Chapter 243

"...This way."

Clael followed the wave of divine power and walked through the hotel.

The source was a room not far from the lounge. The door wasn't locked, and it seemed to be a resting space guests could freely enter. Several tables and chairs were arranged inside, along with a bookshelf.

And at the back of the rest area, a small altar had been set up.

An altar in a hotel rest area... it was a bit out of place, but since the hotel owner seemed to be a devout person, it wasn't all that strange.

Flowers, offerings of bread, and a chalice placed on the table. A small statue shaped like the goddess.

And in front of the altar, kneeling in prayer... was Reina.

"Reina..."

"............"

Reina didn't seem to notice Clael had arrived and continued to pray fervently.

Particles of light, which only a priest could see, emerged from Reina's body and were drawn into the statue of the goddess.

The divine power absorbed by the statue of the goddess was then returned to the earth, spreading blessings throughout the kingdom.

"............"

(So she was performing her duty as the Saint... No matter how many times I see it, it's a beautiful sight.)

Reina, shining with light.

It was a scene he had seen many times since he first witnessed it at the shrine in Eggbell.

Praying to the goddess and offering power to the earth was a duty only the Saint could perform.

Thanks to this, the land flourished with abundance, and the occurrence of plagues and disasters decreased.

As Clael silently watched Reina's prayer... eventually, she looked up, apparently finished with her duty.

"Phew... So you were here, Clael-sama."

Reina stood and turned to face Clael.

During her prayer, her expression had been solemn and mystical, but the smile she showed Clael was that of an innocent girl her age.

Her gentle, somewhat joyful eyes were directed at Clael.

"Ah, so you noticed."

"Of course. There's no way I wouldn't notice your scent... I mean, your presence, Clael-sama."

"...I see."

For a moment, it felt like she said something scary... but thinking it was just his imagination, Clael shook his head.

"Still... praying even while traveling, you really are the model of a priest. I'm starting to feel ashamed of my own laziness."

"Fulfilling my duty even while traveling was a condition set by His Eminence the Cardinal before I left. I have to keep my promise."

"I see... Isn't it hard? Being the Saint?"

Clael asked out of concern for Reina's mind and body.

It was Clael who had sent Reina to the Grand Shrine... but he worried whether it had become a burden on her.

Balancing studies and the duties of the Saint. It couldn't be easy.

Though there was no one to take the Saint's place, he couldn't help but feel guilty for placing the kingdom's future on the shoulders of a single young girl.

"Of course, I'm fine. Doing what I can do feels good."

"...I see."

"What's truly scary is not being needed by anyone. I never want to go back to the time before I met you, Clael-sama."

"............"

Reina had once been abused by her toxic parents.

Compared to then, her current environment must feel so much better.

"...Don't overdo it, okay? If anything happens, tell me right away."

"Fufufu... Just those words give me strength for another hundred years. More importantly, what about you, Clael-sama? What brings you here so early?"

"I just happened to wake up early. I was having tea in the lounge to kill time until breakfast."

"Ah, in that case, may I join you?"

"Of course. Shall we go?"

Clael nodded and led Reina back to the lounge.

He ordered additional tea from the waiter, and the two enjoyed a brief little tea party until the others woke up.

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