Chapter 12 (1/2)

The next morning, Carr made his way back to the temple again. At the front of the gate, he spotted Dan and Bishop Hales talking to Senia, seeing her off.

“Are you leaving already? You can stay as long as you want, saint.”

“Ah, no. I am leaving the city tomorrow, but today I’m going to stay at the same place as my escort. There are many things we need to discuss about our trip.”

“Ah. Then please stop by one more time before you leave tomorrow.”

“Of course. Deacon Dan knows the location of the inn, so if you have any trouble please come and find me.”

Anyone that witness the interaction would think it heartwarming, but as Carr approached Senia, he tried very hard to hide his displeasure. The conversation he’d overheard yesterday had left a sour taste in his mouth toward the bishop.

Senia who sensed someone else’s presence turned around and smiled lightly at the sight of Carr. That smile was enough to melt the displeasure he felt and warmed his heart. Hales and Dan gestured toward Carr in a silent greeting once he was closer to the group.

Carr noticed a scarf that he’d never seen before wrapped around Senia’s neck.

“Is the wound really okay?”

“Ah, y-yes! It’s okay! I-It’s doesn’t hurt anymore!”

“Oh, did you get hurt? Do you want me to cure it with a blessing?”

“No! It’s really okay. I just got a little scar after falling down. It’ll heal soon.”

“….?”

‘Did she fall last night?’

Carr knew that Senia could be clumsier than she looked, but he hadn’t noticed a red mark on her neck. A kiss mark perhaps? He coughed, looking away from her which startled Senia. She quickly pulled the scarf tighter around her neck and flushed slightly.

He didn’t mean to leave a mark on her, but seeing the evidence of their activity last night made him feel better for some reason.

“Well, I’ll see you soon then…”

“Oh, I almost forgot one thing.”

“Oh?”

“Actually, I heard some gossip in the square yesterday. It was rumored the God of the Moon’s saint was in the city.”

“The Moon Saint?”

“She is not the type of person to go to the temple voluntarily, so the Church of the Moon asked us to persuade her to come to the temple if we encountered her on the street.”

Senia frowned slightly. She remembered the face that she passed by on the street yesterday. It was a familiar face.

“Perhaps it was her…” she mumbled quietly.

“Did you perhaps encounter her?”

“Ah…. No, but I will tell you if I see her.”

And just like that, Senia brought their farewells to a close and left the temple with Carr. Now, that the festival was over, the streets had become much quieter. Carr noticed that Senia was deep in her own thoughts, staring blankly at the ground while walking.

‘Is it because of the story of the moon’s saint?’ Carr wondered and tapped Senia’s shoulder gently.

“Oh? What did you say?” Senia jumped slightly and turned  toward Carr who looked at her in wonder. The saint smiled awkwardly once she realized that she was lost in thought. “Ahahaha… I’m sorry. I was thinking about something. Anyway, did you have breakfast yet?”

Carr shook his head and watched Senia’s smile grow bigger. Apparently, she hadn’t eaten as well. Carr knew that Senia was trying to change the topic from the moon’s saint, but for now, he decided not to press the matter.

Once they reserved a room for Senia at the inn and finished with their meal, the two went around shops in the city to stock up for their trip. Despite all the street stalls disappearing after the festival, it was still easy to obtain quality items as they were in a large city, especially Carr’s travel equipment. They managed to find canteens, lanterns, and ropes in good condition to replace the old ones.

And as expected, it was comfortable to be a human even if it was just his appearance. Carr could walk around town without being cursed at or attacked by the people.  This was something he could only experience because of Senia.

“What’s wrong?” Senia asked suddenly while they rested on a bench, after shopping. Carr, who was overwhelmed with emotion, stared at her blankly.

Carr tilted his head, not sure how to explain what he was thinking. He turned his gaze toward her locket instead.

“Ah, you mean this?” Senia chuckled slightly, realizing that she hadn’t managed to tell the story yesterday. An old gold locket hung from her neck by a silver chain.

Senia wrapped her hands around the locket, “It’s a keepsake of my mother’s and also a medium for my power as I give people blessings.” Her voice was wistful and she smiled softly before looking at Carr, “You don’t really need a medium to use divinity but it’s useful in many ways, such as reducing the power needed for a prayer or shortening the prayer time.”

A medium could only work on one thing that priest considered as special. Senia chose her mother’s locket and Arte had no reason to ban his precious daughter-in-law’s [ This doesn’t seem right but I cant remember how they are supposedly tied together]jewelry.

Carr watched as Senia closed her eyes, hands still holding her locket and paid a silent tribute. A peaceful breeze caressed her face and in that moment, bathed in the in warm sunlight, she looked ethereal.

“To me, it is a priceless treasure.”

Carr didn’t have any memories of his parents, but seeing Senia talking about her mother, he couldn’t help but think that she must have been a wonderful person by how much Senia cherished that locket.

The two finally rose from the bench and resumed walking leisurely around the town. Now, that they had bought everything they needed for the rest of the trip, they could enjoy themselves and just explore. Senia who enjoyed looking at the pretty dishes, cute frilly dresses, and tea leaves, seemed no different from other village girls. Carr on the other hand managed to garner people’s attention because of his unrivaled beauty and the cold almost noble aura. The two looked like a lovely couple.

‘It’s only natural….’

Carr thought as he noticed another person looked through their way, especially at Senia. He remembered Arte’s words that Senia naturally attracted people to her, not just because she was a saint, but due to her nature. She was always kind and showed a lovely smile to everyone they met.

If he didn’t know any better, he would think that Senia was perfect. She was exactly what you would imagine a saint to be. However, he knew that everything she’d done, laughing for others and giving up on her own desires – those were her performing her duty and she sometimes struggled with it.

“Sir Carr? Is there anything else that we need to buy?”

Carr blinked and he came out of his trance and quickly shook his head at the question. Looking at her at this moment, she almost looked like a white rabbit with big round eyes – he couldn’t help but laugh quietly.

“Ah… d-don’t laugh like that all of a sudden.” Senia suddenly bowed her head, hiding her face with her hands.

The words were so muffled that Carr had trouble deciphering them. He tilted her head about to pat her shoulder when there was commotion near them.

“What? Demons?”

“Yes!”

The sound came from two women holding shopping baskets, standing not too far from them.

“A small town in the east was attacked by a group of demons a few days ago!”

Senia and Carr stood in silence as they tried to listen to the women’s conversation.

“Oh, my god…. What about the people?”

“All the adults were killed. God…. I feel sorry for them….”

“Those demons! When the Holy Lady was alive, none of them would have died!”

Carr let out a quiet sigh. It wasn’t a good thing to hear, but at the same time he understood those women. In all human history, demons had always created havoc and attacked people. He couldn’t help but feeling depressed after listening to the conversation.

“Shall we go back and rest?” A soft smile and gentle hand on his arm stopped Carr from thinking more about the situation. He nodded lightly at the question and Senia tangled their fingers. It was a small comfort that melted the lump in his chest.

“Oh, I….” Senia cleared her voice, “Tonight… I-I will visit you. I spent a lot of my power helping around in the temple this morning.”

Even if she hadn’t told him, he was already thinking about visiting her. Carr nodded his head and squeezed her hand with his strong grip as Senia continued talking.

“A-And… please refrain from leaving those in places that stand out!” Senia blushed as she managed to utter the words while fastening the scarf around her neck.

Carr looked awkwardly into the air, apologizing inside his mind for causing Senia trouble.

‘I’ll have to be more careful then.’