To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

‘…It’s changed again.’

With just the fact that Liv had God’s power, all the humans around Liv were showing completely different attitudes towards her. The Hamelsvoort couple sent Liv detailed letters and gifts, and invitations from noble ladies flew in every day. And now even the temple had come to see her directly.

The change in people’s reactions was unfamiliar, but it couldn’t be seen as entirely bad. It’s natural for humans to evaluate each other’s worth and act accordingly. So Liv asked with a composed face, without showing aversion to them.

“What kind of power do you want?”

“We want to see with our own eyes the power that one who receives the Supreme God’s love should be able to use. For example, healing the sick.”

It was a statement befitting believers of the Holy Church, which emphasizes love for the weak.

Liv was silent for a moment, then stared at them and asked. Hmm, could she be a bit more assertive here?

“Are you trying to test my power?”

“N-no, that’s not it!”

The priests hurriedly waved their hands.

“We just want to experience a miracle as servants of the Supreme God.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

At that moment, one priest among those who seemed submissive to Liv opened his mouth.

“A test… I suppose you could call it that in a way.”

“Priest Jakob!”

“I’m just curious how Liv Hamelsvoort, who had no power until just a year ago, came to have power… Ugh!”

At that moment, suddenly Priest Jakob fell backwards and collapsed on the floor. The surprised priests shook his body, but he didn’t get up. He had fainted.

“…”

Now everyone’s gaze was focused on Liv.

“…Hmm.”

Liv blinked at the unexpected situation. She hadn’t exerted her power just now.

My child, you can easily use power on those who follow me. It’s not difficult to handle them.

The gods usually didn’t intervene much in Liv’s affairs, but the ‘Supreme God’ of the Holy Church didn’t seem to like how his priests were treating Liv. Seeing Priest Jakob fall, the priests had now stepped back. Their eyes shone as they looked at Liv.

“Oh… This is the power of the Supreme God!”

“The Supreme God must have punished him!”

“Truly… the Supreme God is watching over us!”

They didn’t seem surprised by the fact that a priest had collapsed. Rather, they seemed impressed by the fact that it was a trace of God.

“You really do receive the Supreme God’s love.”

One of the priests said in a moved voice.

“We apologize for Priest Jakob’s disrespectful attitude. How dare we try to fathom the Supreme God’s will? If the Supreme God loves Mrs. Lartman, that must be true.”

He added, pointing to the fallen priest.

“Mrs. Lartman has shown us evidence like this before our eyes.”

“…Yes.”

“But many people who don’t know the truth yet are confused. Therefore, we want Mrs. Lartman to show her power in front of people.”

“In front of people?”

“Yes, we want Mrs. Lartman to be in the place where she should be… Anyway, we want her to be recognized by people.”

At those words, Liv fell into thought for a moment. She was still afraid of the Emperor and reluctant to be officially recognized for her power by people. But having revealed her power once, there was no place to retreat anymore. Then Emmett, who had been watching Liv and the priests from behind, came forward and wrapped his arm around Liv’s waist as if to protect her. Liv instinctively flinched at his touch.

“Liv, you can refuse if you don’t want to. It’s entirely your freedom to prove your power.”

Saying this while looking at the priests, Emmett looked as if he would drive them out immediately if they tried to force Liv. The priests avoided his gaze.

Everyone knew that Duke Lartman was on the Emperor’s side, so they didn’t like the Lartman family either, but they didn’t have the power to rebel. They had already shed much blood in a clash with the Emperor long ago… The fact that the Hamelsvoort family, which had produced Saintesses for generations, had united with the Lartman family meant they would compromise with the Emperor to some extent, so currently there were no noble families to support the temple.

“No, it’s okay.”

Liv shook her head at Emmett’s words that she could refuse.

“It’s something I’ll have to do someday. I’ll show you my power.”

“Oh!”

The fear of Emmett disappeared from the priests’ faces, and they instantly looked at Liv with excited expressions.

“But I’m not a Saintess, and I can’t use altruistic powers like helping others. Of course, it’s not entirely impossible, but…”

‘Real divine power’ wasn’t about healing wounds or defeating plagues. The power of the god Lufasha that Liv used only made things happen that humans couldn’t possibly handle.

“Just showing your power is enough. We can’t let you use sacred abilities just anywhere, we’ll prepare a ceremony.”

“Mrs. Lartman, when would be good?”

“I think the soonest date possible would be best to quell people’s confusion.”

Anyway, Liv needed time to prepare mentally. Considering that…

“A week from now.”

“Yes, we’ll prepare for then.”

The priests politely greeted Liv, then left the Lartman mansion, taking care of the fainted Priest Jakob.

“Liv, are you really okay with this?”

Emmett asked, not loosening his arm around Liv, and Liv answered, meeting his eyes.

“Yes, I’m really okay. I can’t hide forever anyway…”

The sensation of people looking up to her was unfamiliar, but not bad. Although it was still ambiguous exactly what emotion it was, Liv felt that if she experienced that situation again, she would know what that feeling was. Even if she was afraid of the Emperor, she couldn’t live forever killing her presence and living as a shadow.

Now the problem was what power to show in front of people. Even amidst this, the gods were noisily murmuring in Liv’s mind.

Child, we’ll show you a miracle.

We can make things happen that humans can’t even imagine.

“Emmett, I’m going to talk to the gods for a moment.”

“Alright.”

After entering her room, Liv sat on the bed. The gods always did things regardless of Liv’s will. Thinking of what they had done claiming it was for her, she should ask in advance what power they could lend.

“What kind of power are you going to use?”

We can make anything happen for you. We can make two suns appear in the sky, make the sun disappear, or make golden clouds appear.

I will part the sea in two.

I’ll send down angels blowing trumpets.

How about passing judgment on sinners?

Those were all excessive ‘miracles’ that would only appear in scriptures. If Liv used that level of power, the people of the Holy Hilysid Empire, more devout than any other country, might even enthrone Liv as the new Emperor. Then she would have to fight the Emperor and shed blood.

“But I might lose my life to the Emperor?”

We can’t directly harm him, but we can prevent him from harming you.

And you can become the new Emperor.

“I don’t want to become Emperor.”

It felt good to have people look up to her, but even so, Liv had no desire to rise to a high position and enjoy power. All she needed was only Emmett, that was all.

But wasn’t revealing your power at the wedding intending to become Emperor?

“That was just…”

Liv answered in a low voice.

“I just didn’t want my love to be insulted.”

Liv wanted her love for Emmett to be more sacred than anything else. She didn’t like others sullying that love. Moreover, people often disparaged Emmett just for being with Liv. Liv couldn’t stand by and watch that.

Then in what direction do you want to use your power, child?

“I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.”

How could she use her power to gain people’s recognition while not making the Emperor wary of her? That was Liv’s concern.

At that moment, she heard someone knocking on the door.

“Liv, may I come in?”

“Yes.”

Emmett, who entered after opening the door, sat in the chair opposite Liv.

“I think I need to go see His Majesty the Emperor. I received an order to enter the palace.”

“Ah…”

Liv’s face darkened as she realized why he was going to meet the Emperor. The Emperor must have heard what happened at the wedding too.

“Is it okay? Don’t I need to go with you?”

“No, it’s safer for you to stay here.”

Emmett had a more resolute expression than ever. Yet he seemed to hesitate about something.

“Liv, if I don’t come back…”

“…I know what you’re trying to say.”

Liv opened her mouth with a stiff expression. She had vowed to do anything for Emmett, but that didn’t mean she would grant all his requests.

“If that happens, I’ll take my own life and turn back time once more.”

“Liv…!”

“So come back alive.”

Emmett couldn’t answer that, then carefully continued.

“…Still, His Majesty the Emperor won’t do anything to me right away. He’ll have to observe the situation for now.”

“Yes, so you must return safely.”

Even as she saw Emmett off at the entrance, watching him get into the carriage, Liv was anxious. She just hoped that nothing would happen to them, and that they could continue to live together like this.