewhat awkward to see an old man bow respectfully to a little girl and call her
‘Teacher,’ but both naturally continued their conversation.
It was not simply because the Saintess had lived longer than she appeared.
The reason the head respected the Saintess was because she had lived her entire life serving those at the very bottom.
"Oh my, you must be busy, yet you even brought these... Thank you so much. This place runs the way it does all thanks to you introducing us to sponsors."
"Did I do anything? The true merit belongs to all of you who care for the children. Though I am a doctor, I understand that raising life is more important than saving it. Doctors like me only welcome the sick... What meaning does a door hold if it is open only to those in suffering?"
"Haha, I don’t understand things like the Bible very well. The only thing I know is that you are a truly good person."
"…Thank you."
The atmosphere between the two was warm and friendly.
The head of the orphanage was not someone who had taken the Divine Medicine.
If the head had been chosen simply because they were ‘trustworthy,’ then the person who had taken the Divine Medicine would have become the head.
The head was a kind person. She treated the children like her own flesh and blood.
She could also sternly scold the teachers at the orphanage.
That was why the Saintess entrusted the orphanage to her. Because children need the kindness of a parent.
Not the devoted love of a god to all, but the gentleness of a parent to their child.
That was something the Saintess could not do.
The Saintess had been born without parents. She did not know a thing about a parent’s kindness.
- "You idiot. You are kind enough. Don’t set your limits ahead of time. Only pussies do that. How ridiculous would it be for someone who preaches devotion and love for children to run away saying they aren’t confident to take care of a child themselves?"
‘…Each person just has a fitting role. How could a carpenter’s knife and a farmer’s knife be the same?’
- "What matters is that you must never close your eyes when wielding a knife. You have to open your eyes properly and see what you’re cutting and where your own hands are."
‘I know best what I am doing.’
- "Like those patients who insist they know their bodies best?"
‘….’
The Saintess remained silent.
Patients know nothing about their illnesses.
This was something the doctor herself knew best.
Therefore, she felt somewhat deflated.
Because she understood just how pitiful her own words sounded...
"By chance, there was a child I wanted to show you."
"To me?"
"Yes. A child whose dream is to become a doctor like you. She studies the Scriptures diligently... truly a smart and talented girl. Not long ago, she even took charge of emergency care for a teacher with a broken leg. If she is not unwell, I hope you might accept her as your disciple."
"Hmm."
A disciple. It was not unfamiliar.
Some of her disciples were already scattered across the world.
Those doctors who had taken her blood and inherited her medical knowledge and talents traveled through slums and battlefields to serve the world.
What concerned her a little was the girl’s young age.
Once a child passed fifteen, they graduated from the orphanage, so the children there were all fifteen or younger.
It was still too early to receive a calling.
"First... I will see her. I can’t decide without even seeing her face."
"Yes! Thank you!"
·
·
·
"Hello! Teacher! I’m Charlotte!"
"……."
Ten years old.
The age of the girl who had come to her saying she wanted to become a doctor.
"Headmistress?"
"Haha, she is truly smart and talented. If she learns medicine by your side from a young age, she will surely grow into an excellent doctor."
"……Because I have to run the hospital, it will be difficult to visit here every day."
"Then why not take her with you?"
"Yes?"
"Oh, I don’t mean to ask you to adopt her. I just thought it would be good if she could stay by your side for a few days each month to learn medicine. Of course, it would be a burden to you, so it’s fine if you cannot accept."
"……."
She had to refuse.
She was a doctor, not a caretaker.
It was an unreasonable request.
Though she loved children, she showed no favoritism.
Her love was just justice, and justice has no tenderness.
- "Yes or Yes. You can’t possibly refuse the earnest and righteous wish of one child."
Yet, despite that, she was a person who served children.
"I will take her and teach her. Though due to my hospital duties, I may not have much time to teach."
"Ah! Thank you. Charlotte, be sure to thank the teacher."
"Yes! Thank you! Teacher!"
The Saintess—no, Nova was someone who could not ruin a child’s bright and pure smile.
She was a person who served children. A person who respected those at the very bottom.
To dismiss the wish of a child who wanted to become a doctor was impossible for Nova.
"…Becoming a doctor will be quite difficult."
"Hehe, yes!"
She was a being descended to watch over this world.
Thus, Saintess Nova’s life as a caretaker began.
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"The timing was just right. Not too late, not too early. Perfect."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. In the end, the most important thing when facing Nova is balance."
In the game Endless, Nova herself symbolized the absurdity of this world.
Though this world was inherently absurd... Nova’s case was especially so.
Just looking at how openly the opposing religions of Buddhism and Christianity were mixed, it was easy to guess how rotten the Endless developers really were.
"As I said before, Nova’s destruction has two paths. If balance is lost and she leans too far to one side, she will instantly plunge off the cliff of destruction."
"Yes. It was said that either through Nova’s sacrifice a god descends, or by her power all humanity becomes soulless."
In some religions, in the Last Dharma Age, Maitreya descends and all beings awaken.
In others, on the Final Day, the world’s creatures turn to ash and every sin is laid bare.
Then, isn’t Nova’s existence itself like a god—
One who can bear all the suffering of this world, and reveal all its sins without concealment?
"After Nova began to doubt the goodness she received from God, she needed to fill that void with new feelings. If she continued down that path, simply denying God wouldn't be enough; she'd inevitably seek something else to believe in, which could be even harder to reconcile. Doubting was a personal struggle, but finding a new sense of purpose required the help of others.”
"What do you need?"
"Love."
"…Yes?"
"Not the magnificent love of a god, but human, personal love. Humble and messy love. Longing and regretful love. The love she took away to ease the suffering of the poor noble lady who was feigning illness—love she could never truly understand."
The Saintess had never experienced love.
She was a being descended to watch over this world.
She did not know the kindness of parents, nor the warmth of a home.
The love she knew was only the love of that ‘Father’…
It was only the absolute and ideal love given equally to all—Agape.
“This can only be built through relationships. Carrying someone else’s love for them is meaningless.”
“Then, all we can do is pray that this child Charlotte does well?”
“Of course not. There’s nothing more foolish in this world than praying to gods. It just means it’s that difficult.”
It was different from when we targeted the witch.
The witch already held attachment to family deep inside.
Her pursuit of immortality was caused by the grief of losing her family.
Wasn’t a witch originally a being who sought love?
Because the witch already carried love within her, to prevent destruction, it was enough for her to simply realize her own heart.
You cannot expect such a simple solution for the Saintess.
“Let’s shake things up. Nova will reveal the weakness in her heart so that this child Charlotte can find an opening.”
“That… sounds interesting.”
Kanaria, who had been pondering after hearing my explanation, snapped her fingers as if she had come up with a good plan.
“Would it be possible to project some hallucination to this child Charlotte?”
“What are you trying to do? No, I’ll see for myself.”
I checked Kanaria’s thoughts through telepathy.
Then, I burst out laughing.
“Wow. Kana…”
“Yes.”
“You really have a nasty personality, don’t you…?”
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“Mom…”
“What?”
Nova felt dizzy.
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[Translator - Tangrine ]
[Proofreader - Seeker ]
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