SALP Chapter 22

"We've gathered seven people now. Let's work hard until the day we catch up to Batiya Temple's congregation!"

"Will that day ever come? I heard over 500 people gather at Batiya Temple every week."

"Oh my, pessimism isn't good! That's not like Hestan!"

"Let's have hope. Lady Lanthe is beautiful, so some blind men might follow along."

"Oh my, that's rude to both Lady Lanthe and the gentlemen!"

"Now, now. A meal has been prepared, so everyone move to the dining room and talk."

The church's workers consisted of only three people total: Father Conor, Priestess Mari, and a monk who helped with work.

It seemed about ten people including the congregation gathered to share a meal after worship each week. There didn't appear to be any particularly wealthy believers, so how on earth did they manage the cost of preparing meals?

It was simply amazing that the church survived. The existence of the 'library' that must have consumed quite a large expense purchasing books was truly a mystery.

"Batiya Temple probably had over a thousand people gather today, right? Everyone really loves St. Marca's feast day. My neighborhood has all kinds of decorations even on the streets, making it very splendid. It looks really pretty."

St. Marca had been from Batiya Temple. However, Hestan was a monotheistic faith serving only their main god and was somewhat negative about humans using magic, so St. Marca's feast day was an anniversary unrelated to them.

But the fact that Hermea's gates closed on this day was relevant to everyone living in Hermea.

"What happens when the gates close? Can no one enter or leave Hermea now?"

Lanthe asked a question she'd been inwardly curious about.

"No. Even when closing the gates, there's minimal flexibility. If you obtain a pass guaranteeing winter passage in advance, only the pass holder can freely enter and exit. But it's difficult to newly receive passage permission during this period. Unless you're someone high enough to have an audience with the lord."

Then what about Fiarelle? Derek? Isn't someone called a 'king' belonging to the allied kingdoms sufficiently high?

However, according to what she'd heard from Fiarelle last time, Derek was apparently going to invade some territory again this winter. Since they'd talked about accompanying him as queen or something, they would likely spend a long time on the battlefield.

I'm definitely safe until winter, right? King Derek and Fiarelle who went to war on the opposite side of the territory won't have reason to come all the way here...

War.

Suddenly she thought of Vigo. He too had gone to fight at the Northern Sea. According to the knights' words, he would only engage in small-scale battles that occasionally occurred during regular patrols, but still, it was war where people died and got hurt.

When would he return?

The Northern Sea was close from here and three days had already passed...

"Have you been waiting long, Sir Rix? People were disappointed and asking why you didn't eat with us."

Lanthe left the church a bit earlier than the other congregants.

"Ah, was that so? I appreciate the concern, but this church is also somewhat uncomfortable for me."

Rix was waiting outside the courtyard fence, just as Warner had done last time. Crunch, crunch—chewing on a piece of hard bread.

"If you only eat things like that, you'll be hungry."

"It's fine. I can eat again at the dining hall later."

"I don't understand why everyone fears Father Conor. He's a good person except for nagging a bit."

"Well, I know nothing."

Rix muttered with an obviously suspicious expression, then quickly took the lead and started walking. Lanthe hugged the cookies and flowers she'd received from the congregation and trotted after him.

"Sir Rix is Hermea's largest knight, yet you seem to fear the small, dignified priest."

"Ahem. That's because Lady Lanthe doesn't know Father Conor well yet."

"But I know him well now? He's our priest? He's handsome and a kind clergyman?"

"Yes, yes. Since Lady Lanthe is a congregant of his church anyway, it would be better if you continued not knowing."

Lanthe smiled and stood on tiptoe to place the flower necklace around him.

"Sir Rix is a coward. A cowardly bear hiding behind a rabbit."

He groaned reluctantly but didn't remove the flower necklace.

"Yes, yes. I'm a bear that didn't quite become human."

Teasing him as they walked, they quickly reached the main building.

The path seemed rather quiet. Since it was a special feast day and the day the gates closed, she'd expected grand events, but the surroundings of the lord's residence had an atmosphere even quieter than usual.

Quiet and... somehow gloomy.

"Vice Commander Rix!"

A young man came running from the main building. Lanthe recognized him vaguely. Was he someone who worked at the forge?

"Quickly go up. The lord has returned."

"Really? I didn't see the hawk flying."

"Hurry. The healing priest from Batiya Temple just went up too. Please go quickly."

The young man glanced at Lanthe while gesturing for Rix to hurry up. As if he'd actually wanted to tell Lanthe rather than Rix.

Vigo returned?

A healing priest followed him?

"Vigo..."

War.

Lanthe pushed past Rix and ran forward.

Racing up the stairs frantically, she nearly tripped over her skirts several times. Rix, who'd been catching her and urging her not to run, finally carried her on his back toward the third floor.

"Sir Warner! Where is the lord?"

Finding Warner at the entrance to Vigo's room, Rix asked while setting Lanthe down.

"He's only slightly injured, so don't make a fuss. More than that, if the lord sees you carrying Lady Lanthe around like luggage..."

"Vigo!"

Lanthe squeezed between the two knights and entered the room.

An ominous smell wafted over. The smell of blood. The smell of damp wood burning. Smells she knew.

"Are you okay? Are you badly hurt...?"

She couldn't see him well because of people crowding around the bed murmuring.

When she approached, the person standing at the foot of the bed made way.

She saw Vigo lying with a bloodless face. A priest from Batiya had placed hands on his abdomen and was muttering something like chanting a spell. Blood that had stained the bandages dark red had soaked even to the priest's hands. It was a moment later when Vigo, who'd been deathly pale, opened his eyes.

He narrowly opened his bloodshot eyes and looked at her.

"...Get out."

It was a strangely hoarse sound, as if a hole had been pierced in his throat and air was leaking.

"Get out."

Doesn't he recognize me...?

At his gaze that seemed to look at someone he hated, Lanthe hesitated and stopped.

"Sorry for interfering with treatment. I was just worried about you and wanted to see you briefly before leaving..."

The priest's sidelong glance at her was also somehow unkind. Soon the priest ignored Lanthe, pretending not to see her, and concentrated again on reciting prayers.

What is this? Why is he acting like that?

Lanthe was swept by a feeling as if she'd become a stranger in an unfamiliar land. Unable to advance or retreat, she stood dazed, staring at his torn and parched lips.

"I said get lost."

Every time his lips moved, blood beaded.

"Why, why did you appear before me..."

Are those words really for me?

Lanthe was flustered, not understanding the situation. Why is he suddenly saying such things?

"I can't stand the sight of you, so get lost, please..."

Pray for him. Pray for him to return safely.

"Tomorrow, I'll return you to Gebimonde. I shouldn't have saved you, shouldn't have done something useless..."

What are you saying, Vigo?

"Lady Lanthe."

You saved me.

You arbitrarily saved me and brought me here.

"Lady Lanthe. This way."

You made a fuss about keeping me stuck right beside you to monitor me. You even eliminated the room where I was staying. You said with your own mouth that I was an expensive hostage, that you'd treat me well.

"Lady Lanthe. It's chaotic here, so let's wait in another room."

Rix grabbed Lanthe's arm and pulled her, as she stood there dazed.

Coming to her senses, Lanthe shook off his hand and turned to walk.

She didn't want to be forcibly dragged out by someone. She didn't want to see Vigo spewing harsh words as if regretting having saved her. And she couldn't understand why she had to face the priest's openly contemptuous glances, as if she were a stranger who had trespassed where they didn't belong.

"Where are you going, Lady Lanthe?"

Rix caught up and grabbed her as she headed outside almost at a run.

"Um, I'm sorry. The lord took strong medicine and seems to be talking nonsense, so please forget it. He probably doesn't really know what he's saying right now."

For a moment, Lanthe thought she hated Vigo for seemingly playing with her, going back and forth.

But there were also people here who worried about her and apologized despite doing nothing wrong.

"Yes. I was just surprised."

Lanthe quietly nodded, ashamed of her heart that had pettily shrunk.

"Well, since it came to this, let's have you rest comfortably in another room today. I'll have Joanne prepare sleeping quarters for you."

"Thank you, Sir Rix."

At her bashful smile, Rix grinned broadly.

"I'm pretty helpful too, right? Please speak well of me to the lord later."

"I'll take back calling you a cowardly bear."

"Aw, what a shame to take it back? That was one of the better nicknames I've gotten."

"What are your other nicknames?"

"Don't try to know."

Lanthe was soon guided to a new room. Occupying a spacious, cozy room alone, she soaked in warm water to change her mood.

After all, hadn't she survived thanks to Vigo and wasn't she enjoying such luxury? Even if this peace had a set time limit, these moments wouldn't disappear.

Yet she'd been angry at a sick person's words...

Maybe she just wanted to vent anger somewhere. Or perhaps there was some past mistake young Lanthe hadn't noticed with her mischievous personality, tormenting him and earning his hatred...

'I shouldn't have saved you, shouldn't have done something useless.'

But...

Had Vigo ever truly regretted it even once?

'Why did you appear before me?'

Had he actually not wanted to meet me again?

She hugged her knees, asking herself questions she couldn't answer by worrying alone. Perhaps from sitting long in hot water, her chest tightened uncomfortably.

"Haah..."