Advent (2)

Its because of Vera.

In the garden of the Grand Temple.

Vera made a sheepish face and chuckled.

He knew that Renees current anger was caused by him.

It was for no other reason.

The issue was the kiss marks that Vera had left on her body.

Renee, unaware until now that she had such marks, had unknowingly shown it to the apprentice priests.

Renees body shivered.

She then covered her face with her hands and started crying.

Its over

How am I supposed to live from now on? How can I face the apprentice priests?

Renees resentment for Vera, who had secretly left such a mark on her, grew within her.

Her shame grew bigger and bigger.

Vera paused for a moment to choose his words, then spoke while gently patting Renees shoulder.

It was bound to be discovered someday. Dont be too upset

Is that supposed to be comforting?!

Renees head snapped up.

Her flushed face twisted into a scowl, revealing her frustration.

I would have prepared myself mentally if youd told me beforehand! I would have tried to hide it somehow!

Vera couldnt argue and offered an apology.

I apo

What will I do now?!

Renees hand abruptly reached out and grabbed the collar of Veras shirt.

She then started shaking him back and forth vigorously.

Shes really strong.

Vera quickly dismissed the thought that had crossed his mind and began to calm Renee down.

He wrapped his arms around her.

One hand patted her back, while the other gently stroked her head.

Calm down. No one is going to speak ill of you.

Veras comfort was effective.

Renees sobbing gradually subsided, and the grip of the hand that was holding his collar loosened.

Vera smiled as he thought that she looked like a well-trained puppy, and then continued speaking.

Isnt it fortunate that your robe covers your entire body? If the apprentice priests keep their mouths shut, then there should be no issue.

Those people? Fat chance.

Rumors have always existed. A rumor without evidence has no power.

Renee pressed her lips tightly.

Those rumor are exactly the problem!

Vera seemed to be unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

Renee recalled the events of the morning that she didnt want to remember.

Kyaaa!!!

Saint! How was it? Is it big? Is he good?

Does he last long? Is he strong?

The way they screamed and bombarded her with questions the moment they saw the marks left no doubt that they wouldnt keep their mouths shut.

Furthermore, their guesswork when she remained silent out of embarrassment only made it worse.

This much? This much? Ahhhh!! This much? Its that big?

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! How long? One day? Two days? Eh? Eeek! Three days?!

Suddenly, Renee felt sorry for Vera.

Im sorry, Vera

Her body shivered with dread, but there was nothing to be done.

She was sure of it.

By the end of today, information about Veras private life would become the talk of the town in Elia.

And her own story would surely be included in it, too.

I wont be leaving my room for a while. If you want to see me, come find me secretly.

Already, she felt her back tense up.

She lost the courage to face the world.

Seeing Renees sullen appearance, Vera replied with a small smile.

Secretly, you say?

Absolutely secretly. No one should know, not even the Holy Emperor.

Ill try.

Why are you worrying so much? Youre the same person who always criticized me for worrying too much.

Uhh

Vera chuckled at Renees appearance, who was unable to recover her composure.

Then, he changed the topic. There was nothing better to overcome dejection than to divert ones attention.

By the way, have you seen Aisha recently?

What?

Renees head perked up a little.

Although her brows were still furrowed, her mood seemed a bit better as her thoughts shifted elsewhere.

After thinking for a moment, Renee shook her head.

Now that you mention it, I havent seen her. Isnt she with Jenny?

No, shes not with Jenny either. Shes deeply engrossed in her training.

Really?

Renees mood brightened a bit more.

Its so easy to sway her mood.

Vera couldnt help but think that she would be an easy target for con artists if he werent with her. He continued speaking.

Yes, shes quite a fast learner. Shes even managed to use divinity to move her body. If she develops a little more, she might be able to imbue her weapons with divinity.

Hmm thats intermediate level, right?

Yes, imbuing weapons with divinity is intermediate. Changing its shape by refining it is the advanced level.

It was truly a remarkable talent.

It took considerable effort to reach the intermediate level and imbue weapons with ones divinity or aura.

Even those from renowned families who had trained with a sword for their entire lives didnt reach that level until they were in their mid-twenties.

However, Renee was not particularly impressed by this explanation.

She tilted her head slightly.

Werent you already at the advanced level when we first met, Vera? The same went for Krek, Marek, the Second Prince, and the Archduke

She listed the names of some notable swordsmen she had met.

When you think about it, it doesnt seem like Aisha is progressing especially fast.

Vera chuckled at Renees question as she pondered on it.

We are unique cases. Also, Aisha is actually faster than the twins, the Second Prince, or the Archduke. She is only fourteen, after all.

And you?

I was faster.

There was a hint of pride in his words.

However, he was speaking the truth.

It took me less than a week to hold a sword and imbue it with divinity.

Should I praise you for that?

I would certainly appreciate it if you do.

A giggle escaped from Renees lips.

Her outstretched hand touched Veras cheek, pulling it gently.

Oh my, good job.

He ended up bragging about himself, after all.

That thought came to Renees mind.

A chuckling laughter lingered between the two of them, and then Renee suddenly spoke up.

Ah, so is Aisha just going to keep training? What if she collapses or something?

She seems to know how to pace herself. Its a sign that shes growing up.

Youre unusually concerned, very unlike you.

It wasnt intentional, but she is my first disciple after all. Im realizing just how difficult it is to teach someone.

Vera, who was speaking, placed his hand over Renees hand, which was pinching his cheek.

Immediately after, he removed Renees hand and asked playfully.

Are you jealous?

What? Just because you look happy about it? Do I look like the type to be jealous of a kid?

So you havent been jealous at all?

Renees shoulders slumped.

Her face was turning bright red.

Whats the point in saying it now?

Looking back on her track record, Renee couldnt deny it.

There was that incident on her first night of drinking where she got jealous against an elf shed never met before, to the first day that she met Aisha and her lies.

Even later, just hearing Albrechts voice made her think of him as a rival, and ultimately, she even felt jealous of herself.

Renee had nothing to say.

Based on her past behavior, she was a woman who could rightfully be called the embodiment of jealousy.

Go die.

Poke! Renee poked Veras stomach with her finger.

It didnt end there.

Her pokes turned into deeper jabs, and her fingers turned into a fist that thudded against him.

What began as a cute action now carried anger as she assaulted Vera.

Vera laughed and deflected her movements, then finally caught her fist.

Are you rebelling?

Someone is coming.

Renee pulled away from Vera at the speed of light.

She was worried that the rumors would worsen if anyone saw them being playful with each other.

However, it was a pointless worry.

The approaching figure had nothing to do with the ongoing rumors.

[Hey! Are you listening to me? I strictly told you not to skip class today, so where are you going? What, why are you going to them?]

It was Annalise and Jenny.

Jenny walked up to them with a dying expression on her face, and in her hand was the doll that contained Annalises soul.

Vera looked at Jenny, who was walking from afar.

Whats going on?

He asked, wondering if anything had happened.

Jenny did not answer.

She simply continued walking and finally stopped in front of Renee, her face looking so exhausted that the dark circles reached down to her jawline.

Jenny?

Please.

Jenny placed Annalise onto Renees lap.

Then, she quickly walked away.

The atmosphere went silent.

Annalise was stunned by the sudden situation, then realized shortly after that Jenny had abandoned her and started yelling.

[Hey, wait you! Where are you going! Come here! I said come here! Hey! Heeeey!!!]

Jenny blocked her ears against the loud shouts coming from behind her.

Its a day off Today is my day off.

She didnt want to hear nagging even on her day off.

She wanted to sleep at least for one day without having anyone wake her up.

Annalise was always helpful, but she continued her classes without taking a break!

Jenny didnt want to think about such things.

She just wanted to sleep until noon for now.

[Ahhhhhh-!]

The screams continued.

Renee listened to it blankly, then placed Annalise on a chair.

Then, she spoke to Vera.

Vera, lets go inside. Its almost time to eat.

Alright. Come to think of it, its almost lunchtime.

Renee linked her arms with Veras.

Thud. Thud. The sound of her cane grew distant.

[Hey, where are you guys going! Hey! Take me with you! Take me!!! Ill kill you!!! Ill kill you alllllll!!!]

Her bitter curses echoed throughout the garden, but the two werent concerned.

Who will take her to Jenny?

I dont think thats any of our concern.

Thats true.

The Grand Temple was crowded.

Besides, there wasnt a single person who didnt know that the doll belonged to Jenny.

So, even if it wasnt them, someone would surely take her to Jenny.

[Come here!!!]

There was another piercing scream.

Annalise returned to Jennys side late at night when a chilly aura had enveloped the world.

***

In the underground library of the Grand Temple.

Trevor lit up with joy in the dim room where only a small candle flickered.

I found it!

Trevor raised his head.

In his hand was an old parchment that showed signs of wear and tear.

The Tenth!

It was a record of the Tenth.

It had taken him nearly two weeks of searching through all of Elias historical records to find it, and Trevors first reaction was one of joy.

Lets see!

Trevor trembled for a moment and quickly scanned the parchment.

The Tenth, a False Idol, A Symbol That Should Not Exist, the Bringer of the End

As he read further, his expression hardened.

A look of deep confusion spread across his face.

Crumple

The parchment crumpled.

Trevor abruptly turned and left the library.

I must tell them!

He had to show this parchment to the Apostles as soon as possible.