Episode 3
A few days later.
I suddenly woke up to the sound of dripping water.
‘It’s still dark…’
Then I remembered.
‘Right. The sun doesn’t shine here.’
How could I see sunlight in a basement prison?
I let out a deep sigh and looked around.
Because I was used to the dark, I quickly adjusted and could see well.
That’s when I saw a small figure moving around.
“…Seria?”
“Ah! Elly, you’re awake? Sorry, did I wake you?”
Seria was startled and came closer.
She had been washing her face with the cold water from the broken tap in the corner of the prison.
‘That water barely works and it’s freezing cold…’
And honestly, in a place like this, there’s no real reason to wash.
‘The priests wash us themselves when it’s time anyway.’
Though, since the prison was filthy, we’d get dirty again right after being washed.
“Why are you washing?”
“Ah… well…”
Seria hesitated, then finally answered slowly.
“If I’m too dirty… the gods might not like me.”
Oh, right. Today was Seria’s turn to go out to the ‘Holy Ritual.’
Each of us had to go once a week.
I remembered the priests washing me before my last show.
‘They compared me and Seria so obviously back then.’
I wasn’t hurt by their words.
Those priests didn’t treat us like humans anyway.
But I hated that Seria had to worry and act carefully.
‘She’s just a little kid… and she has to care about what adults think.’
And the only reason we’re so dirty in the first place is because of them.
“Ugh…”
I let out a small sigh.
‘So today’s beggar show is Seria’s turn.’
“Sorry, Elly. I was noisy…”
“It’s fine. It’s not like we have much else to do here anyway.”
I patted Seria’s shoulder gently, and she smiled a little.
Not long after, the priests came in — just like they did with me — and picked up Seria like she weighed nothing.
She gave me a little wave as they took her away.
‘She’s so small…’
I suddenly realized again how tiny Seria’s body was for her age.
‘I’m small too, though.’
Damn those temple people.
I didn’t care if this god “Malriant” was real or not.
‘No. I’m sure this god doesn’t exist.’
If a real god existed, there’s no way the priests would be this corrupt.
I clenched my fists and shook with anger.
‘Isn’t there any good idea?’
A way to escape from this prison?
Ever since I got my memories back from my past life, I had been thinking of possible ways.
Option 1: Ask a powerful noble for help.
That’s common in those parenting-type novels.
But this was impossible here.
This temple is basically a cult, and it’s far from the empire’s capital.
Most nobles don’t even worship Malriant — they believe in other gods.
Maybe after a few years this plan could work, but I didn’t want to wait that long.
I wanted to escape now.
Option 2: Get help from someone I trust.
Also impossible.
The only trustworthy person in this temple is…
‘Pelles.’
But he’s a low-ranking priest. There’s not much he can actually do.
So that’s a no.
Option 3: Escape by force.
That would be the fastest way… but I’m five years old.
So, all the ideas I came up with? Useless.
I sat on the bed, got on my knees, put my hands together, and closed my eyes tightly.
“Haa…”
I let out another deep sigh.
‘Isn’t there any other way?’
Honestly, the only thing I could do now… was pray.
I had never prayed in this life or the last, but…
‘Maybe it’ll work this time?’
There were many religions and gods in this world.
Maybe one of them was real?
This wasn’t the modern world I used to live in — this was a fantasy novel!
‘Please, anyone! I don’t care who! Just smash those horrible priests!!’
I really wanted to be the one to do it… but if someone else did it for me, I’d take it.
‘Please, please! I’m begging you!!’
I prayed with all my heart, like someone drowning and grabbing for a straw.
Nothing happened.
No sparkles. No miracles. No godly voice.
No shining feet stepping down. No glowing arms. No person appearing from light.
Of course. Things like that don’t happen.
‘Of course not. Gods aren’t real.’
I opened my eyes with a sigh.
‘If gods were real, those evil priests would’ve been punished a long time ago… huh?’
FLASH!
My eyes widened.
There was a bright white light floating in the air!
‘W-What?! Did… did my prayer actually work?!’
I blinked in shock as the white light grew bigger — and slowly started taking the shape of a person.
I gasped a little.
The figure that appeared was… absolutely beautiful.
Her long, wavy black hair flowed gently, even though there was no wind.
Her snow-white skin and shiny black hair looked amazing together.
But the most beautiful part was… her face.
She had slightly slanted cat-like eyes, a tall nose, red lips, and a sharp jawline.
She looked like a goddess.
She wore a perfectly fitting elegant dress, and her figure was flawless.
She was, simply put…
“A s-sexy unnie…!”
I nearly got a nosebleed.
Thankfully, I didn’t.
My cheeks turned red, and I stared at her, completely mesmerized.
The light behind her made her look like an angel.
I didn’t know how long I stared.
Then she smiled gently at me.
‘Ahhh, even her smile is perfect!’
If I had a glowstick, I would’ve waved it for her!
Then the beautiful woman spoke to me.
“Such a cute wish.”
Even her voice was sexy, graceful, elegant, and beautiful.
She was just… perfect.
Wait — did she just say “wish”?
I finally came to my senses and blinked.
She stepped toward me and gently touched my soft, cotton candy-like hair.
“So cute.”
The beautiful lady just called me cute!
World, are you watching?! I got a compliment from this goddess-like lady!!
“Do you think I’m that beautiful?”
I had a silly grin on my face, and she asked again.
I quickly nodded.
“Y-Yes, of course! You’re perfect! The best! I love you!”
Oops.
I went too far with the fan talk… I even confessed love!
But she didn’t mind — she just smiled sweetly.
“What’s your name?”
“Eh… Elias.”
“Elias? That’s a unique name.”
I fumbled my words like a fool and quickly corrected myself. She laughed a little.
“Here’s a gift, Elias.”
And then… she gave me a giant golden hammer.
