Your God

Okay! Let's do this!

Is that a golem? Is it about to attack that child?

Think so. This looks dangerous.

Oh dear. Why isn't the girl running away?

No time to think. We must go...

No! We won't make it in time!

Aaargh!

Huh? What was that?

Now is our chance.

Phew! We did it.

Are you okay?

......

Maybe she's scared speechless? You're safe now, okay?

I'm so sorry! Did anybody get hurt?

Huh? Oh, no, I don't think so.

I'm from the Artificers Guild. We're the ones who construct these golems. I'm so sorry, but there appears to be some kind of error with the command incantation on this one.

It shot out the palace unexpectedly and caused me a whole world of panic! Thank you for stopping it.

A troublemaker indeed, that golem.

Prai! Are you okay? You took quite the walloping there.

Oh, Brother Aldo. You have no need to worry about me.

A troublemaker indeed, that golem.

Hey, I know you! Are you okay? You took quite the walloping there.

Why, people say I'm as hot-blooded as Salamander. It takes more than a little shove to hurt me.

I would be a poor priest if I were so easily defeated.

I don't know, it didn't look like being a priest had much to do with it. It absolutely charged at you and sent you flying all the way over there!

Sometimes, a priest must be a shield to the people. For that, I would willingly be sent flying by such monsters three, nay, four times!

That sounds like a lot...

Heh.

Huh? What is it, Sesta?

Not sure. Stomach trembles, mouth slackens. What is this phenomenon?

Another one of these things? You mentioned your stomach. Are you feeling unwell?

You're in poor health? Why, we must heal you with the burning passion of an inferno!

That doesn't sound very healing...

......

You people are weird.

Anyway, now's not the time for this!

Are you feeling better now? Come to think of it, why didn't you run away from that golem? That was very dangerous, you know.

Well, obviously!

If I defeated the golem, think how amazing I'd be!

What?! That's insanely reckless! They're a tough opponent even for adults!

Yeah, I got that. Soon as I was actually face-to-face with one, I was so scared I couldn't move. Golems are a no-go. Noted. I'll have to try something else.

Something else? I cannot stand back and allow you to throw yourself into more danger, my child.

Oh, shut up, old man!

O-Old man?! I'm still in my twenties!

......

I wanna be amazing! There's no real reason for this feeling, I just can't hold it back! That's it, I'm going to Acteul!

She's gone! I have a feeling this isn't going to end well. We should follow her.

Agreed. It is a priest's solemn duty to prevent the seeds of danger from sprouting.

I guess we're heading to Acteul then. Are you up for it, Sesta?

Huh? Oh. We stop Girl, yes?

We can't risk her running into another monster. We have to stop her from doing anything dangerous.

Yes. Will not let her get hurt...

Huh?

Nothing. Danger is bad. Let's go.

Aha! There she is!

Rumor has it there's treasure at the bottom of the water.

I'm going in!

Wha?! She didn't even hesitate!

Save Girl!

I shall not hesitate!

Wait, you two! What if you drown? How are you going to save her then?

*huff* *puff*

A successful rescue.

If I hadn't pulled you up from the surface, you all would have drowned. I know I tend to act without thinking, but you two really take it to the next level!

And Sesta, I thought you were the quiet, sedate type, but you're actually pretty reckless. Like when you fought off those monsters in Arat all by yourself, without even saying a word.

Sesta will not hold back emotions. Sesta was given life through impulses.

If we stand by and do nothing when someone needs our help, how are we ever to face our god?

Sure, but there are limits...

......

Sesta? What is it?

Man said god. Man has a god too?

Certainly, I do. I am a priest. My faith defines my life.

Sesta heard desperate cries of god. Sesta was given life to save her god.

Save...god?!

Hm. That really makes one think. Perhaps the church could have done with such a way of thinking. Of course, we no longer selfishly seek salvation from god these days. Yet to meet someone with such a mindset in another land...

What an incredible idea. Our faith teaches us that god will bring us salvation. But other lands will have other beliefs. Such an utterance would be branded heresy by our church.

Huh? Sesta's god gave life. Gave Sesta a purpose. That is all.

Perhaps you mean something different by "god" then.

(First they nearly jump to their deaths, now they're talking theology? They really take things to extremes.)

*splutter* Phew, that was a close one!

I'm glad you're all right.

Sorry for making you save me again.

That was incredibly dangerous! Please tell me you've learned your lesson, and you'll stop with this stupid...

I can't! I can't stop until I'm amazing!

You're still on that?

Why would you go to such lengths to achieve it? Is there something else going on here?

Nope! Just, the feeling keeps growing and growing. I've gotta be able to see myself as amazing!

Okay, I'm gonna see what I can find in Ratle!

Hey, wait!

Such energy! Girl has fangs of a beast.

This is the first time I've ever seen anything like this in a child so young. We must follow her before she finds herself in any more danger.

Hey, you two!

Somehow, I'm the most relaxed of the three of us. That never happens. Okay, she said she was going to Ratle. I guess that's where we're heading.

Strange. Sesta's cannot see Girl anywhere. Girl definitely said she came to this village. Must search harder.

I would have thought a child like her would have been easy to find. Still, there are many places yet to search. I shall not give up this easily!

Okay. Thanks!

*huff* Any luck on your end?

Searched everywhere, but cannot find.

You two!

Brother Aldo! It looks as though the girl is not in this village.

Yes, I heard from the villager. Apparently, she left the village.

You...ask people? Why did Sesta not think of that?

I mean, it's a pretty standard method...

Anyway, he said she was heading toward Nadara Volcano.

The volcano?

She asked him if there were any local legends. He told her about the gem said to be in Nadara Volcano. There's a rumor that a monster once swallowed lava, and now it glows inside its belly. He didn't think that she would actually try to get it herself.

But she ran off as soon as he told her about it.

The girl is in real danger. We must hurry.

Right. We need to find her before she gets hurt. And we need to persuade her to stop doing all these dangerous things.

......

What's wrong, Sesta? If we don't head there quick, she'll...

Sesta understands we have to stop Girl before she gets hurt. But...must we stop Girl from running also?

Huh?

Girl runs for her god. Sesta sees this.

The girl also has a god? She didn't mention anything like that...

Sesta can tell. It is the same.

Sesta jumps into any danger for Sesta's god, for Sesta's purpose.

Okay, but it's not the same. You're strong, Sesta. You can handle yourself.

Only the strong can run for their god? No different from being dead.

For Sesta, to live is to run on the impulse that wells inside.

Look, we don't have the time to be standing around here, talking. We've got to stop her before she gets herself in danger. Surely you don't object to that, Sesta? We can decide on the rest later.

Sesta agrees. Sorry for interrupting.

Don't be sorry. You have passion in your convictions. That much is abundantly clear. I do hope we're not to late. We must run!

The monsty with the jewel's gotta be around here somewhere! Gah! I'm boiling here! I never knew volcanoes were so hot! I've never been in one before...

Ugh... I'm all dizzy. But I gotta keep going! ......

I don't know anything. I just have this feeling. This uncontrollable desire to be amazing. I wanted to be special. Different from everyone else. But I'm no good at hunting. Or sewing. I can't get rid of this feeling. I can't help myself. I've got no choice but to run. To keep running and running until I find something.

Aha! That's gotta be the monster! There's a jewel in its belly, I just know it! Still...

I just realized something. How am I s'posed to get it? Or make it home alive, for that matter...

Eep! Everyone was right, I really shouldn't have been so reckless. I'd rather achieve nothing at all than die here...

There she is!

Y-You again? You came here for me?

Of course we did. Whatever the reason, we cannot leave a life in peril!

Get back. We can handle this. Sesta has feelings well inside her also. You are like me. Seeing Girl makes heat rise in chest. Makes Sesta want to reach out to you.

Nice roar. Now Sesta will show you.

Which one of us is the true beast. Who has stronger impulses.

What is that?

What?

It's the jewel!

It looks like it's about to drop.

I have to get it!

NO!

Aahhh!

Huh?

S-Sesta!

Hahah... Too much energy is not a good thing.

Sesta! Are you okay?

Sesta can manage. Body is not human like yours. Sesta can mend it. But it may take time. Sesta will rest. Will be better soon.

Oh yeah, I forgot you could heal yourself. Still, you really shouldn't be so reckless!

Y-You can do that?! Is that why you've been so reckless? Still, did you have to scare me like that?

Sesta did not jump in because of ability to heal self. Sesta simply followed feelings. That is all.

At least everybody's safe, right?

Yes, that should be the last of it.

I may have once taken scorching heat upon my body to bring myself to the verge of death...

Yet I was unaware anyone could endure such heat! You are unbeatable!

Oh yeah, I remember that. Please don't turn this into a competition...

I never imagined anyone could jump into the lava and make it out alive! People say I am as hot-blooded as Salamander. Perhaps I should try it!

I really don't think that's a good idea!

Okay, we should probably head back. It's still dangerous out here, so we'll escort you home.

Just tell me you're not planning to head to any more dangerous places.

Yeah, yeah.

When I saw those two get in all that danger just for me, I kinda realized how worried they were about me.

So you've learned something, maybe?

Where do you live?

Acteul.

Then that's where we go.

Indeed. Your family must be worried sick about you.

There you are! I've been looking all over for you! Are you three responsible for bringing her home? Thank you so much!

I take it you're the girl's mother?

Yes. She's always running off who- knows-where. As a single mother, it's impossible to keep an eye on her all the time.

Well you don't need to worry about us.

Honestly, what AM I to do with you? You're always worrying me so! I'm glad that you have such energy, but please stop going to these dangerous places!

I'm sorry.

And stay where I can see you. From now on, no wandering off on your own.

Wait.

Sesta?

Not sure how to say this, but...

Do not hold Girl back.

But...

Girl runs for own reasons, no?

Yeah. I wanna be amazing. I can't get rid of that feeling. Don't think I ever will.

Yes. Girl has her own purpose. Girl has a reason to live. Girl has intense feelings that drive body to act as it does.

That is your god.

God?

Being given purpose is the same as being given life. That is what Sesta thinks. Not expressed well, but Sesta thinks Girl should cherish that feeling.

It is Girl's guiding light. If not god, what else?

My, what a novel interpretation.

Here. Girl should take this.

Is that the jewel from the monster? You actually found it when you plunged into the lava?

Take it.

It's nice of you and all, but...nope. Don't need it.

I wanted a jewel I got myself. If I'm not the one who found it, then I didn't prove anything.

Sesta thought Girl would say so. Because Girl has own god.

Sesta, you really understand her feelings. Still, I don't think you should be encouraging her to do these dangerous things.

Yeah, about that. Today, I think I realized. If I die, then it's all for nothing. I need to find something amazing I can actually do.

Okay, I understand. I won't ban you from going out.

Sesta is glad Woman understands.

Yay. This is the first time anybody's ever had my back before!

Thanks, miss! You're like the big sister I never had!

Sister?

Sorry. Sesta already has sister.

Um, that doesn't mean you can't... Oh, never mind.

That word gives a tickling feeling. Like a fluttering in heart, but in nice way.

That sounds like happiness.

All right! Now that that's decided, I'm off to find something amazing that's not gonna get me killed!

Already? Don't you ever rest?

This feeling won't go away! I've gotta follow my god! 'Kay, I have to do some research! Anyone know anything?

Wait! You mustn't rush in...

Aaargh!

Prai!

Huh?

Um... I'll follow my daughter. You can handle this.

Okay, we're on it!

Heheh... What is this? When Sesta sees priest, a strange phenomenon occurs in body. Stomach trembles, mouth twitches. What is this?

Honestly! Where DID Prai get to?

He ran off saying some child was in danger, but he never came back again... How could he leave me all on my own? Subordinates aren't meant to do that!

Hey, do you happen to know a stuffy, nuisance musclehead called Prai?

Oh? You are with him? Yes, he is in water. Friend is helping him now.

What DOES he think he's doing?!

Girl. Can Sesta ask you something?

Tell me. When Sesta sees Prai, body trembles and face goes different. What is this?

What? Um...you're laughing. How can you not know what laughing is? That's kinda funny in itself!

This...is laughing? Sesta knew that word, but it is a strange feeling to actually experience.

Thank you, kind human.

No problemo! I am Thillelille, the reincarnation of the Sword-wielding Savior! Basically...

I'm pretty much god!

What?

Okay, now if Prai's in the water... is that him there? PRAI! What are you doing?

......

Must be many gods in this world.