After leaving Riina’s room, Sub-priest Sofia did not say a word to me.
Walking through the mansion’s corridor, guided by Stewart Alfred, I made my way out of the mansion, retracing the path through the garden I had walked earlier, as the sun began to set.
Still, Sofia did not utter a sound. An awkward silence lingered between us.
Thus, Sofia and I finally left the Adelheid Duke Mansion. The streets in the evening were bustling, but being a place where the upper class lived, it did not feel disorderly.
“…Head Priest.”
Finally, Sofia spoke. I turned my head towards her.
“Sub-priest Sofia.”
She was already looking at me. The way her eyebrows formed into a slant unexpectedly frightened me.
As if to validate my fear, she asked with an annoyed expression.
“Why did you lie like that?”
“…Lie? What are you talking about…?”
“Don’t try to deceive me too. I understand why you wanted to hide your past from the Head Priest, but not now. I can’t comprehend it.”
“First, calm down…”
“How am I supposed to calm down…?”
Sofia’s expression turned to one of incredulity. With nothing else to say, I stopped the hand I had reflexively reached out toward her.
“Head Priest, you said using divine power hurts, right? That you feel pain that might make you faint?”
“That’s…”
“How could you make such a request to me, knowing very well that…?”
The look I had sent to Sofia when I spoke to Riina.
A heartfelt plea for her not to intervene, that I would handle it myself.
“I really don’t understand why I complied with that request.”
“……”
“I said I don’t understand…”
“I’m sorry, Sub-priest Sofia.”
“I told you not to apologize.”
“……”
I was at a loss for words. I couldn’t say anything as I stared blankly at her for a few minutes.
“Haa…”
Sofia let out a sigh. Her eyes were clouded with sadness.
“Head Priest. I had to go along with that lie even though I knew you would suffer. Do you understand how I feel?”
“…That.”
“I said not to apologize, but now is the time to apologize.”
“I’m sorry, Sub-priest Sofia.”
And so, silence fell for a while. After standing still, glaring at me for a moment after accepting my apology, she suddenly hugged me tightly around my waist.
I froze at the sudden situation. Many people were passing by, but most of them did not even glance in our direction. It was truly a relief.
“…Ugh.”
Sofia awkwardly grabbed my outstretched hand and placed it onto her head. I was so bewildered by the situation that I couldn’t react, just staring at her blankly.
“What are you doing? Move your hand quickly.”
“…Ah, understood.”
I could feel her soft hair between my fingers. The blonde strands slipping through felt like silk. A refreshing and sweet scent tickled my nostrils.
It seemed as if Sofia’s anger was gradually subsiding as she tightened her grip around my waist even more, decreasing the distance between us to almost zero.
“…I was sad.”
Suddenly, Sofia opened her mouth. Her voice was muffled as she buried her face in my clothes.
“Pardon?”
“I said I was sad. When I realized you would suffer and still went along with your lie…”
Having momentarily stopped my hand, I now lifted my head to face Sofia, who was looking at me. Her green eyes sparkled.
“Since I was sad, now you have to comfort me.”
“…Understood.”
“Be responsible. Really… Head Priest, you’re so stupid.”
“No…”
“Why do you have to live your life endlessly giving way to others? That’s just… so foolish…”
“……”
If you ask why, I can only severely struggle to answer such a troublesome question.
I said nothing. Sofia too seemed not to expect any answer, letting her hand gently stroke my hair.
Until we returned to the academy dormitory, Sofia and I had to walk along the streets like that, tightly close to each other.
Even so, walking in such an embrace in the not yet darkening streets inevitably drew the eyes of busy passersby.
“Look at those people…”
“Oh my. It’s the priests…”
“How youthful. What a lovely sight.”
“Priests are people too, right?”
If she intended to take revenge by making me embarrassed, I could only say that it was an excellent revenge.
…Truly.
*
Morning had arrived.
During the Fall Festival week at the Academy, the festival is held very early in the morning. Allowing people to come and go from morning.
On the first day, the entry of outsiders is restricted, allowing students to enjoy the festival for a while… but a single day is hardly enough for students to fully enjoy it.
The reason for opening the festival grounds from the time when other citizens of the city were heading out to work was also for this reason.
If it was insufficient enjoyment, it was the Academy’s consideration to let students enjoy themselves to the fullest right now. Given their priority to the students, it was only natural.
And because of this, Sofia and I had to take a carriage to the Adelheid Duke Mansion from early in the morning.
Originally, carriages were not a common means of transportation. This mysterious mode of transportation, which had rapidly increased in production during the Great War, had proven its worth even in those days without smooth improvements, overcoming rough terrains to move troops and transport supplies.
Perhaps because the development of such carriages accelerated, in the past two years, I had frequently witnessed vehicles passing along the main roads.
Moreover, it became an absolute necessity for the nobility who were preoccupied with government affairs, constantly being busy.
After riding in the carriage sent by the Adelheid Duke for about an hour, Sofia and I got off the carriage without exchanging any particular words and walked towards the mansion.
Since yesterday, after inadvertently displaying our affection for one another in the streets…. Sofia had weirdly not spoken to me.
Even when I asked something, she would cut off the conversation with short sentences like “Oh, really?” or “I see.” or “Yes. Understood.”
Whereas before, she would have likely continued the conversation with remarks like, “Oh, really? By the way, yesterday…”
‘…The important thing is not this.’
Anyway, what was significant today was not Sofia’s awkward attitude. What truly needed to be addressed was my own limits.
Walking behind Stewart Alfred, who had come out to meet me, I fell into thought.
‘A prayer for the sick of Gerot…’
The use of divine power lies in reciting prayers, a heartfelt belief from the cleric, knowledge that comprehends the grace of the blessed Lord, and a heart accepting the Lord’s love.
These three elements gather to manifest a miracle in reality.
Their total volume and purity vary with each person. Everyone has different nuances of faith in the Lord and various expressions of good will, and that is only natural.
And naturally, manifesting a miracle from God is an exceptionally burdensome task from a human perspective. Small miracles, like healing, don’t carry too much weight, but if a cleric had to manifest miracles for dozens of people without rest, just like grains gather to form a mountain, it becomes exceedingly challenging.
Even Helena, whose purity of divine power far exceeded mine, had collapsed from exhaustion due to such a simple miracle.
‘…Damn.’
And the prayer I must undertake, “A Prayer for the Sick of Gerot.”
This is more than just healing. It grants an indescribable power to the target for a certain duration, allowing them to overcome most ailments and rise from their sickbed, if only for a short time.
It was frequently used on the battlefield. Mainly a prayer used by high-ranking clerics, but I too had experience using it several times alongside Helena. Mostly in front of the knights of the Imperial Knight Order.
And naturally, this places an enormous burden on the clerics.
The simple effect lasts for more than half a day, but the clerics suffer physical strain in return.
Moreover, I had promised to shoulder the burden meant for Priest Luciana as much as possible. It would be a fortune if I didn’t faint from the pain originating from my right shoulder.
“Mr. Antorelli.”
“Professor Moritz.”
The reason I requested to accompany Professor Moritz was also for this reason. Arriving at the mansion’s entrance, I exchanged light greetings with Professor Moritz, who had been waiting there.
If it’s fortunate to call it that, Professor Moritz was also Riina’s physician. Thus, there was a valid reason for him to be with us. Perhaps that was also why he accepted my proposal.
“Mr. Antorelli. May I ask once again… Are you really alright?”
“Professor Moritz, this is my decision.”
“…To involve me in such things, I think I am unqualified as a physician.”
“I will endure as much as possible. Please don’t worry.”
I stepped inside through the wide-open front door and muttered.
“I’m now used to enduring pain.”
“……”
“Moreover, if it’s something only I can do, even more so…”
Professor Moritz remained silent.
Me, Sub-priest Sofia, and Professor Moritz. The three of us silently ascended the mansion’s stairs. I heard that the Adelheid Duke and Duchess, as well as Priest Luciana, were already gathered in Riina’s room.
Following Stewart Alfred’s guidance, as we walked down a corridor that felt familiar yet foreign, we soon stopped in front of the familiar wooden door.
As we entered through the door indicated by Stewart Alfred, four pairs of eyes turned towards us.
“Professor…!”
“Ah…”
I averted my gaze from the tearful Adelheid Duke. To me, it was an incredibly grotesque sight.
Behind him, I caught sight of Riina lying on the bed. The difference from yesterday was that she had been fully decorated and prepared.
As I approached, Priest Luciana nodded from her position across from me. I also inclined my head in acknowledgment.
Lowering my gaze, I saw Riina staring at me with bright red eyes.
‘…Can I do this?’
No. I must. Now that I have come this far, there’s no turning back.
“Then, I will start immediately.”
And I was someone accustomed to the things I had to do.
