Chapter 97 – To the Town with the Saintess

Dad headed out early in the morning to help the villagers.

“Lily, remember our promise.”

“I know. See you later.”

Mom was off to help at the meeting hall too.

But I was told I’d just get in the way, so no going out for me.

Tch. I said I wanted to help too.

“This should do it.”

I’d been asked to make lunch, so I slapped together some sandwiches with bread and veggies.

In the quiet, empty kitchen, I clapped my hands together—pan pan—to brush off the crumbs.

“Sigh. Well then. I’m bored, so let’s go see Kirika.”

Stepping outside, I saw villagers bustling about everywhere.

“Hmph. As long as I don’t get in the way, it’s fine, right?”

I strolled past them toward the meeting hall.

“Hey now, granny, don’t rush. It’s dangerous.”

“Can’t help it. I’m just so excited.”

Near the gate, Kirika was helping the old folks onto a wagon with some uncles.

Everyone was dressed up so nicely…

Probably because the tax collector’s coming.

“Kirika, count on you for the way back too!” “Yeah, take care!”

“Got it.”

I hesitated about calling out, but Kirika grabbed the reins and they set off.

Uncle Kern noticed me waving and gave a friendly smile.

I hurried over and asked.

“Uncle Kern, where’s Kirika going?”

“You haven’t heard? He’s taking the grannies to town to meet the Saintess.”

“Yeah, my mom hitched a ride too.”

“Ours did as well.”

To see Marie?

Oh, right. It’s today.

The whole village had been busy since morning counting bundles of herbs and loading recovery potions.

Dad too, from the crack of dawn… Ah, that’s why Kirika was by himself…

Hmm.

So that’s why I was grounded.

“What’s that about? I wanna go too.”

I tilted my head and flashed the biggest smile I could muster.

“On foot, it’s about two hours for you, Lily. Just follow this road straight ahead.”

“Yeah, super close. No beasts either, so you can go alone.”

“Safer going through the fields.”

The uncles grinned and gave me directions.

“But can I really make it walking?”

I put on a troubled look and glanced at their faces.

“If it weren’t for the tax collector, I’d take you myself…”

“Old man Colin’s heading to the back fields. I’ll tell him to give you a lift.”

Hmph.

Piece of cake when you put your mind to it.

“Yay! Thanks!”

They dropped me off partway in a cart full of dirt, and I walked the rest. Not as far as I thought.

Might even walk back.

There was a long line at the outer wall gate.

Not the group wagon lane—I got in the individual line.

“Please use Status Open—”

Soldiers everywhere, and mounted Holy Knights for the first time ever.

The gate guards checked statuses assembly-line style, nudged my shoulder, and just like that, I was through the gate.

The town was packed with unbelievable crowds. Like a festival.

Buildings and streets so big and clean. Shops and stalls I’d never seen, people all dressed fancy.

I wanna live in a big town like this, all dolled up nice.

I looked down at my hands—caked in mud. Suddenly felt embarrassed.

No one else around looked like that.

“Wahahaha!”

At the central square’s water fountain, some kids laughed as I washed my face and hands clean.

Better now?

The people walking by were nothing like villagers.

Is this what Rudy was talking about?

Anyway, gotta find Kirika first.

“Hey! Lily!”

“Wah! Kirika!”

Heading to the church, Kirika tapped my shoulder out of nowhere and startled me.

“Phew, good thing. I was about to collapse from relief.”

Up close, Kirika was dressed sharper than usual. Looked cool.

I tried to hug him in excitement, but he pushed me away.

What the—

Kirika, of all people.

“Why’d you follow me?!”

“But… going to see Marie alone…”

Why’s he mad?

Keeping it from me. I should be the mad one.

Kirika was way angrier than I expected.

First time seeing him this pissed.

Kirika, of all people.

“It’s not like that. Just dropping off the elders. Supposed to head back at the six o’clock bell.”

Oh. Not meeting Marie then.

“So you’re free till then?”

“Absolutely not. You promised the uncles, right?”

Kirika scowled and shook his head.

Kirika, of all people.

“No one’ll know if you keep quiet. Just a peek, then home. C’mon? We’re blood siblings.”

I gave him my best puppy eyes, and finally, Kirika cracked a big grin.

“Sigh… Just a look, okay? Promise.”

Yes! Kirika can’t say no to me.

Too excited to wait, I grabbed his hand. “Hurry, hurry!” We jogged through the crowd.

Staring up at the church’s grand gate, I stepped onto the grounds for the first time.

The solemn massive building at the far end of the plaza felt like a gateway to another world.

In the huge entry plaza, White Priests hurried about, chatting with Holy Knights in white uniforms.

Everyone there to see the Saintess had some white cloth wrapped somewhere.

The buildings were all white-themed too. White of the Saintess everywhere you looked.

“Here.”

Kirika held out a clean white ribbon.

He’d already wrapped one around his arm somehow.

“…Thanks.”

Surprised, I took it. Kirika turned away, looking embarrassed.

Hee hee. Knew it. That’s Kirika for you.

Thrilled, I tied it around my neck in a butterfly knot and showed him.

Might hide my grubby clothes a bit?

Pushed along by the crowd, far off I spotted Fernet in gray uniform talking to some White Priests.