INTERLUDE: SCENE 2

—Aqua-sama, I Will Not Admit Defeat!—

I'm hungry.

I plotted to get a treat from the handsome youth who wielded the magic sword, but he managed to escape.

I cried and begged him not to leave, but he vanished in the morning, leaving a letter behind.

The letter mentioned strange things like "using the power granted by the goddess to save the world". I wished he would save me from poverty before saving the world.

I thought he would become a devout Axis Cultist…

Since he was already gone, it couldn't be helped.

I had to think of a way to get a meal…

What about putting a donation box near the school?

Naïve children may put their pocket money into the box.

…But I felt that I would lose something important if I did that.

Or perhaps make some money using my beauty?

…No, no, no. Since I'm famous as the beautiful priestess of the Axis Cult, doing this would bring disrepute upon the cult itself.

If it carried on like this, I could only eat Tokoroten Slime for every meal.

No matter how much I liked it, I would still get sick…

Then there was only that move—

"—It's Cecily! Cecily is here! The precept-breaking priestess from the Axis Cult is here again!"

"Hey, Cecily! Why are you here!? There aren't any more of the young Eris Cultists that you love so much here. Because you always make trouble here, those Eris Cultists who brought their children have left for other cities! Because of you, the Eris Cultists in this city are rapidly dwindling! If you still insist on doing something stupid, then let me be your opponent!"

Two men stood before the Eris Church, blocking my way and said such rude things.

"Don't make it sound like I am responsible for your loss of believers! I merely told those poor ignorant kids how great my cult is! Is there a law that forbids preaching to the pagans?"

"You and your cult's doctrines are having a bad influence on the kids! 'Axis Cultists are good people, so when things go wrong, it's not your fault. It's the world's fault!' And 'Instead of stiffly suppressing yourself, relax and live without care. Who knows what tomorrow may bring? Instead of expecting the void of tomorrow, enjoy your life today!' The children who went over to play at your side always return with weird perspectives! I will say this bluntly, your very existence is trouble! Don't come near those kids again!"

As the famous beautiful elder sister who loved kids, I was being scolded by Eris Cultists.

"…It's true I come here frequently, but to think that was how you thought of me… Although we have different religions, I believed that as fellow priests, we could come to understand each other one day…"

Being assaulted by harsh words, I lowered my head, clenched my fists, and spoke in a trembling voice.

"…Ce- Cecily? Hey, don't play this trick. I suddenly feel like I've done something wrong… Are you joking? You are just pretending to be hurt… right…?"

"No, no. We were too harsh! It was too much to say you are trouble and ask you not to get close to the children. We don't mean it like that. Because of your usual behavior, we wanted to ask you to…"

I lowered my head and walked past the two pale-faced people who were hurriedly explaining themselves. For some reason, there was a sack full of bread at the entrance of the Eris Church. I grabbed the sack.

"Eh? Ce- Cecily? What are you doing…"

"…Hey, hey, that is…!"

I raised my head angrily.

"For bullying the cute and beautiful priestess, Eris Cultists can all go to hell!"

I took the sack of bread and ran.

"Hey, wait! Don't leave! That bread was donated by everyone to feed the poor...!"

I glared at the man who intended to pursue me.

"First the handsome youth with the magic sword escaped, then I was bullied by you people. Am I not poor!? Why are you being so gentle to me now? Don't make me stay! Just ignore me! Don't come over!"

I ditched my two pursuers.

I offered a prayer to Aqua-sama, who must be watching over me right now.

—Aqua-sama, I will not give in to defeat!

"Stop messing around! Who wants to keep you?! The important thing is the bread! Leave the bread behind!"