The Gorilla God's Go-To Girl (ゴリラの神から加護された令嬢は王立騎士団で可愛がられる)

The ceremony of blessings.

A rite held when one reaches the age of 16,

where you receive powers and abilities,

granted by various Animal Gods.

Sophia Reeler.

Yes, sir!

Step forward.

- -

If you're blessed by a bird God,

you'll receive wings that carry you through the air.

If blessed by a fish God,

your body will move through the water with great ease.

O ancestors of all living creatures,

hear my call!

And bestow upon this girl your power.

Hm?

Hm.

Now, select one of the cards before you.

Aah, I'm so nervous about which card to pick!

I'll totally end up in the beauty industry

if I get the peacock or chameleon,

I would be cast in some acting troupe

if I pull the tanuki or fox,

and I definitely wouldn't be able to handle that!

I wish I could just draw the mole God

who lets you see in the dark.

But anything that doesn't make me stand out

is fine with me!

Huh?

Uh, it's...

Huh?

A...gorilla?

THE GORILLA GOD'S GO-TO GIRL

THE GORILLA LIFE OF A LADY AND BLESSINGS

Well, well, Sophia Reeler.

Huh.

Carissa?

I must say, I'm curious to know

which God chose you at yesterday's ceremony.

-Uh, actually-- -Let's see.

With your poor athletic skills,

it can't have been a flying bird type.

The peacock God, perhaps?

No, you clearly lack the requisite taste.

Whatever it might be,

she's still no match for Lady Carissa.

Now, there's no reason to drag me into this.

Go on, tell us which one it was, will you?

Guess what, everyone!

I just heard that Sir Scarl is here at the school today!

Huh? Is he really?

We can't be wasting time here!

Come along, let's hurry!

Hm.

Huh!

This is the perfect opportunity to eat lunch in peace!

Dierentown,

the royal school attended by the children

of nobles and distinguished families.

A prestigious institution that teaches leadership,

and strives to refine

its students' dignity and intelligence.

That's the idea, at least.

The reality is, the boys try to make

connections for after they graduate,

and the girls try to find someone

of higher rank to marry.

And there's a completely unwritten,

but very real hierarchy

that's determined by your family's social standing.

I was born into the family of a count,

but our land is pretty far off.

When do I get to graduate?

Oh, yeah. How could I forget?

I still have another two years to go.

Till then, I have to survive somehow!

- -

Not again! Why does this keep happening?

I have no idea how to control this strength!

It's been like this since yesterday!

- -

I REALLY WANT TO EAT THOSE FOR SOME REASON...

Pretty sure I know why.

It's all thanks to the Gorilla God's blessing.

Headmaster!

Huh?

Um, about the card I drew.

Goodness! How very interesting!

-Huh? -

I don't mind telling you.

I've bestowed blessings

upon a great many students over the years,

But you're the first who's ever received one

-from the Gorilla God. -Hm?

It's a highly rare blessing,

appearing every 50 years at the very most.

It's rare, you say?

And what's more...

They say it's one of the mightiest

combat class blessings there is!

- - Mightiest?

Combat class?

Oh, yes!

A gorilla's physical strength

is seven times beyond that of a human.

And their grip strength is ten times greater,

in excess of 500 kilograms.

Okay, but I didn't really ask you.

I suppose you didn't, did you?

A super powerful combat class blessing?

That's the last thing I want!

What excellent timing.

There's a related matter I'd like to discuss with you.

Please stop by my office tomorrow after school,

if it isn't too much trouble.

"A related matter" he said.

I can't imagine what he could've been referring to.

- -Huh?

What's that squeaking? Oh! It's a squirrel.

Aw! What a cutie!

Hello! How're you?

It's staring at me.

I wonder if it wants something to eat.

Are you hungry, by any chance?

Here you go! Have as much of this as you want to, 'kay?

- - Mm. Huh.

I have to get back to class!

See you later!

Huh?

Um, headmaster?

Could you repeat that?

Most certainly.

You, my dear, have been scouted by the Royal Knights.

This will explain it.

-Huh. -To sum up the situation,

you won't be joining them immediately,

there's an exam you'll need to take first.

Should you pass it,

you'll spend some time in the role of junior knight.

Then comes your certification exam,

if you pass that,

you'll officially become a knight--

Okay, but why me, though?

What a silly question!

The reason should be obvious, it's because you received

the blessing of the Gorilla God.

Those blessed by the Gorilla God,

possess unparalleled combat skills.

Thus, we are required to report their identities

to the royal palace.

It is well known that past recipients

of the blessing also belonged to the knights.

Hey, if this is a dream,

could someone wake me up already?

A Royal Knight is certainly a distinguished occupation,

but I've never heard of a woman knight before,

much less a woman who never fought a day in her life

and only gained gorilla powers yesterday!

But if I turn it down, I could get accused

of disobeying a royal order,

which would reflect poorly on my parents!

Plus, I might not be able to live here anymore.

I might even end up behind bars!

Well, I, uh...

I gratefully accept.

Really? That's great!

I'm sure they'll be pleased to hear it.

There's just one thing, though!

Could I ask you to please keep all of this a secret?

My blessing, and the junior knight exam?

Everything!

I'd be more than happy to.

It's not at all unusual for people to prefer

that their blessings remain private.

I'd appreciate it very much.

Yes, I'm sure it's for the best.

You see the anti-monarchy Faction

have been taking some rather extreme actions lately.

I can see how you wouldn't want anyone

making a fuss until you're an official junior knight.

Do give it your best shot!

I'll be cheering you on.

It's gone.

Did that squirrel manage to eat all of it?

You, my dear, have been scouted

by the Royal Knights.

Do you know why?

It's obviously because you received

the blessing of the Gorilla God.

If I join up with the knights,

any chance I have at living a peaceful life

goes right out the window.

Thinking about what things'll be like after that?