chapter 06
“A proposal…?”
The next moment, the faint scent of sandalwood tickled her nose, and Skyler jolted back in surprise.
Without warning, Soleon had leaned over the bed, his face so close it almost touched hers as he stared into her eyes.
“Interesting.”
Her mind went blank. Just as Skyler, tense, felt like she might stop breathing, he suddenly pulled away—as if he had never come close at all.
Rising without hesitation, Soleon circled the table and came up behind her. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Skyler, your ability is exceptional. At least when it comes to physical injuries. You may not be able to cure disabilities or illnesses, but you healed even severe wounds where bones were exposed.”
“….”
“I’d like you to make full use of that ability. And so would countless others.”
The veins in the hand gripping her shoulder stood out. Skyler stiffened.
As if telling her to relax, he withdrew his hand and sat back down.
“But no matter how good the cause, it shouldn’t be forced. What is it that you want?”
“I’ll enter the temple without complaint. But after three years, when I turn twenty, let me leave the temple—with no conditions whatsoever.”
Since she possessed holy power—and since this priest had already discovered it—completely escaping the temple was impossible.
So instead, she would willingly enter… and in return, gain her freedom at twenty.
During that time, she would learn how to properly use her power and build a solid foundation.
After that, she planned to join the Krauss family, earn money, and pursue her dreams—helping people with her abilities when needed.
“…Is that difficult?”
Tense, Skyler waited for his answer.
Soleon, who had been watching her with amusement, smiled slightly.
“Alright.”
The acceptance came more easily than expected. As Skyler blinked in surprise, he made a counteroffer.
“Then I have a proposal as well.”
“A proposal…?”
“I’ll fully support Rozel—your precious little sister—and the orphanage, helping it stand again.”
“…In exchange?”
“In exchange, you grant me one small request. Later.”
Ten days passed in a flash, and everything afterward unfolded as if it had been predetermined.
All the procedures for Skyler’s entry into the temple were completed in no time.
Before she knew it, the day of departure arrived.
Noren, now in a wheelchair, held her hand tightly.
“You’re really going to the temple… Are you sure you’ll be alright?”
“It’s my own decision. Don’t worry, Director.”
“Even so… I’m worried. If this isn’t truly what you want—”
“It is my choice.”
Looking at Noren—who had aged overnight after that terrible night—Skyler forced a bright smile.
“At the temple, even if I don’t become a saint candidate, food, clothing, and shelter are guaranteed. And if I want, I can work at one of their healing centers. Isn’t that a good thing?”
It was a practical reason—but not the only one.
How many times had she blamed herself?
Even if she hadn’t gone to the temple, if only she had faced her power properly and studied it—
then maybe she would have realized sooner that she could create barriers…
and protected the children.
“Skyler…”
“So don’t worry. You should focus on rebuilding the orphanage.”
“…Alright.”
Noren, who seemed about to say more, instead opened her arms.
Smiling, Skyler embraced her.
“Who did you say was helping you return to the temple?”
“Soleon.”
At that name, the director’s expression stiffened.
Sensing something strange, Skyler tilted her head.
“Director?”
“….”
“I know what you’re thinking, but he didn’t threaten me or anything. I’m not being forced.”
Noren said nothing and looked past Skyler’s shoulder.
Following her gaze—
through the carriage window, Skyler met a pair of violet eyes.
Time seemed to slow.
A man of chilling beauty raised a finger to his lips in a silent gesture.
A shiver ran down her spine, her legs weakening.
“Director!”
Startled, Skyler grabbed Noren as she staggered.
“Are you overexerting yourself? You didn’t have to come all the way to see me off—”
“Skyler… you mustn’t go—”
“Skyler.”
“Soleon?”
At some point, he had stepped down from the carriage and was urging her.
“It’ll be dark soon.”
“Oh—yes…”
After saying her goodbyes, Skyler quickly approached the carriage. Soleon escorted her inside first.
“I didn’t expect you to come in person.”
“I wanted to see you.”
“…What?”
Her ears turned red at the unexpected answer.
“I’m joking.”
Smiling faintly, Soleon closed the carriage door.
At once, the coachman cracked the whip, and the black horses surged forward down the dirt road.
Inside the rattling carriage, Skyler gazed back longingly through the window.
She could see the ruined remains of the orphanage.
Trying to take in every last second—
her view was suddenly blocked.
Soleon leaned his head against the window, smiling.
“The sunlight is strong.”
“Too bright, isn’t it?” he murmured, drawing the curtain closed.
“Wake up, Skyler! At this rate, you’ll be late!”
A hand shook her urgently.
“You’re really going to be late!”
Barely opening her eyes, Skyler recognized her roommate.
“Bennet…?”
“No time! Go wash up and get dressed—quick!”
Still half-asleep, she was dragged to the washroom before she could even rub her eyes.
Yawning, Skyler muttered,
“Isn’t today a day off?”
“Idiot!”
Bennet placed her hands on her hips in disbelief.
“Today’s the Saint Candidate Announcement Ceremony! We have to go eat breakfast quickly!”
The Saint Candidate Announcement Ceremony.
Once a year, around the time of the first snowfall, the fates of all the sisters in the temple were decided.
It was the biggest annual event across all branches.
After enduring harsh training and beating overwhelming odds, one would be selected as a Saint candidate—and others as reserve attendants.
“The Saint’s term lasts at most ten years,” Bennet explained.
“If there’s only one candidate, it’d be a problem if there’s no replacement.”
“I’d be happy even being chosen as a reserve attendant!” Jenny chimed in excitedly, poking at her beans with a fork.
“What an honor! Your whole family gets benefits!”
“Exactly! You’re treated like a Saint candidate! Free treatment centers, priority for family baptisms—and even a pension for life after retirement!”
Listening to her chattering peers, Skyler smiled quietly.
Some were nobles, some commoners, and some orphans like her.
Their reasons for being here were all different—some by choice, others with no alternative.
Yet in this short time, they had built friendships together.
Lost in thought, Skyler was suddenly called.
“Skyler, what about you?”
“Hm?”
“What are your plans?”
Pretending to think for a moment, she answered casually.
“I’m planning to join the subjugation unit.”
“The subjugation unit?”
“Yeah.”
Those who didn’t become Saint candidates had many paths:
Becoming a healer at a treatment center.
Joining a subjugation unit to fight monsters.
Supporting from the logistics corps.
Staying at the temple as an instructor.
Or even working in civilian organizations.
Graduates of the temple were welcomed anywhere—itself proof of their ability.
After all, surviving three years of brutal training was no small feat.
Even she had encountered monsters a few times during marches.
Of the many who started, only about half remained.
“Assignments are the norm, but you can volunteer where manpower is lacking.”
For Soleon, it was the easiest way to pull her out later.
If necessary—
she could even fake her death and escape.
