Episode 19
‘…What is this?’
An intruder shouldn’t have been able to get over the temple wall. The temple was protected by Lady Lilith’s power.
Just then, the intruder jumped down from the wall and quickly approached me. I instinctively grabbed the hammer pendant around my neck.
But then I froze.
The person who approached me was only a head taller than me.
In other words, just a child.
Then came a familiar voice.
“It’s been a while, Saintess.”
It was a voice I thought I’d never hear again.
The intruder pulled back their hood.
Though his face had matured slightly under the moonlight, it was still unmistakable.
It was the boy who left the temple two years ago on a night just like this—when the stars had filled the sky.
“Teron.”
Teron Pierrt.
I was quite surprised.
He had left the temple on a night just like this—under a sky brimming with stars.
And now, like those stars, he had returned.
“Have you been well?”
Over the past two years, Teron had grown noticeably taller.
‘I thought I’d grown a lot too…’
At nine years old, Teron looked tall even among his peers. Although his robe covered most of his body, his exposed hands and shins were covered with small scars.
‘Looks like he’s been through a lot in the Pierrt family…’
Even so, Teron was smiling brightly, as if he were truly happy.
“You’ve grown taller, Saintess.”
“You too, Brother Teron.”
“You don’t have to speak formally with me.”
“I know. It’s just… you feel unfamiliar after all this time.”
Maybe it was because we hadn’t seen each other in two years, but Teron felt different now. Back then, he had felt purely like a child, but now, at nine, he was more of a boy.
‘He’s grown up…’
I wondered when he’d come to take Seria away from the temple—though it seemed that time was still far off. As I smiled faintly at the thought, Teron’s eyes curved kindly.
“I’m really happy to see you again, Saintess.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“How have you been these past two years?”
“Just busy with work. What about you?”
“Oh, you know…”
He didn’t offer any details. He probably assumed I didn’t know who he really was. And even if I did, he likely had no desire to talk about his family.
“Well, it seems the temple has changed a bit.”
He naturally shifted the topic. I let it go, pretending not to know.
“The building’s the same, but we expanded the garden a bit. Donations from the growing number of believers helped.”
I made a circle with my thumb and index finger, and Teron chuckled.
“I see. I thought something was different. So, how many believers do you have now? I left before the opening, so I’m curious.”
“Right now… a few hundred. Most of the nearby villagers are followers.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
Teron murmured with admiration. We strolled slowly through the garden.
“So, how long are you staying this time?”
“Oh, you noticed?”
“Well… you look pretty much the same as last time.”
It was obvious at a glance that he’d run away from home again with just a sword—just like last time.
“Hmm, probably a week? Maybe two at most.”
“Alright. Then let’s head inside. It’s cold.”
“Yes, Saintess.”
Together, we went into the temple building. Since it was late, I planned to send him to a guest room for the night.
“You can use the same room you stayed in last time.”
I led Teron to the room he had used before.
“Did you prepare it because you expected me?”
He asked sweetly, looking at the clean room. I shook my head.
“Not at all. It just happened to be vacant. We’ve got plenty of rooms for priests.”
“Oh, I see? That’s a shame.”
Why does this nine-year-old sound so smooth? The Pierrt family didn’t even have anyone particularly sly.
“Anyway, get some rest. You can eat meals in the dining hall like before.”
“Okay, got it. Good night, Saintess.”
After receiving his polite goodbye, I left the room.
Our first meeting had been sudden, our farewell unexpected, and now this reunion was just as abrupt.
‘Maybe… this is fate.’
With that thought, I headed to my room.
—
Over the past two years, the temple’s interior had changed a little. Most notably, Seria, Pelles, and I now had separate rooms.
Given our positions, private spaces had become necessary. My bedroom was connected to the Saintess’s office, making it quite convenient.
Aside from that, not much had changed. The dining hall was much the same too.
Even back then, there had been multiple tables in the dining hall. With the addition of new priests, the biggest change was—
Pelles still handled most of the cooking, but since there were more mouths to feed, the priests took turns helping him in the kitchen.
Meals had also changed from individually served portions to a buffet-style system.
‘It was my idea, to make things easier for Pelles.’
He hadn’t been thrilled, but with his growing workload as the High Priest and cook, it couldn’t be helped.
Even now, Pelles managed both the duties of a High Priest and cooking. If he ever decided to quit, we’d be in trouble, so I had to find ways to ease his burden.
Thankfully, the other priests eagerly helped him.
Anyway, I was in the dining hall for breakfast. Across from me, Seria was seated, eating her meal.
“Elly, want me to bring you some water?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Then how about some juice?”
“Hmm… Orange juice, please.”
Seria still took good care of me.
“Saintess, enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you.”
As I ate, some priests who entered greeted me before returning to their seats.
At the far end of the dining hall was the only four-person table, which had somehow become the designated spot for me, Seria, and Pelles.
Whether out of courtesy or hesitation, no one else ever sat there.
‘Well, we’ve been sitting here since the beginning, so I guess it’s natural.’
As I thought that, Seria brought me the juice.
“Thanks, Seria.”
“No problem.”
As I smiled at her bright expression and took a sip of juice, the dining hall door opened. In walked a sharply dressed Teron.
“…Is he a believer?”
The priests looked puzzled at his sudden appearance. They weren’t the only ones surprised—Teron also looked around curiously before walking toward us.
At that moment, Seria, who had seen his face, began coughing violently, as if something had gone down the wrong pipe.
“Cough! Cough!”
“Seria, are you okay?”
I quickly handed her some water, and she gulped it down.
Then Teron arrived at our table.
“Did you sleep well, Saintess?”
“Yeah. What about you, Brother Teron?”
“I slept great. It’s been a while, Priestess—oh, I mean, Priest Seria.”
He smiled sweetly at her. During our short conversation last night, I had told Teron about the internal changes to the temple, so he correctly addressed Seria as a priest.
Seria, on the other hand, looked at him as if to say, ‘Why is he here?’ Then, with some effort, she composed her expression.
“It’s been a while, Brother Teron.”
“Then I’ll go grab some food.”
With a smile, Teron went to the buffet. As soon as he was gone, Seria grabbed my hand across the table.
“E-Elly, what is going on?”
Though she tried to act calm, her trembling voice gave her away.
“He showed up suddenly last night. Said he’ll be staying for a week or two.”
“S-Suddenly?”
“Yep.”
“Why would he…?”
For a fleeting moment, a look of despair flickered in Seria’s eyes. But since there were others around, she quickly forced a smile.
“I see…”
Her hand trembled slightly just as Teron returned with his food and sat down beside me.
“I’ll be imposing on you for a few days.”
He said with an oblivious smile. Seria’s hand, gripping her spoon, trembled even more—but Teron simply kept smiling brightly.
“Um, Saintess… who is he?”
One of the priests at the next table leaned over to ask.
‘Oh, right.’
I should explain to the priests too.
“This is Brother Teron. He helped us out before the temple officially opened. He’ll be staying here for a few days, so please be kind to him.”
“Oh, I see. Understood. Welcome, Brother Teron.”
“Yes, we look forward to your stay.”
Teron responded with a warm smile.
But Seria’s expression was far from pleased.
‘…Looks like things are about to get complicated again.’
Somehow, I had a clear vision of what the future would bring.
To be continued
