The World I Was Supporting Was Real

Episode 47. Igo

“Are you saying that people are getting injured around the dungeon?”

Ophelia was receiving the priest’s report with a serious expression.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Could it be that monsters are coming out of the dungeon…?”

“I don’t think so. Although the magic has become stronger, based on the testimonies of many of the people who were attacked, it seems to be the work of a band of thieves. There were many stories of losing supplies after losing consciousness. .”

After hearing the detailed situation report, it certainly seemed more likely to be the work of humans rather than monsters.

“A band of thieves…”

She had also heard the news that the number of people making a living through thievery had surged after a major plague swept through the continent.

Recently, the imperial family had reduced taxes and actively supported the devastated regions, so public order was somewhat stabilizing… but it would still take enough time for the scars left by the plague to disappear.

“What will you do? If you wish, I can request military support.”

“Are you thinking of an extermination?”

“Yes, but… are you thinking of something else?”

Ophelia nodded slowly.

“From what I’ve heard, it seems they stole goods but didn’t aim for lives… Considering they mainly attacked groups of one or two people, it’s estimated that their number is at most around ten… We should at “If possible, I would like to give them another chance.”

“Are you thinking of reformation?”

Ophelia nodded slowly.

“It might seem frustrating, but… if we can act before they cross the line, there’s nothing better than that.”

“No, I don’t think that at all. But, are you sure you’ll be alright alone?”

Ophelia responded in a calm tone—

“It’s fine. Ten, no—up to thirty people, there’s no need to attach support troops.”

—saying so, she stroked the sword hanging at her waist.

“I can handle it alone.”

“…!!”

At that moment, the priest realized that the person in front of him was none other than Ophelia Transrente.

A representative figure of the knights of this era, and a woman with formidable strength recognized across the continent.

Though she had shown a slightly clumsy side recently… when it came to wielding a sword, there was no one of her age who could surpass her.

Luca and Linea were also knights with remarkable talent, but they would surely have to bow to Ophelia.

Honestly, if it was just an ordinary band of thieves, she could probably handle not just thirty—

but maybe even fifty of them alone.

“Then please, Ophelia.”

“Hmm. I’ll try to resolve it peacefully without any killing, if possible…”

“Reformation is important, but please prioritize your safety above all. You are chosen by the gods, after all.”

“You take care too. Then.”

After parting with the priest, the rabbit on her head finally spoke up.

“Ikogodon.”

“Don’t worry about it, Rabbit. It’s just about rehabilitating people who have strayed onto the wrong path for a while.”

“Ikogodon.”

“Punishment is necessary if needed, right. However, it’s also important to rehabilitate those who can be rehabilitated, depending on the severity of their crimes.”

Hop.

“I can handle it alone, so don’t worry. Besides, it’s about time to start preparing.”

Chatting naturally with the rabbit, he began his day as a holy knight in earnest.

* * *

The first thing Ophelia did after receiving her mission was to take off her knight’s attire and disguise herself as an ordinary traveler.

There was no way the bandits would attack a knight. If they couldn’t find her, reformation would be impossible. Disguise was indispensable to lure them in.

Ophelia donated a robe-like outfit, spun around once, and then asked the rabbit.

“How do I look, Rabbit? Do I look like an ordinary traveler?”

“Ikogodon.”

“Hmm? As you said, it does feel a bit tight around the chest… Well, it’s an unavoidable issue unless the outfit is custom-made for me.”

In fact, all the clothes Ophelia wore were custom-made for her.

Thanks to an extraordinary existence like Erin, it wasn’t noticeable, but her chest size was quite prominent compared to her peers.

Therefore, buying and wearing ordinary armor was quite uncomfortable.

“Now, it’s your turn.”

Saying so, Ophelia took off the bag she was carrying and opened it wide towards the rabbit.

“Get in.”

“Ikogodon.”

“Hmm? You seem sleepy? I’ll walk as slowly as possible, so feel free to take a nap. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but you’ll be able to sleep once you get used to it.”

Hop!

The rabbit obediently got into the bag as instructed.

It fits perfectly, as if the bag was prepared just for the rabbit.

If Luca had seen it, he would have been so mesmerized by the rabbit that he wouldn’t have been able to do anything for about five minutes.

“Shall we get going then? If it gets too shaky, let me know anytime.”

Due to being inside the bag, there was no response, but-

Ophelia assumed the rabbit understood and began to wander around in earnest.

* * *

How long had she wandered around the dungeon, looking like an ordinary traveler, with a knife hidden behind her back?

After it had gotten somewhat dark.

‘There’s someone.’

Sensing a presence, she continued to wander around, pretending not to notice.

How much time had passed like that?

In front of Ophelia’s eyes, three men appeared.

“You need to stop for a moment.”

“…….”

Ophelia quickly looked back.

This time, two women and three men slowly walked out.

“Sorry, but you need to pay a toll to pass this way.”

‘… … .’

Ophelia quickly scanned the surroundings.

Eight people had revealed themselves… It didn’t seem like there were any additional ambushes around.

This much, she could handle alone.

“I’ve never heard of needing a toll.”

“Of course not. It’s a law that came into effect today.”

Hearing the man’s words, who was smiling as he spoke, Ophelia responded in a calm tone, not falling for it.

“Judging by the nonsense you’re spouting, it seems you’re the ones attacking civilians passing through here?”

“Did you stick your head in here without fear after hearing that rumor?”

“So what if I did?”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“You seem quite relaxed, but if you don’t want to get hurt, you’d better hand over what you have.”

“Let’s make this easy, miss. Just give us the money and we’ll let you go.”

Though they were pretending to be strong, their voices trembled slightly at the end.

Their voices were youthful, making it clear they were trying hard to act tough.

This much, she could handle alone.

Ophelia slowly took off the hood of her robe.

The bandits were visibly flustered when they saw her red hair and distinctive circlet.

* * *

“……!!”

“Judging by your expression, it seems you recognize who I am?”

In fact, it would have been stranger if they didn’t know.

The appointment ceremony for the Holy Knight was held so grandly.

To the people of this era, Luca, Linea, and Ophelia were as symbolic of the times as Saint Erin.

“In that case, let’s get to the point. Don’t think about unnecessary resistance, drop your weapons, and follow me. If you change your mind even now, I will help you become new people. If you refuse to follow-“

Ophelia drew the sword she had strapped to her back.

“You will have to duel with me here and now.”

At that moment.

The one who seemed to be the leader, looking straight into Ophelia’s eyes, shouted.

“Judging by that hair color, you must be the famous Ophelia!”

“……What?”

“Ophelia Transrente. Appointed as a Holy Knight, yet can’t even recite a single verse from the scriptures.”

“!!!”

Ophelia, who had maintained a calm demeanor, was shaken for the first time by those words.

That rumor… had spread this far?

“Th-that is-“

“Why? Why don’t you recite it now? It’s in the scriptures, isn’t it? Surely, a Holy Knight wouldn’t claim ignorance of something even we know?”

“I, I… that.”

Ophelia, sweating profusely, desperately racked her brain.

Damn it. I definitely… I definitely knew it… !!

“Th-the God’s….”

“God’s?”

“……!!”

Seeing her stammering and unable to say anything, the bandits laughed openly at her.

“The plain fact! The plain fact that those religious fanatics keep preaching about!”

“!!!”

The leader, who had shouted earlier, now spoke at Ophelia as if accusing her.

“If it was so great, why did my family have to suffer and die from disease? What was that great God doing while our entire village was dying? …Well, I suppose there’s no point in asking someone who can’t even remember “a single word.”

“Th-that… that’s not true! The plain fact of God would surely help you too-”

“Enough! Do whatever you want, drag us to the prison that kills us. I have no intention of following some meaningless divine will! Everyone!”

At the leader’s words, the entire band of thieves drew their weapons.

Ophelia, who would have normally responded calmly, was lost in thought with her sword in hand, shocked by the fact that she couldn’t recite what even those who didn’t believe in God could easily recite, as if she were cursed.

‘Do I have the right to rehabilitate them?’

Even if they charged at her, she would win. She was sure of it…

But as someone who prioritized rehabilitation, her heart couldn’t help but waver.

What can I do when I can’t even remember the simple facts that even mere thieves can recite?

Is crushing them with force the only thing I can do, instead of rehabilitating them?

“Come at me!!!”

Just as the band of thieves were about to charge at Ophelia.

“……!!!”

A strong flash of light burst out from the bag Ophelia was carrying.

The entire band of thieves, who were charging, stopped in their tracks, bewildered.

“What, what is this!”

“Is it magic?!”

At the same time-

With a hop, something jumped out of the bag.

It had eyes like the sun and fluffy fur.

With rabbit ears, it had an incredibly cute appearance for a divine messenger.

Therefore―

“What is this?!”

“……A rabbit……??”

―When it revealed itself, the band of thieves couldn’t comprehend how such a being could exist in this world.

Of course, they couldn’t understand what it meant to face this being.

It blinked its eyes without any change in expression, staring at the band of thieves who were frozen in shock――

“Not this, not that.”

“!!!!”

As soon as it finished speaking, the space right behind it―― tore open.

A huge rift appeared in the place that literally opened its jaws.

A rift that made an unpleasant sound, as if it didn’t belong to this world.

And then-

―Screeeeeeech!!!!!!

“Ugh, ugh, aaah!!!!”

“Sa, save me……!!!”

The entire band of thieves was sucked into that unknown rift.

The sight was so eerie, it was reminiscent of the devouring by an absolute being.

After a while.

After they had all disappeared, the torn space was mended as if nothing had happened.

“Ra, Rabbit Lord…? What is this…?”

To Ophelia, who was staring at the surreal scene of space tearing and people being sucked in with wide eyes, the rabbit tilted its head a few times as if nothing was wrong and then-

“Fifty thousand years of reincarnation.”

――The true ‘rehabilitation’ of those who dared to defile the holy knight chosen by God began.