WOSE Chapter 9

When the unexpected name was mentioned, Freya's bright smile gradually dimmed until only the corners of her mouth remained, frozen in awkwardness.

Still, Iyu continued without batting an eye.

"Since you personally introduced him, I can naturally trust his abilities. Actually, it would be better if you could accompany us yourself, Freya... But I couldn't possibly make such an unreasonable request of someone in such an important position."

Feigning consideration, feigning disappointment—Freya finally found herself at a loss for words. She hummed and seemed to choose her words several times before answering carefully.

"I did introduce him as an excellent talent, but he's an important child leading the Holy Knights. For him to accompany the pilgrimage is a bit..."

"Ah, I accepted because 'pilgrimage' sounded like such a noble and important matter... Was I mistaken?"

"What? No..."

"I'm relieved it's not a priority after all! Truthfully, I haven't even adjusted to this world yet, and I was afraid of going somewhere even more unfamiliar."

"No! It is noble and important. What I meant was simply that he has crucial responsibilities, so I cannot give him orders arbitrarily."

Worried she might ruin everything, Freya hastily corrected herself.

Even then, finding it difficult to grant the request readily, she eventually produced a compromise.

"If he accepts, I will gladly have him accompany you."

However, Iyu was confident she could persuade—or threaten, if persuasion failed—that man as solid as metal, so she readily accepted the proposal.

Immediately after the meeting ended, Iyu set out to find the Hundredth White Branch.

Setting aside his massive build, he was a man with tremendous presence, so she thought she could find him easily—but he was nowhere to be seen anywhere in the not-so-vast Asgard, not a single strand of hair visible.

After passing through the training grounds and prayer room where he frequently appeared, she finally discovered him before the World Tree.

The man, wearing black priestly robes instead of silver armor, knelt before the World Tree in silent prayer.

Iyu stared blankly at his broad, motionless back.

Did this man also pray for world peace, others' safety, happiness, and such things like the other celestials?

But why? He looked less like a devout priest worshipping god and more like a penitent confessing sins, begging forgiveness.

The wordless prayer she could only guess at continued solemnly, endlessly. Just as she was seriously wondering whether celestials even felt their legs falling asleep, he rose.

As if his body were made of steel rather than bone and muscle, there wasn't even a hint of staggering. With just a few movements of his long legs, the distance closed instantly.

Iyu tilted her head back to face the large man squarely. He showed no particular signs of surprise, as if he'd been aware of her presence.

"I apologize for making you wait."

"No, I'm the one who came without an appointment. I have something to discuss—could you spare me a moment?"

As she stepped closer to the nodding man, she detected a subtle fragrance mixing grass, flowers, and faintly, iron. It probably came from the longsword at his side, entirely unsuited to the neat priestly robes.

In fact, most of what composed the man was like that. Platinum hair sparkling like jewels under sunlight and black priestly robes. Features so perfect they felt cold, and golden eyes blazing like they held the sun. An existence that sometimes seemed made of inorganic steel, sometimes of life itself—wood.

So contradictory, yet ultimately a stunningly beautiful creature.

Perhaps that was truly the foundation of Freya's affection for him—the thought crossed her mind briefly.

But unlike Freya, she hadn't developed any special affection for him. Rather, she'd shaken off even small, faded emotions like gratitude and guilt.

"I have a favor to ask of the Hundredth White Branch."

"Command me."

"If it's acceptable, would you accompany me on this pilgrimage?"

Even while uttering something ambiguous between request and command, she didn't worry about rejection.

She was certain this man who embodied righteousness would never refuse a request from the 'Savior'—the only means of saving the world—over personal discomfort.

However, it seemed his discomfort with her was greater than expected. The man, lowering his gaze slightly, revealed subtle reluctance.

"If you need an escort, there are other excellent knights besides me."

Having left that useless statement, he tried to withdraw, but the attempt failed. Iyu had firmly grasped his priestly robe's sleeve.

"Wait."

"..."

In the quiet silence, their gazes met. No matter how much she looked, she couldn't name the emotion existing beyond those eyes—couldn't even determine whether any emotion existed at all.

Probably he felt the same about her.

Iyu hoped he hadn't noticed the sticky, filthy emotion residing within her, and spoke more firmly than ever.

"No. I need you."

It had to be him specifically. Today, through her conversation with Freya, she'd felt that necessity even more keenly.

She was seriously considering whether to bring out a very immoral and distasteful threat if necessary, when he asked in a somewhat pressed voice.

"Me... you say?"

He wore an expression she'd never seen in her past life or this one. Eyes slightly wider, as if a bit surprised. Lips pressed firmly into a line. Brow faintly furrowed.

Before she could trace the source of his disturbance, she answered again.

"Yes, you. It must be you."

I need you. When she stated it clearly, the man's eyes clouded. After some hesitation, instead of asking why, he nodded slowly.

Acceptance.

Once the Hundredth White Branch's participation was confirmed, Asgard turned mildly upside down. The one who expressed displeasure was naturally Freya.

She apparently attempted to persuade him several times behind the scenes, but fortunately, his decision wasn't reversed by the day of departure.

Thus, on the first day of the pilgrimage.

Forcibly awakened early in the morning, Iyu stared blankly at the lower-ranking priests busily moving through her room. They carried large rectangular leather bags, packing her belongings throughout the room.

Since she'd fallen into this unfamiliar world with only her body, her luggage consisted of merely sturdy jeans, a comfortable T-shirt, and one ordinary jacket—but when they added new clothes, underwear, shoes, and a waterproof cloak from who-knows-where, two bags quickly filled to capacity.

Robbed of work, Iyu washed her face with lukewarm water Tamia brought as usual, shared breakfast, then changed into prepared clothes.

Since the pilgrimage was also an event showcasing the Savior, clothing required attention—meaning instead of leather pants and a shirt, she had to wear a flowing white tunic. She secured the tunic, which fell softly to below her ankles, with a golden waist cord embroidered with sun patterns, then draped a thick cloak over it to block dust and wind.

Once she'd pulled on leather boots reaching her calves, she looked reasonably presentable.

[Iyu is the prettiest in the world!]

[Let's go show the leaders!]

Tamia, who'd been spinning around her excitedly waving two notes, dashed outside first.

Shuffling after her, Iyu guessed the situation outside.

'It'll be even more chaotic than indoors.'

Iyu reflected on her past life's experience. Though it was farther in the past than expected and not entirely accurate, she remembered stepping outside after spending the night awake with fear, then being startled to discover an unimaginably large scale.

But Iyu, emerging outside, was surprised again in a different sense.

'Less elaborate than I thought?'

Even calling it modest, it was still a considerable scale with five cargo wagons, twenty horses, ten ordinary priests, and several knights following—but certainly a more humble group than before.

'Because of the Hundredth White Branch.'

The only variable—the man—stood at the front in the silver armor she'd seen before, discussing something with Kalix and Kelgrida.

Judging from the map spread between them, they seemed to be determining the route to their destination.

Whether it was that upright priest's instruction or Freya's small revenge for failing to bend him to her will, it was an unexpected gain.

The fewer people watching her under the guise of protection, the easier it would be to execute her plan.

Having rationalized thus, Iyu turned her eyes from them and looked around the caravan's waist and tail.

She immediately spotted Tamia among the busily moving people. The child with strong responsibility and independence had run out excitedly, then already found work and was earnestly carrying a bag.

Of course, before long, a priest who appeared to be celestial took the task from her. Iyu smiled faintly at the sight of the dejectedly drooping tail, then also picked up a bag.

The only luggage she'd personally packed amidst the commotion—inside were several books, her phone reduced to scrap metal, a stopped watch, and other personal possessions.

'Too uncomfortable to entrust to others.'

Ignoring all the celestial priests rushing over eagerly to help, she moved resolutely toward the cargo wagon. It had considerable weight, probably from the books.

'Should've just asked someone to carry it.'

As she belatedly regretted, a large shadow suddenly fell across her back, and the bag lightened abruptly.