The sun is said to shine evenly upon the whole world, and most people believe that to be true.
But there are certainly places where even that sunlight can’t reach, and in the case of Evian, the back alleys fit the bill.
A place where sunlight barely penetrates, always filled with a damp smell.
Where water collects on the floor and quickly turns into slippery moss.
A place where not even a glimmer of hope can be seen, and people earn enough for a single meal each day.
Especially in this adventure-hungry city, the logic of survival of the fittest applies so strongly in the back alleys of Evian.
It was a melting pot of various people, from vagrants, and homeless folks, to the disabled and orphaned kids who couldn’t even find their way to an orphanage.
The day before a charity event begins.
“This place hasn’t changed at all…”
Priest Vigrind muttered as she surveyed her surroundings from the edge of the alley.
The back alley in her memory looked just as it did when she stepped out of the orphanage and attended the cathedral academy.
Time seemed to have frozen, with no changes whatsoever from that moment.
A dead street, devoid of any vitality or life, unchanged in the slightest.
Behind Vigrind, the people from the cathedral were unloading boxes filled with food and essentials, including clothes they no longer wore.
She knew that lingering around just to help would only end up being a nuisance to them.
So, Vigrind distanced herself and continued to explore the back alley.
“Is there such a place in Evian?”
Vigrind turned at the sound of a clear voice.
Ludvik had approached and was now standing beside her, looking around the back alley.
“In Evian, you mean… other places are like this too?”
“Yes. There are alleys like this in Marlen where I lived too. Places where sunlight rarely shines and the poor gather. Places completely untouched by the grace of the Divine.”
Vigrind hadn’t really visited different villages.
Originally, her home was a small mountain village not far from Evian, and after that village was slaughtered by monsters, she was brought to Evian by Sister Aege, growing up in the cathedral orphanage.
“There are always places like this wherever you go. Just like the stronger the sunlight, the darker the shadows. It’s a reminder that there are spaces where the Divine’s grace doesn’t reach.”
“…Is that so?”
Vigrind felt somewhat uncomfortable with Ludvik’s words.
Even she could see that Ludvik had changed.
After he lunged at Yona and was humiliated by Vervaria, he seemed to have transformed completely, displaying blind faith towards the Divine.
Ludvik was demonstrating a blind faith in the divine being.
Such faith that even Priest Vigrind found it occasionally bewildering.
It seemed he had no doubt that the divine was the savior of this world, destined to protect and save humanity.
Because of this, there were times when Vigrind felt a bit overwhelmed by Ludvik.
Just like right now.
Vigrind turned to look behind him.
Boxes were scattered near the Community Center in the alley, and they were just beginning to be opened one by one. Sister Aege was giving instructions to the priests and the knights of the Cathedral who were providing security, preparing everything.
It wasn’t a day meant for a relief event.
Rather, it was more like a pre-event leading up to a relief event attended by the Church’s upper brass.
But at least without the leadership present, one could argue that it was even better than a true relief event in terms of good intentions.
And the fact that the Saint, Vigrind, was attending such an event was quite encouraging.
“You’re attending today too, and you’ll be at the relief event as well. Aren’t you tired?”
That was a kind voice.
Ludvik, whose voice was much softer than one would expect from just a few days prior, when there had been such disputes over whether to return to the Church Region.
“Tired? Not at all. It’s the teaching of the divine to come to the lowly and look after those who have nothing.”
“Is that so…”
A hesitant tone.
While staring silently at the mumbling Ludvik, Vigrind felt he had more to say but couldn’t quite express it.
“Hero, do you have something you want to say?”
Vigrind looked up at him with an unusually calm gaze.
A calmness that seemed deep, showing no signs of wavering.
It was a composed demeanor, with a faint blush on her cheeks.
“No, no. It’s nothing.”
Saint Vigrind.
A girl who was usually very shy and rarely expressed her opinions.
A girl who would remain quiet and simply follow what others said.
Ludvik wanted to understand the reason for her sudden change.
But he couldn’t.
Vigrind’s transformation was something that brought him joy, and somehow, being near her now felt sacred.
“It would be good for us to go and help. Just watching isn’t really a good thing, right?”
“That sounds good. Let’s go.”
Vigrind and Ludvik moved towards the open space where they had just started opening boxes.
*
This was a place with many who were reluctant to reveal themselves under the sunlight.
The back alley was one of those places.
A city full of shouts from lively and healthy adventurers.
Yet behind the city, there was always such darkness, and countless people lived hidden within that shadow.
Those people were now slowly starting to show themselves.
Every now and then, they came from the Church of the Celestial God to hold charitable events.
In fact, more people gathered for the pre-event a few days before than for the charity event itself.
Could those living without feel no shame?
How could they not know fear when living in a crumbling single room with hardly any sunlight?
The charity event served the purpose of buying superiority with cheap pity extended to them.
At least, most of the residents of the back alley felt that way.
A few loaves of bread, a few bottles of milk, and some basic necessities.
By simply handing out this amount of goods, they gain a sense of superiority.
As that repeated, people gradually began to realize it wasn’t truly following the teachings of the Celestial God.
However, today—
“It’s still winter, so here’s this cotton outfit. Spring will come soon, so take this as well. It’s a bright yellow, so hang it at home, and wear it when spring comes.”
“Oh my, this much…”
An old woman who received a few clothes along with bread kept bowing to Vigrind, thanking him deeply.
Among quite a few priests, there was a particular girl who was unusually close to people.
Her originally tightly braided red hair was now styled in soft curls to allow for easier movement.
Today, she wore her priest robe instead of her usual saint’s attire left at her accommodation, making it easier to be active.
Despite the cold winter, she rolled up her sleeves and wove through the crowd, distributing food, drinks, and supplies.
“There’s a shortage of bread here, it would be great to have more toiletries, and could we give a bit more clothing to that elderly gentleman over there…”
An exceptionally bright and cheerful voice like never heard before.
Laughing loudly, the girl chatted freely with the people.
What would they think if they knew that girl actually held a position equivalent to the Pope in the Church of the Celestial God?
Watching that scene, Ludvik pondered.
Perhaps because it was quite far from kindness, he didn’t feel too fond of such events.
Thus, unlike Vigrind, who blended in well and actively participated in the volunteer work, he merely hovered around her, keeping watch for both protection and a chance to observe her.
I was just keeping an eye on her, you know, for various reasons.
I pride myself on the fact that quite a bit of time has passed since we started this journey together.
At least we’ve been traveling together for several months, haven’t we?
From the season when the leaves were falling until now, when the cold has reached its peak, the leaves have almost completely vanished, turned into fertilizer.
Even after spending such time together, I had never seen her like this before.
Was she always like this but just hiding it?
Or has she simply changed due to some event?
Rudvik had no idea.
He was quietly watching her—the Saint Vigrind.
If I say it feels enjoyable, that’s an understatement.
Perhaps Yona was in such a good mood that she wanted to socialize with everyone.
Achievement, enjoyment, pride, joy, and the intersection of all these feelings creates happiness.
Vigrind couldn’t even remember the last time she had laughed this joyfully.
Lately, it had only been crying and shouting, so it had truly been a long time since she had smiled this brightly.
People, feeling a bit awkward, tried to smile back at her smile, and Vigrind responded to that smile with an even brighter one.
Who would have thought that such happiness could be found in the simple fact of two people smiling at each other?
It’s truly a pity that she had lived without knowing this feeling until now.
Vigrind handed a box filled with groceries, clothes, and toiletries to the elderly man in front of her and greeted him with a warm voice.
She asked him not to mention gratitude over and over but to stay healthy for a long time and perhaps say a prayer for the gods. Then she turned her gaze to the next person.
There stood an orc with an impressive physique, definitely not someone who looked like they belonged in this back alley.
A familiar face.
One she couldn’t mistake.
“…Mr. James?”
“Saint, it’s been a while. I’m glad to see you well.”
Though not really well—
Vigrind felt a sense of unease about James being here.
“By any chance—”
“That’s likely the case. Although it may be difficult right now, could you spare some time after the event?”
At those words, Vigrind quickly nodded.
Yona.
It was clear that Yona must be here.
No matter why Yona, who was supposed to be heading to Kapatia Port, was here, if James was sneaking around like this, there must be some reason behind it.
“Then, I’ll come find you later.”
With those words, James gracefully disappeared from sight.
Like a shadow archer, he blended into the crowd, and he was nowhere to be found.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
