Ch.71Chapter 71 – Prayer Ceremony (5)

“How about just stopping by to see Chris briefly and then coming back?”

That’s what Sarah said when she came to my room shortly after dinner. She was applying ointment to my face with one hand while talking.

“It’s dangerous.”

“But Chris said he’d like it if you came, didn’t he?”

“He also said he understood why we couldn’t. We were attacked together, after all.”

“Still, he said he’d like you to come, that he’d like us to send you.”

Sarah was strangely persistent about this.

“Is it because of Cara?”

“…Yes.”

I remembered how Cara had practically begged us to come before we parted ways. It seemed Sarah couldn’t get that off her mind, which was why she was pushing for this now. She must have known well enough herself that getting involved with that church would be dangerous.

“Hmm.”

To be honest, I was feeling a bit uneasy too. Not because of Cara’s request, but because of Christina. She had clearly shown on her face that she wanted me to go with her. After silently weighing the risks for a while, I came to a decision.

“…I guess there’s no helping it.”

“You’ll go?”

“I’ll go alone.”

I looked at Sarah as I spoke.

“Just you, Mr. K?”

“I’ve got my helmet on. If I stay quiet and leave quickly, it might be fine.”

The helmet was meant to protect and conceal my face, after all. I calculated that if I moved very carefully, I wouldn’t be discovered right away. No one would be able to identify me just by my helmet among so many people and attack me.

“Honestly, it feels like I’m crossing a river I don’t need to cross.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

It wasn’t for Cara anyway, but for Christina.

“I’ll go when the blessing ceremony is about to start and leave as soon as it’s over.”

“What about me?”

“It would be best if you stayed with Eve while I’m gone.”

If Sarah were attacked while I was away, it would be troublesome. Having her stay with someone was the best option. And right now, Eve was the only person I could trust to look after Sarah.

“I’ll go to the merchant guild tomorrow and ask her to take care of you for a bit.”

“I don’t really like it, but…”

Sarah said with a slightly displeased expression. But there was no choice. If I were alone, I could probably escape even in the worst-case scenario, but protecting others would make it difficult. While I might be fine until I’m discovered, Sarah would be in danger of being attacked like last time as soon as her identity and location were revealed.

“Well, take care then.”

“I will.”

Sarah closed the ointment container, apparently finished applying it. Then she smiled slightly.

“Little by little, your burns are healing, Mr. K.”

“Really?”

“Yes. If it continues like this…”

Sarah smiled as she spoke, seemingly pleased with how effective her medicine was. I unconsciously touched my face lightly.

The sensation was a bit different, but it no longer felt bumpy like before.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Sure.”

Sarah said goodbye and left the room. I touched my face lightly again.

“…I feel strangely uneasy.”

Maybe it was because Sarah had specifically mentioned my face. My face felt slightly stinging. And for some reason, I kept thinking about that man I met earlier today.

I didn’t know why, but it felt ominous.

+

Christina had explained that the Prayer Festival was ultimately an event to pray to the gods for a good winter. So while there had been eating and drinking, the real purpose was to offer prayers to the gods.

Originally, it was a modest event where people prayed to their own gods individually, but this time, perhaps due to the atmosphere, they had prepared a large outdoor space where everyone would pray together after a blessing ceremony.

Naturally, the schedule for such an event would be announced in advance.

“It’s before evening, I see.”

“That’s right.”

Eve looked at me with a slightly disapproving expression.

“As I’ve said before, I recommend you don’t go.”

“Why?”

“First, you could be targeted too, and you can spend time with Christina another time.”

Eve’s expression darkened briefly at the mention of spending time with Christina. But she quickly returned to normal.

“I think it’s a poor choice to deliberately put yourself in danger.”

“That’s true.”

Though Eve was firm in her opinion, I had already eliminated the option of not going. I kept feeling that I needed to go. A feeling that if I didn’t go, it would be too late.

“Have I started seeing and feeling the future too?”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

When Eve asked, I just shook my head. Feelings like this aren’t easy to explain. What logic could there be in something that just feels right?

“Anyway, please take care of Sarah for me.”

“K.”

“It’ll be fine.”

I smiled at the worried Eve.

“I’m just going to take a quick look and come back.”

“…Just come back quickly.”

Eve finally gave up and sighed softly. Then she stood up and personally put my helmet on me. As we faced each other, only her hands moved. The helmet’s clasp was locked while I stood still.

“Is a single sword all your armament?”

“I can’t carry more than this, no matter what.”

“…Can’t be helped.”

It’s a festival, after all. Excessive armament isn’t possible. Armor, a dagger hidden in my chest, and one sword. I couldn’t manage more than that.

So I left Eve and Sarah behind and walked toward the festival venue. I walked while calculating that the blessing ceremony would be starting by the time I arrived.

“…It’s snowing again.”

Is it snowing a lot this year? Or is this region normally snowy? I walked while thinking about such trivial things. And as I entered the festival venue, I began to carefully observe my surroundings.

I could see people enjoying themselves. People laughing and chatting, thinking today would pass peacefully too.

After blending in and making my way through the crowd for a while…

“You came?”

“Hmm.”

Cara was standing beside me, though I hadn’t noticed her approach. I didn’t even sense her presence. She’s quite skilled.

“Are you alone? Where’s the woman who was with you?”

“…She suddenly had something come up, so I came alone.”

“I see.”

Cara looked disappointed for a moment. Then she smiled slightly and said:

“Still, I’m glad you came, even if it’s just you with your helmet.”

“Why?”

“Christina looked quite lonely yesterday.”

Cara approached me slightly and looked up at me.

“Go be with her. After the blessing ceremony, do you have a moment?”

“I’m busy, so I need to leave. Christina will stay since she’s a nun.”

“You heartless man. I’ll come find you right away, so wait just a little.”

Her tone wasn’t much different from before, but she seemed slightly happier. I didn’t expect her to be so pleased after meeting just once yesterday.

‘Mission accomplished.’

Sarah seemed to care a lot about Cara, so she’d be relieved to hear I met her. That alone was enough reason to have come here.

“Then I’ll go to Christina.”

“Do that. Unfortunately, I can’t go right now, so please give her my regards.”

“I will.”

Cara’s face brightened at my response. She bowed her head once to express gratitude and then disappeared into the crowd.

“…She’s become more honest.”

I smiled slightly, noticing how she was expressing her feelings more honestly, perhaps moved by Christina’s words yesterday. Though for some reason, she still seemed to be trying to suppress those feelings.

+

I went to the Evgenia Church’s event area to find Christina, but she wasn’t there. As it turned out, she was handing out flyers in a crowded area, determined to proselytize until the very end.

“So here you are.”

“Eek!! Oh, Benefactor?”

When I finally managed to grab her shoulder through the sea of people, Christina was startled at first. But she seemed to recognize me immediately by my helmet.

“What brings you here? You said you wouldn’t come today.”

“I just felt a bit concerned.”

“Because of Miss Cara?”

“Something like that.”

In truth, it was more because I felt uneasy, but Christina seemed to interpret it differently. Well, that was part of the reason too, so it didn’t matter.

“I’m glad you came. The blessing ceremony was delayed, but it’s about to start now.”

“It was delayed?”

“Yes.”

This was information I hadn’t heard before. I decided to ask why.

“Do you know the reason?”

“Oh, they found explosives, apparently.”

My mind went blank for a moment at the mention of explosives.

“Here? Explosives?”

“Yes. The Emiris Church discovered them yesterday. They announced they would do one more inspection before the prayer.”

Christina exhaled lightly.

“It’s fortunate they were found before anyone got hurt.”

“…This might sound harsh, but with so many church members here, couldn’t they heal people if they got hurt?”

“Healing magic isn’t that omnipotent.”

Christina laughed, noticing I wasn’t being entirely serious.

“If an arm or leg were pulverized, it could never be restored.”

“I see.”

“Even if an arm or leg were just severed, it would be difficult to restore if the cut was messy or already infected. It’s possible, but at a level where only 1 out of 100 people might succeed.”

Christina spoke calmly about such gruesome matters. Being a nun, she might have become desensitized to such things after seeing them often. Soon, she raised one finger and said:

“So, health is always the most important thing, Benefactor.”

“That’s right.”

Christina spoke while pointing one finger at me, as if admonishing me. She looked like a proud child, which I found cute.

“Oh, I met Cara earlier. She asked me to give you her regards.”

“Is that so? Could we meet briefly after this is over?”

“We could, but I’m planning to leave right after this.”

I quietly pointed toward the Emiris Church’s event area as I spoke, and Christina nodded.

“Can’t be helped.”

She quickly understood and took my hand.

“Then, since you’re here, would you like to pray too, Benefactor?”

“But I don’t believe in any god.”

“Not everyone here came because they have a religion.”

Christina said with a smile.

“Even if you don’t usually believe in gods, wouldn’t it be worth trying a prayer in a place meant for wishes and blessings? The gods might listen.”

“With so many people, would a god listen to me?”

“It’s just a feeling.”

Christina smiled as she spoke.

“But if you don’t even pray, how could the gods listen?”

“You have a point.”

If you don’t even try, naturally nothing will happen.

“…I think you can pray to any god, or just hope that someone is listening. Pray for this year to end well, for next year to be welcomed well.”

“Alright.”

At times like this, Christina really seemed like a dedicated nun. Well, she was always dedicated. The problem was that she would suddenly start praying and draw everyone’s attention.

As I was having these somewhat disrespectful thoughts, Christina spoke up.

“And if possible, please pray to our Lady Evgenia.”

“You really never give up, do you?”

She suddenly held out a membership form, which I gently pushed away. It seemed she wasn’t being entirely serious, as she smiled and put the form away.

“Ah, it’s starting now.”

Suddenly, for some reason, the surroundings darkened. A moment later, candles began to float up all around the streets.

“What’s this?”

“It’s something our church prepared. We planned to darken the surroundings with holy power and make candles float to create a solemn atmosphere for prayer.”

Christina said with a smile. Then she added, as if boasting slightly:

“This was actually my idea that surprisingly got approved by the upper echelons of the church.”

“That’s impressive! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“Well, about that.”

Christina’s voice came quietly.

“…Honestly, I didn’t think you would come. With the Emiris Church incident and all. I thought you and Sarah wouldn’t come, so I just didn’t mention it.”

Her matter-of-fact tone pierced my heart. I hadn’t been considerate enough.

“If I had known you had a plan that got approved, I would have come even if I had to force myself.”

Even as I said this, I reproached myself for being too insensitive. This nun had quietly hidden her achievements to protect others’ safety. She must have wanted to be congratulated, but she didn’t show it. Christina accepted my apology with a smile.

“…It’s enough that you came, Benefactor.”

She added quietly, probably thinking I wouldn’t hear it over the surrounding noise. Unfortunately, her words had already reached my ears. Feeling sorry and embarrassed, I quietly pretended not to have heard and looked away.

“The blessing ceremony will now begin.”

A woman wearing a black robe with gold embroidery ascended the platform where the most candles were floating. Her face was covered with something like a veil.

‘That must be the Emiris Church’s saint.’

Soon she made a gesture. Holy power emanated from her, and something like letters appeared in front of her. Looking around, I could see huge letters appearing at intervals.

‘Is that the blessing text?’

I looked at the letters with some curiosity. People began to pray with their hands clasped, and Christina also started praying.

Soon, all the religious people closed their eyes and prayed solemnly.

‘Speaking of prayer…’

I quietly closed my eyes and slightly clasped my hands. I wasn’t particularly religious, but the image of how to pray like this came to mind. The form probably doesn’t matter anyway.

And in that state, I recalled Christina’s words.

“‘If you don’t even try, how could the gods listen?'”

Quietly remembering her words, I closed my eyes. There’s no harm in praying once. Let me quietly make a wish.

‘…I hope I can return home.’

I quietly expressed one wish. And then.

‘…And additionally, may everyone around me be well and healthy.’

I thought of Eve, Sarah, Christina, and others I had met so far. Apart from going home, this much seemed necessary. As someone who wants to return, I can’t wish for much more than their well-being.

…It felt a bit regrettable that I might never know if my prayer would be fulfilled completely.

If possible….

Shortly after, the brief prayer ended. People around me were still closing their eyes and quietly reciting something, but I didn’t need to say much more. Still, out of respect for the atmosphere, I only slightly opened my eyes and looked at the platform.

‘That’s…’

A man had come up beside the saint. It was definitely the man who was with Cara yesterday.

‘Why is he there?’

Judging by his attire, he seemed to hold a significant position in the religion. However, that wasn’t why I was staring at him.

It was because I felt a chill from the smile he was wearing.

‘Why?’

The man was smiling kindly with a serene face. Just looking at him, it seemed like a harmless smile.

But why? Why did that smile feel scary to me?

I tensed my muscles at the man’s smile. For some reason, I felt that if I didn’t move now, I would be in danger. I quickly turned toward Christina.

Explosions began to occur all around us.