“This is absolute nonsense.”
Ceres shook her head while brushing her silver hair with her hand.
A few days ago, she had come to the Infura Church Region, both to submit a report related to Semek and to meet with the Alebians. And there she was, having a one-on-one with Pope Akzel IV.
“But everyone is saying the same thing. Isn’t it indeed strange?”
Pope Akzel IV picked up a cookie from the plate on the table and crunched it loudly. The sugar dust sprinkled all over the cookie fell like snowflakes, sticking to his beard, but he seemed to not care at all.
“Strange? Isn’t it just nonsense they’re babbling?”
Ceres picked up the report that was next to the cookie plate.
The report.
Information compiled from the investigation of the demon of humiliation, Vervaria, who descended at Kapatia Port, and the Dark Association members who led the descent ceremony.
“On the day of the arrival of the rightful saint, the divine being will return.” I mean, isn’t that a bit too much infatuation with heresy?
That was the claim of the Dark Association members, who endured brutal torture and still insisted on such a thing.
The rightful saint’s arrival requires the divine being to return—then what is the current divine being, and who is this current saint?
The scripture clearly states that centuries ago, the divine being appeared personally and defeated the ancient god. Because of that, the Demon King lost his power and was ultimately obliterated by the hero Siu.
Heresies always make such ridiculous claims. They spit out whatever junk comes to their mind without proof and seriously believe in it, insisting on these absurdities. It’s something that’s neither worth believing nor should be believed.
“Anyway, don’t worry about it. The Dark Association is just a bunch of lowlifes, right? When the Holy Knight Brigade shows up, they’ll be like a little puppy with its tail between its legs, running away.”
Ceres smiled contentedly.
She was sure of it.
“Anyway, that’s that, but about Semek.”
Ceres leaned back comfortably on the sofa. The real reason she had come to this church region was to submit a report on the bizarre events that occurred in Semek. Given the seriousness of the situation, it wasn’t just some report to be thrown into a side room; it was proper to submit it directly to Pope Akzel IV.
A small flicker of blue appeared in the depths of Akzel IV’s eyes. His gaze fell on Ceres, with an unspoken look examining her.
For an ordinary person, that gaze would have been overwhelming, but Ceres shook her head dismissively as she lounged on the sofa.
“It seems like we’re dealing with a vampire, but its trace is mysteriously absent. If it had moved, there should have been chaos in another place, but that’s not the case. The surrounding villages are also fine.”
“…So, you’re saying it might still be lingering in Semek?”
“Well, I wouldn’t know. How could I? More importantly, about that nun.”
“The nun? You mean the one with the white hair? Her name is…”
“Yona.”
Ceres grinned. Pope Akzel IV slightly bent his sturdy back and leaned against the sofa.
His nonverbal gesture urged her to continue, and Ceres spoke on.
“You knew the Church of the Celestial God’s verse was engraved in that thing, right?”
“I do. I’m aware she could be a vessel as well.”
Pope Akzel IV nodded slightly.
One of those who claimed to have defeated Vervaria—a humble healer in the guise of an adventurer.
When he had an audience with that healer, he had pierced through the verse inscribed on the Sacred Barrier she wore.
He also knew well that it was a verse used during the so-called Echo-less Era—a time regarded as the dark age of the Church of the Celestial God.
Ceres nodded at Pope Akzel IV’s words.
“She’ll be here soon.”
“She’ll be coming here?”
“Yes. To the Church Region.”
“Is that so? Then…”
Pope Akzel IV’s words trailed off as he fell into thought.
The meaning behind her being a vessel could be interpreted in various ways. It could be a bowl, a dish, or even a vessel for offerings.
“We need to take that vessel first.”
Ceres laughed.
Pope Akzel IV quietly observed her laughter, which was so unblemished and pure.
*
As Yona left Cantatien, she glanced back.
Cantatien was undeniably an unforgettable place for her. It would probably never fade from her memory—a city called Cantatien.
She had experienced the big event of the Orensia Flower Festival there, and on top of that, the confession she received from Alex had deeply embedded itself into her consciousness.
For that reason, she didn’t stay a single day in Cantatien. After preparing only what she needed for her journey, she set off, glancing back at the increasingly distant Cantatien, her expression complicated.
Alex watched her quietly.
She would take a few steps, look back at Cantatien, take a few more steps, and then look back again.
The meaning behind Yona’s repetitive gestures wasn’t too complicated, and Alex understood well what thoughts were running through her mind.
It was probably due to his confession in Cantatien.
Alex could see Yona’s reaction and was certain that her confession wasn’t in vain.
Otherwise, there was no way to explain Yona’s current demeanor.
Sigh…
Yona let out a long sigh.
With her mouth tightly shut, as if questioning when it had ever been like that, Yona turned her gaze away with a fiercer glare.
As soon as the purification was over, they moved without hesitation.
Yona, Alex, Kaiyak.
Their next destination was the Mage Community, though it was uncertain whether the Alebians were still there; for now, they would just go and check.
If Alebians were present, they would confirm if they could contact Ceres.
If not, they would head to the Infura Church Region to see if Ceres was there, and if that didn’t work out, they would return to Kapatia Port.
If Ceres was there, they would remove Yona’s tattoo.
In other words, their ultimate goal was to meet Ceres and erase Yona’s tattoo.
Next, they would find Escara from the Mage Community and return to being male—
a pretty simple and clear plan, but each of them had different thoughts about it.
Yona was hesitating a bit.
Regarding the goal of returning to being male, she had been pondering a lot lately.
The memories of living as a man had been shaken to the core, rooted in Alex’s confession.
If she returned to being male, Alex would definitely leave her.
That thought made her uneasy.
Alex was anxious.
He thought time would be sufficient until he met Ceres again, but the events that had taken place were indicating that there was little time left.
He had boldly thought he would paint Yona’s heart with his own, and he decided he would be the one to support her in breaking down her world and rebuilding it, but it was proving difficult.
If he saw Ceres, erased the tattoo, and returned to the Mage Community, everything would be over.
Kaiyak had no particular thoughts.
Regardless of the outcome, he was planning to return to Evian and live his days as an adventurer.
With such varying thoughts, they were leaving Cantatien and heading toward the Mage Community.
That night.
Expecting to arrive at the Mage Community soon, they had a simple dinner and went to bed.
Yona, who had switched watch with Kaiyak, sat leaning against a rock, staring into the campfire.
The flickering flames danced in harmony with the swirling winter wind, and each crackling spark rose high only to fade away. Yona’s gaze remained fixed on the flames, moving only occasionally when she tossed another log into the fire.
From somewhere, the long howl of a wild beast echoed. Yona suddenly lifted her head and glanced around. The chilling night air felt eerie enough to raise goosebumps, but Yona sniffed the air and returned her gaze to the campfire.
It spread out. Yona suddenly lifted her head and looked around. The chilly night air felt so eerie it sent shivers down her spine, but Yona sniffed and gazed back at the campfire.
“Are you still scared of me?”
At this point, she wasn’t even surprised by the sudden voice. Vervaria was always like this. Bursting out with random conversation and then cackling like a hyena before fading into silence. Yet Yona found herself unable to curse at Vervaria like before.
The mermaid had an unyielding power that left them utterly helpless.
And the serpent, Vervaria, had swooped down from the sky as soon as she got Yona’s consent.
The image of Vervaria devouring the mermaid headfirst, keeping her tightly bound, was still vivid in Yona’s mind.
That overwhelming fear, that primal terror.
It was so different from the goofy demeanor Vervaria had shown until now.
“Haven’t I told you? There’s no reason for you to fear me, for I dwell within you. You are me, and I am you.”
Yona slowly covered her ears.
‘…I am human. I am a priest.’
“Have you forgotten how those you’ve saved treated you? Do you think they view you any differently just because you’re human?”
‘I am a priest. As far as my power reaches, I am a priest who helps others.’
– Yona, remember, before you are an adventurer, you are a priest. Being a healer does not mean you are not a priest. Have compassion for others, and carry the heart of a priest that empathizes with humanity. Don’t forget, you are a priest.
The teachings of Sister Aege.
Reflecting on those words in her heart, Yona defined herself.
She was human, and also a priest.
A priest walking the path of light.
That was her essence, or so she believed.
“Who even acknowledges you as human? Do those lizards you saved recognize you?”
Vervaria’s voice, heavy with amusement, echoed in her ears.
Yona squeezed her eyes shut.
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