Repeating the events of the past so many times has made things a bit more organized.
However, regardless of how sorted things are in her head, Yona could hardly speak properly through her tears.
“Yeah, yeah… Yona, you’ve been through so much… It makes sense, really…”
But she couldn’t bring herself to say that it was understandable for her to fall away from faith.
Yona hadn’t expected Sister Aege to say such a thing.
It’s something a proper priest shouldn’t say, which made it even more unthinkable.
“So, what are you going to do now?”
“I think I need to speak about that.”
The answer came from a completely unexpected source.
Focused on each other, the two didn’t hear any sounds and turned simultaneously towards the voice.
A blonde fairy who didn’t show much emotion.
A silver-haired fairy with a beaming smile.
It was Alebians and Ceres.
In an instant, Yona clenched her fist tightly at the sight of the two.
She hadn’t mentioned Alebians or Ceres to Sister Aege.
Even if she had, there was nothing she could do right now, and knowing Aege’s personality, it was obvious she would rush to them immediately.
Besides, the conclusion regarding those two was something Yona had to reach, and Aege shouldn’t interfere.
“Yona, it’s alright. Elder Ceres helped you to meet her.”
Oblivious to Yona’s inner turmoil, Aege thought Yona was tense because Elder Ceres had arrived, and she gently wrapped her hands around Yona’s clenched fist.
“Don’t worry too much. You have me here, Yona.”
“…Yeah…”
Yona bit her lip and forced a smile at Ceres.
With a leisurely gesture, as if mocking Yona, Ceres approached and stood by her.
“As Sister Aege mentioned, I believe there are considerations to be made even if Yona has become an apostate. Don’t you think so? Well, it’s not really my place to say this. I’m an elder, but I can say this as a half-hearted elder. So, Yona…”
“…Yes.”
Here wasn’t the place to show her feelings.
Aege was quite perceptive, and she didn’t want to burden her any more than this.
For that, some acting was necessary, so there was no choice.
“Let’s head to Katus Empire. If you go with me, there shouldn’t be much of a problem with entry.”
That had originally been the plan.
“I really can’t figure out what they’re thinking… annoying little…”
As if reading Yona’s thoughts, Ceres smiled at her.
That smile looked so infuriating that Yona was overwhelmed by the impulse to smack her in the face.
“Katus, you say…?”
Aege looked at Ceres with a puzzled expression.
If we’re talking about Katus, that’s a country of beastmen.
It has a long-standing rivalry with Kapatia, separated by the sea leading from Rube – the Bitia Strait – to the Sea of Flabus.
A predator relationship between Tia and Lube, growling at each other across the sea connecting the Duchy of Kapatia and the Sea of Flabus.
Ceres’s mention of going over to Katus was beyond Aege’s understanding.
“In Kapatia, everyone is after Yona’s life. Didn’t you see, Priest? The bounty on Yona’s neck.”
The bounty on Yona’s neck was an understatement compared to instant riches. Just reporting her whereabouts would net a fortune, and bringing back her corpse would mean rewards so vast that one could spend generations without running out. Wandering around like this was undoubtedly dangerous.
“So, we’re heading to Katus first. We need to catch our breath there and figure out how to start things.”
It felt somewhat off. The excuse felt like a cover for a different purpose.
But Aege couldn’t deny that there was really no alternative. News about Yona and Alex turning apostate was causing chaos in Evian.
“So for now, it’s Katus. It’s the closest, right? From Evian.”
“…That’s true. But why is the Elder so determined to help Yona?”
At Aege’s question, Ceres paused for a moment.
There had to be an ulterior motive. It seemed too good to be true, for Ceres to help Yona simply out of concern for why she had turned apostate, and Aege was too sharp to buy that excuse.
Ceres had too much to lose in doing so without any calculations.
“Personally, I have a lot of interest in Yona. Did you hear that I was present during the Church of the Celestial God raid?”
“I did.”
Aege’s eyes glimmered with something unusual. Unlike the priests who were locked away in the cathedral, knowing nothing about the world when they made rare appearances, Aege had lived as an adventurer for a long time and was quite suspicious.
“I’m very curious about the magic Yona used back then. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m talking about scholarly and mage curiosity. I wish to study the differences between divine power and magic. In that sense, isn’t Yona the perfect teaching material?”
Ceres was spewing nonsense without even wetting her lips, which was quite ridiculous.
“…Are you saying you want to use Yona as a test subject?”
Aege’s voice sunk low. Whatever goodwill or intentions were behind it, she couldn’t allow it to even seem like Ceres was approaching Yona with strange intentions. Aege was glaring at Ceres.
“Test subject? I just want to observe her a bit while traveling together. I have a conscience, you know? Don’t think of me as some heartless, bloodless monster!”
Ceres even managed a light smile despite Aege’s disapproval. Aege scrutinized Ceres for a long moment in silence, as if trying to read her true intentions.
Yona glared.
“…Sister Aege, I’m only helping because it aligns with my interests, you know? The one truly in need of help is your disciple Yona, not me. If I get caught researching magic, it’s going to be a hassle in multiple ways, so I’m fine if I don’t help. But if it’s not me, how far can you protect Yona?”
Aege’s fierce gaze softened at those words.
Ceres was absolutely right.
If you think about it, even though Aege is a high priest, she has no way to ensure the safety of Yona, who is branded as a heretic, inside or outside of Evian.
But Ceres had the power, status, and resources to do both.
Therefore, the best option now is indeed to rely on Ceres.
There were no other choices.
“Then, I’ll take that as your agreement. Yona, what will you do?”
“Why are you asking me that? …yeah.”
It was already decided.
She knew it was just a formality, yet Yona replied as bluntly as she could.
“Alright, that sounds good. I’d rather not increase the risk, so I think it’s best to move quickly.”
Ceres smiled brightly once again.
“The time for reunions can’t be too long. I understand you’ve met after a while, but it’d be best to head to Lukasia quickly now.”
Ceres tapped the Alebians’ carriage as she spoke.
They hadn’t been there long, but since she’d already achieved their goal of meeting Aege, Yona felt no lingering attachment.
“Alebians, please take care of the journey to Lukasia. I’ll talk to the hero’s party and get ready to cross over to Lukasia right away.”
“Got it.”
From Evian to Lukasia.
It was quite a distance to cover even by carriage.
After Ceres and the Alebians checked the carriage, Alex, Kaiyak, James, and Rubina all boarded in a line.
Now, all that was left was Yona.
“Teacher.”
Aege’s hand gently caressed Yona’s cheek.
Every time that hand made contact, a sharp, painful throb surged, but neither of them cared about that.
“Yona, you must stay healthy. Don’t skip meals. Eat well, got it?”
Aege’s voice was calm.
After holding in her emotions, she finally revealed a deep, unspoken affection.
Yona’s face had become unrecognizably gaunt, and every time Aege looked at it, it felt like her heart was breaking.
“No matter the world crumbling around me, I believe in you, Yona. I know you wouldn’t betray us, and if you did, there’d be a reason for it. I’m always on your side, okay? If it gets too hard, come find me, alright? Don’t you think I can protect you?”
Biting her lip hard enough to feel pain, Yona forced a smile.
Her eyes were already swollen from crying, and if she cried again, she wouldn’t look presentable at all. Besides, she wanted to part on good terms with her teacher.
“I wanted to.”
“I’m fine, really. Teacher, I’m totally fine. I really… should’ve studied harder earlier.”
“Every time I told you to study while you were out having fun, you made a fuss about not listening. And now you’re regretting it?”
“Yeah, I guess. Regret, no matter how much… ugh, ah… ugh… sniff…”
In the end, her words didn’t finish and turned into tears.
No matter how hard she tried not to cry, the tears flowing down Yona’s cheeks were even more sorrowful due to all the pent-up feelings.
“Don’t cry, don’t cry… Yona, my beloved student. You can’t cry. You need to be strong. From now on, you must be strong…”
Aege embraced Yona and patted her back.
Yet Yona, still in her arms, burst into tears again.
“Don’t cry, Yona. How can someone who’s been an adventurer for three years be so soft-hearted? At this rate… huh? How can the teacher send you off? You mustn’t cry. Yona, stop it.”
Aege lightly pulled away Yona to look at her face.
That face, which was so beautiful, now a mess from tears.
Aege raised her hand and gently wiped the tears from Yona’s eyes.
Those tears were truly clear and transparent, but was Yona’s sorrow the same?
“Come on, get in. It’s a long way to Lukasia. We need to depart soon. Okay?”
“…Teacher.”
Extending her hand, Yona took Aege’s hand.
Aege held Yona’s cold hand tightly, concerned for her.
“When I leave, please make sure to spread the word. Tell them I left for Evian… just spread the word to the Cathedral.”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Someone might have seen us like this. So please, teacher, spread the word in advance. I came to see you and attempted to surrender, but I escaped.”
“…”
Aege couldn’t say a word.
It wasn’t that she didn’t understand the meaning behind Yona’s words.
She understood Yona’s heart, worried about her even in this situation.
“…That’s up to you to decide, teacher. Just think about safely reaching Lukasia.”
“Teacher, please promise. Please, please spread the word. That way, you won’t get caught up in heresy allegations.”
“I’ll handle it, Yona. Now go. Alex, please help Yona get on.”
And just like that, they were at a standstill.
Only after Yona was practically in Alex’s arms did she finally climb into the carriage, and through the carriage window, she practically glued herself to wave at Aege.
The carriage gradually moved away.
Aege, left alone with Ceres, silently watched the scene.
There’s no finger that doesn’t ache when bitten, yet Yona was a particularly painful finger, alongside Vigrind.
Aege’s heart ached seeing Yona endure such harsh suffering.
“…Elder Ceres, please take good care of Yona…”
“Don’t worry, Priest. You don’t need to worry about Yona… Yona is in good hands.”
Ceres smiled brightly.
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