Chapter 111

Greedy as ever, I immediately popped the snack Goddess Clotho gave me into my mouth.

To be honest, the taste and texture weren’t exactly good—more… peculiar. But that wasn’t what mattered…!

‘This is insane.’

Thanks to that, my stamina shot up to 231…!

It felt like energy was bursting through every inch of my body.

The frail me who used to get winded from the slightest movement was gone!

I even tried hopping in place and dropping into a squat just because I could—

“……”

Then I felt it.

The three goddesses staring at me.

I froze.

A second later, my face flared bright red.

‘This is so embarrassing…!’

Overcome with mortification, I plopped down into a crouch. The goddesses burst into laughter at the sight.

“Are you that happy? You must’ve had a hard time with such low stamina.”

“Right? Oh, that reminds me!”

Clotho suddenly clapped her hands—smack!—as if something had just occurred to her.

Then she poked the gray-haired goddess in the side, urging her on about something.

The gray-haired goddess gave a small nod and stepped toward me, her movements smooth as flowing water.

“I’m Lachesis.”

“Ah….”

Just as I was about to respond, she lowered her head and gently pressed her lips to my forehead.

And in that instant—

The moment I obtained the new title, the text that had been hidden behind black squares was revealed.

And the portion that had been concealed by white squares…

‘□□ was… luck?’

My eyes widened.

Then that meant the reason my luck hadn’t been that terrible despite my negative luck stat was—

‘The blessing of the three goddesses has been offsetting my misfortune…!’

At this point, I was certain.

There was no room for doubt.

I was being shamelessly, overwhelmingly favored by these goddesses…!

“Muriel~ It’s been hard, hasn’t it? But don’t worry! We’ll help you with everything!”

“Clotho, don’t squeeze her so tightly. You never know your own strength….”

“…Move aside for a moment, Clotho. I have something to give Muriel as well….”

Of the three, Lachesis seemed to be the calmest.

At her words, Clotho pouted but reluctantly stepped back, still looking reluctant to let go.

With a light flick of Lachesis’s hand, a golden goblet suddenly materialized in midair.

She offered it to me.

“Here… drink.”

“…? Th-thank you….”

I didn’t know what it was, but I accepted it without hesitation.

Inside the golden goblet was a clear crimson liquid.

‘…Wine?’

I lifted it to my nose and sniffed. A faint scent of alcohol drifted up.

But it wasn’t strong enough to make my head spin.

‘Seems like it’s low-proof.’

And beneath it, a subtle floral fragrance.

Sweet and fresh—like acacia blossoms.

Carefully, I tilted the goblet and took a small sip.

“…!”

My eyes flew open.

‘It’s delicious…!’

I’d never tasted alcohol like this in my life.

It was hard to describe exactly—lightly sweet, with a bloom of floral fragrance spreading across my tongue. Hardly any bitterness at all.

I savored the crimson drink slowly, almost reluctant as the goblet gradually emptied.

“Did you finish it…?”

“Yes….”

The moment the last drop disappeared—

“…!”

A message worthy of cheers appeared!

‘Jackpot….’

Tears of emotion welled in my eyes.

I had finally escaped negative luck.

Now my stats weren’t something anyone could sneer at…!

I immediately dropped flat to the floor in front of the three goddesses and bowed deeply.

“Thank you so much…!”

They laughed, clearly amused.

“To be this moved over something so small.”

“So cute~”

“We still have more to give….”

More?

‘This favoritism is insane.’

This time, Lachesis placed her fingertips lightly against the center of my chest.

I tensed, wondering what she intended to do, but stayed still.

A moment later, a heat stirred deep inside me—

And then the updated profile appeared.

‘…Fragment of Time Activated?’

I blinked at the blue window when Lachesis spoke calmly.

“You’ll find it useful one day. Now… it’s time for us to part.”

“Huh? Already? Nooo~ I don’t want to say goodbye!”

“Clotho, please behave like a goddess.”

Still bickering, they each pulled me into an embrace—like a farewell hug.

Clotho held on too long and got scolded by Atropos again.

“Farewell, Muriel. We’ll meet again.”

“Ahh~ This is so sad…. I don’t want to part like this. But we’ll always be watching over you.”

“No matter what trials come your way, don’t forget that we are by your side. This time….”

This time?

Before Lachesis could finish, my vision blurred—

“…!”

And I was back in reality.

It was the same prayer room as before.

But my body—

“Muriel!”

—was limp in Lycian’s arms.

‘Ugh.’

My eyes were open, but no sound came out, and I couldn’t move a single finger.

It seemed to be a temporary aftereffect of my soul leaving my body.

“Muriel, are you conscious? Do you recognize me?”

Lycian looked on the verge of losing his mind. I was flustered too, but I tried to communicate at least with my lips.

‘I’m okay.’

Thankfully, my mouth still moved. I quickly added more.

‘I met the three goddesses. Nothing bad happened. It’s all fine, really.’

Whether he understood or not, Lycian let out a long breath of relief.

“You suddenly collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut… I was terrified. I thought I was going insane.”

‘Sorry for worrying you.’

A faint smile touched his lips.

“There’s nothing to apologize for. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

‘Mm…. Nothing happened while I was out, right? What about the High Priest?’

As I slowly formed the words, he lifted me in his arms and stood.

Then he turned so I could see the doorway of the prayer room.

The High Priest stood near the entrance, motionless.

When our eyes met, he smiled gently.

“You must be certain now, Lady Muriel. Of who you are.”

I simply nodded.

It was a bit embarrassing to admit it myself, but I truly was—

‘A ridiculously overpowered unit infinitely favored by the three goddesses of Parakai!’

Lachesis, Clotho, Atropos.

Each one the embodiment of time, life, and fate.

Three, yet one.

I had no way of knowing the full extent of their power, but it was clearly close to omnipotence.

‘No wonder the system attached to me is so absurdly powerful….’

…But one question remained.

Were the three goddesses and the ‘System Administrator’ the same being?

Or separate existences…?

…This system really is suspicious.

---

“Then please, take care on your way.”

The High Priest saw us off as we left the temple.

As he bowed politely, I offered my own formal farewell.

“Thank you so much for explaining everything. I’ll come again if I get the chance.”

“There is no need for the Saintess to thank me. I merely fulfilled my duty.”

He was respectful to the very end.

…No, it was more than that.

He was reverent.

‘This is a bit much….’

On the carriage ride back to the Imperial Palace, I gazed out the window and replayed our conversation in my head.

‘You need only act according to your will, Saintess. Your will is no different from the will of the gods.’

I’d expected him to try to use me as a Saintess to expand the church’s influence.

But that wasn’t the case.

Had I judged them too harshly?

‘Turns out the Parakai Church is a truly devout religion.’

I also learned a little about the Purifier from a thousand years ago.

‘A thousand years ago… the Purifier’s sacrifice to save the world greatly shaped the doctrine and traditions of our Parakai Church.’

His voice had been solemn as he said it.

‘To ensure we never fall into corruption again, we devote ourselves wholly to spiritual discipline and practice strict asceticism.’

‘Corruption…?’

That was news to me.

Was this the dark history of the Parakai Church, long forgotten by the world?

The High Priest had continued with a bitter expression.

‘How could we hide it from the Saintess? The grave mistake of the Parakai Church—now forgotten by the world. …A thousand years ago, we aligned ourselves with political power and sought worldly wealth and glory. As a result… the Purifier was not properly protected.’

‘You mean….’

‘We bear undeniable responsibility for the death of the Purifier a thousand years ago. It is an original sin that even a millennium cannot wash away.’

Original sin….

Was that why he’d struck his head against the floor ten times upon seeing me? As penance?

‘Because I’m a Purifier too.’

Not long after, the carriage arrived at the Imperial Palace.

I was tired in many ways, but I didn’t feel exhausted.

Probably thanks to my massive stamina increase!

‘Wahaha! I’m rich in stamina now!’

I jumped down from the carriage and threw both arms high in the air in triumph—

—and felt someone approaching at a leisurely pace.

Still holding my arms up, I locked eyes with the person who had just arrived.

“……”

“……”

Of all people, it was His Majesty the Emperor…!

‘Aaaah!’

Mortified, I hurriedly lowered my arms and tried to compose myself.

Beside me, Lycian was openly snickering.

Don’t laugh….

The Emperor, a faint smile playing on his lips, stepped closer.

“It’s good to see you so full of energy. As it happens, there’s somewhere I’d like you to go with me.”

His unexpected words made my eyes widen.

“Y-Your Majesty…? W-with me?”

I stammered, and he smiled.

“Yes. Didn’t you ask me before? To arrange a meeting with the Time Dragon. Today, at last, that one has given us a response.”