I must meet Grimudo once again.
It was something that required mental preparation even for me.
As I offered a prayer to the Lord, I steeled my heart once more. This time, I had to set aside my resentment and hatred and make a request to him.
“I shall do so shortly.”
I drew a holy symbol and knelt.
The only one I kneel before is my Lord.
“Until this body is broken, I shall obey.”
If the Lord commands salvation, I simply follow.
I don’t know how a mere human like me ended up bearing such a heavy burden.
Honestly, I still don’t know exactly what I must do, but the Lord’s will isn’t hard to understand.
‘If I just do what I can, the answer will naturally reveal itself.’
What needs to be done isn’t important. What Icando is what matters.
If I keep doing what I can now, someday I’ll face the future the Lord sees. That’s the privilege of being His priest.
“Roka, stay here. I’ll be back from a long journey.”
“L-Lord… are you abandoning me?”
“No. It’s just that the journey will be dangerous.”
Behind me, the Lord protects me.
The reason I survived until the end in Yurinel’s party and could stand by their side wasn’t due to my own abilities, but because the Lord filled in my shortcomings.
As long as the Lord is behind me, I fear not even the Primal Demon King.
But Roka is different. No one protects this child.
For me, there is life after death, but for Roka, life is only once.
Even if my life ends, I will ascend.
The Lord will take me, but this child will simply die. I couldn’t take her to a dangerous place like Polaris Fortress.
No, even the journey there would be too much for her.
“I’m going to the Arctic. I need to see with my own eyes what’s coming from there.”
“Saint, you don’t need to go alone.”
Princess Ardein smiled brightly.
Her confident smile was completely different from a few days ago.
“After finishing matters in the Capital, I’ll accompany you, Saint.”
“Your Highness?”
“You gave this Ardein, who should have rotted away, a new life. This new life, as you said, I want to live helping others.”
“Actually, I’m leaving to meet the Primal Demon King Grimudo.”
I was troubled. I believe in my Lord and walk while praying, but that’s only when I travel alone.
“The Primal Demon King? Truly… are you really planning to seek out that legendary being? That’s reckless and dangerous.”
The Princess grabbed my hand in shock.
Roka’s gaze turned sharp. Her expression seemed to darken…
“Saint, let’s go to my family home first. Though our fortunes have declined, it’s still a family with much to offer. Surely, it will be of help to you.”
The Princess’s family home… that’s the Imperial Palace.
I wanted to say I couldn’t impose, but a thought suddenly struck me.
I found myself looking up at the ceiling. Perhaps the Princess and I met because the Lord foresaw this situation? Could it be that the Lord guided her here to make this meeting happen?
The Lord’s will is known only to Him, and I am no exception.
But the possibility was certainly there.
“Master, you absolutely cannot go alone with that woman.”
Roka tugged at my pants and whispered.
Was it my imagination? Her nails seemed a bit sharper.
“If you must go, take me with you.”
This Roka too. The small act of the Lord giving me an apple led to meeting Roka.
Then, the two women before me were brought here by the Lord.
Perhaps He foresaw this day from the moment the apple was given, or even before.
I can’t take these two all the way to Grimudo, but perhaps I need them for the journey there.
Or perhaps they need me. Either way, the Lord’s actions always have meaning.
“Alright, Roka. Let’s go together.”
If it’s His will,
I simply obey.
“Princess, is that alright?”
“Bringing one child along is no problem.”
She smiled. The awkwardness was probably just my imagination.
“Then let’s go, Saint. Though I’m penniless now, I’ll soon repay all who helped me. Surely, your Lord gave me this second life to do so.”
“Ah, before we go!”
Suddenly, I remembered something and blurted out.
“Let’s stay one more day before leaving. I have something to say to Mr. Rubelt and Ralph from the Alms House. Will you come with me, Princess?”
“I’d love to express my gratitude, but I’m empty-handed now. I’ll visit them later when I have something to repay.”
“Right.”
Come to think of it, the Princess was still without proper clothes, wearing only a large coat. Since we had no adult women’s clothes at home, she wore my shirt and pants, but it looked awkward. The size was off, so it hung loosely.
“Here, this is money I prepared for travel expenses. It’s not much, but it should be enough to get equipment and supplies. Buy some warm clothes and prepare, then come back. We’ll spend one last night here and leave tomorrow.”
While we’re gone, this place will be empty,
so I’ll tell Ralph to use it if needed.
Looking at the untended vegetable garden and the reviving spring, I offered a short prayer and smiled. The clinic will close, but there are alternatives.
“As long as the candles of this sanctuary remain, this place will be a sanctuary, and that spring will be holy water. If patients come, tell them to come here, bask in the candlelight, and drink the spring water.”
“To leave so suddenly… that’s truly regrettable. Do you plan to return?”
“I don’t know. I simply live according to the Lord’s will.”
I also said goodbye to Mr. Rubelt and his young son.
I hope it’s not the last goodbye, but I can’t guarantee anything.
I still don’t know what threat comes from the Arctic.
“Ralph, there are unused furniture and beds in this house that no one will live in. Take them to the Alms House if you need them.”
“Rather, sell them and use the money, Priest! We know you’re not wealthy, how could we take them?”
“I simply eat and drink what the Lord provides.”
I just smiled. The Lord is behind me, and that’s enough.
“Roka, one last question. Are you really coming with me? I know your life has been hard, but this journey might be even tougher.”
“If I don’t follow you…”
Roka hung her head and muttered gloomily.
“Will you abandon me here?”
“I’ll take you to my hometown.”
The name of my and Yurinel’s hometown is Pumpkin Vine Village.
Yurinel was too embarrassed to even mention it, but I always liked the name. Pumpkins, a crop that thrives even when neglected, were one of my favorites.
Though I left the village to spread the Lord’s grace,
and to help Yurinel achieve revenge,
and to live according to the Lord’s will, the sanctuary’s beacon and the reviving spring still serve their purpose there.
“The people there are warm-hearted despite their scars. You could live there as part of the village.”
I don’t spread grace to be repaid. The grace bestowed upon me isn’t mine, but the Lord’s.
It’s simply meant to be used according to His will.
Still, the villagers owe me much.
They wouldn’t refuse if I asked them to accept this child.
“But you won’t be there.”
Roka lifted her head and stared at me intently.
“Master, wolves don’t run from their decisions. I’ll follow you no matter what you say. Even if it means meeting the Primal Demon King.”
I realized that both the Lord and this small child
place such great trust in me.
Roka has made her decision. By her own will, and her faith in me.
“Alright, let’s go. Together. Even if it’s something neither of us can handle alone…”
Help is light. The bonds between people.
It’s through those bonds that the Lord’s will manifests.
“If we’re not alone, we can do more.”
Of course, no matter what, I can’t let Roka face Grimudo.
When to leave her behind is something I’ll decide when the time comes.
