Chapter 5 (1/2)

The journey was smooth. All the people they met on their way were kind to both of them. Senia managed to hear what Carr said for the first time when he had a short conversation to ask for direction. The calm and firm tone was not much different from what she imagined. It made her laughed quietly with joy and Carr just tilted his head at the sight.

It’s been a week since their departure. They could see the outskirts of town in the distance. A very small village, but Senia liked the thought that she could finally be able to sleep comfortably after a long time. Carr agreed with her sentiment, but as the village neared, his face hardened.

The first thing he heard was sad noises, the sounds of people crying over someone. Somehow an uneasy feeling made Carr hastened his steps than usual. A boy who ran out of the village bumped into Carr’s leg and fell backwards.

The small face was covered with tears and a runny nose, the crude knife he was holding fell to the floor making a rattling sound. The boy couldn’t even look at the two people he bumped properly and whimpered.

“Ehm… Are you okay? Did something happen in the village?” Senia knelt and wiped the boy’s face with a handkerchief.

“I-In… In the village… b-bandits… came in…!” The boy murmured in a cracked voice, still shedding his tears. The words came out with every sobbed made it hard to understand but after a few more tries, they got the story.

In summary, bandits showed up in the village, they kidnapped women and killed people. The father of the boy was hiding in the house and was murdered. The boy, who found out after the situation was over, ran out with a knife in panic.

Carr, who heard the story, frowned slightly. Bandits were troublesome, but he felt uneasy for some other reason.

“Nothing changes when a kid like you hold a knife. If you don’t want to be killed by a dog, just go back to the village.”

“No! Dad, heuk, grandpa, and the next-door man! They’re all dead! I—I need to avenge them!”

Senia gave the boy a big hug with a sad eye. She thought he was too young to put death and revenge in his mouth. The boy gradually calmed in Senia’s arms, whether it’s because his feelings were recognized and accepted or that his anger had reached his limit and drained his energy.

“Can you guide me to the village?” I need to see the villagers’ condition.”

“…. S-Sister… are you a priest?”

“Yes. I’ll treat the injured.”

“Really?! Are you going to do it?!”

Senia answered the question with a soft smile. The boy with his eyes wide open stood up and pulled Senia by her hand into the village. Carr picked up the forgotten knife and followed them.

“Child, when did the bandits come and leave?”

“…. I won’t tell brother about it.”

There was a bit of resentment in his mouth, but when Senia, who showed an awkward smile, asked instead, the boy answered quietly.

“About an hour ago.”

In the town square, bodies were collected neatly together and prayers with wailing could be heard. They could see that some had survived, but others were seriously injured and were likely to die soon. The boy’s expression darkened at once when they reached the square. His gaze was fixed on an adult man, he presumed to be his father.

“Are you travellers….? You have come at a bad time and I’m sorry I couldn’t welcome you.”

An old man with a bent back walked to them with the help of a cane. At first glance, his expression was sombre.

“I heard there was a bandit. Are all the villagers here, except those that are abducted? “Senia spoke when she saw the old man

“Yes, you look like the Lord of the Sun’s priest when I see your clothing… can you at least pray for the deceased?”

Senia smiled bitterly as she asked if the casualties were people of the village. The old man nodded his head.

“The sun’s mercy will come down.” Senia cast a short glance at Carr and moved her feet. After a week’s trip, Carr knew it meant for him to wait.

He watched Senia’s back as she strode through the crowd and stood in the middle of the square where the bodies lay. She closed her eyes and held her pendant in her hands. People paid silent tribute together when they saw the praying priest. The wailing sound could still be heard before it turned into a quiet sob.

The image of Senia praying for the dead seemed so holy that people, albeit temporarily, forgot their sorrow and looked at her, comforted.

How long did she pray for them? Suddenly, her pendant shone bright and as Senia opened her hands, it spread out in the square. Everyone closed their eyes reflexively. After experiencing the light before, Carr knew that Senia’s prayer was a type of divine blessing, something that only a saint could do.

People slowly opened their eyes, bewildered by the sudden baptism of light.

“…. miracle.” someone muttered.

“Uh…?”

Apparently, the dead started to rise by themselves with surprised faces. Not to mention those who were fatally wounded and those that had minor injuries were cured. No scars left.

“I…. I had a big cut in my chest…”

“My arm that was cut off is attached again! What happened?”

It could only be described as a miracle. Carr, unable to hide his surprise, fixed his eyes on the square.

‘Is this even possible? The title of saint is a no joke…’

“Dad!”

Again, the village was filled with a sea of tears. This time, it was tears of joy for reuniting with someone precious. Senia returned to Carr’s side, leaving the people hugging and cried together behind her.

“Do you now know why I couldn’t give up my power?” She whispered quietly.

‘Resurrection’ is, of course, a miracle that an ordinary priest cannot use, not even Archbishop

Arte could do unless it was on the Day of the Sun. No one can replace the presence of a saint that able to do this kind of miracle.

Taking Carr’s silence as a yes, Senia smiled at him just as the old man from earlier approached them and bowed deeply.

“Oh, oh, oh, I don’t know this precious person at first. I don’t know what to say… but you are the saint of Sun God. On behalf of all the villagers, I would like to express my gratitude to you. Thank you very, very much.”