Ch.214Report on the Collapse of Patience (7)

# The Next Morning

Kain, Maria, and Lily walked toward the square. The village was relatively quiet. It seemed the hangover, fatigue, and lingering effects of revelry had not yet dissipated.

“My, it’s snowing sleet,” said the newlywed groom who was guiding them. He blew into his hands with a “ho” sound. His white breath spread like a dragon’s exhalation.

“The weather here is problematic, you know. Rainy days are rare. Either we get sleet, light snow like today, or full-on blizzards.”

Kain pulled his clothes tighter. Ice particles entered through the gaps, making his back feel cold.

“But you still don’t think about leaving this place.”

“Since they know this land is barren, they collect fewer taxes. The bad weather is bearable, but I just wish we wouldn’t hear such ominous news.”

“Bad news, huh.”

Hearing Kain’s mumble, the newlywed whispered.

“Actually, north of Garioth are heretics, and to the east is the Demon King’s wasteland. This village doesn’t see many visitors unless the Empire is waging war. Seeing many young people is never a good sign.

If they were Imperial soldiers, nobles’ private armies, or the Pope’s knights, that would be different. But ordinary-looking people gathering here is even more suspicious.”

“It seems many people have passed through.”

“Yes. I’ve been seeing more of them lately. The elders were all worried. ‘Müller, did you see their eyes? Did you see how they held their heads high and squared their shoulders? Those men are definitely soldiers. I guarantee it.'”

Hearing Newlywed Müller’s words, Maria tilted her head curiously.

“What about us?”

“Well, you’re very different from them. Anyway, those people just passed through the village. They would only stop for water, unlike you who joined our festival and even helped us in our troubles. They seemed to be in a hurry.”

Last night, when the village youths asked what they did for a living, Kain had answered that they were “wandering pharmacy apprentices.”

Not searching for rare herbs, but traveling on behalf of a university to find medicinal ingredients used in different regions and their applications.

The villagers nodded in understanding at hearing these otherworldly concepts of “medicine” and “university.” The newlywed, however, showed particular interest, asking if they could take a look at Aunt Milena.

Milena’s house was quite modest. When Müller knocked, a tiny old woman opened the door. Müller introduced Kain’s group, and the old woman gestured for them to come in.

Logs burned in the fireplace. Steam rose from cups, suggesting she had just been drinking tea.

The cabinet was filled with dolls made of cloth and straw. Despite the materials that could have looked crude and bizarre when mixed, they were incredibly cute and dainty.

“Auntie has been complaining about discomfort here and there, so I specially brought you,” Müller boasted before leaving to get more firewood. Kain, Maria, and Lily looked at each other, smiled awkwardly, and began asking Milena questions.

Fortunately, Kain, Lily, and Maria all had considerable knowledge of herbs and pharmacy. Kain from the Security Bureau, Lily from her knight training, and Maria from her time in back alleys and as an inquisitor.

“Ma’am, I’d first like to know where you’re feeling discomfort. Medicine is tricky, you see. What helps one ailment might be poison for another wound. For an accurate prescription…”

“Oh my, there’s nothing like that. Sitting in this comfortable chair with a blanket over my shoulders is the best prescription. When you get old, everyone feels cold, so warmth is the answer.”

“Perhaps something aching…?” Maria asked carefully, but Milena shook her head again.

“When you age, everything aches. That handsome young man just said it, didn’t he? Some things can be medicine or poison depending on how they’re used. Time is the same.”

“Time?”

“Your blonde hair is so pretty, miss. I once knew a girl as pretty as you… People often say time heals painful memories. If so, then time must be a poisonous herb.

It may be medicine for memories, but poison for the body. Time accumulated in the body doesn’t escape; it just circulates inside…”

The old woman’s face was filled with melancholy.

“Am I in pain? No. Nothing hurts. It’s just that the time accumulated inside me, my past, is slowly eating away at my present. When I come to my senses, I find myself living in the past. My body is here, but my mind returns to the old days.”

Kain nodded heavily. In his hometown too, there were elderly people like this. Some would get angry, while others would smile shyly. Whether angry or smiling, they seemed just like children.

“I understand what you mean. How poetic.” Maria gently took the old woman’s hand. Milena placed her hand on Maria’s.

“Your appearance is pretty, but your hands are hard and rough. Even calluses… you’ve had a difficult life…”

The old woman even pressed Maria’s palm firmly with her thumb. Maria seemed a bit choked up but forced a bright smile.

“Difficult? No, not at all.”

“Don’t keep things bottled up. The heart is timid; it seems to accept everything, but actually stores it all. Then, when triggered, it bursts out.”

“I understand.”

“Especially for a nun.”

Startled, Maria looked at the old woman. The old woman chuckled, shrugging her shoulders.

“A nun, right? I was just guessing, but your reaction confirms it.”

“…Yes, that’s right. But how did you know?”

“I could tell by where your calluses formed. There are countless professions in the world, and each forms calluses in different places, but someone with calluses all over their palm and especially where they hold writing instruments is typically a clergy member.”

Sit at a desk and transcribe, work when away from the desk. The fate of all monastics.

“I used to be a nun too.”

Milena gently stroked Maria’s hand. Maria’s smiling expression gradually hardened as the old woman’s grip tightened.

The old woman’s expression gradually stiffened. Or rather, became expressionless. She looked like someone awake but dreaming. The past had overtaken her again.

Maria carefully, but not rudely, twisted her hand free. Milena paused, then leaned back slightly, seeming to gaze at a distant scene.

“Have you swept the yard?”

When Maria and Lily were taken aback, Milena asked again.

“You forgot again. Well, we have been busy lately. But since important guests are coming today, we need to clean thoroughly. They’re coming from the Papal States. Father Canisius specifically instructed us.”

Kain stood up. Milena looked at him blankly. Kain bowed deeply.

“Everything is cleaned. Is there anything else you’d like me to do? Or things we should prepare?”

At Kain’s question, Milena frowned. She even pursed her lips in distress.

“Why am I so absent-minded these days? There was something I wanted to say… um… Ah! Where are Laios and Ismene? I need to scold them… Ah, Ismene!”

Milena rose from her chair. The blanket fell to the floor. Maria quickly removed it so the old woman wouldn’t trip. But Milena paid no attention and walked toward Lily.

“Ismene. Didn’t I tell you to keep that box safe?”

“I’m sorry,” Lily responded quickly, bowing her head. “But which box do you mean? There are so many boxes, it’s hard to distinguish. What’s inside it?”

The old woman was horrified and tried to cover Lily’s mouth. The height difference made it difficult.

“How can you speak so loudly when others are listening! There’s something precious from the Papal States in there. It’s meant only for the heroes. That will lead this war to victory.”

“…How?” Lily pretended to be confused. “Will it give overwhelming power?”

“Ismene, even I don’t know everything in the world. Neither does Father Canisius.

I don’t know what that fruit does. But it’s definitely something important. It’s our weapon against the Demon King of Terror.”

Kain and Maria remained tense. So did Lily.

They could tell that Milena had returned to some point in the past, specifically when Laios and Ismene were joining the Children’s Crusade.

Moreover, Milena was confusing Lily with Ismene. Though it felt wrong, Lily steeled herself to impersonate her briefly.

“Then it’s meant for Laios and me. Because we received the revelation.”

At those words, Milena stepped back. She covered her face with her thin, small hands. Lily gently touched Milena’s shoulder.

“Oh, Ismene. Ismene… that’s not it… that’s not it…”

“…What do you mean?”

“Those words you heard during prayer. Those words saying you were chosen.” Milena’s cheeks were wet with tears.

“That was Father Canisius whispering from behind the chapel curtain. He spoke into a hollow metal rod, making it sound mysterious and strange. But it wasn’t real. There was no revelation. It was a lie to send you out of the village.”

“But,” Lily clenched her fist to contain her shock. “But I clearly heard a revelation. Why did Father Canisius do that?”

“The villagers threatened the Father. They said if he didn’t send the village children to the Children’s Crusade, they would reveal everything about my relationship with him…

The village chief even came with a sickle. He said if the children remained in the village, we wouldn’t survive the winter. We needed to reduce the number of mouths to feed.”

Since she was holding Milena, Lily didn’t stagger. Maria knelt and offered a brief prayer. Kain gripped the armchair tightly.

It was a lie. There was no revelation. The villagers who knew about Canisius and Milena’s relationship had used it to blackmail them into sending the children away.

You are chosen heroes, they said. So you must leave to capture the Demon King. Laios and Ismene believed those words and embarked on an unwanted expedition. When they agreed to go, the village children also believed and followed.

“Sister,” Lily’s voice trembled uncontrollably.

“I have a confession. That fruit. The fruit meant for the heroes—Laios and I ate it. We have become heroes now.”

“No, it’s okay. It’s okay… don’t leave… you shouldn’t go there… where is it, where exactly are you trying to go…”

“I’m not going,” Lily gently embraced Milena. “I’m not going. I’ll bring Laios back too. Don’t worry about anything.”

When the newlywed returned with an armful of firewood, Milena was sleeping like a child again. Her breathing was even and quiet.

“Oh my, Auntie is sleeping. Was it difficult?”

“No. She fell asleep quickly. I think you should let her rest comfortably.”

Kain gave his prescription. The newlywed was delighted.

“Auntie’s face already looks peaceful. I haven’t seen such a peaceful expression since I was a child. What did you do?”