episode_0018

『Month of the Cross – 20th (Morning)』

“… Hehehe. Oh, thank you… ! Uncle, adventurers. Thanks to me, I learned a lot. See you next time!”

Alex asked our party how to become stronger and ran out in tears.

“Lacey. Is that kid always like that? No matter how sensitive your age is, you walk with a gloomy expression on your face, but then suddenly run away in tears. Even though I know how the boy feels, I don’t know.”

Elizabeth sweeps her purple long hair and looks at Alex leaving.

She was expressing similar feelings to me and making a bewildered expression.

“Lisa. Basically, all kids that age do that. Whatever it is, Lacey. He seems to be as promising a young man as you boasted about. Rather than trying to become stronger through training alone, you are trying to learn another way.”

“What? You couldn’t have been that sensitive at that age… How do you know that?”

“That’s what they say~”

Myrit waves to Alex, who runs without looking back while wearing iron gauntlets that look heavy at a glance.

He was naturally slyly accepting Elizabeth’s criticism and slyly laughing.

These two were a married couple, and although they often argued, there was no doubt that they were a good couple.

Alex’s back completely disappeared, and the guild’s front door became silent again.

“It’s been a while, but let’s go report to the guild. Because Harry asked me to stop by when he comes back.”

“Mr. Herry. In the past, I wasn’t this much of a stickler, but it’s true that positions change people.”

Obviously, he had begged her to report to the guild master when he returned, holding Elizabeth so tightly that it left marks on her hands, so he couldn’t forget her.

Is reporting that important?

But after reporting what happened so far, time will be vague…

As the sunset went down and I looked at the sky turning dark blue, I was lost in thought for a moment.

Should I finish the work as quickly as possible and ask them to send it to me first?

I was lost in such worries and came to my senses with a pat on the shoulder.

When I looked back to find the source, I saw Myrit smiling brightly.

“Lacey. You must be going crazy because you want to see him even for a second, right? Lisa and I will report it. You should go to church quickly. There’s an evening prayer meeting soon, so we won’t be able to talk for long.”

“Wait… When Harry saw you, he asked everyone to come together.”

“Okay, okay~ Lacey, don’t worry about what Lisa says and just go. The two of us will take care of the report. I think of it as a reward for meeting a patient beginner adventurer. Have a bite to eat later.”

“Wait a minute… If I do this, I’ll only be a bad person! Are you really… If this is the case, what is my position? ”

The two started arguing right away. I know that the argument wasn’t really a couple fight because I’ve seen it for a long time.

Moreover, the original dispatch schedule was for 3 weeks, but because of me, they ended up staying there for an extra week.

Although I felt sorry for them for listening to my stubbornness twice, I was not the kind of person who was so stubborn that I kicked away their favor. Later, like Myrit said, I’ll treat you to a meal or something.

“Thank you. I will definitely repay you for this later. I will make sure to compensate for any changes in the dispatch schedule due to me. Then I will go.”

“Yes, yes~ Be sure to tell me ‘that’ you found after searching through the empire!”

“Ugh… It’s okay to say something bad to a person like that… Good results come… Well, I may not be as good at drinking alcohol as my husband and I are!”

The two people smiled brightly and blessed me as they watched me leave the guild, as if they had been fighting for some time.

I turned my back on the sky that was slowly turning dark blue and headed toward the church.

Even though I was wearing heavy armor, my steps were light at this moment.

That’s because I made my love wait for a month, and now is the time to go see that love.

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『Month of the Cross – 20th (Evening)』

My steps stopped in front of the church gate. Inside the tightly closed gate, the voices of busy people could be heard.

Since the evening prayer meeting has not yet started at this time, does this sound like the priests of the church are preparing for the prayer meeting? I took a deep breath and put my hand on the doorknob.

“Because it’s been a month since I saw you… Never panic… Let’s not be nervous… ”

I made a firm determination and pushed the door inward. Rainbow-colored stained glass, dazzling lights, and huge stone statues.

All of these elements indicated that this was the home of Haewolgyo Bridge. As I entered the church, as expected, the priests who were busy preparing all looked at me.

And among the priests wearing white priestly robes, there is a woman with pink hair tied into pigtails and impressive black eyes who turns around and gives instructions to the priests.

my love. my happiness. Muse.

“Put the sheet music there, light the candlestick… huh? What’s wrong with everyone? Who came… … !”

The Muse, who had been enthusiastically giving instructions just a moment ago, seemed to have run away somewhere, and when she saw me, she just stood still like a mute who had been fed up with honey.

–Crash… !!

Just for a moment, Muse jumped into my arms, her pink hair flying.

“Really… Why did you come so late? There was no news… … Hi… ”

Muse burying her face in my arms, crying and pleading with me.

Even though she was wearing armor, her crying touched my heart beyond the cold armor.

Making your one and only fiancé cry is not the right thing to do as a man and as someone who was once a knight.

I said, stroking Muse’s head.

“I’ve been there… And I’m sorry. I’m a little late for some reason.”

After hearing my apology, Muse lifted her face from her armor and looked up at me.

The tear tracks that flowed from my eyes pointed to my mistake in leaving my fiancé alone for such a long time.

I brushed away Muse’s bangs and looked at her who had finally stopped crying.

“… … Hi, still, still… I’m glad you’re safe. I thought something happened again… ”

Muse, who had stopped crying, buried her head in my arms again as if embarrassed, and patted the armor with both arms and said.

I could not fathom the feelings of the muse who had waited for me for a month.

I came back late and didn’t even know the reason, so I had nothing to say.

Just listen to the muse. That was my only way of atonement.

“I’m really sorry… Muse. For leaving me alone for a long time… ”

The busy atmosphere inside the church was suddenly overwhelmed by the reunion between me and Muse.

Looking around, the priestesses who were moving or cleaning the furniture in the church were whispering and looking at us with interest like girls reading a romance novel.

As I was looking at that scene, I also felt something pricking me. I changed the topic to change the gloomy mood.

“It was difficult to come here while you were busy, right? They said they would come before the evening prayer meeting started, but I wonder if it’s too late… ”

“Oh, no! There is still a long time left before the prayer meeting begins… ”

As Muse said, preparations for the evening prayer meeting seemed to be just beginning.

However, the Muse, the high priest of the church, is the main figure in the prayer meeting. Now, this is the last time I will meet my muse today.

On the day when the prayer meeting ends, the Muse stays inside the church and prays all morning.

Since it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, it would be nice if we could have dinner together. Meanwhile, if you can also pass on this ‘thing’…

“Muse Priest!”

“Uh, huh? huh? Why, why so suddenly!”

A priestess’s voice seemed to end our time surrounded by a warm atmosphere.

She came in front of Muse in my arms. Then he held Muse’s hands tightly and said,

“We will lead the prayer meeting tonight. Priest Muse is… Please come and have dinner with your fiancé!”

“What, what? Why are you guys like this all of a sudden… ”

“The priest Muse, who always cried and prayed for his fiancé until late at night, met his fiancé in such a dramatic way, and there is no time to waste even a second! Leave this to us and go!”

“Now, wait a minute, how do you guys know that… ”

Was this what they were whispering about a little while ago? The priestess who spoke to the Muse also wore the same seal as the Muse on her priestly attire.

Since she is also a high-ranking priest, it is no wonder that she stands in front of a prayer meeting. Before the Muse, who was confused and hesitant after hearing the priestess’s words, changed her mind, I held her hand.

“I really appreciate the priest’s concession. I hope to have a good meeting with you in the future. Then let’s go, Muse.”

“Uh, huh? Wait, wait Lacy… ”

I walked out of the church, dragging Muse’s arm. Although she was a muse who spoke gibberish, I knew best that she was not a woman so stubborn that she would ignore the kindness of her colleagues.

Even though it looked like they were being dragged out by force, they were following along obediently without resistance.

–Squeak… thud… … !

The thick wooden door closed. It was unlikely, but I was afraid that the priestess might change her words, so I quickly brought the muse out.

The sun had already set, and the sky painted in dark blue paint spread out before my eyes.

A beautiful night view with stars twinkling here and there. Still, it’s not comparable to the muse standing next to me. Because the muse is number one in my heart.

“… … So, what are you going to do now? Dinner, weren’t you planning on going to dinner?”

The Muse asked me. It’s evening… I was a little hungry. It’s been a while since I had lunch, and right now, at this time, there’s a restaurant I know well.

I’ve eaten there with Muse several times before, and she liked it too, so that would be a good place.

“Okay, let’s go have dinner. I’ll tell you everything that happened there. There must have been a lot of things you were curious about. I’ll tell you everything. and… ”

“And?”

“Because I have something to tell you.”

After leaving those words, I held the hand of Muse tightly and headed towards the crowded street, using the lanterns that decorated the street as my companion.

In addition to pedestrians, the streets were overflowing with a variety of merchants, including merchants soliciting customers and miscellaneous merchants who stopped passing by and explained their products to sell.

“In the evening… Are you going there then?”

“Yes. That’s the best restaurant I know. I think you liked it the last time we ate together. I was going to go there again this time. … Or do you know a better place?”

“No… I just like walking this street with you… That restaurant is just around the corner. Then there won’t be much time to hold hands… ”

“Queu, keut… Was it just because of that? I thought I was already sick of it.”

“I’m serious! It’s already been a month since we last held hands… ”

The image of Muse puffing out her cheeks and waving her other hand. It was so cute and lovely.

A being so lovely that it was engraved in my soul that I was the muse’s fiancé. I couldn’t resist giving the ‘thing’ in my pocket to the muse even now…

Phew… You have to be patient. It is said that it is more powerful when you set the mood according to the method given by Myrit and give it to the muse…

Muse stayed close to me and walked arm in arm. The fragrant smell coming from the Muse tickled my nose, and her hand was warmly caressing my rough hand.

And for Muse, who wanted to cherish this moment as much as possible, I walked down the street as slowly as possible. On this street with her leaning her head on one of my shoulders, I felt like only Muse and I were left alone.

*

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After walking through the streets so slowly, we arrived at a restaurant. It was full of people inside, but there was still room for me and Muse to sit.

Leaving the waiter rattling dishes around behind us, we sat down at the empty seats and selected the menu. For my muse, I ordered a bunch of her favorite food.

Now, this time is only for the muse. And obviously… Myrit said. Try to create an atmosphere that she will like as much as possible.

“… you. Are you okay? Didn’t I just pick the foods I like?”

“Oh, no! It’s because my appetite has changed a bit since I’ve been on the battlefield for a month!”

“Really? Still, there’s nothing you originally liked… Is it really okay?”

I was confident that I knew Muse’s tastes best, as I had been dating her for five years.

However, I was so focused on creating an atmosphere that I forgot that the muse was rather burdened. But you can’t go back from the food you’ve already ordered. I decided to just keep pushing forward like this.

“Keu, keuhm… I’m okay. And the main character today is not me, but you, the muse.”

“Huh? What does that mean all of a sudden?”

“I said it earlier. I will tell you everything that has happened… ”

“But… Why are you doing this all of a sudden? If you’re just trying to create a strange atmosphere… Because I will never pass up!”

The Muse placed her arms tightly around her waist and looked arrogantly proud.

As expected, you have a quick sense of humor. Well, it looks like everything has already been caught, so I don’t need to make a fancy appearance. I decided to be honest and tell Muse what had happened so far.

As I was about to speak first, Muse spoke first.

“Anyway, it’s been a while. This is where you and I first met. After I quit the Kingdom Knights, you left after defeating the Holy Knights, and we met here by chance.”

“That’s right. I met you at a time when I was thinking about my future. Right here in this place.”

“Yes, yes! I kept looking. I was desperately trying to help me, who had lost my mind in the deep woods, and was looking for the man who had returned to base.

But that person said he quit being a paladin right after that expedition. I found out when I met you and talked to you. It was you who saved me!”

Muse was reminiscing about this store where she first met me. It’s an old story… …

At one time, I was born as the third son of a merchant family, and in order to become a merchant following in my father’s footsteps, I had an ordinary and dull life where all I had to do was receive the same education, learn the same etiquette, and follow a set path every day.

Then one day, a procession of paladins passing through the streets changed my life.

After that day, I earnestly asked my father to join the Holy Knights.

Of course, his father was extremely opposed to it, and allowed him to join on the condition that he renounce his last name and sever ties with his family.

Now that I think about it, I thought that was an ultimatum for my child, but I should have listened to my father at the time.

“I don’t have such good memories of my days as a Holy Knight.”

Well, anyway, after becoming the paladin I had longed for, I continued my work as a paladin.

At that time, he took pride in being a Holy Knight, such as guarding the royal castle, fighting off monsters, and patrolling the streets. He did not shy away from difficult tasks and performed his duties as a proud Holy Knight, dedicating himself to the goddess and protecting the citizens.

But that didn’t last long either.

“Well, that could be possible. It is a well-known fact among the Kingdom Knights that new Paladins who came in without knowing what they were doing soon quit after realizing the true nature of the Holy Knights. However, the pressure from the Holy Knights was so severe that if you tried to reveal it, they started a fight with a deadly spirit.”

When I think about it, the reason I quit being a Paladin and the day I met Muse were the same.

The reality of the Holy Knights who were falsely accused of conniving with monsters, making fun of innocent citizens, the incompetent upper class, and the senior Paladins who used their successors as shields to run away as soon as they saw the monsters.

From the very first step of the demon extermination expedition launched by the union of the Kingdom Knights and the Holy Knights, all the images of the Holy Knights I respected were destroyed.

“If I had known a little sooner, I would have withdrawn from the Holy Knights before that incident even happened.”

“But because of that incident, you and I were able to meet. In some sense, wasn’t it a good opportunity?”

The thing that put an end to it was a monster in the shape of a giant dog that shook the earth at the time.

It was the appearance of a monster that signaled a full-scale invasion by the Demon King, which I had only read about in writing.

Those who were given the title of Holy Knight, who protected the citizens and protected the nation in the name of the goddess, fled when the monster appeared, throwing away their swords and armor.

Of course I was scared too. However, he was not so cowardly as to leave behind citizens who had not yet escaped. At the same time as that monster appeared, the hidden monsters also attacked us at the same time.

“At that time, I really thought I was going to die. No matter how desperately the knights fought, it was impossible to completely gain the upper hand over the monsters unless they had divine power.”

Dealing with the monsters that rushed in, he was exhausted, wounded, breathing heavily, and fighting as if he were burning his last flame.

I couldn’t even tell how many times I had pierced the monster’s body, and I almost lost consciousness and fell to the floor. It was at that time when I desperately tried to open my eyelids that were slowly closing and tried to stand up.

A pillar of light appeared, filling the blood-stained battlefield.

The beam of light extending from the pillar of light pierced through the monsters one by one, and all the monsters were wiped out in a short period of time, to the point where I felt foolish for fighting hard.

“You must have seen that light too. I witnessed a miracle. Because I witnessed with my own eyes that the goddess exists!”

“Of course I saw it too. Contrary to the muse, that light was the decisive factor for me to quit the Holy Knights.”

The Muse was fascinated by the miracle of the goddess when she saw the light, and called it salvation for herself, who had lost her arm and was on the brink of death.

On the contrary, I cried out to the goddess, asking why she couldn’t send the light down sooner and protect more humans.

That became a decisive moment, and after that expedition, I escaped from the Holy Knights.

“Now that I think about it, there was this saying in Haewolgyo. ‘The number of believers does not decrease.’ You know that too, right?”

“Of course I know. Because he was a member of the Holy Knights for a time. I didn’t believe it at first. Looking at the relationship between you and me now, I can understand it very painfully.”

The number of believers does not decrease, was a strange phrase in the doctrine of Haewolgyo.

During my theological training, I heard that somewhere in the world, when a believer dies, leaves, or becomes an apostate, and the number of believers decreases, another believer immediately appears. I remember learning that.

The day I quit being a paladin, Muse decided to become a priest. What’s really creepy is that it happened according to that doctrine.

Then I realized. Now, I am completely caught up in the pace of the muse.

I have to become the subject of conversation first and tell the story naturally… ! Before I knew it, I was immersed in the story of Muse and my past. I was already finishing my food.

“Now, wait a minute, Muse! I also have something to say… !”

“Shh! Well, originally I was told it would only be a few weeks, so I waited, but I was really worried because there was no news after that day. So, I’m really curious about what’s going on, but I really don’t want to see you feeling sorry for me for asking for no reason. I’ll just be satisfied that you came back unscathed.”

“Muse… … ”

Tsk… … ! I got caught up in Muse’s pace again.

I’m grateful that Muse cares about me, but I can’t back down any longer.

In order to convey ‘it’, I have no choice but to explain what has happened.

However, the fact that Muse declared this means that she forgives me for spending a month abroad in silence, and at the same time, she wants me to stop talking about it.

Then it’s a big deal and I… !

“Then, since the muse says so, I won’t say any more. Instead of… … There is something I really want to tell you.”

“… … … uh!? Yes. Yes, I did. I said it earlier. I have something I want to give… Is that important?”

“Yes, it is very, very, very important. Something I really want the muse to see.”

I took out a small blue box from my pocket and held it out in front of Muse. Muse was surprised to see that and waved her hand.

“What, what is that!? Well, that priest is prohibited from accepting money… … ”

“This is it. It is a gift not to the ‘priest’ of the Muse Symphony, but to the ‘individual’ of the Muse Symphony. So, please accept it. Muse.”

Muse’s cheeks turned red, and she placed her trembling hand on the box.

Then he carefully opened the box lid. After seeing what was inside, the Muse said no more. Isn’t it better to say that I couldn’t say it based on the expression on his face?

“Actually, it was all my fault for returning late from the original deployment schedule of about 3 weeks. The jewel embedded in that ring. I made a ring by processing a gem that is said to be rare from a monster that only appears in the empire. Because of that, there was a delay of a week… I made this to give to you. And I’ll tell you here and now. Marry me… Muse.”

Muse still said nothing. The hand that opened the box was only trembling as I stared at the ring.

“Muse?”

“Well, that’s what I mean… It’s my first time doing something like this… What should I say? That’s that… I’m so thankful… … Hi… ”

During my relationship with the Muse, I gave her many gifts, but this was my first time with a ring like this, and she rejected most of them.

The reason was that because of his position as a priest, he should give to others and it is not right to receive gifts from others. Of course, I used to be a paladin, so I knew that Muse’s rejection was justified, but I felt sad inside.

But I will never give up on this one. Well, now Muse started stuttering and crying as if she was moved.

“Muse is really a crybaby.”

I wiped Muse’s tears, took out a ring and put it on her hand.

“Now then, Muse. I want to hear your answer… Will you marry me?”

“Ugh, yes! If you don’t mind me being like me… I agree to the marriage… No, wait, it’s not this… I really want to get married!”

The Muse looked straight at me and shouted. I don’t know where the face that had been crying just now had gone, but she faced me with a confident expression and confidently accepted my courtship.

Is it because of her mood that her pink hair, shining under the restaurant lights, looks brighter today? Or maybe the goddess herself is blessing our marriage.

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After paying at the restaurant, we went out to the street again. The streets, which had been crowded just a moment ago, have now become quiet.

The number of passers-by had decreased, and merchants were cleaning up their stores as they had almost finished their evening business. I walked down the street holding Muse’s hand tightly, just as I did before going to the restaurant.

“So are you going back to church now?”

“Yes. Even if they take over the evening prayer meeting, it is my job to pray to the goddess after the prayer meeting.”

“Muse, you are also a reference student.”

“Haha… Well, this is all I can do for the goddess… By the way, I wish I had a prosthetic right arm instead of the left. It’s not cool like this.”

Muse lost her left arm during a monster attack, and now wears a prosthetic arm.

The ring I had placed on the ring finger of his left hand was sparkling, but he didn’t seem to like the fact that the ring was worn on a mechanical prosthetic hand rather than his actual body.

The sight of Muse walking with her left arm raised and looking at the ring was pitiful. At times like that, it’s a change of mood…

“By the way, Muse. Is something going on at the church these days? It seemed like he was really busy?”

“Ah, yes… That’s right, I’m planning to invite people to the church soon and give a lecture and a prayer meeting. The name is ‘Savior of Orphans’. Director Eustis Orphanage, who ran the Siete Orphanage and looked after countless orphans and did good deeds, will come.”

“Siete… orphanage? If it’s Siete for a moment… ”

“Yes, Clarice is from that orphanage. Eustis also knows Clarisse well. But recently, he was sad that he didn’t send me a greeting letter, and he didn’t even show up at Clarice Fort Church… ”

“No way something happened… ”

What I said to change the mood suddenly continued here.

Clarisse… She is an apprentice nun who is in the same party as the Alex we saw today. Could it be that her disappearance is the cause of Alex’s depression?

“That’s not it either. If you ask people in the church who join the guild, they say that they have been receiving requests from the guild every single day lately. The reason you can’t come to church may be just because it’s difficult… Still, no matter how hard it is, it’s a little strange that a child who comes to church at least twice a week doesn’t come for an entire month.”

Clarice and Alex, what happened to them?

I’ll need to take a look later. They are clearly excellent adventurers with a bright future. If I, a senior adventurer and an elder, can be of help to them, I must help as much as possible…

“Okay, so that’s the end of the story! Thank you for walking me to church. you. See you again tomorrow~”

–Squeak… … thud… !

Have you already come to church? The Muse waved her hand and entered the church, which was still brightly lit.

I waved my hand and saw her off. Today is an extremely happy day. It was a glorious moment when a new fruition was born between Muse and I. As I reflected on the day, I returned to my dorm with the completely closed door behind me.

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