Chapter 7

The next morning Asyut once again proceeded to the medicine store that Yunas parents ran .

He may be disliked for appearing right on the heels of yesterday; however, even then he did not care, and Asyut was half-defiant . The interaction at the church with Hariet and last nights small drinking party pushed Asyuts back . Hope had not been exhausted yet . A miracle was surely within reach .

He went up a long slope .

Having come to this town, only a few days had passed, and yet he was able to find many familiar faces amongst passers-by who came and went past him . There was the old man who sat under the same building yesterday, the children running around in the back alley, and the housewives chatting beside the well Indeed, like this acquaintances would increase in a flash . And like the young men, who he drank together with yesterday, said, it made sense how any rumors were spread immediately .

Before long he arrived at the medicine store and through the window there was Madelas figure .

Here too, the same as yesterday, she was sitting on the cashiers side and apparently seemed to be deep in talk with a preceding visitor .

When he quietly opened the door and entered inside Madela showed a soft smile along with a Welcome like she did on the first day . The woman who she was talking to turned around as a result of that voice and was surprisingly the priests daughter, Hariet .

Hariet, upon recognizing Asyuts appearance, furrowed her brows without hesitation like she did on the first day .

You

Oh, Sieg, you came again .

Hariet sent a sharp gaze without a moments delay to Madela who greeted Asyut in a relaxed manner .

Hold on, sister-in-law . You know about this person?

Hm? Yes, hes the traveler who stopped by here yesterday .

Stopped by here, you say .

Once again Hariet glared over at him .

As he received her warm reception Asyut discovered the reason for her thorny attitude towards him alone and nodded inwardly with comprehension .

Hariet called Madela her sister-in-law . In other words, she was a relative of Yunas . And thats why she was guarded more than needed against Asyut, a visitor from the city from the royal capital .

But what did that really mean?

(As I thought, Yuna didnt just die . )

Gathering these small fragments little by little, Asyuts hope changed into conviction .

For you to have already buttered up to my sister . Youre outrageous .

Hariet, what are you saying . He is Yunas friend and came all this way from the royal capital for Yuna .

Madelas chiding voice did not reach Hariet .

Sister, you cant believe that bullshit . Theres no way he can be her friend . You can tell just by looking at him . Hes definitely a person with social status, even in the royal capital . So, how did this person get to know Yuna?

Dont assume things like that, Hariet Im really sorry about this, Sieg .

Asyut shook his head a little at Madela who was trying to mediate the situation with a troubled look .

No, since I am the one who surprised you with my sudden visit Miss Hariet is Yunas

Im Yunas aunt . Yunas dad, Rendo, is my older brother .

If that was the case then that meant the priest of that church, Maurice, was Yunas grandfather . So that was why Yunas parents relied on this church and moved here . It wasnt them moving to a rural town at random .

Now, Ive made my identity clear . This time Ill have you talk in detail about your true relationship with Yuna .

I said stop it, Hariet .

Placing her hand on the angry Hariets shoulder, Madela made the woman, who had risen from her seat, sit down again .

I would also like to ask Sieg all about Yuna . But, since its a connection to Yuna that has been made with effort, doesnt everyone wish to talk about it comfortably?

When Madela smiled softly it seemed that even Hariet was unable to show a stubborn attitude any more than that . She pouted her lips, as if having become sulky, but didnt say anything more .

Wait one moment .

Saying that, Madela withdrew into the back room and then returned immediately with three cups of tea . She handed each of them to Asyut and Hariet and placed her own on top of the cashiers shelf . And then, as soon as she disappeared once more into the back, she pulled out a chair this time and offered it to Asyut .

Please sit down as well . I apologize for it being in the shop though .

But what if other people come to shop .

Its fine . I normally sit down and talk with customers like this .

Urged by Madela who didnt seem concerned about that, Asyut sat down as he was told . And when he tasted the tea he was given, in order to dodge the dangerous glare sent over from Hariet who was beside him, the faint sweetness of the leaves spread in his mouth and the warmth gradually seeped into his body .

Now, where did we talk to yesterday . You told me you became acquainted with Yuna through Lady Celiastina, right?

Madela tilted her head while drinking her own tea . Meanwhile, Hariet startled and her eyes widened .

Yes . And that Yuna and Lady Celiastina were friends from the time of the orphanage .

Aah, thats right .

You said that you had done a disservice to Yuna during that time of the orphanage . What was it?

Oh, so we even talked about that . No, actually, it was only for a short period of time where I took Yuna to the orphanage . Even though

she was always looking forward to going to play at the orphanage, it seemed I made her quite sad when she was unable to see her friends because of my circumstances .

This may sound like I am prying but what circumstances were those? Ah, you see, Yuna personally explained that she wasnt able to go to the orphanage because her parents became busy .

Being busy was, in truth, an excuse . In reality, I was afraid .

Afraid?

Madela lowered her eyes and drank her tea again .

I wonder if youve heard about the name of a girl called Cella who was living in the orphanage at the time .

Yes, I know of it . It is the real name of the present Lady Celiastina .

You really know a lot Now that I think about it, I was rather silly . But, at that time, I believed in it firmly .

What exactly?

That in those days, at the orphanage, there were people who died now and then .

At the time, I heard by chance strange rumors . That the people who died were only those deeply involved with Cella . Of course, at first, I thought it was people starting bad rumors and didnt think too deeply on it . But, later, when a staff members who cared particularly for Cella met an accident and died I quickly became frightened .

Maybe she was thinking back to that time but Madelas complexion wasnt very good .

I suddenly became concerned, remembering that my daughter Yuna was good friends with Cella . Rather, at that time, Cella didnt have many friends and seemed to play only with Yuna . When I started to think that it might be Yunas turn next I wasnt able to contain myself .

So, you kept a distance from the orphanage?

Thats right . I made reasons about one thing or another and tried not to take Yuna to the orphanage . Yuna had pleaded while crying that she had a friend shed like to see, but I didnt permit that . I even forbade the topic from being brought up and I thought that Yuna had also eventually forgotten about the orphanage, but perhaps shes always thought about deep in her mind That you and Yuna were acquainted through Lady Celiastina means that Yuna was reunited with Lady Celiastina in the royal capital, right?

Asyut lowered his eyes . He couldnt find the words to reply with .

However, in any case, he had no choice but to say that Madelas decision was correct . If Yuna had passed the time as good friends with Cella like that, there was no mistake that sooner or later Yuna would have died due to Cellas distorted ability .

Im sorry for talking to you about such a thing . Honestly, I thought I would talk to Yuna properly one day and apologize . But I cant even do that

Madela averted her gaze from Asyut and looked off into the distance somewhere . Hariet also lowered her eyes to her hands with a grave look . He wondered what kind of feelings stretched out after those words that trailed off

Thank you very much for informing me about various things . Ever since I heard that story from Yuna and Lady Celiastina Ive always been curious, so one load has been taken off my mind .

Really?

Her feeble smile was painful to look at . It was the expression of a mother who was looking back on the memories of her deceased daughter .

Why was she looking so sad? Wasnt Yuna supposed to be alive? It was as if Madela would never see her again .

Abruptly being unable to endure that Asyut opened his mouth, carried along with that momentum .

Madela, could I please meet with Yuna?

Huh?

If theres a grave then I would like to offer flowers . Or

If she wasnt dead yet then . Asyut managed to stifle the words that seemed about to come out and, instead, caught his breath .

Thank you . But due to circumstances I cant show you to the grave . If you wish to remember Yuna then ah, I know, please offer prayerse at the church in this town . If you do then Im sure your prayers will reach Yuna as well .

No, that wouldnt reach her . Neither these feelings, nor this voice, not one thing .

Can you tell me about those circumstances?

Im sorry . Its all a little complicated .

I am aware that it isnt a topic an outsider who suddenly intruded should pry into, but I wish to know about Yuna by any means . I was truly saved a lot by her . It is not an exaggeration to say that my life has been saved by Yuna . And I simply cannot return home without knowing Yunas fate .

Hey, you, my sister said it was impossible .

Hariet leaned forward as if to protect Madela .

Madelas gaze dropped and she behaved as if she were indecisive over how to answer . But .

In the end, this is our familys problem .

At last she did not give in . It was as if she were telling herself that, saying it slowly one word at a time .

Aah, at this rate it would be all over .

The truth about Yunas death would be buried forever by her family .

That was the only thing he wouldnt allow .

Is Yuna truly dead?

In the end Asyut spoke the words that struck at the core .

He no longer wanted to act any more in a way that distanced Yuna from life with ambiguous words .

He wanted them to say that Yuna was alive .

What are you talking about?

Hariet muttered this in a stiff voice .

No, it doesnt matter even if you dont explain . This is more than enough . Please go home right now

now .

Wait, Hariet .

Yunas death is a problem that hasnt even been assimilated yet among us, her family . I cant bear it being rudely disturbed by an outsider .

Hariet, he came all this way from far away .

Sister, youre too soft-hearted .

Madela tried to argue even more but Hariets anger couldnt be calmed down .

Please wait . Wont you please listen to what I have to say?

Asyut opened his mouth calmly trying, as much as possible, not to imbue his words with emotion .

Hariet, as youve said, I would like to properly explain who I am . Because many things truly happened with me and Yuna .

Asyut clenched both of his hands .

It would not be easy to have them believe the events of this past year . Still, he had to hold nothing back . He had to tell them his purpose, in all sincerity with no false feelings . And then he had to get them to accept it .

However, Asyut was unable to continue his words any further .

Because the appearance of sudden visitors in the shop broke the tense air .

Apologies but we will be interrupting your conversation, madam and company .

In contrast to their words, several men and women of the same age as Madela passed through the stores doors with absolutely no reservation and there was also a figure Asyut had seen once, Madelas husband Rendo .

Madela and Hariet widened their eyes and stood at the sudden visitors . Rendo had a haggard expression and his head was bowed deeply . Just from that appearance it was clear that the visitors did not bring any good news .

What seems to be the matter with everyone? Is there something my husband has done

Madela took a single step towards them and they sent a cold gaze towards her . Then, when they glanced over to confirm Asyuts figure, their eyebrows openly knitted .

So, the traveler is here as well . It was exactly as we worried .

Among them, the most senior looking man said this provokingly .

Madela, we have already told your husband but we will tell you once again . We are already at our limits living together with you and yours .

What was that?

Madelas bewilderment showed that she didnt understand what they were getting at .

We are talking about how we cannot protect you any longer in this village . In the first place, we were opposed to accepting a suspicious girl to begin with . We have our way of life and it is intolerable to have the countrys eyes on us by being burdened with danger that need not be beared .

The mans talk wasnt very relevant to Asyut but it seemed to have been conveyed more than enough to Madela . And not only Madela . Hariet sunk into silence, standing beside Madela, with a pale expression as well .

And, as I had feared, an investigation has come like this from the outside at last .

Asyut received their gazes and understood that this matter was connected to him . And then he comprehended everything this man had said . It was Yuna . The sleeping girl and her parents had been accepted together by this village . They knew about her and were adverse to that fact . Asyut could only think this .

Mister, who exactly do you belong to? Are you truly just traveling? Or have you not come to this town of Svet to investigate something?

Whyd you drop in all of a s-sudden! This person is an outsider . Please dont start that topic in front of an unrelated person!

Before Asyut could respond with an answer Hariet raised an irritated voice .

Hmph, I wonder if he is truly unrelated . If it is in accordance with our concerns then there will be serious consequences . It will not be something we can endure, Hariet . And it will be a problem if we are called accomplices, including the town, to the crime of sheltering a girl who blasphemes the power of the saint . Because we are merely victims who have had this heavy burden forced unilaterally upon us .

What did you say!

Hariets voice was rough with a force where, right at this moment, she could spring at them . For an instant, the man looked frightened but then he cleared his throat once and continued further .

In any case, beyond this, your daughter

Wait .

There Madelas husband, Rendo, broke in .

Please, I beg you, dont say anything more .

D-Dear

Madela, who is that man . What exactly were you talking about?

Rendo looked at Asyut with downcast eyes .

He is

Madelas words didnt continue . It was natural because Asyut had not explained about himself yet . That backfired in this place .

Hes just a guest . Theres no connection .

Hariet declared this in a low voice .

We cant let an unrelated person go along with this complicated talk any more . Anyway, lets ask him to go home .

Asyut bit his lip . He could see that the situation would become unnecessarily complicated if he clung on here . And if that were to get in the way of Yunas family then he could only obediently withdraw now .

However, it was the residents of the town that didnt allow that .

Hariet, what are you saying . It would be quicker if we had this person listen to this as well . We, and the other residents, should make it clear here that we are unrelated to the matter of Rendos daughter .

No, because this person is unrelated to that matter . This person said so himself .

In the first place, is a disguised investigator not such a thing .

But hes not one . Hes only a traveler and just a customer .

customer .

And yet, looking in from the outside, it seemed like you were having a very serious conversation .

Thats

Trying to lie means that we hit the nail on the head, no?

Once again an explosive air slowly but steadily spread .

Everyone .

When Asyut raised his voice, the people who were glaring at each other turned their heads to him as if suddenly surprised . Asyut looked at each and every one of their expressions .

The self-assured residents, the exhausted Rendo, Madela who was determinedly holding her tongue, and Hariet whose cheeks were tinged with red due to anger .

Please allow me to say only this . I am certainly a person from the royal capital and I am not unrelated to Yunas matter . However, I did not come for the reasons you are concerned about . I came to this town to confirm Yunas state and with feelings of wanting to save her, if possible . But I would like to tell the detailed circumstances to Yunas family later .

He turned his gaze to Rendo, Madela, and Hariet and deliberately stressed this .

I absolutely wont hurt Yuna .

And, in order to have them believe that, he had to withdraw now .

I will pay my respects again at a later time .

Lowering his head slightly, Asyut left the store .

Asyut returned to the inn and threw himself onto the hard bed like that .

Welcome back . If it would please you, would you like some tea brewed?

The voice of the owners wife came from beyond the thin wooden door .

She must have been anxious, noticing that Asyut was strange when they passed each other in the hall just now .

No, I am fine . Thank you very much .

Just saying his thanks through the door, Asyut closed his eyes .

(I was foolish . )

Suddenly, the feeling of regret fell onto his body .

His own thoughtless actions had caused that disturbance not long ago .

Without revealing his status or purpose he had loitered around to sound out the town for several days . In a town where travelers normally didnt come, it must have attracted a lot of notice . Like the residents that had pushed into Rendo and Madelas store, there might be many others who had imagined bad things .

(If I had properly confirmed the circumstances to Yunas parents from the beginning)

Of course, he didnt think they would have easily accepted the situation . In either case, getting them to approve would not have been easy . However, if he had disclosed everything to them, putting aside whether they believed it or not, they should have had other actions too . Asyuts methods of removing obstacles in the way of his objective had, in the end, done nothing but treat Yunas parents as outsiders and gone around planting a seed of misgivings into the surrounding people .

What exactly should he do now?

This wasnt the time to be crushed by regrets . Whether his feelings of remorse became stone weights that tangled his feet, now was the moment where he had to move forward .

(Theres no time . For me, and for them . )

Asyut turned to look up on the bed and, covering his face with both hands, sighed heavily .

(Ill go to meet them once again tomorrow morning . And there, this time, Ill explain everything . )

Asyut had decided on that .

But .

In the end even that resolve was not fulfilled .

Because he wasnt able to approach the next morning without incident .

That evening the married couple, Rendo and Madela, came to the inn to visit Asyut .

Borrowing the small yard that spread out behind the inn, the three faced each other once again . Of course, it wasnt an atmosphere where one could greet each other light-heartedly and the light that leaked out of the bar on the first floor illuminated the stiff expressions of the married couple unreservedly . That light was surely shining on Asyuts hard expression in the same way .

I apologize sincerely for visiting you at night .

Rendo broke the ice with an exhausted voice .

I heard about you from my wife and Hariet . With the situation being as it is, I couldnt put this off .

Yes .

Asyut nodded with brief words .

Rendo and Madela looked at each other slightly . When Madela nodded firmly, pulling her chin in, Rendo opened his mouth again at that sign .

Sieg, it seems that you were acquainted with our Yuna through Lady Celiastina . Im surprised by the fact itself that she had a connection to Lady Celiastina recently But, anyway, lets put aside that topic for now . So, you heard that Yuna died and came to this Svet in order to confirm that .

Correct . However, I personally believe that Yuna is still alive even now .

Rendo and Madela stared into Asyuts eyes .

Yuna is alive . Isnt that so?

Asyut strengthened his tone and asked that . It was a tone that was almost pleading .

There was a small pause .

And then it was Madela who broke the silence .

Yes, thats right . Yuna is alive .

Madela .

Rendo rebuked his wife beside him with a strict voice but she did not falter as she didnt just before noon .

I believe in Sieg . Either way, its become like this, and we cant hide it any longer .

Isnt that right, Madela seemed to say as she looked up directly at her husband . And then she faced Asyut firmly again .

That Yuna was in an accident about a year ago is true . After that shes continued to sleep without ever waking up even to this day in this towns church where Rendos father serves as the priest .

In the church?

He hadnt thought that far .

Then that .

Then that church he visited for the first time on the first day Yuna had been there?

Theres no sign of her waking at all?

Yes, none . Shes really done nothing but continued to sleep . Of course, she hasnt eaten or even drank water . But she hasnt become thinner and shes also breathing steadily . I dont know how to understand this situation . Is it Gods will

Anyway, we can only continue to wait for the day Yuna wakes up .

Rendo also continued his words as if resigned .

At the same time we had to hide Yunas existence at all costs, because we ourselves knew best that it wasnt natural for her to continue sleeping for a year . We thought that if her existence entered the kings ears then danger would undoubtedly approach Yuna .

Because only the saint alone can cause a miracle in this world?

Other miracles are not recognized as miracles . I thought that they would be removed by the country as not having happened from the start .

And so we disclosed the circumstances only to some residents of this town and decided to hide Yuna behind closed doors in this entire town .

So, among some of those residents were those men who showed an opposition at last . There was no doubt that for the married couple, Rendo and Madela, who thought to receive cooperation, they had endured a lot of the others objections .

We dont have any hopes of waking Yuna up . We can only wait for the next miracle to happen . But even that should be difficult like this . There is also a limit to living in fear of the royal capital learning about Yunas existence . The complaints of the people in the town will only become bigger from here .

Madela hung her head and murmured this . What extent were the feelings of a mother whose daughter was treated unkindly?

Actually, this matter has already passed to the royal palace, right?

Rendo focused on Asyut once again . That gaze was clearly asking who he was .

The story that Yuna has continued to sleep for a year did not reach the royal capital through rumors and it was not by someone prosecuting her with ill will . I was told this as a fact that Lady Celiastina felt .

Lady Celiastina?

Asyut nodded .

Lady Celiastina knows all about Yuna being hit by a carriage and sleeping for a year afterwards . Because all these events were caused by Lady Celiastina and Yuna, and the relationship between the two .

W-What do you mean?

Madela clasped both hands against her chest .

As you are aware, the two were good childhood friends . However, they only spent a small period of time together and after that the two grew up separately . Still, to Lady Celiastina, those young days became an irreplaceable support to her heart . That is why, on the day she felt the limits of her life in the royal palace, her ability summoned Yuna who was hit by the carriage .

Summoned?

The start of everything was a small friendship from a long, long time ago .

It was so small that it hadnt been kept in mind by anyone .

Yunas soul was not called to the heavens and in this past year she has been together with us in the royal palace . Ive been beside Yuna during this entire year .

He heard the sound of Madela and Rendos breath catching .

It was like time stopped and there was no one who moved .

My real name is not Sieg . I am

At that moment .

The faint wind blew through stronger .

And clouds began to cover the clear starry sky .

At first no one noticed that the liveliness of the bar suddenly changed to a different one .

The cheerful claps and laughter turned to a swelling noise . It was evident that the air in the area changed greatly, to the point where it was conveyed clearly to even Asyut and the others in the yard .

Did something happen in the bar?

Rendo muttered this with unfocused eyes .

Asyut felt a slight clamor inside his heart .

Leaving the two in that spot, he went around to the front of the inn quickly . When he did, at the entrance of the inn that was wide open, a long-haired woman who was standing still there turned around . In that instant, he met eyes with her .

YOURE THE WORST!

As she turned around she grabbed his collar without mercy . Asyut couldnt read the situation . However, it was there he finally realized the woman was someone he knew .

It was Hariet .

The bar fell silent as if splashed with water at the sudden intruder and the abrupt action .

I wont forgive you . I absolutely wont forgive you!

Hariet was completely enraged . She tried to punch Asyut like that but was pushed back by the men who came back to themselves at that point . But still, she didnt stop piercing Asyut with eyes covered in rage .

Hariet, whats going on!

The married couple, Rendo and Madela, who came around late to the front, joined the men in a panic and tried to restrain her .

What happened?

Asyut managed to ask just that somehow . But, even as he asked, there was an extremely bad premonition that spread slowly through his chest .

How dare you have such an unconcerned face! You and those priests of the royal palace! Because of you, that girl, Yuna is!!

Her words were a little bit unclear due to her agitation but it was more than enough for Asyut to comprehend the contents .

It cant be .

He felt blood draining from his entire body .

Asyut raised his head and looked up at the church tower that rose in the dark night .

Yuna was in danger .