SPOILERS
I see you posting here and there about this… You shouldn’t give up on the novel, it’s just starting to scratch the surface of the plot. I too was spoiled at first and thought it was weird. But I decided to buy the whole JP raws and by the end of it, Ferdinand just makes the most sense and I still cry at how the author so masterfully wrapped everything up.
EXTRA SPOILERS
But if you MUST know… and if it bothers you… Myne physically gets an adult body later on. She’s actually older than Ferdinand technically (by 2 yrs+) but in this world, she grows properly due to being blessed by the gods. If you notice their interactions, Ferdinand does not talk to her like a kid. Neither does she respond back like one. But hints of this only emerges waaaaaaaayyyy later on in the novels. I think the manga has many years to go before they even get to that part.
I also posted an in-depth spoiler for someone if you want to read more. Maybe it will change your mind.
https://www.mangago.zone/home/mangatopic/16096643/
I personally don’t take anime or manga characters seriously because it’s fiction.
Even in the beginning the people always called her a water godess when they were shipping her with her worker and question why they were shipping her with a man who can be her father.. anyways the priest isn’t that old he is a young and she only looks like a kid because her magic doesn’t let her develop
I get the weird feeling and yeah is a bit ick. But it's not a surprise given the covers. I think the difference too is their relationship isn't founded on that... he's not looking at her with that view point while she's a child. He also doesn't raise her though he does care for her... but he cares for her no differently than others in her community and he never takes a father role. Because it's early on that her mental maturity is established she's never receiving true child care from him... she's kinda a mini adult and they all treat her that way.
But I do understand the ick... it is still a bit squicky. But I don't think her being with someone of the same body age (e.g. Lutz) as her would be less squicky either because of her mental age... so the author kinda is stuck from that standpoint
I was so so into the world building the characters and everything!! I was looking into buying the chapters but I got the worst spoiler in the comments of the novel.
Myne ends up with FERDINAND as in the blue haired priest as in the guy that knew her since she was little!!!!!!! Literally put out my love and excitement for this novel. Like I get it’s tricky since she’s technically mentally 22 and he knows that but it’s WEIRD and unnecessary. Someone tell me I’m not insane for thinking this. It gives a weird tinge whenever I look at them interact now.