SALP Chapter 19

5. Children of Raphlang

"Have you been well, Lady Lanthe?"

Father Conor, who was said to have exceptional healing prayer abilities, was unexpectedly young—he didn't even look thirty.

Moreover, he was extraordinarily handsome.

Black hair with blue eyes, slender almond-shaped eyes and a straight nose, lips that were slightly thin but looked refined, a sharp jawline, and an impassive expression. At first glance, it was the kind of appearance that could easily create distance and emanate coldness, yet his voice alone overflowed with the gentleness befitting a priest.

She was aware that this was a rather impure first impression for meeting a devout father, but she couldn't help acknowledging that what struck her most powerfully at first sight was his exceptional appearance.

"Yes. Thanks to your care, I've recovered completely and am doing well. I should have come to express my gratitude right away, but I apologize for being late."

When Lanthe bowed her head, he smiled faintly.

"It's only been a few days since you awakened. Actually, we have few residents who like visiting our church. Aside from patients seeking healing prayers, I can't remember the last time someone came to see me on a weekday."

It seemed that this denomination called Hestan was a minority religion in Penmark.

How lonely and disheartening that must be. Despite even offering healing prayers for people, no one visits.

"I attended a church similar to this one back in my hometown. I'll definitely come every Sunday from now on."

"Oh. If things go well, we might even see the lord at our church soon."

"Vigo doesn't come to church?"

"No."

Father Conor sighed and furrowed his brow slightly.

"Our lord made a devotional pledge at the Temple of Batiya."

Vigo attends which temple?

Lanthe's mouth fell open.

Batiya, goddess of the earth.

Along with Ailea, goddess of water, she was said to be one of the two most beloved deities among the Penmark people, competing for first and second place.

But Vigo had been a child who attended Raphlish Church more diligently than anyone, even enjoying the scriptures and hymns. Angel this, angel that—he had loved it so much that she had inwardly sneered at him as a naive fanatic.

And now that same person had even changed his faith.

She was someone who had frequently doubted whether there were any gods or angels in the world, even after the lake incident in Newbella, but learning that Vigo had abandoned his once-deep faith was somehow shocking.

Moreover, the goddess Batiya was also called 'the Conqueror.' It was only natural that Vigo, who worshipped her, would think nothing of war and invasion.

"Still, he's not said to be a particularly devout believer."

Father Conor added, as if reading her shock.

"Don't you see a ray of hope? Since the trend these days is for married couples to agree and worship one deity together, if Lady Lanthe shows determination, it's highly likely that the lord will have no choice but to switch over to our church as well—that's my view, at least."

He smiled warmly.

Married couple...? Switch churches...?

Lanthe tilted her head at the incomprehensible expressions.

"I mean that with the lord's attendance, it's not impossible for our church to escape poverty and become wealthier than even the lord's own castle."

Father Conor kindly provided a detailed explanation.

"It would be a great benefit. First of all, the chapel, which doesn't even fill ten people even on Sundays, would become packed. Ah, and if the congregation grows, funds to expand the chapel will naturally accumulate, so don't worry about our church sanctuary being cramped. Ahh, I can see a wonderful future."

He narrowed his eyes and let his words trail off wistfully.

"If only this were Akaiel Angel's vision rather than my hope..."

...Why was this? The priestly robes were identical, the church symbol was identical, and the appearance of angels was identical, yet the father seemed to have become somewhat Penmark-ified. No, he was originally from Penmark, so wasn't that natural?

"Um, I only know about the angel of Eründel, but I see there's also an angel named Akaiel. You must know a lot about the angels, Father?"

Lanthe changed the subject with an awkward smile.

"Embarrassingly, I'm not well-versed in recorded history beyond the Iditi scriptures. I know only of the one angel, Akaiel."

Father Conor said, touching his eye area with slender fingers.

"The angel of Eründel—was that the guardian angel of the Kingdom of Raphlang? I also grew up often hearing from my grandfather as a child that there was a view that angel was Akaiel. He said he heard the story from his own grandfather too..."

Then he suddenly rose halfway up.

"By any chance, do you know how to read, sister?"

"Yes. If it's the common language of Oden..."

"Perfect timing."

He sprang up from his seat before Lanthe could even finish speaking.

"You don't know how heartbroken I've been having no one to read the precious books we priests have painstakingly collected through generations. The lord likes books but doesn't really read the books in our church."

Wow, Vigo learned to read too. Of course he would have, since he became a lord. He likes books, they say. That suits little Vigo from the past, but doesn't really suit the adult Vigo of now.

Lanthe followed the priest, curiosity piqued.

"A book I recently acquired contains a brief story about Eründel's guardian angel. Since the lord is away on inspection and must be lonely, how about enriching your soul by reading the newly transcribed simplified scriptures, testimonies, and history books?"

There's a book about the angel of Eründel?

She hurriedly followed him out of the room.

"This is our library."

The place Father Conor guided her to was a room like a small chapel. It would have appeared to be an ordinary chapel if not for one wall being filled with books.

"Wow..."

Books numbering easily in the hundreds were displayed on shelves. It was a collection rivaling the library Fiarelle had shown her. Books were said to be extremely expensive, yet this poor church had collected so many that her eyes nearly popped out.

"Including the books we've lent to churches in other regions, there are about a thousand. Since there are general books too, please come read anytime, Lady Lanthe."

Father Conor said, gazing at the books contentedly.

<Penmark Geography Guide>

<Simplified Scripture>

<Ecology of the Northern Sea>

<Prayers of Hestan>

As Lanthe roughly looked over the book titles, her eyes gradually grew wider and wider.

<Songs Taught by Angels>

"...May I read anything here?"

<Small and Vast Paradise>

"Oh, that is this priest's wish, sister."

Her heart pounded with a motivation she hadn't felt when forced to read and learn by those detestable people.

She could tell that some of what she needed to know was here.

"Then today I'll take this book..."

It was when she pulled out one volume.

'What did I tell you to think of first, Lanthe?'

A gentle voice echoed in her ear.

'When you safely welcome another morning and the sun smiles at you again.'

Amazingly... I found my way properly, Aunt Louise.

The person I came to thank is giving me something again.

"Father Conor."

Lanthe turned to him, hugging the book to her chest.

"Thank you. For healing me. And for letting me read the books."

When she bowed deeply, the priest widened his eyes as if flustered, then soon bowed his head in return. His features, which had seemed cold even when smiling, melted into warmth as gentle as his tender speech.

"I too am grateful that He has allowed me to meet someone like you again in this frigid land."

I thought he was a scary person.

As befitting a priest who preaches love, he actually praised her instead, making Lanthe feel embarrassed. She covered her face with the book and giggled like a ten-year-old girl as she sat on a long bench. Father Conor left the room, saying he would bring tea over here.

And the moment she opened the first page.

"Ah, Sir Warner."

She remembered her forgotten companion.

He must still be waiting outside. I should tell him I'll read before leaving.

It was the moment Lanthe stood and turned around.

Flash—a sharp red light from somewhere stung her eyes. Something seemed to have reflected the sunlight coming through the window. As she blinked her stinging eyes and tried to leave through the door, a person's shadow fell inward from the corridor, which was darker than the room.

Someone blocked her path.

"...What."

For a moment she thought it was Father Conor returning because the shadow was similar in height, but it wasn't.

"Who are you?"

A voice slightly high for a man, low and husky for a woman.

"Ah, I'm..."

Lanthe stepped backward, overwhelmed.

Intensely red-tinged blonde hair, hazelnut-colored eyes, and a sword at the waist.

She could only tell this was a 'knight.'

Too tall and thick-limbed to be a woman, yet too slender by the standards of Hermea's knight order—which generally featured superior physiques—to be a man. Despite such an ambiguous build, the person emanated a dangerous feeling different from the violent, ominous energy she'd felt from Newbella's soldiers.

"I'm, I'm a member of Hestan Church. I came to meet with the priest."

She answered defensively, concealing her identity.

That they didn't recognize her despite seeing her appearance meant there was a high probability this wasn't one of Vigo's subordinates. Hadn't all the knights in the castle recognized her as if they'd received instructions?

Moreover, the person's cloak was worn as if it had rolled through dust, yet the red jewel attached below the shoulder looked more extravagant than King Kian's.

Definitely not a knight of Eltzweig. This seems like someone who 'knows' something about me...

"A member?"

They stepped even closer. The corner of their mouth lifted as if sneering.

"Where are you from?"

Lanthe retreated hesitantly. Should I scream? Would it be an unnecessary disturbance when no harm's been done?

"Tell me. Before I snap you up..."

"Lord Skaeli."

Just then, someone else entered the room.

"If you delay any further, you'll miss the meeting. You haven't forgotten that missing this meeting too means expulsion from the association?"

"I know."

They softened the gaze that had seemed ready to pierce through Lanthe and exhaled deeply. But the threatening atmosphere hadn't completely disappeared.

"Then let's save the greeting for next time."

Why are they acting like this? Someone who knows about Raphlish?

Lanthe stepped aside to let the knight entering the room pass, pressing herself against the wall.

"Hmm."

They passed her and approached the bookshelf. Now she saw they were holding a book. After scanning the shelf for a moment as if determining the location, they inserted the book.

"I'll just show my face to Father Conor and head to the meeting hall."

"I'll give you five minutes."

"That's generous."

"Five minutes until you're on your horse."

"Is that even possible?"

"......"

They glared at each other and went out to the corridor. Then Father Conor's voice could be heard too. He must have discovered them on his way back to the study.

Lanthe stood leaning against the wall, looking at the bookshelf.

<Raphlang>

The book the violent-tempered knight had left behind.