<Chapter 53>

“What is this? A familiar?”

Was there such a setting in this world? At least in the first 70 chapters, I don’t recall anything like that…

A bond with a being of extraordinary ability, fulfilling my every request.

Typically, a dragon, demon, or some other magical, awe-inspiring, non-human species would take on such a role…

‘Familiar… Isn’t that supposed to be something like that? I’ve never heard of a hamster familiar, though…’

I stared down at the hamster in my palm, my expression doubtful. On a whim, I decided to ask: “Are you secretly a dragon? Maybe you transformed into a hamster to conceal your power?”

“Squeak squeak?”

“Or can you use magic? Do you have any superpowers? Like flying, perhaps?”

“Squeak squeak?”

The tiny white hamster tilted its little head in confusion.

‘Right. A hamster… Being cute is really all they need to do.’

What could I possibly expect from this little creature?

Sighing, I rubbed its white head with my index finger.

‘Still, if it’s a familiar, it’ll live a long time, right? It’s not going to die after two years, is it?’

It had better not. If that happens, I’ll go on strike from saving the world.

‘Are you listening? You can’t take it away early!’

After glaring up at the sky for a moment, I pressed the “Yes” button on the translucent floating screen in front of me. A new window popped up immediately.

Please name ???

—

“Name, huh… naming…”

I’ve never been good at this. What would be a good name?

“Let’s see… It kind of looks like a rice cake. Should I call it Rice? Sticky? Mochi? No, those don’t sound quite right.”

“Squeak squeak!”

The hamster stomped its tiny hind paws against my palm, clearly displeased.

“Alright, alright. Let me think… Oh! That’s it! You’re white and round, like freshly fallen snow… How about Flurry?”

Plus, the term ‘flurry’ reminds me of a big smile, like a warm, happy laugh.

I hoped to imbue the name with the wish for endless moments of joy.

Flurry

“Perfect! From now on, you’re Flurry!”

“Squeak squeak, squeak!”

Though the hamster—now Flurry—stamped its feet in protest, it was too late. I’d already entered the name and pressed confirm.

Flurry (Species: Hamster) has become your familiar.

Achievement Unlocked! <First Familiar>

You’ve created your first familiar. As a reward, you have received 1 Divine Oracle Token.

As the notification appeared, Flurry became shrouded in a brilliant white light infused with golden particles.

Did Flurry like the glow?

It seemed to forget its earlier protests about the name and began spinning in place, reaching out with its tiny paws to grab at the golden motes.

Watching this endearing sight, I smiled and opened the divine message window.

◆ Ultimate Objective: Save the World

◇ Current Objective: Raise Northern Faith to 5,000 | Confessions 9/10

 

*Northern Faith: 1,062

*Familiar: Flurry (Hamster)

*Key Items in Possession: 2 Divine Oracle Tokens

 

▼ Replay Divine Oracle

Huh?

‘Familiar is in the list now?’

Out of curiosity, I tapped Flurry’s name in the system window, but nothing changed.

‘I thought familiars would gain some kind of ability… Is being cute its power?’

Well, that’s good enough.

Besides, unlocking an achievement earns me another divine oracle token. That alone is more than enough for now.

“Let’s work well together, Flurry.”

“Squeak squeak!”

Eventually, Flurry seemed to accept the name, placing its tiny paw against my outstretched hand in a sort of handshake.

The ticklish sensation made me laugh.

“First things first, let’s set up your home. For food… sunflower seeds or berries should work, right?”

Calling Alice and Monica, I made sure Flurry had a meal and then built a home using a large box. Somewhere along the way, I dozed off.

The next morning, I woke up to a bitter realization:

My husband had once again left me to spend the night alone!

*  *  *

Four days had passed since the Duke and Duchess’s wedding.

The streets, once brimming with jubilant cheers during their procession, had returned to the usual hum of everyday life in the Winstein estate.

Still, traces of the celebration lingered.

Some were savoring the large loaves of bread handed out during the festivities, carefully rationing each bite. Others couldn’t stop retelling tales of the splendid procession.

The most astonished, however, were those who’d witnessed the return of retired knights.

“Those knights… Their hands weren’t just prosthetics. They were real hands, weren’t they?”

“I’m telling you, they were! How many times do I have to say it?”

“I can’t believe it. Even for the Saintess, restoring lost limbs seems impossible.”

“Why not? If anyone could, it’d be the Saintess. Someone even said she’s the person God loves most in the world. That’s why such miracles are possible.”

“No, no, she’s not the Saintess.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“You know the bishop from the capital who officiated the wedding? Apparently, he was drunk and going on about how the Duchess isn’t a Saintess.”

“Come on, that’s ridiculous. What kind of bishop gets drunk and causes a scene in broad daylight?”

“Don’t believe me? Go see for yourself. He’s at the tavern right now.”

The rumor that a bishop from the capital was drunkenly ranting spread faster than the one claiming the Duchess was a Saintess.

Curious crowds flocked to the tavern, eager to see the spectacle for themselves.

And what they saw was even worse than the rumors suggested.

Bishop Roam, reeking of alcohol, slurred his words in a drunken stupor.

“Saintess…? Hic! Inosensia, a Saintess? Who… Hic! Who said that?! Hic! Saintess, my foot!”

“Your Excellency, you’ve had enough. Perhaps it’s time to return to your quarters…”

“Let me go! Who… Hic! Who dares call me a drunkard?! Bring me more wine!”

“You heard him! The Bishop demands more wine. What are you waiting for? Bring it now!”

The tavern owner sighed, sneaking glances at the growing crowd outside while reluctantly fetching another bottle.

Meanwhile, Bishop Roam’s drunken tirade continued: “You fools… Hic! Know this! Hic! The real Saintess is in the capital! Hic! Inosensia is no Saintess, you hear?!”

“Shouldn’t someone stop this?”

“How dare he speak the Duchess’s name so disrespectfully…”

Unable to bear it any longer, one of the onlookers shouted, “Hold your tongue! Whatever she may have been in the past, the Duchess is now the mistress of the North! She’s far above the likes of a drunkard like you!”

Roam staggered to his feet, attempting to summon his divine power to prove them wrong. But before any light could form in his outstretched hand, he lost his balance and crashed to the floor, taking a table and several bottles with him.

“What a disgrace…”

“Even the worst drunkards aren’t this bad.”

“Should we call the city guard?”

It would’ve been better if his attendant had taken him away quietly. Instead, the attendant began scolding everyone for not helping Roam, escalating the situation until the city guard arrived to arrest him.

The sight of a capital bishop being dragged away in broad daylight became the talk of the Winstein people.

People began questioning the integrity of the Great Temple, wondering aloud how someone like Roam could hold such a position.

“Isn’t a bishop supposed to be high-ranking in the Great Temple?”

“Not that high, I heard. And even if he were, could he possibly outrank the Saintess?”

“But if what he said is true, doesn’t that mean the Duchess isn’t the Saintess?”

“Oh, stop. Who’d believe the words of a drunkard like that?”

Roam’s claims about Inosensia not being a Saintess were dismissed as drunken nonsense.

Instead, new rumors spread about how poorly Roam had treated her in the past, adding another layer to his disgrace.

These rumors, too, were short-lived.

A public notice soon appeared in Winstein’s town square, announcing the opening of the Duke’s chapel to the public.
 

<To be continued>

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