I Have Supported My Favorite Character for 10 Years

5. Guys like that are all a bunch of rats

Dang, Dang—

When the bell rang, those who were filled with despair, those who were shedding tears, all stopped what they were doing and knelt.

The ringing of the bells meant one thing—a new patron had arrived.

At least, that’s how it had been so far.

Hence, there was a single wish among the paupers living around the church.

‘Please, may at least one of us be chosen by the patron!’

Even if the patron were of a low-tier, the selected person could survive the Windstorm Season.

Because they would be under the [Patron’s Protection].

However, VernonGod had a different story to tell.

[VernonGod’s Testament]

The Patron has sent a gift to [Azel].

“What?”

Azel unconsciously opened her mouth in surprise.

At that moment, light poured down on her from above, and a paper descended divinely, riding on the light.

[Certificate of Ownership of Vernon Mansion]

Owner: Azel

[VernonGod’s Testament]

Express your gratitude for what the patron has given you.

“A, a mansion?”

The certificate included a picture of a mansion large enough to comfortably accommodate hundreds of people.

It would be ample enough to evacuate the people.

During the Windstorm Season, the real estate market is forcibly closed due to the laws of nature.

An existence that could break such constraints nonchalantly and purchase buildings is the patron.

“Li, live…”

Thank you, Joa-nim.

I will pray harder, spread ‘Joa-nim’s teachings more widely.

I will surely repay you.

Expressing her gratitude to the patron, Joa, the [Patron] application rang once.

[Patron’s Gift Message]

If anyone suddenly asks you to help because they found a house, beware! They’re all con artists. Especially beware of all the people that talk about money whenever you get some. All that “I need help” crap is a total lie. They’re all filthy rats. Don’t trust anyone except me! If you’re not good at managing money, tell me. I’ll get you a secretary.

Cheonun merely regurgitated advice he’d heard countless times from his businessman father since he was a babe—

But to Azel, who unconditionally believed and followed his word, it was a new doctrine.

—Beware of people that talk about money whenever you come into some. All that “I need help” crap are all filthy rats.

If she’s learned a new doctrine, her task was to spread it widely.

At least, Azel herself believed so.

With the same serene smile she always wore, Azel spoke.

“Everyone, we have a new doctrine! But before that—”

Azel, holding up the certificate of the mansion, told the people of the slum,

“We have a place to shelter during the Windstorm Season!”

On hearing Azel’s proclamation, the downtrodden masses who had been anxiously awaiting the dreaded windstorm burst into applause.

“We’re saved! Thank you, Ms. Azel!”

“Ah…! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Hundreds of people expressed their gratitude to Azel.

At which, Azel stepped forward and started to speak, her arms held out towards the sky.

“No, this is not thanks to me! It is all thanks to our sponsor! Let us all pay our respects to our sponsor!”

Upon hearing Azel’s words, the impoverished cried out:

““All hail our sponsor!”

Usually, worshipping or praising gods other than Vernon was prohibited. However, sponsors were part of the exception.

People naturally gathered in a hubbub.

“My sponsor’s name is [Gueulolijoa]!”

“Hail, Gueulolijoa!”

Azel was now just fifteen.

But her influence and foothold in the region where she grew up and lent aid were considerable.

No citizen of the slums didn’t heed her words. As soon as she began to talk, everyone huddled around her.

“My sponsor bestowed upon us a new teaching. According to our sponsor’s words!”

Azel once again lowered her hand, then raised it high, and began to speak like giving a declamation.

“Those who talk about money whenever it’s acquired are called rats!”

The entire slum area echoed with the voices of the many people who cried out.

“”Indeed!”

“Rats! Rats! Rats! Rats! Rats!”

The simultaneous shout of the massive crowd of the slum area was almost terrifying.

A smiling Azel watched from the background. She had again roused the people.

“Well, everyone! Now that we learned a new teaching, let’s all praise our sponsor!”

Then, the appointed chorus gathered and began to sing.

The song was called “The Holy Sponsor.” The verses were all the same, only the sponsor’s nickname was inserted.

“Ah, the holy Gueulolijoa! Today, again under His name~”

“We are all saved. Everyone, sing out loud Gueulolijoa!”

For a while, the praise continued.

***

Jena surprisingly said to me, ‘I’m saving up every penny you, big bro, send me!’ I initially thought she would have blown it all on a mansion or something.

On the contrary, Azel has an air of carelessness that causes a little unease.

Physically, monetarily, and mentally.

She needs someone by her side.

“Just assign her a secretary.”

I’m not getting carried away, isn’t it a suitable setting?

It has a somewhat sophisticated feel to it.

While pondering this, I purchased a secretary from the store page, and an alert sounded.

Uuong─

[Notification: There’s a new video today.]

Whenever a notification from Vernon Akka comes, I just press it right away. It’s become a solid habit over the past five years.

Usually, it’s a photo, or notice about new characters, or a new system.

But today is a bit different.

[Vernon Ark Banner Video of the Month]

“Is it the main banner video?”

The video that adorns the very first page of the sponsorship page seems to have been updated. Normally, one would just pass it by, but Vernon Ark is different. Most of the time, they showcase new features or smooth CG that provokes admiration just by looking at it.

What’s added this time?

Instantly, I clicked the video.

Whether they used drone filming technique or not, it gives a wide view from the air. Great, the scenery is fantastic.

But, this landscape seems familiar somehow.

“This is where my daughter is, isn’t it?”

It looked like the place where Azel always took pictures with in the background. A church she went to perhaps.

But, the wooden church building that was usually visible near Azel seemed to have been demolished.

Are they planning to update something here?

Around that building, many people had gathered as if cheering for the World Cup.

Among them, Azel and a few other people were standing.

“Oh, my daughter!”

It wasn’t a personal video, but a video that got posted on the main banner of the Vernon Ark page. My absolute favorite character I sponsor had appeared in an official video. Especially in the center(?).

How can any dad not be happy?

I smiled naturally. The fact that I alone could choose Azel added an extra specialness.

Vernon Ark is a damn good businessman, isn’t he?

At that moment of thought.

The loud singing of the people rang out from the video.

“”Ah, Glory to Geouroria! In His name today~””

“”Let us all shout out for salvation, say Geouroria!””

Uh ….

“Vernon Ark, you son of a b*tch! Why would you …!”

***

Zena’s message usually arrived almost immediately at midnight on the first day of each month, followed by a voice message.

But, it was unusually late this month. It came almost half a month later.

“Thinking about it, I’m pissed off.”

If Vernon Ark had time to make a video of ‘Praising Geouroria’, why didn’t he send Zena’s message on time? Was he late because of making that?

I’ll let it slide this time since he sent it anyway.

I clicked to open Zena’s message.

[Zena: Why aren’t you replying these days, brother? I don’t know if you’re sick or not. If you are, you must rest. Don’t endure it. I’m doing well. This time, there’s not much to talk about. Just feels like my usual daily life. School life is fun, and so is training. What about you, brother? I hope you’re happy and joyful. There must be people in the world who hate and envy you, right? If there is, tell me anytime. I’ll go and scold them. Teehee. Anyway, I hope you know I’m always waiting for your contact. This is true. You must reply this time] (300/300)

“…what?”

Given Zena’s character, it should’ve been, ‘Brother! Why aren’t you replying these days? ㅠㅠ’. I should sense the words hopping around after that.

There should be many exclamation marks at the end of her sentences.

But, it has become incredibly calm.

I held back from shouting, “This is a character personality collapse!”, because that would be a little strange. In the past 5 years, I’d received 60 messages and several CG for tens of pages.

There had never been a collapse of character personality during that time.

This guy Vernon has no idea how to run a business, but he excels at adding details to a character’s personality.

“Ah…”

…Could it be that Zena is expressing ‘sadness’? Is that part of the scenario?

─ Brother, hello? You wanted to hear my voice, right? hehehehe…. I don’t like voice messages, they’re too short. I can’t even hear your reply….

It certainly appears so. Her voice message was full of dejection when it arrived.

Even her ‘hehehehe’ laugh sounds forced. Sadness is evident in her voice.

‘You don’t have to endure the pain’, ‘There might be someone who is jealous and envious of you?’ – was she hinting at her own situation?

For a junior high school second grader, bullying and harassment are clichés.

Especially in Zena’s case, she wears scruffy clothes daily, she could be subjected to harassment because of this.

I need to comfort her.

No, I need to solve this.

Definitely.