No, How Can an Atheist Become a Saintess!?

No, How Can an Atheist Become a Saintess!? – 61

EP.61 Friendship and Relationship (5)

Not every novel worked this way, but in the case of The Weakest Hunter, events were subtly but intricately interconnected—or at least, that’s what the readers speculated.

Unfortunately, I hadn’t read to the very end before being dragged into this world, so all I could do was loosely follow along with the readers’ assumptions.

Some people believed that gates were manifestations of divine power, and that certain beings, having reached an extraordinary state, had learned how to create these gates.

They thought the purpose of connecting worlds was a divine revelation. Since gates were considered to be a power of the gods, it was natural to assume that whatever lay beyond them was something they were entitled to claim.

I didn’t know exactly who this group was, but based on what a villain said during the Saintess arc, that seemed to be their reasoning.

“…...”

Hmm.

“What’s wrong? Something bothering you?”

Ria’s question pulled me from my thoughts as I swept the floor, broom in hand.

Should I tell her?

I hesitated, but not for long.

The entity that had sent me to this world wasn’t exactly someone I liked. However, I could tell that it genuinely wanted to save people. Each time my power was used to help someone, I could feel its presence growing stronger. It was clear this was the path it had laid out for me.

Anyway.

Having already stepped into this mess, there was no turning back. I resolved to do my best to achieve a favorable outcome, so I said it.

“I think the National Research Institute is going to be robbed soon.”

“Oh, really? The National Research Institute, huh?”

For a few more seconds, we continued sweeping the floor in silence. Winter had passed and spring had arrived, but oddly enough, there were still stray leaves scattered on the ground. Perhaps some had stubbornly clung to the branches all through winter before finally letting go.

“Wait a second.”

Ria froze, her broom mid-sweep.

“The National Research Institute?!”

“Yes.”

“You mean that place? The one that studies gates?”

The term “National Research Institute” could refer to a number of places, much like saying “national university.”

However, to hunters, there was really only one: the National Multidimensional Research Institute. It was the place dedicated to studying gates and the worlds beyond them.

The Dimensional Research Institute, or simply the Research Institute, it was the go-to reference for hunters. Everyone understood the shorthand because it was the organization that bought all kinds of materials from hunters and associations alike.

Any entity managing gates other than the Hunter Association naturally fell under the jurisdiction of the Multidimensional Research Institute.

“And you’re saying someone’s going to rob that place?”

“Yes.”

Ria slapped her forehead with her hand and then dragged it down her face.

“Where on earth did you get that information? You and I are practically glued at the hip most of the time... No, wait. Never mind. I think I can guess.”

Thankfully, Ria seemed to understand without requiring me to provide an overly detailed explanation.

“Still, why didn’t you tell me about this earlier if it’s so important?”

“...I was going to. It’s just that it wouldn’t have meant much before now.”

I offered a somewhat defensive explanation to her reprimand.

Before now, telling her would’ve only served to get us swept up in the situation. In the original story, by the time they’d arrived, the research building was already up in flames.

It was one of the “first major events” in the story.

“What do you mean by ‘it wouldn’t have meant much’?”

“Well, to be honest, I don’t know all the details. I haven’t seen the entire future.”

That was one thing I could say with complete confidence.

“......”

Ria fell silent for a moment after hearing my words.

Her gaze on me felt oddly pitying, like one might look at a small, unfortunate creature.

Well, it was better than envy, at least.

“So, Ria, do you happen to know anyone connected to that place?” I asked as I took a few steps closer, tilting my head slightly to look up at her.

I didn’t deliberately put on a pitiful expression or anything, but my eyes, even at rest, had a rather bright and lively look. Not quite as exaggerated as the Puss in Boots from that old animation, but effective enough when it came to Ria.

I knew from experience that it worked.

It wasn’t like I didn’t feel embarrassed about consciously using it, but at least it wasn’t as forward as Ria, who grabbed my hands out of nowhere on a near-daily basis.

“Alright, alright. I do. Just back up a little,” Ria said, waving me off.

I obediently stepped back.

“Still… even if I know someone, it’s not like they’ll just let you waltz in. It’s a government facility, after all. And we’re under the church’s jurisdiction right now. …Finding a way isn’t impossible, though.”

Finding a way was actually quite simple. We’d just need to write to someone with strong connections to both the church and the government—someone influential enough to lend us their support.

For Ria, that person was her father.

However, considering the circumstances under which she had entered the church, practically forced into it after a falling-out with him, asking her to write him a letter wouldn’t exactly be appealing.

“You don’t need to worry about that,” I said. “All I need is a connection—someone willing to hear me out.”

“You have a plan or something?”

“If it’s something only I can do, then yes,” I replied.

Though, to be honest, it wasn’t a plan I was particularly fond of.

Still, if it worked…

*

Religion and science were often at odds.

It wasn’t as though scientists couldn’t be religious, but most scientists adhered to scientific methodologies when making claims.

Scientists sought to prove the truths of the world scientifically, and some religious individuals weren’t too fond of that. These truths often conflicted with established religious doctrines.

The theory of evolution, the Big Bang, cosmic microwave background radiation, other galaxies, molecular biology, and the possibility of life beyond Earth—all of these challenged human-centric beliefs to some degree.

It was the same in this world. If a scientist were to suggest naming a species after God, religious figures would foam at the mouth.

The only reason no one had protested when I’d made a similar remark was that I truly wielded the power of that divine being.

Politics and vested interests complicated the relationship between the government and the church, making collaborations between the two, such as those involving the National Research Institute, exceedingly rare.

“Welcome, Sister Anna. That’s still alright to call you, yes?”

“Yes, it’s the only name I go by,” I replied, bowing my head slightly to the female professor who greeted us.

Though she was about twenty years older than us, she didn’t look particularly old. Her skin was fair—too fair, actually, giving her a pale, almost sun-starved appearance. Dark circles under her eyes hinted at sleepless nights.

“It’s an honor to host you. Please, this way. While it’s a research institute, we have plenty of spaces set up to accommodate guests.”

Of course, this was a place where high-ranking officials occasionally visited.

The guest lounge, though functional, wasn’t exactly luxurious. There were simple snacks you might find in a convenience store, some canned goods, cup noodles, and boxes of instant coffee. The refrigerator was filled with oversized cans of coffee and an assortment of energy drinks.

...A classic "grad student survival kit."

Good luck to the grad students.

"As for now…"

The professor’s eyes sparkled the moment we sat down. It seemed Ria had already given her a heads-up.

She didn’t even bother introducing herself, too preoccupied with her own excitement. Watching her bright, eager gaze, I let out a faint, bitter smile and retrieved a small bundle from my belongings.

The bundle, wrapped meticulously in several layers of a dark-colored handkerchief, was slowly unwrapped. As the layers were removed one by one, a radiant white light began to seep through.

“Oh my…!”

The professor stood up abruptly, clearly stunned by the unexpected brilliance.

In this world, where divine power and figures such as saintesses existed, it was only natural that holy relics also played a role.

Holy relics were objects imbued with immense divine power, allowing them to radiate this power independently. These could be weapons someone had wielded, garments they had worn, or even parts of their physical body. The concept wasn’t much different from that of traditional religions.

Or, as in this case, they could be simple stones.

“……”

Watching the professor cradle the relic like a precious treasure, I couldn’t help but smirk wryly.

When I turned to look at Ria, her expression was one of utter disbelief.

Her reaction was amusing, given that she’d seen me create such relics before.

It wasn’t even the first time. I’d crafted divine crystals twice already and handed them over to Ria. While she hadn’t fully grasped the changes they had on her, I, having speculated that these were the triggers for Lee Si-yoon’s awakening in the original story, found her bewilderment rather entertaining.

“So… would it be alright for us to tour the research building?”

“Of course! Absolutely!”

The professor, still seemingly unaware that she had yet to introduce herself, responded enthusiastically.

Was the prospect of scientifically studying a holy relic really that exhilarating?

Well, that’s what made her a scientist, I supposed.

Glancing at Ria, I gave her a slight shrug.

But Ria simply buried her face in her hand, dragging it down in what seemed to be exasperation.

...Why?

I tilted my head in confusion, but no answer came from Ria.