Episode 28
“Is that possible?”
“Of course.”
This temple really emphasized performance.
The priest smiled and extended his hand towards the ‘light of guidance’ held by the goddess.
As soon as he lightly touched it, light began to emanate from the sphere.
A soft glow poured down from the goddess’s hands.
“Wow, a touch-sensitive mood light…”
“What was that, Director?”
“Nothing.”
Damon gave me a confused look.
You wouldn’t understand even if I explained it to you.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Yes, it is.”
It would be nice to have something like this by the bedside to help me sleep…
“The believers often use items containing this light as talismans. To rely on when they go out to sea.”
“Can I make the light of guidance myself?”
“Unless you are a hero blessed by the goddess, it’s impossible. Instead, we use replicas made with the light of spirits as talismans. But…”
“But?”
The priest led us somewhere without answering.
A small altar was set up behind the statue of the goddess.
On it were accessories that looked similar to pendants.
“If you make a small donation to the temple, you can receive a custom amulet.”
“Ah…”
I was wondering why the service was so good; they were selling merchandise.
“Or, you can take a training course and make one yourself.”
Even encouraging you to register for a DIY course?
This was really no joke.
I guess this level of dedication was necessary to be a staple in this genre of novels.
I smiled wryly and looked at the amulet.
A wave pattern was carved on the round shell.
In the center was a blue gem, which probably emitted light.
“Would you like to take one?”
The priest asked, showing the amulet.
“No…”
I won’t buy it.
Found 600 cash from the amulet known as the ‘sailors’ talisman.’
Nevermind, I’ll buy it.
“How much is it?”
Since it was a clue worth 600 cash, I’d buy it.
“We won’t accept any donation for this.”
Seeing my quick change in attitude, the priest smiled and shook his head.
“Please take it as a souvenir. If you ever encounter a storm or are shipwrecked, just throw this amulet into the sea.”
“Throw it into the sea…”
“Yes, it’s a kind of superstition that has been passed down among seafarers for a long time.”
He chose the biggest and prettiest amulet and handed it to me, saying,
“May the goddess’s blessing be with you.”
“Thank you.”
Giving something like this for free. Even though the temple might’ve been hit by capitalism, it seemed they were still not as bad as me.
“Would you like to have one as well?”
“…”
The priest kindly offered, but Damon frowned even before he finished speaking.
“No, thank you.”
He even took a step back and declined firmly.
It was the first time I’d seen someone express such hate for something free.
‘He should’ve just taken one more and given it to me.’
I inwardly clicked my tongue as I looked at the amulet that glowed faintly on my palm.
Even though I wasn’t a sea person, having something was better than nothing, right?
“I don’t really believe in talismans.”
Damon shrugged his shoulders.
Hmm, was that so?
I straightened my shoulders and tossed my hair back, taking a confident stance.
“Right. You don’t need to have something like that.”
His narrowed eyes turned towards me.
“Because I will protect you.”
My voice came out pretty nice.
I clung on well today!
I secretly felt proud and waited for Damon’s reaction.
“…….”
Damon, who had been silently looking down at me, suddenly turned his head away.
Soon after, I heard a small laugh, like the sound of air escaping from a balloon.
“You….”
Did he just laugh at me? Was I funny?
But when he looked back at me again, his face showed only his usual indifference.
“Yes, I’ll trust you.”
Damon answered in a voice devoid of any emotion.
He didn’t seem to care one bit about my suspicious gaze.
What was it? Did I really mishear?
“Then I should stick to your side.”
“Huh?”
“So I can be rescued by you in a dangerous moment.”
“Uh…”
“I’d been worried, to be honest, so this is a relief.”
Damon said in an easy-going voice that did not show a single grain of worry.
It was so close that it became burdensome.
Maybe I shouldn’t have bragged…
“If you’re done, shall I guide you to the inner chapel?”
The priest, who had been watching Damon and me whispering, asked cautiously.
“Yes, please.”
Upon hearing my response, the priest smiled kindly and led the way.
Although he wore a friendly smile… let’s not forget.
He was a merchant trying to sell people temple merchandise and DIY courses.
“Director, why are you holding your pocket so tightly?”
“You don’t need to know.”
This was necessary when visiting a tourist spot known for pickpockets.
Wouldn’t there be something sale-worthy in the chapel as well?
I needed to steel my heart so I wouldn’t fall for their sales tactics.
“This is the place. We can’t go in right now because there’s a service going on.”
The priest stopped in front of a building.
Found 200 cash on the ‘bench where that person often sat.’
Found 200 cash in front of ‘the door of the chapel through which she entered to repent for her sins.’
Elisa was known to pray for Karl frequently, and there were traces of her all over the place in the clues that proved that.
“Since it’s a small temple, all worship, rituals, and ceremonies are held in this chapel. The knighthood of the Holy Knight ceremony is also held here.”
“What is the Holy Knight? A title?”
“It’s the only title in the empire that is bestowed by the temple, not the emperor. It’s not an actual title, really, more like a medal or an honor…”
The priest’s eyes gleamed as he rubbed his chin in thought.
“It’s good to have because there are many benefits.”
I guess they get money from bestowing it.
He must be holding back from saying it outright to avoid seeming too materialistic.
I could tell just by looking at those capitalistic eyes.
“Although it’s called knighthood, it’s actually closer to sainthood. It’s meant to honor those who have worked for the empire and the temple. Many heroes have received this title.”
“I see.”
“In recent years, the title was received by Sir Karl, for he protects the western sea of the empire.”
Well, Karl was indeed a person worthy of being revered as a saint.
‘Could it be that Karl received both the title and the hero’s prophecy at the same time?’
The newly revealed prophecy of the hero.
From what I’d seen so far, wasn’t Karl the person who fit the position of this ‘hero’?
Perhaps he had no choice but to break off his engagement with Elisa because, as a hero, he had no choice but to spend his life fighting.
‘But…’
It’s strange that Karl, who’d fought at sea from the beginning, would suddenly change just because he received the title of hero.
The birth of a new hero should be celebrated, yet there’d been no announcement either, which was suspicious.
…As expected, we needed accurate information about the prophecy.
Ding. Ding.
At that moment, the bell signaling the end of the service rang out.
“Ah, it seems it’s over now. Shall we go meet the High Priest?”
The priest said with a smile.
‘Yes, I can find out the content of the prophecy using the newly acquired testimony collection system.’
I should talk to the High Priest and collect as much cash as possible.
I nodded and entered the chapel.
***
“Welcome.”
Following the priest’s guidance to the innermost part of the temple, an elderly man with white hair greeted us with a gracious smile.
“I am Meridan. I hold the position of High Priest overseeing the Northwest Temple.”
“It is an honor to meet such a person.”
“No, I’ve merely lived a long life of faith and come to hold this position as a result.”
The High Priest guided us to a guest table.
“I have read the visit request you sent. We’re a small temple on the outskirts, so it’s been a while since we received any visit requests other than for service.”
“I apologize for the sudden request —you must have been surprised. But I’d like to thank you for welcoming us so warmly.”
“It is all by the will of the goddess. However…”
The High Priest trailed off with a somewhat heavy tone.
“Is it true that Miss Elisa has disappeared? It was written in the request…”
“Yes, that’s correct. We came to find clues about Miss Elisa’s whereabouts.”
“……”
The High Priest’s face darkened sharply.
“How long has it been since Miss Elisa disappeared?”
Lowkey starting to think the hero is Elisa herself
A belated happy holidays to my dearest readers (and merry christmas to those who celebrate!)
