Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Interlude 2. The Young Priest Is Tested By God

■■■ Mouton Leitia ■■■

I wake before dawn to offer prayers to God.

I clean every corner of the church. Although few people visit yet, I don’t cut corners.

At sunrise, I ring the small bell in the belfry forcibly added to the roof of the church, which was renovated from a tavern.

This is my morning routine.

I don’t know my parents’ faces. This is because I was abandoned as a child. My homeland, “Lake and Mountain Country, Leclair,” is known for having the headquarters of the Mother Earth Goddess Aegis Church.

It also has a massive orphanage directly managed by the headquarters. It’s probably the largest orphanage north of the Midar Mountains.

Most countries prohibit slave trading because God does not allow it. Not only the Aegis Church but also the Heolis and Termias Churches, the three major religions, gradually abolished slavery. While some small countries and criminal slaves remain exceptions, generally, slavery no longer exists.

However, a new problem arose.

It was the disappearance of poor villages.

It’s common for villages without walls to vanish from maps, but this issue is entirely different. Villages that survived by selling children now face the problem of having more children who are just mouths to feed.

Of course, once grown, they become valuable labor and income sources. But there’s a lack of understanding of this.

And so a new system was born: indentured servitude.

This system allows families to send children to large city merchants or guilds as apprentices in exchange for some money, with the child’s wages being periodically sent back to the parents.

At first glance, it seems no different from slave trading, but it’s a crime to abuse the child, and since there’s no ownership, they can’t be resold.

While there are many issues, if lucky, children can learn to read, write, do arithmetic, eat daily, and possibly even be trusted with a branch office in the future.

…Though only a few achieve that.

Back to the topic, older children might survive by becoming apprentices.

But what about newborns? Especially those from families who can’t even raise them to that stage…

The surroundings of Leclair are rich in nature, but the farther you go, especially westward, the harsher the land becomes. People in such lands, unable to kill their own children but also unable to raise them, find their way to the Aegis Church’s monastic orphanage.

They likely see the grand structure, hope their child will find happiness there, and tearfully leave them at the entrance.

I can’t call that a sin or evil.

At least I am alive and thriving because of it.

The orphanage directly run by the Aegis Church’s headquarters is extraordinarily large.

It was originally a massive dormitory for priests working at the old headquarters church, but the current headquarters moved to an even larger and grander building closer to the royal castle.

Though this dormitory had hundreds of single or double rooms, it was still insufficient for the increasing number of orphans, so each room was crammed with bunk beds, housing 9 to 21 people per room.

I don’t remember much before living at the orphanage, but children who joined later said some considered it better than their birthplace, while others cried daily, calling it hell. I couldn’t tell which was true.

Prayer, farm work, mending, cooking, cleaning, laundry, babysitting—all were routine for me.

Yet, I enjoyed two tasks: sermons, where strict superiors taught Aegis doctrines, and studying, despite most orphans disliking it.

Naturally, I mingled more with those who enjoyed learning.

As my grades improved, something peculiar happened.

Priests, once distant, began encouraging me directly.

This occurred during sky logic classes.

My life changed drastically then.

“O light of the sun illuminating all things, appear here…”

I was no longer a girl by this time.

Only a few could take sky logic classes, especially orphans. The church didn’t discriminate; orphans often lacked the study time needed to excel.

During my time assisting priests, I heard one express a desire for more people adept in sky logic.

This leads to a shift: most associate church arts with divine healing.

Many wonder why not learn divine healing instead of sky logic since we live in a church.

Unbeknownst to many, no one can use divine healing from the start.

One must first master sky logic, then only the devout can learn divine healing and lose their sky logic abilities—a mystery even to the Pope. Few possess divine healing skills.

When I used the mind-calming technique taught in sky logic and uttered words to manifest the sky logic, the copper paperweight before me glowed dimly, and I doubted my eyes.

Everyone around me, frozen, stared at the small light, then erupted in congratulations. I could only keep staring at the glowing paperweight.

About a year later,

“Congratulations, from today you are a traveling priest.”

I had officially become a priest assistant, learning sky logic and able to use it as an apprentice sky logician.

“A traveling priest?”

“Yes, you are diligent and can handle sky logic within the required limits. As an orphan, you have ample stamina. Ideally, you’d become my colleague immediately, but…”

The priest paused.

“Frankly, you’ve hardly left this church. You need more worldly knowledge. A traveling priest role is perfect. Though unpopular among priestly families, you will accept it, won’t you?”

Me, a priest?

Though often teased about becoming one soon after learning sky logic…

“Can I handle such a significant role?”

“Only you can. Over the past year, you’ve seen another side of the church, right?”

The church’s other side initially tormented me.

Food grown and cloth woven at the orphanage all went to merchants, turning into money that flowed to nobles and the royal family, with only a fraction returning to the orphanage.

But after a year, I understood it was necessary to keep the vast church organization running. I couldn’t judge its morality. I wanted to correct it but was trapped in a dilemma about the aftermath.

Thus, I faithfully did my assigned tasks and prayed daily.

For everyone’s peaceful life.

“The traveling priest’s duty is harsh, especially in the remote western area, where you’ll endlessly traverse wastelands.”

“If it is God’s trial, I gladly accept.”

“Indeed. You’ll thrive. Fulfill your duty honorably.”

Thus, I became an exceptional orphan-turned-priest.

———

The traveling priest’s duty was as tough as warned.

Traveling around remote villages and towns without walls, preaching the teachings of Aegis, and moving on.

My area was the far west, a barren land with scorching daytime winds and freezing nights. But as a priest of the Mother Earth Goddess, I believed this land wasn’t created without purpose; it was a trial for mankind.

I preached wherever I went, sharing bits of the church’s agricultural knowledge with new converts.

I’d love to teach everything, but the church doctrine dictates patience, so I shared knowledge bit by bit. I’d be pleased if next year’s harvest improved.

———

Two more years have passed.

When I visited the church in the independent city of Sevites, where I was based, a letter awaited me. Written on parchment was an urgent recall order. What could have happened?

I hurried back to the church in Lake Rel and was given an unexpected command.

“From today, you’ll be maintaining and managing the church as a priest.”

What a surprise.

Me, a priest with a church? I had never imagined such a thing.

“You have permission to establish a church in Pilatus, the westernmost city on your route.”

I’ve visited the city-state of Pilatus several times. It’s a city with a large port, and next in size to Sevites among the western cities.

“The priest who secured the permit was assigned to headquarters due to his achievement. As a result, you’re the only one with knowledge of the western region. Will you do it?”

Even being a touring priest was more than I deserved, but could I really be a priest with a church?

“Am I truly suitable? I hear many priests want to have a church.”

“Normally, yes. But it’s too remote, almost like a demotion. In fact, even the usually vocal priests unanimously recommended you in the meeting… And you don’t need to call me ‘sir.'”

The senior priest piled up various documents, a bag filled with gold coins, and even an item bag.

“The budget is tight, but I hope you’ll manage. To be honest, while I’m happy to see a church established, the headquarters doesn’t have high expectations due to the remote location. But I believe you can pleasantly surprise them.”

“Thank you. I will do my utmost.”

I bowed deeply.

“Good luck, Mouton Laitia.”

At those final words, I looked up at the senior priest, who wore a mischievous grin.

“Mouton?”

“Mouton Laitia. From today, that’s your name. It was problematic for a priest with special abilities to lack a surname. Consider it a promotion gift from me.”

One of the parchments on the desk was opened, and it was the name change document.

With tears in my eyes, I bowed deeply once more.

――――

After arriving in the Kingdom of Pilatus, I was overwhelmed with a new kind of busyness.

I never imagined building a church would be so difficult.

First, I secured long-term lodging. I chose an inn called Kujira-tei.

However, with a tight budget, I couldn’t afford to waste money. I negotiated with the owner for a significant discount by paying for a month upfront. During the negotiation, the owner’s daughter sarcastically remarked, “Churches are quite stingy, aren’t they?” I couldn’t refute it. At least, I resolved to pray daily for the prosperity of the inn and the happiness of the owner’s daughter.

Daily, I searched for a location and negotiated with the royal agents. After two months, I finally secured an abandoned tavern. With the owner’s permission, I began the renovations.

Due to budget constraints, I did most of the work myself.

I had to hire a specialist for the belfry, but I managed to remodel it into something resembling a church.

During the renovations, some believers occasionally brought me refreshments, which energized me.

…I have already shared the story of what happened after the church was completed.

The second major event that changed my life.

And now… the day has come that will change the fate of this country.

That morning was slightly different from usual.

The city had an ominous tension.

Thanks to my long wanderings, I was somewhat accustomed to such disturbances. The church’s proximity to the slum area probably contributed to my awareness. The air in the city felt different. Those who came to pray seemed anxious.

All I could do was try to alleviate their worries, pray with them, share God’s words, and listen to their troubles. I decided to cancel my paperwork for the day and spend as much time as possible in the church. Indeed, there were many visitors, which was unusual. I felt uneasy.

And then it happened—a coup d’état.

Is this a test from God?

Historical records show that successful coups are rare, often leading to long, drawn-out civil wars. There might even be intervention from other city-states.

There was uproar everywhere, with looting and arson occurring.

Though the influence of the Aigas Church was still limited in this area, perhaps by God’s grace, no one dared to attack this church.

An elderly woman, covered in blood, stumbled into the open church door.

“P-please, shelter me here!”

I immediately laid her on a pew and fetched my medical supplies. Some churches provide free medical care to the poor, and though I hadn’t started that practice yet, I was gradually gathering medical tools. I had learned basic medical knowledge during my time at the orphanage and as a priest’s assistant.

“What happened to you?”

I asked while washing her wounds with water, knowing it was essential to talk to the patient.

“I don’t know the details, but the city’s leaders suddenly decided to overthrow the king…”

Fortunately, her wounds were shallow, and I finished treating her by bandaging them.

“Your wounds might get infected.”

Infections can only be stopped with special medicine. Whether it happens or not depends on luck and physical strength.

“May I stay here for a while?”

“Of course. Stay until things calm down.”

As we conversed, more and more injured people started coming in.

“Excuse me! Can you provide treatment here?”

“Oh! God! What is happening?”

“This is serious! Lady Veriero has been captured by the king!”

The situation escalated rapidly. I was overwhelmed with treating the injured and trying to calm everyone down.

I’m well aware of the Veriero Trading Company. No one in this country doesn’t know of them.

They were considered the hope of this country. Many believers often said they could live because of her.

They had forcefully abducted someone so beloved. The shouts from the streets became a frenzied chant, “Bring back Cherina!”

Word of my treatment must have spread, and those who couldn’t get medical care elsewhere were brought to me.

I treated them earnestly. But there was a limit to what I could do. We ran out of medicine, cloth, and even clean water quickly. Believers brought water and cloth when they noticed. Some even brought precious wound medicine. I couldn’t afford to give up. This was a test from God!

I treated them with all my might. But all I could do was wash and bandage the wounds. If only I had needles and thread, I could save more of the severely injured…

Healthy individuals imitated my method and bandaged wounds, allowing treatment for minor injuries to progress.

However,

so many had deep wounds that wouldn’t stop bleeding even when tied tightly!

Someone in front of me was losing blood rapidly, nearing death.

Oh, God! This test is too cruel!

For the first time, I felt anger towards God. It’s unacceptable for a priest. But I couldn’t suppress my emotions at that moment.

“Oh God! Great Mother of the Earth, Aigas! I have devoted myself sincerely to you! Please, save them in exchange for my life!”

If God’s teachings are about compassion and devotion, I will follow them endlessly!

At that moment,

particles of soft light began to emanate from my body.

“Oh!”

“The priest is glowing?”

“What’s happening?”

The particles, spreading slowly like snow, fell upon the lying people, soothing their pained expressions and normalizing their breathing. When I checked the wounds, the cuts were healed, leaving only scars. Not only wounds, but those who had fallen ill due to the chaos also regained their color and fell into a deep sleep.

I had witnessed this phenomenon a few times before.

It was a church miracle, Divine Power.

When I noticed, it was already bright outside.

My head was fuzzy and not working well.

“Oh, you’re awake, Reverend.”

As I sat up, I realized I was in the church’s private room.

“…The bags under your eyes are gone, and your complexion has improved. How are you feeling?”

It seemed I had been sleeping in my own bed. Next to me was a man who occasionally worked at the church’s salted fish store. He had squeezed a towel in a bucket of water and placed it on my forehead.

“I’m fine… No issues.”

With a fuzzy head, I recalled last night’s events.

I had continued using the divine spells I had acquired to heal the injured. However, after starting to use the spell three times, my body became sluggish, and my head grew fuzzy.

Fortunately, divine spells are spells that spread over a certain area. While giving first aid to the severely injured, I think I was able to help over a hundred people by casting spells when a certain number of injured people gathered.

I remember using the spell five times. I feel like I used it several more times afterwards, but I don’t remember. When I mentioned this to the man next to me, he laughed.

“Don’t worry. Thanks to you, everyone was saved. After you collapsed, we improvised and continued treating them. Once you’re feeling better, you should check on them.”

Oh!

What is this! Miracles, miracles have happened! I, who doubted and cursed the gods, have been granted great mercy.

“Please rest as you are. I’ll bring you something to eat.”

“No, everyone must escape! Civil war…”

As I tried to continue, the man interrupted me with a mocking tone.

“It’s over. Cherina-sama has been rescued, and the king has been captured.”

“Eh?”

It’s over? Lady Veliero’s daughter has been rescued, and the king has been captured? Have my ears gone bad?

“There are no fatally injured people right now, so please have something to eat.”

The man seemed to walk lightly out of the room.

I looked out of the open wooden window.

It’s an alley, so it’s usually not crowded, but today many people are walking. It was filled with voices full of unprecedented liveliness.

There were occasional plumes of smoke in the distance, but it didn’t seem like the city was burning to the ground. It seems like this country has ended in just one night. However, people didn’t have faces of sadness at the end, but rather looked happy about the new country.

The coup d’etat was successful.

In other words, two miracles happened last night. No, there must have been more miracles that I don’t know about.

After reciting a simple prayer, I checked something.

“O light of the sun that illuminates all things, appear here.”

I activated the most basic sky logic that I had chanted hundreds, no, thousands of times.

But.

Just as I couldn’t remember the formulas I had known before, I couldn’t remember the feeling of activation. I tried a few other sky logics, but none of them activated at all.

However, there was neither surprise nor disappointment. It seems that acquiring divine spells means I can no longer use sky logic. The reason is unknown, but the theory that it is exchanged for sky logic is the most likely. And now that sky logic is no longer available…

In other words.

It seems I have acquired the divine spell of God’s work.

――――

I had breakfast and headed to the church’s sanctuary. When I opened the door, there were still many people left!

A tension ran down my spine. How many injured people are there?

But that worry was unnecessary.

“Oh! Reverend!”

“Oh! Leitia-sama!”

“Mouton-san!”

Everyone approached with smiles.

“Hey, you guys! The reverend is tired! Keep your greetings short!”

It was the man from the salted fish shop who had nursed me.

“That’s right, that’s right. Thanks to the reverend, I survived. Thank you so much!”

Saying that, a woman took both my hands, tears streaming down her face. Her face was unforgettable. Indeed, it was thanks to her that I acquired the divine spell.

That’s not all. Even those people who I thought couldn’t be saved were there.

“I should be thanking you. It was your will to live that brought about the miracle.”

Yes, I merely lent a little strength to that.

“I’ve only seen Mouton-san as a good person until now, but from now on, I’ll believe in God too!”

“Leitia-sama! We’ll definitely repay this kindness!”

Everyone expressed their gratitude and bowed their heads. Each time, I repeated that thanks were unnecessary. Thanks to God. Everyone offered prayers to God, and some even put alms in cups.

They left because they were in the way, leaving only the injured, but there were not as many as I had thought. It seems that the change of power was done with a truly unbelievable efficiency.

Now, there are many things I have to do, but there are some issues. First, it’s forbidden to use divine spells for free. Furthermore, if you’ve acquired divine spells, you must report to higher authorities promptly.

I looked over the sanctuary again. The numbers had decreased, but there were still injured people being carried in. After thinking for a while, I concluded.

“Everyone, I will start treatment now, but the treatment I am about to try is normally an expensive treatment that requires a large donation.”

There was a murmur and voices rose.

“However, we’re not sure if this treatment method will really work. Therefore, we will offer this treatment for free only to those who cooperate with the new treatment method.”

With that, everyone sighed in relief.

“However, this treatment will only be free for today and tomorrow as a trial period.”

That was my conclusion. Even if I contact headquarters, I indeed wanted to confirm that I could really handle divine spells. I cannot break the church’s rules. So, I thought to confirm my abilities by testing the treatment for two days as a free trial. It still holds great significance even though the civil war is over.

Some who had been fervently praying heard this and rushed outside. They repeated my words over and over. This should prevent unnecessary confusion. May they have the blessing of God.

I performed four divine spells that day. There were fewer injured people than I had expected, but I also efficiently gathered people to avoid collapsing and causing trouble again.

I also heard that Veliero Trading Company, or rather the new queen-to-be Cherina, had set up a low-cost clinic.

It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but everyone seems to believe that Cherina-sama will become queen. She has tremendous charisma.

After a busy day, everyone went home. I usually felt lonely in the empty sanctuary, but now I felt relieved instead. After finishing cleaning, I prayed to God for a long time and fell asleep.

…..

I thought the events of that day had ended there. But that night, I had a dream.

I stood on a grassy plain that stretched as far as the eye could see. The sky was simply clear and blue, with a refreshing breeze brushing my cheeks. It was a pleasant and calming place. It reminded me of my hometown, Lake Rel.

I lay down on the green carpet that beckoned me, ankle-deep. Even though I closed my eyes in the dream, I felt like I might fall asleep.

As I enjoyed the faint sound of the wind in my ears, I suddenly felt something welling up from behind me.

《…Mouton Leitia…》

It was a solemn and grand voice. Despite being a sound that enveloped my body, I felt no unease. Rather, it was a comforting voice.

《Mouton Leitia, listen》

I sensed it intuitively. This voice must be that of the beloved Earth Mother Goddess.

《You must embark on a journey》

A journey…?

《Yes. And watch over the Apostle of the New God…》

Apostle? Could that be referring to Akira-sama? But I have duties in the church. I cannot embark on a journey!

《…Watch over…》

The voice gradually faded and became hoarse. The feeling that had welled up also disappeared simultaneously. Ah, surely the god had already departed.

Oh! God! Are you telling me to abandon the church and go on a journey?! Please answer me! My Earth Mother Goddess!

No matter how many times I asked, I could no longer hear the voice.

My consciousness grew faint… and I woke up.

The usual waking time. The usual bed to wake up in. Nothing had changed. Except that I noticed I was wiping sweat from my entire body.

Despite being a dream, I remembered every detail, word for word, including the scenery. It seemed to indicate that this was no ordinary dream.

What should I do…?

Anyway, to calm myself down, I wiped away the sweat, changed clothes, and decided to offer prayers in the sanctuary.

Was last night’s dream just a dream, or was it some kind of divine revelation…?

As a mere priestess like me, I have no way of knowing. Perhaps I should report this to the headquarters as well… Unconsciously, I think I offered a long, long prayer. A voice interrupted me. It came from the entrance.

Originally a small church converted from a tavern, so even calling it a sanctuary wasn’t very big. Even though treatment is said to be from noon, few people come in the morning, but there may be severe patients. I opened the gate immediately. Then there was a face I had seen before.

“…Rubunoera itinerant priest?”

He was an itinerant priest I had met several times at the church in the independent city of Sevites. I remember him as a junior from Sevites who was traveling east.

“Long time no see, Leitia-sama.”

It was an itinerant priest-like figure who had become unrecognizable after a while.

“Well, how are you? …Anyway, please come in.”

I invite him in and prepare water. After a long journey, water is more luxurious than anything else.

After a while, we get into the main subject.

“…By the way, why to Pilatas?”

He straightens up. Then he took out a leather bag carefully. It must be an item bag.

“Here… I received this from the headquarters.”

Saying so, he took out a bag probably filled with gold coins and several parchment papers. The seal of the church headquarters is attached. I felt it was a fairly high-grade wax seal.

I handed him water nervously and read each one.

Let’s write it down from the conclusion.

It was a summon order.

The content was ‘Tell Apostle Akira to come to the Earth Mother Goddess Aigas Church headquarters, hand over the documents for that purpose, enclose travel expenses for Apostle Akira and Mouton Leitia, and subtly attach information about the Apostle of the New God. In addition, all future correspondence by letter is prohibited. Be sure to have the person come directly to the headquarters.’

In addition, documents such as the provision of horses for movement and preferential treatment at each Aigas church were given.

When I heard from the Rubunoera itinerant priest, it seemed that he was just following instructions brought by the Griffin. It seems that he will take over this church instead of me.

“Congratulations. Rubunoera itinerant priest… No, you’re already becoming a priest.”

“Thank you. I’m not yet a priest, but I’m told I will be appointed soon.”

It seems that the instructions to the Sevites church were to purchase a horse and hand over luggage and horses as a reliable substitute for me.

The appointment is related to leaving the church to Sevites and is not immediately an appointment to a priest. However, when he became a church holder, the priest was determined, so he should receive his appointment soon.

“Rubunoera priests have been doing their best.”

“Not as much as Leitia-sama.”

He seems modest but happy.

“Leitia-sama is going to headquarters, isn’t she? Congratulations.”

I think it’s a good story in normal thinking.

“…Rubunoera priest, I don’t want to hide anything from you, please listen carefully to what I’m going to say from now on.”

I told him nervously that I had mastered the divine spell.

“Oh! How wonderful! I thought it would eventually come down to you, Leitia-sama, but so soon!”

He was genuinely delighted. He is a sincere person. I can entrust this church to him with confidence.

“Normally, the divine spell is prohibited from being performed for free. But can you overlook it just for today?”

Then he nodded without hesitation.

“Anyway, Leitia-sama must leave within a few days. It’s not important. Leave the rest to me.”

It’s a reassuring word. It seems like a lie that he was groaning in a harsh itinerant route.

So I decided to leave on a journey.

First of all, I have to inform Akira-sama right away.

I headed to the Whale Pavilion.

――――

Akira-sama said he would leave two days after receiving a letter from the headquarters. So, I will depart two days from now as well.

At that time, Akira-sama gave me a secret medicine, which had a tremendous effect. It washed away the fatigue lingering in my body’s core like mud with water, and my energy returned more than usual. Upon closer inspection, the container for the secret medicine, though black, was made of glass, revealing its extraordinarily high value. I cannot help but feel grateful to Akira-sama, who handed it to me without calling it cheap.

Perhaps I should keep another bottle and hand it over to the headquarters, but Akira-sama said to drink it tomorrow. Therefore, that’s what I intend to do. At least I will submit the bottle.

In a rush, I returned to the church and, with the help of Priest Rubnoera, proceeded with my travel preparations. As someone accustomed to traveling, I finished preparing quickly. Even the item bag he brought was provided to me, so there were hardly any visible belongings outside.

I gathered at the church to heal the injured and inform those offering prayers that I would be setting off on a journey, making the day quite busy.

Even those who are not followers of the Aigas faith shed tears and lamented our parting. It seems I truly made a place for myself here. So much so that I think I would like to return if my duties allow it.

But that is unlikely to happen.

Gaining the Divine Art means I will be even more bound to the church. I do not imagine I will remain in such a remote place called the borderlands.

I will probably be dispatched to a church in some major city. With a slight sense of loneliness, I resolve to face the new trial of the gods.

――――

And the day of departure arrived. I left the church early in the morning.

When I went to Whale’s Inn, it seemed Akira-sama had not yet departed. After waiting a while, Akira-sama, along with a dwarf and an elf, appeared in travel attire. Akira-sama noticed my travel attire and spoke to me. I conveyed that I too would be journeying to Lake Rel through his kind offer to accompany me in the same carriage. He is truly a generous person.

However, I declined his offer. I do not know to what extent headquarters might be following us discreetly, but I think we should travel separately. Besides, I have a horse, so it’s easy for me to keep up or stay behind with Akira-sama using the carriage.

But that was a naive assumption.

The carriage that emerged from Veliero’s warehouse where he had stopped was beyond my imagination. It roared and billowed black smoke as it disappeared towards the horizon.

I could only stare in astonishment. Even if I pushed my horse to its limits, it would tire quickly and surely not catch up.

…

After thinking for a while, I decided to continue along the main road.

Surely Akira-sama would leave many footprints on this road.

I will follow them. Like a wandering bard picking up legends and moving forward…