Volume 1 Chapter 3 Part7 (1/2)

Message froh all the previous parts here and sa many mistakes there were I feel so bad now D: but hopefully now everything should be fine I do another check later on, but for now, it should be fine So, enjoy this part!~

Volume 1, 3-7: In the Temple

The Temple of Neena was structured as a square so that it surrounded a central garden This was the general style in Diatius From the entrance, one could look ahead and see the idol enshrined deep in the inner sanctuary as well the auxiliary facilities lined up on at one’s left and right The types of facilities vary depending on the enshrined deity, but there were rims, free medical treatment centers, schools for the local children, and such

As expected, this place also has a free medical treatment center as Fin spotted his parents inside There, Oandus was getting treat him, but besides those two, there were no other familiar faces Fin looked around and blinked his eyes

“The children are?”

“They’re in the orphanage, being taken care of with baths and a change of clothes Everyone in this temple is very sincere, so it’s much appreciated”

Fauna sain

“…Is Nellis over there as well?”

There was some time between that uneasy question and its answer Fin stared at his parents, startled While frowning, Oandus mumbled his answer

“Nellis is together with the Priest inside…She suddenly burst out crying”

This ominous news caused Fin’s face to stiffen, and he looked behind himself He hesitated for only a o check out her condition”

Fin was interested in the discussions and ruathered all around the courtyard and corridors, but he didn’t even glance at the thehtly brushed on his shoulder by Fin and turned his head around in discomfort When the man saw Fin’s dirty appearance, he intentionally clicked his tongue loudly

When Fin rushed inside the inner sanctuary, he noticed Nellis right away She was on a stone bench built into the wall, shi+vering with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders Fin also saw the priest, a petite and elderlyher back and shoulders

“Nellis!”

Fin ran up to them, and after he quickly bowed his head to the priest, he crouched in front of Nellis

“What happened? You okay, Nellis?”

He softly extended his hand and tenderly covered with his palm Nellis’ cheek that was stillbut could only sob convulsively

Without rushi+ng her, Fin sat down in the empty space next to her and wrapped his ar to her so strongly that it hurt her Fin had continued to pat her back, and eventually, Nellis let out a hoarse voice

“…kaku…Even though, we came this far…, ku, hi…it was, pointless…”

Fin was startled and froze He thought that she “knehat had happened in the barracks But, Nellis cast her eyes doard as she pressed her forehead against Fin’s shoulders She whispered in a voice that was practically inaudible

“Nanais…burned…Everyone, died”

“Wha!? That can’t be!”

As expected, Fin also turned pale and grabbed both of Nellis’ shoulders to peer into her face However, Nellis didn’t try to make eye contact and put on a stubborn face

“Even Big Bro, knows…if you light……the square lantern”

“………”

Fin lost the strength in his arht was neither his iination nor an accident Nellis’ intuition ht now, Audia’s divine protection was probably no longer there There will probably only be the sht from a flame

He couldn’t bring hiht away In a daze, he could only unconsciously stroke Nellis’ shoulders

After a short while, the priest cleared his throat in a reserved manner

“Your little sister seems to be quite exhausted, no? Just like the other children, if she takes a hot bath and changes into clean clothes, she’ll probably caloes for you as well”

His gentle voice had a strange calh Fin felt like he would become like dirt and just cru told such He took Nellis’ hand and stood up

The priest supported Nellis’ back and gentled pushed her forward She was no longer looking down but was unsteady on her feet as she began to walk

In the end, Fin and Nellis returned back to their senses after they finished their bath and changed their clothes, just as the priest had said While this was happening, the outside was already been dyed in the amber-honey color

When the party reed from their old clothes to fresh, new ones, theiron exhaustion waredness visible frolance at the wo care of Fernaine who had let out quite a shout of joy when she saw the charhing If Iguros was here, he probably would’ve had on an elated face

Afterwards, those in the tee’s cafeteria and treated the so it was still fragrant The soup coetables boiled in water andtime since they’ve eaten a decent, human meal It wasn’t a substitute to be eaten just to deceive the sto the joy of eating Gradually, the warmth spread to every nook and cranny of their bodies

The slightly sweet nourishue Yet, it couldn’t be helped that a tinge of bitterness was ht of his co

However, the children werelike they have reclai it, his face broke out into a smile

He had finally done at least one right thing Taking them outside of Tetna wasn’t a er, yet deep satisfaction knowing that he had at least saved these children here right now