I'm Playing as a Nun.

"......"

I became a bit sentimental.

While my head understood, my body wasn't quite following along.

Aizen said he wanted to see how far they could go without my help.

After hearing those words, my mind went blank for a moment.

Looking back on the past days, it was true that rather than the children resolving things independently, they mostly watched from behind me.

The children chosen as Messiahs need to grow.

In that process, they must gain their own insights and build the courage to make a name for themselves as proper warriors in the future.

"It's definitely something necessary at some point..."

At first, everyone seemed puzzled and slightly rebellious about the fact that I wouldn't be accompanying them on this camping trip.

But after hearing the reason belatedly, the children, except for Rune, began nodding one by one.

Having spent considerably less time with the children, Rune seemed to feel quite uneasy about a party consisting of only children.

However, even Rune eventually gave in to Aizen's forceful persuasion.

Soon enough, a perfect baby hero party was formed with Aizen at its center.

"... It'll be fine."

As soon as the children finished breakfast, they hurried back to their rooms to prepare for camping.

After all, this forest has long since been cleared of monster seeds, and most beasts have been used for daily provisions.

Nothing particularly dangerous that I can think of is likely to happen.

The forest is quite safe as long as they don't stray from the church's vicinity.

"......"

I gave Aizen strict instructions, and the children's abilities are reasonably developed, so nothing I need to worry about should happen.

Yet why do I feel so uneasy?

I should rather feel great joy that the children are trying to accomplish something independently.

-Whoosh

Moving away from the church entrance steps that had practically become my designated spot, I sat alone in front of the towering tree in the middle of the garden, staring blankly into space.

Thinking about various things from a different position than usual makes my mind feel clearer and somewhat more relaxed.

But thinking about how the church will become eerily quiet starting from lunch today makes me increasingly gloomy.

-Thunk

During these thoughts, a mysterious branch fell beside me.

I naturally turned my head and fixed my gaze on the sturdy tree stretching behind me.

"... I'm not depressed enough to need consolation from a tree."

-Thunk

"Look, I'm fine, really. I haven't thought that the children are excluding me for a moment."

-Thunk

"As you can see, I'm not their parent, just their guardian. I don't need to feel hurt or disappointed about this."

-Thunk

"It means they've grown that much mentally, so I should be happy."

I hugged my knees closer and gradually buried my face in them.

"...Time flies so fast. To think the children are already having such thoughts."

It's been half a year since I met the children.

As befitting children with the title of Messiah, they show clear differences from their peers and grow daily, which makes me proud.

But their growth speed is surprisingly fast, which is both amazing and slightly regretful.

-Thunk

This time, the tree dropped some fruit instead of a branch.

It clearly looked like an attempt to comfort me.

"When did I become so sensitive..."

To think the day would come when I not only talk to a tree but receive sincere comfort from it.

It makes me feel complicated in many ways.

"Levi─!! We're all ready!!"

How much time had passed?

While I was sitting blankly in front of the tree for quite a while, time had already become lunch, and it was time for the children to leave for the forest.

"Ah, it's already time..."

"Have you been sitting here since morning?"

"Yes... I had nothing particular to do, so I just sat here."

"Are you feeling left out? Because we're going camping without you."

"No, what would I feel left out about? It's actually nice and quiet."

I replied calmly while staring intently at Aizen, who was speaking quite assertively.

Come to think of it, I need some time alone and can leisurely enjoy my own pace.

The children's camping trip isn't entirely bad.

Besides, camping is something that even grown adults find difficult.

They'll surely come looking for my help when they hit their limits.

"Your expression doesn't look very good for someone who says that."

"That can't be. I'm supporting everyone's first camping trip."

I responded relatively calmly to Ellie's sudden comment.

I maintained a composed appearance and slowly rolled my eyes without batting an eye.

"Now that I look at it, Aizen's luggage seems particularly more abundant and larger?"

"Ah, they were having trouble carrying it, so I decided to carry all their stuff."

"What?"

"They're carrying preserved food and simple tools now."

I unconsciously frowned at that moment.

"Everyone, sit down."

"Huh? Why?"

"What's wrong, Sister?"

"This suddenly got creepy."

"......"

I know very well that Aizen is strong.

But pushing all the luggage onto Aizen just because of that is definitely not good behavior.

"It's not good to push all the luggage onto Aizen just because he's strong. This is supposed to be about working together, but this goes against the purpose from the start."

Saying that, I unhesitatingly dumped all the luggage from the children's backpacks onto the ground.

"Ellie, didn't I tell you this morning? Camping isn't as romantic as you might think."

"Yes..."

"If you plan to push all the difficult tasks onto Aizen like this, it's not too late to stay at the church."

"......"

I spoke sharply while distributing some of Aizen's luggage into Ellie's backpack.

Of course, the same went for Iris and Rune standing nearby─.

"Iris, you've only packed books. Are you planning to just read in the forest?"

"Ugh..."

"Rune, it's all medicinal herbs. Don't tell me you took them from the kitchen?"

"Eep..."

Total chaos from the start.

To think they would distribute the luggage so unfairly─

While it might be good to distribute this way if we only consider efficiency.

But this camping trip allows the children to gain their own experiences and insights.

"Le-Levi... I was the one who offered to carry their stuff first. So don't be too..."

"Aizen's soft attitude is the biggest problem. If you do everything for them from the start, you'll definitely end up becoming a pack mule later."

"Pack mule?!"

"While it's right to treat them preciously because they're more delicate than yourself, that doesn't mean you should do everything for them."

With those words, I redistributed all the luggage fairly to the children.

The girls couldn't hide their bewilderment at the significantly different weight from before, but,

It can't be helped.

Camping is supposed to be tough from the start.

"You're not going on a pleasure trip. You're going to gain experience for the future. Isn't that why you're going without me?"

The children vaguely understood my reasoning, slowly bowing their heads with somewhat shocked expressions.

"So-sorry... We won't do it again. Please forgive us..."

"I'm sorry..."

"We were wrong..."

While it might seem quite harsh, it was something that absolutely needed to be taught in a party where Aizen was the only male.

They obviously did it without knowing better, but if it becomes repeated and familiar, it will surely lead to discord someday.

In a party, maintaining balance is the most important thing.

"Whatever it is, you must help each other and fulfill your roles. If not, even the closest relationships will definitely develop cracks."

"Yes..."

The children started nodding timidly with increasingly gloomy expressions.

Since this was the first time I scolded them like this, I felt quite awkward and uncomfortable, too.

"As long as you understand."

"Si-Sister..."

"What is it, Ellie?"

"Are you disappointed in us...?"

Ellie called out to me with an expression that looked ready to burst into tears at any moment, looking up at me anxiously.

At that moment, Ellie looked incredibly small.

"Well... It would be a lie to say I'm not disappointed."

"Uuu... We are really sorry..."

"If you're truly sorry, work hard when you get into the forest. Don't slack off just because I'm not watching."

"I'll really work hard... I promise..."

The excitement of their first camping trip quickly turned gloomy because of me.

I didn't mean to make them this depressed, but I suppose I scolded them too harshly.

"I'm sorry for ruining the mood before you even started. I'll try to hold back from now on, so don't worry about me, and have a good trip."

"O-okay..."

And so the children started taking heavy steps while emanating gloomy energy from their entire bodies.

Especially Ellie, who had been my shadow, showed signs of severe hesitation while watching my reactions.

"We'll have Rune's welcome party tomorrow evening instead of today. Don't be late─."

I shouted energetically and waved my hand big towards the children, gradually moving away from me.

When I showed them a faint smile while seeing them off, they finally seemed relieved and started showing smiles one by one with twinkling eyes.

"We're going─!!"

"We'll work hard!!"

"Yeah─."

"A-a welcome party twice...!"

The children's energetic words echoed loudly around the church.

Honestly, it's not something to make such a fuss about.

They're just spending a day together in a safe forest with barely any monsters or beasts.

There's nothing much for me to worry about.

If I just spend time leisurely in the church, before I know it, a day will pass, and it will be time for the children to return.

"Well then, now that the children have left, I should slowly..."

As soon as the children disappeared from view, I naturally moved behind the tree and picked up the huge leaf I had secretly hidden.

The sunshade I had used very effectively in the elf village.

Though it's gotten a bit flimsy with time, it's still usable.

"I'll be going out for a while, so please look after the church."

Just as I was about to take steps without hesitation in the direction the children had gone, after quietly speaking those words to the tree with a bright smile.

A tree root that definitely wasn't there until just now bumped against my ankle, and I fell helplessly to the ground.