episode_0212

I quietly closed the door and left the confessional.

The wide hallway was cool and comfortable.

This was especially true because the inside of the confessional was hot and humid.

“Hmm… .”

Helena and I looked around for a moment.

Is there anyone or not?

Fortunately, there was no one there.

Even inside, some of my nerves were looking outward to check, but you never know.

I made eye contact with Helena.

We covered it up by laughing awkwardly and kissing each other lightly.

“Don’t you need to tie your hair again?”

Helena’s hair style is always the same.

Hair neatly braided.

This is also because it was officially designated by Seonghwagyo.

That neat hair was disheveled.

… I did that.

“Ah.”

Helena, checking her head, nodded.

“I will have to do that. Ian, please tie it.”

Helena asked me to do it a few times, so I learned it too.

Now I can skillfully braid and tie my hair.

Helena, who had her back turned, completely loosened her hair.

Her curly orange hair that reached above her waist spread beautifully to the side.

Along with the smell of perfume mixed with sweat.

After watching it from behind for a while, I buried my face in my hair.

“Hey, Ian?!”

“I want to stay like this for a moment.”

“ is a place where people can suddenly pass by… .”

“It’s rare to let your hair down.”

Actually, it’s not that rare.

Since I sleep with my head down, I used to touch my curly hair every time.

But I just wanted to do this now.

“And it’s not like I’m doing anything like I did in the confessional.”

“Ugh… .”

I smile even though I am embarrassed.

When viewed from behind, the cheekbones stood out.

After enjoying the warmth and texture of my hair, I braided my hair.

First, tie your hair once, pull it out long, divide it into three strands, and cross them.

After crossing and braiding, tie one more row at the bottom.

“Now you are perfect.”

Helena checked her braids and smiled.

“Thanks to the saint.”

“… … .”

Instead of laughing, he blushes and bows, as if he is embarrassed.

She’s called a saint, but she did something like that in the confessional of the cathedral… .

It’s worth it to be embarrassed.

I just liked that kind of thing.

“Anyway, do I look okay?”

“Umm… .”

Helena looked me up and down.

She wore a long, black nun’s robe.

Even after going through something like that, as long as you dress appropriately, it won’t be noticeable.

The skirt is long, so you can’t tell from the outside whether she’s wearing profane underwear underneath or not.

On the other hand, I was dressed in normal clothes, so I was a little wet with sweat and other saliva.

“It’s not that noticeable.”

“Then what… .”

Fortunately, I brought a coat and wore it to cover the parts that were inevitably visible.

“Next time, I’ll have to bring extra clothes… .”

Helena muttered seriously.

“Do you plan to do this again next time?”

“… … .”

He pinched her cheek and kissed her as she avoided eye contact.

“Cute.”

“Ugh… .”

“Let’s go, saint. Even if you leave the room for too long, it gets suspicious.”

“Yes… .”

Helena timidly held my hand and walked.

*

“Ah, are you here?”

Andrea, who was sitting on a large chapel chair, stood up and greeted me.

“Did you sufficiently tour the cathedral?”

“Yes, well… .”

“We also improved the previously narrow and stuffy space. In particular, the confessional was too cramped before, so it was expanded to make it more comfortable.”

“Hmm… .”

Helena and I avoided eye contact at the same time.

Before Andrea could wonder, I spoke first.

“It’s definitely changed a lot compared to when I was there before. The internal materials were replaced with new ones, and even small facilities and tools were maintained with care.”

“Thank you.”

Andrea smiled happily and lowered her head.

Helena also hastily added.

“Yes, yes. That’s right. There were no particular defects, and it seemed like there would be no major problems as long as maintenance was done properly. Just looking at the cathedral made me very excited to see how this town would develop. Yes.”

It may seem like I just made it up, but it’s not a lie.

After spending time alone, we checked out various places around the cathedral.

Starting from the warehouse, is there any hidden space or slush fund in the underground tomb?

I also checked the ledgers with the accounting staff in the office.

Because that’s what Helena and I do when we get around.

In fact, there was nothing worth pointing out here.

“With these two people giving such high praise, I don’t know what to do.”

However, it was uncomfortable because Helena and I committed something secretly, but I think it went over well without any awkwardness.

At about that time, a bell rang lightly outside, ding, ding, ding.

“Ah, it’s meal time.”

A village with no restaurants or anything of note yet.

I remember hearing that we all ate together after working together.

“Would you like to go together? If you two help us serve food, everyone will definitely be happy.”

Since that was what we had come to do in the first place, Helena and I agreed.

*

Meals were distributed in the large open space in front of the cathedral.

The food was simple.

Soup made with potatoes, miscellaneous meat, and bones. Bread, milk and cheese. And a few salads.

This is because there is no proper foundation yet.

“From the two of you, it looks like a very shabby composition.”

Andrea felt somewhat embarrassed.

Helena waved her hand.

“No. Is there anything that can soothe a hungry stomach?”

“I was worried for no reason. You two must have experienced and persevered through even more things.”

People who were working came rushing in.

In the early evening, the sunset was setting and the scenery was dark and red.

“Oh… . It’s Helena… .”

“It is Saint Helena… !”

Several people recognized Helena and shouted.

“Ah, I never thought I would meet the saint in person… .”

Some of the people receiving the food had their hands shaking.

There were even people who couldn’t bear to take the bread Helena handed them and dropped it.

Every time that happened, Helena smiled warmly even though she was embarrassed.

“Your visit will be a great honor to this village… . Thank you… .”

After experiencing this somewhat burdensome praise a few times, I got used to it.

While I was eating for a while, a man came running urgently from afar.

Judging by his attire, he is a hunter.

The cloth armor was worn and bloodied, but he did not appear to be injured.

It’s someone else’s blood.

He came straight towards Andrea.

“Priest Andrea!”

“Hudson? What’s going on?”

“Injuries occurred.”

“Injured? What happened… !”

“Well, that’s… . While walking around the area where the trap was placed, Hancock got confused about the spot and stepped on the bear trap.”

This happens often.

Inexperienced hunters surprisingly easily step on traps.

But after all, it’s a bear trap.

You might not know it in the form of a noose, but the saw blade trap that grabs your ankle is very dangerous.

Fractures are basic, and if done well, they can reach the point where amputation is necessary.

“Other colleagues are currently being transferred. Healing hastily… necessary… .”

Unlike Hudson, who spoke seriously, the atmosphere here was not that serious.

Everyone saw one person.

Even Andrea, the person in charge of healing, looked elsewhere.

Only then did Hudson turn his head in that direction.

Helena stopped handing out bread and made eye contact with Hudson.

His slightly furrowed brow was full of worry.

No matter how dangerous the bear trap was, to Helena now, even though the injuries were as healable as breathing, she was so genuinely worried about the injured.

Hudson belatedly recognized Helena.

“Heh, heh, Helena, Seo, Saint… ! ah… ! Today is that day!”

“Where are the injured?”

Helena took action immediately.

“This way… . Oh no… . Hey, I’m coming over there.”

Hudson, embarrassed, stopped talking gibberish and stretched out his hand.

Several people in similar hunter attire approached in a hurry.

One of them was carrying a man.

This is a man whose ankles are stained red.

They also looked upset when they found Helena.

Helena walked towards that direction without saying a word.

In the past, they would check with me or ask questions, but not now.

The hunters laid down the wounded in front of Helena, who walked confidently.

He must have lost consciousness and couldn’t even open his eyes.

“I fainted on the way… .”

Helena nodded once and examined the wound.

The area where the trap was bitten was severely damaged.

The skin was torn and the bones were exposed.

“We will get you better soon.”

Helena spoke confidently and placed one hand in front of her chest.

Like praying.

I asked before what meaning there was in that act.

At that time, Helena answered like this:

‘It reminds me of Ian.’

‘When I think of Ian, a more specific and accurate image comes to mind.’

‘Just thinking of you makes me feel like I can do anything.’

… When I thought about it, I felt embarrassed.

They stopped receiving food and everyone watched Helena heal.

Bring your hands to your ankles in front of your chest.

A soft, pale yellow light emanates like sunlight illuminating the dawn.

Helena moved her hand back and forth over her injured ankle, as if caressing it with light.

Orange eyes kindly sink and comfort the wound.

“Oooh… .”

Someone let out a faint exclamation.

The wound healed quickly.

The bleeding stopped, and the flesh and skin healed.

“God… .”

“Thank you for the saint’s grace… .”

Many people knelt down with their hands together and prayed to Helena.

The wound healed completely in no time, leaving no scar.

“Thank you, I really appreciate it… .”

One fellow hunter bowed his head.

“If it weren’t for the saint, the scars would have remained for quite a long time… . No, Hancock, but this guy doesn’t even wake up in front of the saint… !”

“It’s okay. Leave it.”

The hunter tried to wake the wounded man.

It seemed like a bravado typical of people who do rough work.

Helena just smiled kindly.

“It is best to let the patient rest until he or she wakes up naturally. The wound has healed, but the moment I felt pain cannot be erased.”

“Yes. I will definitely keep this in mind.”

Andrea quietly greeted Helena.

“Thank you, saint. It wouldn’t have ended so easily and clearly with my abilities… .”

“Nothing to say. This is what I have to do.”

Helena stood next to me again to serve food.

She made eye contact and smiled.

I just smiled too.

People attended the meal with a more reverential attitude than before.

After distributing it to everyone, Helena and I also received a share.

We sat side by side at a distance from other people.

As I dipped bread into the soup and ate it, Helena just stared blankly at the people eating.

“Helen? What’s wrong?”

“Yes? ah… . that is… .”

Helena looked down at the hard bread in her hand.

I raise my head again and look at people.

“Just… . This is still a reality that is hard to believe. I am also called a saint. I am also an important person here… . I was able to handle such an amazing miracle. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem real.”

Helena looked back at me.

“Thanks to Ian.”

“Hmm. To that extent… .”

“Sometimes I have dreams like that. I have a dream where I am left alone at MacDerlin Monastery because Ian does not come to visit me. A dream of remaining as a weak person, not looking for anyone and not even thinking about doing anything on my own… .”

Helena looked at the people again.

Since there is no proper seating, people sit casually on the floor and eat.

But no one feels uncomfortable.

Accept reality for granted and just laugh cheerfully.

Some people shouted excitedly while drinking cheap beer from somewhere.

“Thanks to Ian, I have been able to see people being healed by me and living peacefully and happily through my positive influence. So I.”

Helena turned her head and kissed me.

Since he was holding food in his hand, it was a light kiss using only his head.

Helena parted her lips and looked into my eyes with drowsy eyes.

“I can’t help but love Ian.”

“Hmm. It’s like fate.”

“If God is not fate, then what else in the world can be called fate?”

Helena smiled brightly and kissed me again.

This time it was longer than before.

“Are you sleeping well these days?”

I once told you that I couldn’t sleep deeply.

It became a distant story after I got married.

But Helena sometimes asks me if I’m sleeping well these days and if I don’t sleep as deeply as I used to.

“Yes. It’s still the same since I got married.”

“Thank goodness… .”

Helena, relieved, hesitated for a moment.

“Perhaps… . I didn’t ask until now because I was afraid it would be inconvenient, but can I ask you one thing?

“Is there anything uncomfortable between us? Ask.”

Helena smiled shyly and had difficulty opening her mouth.

“You couldn’t sleep… . Is this related to Ian’s past?”

When we say old times, we mean the last time.

The Fruit Heroes and Katy heard the conversation with the Demon King.

At that time, many bad stories from the past came out.

“… Yes, that’s right.”

“So now, have you washed away some of the bad memories you experienced back then?”

I haven’t slept alone since I got married, so I don’t know for sure.

But at least I feel much lighter than before.

“I think so.”

“Thank goodness.”

Helena held my hand.

“I’m really glad that Ian is in peace… .”

“… … .”

Looking at Helena smiling with relief, I suddenly admired how well she suited a saint.

I looked at her in silence.

I remember what she said as a joke in the confessional.

He said he would forgive the sin.

Even though I didn’t go to confession properly, I was saved before I knew it.

Helena also quietly looked at me, then naturally pressed her lips together.

“I love you, Ian.”

“I love you too, Helen.”

Helena dipped her head deeper.

Wow, there are a lot of people and we have to eat… .

Still, it’s a shame to avoid it… .

“… As a saint, is it okay to do this in a public place?”

“It’s not something you do in the confessional, so it’s okay.”

“… … .”

“And, before I am an apostle, a saint, and a cardinal, I am a wife who loves Ian and is loved by Ian. That comes first above everything else. So I don’t care who sees it.”

Helena said very shamelessly.

Looking at the proud Helena, a random question came to mind.

How long has it been since Helena wore a tin helmet?

I don’t even remember.

*

When it was time to leave, Andrea came carrying a stone tablet.

“I sincerely thank you both for your hard work.”

“I am glad to be recognized.”

Helena asked.

“But what is that?”

“Ah… . If you don’t mind, I brought it with me to see if I could get their handprints.”

“Yes… ?”

“The villagers gathered their voices and said that they wanted to remember the day the two people visited. So, I was wondering what to expect… There was an opinion that it would leave a lasting impression if you took a picture of your handprint.”

The stone slab was covered with thick clay.

Helena looked up at me.

“Ian, what should I do?”

“Hmm… .”

This is a new kind of praise… .

“It’s somewhat embarrassing, but if you’re satisfied with this, I have to do it. What about Helen?”

“I like it too.”

Andrea bowed deeply.

“Thank you. It will be a great honor and blessing for the village. I promise to keep it and manage it for a long time.”

As the villagers came out and watched, Andrea held out a stone slab.

I stretched out my left hand.

Helena and me too.

With a sigh, my hand sinks into the clay.

A handprint remains.

The wedding ring he shared with her also left a mark on his ring finger.

A village whose name has not been decided yet.

We left handprints in the place where Helena once confessed to me.