The Priest of Complete Dispel ~ Every Time I Save a Cursed Beautiful Girl with My Status Abnormal Cure Skill, For Some Reason Her Dependence on Me Maxes Out ~ - Chapter 25: Goddess Statue

Chapter 25: Goddess Statue

“Excuse me. I am Iris Carnelia, a saint candidate. Can you call the highest-ranking person in this church?”

The moment Iris opened the heavy church doors and stepped inside, she looked straight ahead and announced herself in a loud voice.

Her dignified figure, bathed in the sunlight from outside, even seemed divine.

“A saint candidate!? Y-Yes, of course!”

The sister in a nun’s habit who responded was startled, her voice cracking. She was a calm woman who looked about ten years older than Iris, but she hurriedly lifted her skirt and rushed to a small room at the back of the church.

Soon after, the door to the small room opened again, and an elderly woman with a cane appeared. Her face was etched with deep wrinkles from age, but her eyes were clear, and she carried a gentle presence. She, too, wore a nun’s habit, exuding an aura that seemed to embody the very essence of this place.

“Well, well… Saint candidate. Welcome. I am Lueda.”

The elderly woman bowed deeply and greeted in a slow tone.

“Thank you for your courtesy. But let’s get to the point. We rescued the women standing behind me from a goblin nest at the foot of a small mountain in the south. Can they stay and sleep in this church for a while?”

Iris’s voice was confident, sounding less like a request and more like an appeal to lend this place to those seeking salvation.

The inn where we were staying was not large. Housing over a dozen women was simply impossible. That’s why we needed the cooperation of the church, a place of faith.

“If it’s a request from a saint candidate, there’s no reason to refuse. However… we may not have enough blankets…”

“We’ll ask the inn for help with that. Don’t worry.”

“…I see. Then we will gladly accept.”

The elderly Lueda smiled. Relief spread. She seemed kind, which was a relief.

I only knew the small church in our village. I was anxious about what churches outside were like, but so far, I felt no difference.

“Hey, old lady. Take this magic stone and arrange some food for them.”

I pulled a large magic stone from my pocket and offered it. It was something I got from defeating a wyvern, kept for selling later.

“…This is… a large magic stone… Who are you…?”

Lueda’s eyes widened. At the same time, her gaze was drawn to the rosary hanging at my chest.

“I’m Shu. Shu Mileister. My position is unclear… but for now, I’m helping Iris.”

“Milei… ster…? And that cross…?”

A flicker of unease crossed her face.

“Hm? Do you know something?”

I couldn’t help but ask, and Lueda’s eyes grew distant.

“Yes… It’s been a long time, but there was a very beautiful saint who wore a rosary much like that one. I was still young then, and she took great care of me…”

“You mean Lady Mizette!” Iris cut in eagerly, hearing the old woman’s story.

“Huh…?”

I froze. The name that came up was unbelievable.

“Hey, did you just say saint?”

“Yes. Lady Mizette was the saint from two generations ago.”

“What…? No, wait a second.”

My brain refused to process it. That old hag, a saint?

I thought she was supposed to be a shrine maiden or something…

“When I woke up, I saw the rosary Lady Mizette was wearing and immediately knew she was the saint from two generations ago. Didn’t you know, Lord Shu?”

“First I’m hearing of it…”

“Then… did you know Lord Ouji was once a sword saint?”

“What!?”

The words hit me like a barrage, and my thoughts completely stopped.

That damn old hag was a saint, and that damn old man was a sword saint?

No way, that’s ridiculous.

I mean, I don’t even fully understand what a saint or a sword saint does, but from my past life’s knowledge, they’re some serious jobs… titles. Sure, when I heard their levels, I thought there was no way I could beat them…

“No… forget it. That’s not important right now. For now, securing a place for these women to sleep is enough.”

“Yes. After they rest and settle down, I’ll ask about their situation.”

That was the main issue.

Why were these women captured in a goblin nest and cursed to have their faces changed?

And that magical tool controlling the goblins. There’s definitely a mastermind behind it.

After guiding the women into the church, we decided to regroup in three hours and temporarily disbanded.

With some time to spare, I headed to the back of the church.

To fulfill my promise to Keryneia.

“Hey, is a statue like this normally in churches?”

“Yes. I think they’re generally set up in churches across the kingdom.”

“I see…”

Before me stood a statue of a beautiful woman holding a bow. A goddess statue made of pure white stone, enshrined in the center at the back of the church, radiating holiness at a glance.

But the church in my village had nothing. No statue, just an altar.

I told myself that prayers aren’t offered to statues but come naturally from the heart.

Yes, Keryneia had said—visit churches as much as possible and offer prayers.

I knelt before the goddess statue, clasped my hands, and quietly closed my eyes.

“…”

But what should I pray for?

For the old man and old lady to stay healthy? For the women we saved to find happiness?

…Maybe that’s part of prayer too.

“—The content of your prayer is free. Pray for whatever you wish.”

At that moment, a soft voice reached my ear.

“What!?”

I opened my eyes, and a strange scene unfolded.

My vision was filled with black and white, as if the world had stopped and gone silent.

The sisters, the rescued women—none of them moved.

Only one thing held color.

The goddess statue, glowing with an intense white light.

“…Are you Goddess Artemisia?”

“Everyone calls me that.”

—I could communicate with her.

My heart leapt.

“You remember my words. I’m pleased to see you helping people like this.”

“Helping? I’m just doing what I can within my reach.”

“That’s enough. People have their limits.”

Strangely, her words sank right into my heart.

“…Hey, about the risk of Perfect Clear. Is it really okay?”

“Yes, great power always comes with a price. In your case, it manifests in that form.”

“So… you didn’t cause it?”

“No. —You wished for it yourself.”

“…Seriously?”

So, I really was a perverted priest.

I knew it. I knew, but… having a goddess confirm it leaves no room for escape.

“Don’t worry. Has anyone ever hated you for the healing you’ve performed?”

“…Now that you mention it, no.”

The villagers, Amelia, Iris.

Even these women—they thanked me with tears.

Yeah, even if I did naughty things, not one of them hated me.

“So there’s no need to worry. Just be yourself.”

“…Got it.”

“Difficulties await you. But if you face them without running away… the encounters you desire will surely come.”

“What does that mean?”

“Oh, it seems time is up. I can’t stay long in a place with little faith. Until we meet again—”

The goddess’s voice cut off, and color returned to my vision.

Before I knew it, I was still kneeling with my hands clasped, and everyone around me was moving normally.

“…Does the amount of faith depend on the number of people praying…?”

If I told anyone about this, no one would believe me.

I felt this was a special experience meant only for me.

I quietly stood and left the church.

I decided to return to the inn and rest until the meeting time.