A Day in Lacey’s Life

<Side : Lacey Glyss>

『Month of the Cross – 20th (Morning)』

“…Hiccup. Th, thank you…! Mister, adventurers. I learned a lot thanks to you. See you next time!”

Alex asked our party how to get stronger, then burst into tears and ran off.

“Lacey, is he always like that? Even if he is at an age where he is very sensitive, he walked over with a gloomy expression, and then suddenly burst into tears and ran away. I can’t understand boys’ emotions.”

Elizabeth, brushing back her long, purple-tinged hair, watched Alex leave.

She was making a similar comment to what I was feeling, with a dumbfounded expression.

“Liza, all kids that age are like that. Anyway, Lacey, he seems like a promising young man, just like you boasted. He’s not just trying to get stronger through training, but also trying to find out other ways.”

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

“Just saying~”

Myrit, wearing iron Gauntlets that looked heavy at a glance, waved at Alex, who was running away without looking back.

He naturally and playfully deflected Elizabeth’s teasing with a sly smile.

These two were a married couple, and although they often argued, they were undoubtedly a loving couple.

Alex’s figure completely disappeared, and silence returned to the Guild’s front gate.

“It’s been a while, but let’s go report to the Guild. Herry told us to be sure to stop by when he got back.”

“Herry wasn’t such a rigid person in the old days. It seems like the position changes people.”

The Guild Master had told her to report back without fail when he returned, grabbing Elizabeth’s hand so hard that it left a mark, so she couldn’t forget it even if she wanted to.

Is the report that important?

But if we report everything that’s happened, the timing will be awkward…

I was lost in thought for a moment, looking at the sunset and the dark blue sky.

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

Lost in such thoughts, I was shaken back to my senses by a pat on the shoulder.

Turning around to find the source, I saw Myrit smiling.

“Lacey, you must be dying to see her, even a second faster, right? Liza and I will do the reporting. You should go to the church quickly. The evening prayer meeting is coming up soon, so you won’t be able to talk for long.”

“Wait… you, Herry, said to come together for the report.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay~ Lacey, don’t worry about what Liza says and go. We’ll take care of the report ourselves. Think of it as a reward for introducing us to a persistent novice adventurer. Buy us a meal later.”

“Wait a minute… this makes me the bad guy! You’re really… what about my position if you do this…?”

The two of them had already started arguing. I knew that this argument wasn’t a real fight, as I had seen it many times before.

Besides, the original dispatch schedule was for three weeks, but I made them stay there for an extra week because of me.

I felt sorry for them for listening to my stubbornness twice, but I wasn’t so narrow-minded as to refuse their kindness. I should treat them to a meal later, as Myrit said.

“Thank you. I will definitely repay you for this. I will also compensate you for the dispatch schedule being messed up because of me. Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Okay, okay~ Be sure to deliver ‘that’ thing that you searched for all over the Empire!”

“Sigh… I can’t say anything bad to such a person… Have good results… Well, you may not have as good a relationship as our couple!”

As if they hadn’t been fighting, the two of them smiled brightly and blessed me as I left the Guild.

I turned my back on the darkening sky and headed for the church.

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

Because I had made my love wait for a whole month, and now it was time to see that love.

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『Month of the Cross – 20th (Evening)』

My steps stopped in front of the church gate. From inside the tightly closed gate, I could hear the voices of people busily moving around.

It was still before the evening prayer meeting, so was it the sound of the church Priests preparing for the prayer meeting? I took a deep breath and put my hand on the doorknob.

“It’s been a month since I’ve seen her… Don’t be flustered… Don’t be nervous…”

I steeled myself and pushed the door open. Rainbow-colored stained glass, dazzling lights, and a huge stone statue.

All these elements told me that this was the headquarters of the Sea Moon Church. As soon as I stepped into the church, the Priests who had been busily preparing all looked at me at once.

And among the Priests wearing white Priest robes, a woman with pink hair tied in pigtails and striking black eyes was turning around and giving instructions to the Priests.

My love. My happiness. Muse.

“Put the sheet music there, light the candles… Huh? Why is everyone like that? Who’s here…!”

Muse, as if the enthusiastic figure she had been giving instructions just a moment ago had disappeared somewhere, just stood there silently, looking at me like she had swallowed a bee.

–Thud…!

That was only for a moment. Muse fluttered her pink hair and jumped into my arms.

“Really… why did you come so late? There was no news at all… Hiccup…”

Muse buried her face in my arms and sobbed, appealing to me.

Even though I was wearing armor, her sobs echoed in my heart beyond the cold armor.

It was not right as a man, and as a former knight, to make my only fiancé cry.

I stroked Muse’s hair and said.

“I’m back… and I’m sorry. I was a little late because of circumstances.”

Hearing my apology, Muse took her face off the armor and looked up at me.

The tear marks that flowed down her eyes pointed to my mistake of leaving my fiancé alone for a long time.

I stroked Muse’s bangs and looked at her, who had barely stopped crying.

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

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

I couldn’t possibly fathom Muse’s heart, which had been waiting for me for a month.

I had no words to say, having returned late and not even telling her the reason.

Just listening to Muse was the only way to atone.

“I’m really sorry… Muse. For leaving you alone for so long…”

The busy atmosphere inside the church was soon overwhelmed by the reunion of Muse and me.

Looking around, the female Priests who were moving furniture or cleaning inside the church were whispering and looking at us with interest, like girls who had read a romance novel.

Looking at the scene, I felt a little guilty. I changed the subject to change the gloomy atmosphere.

“Were you troubled by me coming in the middle of your busy schedule? I said I would come before the evening prayer meeting, but I wonder if it’s too late…”

“Ah, no! There’s still a long time before the prayer meeting starts…”

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

But Muse, the chief Priest of the church, was the main player in the prayer meeting. Now, this time is the last time to meet Muse today.

On the day the prayer meeting ends, Muse stays in the church and prays all night.

I wish I could have dinner with her since we met after a long time. If so, I could also give her this ‘thing’…

“Muse Priest!”

“Oh, oh? Huh? Why, why all of a sudden!”

A female Priest’s voice seemed to end our time, which had been enveloped in an affectionate atmosphere.

She approached Muse, who was in my arms. Then she took Muse’s hands and said.

“We will lead the evening prayer meeting today. Muse Priest, please go have dinner with your… fiancé!”

“Wh, what? Why are you guys suddenly like this…”

“Muse Priest, who always cried and prayed late into the night for her fiancé, has dramatically met her fiancé like this, so there’s no time to waste even a second! Leave it to us and go!”

“Wa, wait, how do you guys know that…”

Was the whispering a little while ago about this? The female Priest who spoke to Muse also had the same insignia on her Priest robe as Muse.

She was also in a high-ranking Priest position, so it was not strange for her to stand in front of the prayer meeting. Before Muse’s mind, who was flustered and hesitant at the female Priest’s words, could change, I took Muse’s hand.

“Thank you very much for the Priest’s concession. I hope that the Priest will also have a good meeting in the future. Let’s go, Muse.”

“Oh, ooh? Wa, wait, Lacey…”

I pulled Muse’s arm and went out of the church. Muse was rambling, but I knew best that she was not so stubborn as to ignore her colleague’s kindness.

Even though it looked like I was forcibly pulling her out, she was obediently following me without resisting.

–Squeak… Thud…!

The thick wooden door closed. It was unlikely, but I quickly took Muse out in case the female Priest changed her mind.

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

A beautiful night view with stars twinkling here and there. Still, it’s not comparable to Muse standing next to me. Muse is my top priority in my heart.

“……So, what are you going to do now? Weren’t you going to go have dinner?”

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

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

“Yeah, let’s go have dinner. I’ll tell you everything that’s happened there. You must have been curious about a lot of things. I’ll tell you everything. And…”

“And?”

“I have something to give you too.”

I left those words and, with the streetlights illuminating the street as friends, held Muse’s hand tightly and headed for the crowded street.

The street was full of various merchants, including hawkers, merchants trying to sell goods, and peddlers grabbing passersby and explaining their products.

“Dinner… are we going to that place then?”

“Yeah. That’s the best restaurant I know. I thought you liked it when we ate together last time. I was going to go there this time too. …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…”

“Heh, hehe… Was that all it was? I thought you were already tired of me.”

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

Muse’s appearance, puffing out her cheeks and waving her other hand. It was so cute and lovely.

So lovely that it was engraved in my soul that I was Muse’s fiancé. Even now, I couldn’t help but want to give Muse ‘that’ thing in my pocket…

Hoo… I have to be patient. Myrit said that it would be more powerful if I set the mood and gave it to Muse…

Muse stayed close to me, arm in arm, as we walked. The fragrant smell from Muse tickled my nose, and her hands warmly embraced my rough hands.

And for Muse, who wanted to cherish this moment as much as possible, I walked the street as slowly as possible. In this street with her head leaning on my shoulder, I felt like only Muse and I were left.

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After slowly strolling through the street, we arrived at the restaurant. It was full of people, but there was enough space for Muse and me to sit.

Leaving behind the employee carrying the dishes with a clatter, we sat down at an empty seat and chose our menu. I ordered a lot of her favorite food for Muse.

Now, this time is only for Muse. And surely… Myrit said. Create an atmosphere that she would like as much as possible.

“…Are you okay? Didn’t you just pick my favorite food?”

“Ah, no! I’ve been in the battlefield for a month, so my appetite has changed a little!”

“Really? But there’s nothing you originally liked… Are you really okay?”

I could confidently say that I knew Muse’s taste best, having been dating her for five years.

But I was so focused on creating an atmosphere that I forgot that Muse was feeling burdened. But I couldn’t take back the food I had already ordered. I just decided to keep pushing forward.

“Heh, ahem… I’m okay. And today’s main character is not me, but you, Muse.”

“Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I told you earlier. I’ll tell you everything that’s happened…”

“That’s right… but why are you suddenly like this? If you’re trying to create a strange atmosphere… I’m never going to fall for it!”

Muse put her hands on her waist and showed a haughty and confident appearance.

She’s quick to notice things. Well, it seems like I’ve already been caught, so I don’t need to put on a cool act. I decided to tell Muse everything that had happened so far.

Just as I was about to speak first, Muse opened her mouth first.

“By the way, it’s been a while. This was also where you and I first met. I quit the Royal Knights, and you quit the Holy Knights and came out, and we happened to meet here.”

“I guess so. I met you at a time when I was worried about the future. Right here, in this place.”

“Yeah, yeah! I kept looking for you. I had been looking for the man who desperately supported me and returned to the main camp while I was unconscious in that deep forest.

But that person quit being a Holy Knight right after that expedition. I met you then and found out. That you were the one who saved me!”

Muse was reminiscing about the day she first met me at this store in the past. Old story…

I was once born as the third son of a merchant family, and in order to become a merchant following in my father’s footsteps, I had a plain and dry life where I just had to receive the same education every day, learn the same etiquette, and walk a predetermined path.

Then one day, a procession of Holy Knights passing through the street changed my life.

After that day, I earnestly asked my father and joined the Holy Knights.

Of course, my father was extremely opposed, and he allowed me to join on the condition that I abandon my surname and sever ties with the family.

Looking back now, I think that was a last warning spoken for his son, but I should have listened to my father at that time.

“I don’t have such good memories of being a Holy Knight.”

Anyway, after becoming the Holy Knight I had longed for, I continued to perform the duties of a Holy Knight.

Guarding the royal castle, exterminating Monsters, patrolling the streets, etc. At that time, I had pride as a Holy Knight, and I did not hesitate to do dirty work, and I worked as a proud Holy Knight who devoted myself to the Goddess and protected the citizens.

But that didn’t last long either.

“Well, that might be the case. It’s a well-known fact in the Royal Knights that new Holy Knights who come in without knowing anything quickly quit after realizing the reality of the Holy Knights. However, the pressure from the Holy Knights is so severe that if you try to reveal it, they come at you with a murderous intent.”

Come to think of it, the reason I quit being a Holy Knight and the day I met Muse were the same.

The reality of the Holy Knights who framed me for colluding with Monsters and ridiculed innocent citizens, the incompetent upper management, and the senior Holy Knights who shamelessly ran away as soon as they saw Monsters, using their juniors as shields.

From the first button of the Monster extermination expedition launched by the alliance of the Royal Knights and the Holy Knights, the image of the Holy Knight I respected was completely shattered.

“If I had known a little sooner, I would have quit the Holy Knights before that incident.”

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

What put an end to it was a giant dog-shaped Monster that shook the earth at the time.

It was the appearance of a Monster that fired the signal flare for the full-scale invasion of the Demon King, which I had only read about in books.

Those who held the title of Holy Knight, supposedly protecting the citizens and safeguarding the nation in the name of the Goddess, abandoned their swords and armor, fleeing as soon as the Monsters appeared.

Of course, I was scared too. But I wasn’t cowardly enough to leave behind the citizens who hadn’t escaped yet. With the appearance of that Monster, the hidden Monsters simultaneously attacked us.

“I really thought I was going to die back then. No matter how desperately the Knights fought, without Divinity, it was impossible to gain a complete advantage over the Monsters.”

They were rushing in, fighting the Monsters, exhausted, wounded, gasping for breath, and fighting fiercely as if burning their last embers.

I couldn’t even guess how many times I had pierced the Monsters’ bodies, and I was almost unconscious, collapsed on the floor. Just as I was desperately trying to open my slowly closing eyelids and stand up,

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

The rays of light extending from the pillar of light pierced the Monsters one after another, and all the Monsters were wiped out in such a short time that it felt foolish that I had been fighting so hard.

“You must have seen that light too. I witnessed a miracle. I saw with my own two eyes that the Goddess actually exists!”

“Of course, I saw it too. Unlike Muse, that light was the decisive reason for me to quit the Holy Knight Order.”

Muse was fascinated by the miracle of the Goddess after seeing that light, calling it salvation for herself, who had lost an arm and was on the verge of death.

In contrast, I cried out to the Goddess, asking why she hadn’t sent down that light sooner to protect more people.

That was the decisive reason why I fled the Holy Knight Order after that expedition.

“Come to think of it, there was a saying in the Sea Moon Church. ‘The number of believers does not decrease.’ You know that, right?”

“Of course, I know it. I was once a member of the Holy Knight Order. I didn’t believe it at first. But seeing the relationship between you and me now, I can understand it very deeply.”

‘The number of believers does not decrease’ was a strange phrase in the Doctrine of the Sea Moon Church.

I remember learning during theological education that even if the number of believers decreases anywhere in the world due to believers dying, leaving, or becoming apostates, another believer immediately appears.

On the day I quit being a Holy Knight, Muse decided to become a Priest. It was truly eerie how that Doctrine came true.

It was then that I realized. I was completely caught up in Muse’s pace.

I should have taken the lead in the conversation and naturally unfolded the story…! Before I knew it, I was completely immersed in the story of Muse and my past. We were already finishing our meal.

“Wait, Muse! I also have something to say…!”

“Shh! Well, I was originally told that you would only be gone for a few weeks, so I kept waiting, but after that day, I didn’t hear from you, so I was really worried? So, I’m really curious about what happened, but I don’t really want to see you feeling sorry for me for asking. I’m just satisfied that you came back without any injuries.”

“Muse…”

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

I’m grateful for Muse’s concern for me, but I can’t back down any further.

To deliver ‘that,’ I have no choice but to explain what happened during that time.

But for Muse to say this so definitively means that she forgives me for spending a month away without a word, and at the same time, she doesn’t want me to bring up the story anymore.

Then, without further ado, I…!

“Then, since Muse says so, I won’t talk about it anymore. Instead… there’s something I really want to give you.”

“………Huh!? U-um. Yeah, that’s right. You said it earlier. That you had something to give me… is it important?”

“Yes, it’s very, very, very important. Something I really want Muse to see.”

I took out a small blue box from my pocket and held it out in front of Muse. Seeing that, Muse was startled and waved her hand.

“W-what, what is that!? P-Priests are forbidden from receiving valuables…”

“This is… a gift for Muse Symphony ‘the individual,’ not Muse Symphony ‘the Priest.’ So, I hope you’ll accept it. Muse.”

Muse blushed and put her trembling hand on the box.

Then, she carefully opened the box. Seeing what was inside, Muse didn’t say anything more. Or rather, judging from her expression, it would be more accurate to say she couldn’t say anything?

“Actually, the reason I returned late from the dispatch schedule, which was originally set for about 3 weeks, is all my fault. The jewel embedded in that ring. It’s a ring made by processing a jewel that is said to rarely appear from Monsters that only appear in the Empire. That’s why it took an extra week… I made it to give it to you. And I’ll say it here now. Marry me… Muse.”

Muse was still silent. She was staring intently at the ring, and only the hand that opened the box was trembling.

“Muse?”

“T-that’s, that’s… I, I’ve never had anything like this before, so… I don’t know what to say. That’s, that’s… I’m so grateful… hic…”

During my relationship with Muse, I had given her several gifts, but this was the first ring, and Muse had refused most of them.

As a Priest, she said it was right to give to others, not to receive. Of course, I, who used to be a Holy Knight, knew that Muse’s refusal was justified, but I was secretly disappointed.

But this time, I will never back down. Well, Muse is stuttering and starting to cry as if she’s moved.

“Muse, you’re such a crybaby.”

I wiped away Muse’s tears and took out the ring, putting it on her hand, and said.

“Then now, Muse. I want to hear your answer… will you marry me?”

“Y-yes! If someone like me is okay… I accept the marriage… no, wait, that’s not it… I, I definitely want to marry you!”

Muse looked straight at me and shouted. Her face, which had been tearful until just now, was gone, and she faced me with a confident expression and confidently accepted my proposal.

Is it just my imagination that her pink hair, shining under the lights of the restaurant, looks brighter today…? Or maybe, the Goddess is directly blessing our marriage.

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After paying the bill at the restaurant, we went back out into the street. The street, which had been crowded until just now, was now deserted.

The number of pedestrians had decreased, and the merchants were cleaning up their shops, having almost finished their evening business. I walked down the street, holding Muse’s hand tightly, just as I had done before going to the restaurant.

“Then are you going back to the church now?”

“Yes. Even if those kids take over the evening prayer meeting, I still have to offer prayers to the Goddess after the prayer meeting.”

“Muse, you’re a dedicated student.”

“Haha… well, this much is nothing for the Goddess… By the way, I wish my right arm was the Prosthetic arm instead of my left arm. It doesn’t look cool this way.”

Muse lost her left arm during the Monster attack and now has a Prosthetic arm.

The ring that I put on her left ring finger is sparkling, but she doesn’t seem to like the fact that the ring is on a mechanical Prosthetic arm rather than her real body.

Muse’s appearance of holding up her left arm and looking at the ring was pitiful. In times like this, it’s best to change the mood…

“By the way, Muse. Has anything been going on at the church lately? You seemed really busy?”

“Ah, yes… well, we’re planning to invite someone to the church for a lecture and prayer meeting soon. It’s called ‘The Savior of Orphans.’ Justis, the director of the Siete Orphanage, who has been benevolent by looking after countless orphans while running the Siete Orphanage, will be coming.”

“Siete… Orphanage? Wait, if it’s Siete…”

“Yes, Clarice is from that orphanage. Justis knows Clarice well. But recently, she’s been complaining that she hasn’t been sending letters of greeting, and Clarice hasn’t been showing her face at the church lately…”

“Could something have happened…”

The words I uttered to change the mood suddenly led to this.

Clarice… the novice nun who is in the same party as Alex, whom I saw today. Could her disappearance be the reason for Alex’s depression?

“It’s not like that either. If you ask the church kids who go to the guild, they say that she’s been taking on requests from the guild every day lately. The reason she can’t come to church might just be because she’s tired… But even if she’s tired, it’s a little strange that a child who comes to church at least twice a week hasn’t come for a whole month.”

What happened to Clarice and Alex…?

I need to see them once later. They are definitely promising and excellent adventurers. If I, as a senior adventurer and an older person, can help them, I have to help them as much as possible…

“Well, that’s all for the story! Thank you for walking me to the church. You. See you again tomorrow~”

–Squeak… Thump…!

We’re already at the church. Muse waved her hand and went into the church, which was still brightly lit.

I waved my hand slightly and saw her off. Today is an incredibly happy day. I savored the glorious moment when a new fruit of Muse and my love was born, and I turned my back on the completely closed door and returned to my lodgings.

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