The World I Was Supporting Was Real - Chapter 52



52. A Plate of Chicken

An outrageous quantity of chicken!

And what’s more, raw chicken that’s all been prepped – plucked and gutted, ready to go.

It could be a truly grotesque sight, in a certain light – but Erin, a woman connected to the divine, could feel it instinctively.

What lay before her was, in essence, the plain flesh of god— no, plain, unadulterated fact!

“Oh, Iguogideon-nim…!”

Building the temple and offering prayers was just something she had to do, as a saint.

She had never dared to hope that the god would bestow such a plain fact upon her.

To provide such daily sustenance, like this, again— is love.

There was no way to explain it other than as a measure of God’s immeasurable love for his creation.

Erin immediately knelt before the mountainous pile of chicken.

The priests who’d followed, seeing the saint kneel, naturally followed suit, dropping to their knees all at once.

Dressed in the Guo-don religious garb, kneeling before a mountain of raw chickens… it was, to say the least, an undeniably avant-garde scene.

After a long while of giving thanks in prayer.

Erin slowly rose, and announced to the kneeling priests.

“Everyone. This is the sustenance Lord Iggu-gu-don has granted us.”

“A word from the divine…?”

“Yes. So, there’s no need to be startled at all.”

At Saint Erin’s words, the priests, one by one, spoke while offering prayers.

“Food emerging from nothing, this is truly Lord Iggu-gu-don’s miracle…!”

“Guo-men…”

After the sound of prayer filled the temple.

Cecilia cautiously approached Erin and asked.

“What will you do? There’s enough here to feed everyone in the church and still have leftovers… should we make some preserves?”

“That wouldn’t be bad, but since this miracle has come down, shouldn’t we share it with everyone?”

In Erin’s mind, the bleak past before acknowledging Lord Iggu-gu-don surfaced.

That moment of being so ravenously hungry, yet having nothing to eat. Even the countless, heartbreaking injustices endured for a single piece of bread… words couldn’t even begin to describe it.

To have no food was to have no way to keep the flame of life burning.

A human on the verge of death was an entirely different being than one who didn’t fear death. Their mannerisms, their way of thinking, all of it changed.

Without the act of eating, a human was merely a creature, unable to become noble, unable to become great, unable to enact the simplest, raw facts—she knew this all too well from past experience, didn’t she?

Even if this were only a single, miraculous moment that could never last—

“It’s the day after building the temple. So at least, if everyone we meet today could have a plate of chicken, without worrying about their next meal…”

—If only for one day, if everyone within reach could eat their fill.

“I think that in itself would be enacting a simple, raw fact.”

“I see.”

Cecilia lowered her head, showing Erin her respect.

“As expected of a Saint… To decide without hesitation to give to everyone, it is something I must learn.”

“You mustn’t forget it is Lady Igugwadeon’s raw fact, not mine, sister.”

“Of course. I will petition the Pope right away.”

* * *

After clearing away the mountain of raw chickens, an enormous pile of chicken meat was left.

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An overwhelming amount, far more than I’d first thought, enough to fill a whole lot of bellies!

Well, there was no harm in having a lot. We could share the food with more people, after all.

“Brothers, sisters, are there any among you willing to donate your talents to spread the word of Lord Iguoguo’s straightforward truths?”

“I’d like to help, if I may.”

“Before dedicating myself to the divine, I helped my parents with their restaurant, so I have kitchen experience!”

—Recruit from among the church priests those with cooking experience or knowledge to act as cooks.

“Brother, this long, wide stone slab over in the corner…?”

“That’s the monument inscribed with the religious experiences of Apostle Liza, the holy relic ‘Liza’s Enlightenment’. A relic, yes, but an old, outdated thing that should be disposed of anyway… I suppose the brothers have been too busy to deal with it. If you wait a moment, I’ll grab a hammer and we can be rid of it right away-“

“No, not that… If it’s not needed, how about using it as an outdoor table, what do you think?”

“Ooh! That’s a truly brilliant idea. It’s a useless thing anyway, and if it can be used to spread straightforward truths, what could be better?

—Including the tables, they managed to create a reasonable area in front of the church to hand out the chicken dishes.

As a result of all the religious people working quickly together in one mind, they were able to finish preparing to distribute the food before lunch.

“And the carts for the relief expedition?”

“Three are ready to go.”

“Right. Then… from now, we’ll officially start handing out the food! There’s a whole lot of chicken, so it might take a while, but everyone, hang in there!”

With Erin’s rallying cry, the distribution of ‘a plate of simple chicken’ began in earnest.

“Come and get a plate each.”

“There’s plenty! You can bring your whole family out too!”

Free food, and meat at that, something not easily come by!

Even if chicken was more common than beef or pork, who’d be picky when it was being given away for free?

It didn’t take long for people wandering the capital to gather in a cloud before the cathedral.

“Oh my, thank you so much, Sister.”

“Are you really sure it’s okay for us to eat this?”

At first, people seemed bewildered by the sudden handout, some wondering if something was going on, but—

Who would refuse a free plate of roast chicken?

“Of course. Enjoy.”

“May the simple facts be with you, Teacher….”

I thought we’d cooked enough—

But already, we were hitting the bottom, and naturally, a line was forming.

“Is the food ready yet?”

“Okay, please just wait a moment! I’ll have it ready soon.”

It was a simple recipe, just heating chicken over a fire or putting it in the oven to bake –

But there were far too many ingredients for the number of people cooking, and even more people had come running to eat.

“Mom, I’m hungry. Is it still going to take a long time?”

“Just be patient. And don’t say things like that out loud. Everyone is working so hard. Okay?”

“Hmph.”

A child’s innocent voice from the line of people reached Erin’s ears.

Honestly, since it was free distribution, they could make them wait a little, but – even so, Erin couldn’t shake the boy’s words about being hungry.

‘Instead of trying so hard to make it for lunch, should I have prepared more food ahead of time…?’

Now that it was like this, maybe it would be best to lend even her inadequate hands to the cooking, she thought, just as –

“Excuse me, are you Saint Erin?”

A man in armor approached Erin and asked.

“Yes, I am. However, if you’re here for chicken, you should line up over there instead of asking me—”

“No. I’m not here to receive food.”

The man bowed deeply, a full ninety degrees—

“By His Majesty’s command, I’ve brought the Imperial kitchen’s cooks.”

“His Majesty… Lady Eirene, you mean?”

“Yes. Upon hearing of the cathedral’s plans, she said that there would be need for those who know how to cook.”

Looking behind the man, there were indeed burly men in chef’s uniforms…a staggering sixty of them, lined up in formation.

Considering the number of priests currently cooking was around twelve, this was five times the number of people who’d come to help!

“She also sends her regards, wishing the facts remain pure and unblemished, for Lady Erin’s good work, and for all.”

“Thank you…! I’ll be sure to visit His Majesty and offer my thanks in person!”

“I’ll convey that. Then.”

After the man turned away—

The sixty cooks immediately joined the group.

Were they ever professional cooks.

It was generously called roast chicken, but the standard fare of simply salt-seasoned chicken baked with heat, diversified in an instant.

There were chicken dishes with special sauces, and some with precious spices as accents.

A pot of tomato stew, with chicken and tomatoes simmered together, also successfully found its place on the side.

The people’s reactions— predictably, they were explosive.

Just giving away free meat was a huge deal, but to be able to eat food touched by the hands of a royal chef?

“Thank you so much…! I’ve never had food this delicious before!”

“Long live Igweogwodun-nim!”

“If you believe in God, can you eat chicken every single day?”

“Those Gwodeon believers really do a lot of good work these days.”

The relief team, loaded with food on a total of three carts, dispatched a little farther out, were also carrying out their mission smoothly.

“Luka-unni! You’re here! Did you come to visit?”

“Noona, what’s that cart behind you?”

“Today, noona’s going to give out something delicious. Can you call everyone in the village?”

—Luka, having gone to the orphanage in her hometown, distributed chicken to the villagers who had suffered from the bandits’ attack.

“There’s still plenty, so you can take another plate if you want.”

“Oh my, thank you.”

*Hop! Hop!*

“Hmm? Are you asking for a whole one? Here, take it.”

*Horo-rob-*

The thing above, it chewed, a whole chicken crammed into its mouth, then –

*Tuh*, with a sound, it spat out the bones.

“Igogodon! Igogodon!”

—Ophelia, of her own volition, sought out the places where the plague’s effects hadn’t fully faded, and devoted herself to relief efforts, including food distribution.

The bandit gangs were ultimately a product of the plague, and so her decision was to focus her attention here.

And—

“Thank you, Holy Knight…”

“May the grace of God be with you, we will never forget this. May the plain facts be with you…”

“Please travel safely.”

Linea, for her part, was dedicating her time to volunteer work in the ravaged county, once exploited by the excessive taxes of a now-deposed feudal lord.

Come to think of it, she couldn’t quite recall the name of that feudal lord.

It was four letters, she thought… Ah, well, he’s resigned now, no need to bother remembering.

Though she didn’t believe in any gods, seeing the smiles bloom on the faces of those accepting the food wasn’t such a bad thing, she figured.

And so, another day passed.

As the sun dipped low, threatening to vanish, we finally managed to give out all the chicken we’d piled up.

“You’ve all worked so hard…! Alright, shall we eat too?”

“”Waaa!!!””

The distribution was over.

What awaited the priest back at the cathedral was a feast of chicken dishes, prepared by a royal cook.

Everyone who had toiled all day watching others eat got to enjoy a little over one whole bird each, plenty to go around.

Literally— just by offering a prayer, everyone within reach of Saint Erin’s hand was able to eat a plate of chicken.

That night.

After bathing, Erin returned to her room in a sheer negligee, and with a pure heart offered a prayer to God.

‘Oh, Iggogodeon. Thank you so much for sending food to share, not just to me, but to so many people.’

I, I remember.

The glass of water you gave me, Iggogodeon.

The one piece of bread you gave me.

That water and bread you gave saved me back then.

So, if the chicken we shared today saved someone else who was in trouble like I was—

‘It’s all, not because I’m great, but because of the love of Lord Iggwugwudun… I will absolutely never forget that.’

Erin prayed like that, late into the night.

Feeling the hot love of God, sinking deep into her stomach… closing her eyes, clasping her hands, toward her one and only Lord.

* * *

And the next day.

“……Huh?”

The temple, where they had come after hearing the news, had just as many raw chickens piled up as yesterday.

She had clearly given them all away yesterday, not leaving a single one… as if nothing had happened, the same amount!

“Um, Saintess. This is……?”

Erin paused for a moment, but soon closed her eyes and began to pray.

Lord Iggwugwudun’s love has not ended yet!

“It’s the same. This is the love of Lord Iggwugwudun for us, the plain facts He bestows…!”

“Then, shall we begin relief efforts again today…?”

She considered it-

But, it was a tremendous amount of labor, and this entire situation was ultimately a temporary miracle of God, so she decided that continuing relief efforts was not a good idea and Erin shook her head.

“Today, let’s make preserved food for those studying the will of God, and distribute it to cathedrals in various places.”

“Yes, I understand!”

If we send food not only to this place, the Iguogwodun Cathedral, but also to cathedrals all over the continent, it will surely help the monks practicing there understand Iguogwodun’s plain facts.

It was a decision filled with Erin’s deep desire to return the love given by Iguogwodun, to Iguogwodun himself.

And so, today was spent making preserved food using chicken.

* * *

And the next day.

“Um… Holy Maiden. There’s more… again?”

Even though we clearly used it all to make preserved food, Erin, looking at the mountain of chicken that had piled up like a lie, said while maintaining as much composure as possible.

“Th-there’s no need to panic. This too is a fragment of Iguogwodun’s never-ending love. This time… let’s provide support to the royal family. We did receive some help after all.”

“Understood!”

All of today’s chicken was sent to the royal family.

News came that the entire Royal Knights had a banquet with chicken.

In that way, we continued to use up chicken, use up chicken, and use up chicken again—

* * *

—One day passed, then two, three, and four.

Even though she’d clearly used them all, only to face the mountain of raw chicken piled brazenly on the altar again each morning—

Erin, for the first time, broke into a cold sweat and raised her head to gaze at the sky, a gaping void between the temple columns.

And then, with a genuine feeling in her trembling eyes— she clasped her hands together, very carefully.

She whispered to the only god she served.

‘Iguoguo-don, please don’t be angry and listen. Uhm, so, well…’

There’s… just too much chicken… ?