Divine Punishment Is Scary
After her late-night break-in, I started wondering if there was some way to actually put Muriel's faith to use.
By the way...
Hmmm... So this is Cafe Strega's famous limited-edition ice cream?
Not quite as impressive as the rumors say.
Well, I guess it's impossible for some upstart city to serve something worthy of my taste buds.
Didn't you beg for it last time too?
Did I?
Maybe the old me might've caved in back then?
But I'm different now. Let's just say my standards have gotten a lot higher.
You? Since when?
Oh, Captain, so clueless. You'd know if you thought about it for half a second.
But fine. Enlightening the foolish is also my job.
And no need to thank me.
My time is precious, but I guess I can spare a little for you.
Let's say... about five minutes?
...
I really wanted to smack her upside the head.
The reason's simple.
From now on, I need to start acting like a true High Saintess.
For example, not giving in to cheap street food temptations like this.
Maybe I'm a bit late to start, but who cares?
I'm invincible anyway, since Lord Gaph favors me! Heh heh heh!
That's really pushing your luck.
Hey! Luck has nothing to do with it!
I'm someone who received a direct revelation from omniscient and omnipotent Lord Gaph!
All the other saintesses are just extras to make me look good.
You'd better watch your mouth, Captain. Keep that up and you might get smitten!
Maybe I'll even put in a good word for you with Lord Gaph if you beg hard enough. Puhuhu ♪
Seems like that break-in revelation mixed with her usual delusions in the worst possible way.
*Sigh* But now that my victory's guaranteed, it feels kinda empty.
Spending time with you wasn't that terrible, either.
What's that supposed to mean?
The whole reason I joined the Journey was to become the next High Saintess, remember?
And oh my, looks like that seat's already locked in for me!
Heh heh heh ♪ So there's no point dragging this Journey out anymore.
I wanted to ask how she planned to prove she got a revelation...
But if the Monolith Order is full of Muriels, maybe it really isn't impossible.
What's with that look, Captain?
Ah, I see. Didn't expect that, did you?
I thought this ice cream was your farewell gift to me.
Huh? Then why'd you buy this for me?
Heh heh, I smell a hidden motive.
Want me to guess?
Lord Gaph, oh, Lord Gaph. Why did the poor Captain buy me ice cream?
Mmm! I've got it!
You wanted relationship advice, didn't you?! That's it!
The fact that she thinks she'd make a good advisor is stunningly shameless.
Actually, I had a dream about Lord Gaph last night.
W-what? Lord Gaph?!
Yeah. He told me to help you finish the Journey properly.
Of course, it was a lie.
But if Gaph really exists, there's no way he'd want his priestess making a fool of herself.
Th-this is... This is blaspheeemyyyy!
Muriel jumped to her feet and pointed a finger at me.
What's so blasphemous about that?!
There's no way Lord Gaph would show up in a non-believer's dream!
He mustn't! That's impossible!
And you dare say that in front of the next High Saintess chosen by him?
I'll throw you on a pyre myself!
Bit extreme, don't you think?!
Silence, heathen!
I'm the one who heard Lord Gaph's revelations!
And I'm the one who will receive more, and proclaim them!
So anyone babbling about how they were with Lord Gaph on their own is a heretic!
And heretics deserve to be burned! Every last one!
If Gaph's real, you think he'd just sit and watch?
Ahahahaha!
Of course He'd watch!
I'm the only priestess who's heard his revelation!
So I'm the only one who truly understands his will!
So if I say someone's a heretic, they're a heretic by his will too!
Wasn't that revelation just you getting scolded?
H-how do you know that?!
I told you. Gaph showed up in my dream.
H-hmph...! You think I'm dumb enough to fall for that?
You're just baiting me. So obvious.
And even if he was disappointed in me, so what?
If he really hated me, wouldn't he have dropped a lightning bolt on my head by now? Puhuhu ♪
At that moment, a shout rang out from above.
H-hey! That wire's gonna snap!
It's dangerous! Everyone, move back!
Huh. What's with all the noise? So annoying.
Oh! Maybe they're all gathering to hear my sermon!
Heh heh, I shouldn't draw too much attention just yet!
Right then, a live wire sparked and dropped right on top of Muriel's head!
Muriel! Watch out!
GYAAAHHH—BZZZT!!
Muriel! Muriel, can you hear me?
C-Captain... My whole body... it's all tingly...
Muriel clung to me, trembling all over.
A lightning strike... high voltage straight from the sky...
Did she actually just get smitten...?
Are you okay?!
Oh no! There was someone under that?!
Ugh... No... If word gets out I got struck down...
I can kiss my High Saintess dreams goodbye...
...Blegh.
We'll take her to the clinic right away! Sir, please come with us!
We carried Muriel as she drifted in and out of consciousness...