Raphiel… I stared at the name written next to the address for a long time.
Where have I heard this name before? I wondered if I had ever used a name like this in another life, but nothing came to mind. Moreover, the name sounded more like a nickname with its unique tone.
“Should I address her as Madam Raphiel? It’s our first meeting, so it might be rude to call her by her name or nickname. Could you tell me if she has a last name?”
“Ah, it’s fine since it’s her baptismal name.”
A baptismal name? This was a place where those abandoned by the goddess and erased from divine records lived, and yet they used baptismal names?
“Ah, look, Pixie’s carriage is arriving. You can take that to your destination.”
I couldn’t see the driver’s face because of the sunshade covering the seat.
“Pixie! Stop for a moment!”
“Hey there, you fuzzy old guard! Did you hear that the olive tree in the central square is blooming?”
“Is that true? Nah, you’re just messing with me again, right?”
Judging by their friendly conversation, it seemed the manager knew the driver quite well.
“I’ve already told the driver where you’re headed, so enjoy the ride,” the manager said as he opened the carriage door for me.
“Thank you.”
Thanks to his kindness, the journey began quite smoothly.
Wow… The carriage glided forward with ease.
See? This land is definitely blessed by the goddess.
Meanwhile, I couldn’t take my eyes off the scenery passing by the window. Blossoming flowers and trees, a clear sky, and bright sunshine. Cozy but beautiful houses and smiles blooming from people on every street.
“If we go a little further down this alley, you’ll reach your destination,” came the driver’s voice from behind the thin curtain. “Raphiel’s black bean pie is really delicious, so be sure to try it.”
Strange tone aside, black bean pie? What kind of dish was that?
I was about to respond, but my mind suddenly became tangled with thoughts. They’ll definitely ask.
Come to think of it, how should I introduce myself? It seems like everyone here uses baptismal names, but what name should I use?
“By the way, today is the day the olive tree blooms, so there will be a concert in the evening. If you get bored, come out and watch.”
But the driver just hummed a tune, not asking me anything.
“Everyone in this village is especially, no, incredibly kind.”
“Kind?”
“When a stranger enters a place like this, people usually start by being cautious.” I hesitated for a moment when I said ‘a place like this.’
“Everyone here has received the goddess’s favor to live in this land. That’s why you get to ride in this magnificent carriage driven by none other than me. Cough.”
What nonsense was this now? I had barely managed to avoid directly saying ‘land abandoned by the goddess,’ but…
“That’s the house of the priestess Kaeria, who once aided one of the five great elementalists. But the pies there aren’t any good.”
Aided elementalists? So, she wasn’t a disgrace but a hero? As I pondered the meaning of those words, the carriage stopped in front of a house that looked like something out of a fairytale.
“We’ve arrived. Have a pleasant time.”
“Yes, I will. Thank you for bringing me, Pixie.”
Only after stepping out of the carriage did I finally see Pixie’s face properly.
W-What? You’re not human?! I almost screamed.
The driver sitting under the sunshade wasn’t human but an adorably cute raccoon.
What is this place? Even I, who hadn’t flinched at the sight of devils, was stunned to encounter an animal that could talk like a person.
Stay calm, stay calm.
I approached the mansion and looked around.
“With the olive tree blooming today, I had some expectations,” a woman who had already opened the gate said, looking at me. “Perhaps the beautiful guest was the reason.”
I thought she would be older since she was called ‘Madam,’ but Madam Raphiel in front of me had a face untouched by time. She had a fresh, clear atmosphere, like the leaves of a tree in summer.
“I was referred by the manager at the Lus hotel. Are you Madam Raphiel by any chance?”
The woman smiled softly. “Yes, I am.”
Even the gentle fold of her eyes reminded me of someone.
* * *
Wow.
I marveled as I stepped into her mansion. Despite having recently lived in a grand castle until a few days ago, this small two-story house was even more beautiful.
What kind of flowers are those? In the small garden visible through the window, there were unique flowers blooming. I gazed out the window, mesmerized by the comforting scent carried by the wind.
“Since it’s been a long time since the plum fruits ripened, I’m making a tart. Please wait just a moment,” Raphiel said as she handed me a teacup.
“Ah, thank you. You must be surprised by my sudden visit.”
Even though this village was full of religious people with good temperaments, it must have been hard to welcome a stranger into her home and treat them like this. Even I, who had become accustomed to starting with a stare-down, found myself naturally becoming more polite.
“No need to say that.” Raphiel continued the conversation naturally from across the table. “Everyone’s in a fuss because the olive tree in the village center has bloomed. I’m so pleased to have a guest on such a day.”
It felt as if I were talking to someone I had known for years.
“As you may have noticed, I’ve only just arrived in this village. I haven’t even found a proper place to live, so I’m staying at the hotel for now, meaning I don’t know anything about this place.”
“Oh my, how fortunate!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together with a smile. “Coincidentally, the cottage next door is vacant. How would you like to stay there?”
“Yes? N-No, I mean…”
Having been so worn down by the outside world, I couldn’t easily adjust to her kindness.
“The hotel manager told me that you were very knowledgeable, so I came to seek your help.”
“Yes, of course.” She looked at me with a face that suggested she could answer anything I asked.
“Is there a way to get news from the capital or other cities?”
“Ah, well, the capital…” Raphiel made a thoughtful sound before speaking. “Rain has been falling heavily there for several days.” She picked up the teapot and poured more tea.
“The sun hasn’t shone, and the moon hasn’t risen because of the dark clouds that have swallowed the sky. The streets are full of mist, so you can’t see a foot in front of you.”
Hearing such news under this clear sky felt quite strange.
“The capital? It’s not usually a place that gets so much rain.”
Several people from the capital flitted through my mind. They hated rainy days.
At the end of those thoughts was Redian. I remembered how he had struggled with sleepless nights during the rainy season at the end of summer, needing higher doses of sedatives.
“Are other places fine? Is there any way to find out?”
But what I really needed to know was ‘how’ she knew, not just the news itself. That way, I might be able to find out about Benega as well.
“Not just the capital, but the whole continent is being lashed by heavy rains and floods.”
“…”
“Yet here in Pronaea, flowers will continue to bloom.”
I quietly observed the woman, who spoke in a tone as if she had seen it all with her own eyes.
“Is there anything else you’re curious about?” Her serene gaze turned to me.
“…Um.” I realized I needed to change my approach. “How did you come to live in Pronaea, Madam?”
“I committed an unforgivable sin, but that, too, was the goddess’s will, so I was able to enter this blessed land.”
An unforgivable sin…? Although my question could have been uncomfortable, Raphiel smiled brightly.
“As a priestess serving the goddess, I bore a child.”
“…”
I found myself starting to realize who her familiar-looking eyes reminded me of.
“He would be about nineteen years old by now.”
I was beginning to understand who she resembled.
* * *
The darkness was so deep that you couldn’t tell day from night. The torrential rain began on the day Redian returned from Wenis Hill.
“…Master.”
Redian stepped into the room where Siani had once stayed and lightly brushed the vanity. The scent of the woman lingered in every corner, so thick it was impossible to tell whose scent it was anymore.
Yes, I must believe. If she wanted him to have faith, he was willing to give it to her.
“But Master, you must trust me as much as I trust you.”
Redian’s slow yet determined gaze roamed the room as if searching for traces of Siani.
“And love me as much as I love you…”
He curled up on the white bed, closing his weary eyes.
“You should have endured for me as I did for you.”
That was the love Siani had taught him. His love, his light, his hatred and anger. His Nia.
“…”
How long had passed like that?
“Milord.”
“…”
“It seems we can track her location through the maid’s communication tool that Halphas brought.”
In the darkness, a voice called to him.
“…Is that so?”
His eyes, now slowly opening, were languidly unfocused.
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