Chapter 7
I had asked Pelles to send the children who had been kidnapped and brought here either back to their families, or if that wasn’t possible, to a safe place.
So, Pelles went down to a nearby village and hired mercenary knights to escort the children.
Since their identities had been thoroughly verified, they would be able to return safely.
Just in case, I had also infused a little of Lady Lilith’s power into the pouches I gave the children.
It was my first time using her divine power that way, so I fumbled a bit—but I managed.
If any danger came their way, that power would protect them.
I had firmly told the children to hide the pouches deep inside their clothes.
After confirming their bright smiles as they tucked the pouches away…
The mercenary knights from the imperial capital arrived at the temple. Some of them even seemed to know Pelles personally.
“Lady Elias, please don’t worry. Most of these men are people I built trust with while I was living in this temple. They’re reliable.”
I nodded. Even though Pelles had gone through all this trouble, you never know.
Still, I’ve added another layer of protection, so it should be fine.
Maybe I’m just overly cautious.
Once the children get home safely, I’ll feel it too—that was part of the magic.
With that reassurance in mind, I watched the children leave.
They walked with the knights, chatting happily, waving back at us now and then.
I waved back.
Be happy, little ones. You’ve endured enough.
Some would return to their families, others would start a new life somewhere safe.
Your future is yours now.
After they disappeared from sight, I pulled out the last two pouches from my robes and turned toward Pelles and Seria.
I saw them wiping away tears.
So softhearted, both of them.
I sighed and held out the pouches to them.
“Lady Elias? What’s this?”
“What is it, Eli?”
They looked confused.
“The children are all gone now. So it’s time for you two to go as well.”
Honestly, I could have sent them off with the kids. But I didn’t.
There were some things I wanted to say.
“Pelles, thank you for taking care of me in that awful temple, surrounded by trash priests. You worked hard.”
I forced the pouch into his hands, then turned to Seria.
“Seria, thanks for always looking out for me. Now, go live your life freely, wherever you want.”
I handed her the pouch too.
I hadn’t hired separate guards for them because I knew Pelles would look after Seria.
That’s what I thought—until Seria’s eyes welled up with tears and she burst out sobbing like a baby chick.
“N-No! I want to stay with Eli!”
“I don’t want to be apart from you, waaaah!”
She even dropped to the floor, clinging to my pant leg.
What the heck is happening…?
Baffled, I looked at Pelles for help—only to find his eyes were misty too.
“I feel the same, Lady Elias. I don’t want to leave either.”
Why you too?!
At least Pelles gave me a reason.
“If we leave, who will take care of you two?”
Excuse me, what?
Why are they both acting like this?
I ran a hand through my curly hair, exasperated.
“Pelles, Seria… the temple of Malliant is gone! Not just ruined—completely over! And I’m planning to serve a new god in this temple. So you two should leave!”
I declared firmly.
Seria, however, continued to cling to my leg.
“Sniff… I don’t wanna go!”
“I don’t either.”
Both of them were equally stubborn.
“I have no family, and nowhere else to go,” Seria said, wiping her tears and looking up at me seriously.
“That’s why you should go find freedom,” I said.
“No! My only family is you, Eli. And… Pelles too.”
Even as tears streamed down her face, Seria stood her ground.
Seriously, what am I supposed to do with this main character now?
The original story had already collapsed thanks to me—burned to ashes, really. So there was no real reason for Seria to stay.
I let out another sigh.
Then Pelles added his piece.
“I’m the same. I have no family, no home. Let me stay and look after you both.”
“Pelles… even if Seria stays, I don’t think there’s any reason for you to remain. The temple of Malliant doesn’t exist anymore.”
I answered calmly.
Seria and I were once “saintesses” of the Malliant Temple, but we never truly believed in the god.
As for Pelles… I wasn’t sure if he ever really believed in Malliant either. But he had worked here as a priest.
If he wanted to stay, he’d have to convert.
He seemed to understand what I meant, and spoke with a sincere expression:
“I would rather serve an unknown god who truly watches over us than one who ignored suffering children.”
“Me too!” Seria chimed in.
I sighed again.
The god I served wasn’t exactly a god—it was more accurate to call her a demon.
Still, I guess the power I showed them gave birth to some real faith in this new “god.”
Pelles must have been through a lot while living here.
Especially with how kind-hearted he was—he probably couldn’t bring himself to leave us behind.
And after witnessing real divine power from someone like Lilith, anyone’s beliefs would change.
After a moment of thought, I spoke slowly.
“…Do as you please.”
With those simple words, Pelles and Seria’s faces immediately lit up.
Seria, who had been clinging to my leg, jumped up and hugged me tightly.
“Thank you, Eli!”
“Don’t regret it later,” I muttered, hugging her back briefly.
When we separated, Pelles looked at me and asked,
“Did you become strong and wise all of a sudden because you met this new god?”
“Yes. It’s all thanks to Lady Lilith.”
I recalled my past life memories.
I didn’t want to explain the weird truth, but Pelles’ version made it easier.
He murmured Lilith’s name softly—then looked at me with concern.
“But… I’m a little worried.”
“About what?”
“Won’t the priests and the High Priest try to come back and retake the temple?”
I smiled calmly.
Last night, I had prayed to Lilith in thanks.
Surprisingly, she responded—not by appearing in person, but with a voice in my mind.
—‘You’ve done well, my child.’
“No, Lady Lilith…”
Our conversation wasn’t long.
But in that time, she granted me several blessings.
—‘Eli, even though I’ve already helped you, I can tell you’re still anxious. So I’ll strengthen my protection. Not just for you—but around the temple itself.’
As soon as her voice ended, a red light appeared in the air.
That light spread across the entire temple like a dome, forming a magical barrier.
It faded from sight, but Lilith’s voice echoed again.
—‘This shield will incinerate anyone who tries to enter without your permission. My power is connected to you, so you’ll know immediately if there’s an intruder.’
A few hours after our talk—
The High Priest and the other exiled priests tried to return.
They were all reduced to ashes, taken straight to the afterlife.
Apparently they tried to take the temple back together… but with no remorse for their sins, they didn’t deserve mercy.
Thanks to that conversation, I also learned how to properly use Lilith’s powers.
So I was able to embed some of that strength into the pouches I gave the children.
When they reach safety, I’ll know immediately…
Honestly, Lady Lilith is the best.
And so, the Temple of Malliant disappeared into history.
From that moment on, I began the project of transforming the temple—
—into Lilith’s Sanctuary.
And the very first thing I did:
CRASH!
BANG BANG!!
Was destroy the old statue of Malliant.
