Repentance
With the festival coming up, the whole town felt more excited than usual.
People passing by were all bustling about how spectacular this year's fireworks would be.
The problem is...
Uuugh...
Come on. Pull yourself together.
Don't ask the impossible, Captain...
Ever since she got zapped by that power line, Muriel's spirits had taken a nosedive.
Normally, she'd bounce back in no time, but this one really did her in.
If the central headquarters finds out I got struck by divine lightning, the Order will toss me out on the spot.
I'll end up reciting scriptures my whole life, only to get thrown out into the cold, cruel world with nothing to my name...
And then I'll just freeze to death all alone one cold winter's night... Heh heh heh...
And so, in that pitiful state, the day of the festival finally arrived...
Captain, could we maybe finish training a bit early today?
Why? What's up?
It's nothing... just that the NOA branch is holding a special event for the festival.
They said they need more hands, so I thought I'd help out.
In that case, I'll help too.
Really...?
Thanks, Captain... You really are on my side, right to the end...
Ahh, thank goodness... At least I won't die alone...
Not planning on dying with you, though.
Uuugh... You coward...
I'm the only one who got smitten, and you're just fine... It's so unfair...
I dragged the gloomy Muriel off to the Monolith Order's NOA branch.
Thank you for coming, Saintess Muriel. You must be busy with your Journey.
Suuuuuure...
And this must be the Captain I've heard so much about.
We're here to help out with the preparations.
Oh, thank you so much.
You came at the perfect time. Today's donations will go to fund education for underprivileged children.
Seeing it for myself, the Monolith Order was surprisingly normal.
But Muriel, on the other hand...
Uuuugh...
...was completely hopeless.
Sir, may I have a word?
It's about Saintess Muriel, isn't it? She's always been so energetic.
I'm guessing you're looking for a way to lift her spirits?
I explained, starting from her sneaking into my room that night, and the priest's reply was simple.
Haha, in that case, the answer's easy.
If you sin against your god, you should ask your god for forgiveness.
*Sigh* They want me to attend the event...
Is it okay for me to be here? What if I get smitten again in front of everyone...?
Muriel.
Hiiieek! I'm sorry! No more lightning, please!
...Oh, it's just you, Captain. What is it?
The priest wants you to give the opening address.
An... address? At today's event? Me?
I can't... If the congregation sees me get fried, I'm done for...
It's a happy day. What are the odds of that happening?
Muriel, who'd been tearing up, suddenly flopped on the floor.
Waaaah! No! I don't wanna!! It's too scary!
I just wanted to be the next High Saintess! Why does Lord Gaph hate me?!
Muriel...
All I wanted was to be pampered from morning till night!
What's wrong with wanting statues of me in every branch while I raked in a little cash on the side?!
Lord Gaph's mean! He's got a teeny tiny heart! Waaaah!
Honestly, you kinda deserved that one.
I almost felt bad for her, but then I remembered how twisted her logic always is.
B-but...
I mean, I'm the one who got fried, so saying sorry first feels like I'm losing...
Just do it already!
I dragged the squirming Muriel up to the stage...
And now, to begin the event, Saintess Muriel will say a few words.
Uuugh...
Muriel stepped up like she was walking to the gallows, while I slipped behind the podium.
Please no lightning, please no lightning, please no lightning...
*Sigh...*
Bit by bit, her trembling eased...
...Before I speak, I'd like to offer a prayer.
I do this because... as a saintess, I have sinned greatly.
So before everyone here today, I confess my sins.
Surprisingly...
Muriel, with her eyes squeezed shut, actually looked... genuinely devout.
I received a revelation to act as befits a saintess.
But instead, I got drunk on the idea and acted arrogantly, ignoring his will.
I repent for my sins and beg for forgiveness. Please cleanse my heart and soul.
Is that all?
I made a noise behind the podium and the room stirred with whispers.
Thankfully, the priest must have given them a heads-up, so no one tried to check.
Ugh, uuugh...
Waaaah! I'm sorry! Lord Gaph!
I only ever dreamed of being pampered and worshiped with statues of me everywhere!
I'll even build you a statue too! Out of solid gold!
Way off the mark, but okay.
...And? Anything else?
I-I don't really have anything else to say...
What about the Captain?
R-right! The Captain said you came to him in a dream, but I didn't believe it!
And I laughed at him for it, saying you'd never talk to a non-believer... I'm sorry...
Will you walk the true path of a saintess?
Ah...!
Of course! Absolutely! I swear I'll never think such rotten thoughts again!
Th-thank you! Thank you so much...!
Hnnngh...! I'm saved...!
Thanks to Muriel's tearful prayer, the event had to pause for a while.
I waited outside so no one would see me, until Muriel came bursting out of the chapel.
Captain! Captaaaain!
Where were you?! I was looking everywhere for you!
I was outside. I'm not a member, remember?
So what! You missed a once-in-a-lifetime scene because of that!
Did something happen during your prayer?
Heh heh heh... What do you think happened?
Right before my speech, I remembered what you said, about being honest and repenting.
So I prayed, and guess what? Lord Gaph gave me another revelation!
Right in front of all the other followers!
Of course I handled it with total grace. Unlike everyone else, I'm used to this kind of stuff.
Pretty sure you were the one freaking out the most.
Hmph, I might've been a little surprised, but everyone else was probably more terrified!
But you were right! Lord Gaph forgave me!
So that's it! No more gloomy, scary future for me.
You saved me, Captain! Really! Thank you!
Just then, fireworks lit up the night sky in a dazzling bloom.
And I found myself thinking.
Maybe Muriel, smiling like that instead of scheming, really does look the part of a saintess.