Chapter 162

As I pressed firmly against my throbbing temples, Marien timidly added,

“The transport carriage carrying us caught fire, so we escaped while everyone was distracted.”

And then they had happened to discover this village.

“How long have you been in this village?”

The girl fidgeted with her small fingers and spread them out. Today was their eighth day.

“Where do you sleep?”

“…Just wherever.”

Marien lowered her head, and her cheeks turned red.

There probably wasn’t any place in an unfamiliar slum that would provide food, clothing, and shelter for the children. Moreover, the siblings didn’t have the shameless or endearing personalities needed to ingratiate themselves with others.

From the look of things, they seemed to have been sneaking into empty buildings or places like the temple where we were staying and eating without permission.

“Leave with me tomorrow. I’ll take you to Melvers.”

This was the only thing I could do for them.

Once she became an Awakener, she could quickly escape her current poverty.

High-ranking Awakeners were treated as valuable wherever they went.

Among them, Melvers had abundant funds and didn’t hesitate to support high-ranking Awakeners.

Once they heard the siblings’ circumstances, they would provide not only a place to live during her training period but also generous living expenses.

Of course, after completing her training, whether Marien chose to become an Awakener who fought in the field would be up to her.

“…Melvers.”

“You know what kind of temple it is, right?”

“A really big place.”

“That’s true too, but it’s a temple for Awakeners. There are children your age at Melvers, so don’t worry too much. It’ll be much better than wandering around outside like this. The weather is getting colder too.”

Marien seemed to think for a moment, then nodded.

She couldn’t continue sleeping outdoors forever with her young brother.

“Don’t go anywhere tonight. Sleep at the temple with us. I’ll explain everything properly to the priests.”

I spoke as though she only needed to trust me, but in truth, I would need to tell a slight lie.

If I suddenly announced that I intended to take children from the slums with us, the priests would undoubtedly object firmly.

But if I explained that I had coincidentally discovered children Melvers had been keeping an eye on, they would instead be desperate to escort them there.

The carriage had plenty of room now that all the supplies had been unloaded, so carrying two children wouldn’t be difficult either.

“…Thank you.”

After the brief dinner break ended, I took the siblings to an empty room in the temple.

It was chilly without a stove, but the children were satisfied simply to be sheltered from the wind.

“Wait here. I’ll come back for you after I finish my work.”

At the sound of people calling for me outside, I handed the children spare blankets and hurriedly rejoined the group.

* * *

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

A stooped old woman tightly held my hand and repeated the same words several times.

‘I didn’t do anything.’

All I had done was hand over the supplies prepared by the temple, so receiving such gratitude was a little embarrassing.

But I didn’t show it and smiled as I answered, “Yes.”

The final duty assigned to the lower-ranked trainees was personally visiting the homes of elderly people with limited mobility and distributing winter supplies.

The sun had already disappeared beyond the mountain ridge. A dark blue curtain spread across the sky.

Perhaps because the village was at a high altitude, the densely packed stars looked as though they might pour down.

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Take care on your way back.”

The house where I had just delivered winter supplies was the last one I needed to visit.

Perhaps the old woman had been lonely, because she kept holding onto me and wouldn’t let me leave, so my return was later than expected.

If I went back now, I would probably be last.

There was no penalty for returning late. The only consequence was that I would go to sleep later.

Since things had turned out this way, I decided I might as well enjoy the scenery. I shivered at the cold seeping over the back of my neck and pulled my clothes tightly closed.

As I walked while looking at the stars, I saw the temple, white light pouring through its windows.

I had finally arrived.

Just as my leisurely steps quickened,

A scream mixed with sobbing came from the direction of the temple.

That wasn’t the only strange thing. The trainees and priests, who should have been preparing for bed, were all gathered outside the temple.

• Author
• Recent Posts

mikan

Latest posts by mikan (see all)