𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑
(3)
Theresa, the representative of “Star Guardian,” questioned Maasa, her successor and caretaker.
“What is he doing over there?”
Right next to the tent of the assembly hall, by the well, the old man from the transport team and the elderly women in charge of division are having a heated discussion. The atmosphere was tense.
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“Everyone, it seems you’re arguing about Luo-san’s assignment.”
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Maasa responded with a slightly wry smile.
Crozet had taken the initiative and had no choice but to hire the young wizard Luo, who had an unfortunate upbringing. As a result of a hearing held about half a month ago, it was decided to invite this young boy back to the “Star Guardian.”
Afterward, Luo had gone on a distant job, but it seems he will be returning soon.
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“In the dismantler’s tradition, the lookout is usually an apprentice from the transport team. Therefore, Bekios and the others assert that Luo-san should naturally be part of the transport team.”
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However, strictly speaking, the lookout is not from the transport team.
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“Sumi and the rest argue that since Luo-san was hired on Crozet’s suggestion, the rights to him belong to the division in charge.”
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How foolish, Theresa spat out.
There’s no sense in debating off-topic. It’s utterly regrettable, Theresa sighed and shook her head, then returned to her residential tent.
Even walking outside recently doesn’t lighten her mood. On the contrary, she’s losing energy and becoming reluctant to go out.
When she asked to be left alone to rest, Maasa looked sad for a moment and bowed her head.
Ever since the incident known as the “Fanatics’ Rebellion” ten years ago, Theresa had lost her voice.
According to the kingdom’s announcement, the newborn princess was assassinated, and all the fanatics were executed.
That can’t be true. There’s no way an assassination could have occurred. Theresa knew this. However, she couldn’t entirely dismiss the possibility that the cold-hearted king and the clever Prime Minister had done away with the catalyst princess. Moreover, all her compatriots were killed, except for the “Star Guardian” who still survives in this city.
In sheer despair, Theresa fainted.
And when she woke up, she could no longer speak. As if the back of her throat had dried up, only a whistling sound of breath leaked out.
But Theresa did not give up.
Our mission remains the same. Even if it was doomed to fail, we must persevere. We have to discipline ourselves and others more strictly than ever.
Steering with such a tragic resolve, Luo came to the “Star Guardian.”
At first, Theresa suspected him to be sent by the Bureau of Magic, but she quickly realized her mistake. The boy’s behavior was too immature. It was clear that he was utterly useless as a spy.
Yet, she treated Luo strictly to test everyone’s resolve. If they didn’t possess strong willpower and cautiousness to eliminate even a shred of doubt, they wouldn’t survive despair. Once she’s gone, the “Star Guardian” would collapse in no time.
Theresa’s calculations were off.
Both the transport team and the dissection team had already been swayed. Even Gangi, whom she had relied upon, betrayed her. They chose a warm campfire, which could expose their location, over enduring the cold together.
It felt like there was a gaping hole in her heart.
Alone in her tent room, Theresa knelt on the floor and made a star sign.
Calling the name of the goddess she worshipped, she repented—
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“Gah, hah.”
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Still, no voice came out. The only sound that escaped was a pitiful breath, like a draft.
Prayer is an act of the heart. It involves visualizing the entity in one’s heart and offering the voice of the heart.
She understood that.
But people can feel the act of prayer by worshipping a grand idol and listening to their own voice.
All that was present here was a brutally shattered statue of the goddess, and she couldn’t find the words of prayer to offer.
Overwhelmed by an unfathomable loneliness, Theresa was devastated.
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◇
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At the Bureau of Magic Arche’s Branch counter, Luo was crouched down.
Knox, the official in front of him, seemed to be lost in thought as he checked the completion form submitted by Luo. Each time Knox’s eyebrows twitched, Luo felt a chill, and he quickly turned his face away when glanced at.
Luo’s performance at Akkare Castle was impeccable. Moreover, the completion form approved by the maid Rayza praised Luo’s dedication and abilities and expressed gratitude to the Bureau of Magic that had dispatched him.
That only fueled Knox’s suspicions, but there were no errors in the documents, and he concluded that the ten-year-old child must have worked hard and been appreciated by the other party.
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“Well, that will do.”
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Clearly relieved, Luo exhaled.
Knox placed two documents on the counter.
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“This is the contract. Please check the content, and if there are no issues, please sign it.”
“Yes!”
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The one who inadvertently raised her voice was Crozet, sitting next to Luo. She hurriedly signed and took one copy.
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“Thank you. Let’s go, Luo-kun.”
“Okay.”
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Once outside the office, as if savoring the feeling of freedom, Crozet stretched out with her arms wide.
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“Now, let’s celebrate today. Everyone’s preparing a feast, so let’s go to the “Star Guardian” tent.”
“Celebrate? For what?”
“Of course, for you, Luo-kun.”
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Luo looked puzzled.
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“I haven’t worked yet.”
“You don’t have to. It’s a celebration of the renewal of the contract, after all.”
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Right after exiting the north gate, there is a large red tent that serves as the gathering place for “Star Guardian”. The inside is spacious enough to accommodate more than ten adults with ease. In the center, a circular table is set up, adorned with flowers and laden with lavish dishes.
As Luo, the guest of honor, and all members of the “Star Guardian” took their seats, a lively meal began.
The setting was similar to the inquiry held about half a month ago, but the ambiance was completely different. There was no tension in the air, and both the seniors from the transport team and the elderly women in charge of partitioning were all smiles.
Luo couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
“You need to eat more and grow stronger since guarding is exhausting work,” Gangi said. As soon as the plate was empty, Crozet promptly served more food. The abundance of vegetables was a bit disappointing, but for Luo, just eating was easy.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, laughing and dining together.
However, only Theresa, seated directly opposite Luo, had not touched her food. Maasa sitting next to her looked concerned.
As the meal approached its end, Hamaji, in charge of the ledger, stood up.
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“Actually, Luo-kun, we have a gift for you from all of us in the ‘Star Guardian’.”
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Saying this, he pulled out a new coat and goggles for Luo from beneath the table.
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“Good work requires good tools. Now, stand up.”
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Until now, Luo had been using Gangi’s hand-me-downs. While the belt and hem length had been adjusted, the overall fit was off, and it was worn out in places. The new goggles gleamed, and the coat fit perfectly.
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“It suits you, Luo-kun.”
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Following Crozet, the elderly men and women showered him with praise.
Luo turned bright red.
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“T, Thank you.”
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Taking a moment to express his gratitude, Luo seemed lost in thought.
Though he received a salary for his work, the “Star Guardian” team treated him exceptionally well. He received lots of treats and fruits, and now even goggles and a coat.
Luo had experienced such kindness before.
In his hometown village, after losing his parents, he’d stayed confined to his bed. The neighbors and Saji would bring him food every day. Whether before or after becoming a moss collector, Saji had always been there to help. Luo only realized this just before leaving the village.
Hence, he couldn’t reciprocate the kindness.
Had he noticed earlier, he could have done something.
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“I want to celebrate too!”
“Ah, where are you going, Luo-kun?”
“Everyone, come to the black tent.”
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Leaving those words behind, Luo left the gathering place.
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◇
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In the far end of the area where the residential tents were located, there was a large black tent. It was the “Star Guardian” storage. The front half was filled with junk. However, the other half, known as the “inner chamber”, was considered sacred.
The members of the “Star Guardian” gathered at the warehouse entrance, looking puzzled. After a while, Luo, carrying a heavy backpack, appeared. It seemed he had gone back to the “wall house” to bring some luggage.
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“Please wait a moment.”
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Luo entered the “inner chamber” separated by thick curtains.
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“Crozet-san?”
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At Maasa’s question, Crozet turned pale.
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“Ah, this is, that.”
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Crozet confessed in a flustered manner. Previously, when she was looking for a rope to hang the laundry, she accidentally found Luo.
Everyone looked troubled, but no one blamed Crozet. After all, Luo was going to work as a “Star Guardian” soon, so they thought they would have to tell him eventually.
However, only Theresa felt differently.
The “inner chamber” is definitely not a place where outsiders should enter.
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“Theresa-sama.”
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Without any time for Maasa to intervene, Theresa, with a swiftness not indicative of her century age, stormed into the storage room. The “inner chamber” had a thick carpet, with armors and swords decorated on the left and right walls. At the very end, a statue, broken from the waist up, stood majestically.
In front of the statue, a boy was taking out things from his backpack.
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“G, Granny.”
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Caught off guard by the strange nickname.
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“Still preparing.”
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Looking as if there was no other way, Theresa was visibly irritated.
I should be the one complaining!
She wanted to shout, but no voice came out. As she gritted her teeth in frustration, the boy started laying out the contents of his bag in front of the statue. Red, blue, yellow, green, silver – they were probably decorative stones of various colors and shapes. Finally, Luo took out a part of the statue from a box beside it.
A part of the arm with a scar on its palm.
Holding that piece, the boy sat cross-legged in front of the statue.
You insolent brat!
Despite her frantic gestures, the boy remained undeterred. Theresa stomped her feet in frustration and was about to grab him when her eyes widened in shock.
The colorful stone ornaments in front of the boy lost their shapes, emanating a rainbow glow, rising and covering the upper part of the statue.
The shape and colors were reconstructed.
A beautifully sculpted body, intricately designed clothes, a compassionate smiling face, and silver hair. The missing arm piece became whole, completing it.
It was a statue of a goddess.
Slightly smaller than an adult woman, with closed eyes and a smile, extending her scarred right hand forward.
Bathed in the dim light streaming through the windows, the statue of the goddess shone with majesty and mystery.
The arriving “Star Guardians” exclaimed in astonishment.
With wide eyes and an open mouth, Theresa stood there in shock.
She had offered her prayers daily up until forty years ago. Even after that, she always pictured it in her heart, but after losing her voice ten years ago, its image became blurred. She mourned, thinking she had lost her faith.
The statue of the goddess she so desperately longed for was right in front of her.
It seemed like a miracle.
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“It was in Akkare Castle.”
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The boy said.
When he visited the chapel of the castle for cleaning work, he found this statue.
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“The same scar on the palm.”
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That’s how he knew it was the same statue.
He said he didn’t have enough colored stones, so the inside is hollow. He could only reconstruct the outside.
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“But, it’s the same.”
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Theresa heard the boy’s explanation, but she couldn’t comprehend.
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“Ah, hah.”
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From deep within Teresa’s chest, something wells up.
There was something trickling down her cheek. It took time to realize that it was a tear shed for the first time in decades.
Her body trembles.
Her chest and throat are hot. It feels as if they are burning.
The warm sensation rising engulfs her throat, which should have been parched.
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“Ah, ah.”
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She can’t hold back.
Without even being aware of it, as if being pushed out by something overwhelming, Theresa murmured.
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“Mail, Goddess, Mail-sama…”
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It is the name of a goddess, now forbidden to even be spoken.
At that moment, Theresa collapsed from her knees.
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“Oh, ooh, ooooh!”
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In front of the goddess with a compassionate smile, as if begging for forgiveness like a sinner, Theresa continued to shed torrents of tears, her forehead touching the floor.
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