Clearing an Isekai with the Zero-Believers Goddess

On the morning of the fourth day since the declaration of war from the Holy Principality of Lendia against the Kingdom of Golda…an anomaly began at the most heavily damaged frontlines.

The Golda side had begun to retreat, leaving behind only a small force.

Of course, the Lendia side would not overlook this. They immediately crossed the border and shifted their camp into Golda territory. From there, they launched a pursuit battle against the retreating Golda army.

However, that pursuit battle developed in an entirely unforeseen way, and in doing so, pushed the situation all the way to the war’s conclusion.

On the eighth day since the declaration of war, the Lendia army arrived at the royal capital of Golda. What awaited them there was a request for surrender by the current commander of the Golda army.

The Lendia side understood the reason for this surrender even before it was explained.

—In a hell like this, there’s no way they’d have the leeway to wage war.

The capital was blanketed in a stench of rot. Outside its walls, heaps of corpses were continuously being thrown into flames. Inside the city, the massive bloodstains left behind had begun to fester, attracting monsters to appear in the capital’s surroundings.

Never in their wildest imagination did the Lendia side expect that the enemy’s capital would fall into such a state.

And so, on the tenth day after the declaration of war, the defeat of the Kingdom of Golda was formally and widely reported. This came alongside news that the former King of Golda had been secured and was being transported to Lendia. On the surface, the nation of Lendia celebrated their great feat of victory in only ten days. Naturally…she too was looking forward to it, thinking, ‘If the war is over, then Shilent will come back.’

—————-

“It took longer than I thought, didn’t it?”

Several days had passed since I began staying in Lindblum. I watched the victorious atmosphere spreading throughout the city with a somewhat detached gaze, all while indulging every day in the cheap “commemorative menus” being offered.

What a fine world this is. The variety of flavored teas is impressive. The candies that come with them change their taste in subtle ways each time I suck them. Truly a blissful moment.

Sipping tea at a café on Traveler’s Inn Street, I addressed the waitress.

“Excuse me, miss. Do you have a moment?” (Still)

“Y-Yes! What is it…?”

“Well, lately it’s become my routine to drink tea out here on the terrace, but today, I couldn’t help but notice how many patrol knights are about. I wonder, has something happened?” (Still)

I asked the waitress, who had by now become a familiar face.

“Um, from what I heard, the war’s over, and they’re transporting people from the enemy country… I only know because a soldier mentioned it, so I don’t know the details.”

“Oh-hoh, is that so. Thank you for telling me.” (Still)

At last. Today marks fifteen days since the declaration of war. Finally, those fools have been brought here.

Which means…my brief vacation ends here.

I spoke to the staff and regulars who had grown familiar with me.

“Well then, I’ve had a truly delightful time these past few days. But now, I believe I’ll head on to the next town. Everyone, thank you so much for occasionally indulging me in conversation. I pray that the coming year awaiting you all will be a good one from the bottom of my heart.” (Still)

Let me pay my respects. To the madam who shared with me stories of the upper class. To the receptionist who told me about the incident at the guild. To the schoolgirl who spoke of what was happening inside the academy. And to this waitress, who always served me wonderful flavored tea.

“I’ll be looking forward to the day we meet again somewhere.” (Still)

With the sound of voices behind me…an unusual kind of voice, one of genuine regret…I walked toward the north gate.

To welcome them. And…to stand witness together.

—————-

While I enjoyed my second afternoon tea of the day at a cafe overlooking the north gate, I saw them… A line of large carriages surrounded by many knights entering the city.

I spotted a familiar face at the head of that column.

After paying for my tea, I called out to the procession as though greeting an old friend.

“Well, well! It’s been a while…Lemia-san.” (Still)

Leading that group was indeed Lemia.

The woman who once broke and fell to her knees in the night was now fulfilling Shilent’s wish, escorting the hostages.

Exactly as expected.

“Y-You’re…!” (Lemia)

“Ah, come to think of it, I never introduced myself. My name is Still. A humble preacher and priest, body and soul devoted to a very, very small religion.” (Still)

“Still…you say?” (Lemia)

“Oh? You recognize the name? Perhaps you encountered something at the field hospital?” (Still)

I was certain they would pass through there. I hoped they would hear my name and description, and start to suspect.

“Heading to the Queen, perhaps? With those ‘prisoners’ in tow? I’d very much like to accompany you. What do you say?” (Still)

“Don’t be absurd. There’s no way I can allow that.” (Lemia)

“Are you sure? I could explain in detail the situation of that place, the cause of this war, and the forces moving behind the scenes. In fact, I may be the only one there capable of supplementing the words of that broken king.” (Still)

“…So you were there after all…” (Lemia)

“Indeed, I was in the audience chamber. What will you do? Bringing me along is surely risky. But…I am a benevolent healer, after all.” (Still)

It’s true. I haven’t killed a single one of the soldiers involved in this war.

The only person I killed was one of the summoned heroes from another world… A young man likely used as some sort of experiment by the mastermind. And that was, at the same time…

“To add to that… It was I who killed the one who killed Shilent. You could say I avenged him. So then, what do you think? Surely you can’t afford not to bring me along?” (Still)

“…Permission granted. You are… a meritorious contributor to this war, second only to Shilent-sama himself…” (Lemia)

“Exactly! I captured the Golda leadership, and…crushed their symbol of power, breaking the will of their people. My, my, how delightful this is, to be granted audience with the Queen of the victorious nation!” (Still)

“…Be silent. Your words…are poison.” (Lemia)

“Oh? Then I’ll just content myself with a candy.” (Still)

And yet, that carriage surely carried many already poisoned by me. Even now, they must be raging inside just from hearing my voice, shaking the coach as though something indecent were happening within. Google seaʀᴄh nοvelfire.net

Thus, I joined them, and so this grotesque little caravan was formed.

Headed for the capital of the victorious nation, carrying within it the former king of the defeated…

—————-

As we passed through the south gate and onto the forest road, Lemia suddenly gave orders, halting the group.

“My, my? Stopping here in the woods… Has something happened?” (Still)

“…We’re about to pick up two more individuals deeply involved in this affair. I can’t take my eyes off you. You’ll come along.” (Lemia)

“Oh-hoh? Very well, let’s go together, shall we?” (Still)

…Convenient indeed. Very convenient for me.

Two birds with one stone. I would witness the spectacle I longed to see, upon the best possible stage.

So let us proceed, down this very familiar forest path. To meet that dear little fox, faithful, foolish, clever…and waiting all this time for My Lord.

—————-

A house in the woods. Small…no, not that small.

In the corner of its garden, a beautiful waterside feature had somehow been crafted, like a piece of a nature park.

Lemia glanced at it for just a moment, then knocked on the door.

‘Yes? Who is it?’

“Melt-sama. My name is Lemia, a guild warrior who once joined you on a subjugation mission.” (Lemia)

‘Ah, I remember! I’ll open up now!’

A bright, cheerful voice rang from behind the door.

Hearing that, Lemia’s face twisted in grief.

Of course. This girl is believed to be Shilent’s friend.

“Hello! What brings you here today?” (Melt)

“Well… I have important business with Seimu-san, is he home?” (Lemia)

“Ah, hmm… I don’t think Seimu will be back for a while? The war’s over, right? Then I think he’ll come back before long…” (Melt)

“…I see. In that case, Melt-san…since you too are deeply tied to the Brigade, I’d like you to attend in his place. Do you have time now?” (Lemia)

“Eh? Me? Where are we going?” (Melt)

The girl tilted her head with a puzzled, innocent expression.

Watching her, I felt a strange sensation. Excitement, dread, something beyond words welled up inside me.

“To the royal castle, little fox. From here, we’re going to the royal castle together.” (Still)

“Mumuh, I’m not a little fox! I’m grown up now, I can even drink alcohol!” (Melt)

“Oh, forgive me… A pleasure to meet you, then, Lady Grown-up Fox.” (Still)

“Muu! My name’s Melt, don’t call me something weird like Grown-up Fox!” (Melt)

“Fufufu, a pleasure to meet you, Melt-san. Please, call me… Still-oniisan.” (Still)

“Still…-oniisan? Ah, you actually look a little like someone I know! But you’re younger!” (Melt)

No doubt, the acquaintance she meant was Hash.

Well, resemblance is inevitable… It’s My Lord’s sense at work, so I’ll say no more.

—————-

“What a big group. Where did everyone come from?” (Melt)

“Me? I was in Lindblum recently, spending my days with tea.” (Still)

“Wow! That’s so elegant! Did everyone come from Lindblum?” (Melt)

“Oh no, these carriages, and Lemia-san, they all came from Golda.” (Still)

“Eh? Then…everyone’s back! Lemia-san, did Shilent come back too!?” (Melt)

“That… That is…” (Lemia)

“Not yet? Maybe he’s taking a detour?” (Melt)

I watched Lemia’s face fall deeper into despair.

This girl’s innocent words would soon be met with cruel truth. That future tore away the iron mask of a soldier fulfilling her duty, exposing the anguish beneath.

“Hmm? Still, what have you been sucking on this whole time?” (Melt)

“Oh, you noticed? Here, I’ll share one with you, Melt-san.” (Still)

“Oh, candy. Mm…” (Melt)

There’s a saying…“the carrot and the stick.”

I must first give her the carrot, if she is to withstand the stick soon to strike.

My eyes fixed on the royal castle drawing near as I listened to the faint clatter of candy rolling in her mouth.

“It’s delicious! Really delicious! I can tell it’s not made with ordinary sugar!” (Melt)

“Oh? You can tell? This candy is made by refining sap from a consecrated tree. Very rare, indeed.” (Still)

“Wow! Something that rare…thank you! I’ll savor it!” (Melt)

…Yes, she understands.

That it mustn’t be bitten. I’ll commend her for that.

And so, when we arrived at the castle, all but one carriage went elsewhere within the grounds.

Likely to dungeons, or some equivalent facility.

Which means…the only carriage left contained…

“Unload him.”

“Yes!”

The one carried off the carriage and onto a cart was the King of Golda, whose limbs I had crippled.

His royal garments were gone, replaced with shabby prisoner’s garb.

“Now then, this must be inconvenient, isn’t it, King of Golda? Surely you remember me?” (Still)

“Hyah! Hyaaaaaaahhhh!! Somebody, somebody help me!!!”

“Silence.” (Still)

The moment I spoke, his vacant expression twisted into terror, and he let out a pitiful cry.

I immediately drove a strike imbued with [Holy Evil Reversal] into his limbs.

“Guah!”

“See? Surely it’s too soon to forget how to walk. Stand, and walk on your own.” (Still)

“O…oh…! My arms and legs… They move!”

Joy filled him for a fleeting moment, as if he had forgotten that this was the heart of enemy territory, where his judgment awaited. He relished the simple act of standing on his own feet.

“…So it was you who crippled the hostages’ limbs.” (Lemia)

“Eh… King of Golda…?” (Melt)

Ignoring Lemia and Melt’s murmurs, I walked on with my guides.

An audience with the Queen. There, I would reveal the truth of this war, and the malice swirling within.

Thus began my final performance…sowing seeds of malice and despair in the audience chamber.

—————-

(´・ス・｀) Shilent’s dead.

(´；メ；｀) Bwaaahh!

(´＾ス＾｀) Nichaah~

Support my translations or commission me to translate a chapter of any series on Patreon!