Chapter 90
Abel's innocent laughter caught me off guard.
"You want to accompany me?"
I mused. No child had ever made such a request before, and it intrigued me.
"Why do you wish to accompany me?"
I asked, curious about his fundamental reason.
"Because I like you, Master,"
Abel replied without hesitation.
Abel, what am I to do with you? While the other children have shown me affection, Abel felt like... a fan of mine. At least, that's how it seemed to me.
"Thank you, I appreciate it. But I can't always have you by my side, Abel."
"Why not?"
His shoulders slumped, yet he asked with a glimmer of hope. Was he truly unaware?
"The Bahano Temple will soon be completed. As I've mentioned before, you must take charge of it, Abel. The followers there need someone to care for them."
"But..."
He seemed to want to say more but, finding no sharp retort, he eventually fell silent.
"Of course, I don't expect you to tend to the temple every day. There are times when I need you all, and I don't intend to only give orders."
"Really?"
"Yes. And as our congregation grows, so will the number of those wishing to become priests of Kyros. Once the High Priest can leave without the temple falling into disarray, then you're free to follow me as much as you like."
At that, Abel grabbed my hand and jumped for joy. Despite being larger than me, he was as delighted as a child.
"Yes, I understand, High Priest!"
He's like a giant puppy.
Some time later, the remodeling of the Bahano Temple was complete. Upon hearing the news from a servant, I, along with Zain and Troy, immediately headed to the temple.
"Wow, it's unrecognizable."
"Remarkable."
"Money does wonders."
Zain, Troy, and I stood in a line, marveling at the transformation.
Having known the temple's former state during the days of the Rizes faith, we were all the more astonished.
What pleased me most was its accessibility.
Arhen must have taken my request to heart, for the temple stood out even from afar.
The buildings that once obscured the temple were gone, and the pathway had been widened. It could now accommodate hundreds in its garden alone.
"His Majesty has purchased all the buildings nearby, apparently to widen the entrance,"
Zain commented.
I nodded in agreement. I would have to express my gratitude to Arhen separately.
"Let's go inside."
Together, we entered the Bahano Temple. Passing through the spacious pathway and the ornate entrance, a beautiful garden unfolded before us.
The temple's garden was as meticulously maintained as a royal palace's. Though winter meant no vibrant flowers, spring would surely bring life back to this place.
'I only commissioned the exterior remodeling, but they've taken care of the garden too.'
There was even a fountain in the center of the garden, something I had long desired.
---I'm quite pleased with it, my child!
'Me too.'
All that remained was to fill the empty spaces throughout the garden with Sasha's sculptures.
"Chessy?"
Just as I thought this, Chester appeared from afar, carrying one of Sasha's statues -- a deer sculpture brimming with vitality.
"Master, you've arrived?"
Chester greeted me with a gentle smile and placed the statue in the empty garden space. The ground thumped softly.
"You've worked hard."
"Hehe, not at all!"
Chester grinned innocently and hurried back into the building.
The chapel, visible beyond the garden, had transformed into a sight as beautiful as a palace, and it seemed slightly larger than before.
The children, Abel, and even Jacob were busily transporting Sasha's statues.
"Jacob, not there -- here."
Sasha sharply directed them, even putting Jacob to work.
"Is this the spot, Sasha?"
"Yes."
I noticed that the children, Abel, and Jacob, regardless of age, spoke to each other with casual familiarity.
'Are they all children of Kyros?'
---Hmm? What about it?
'Ah, they all use informal speech.'
---Ah, yes. External age isn't of much importance. They are all my children.
'I see.'
It might be a surprising scene to others, but it was fine.
I approached Sasha with a smile.
"Sasha, your works are beautiful as always. You've done well."
"Thank you."
Sasha looked at me intently before nodding.
"By the way, the statue of Kyros for the prayer room isn't finished yet, is it?"
"Working on both Aldone and Bahano's statues simultaneously has taken a bit longer. I apologize, Master."
Sasha's rapid and lengthy response was unusual, but it ended with an apology, which didn't sit well with me.
"No need to rush, Sasha. Take your time and don't feel pressured, alright?"
I gently stroked Sasha's hair and smiled. Sasha nodded in response.
"Okay."
Just then, I felt a piercing gaze from the side. It was Zain.
"Master, could you not treat me with half the warmth you show the children?"
He crossed his arms and tilted his posture, challenging me.
"Would you be warm to someone who looks like you do now?"
"What's wrong with how I look?"
"Zain, stand up straight like me."
Troy, who had been watching, corrected Zain's posture.
"That's better."
Unable to resist Troy's strength, Zain's posture became awkward. I laughed, and his brow furrowed.
"Ugh, this is really annoying."
He grumbled.
"Let's not dawdle and head inside."
The temple's grand opening was imminent, and I was determined to finish cleaning today.
Entering the temple with my two companions, we each headed to our preassigned areas. I, carrying cleaning supplies, made a beeline for the High Priest's office.
---Hmm, it doesn't seem to need much cleaning.
As I stepped into the High Priest's office, Kyros exclaimed in admiration. I felt the same.
I had only heard that the children had cleared out the useless trinkets from the old High Priest's office, but the interior was even tidier than expected.
It was arranged with the soft interior decor I favored, much like Rovel and Aldone's High Priest's office.
Approaching the spacious executive desk, I found a note left on top.
[Rest well, Master! -Abel]
Abel had already taken care of the cleaning. How thoughtful.
---That's quite adorable.
With a smile, I moved on.
'No need to clean here, so I should do something else instead.'
The High Priest's office wasn't just an office; it had several other spaces. The High Priest of Bahano must have been quite greedy, as it was larger than Rovel and Aldone's.
The bedroom was spacious, and there was even a separate dressing room. The space originally meant for blessings was large enough to install a portal.
I had brought the portal from Bahano's villa and installed it here in the High Priest's office. In front of it was the Blessing that Kyros had previously created.
'Everything seems in order; perhaps I should clean elsewhere.'
Just as I was about to grab the cleaning tools, a communication came through.
[High Priest!]
It was Alphius.
"What's the matter, Alphi?"
[Your brother has come to visit!]
"Eh? Sevenus?"
[Yes. He stopped by Rovel to pick up some items, and your brother happened to visit.]
Sevenus, visiting without notice? What could it be?
I immediately took the portal to Rovel. After changing into my priestly robes in the High Priest's office, I removed my glasses.
Greeting the occasional followers I encountered, I stepped out of the building to find Alphius and Sevenus waiting.
"Brother?"
Sevenus, mounted on a white horse, dismounted as soon as he saw me. The knights lined up behind him also dismounted and stood at attention.
"Levi. Have you been well?"
"Ah, yes. I've been fine, but what brings you here so suddenly?"
His unexpected visit puzzled me, and as I inquired, Sevenus smiled faintly. Behind him, knights approached carrying heavy boxes.
"Your birthday is coming up soon. I've brought gifts."
Ah, my birthday. It was still a while away, but...
'Could these all really be my birthday gifts?'
The knights began stacking about ten hefty boxes before me.
"The first two boxes contain clothes sent by mother. They're creations by Pedro, who designed your last ceremonial robe."
Pedro's clothes, in boxes? Before I could marvel, Sevenus continued explaining calmly.
"And this is my gift to you."
He opened a smaller box, revealing a trove of jewels inside.
Insane. How much is all this worth?
"And these boxes contain..."
Each of the other boxes was also filled with items meant for me. And the last two boxes, pointed out by Sevenus, were brimming with gold coins.
"This is a donation for the temple."
"My goodness..."
I was astonished. Such generosity from this man. As I admired the Holden family's open-handed wealth, Alphius and Chester, who had arrived unnoticed, approached.
"We'll take care of moving the belongings, Brother Reveloff."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
I smiled at the two of them, and Alphius stepped forward to express his gratitude to Sevenus.
"We will use the donation carefully. Thank you."
Sevenus merely nodded in response to Alphius' thanks. The children, unfazed by his reaction, began methodically moving the stacked boxes.
---My boy, your brother seems different today.
Kyros' words made me belatedly realize that Sevenus' attire was unusual.
I had seen Sevenus in uniform before. At the mansion, he sometimes wore a simple shirt and trousers.
But I had never seen him dressed in armor, ready for a campaign, like today.
"Brother, are you heading out on a campaign today?"
I was puzzled, having heard no such news. It wasn't yet time for the wars across the Continent.
"Yes, I'm off to Sercion."
Sevenus spoke in his usual even tone. Sercion. I had heard of it, but what was it? If I had forgotten, it couldn't have been that important. However...
"A few days ago, a rift opened in Sercion. Monsters have emerged, and they need support, so I'm departing."
'This is bad.'
Only then did I remember my mistake.
I had forgotten about Sercion because, when playing the game Woosebeop, the story unfolds from the perspective of Terdius.
As the game transitions from the early story to the mid-game, players can overhear a rumor from the NPCs.
"Did you hear? The heir of Holden who went to close the rift in Sercion came back crippled. Now he's gone mad!"
That was about Sevenus Holden, the sole heir of the Holden family.
'So that means...'
This was precisely that moment.
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