Chapter : 18
Gondor scratched his head, then hardened his expression again.
He bowed his head politely and spoke.
“Either way, I’ve said what I needed to say. I refuse. If you still choose to go ahead, there’s nothing I can do—but I’m warning you in advance.”
With that, he left without even waiting to hear Ritia’s reply.
His manner was courteous, yet it felt almost like a threat. They said he hated nobles so much that he didn’t bother watching his manners—and his personality certainly lived up to that reputation.
“…….”
Ritia puckered her lips briefly as she watched Gondor’s back retreat briskly into the distance.
Just as expected—he wasn’t going to be easy.
Still, she had no intention of giving up on him. If nothing else, she was glad she’d found him on the first try.
She would’ve preferred to ask him to cooperate rather than oppose her outright, but he seemed to despise the idea to an unreasonable degree.
“Now one more person… and who should I choose for the last one?”
To rotate shifts, she needed at least three.
She was mulling it over and about to head back to where the priest was when the priest hurried toward her instead. It seemed Gondor’s abrupt departure had alarmed him.
“Young Lady! So this is where you were.”
“Yes, Father. I was just about to come find you.”
“I was worried Sir Gondor might have been rude to you.”
“Oh, not at all. He was very polite.”
At that, Priest Lepe’s expression turned strange—like he couldn’t quite believe it.
From his face alone, Ritia could guess enough.
“Really, Father.”
“Yes, my lady. Please speak freely.”
“I’d like to ask Sir Gondor to be my Temes. Could you persuade him on my behalf?”
The priest’s face immediately filled with flustered confusion.
“Surely Sir Gondor hasn’t caused trouble again—”
“No! It’s not that. I’ve already spoken to him, but I want to make it official. Could you tell him that Montga will provide whatever support he wants?”
“…Very well. You’ll need to choose the rest of your Temes as well.”
“Ah, yes. I should hurry if I’m to catch up with the others.”
Only then did the priest smile gently.
“Still, I believe you’ll do well. I’m certain you’ll make Montga shine once again, Lady Ritia.”
Despite the priest’s encouragement, choosing her Temes took far longer than she expected.
She examined all the knights she had greeted earlier, yet the person she was looking for was nowhere to be found. Hearing that some knights were currently outside the capital, Ritia eventually passed along only the name “Peluga” to the priest.
As for the last one, she couldn’t decide at all and asked the priest for a recommendation.
Two days passed.
“What are you doing?”
A warm, gentle voice spoke from behind her, making Ritia jump in surprise.
She had returned from the temple after selecting her Temes and was now searching through every bit of information she could find about the Orbs.
Even beyond the materials Emilia had found and brought for her, she wondered if there was anything more. She was rummaging through the shelves when Ellar appeared.
“Huh? Oh—just wondering if this might help me recover my memories.”
“Then why these?”
The books Ritia had gathered were mostly about history, the temple, and the Orbs themselves.
Ellar pointed to the very top book and asked.
“Ah… well. You never know. It’s related to history, after all. I’m looking at everything.”
For no real reason, Ritia rambled through an overly long excuse.
Ellar studied her briefly, then smiled as if nothing were amiss and shifted his gaze to the books.
“So? Does it seem helpful?”
“Mm… I’m not sure yet.”
Ritia picked up another book and moved toward the sofa in the study.
The last book she chose had nothing to do with Orbs at all—it was something she grabbed randomly, worried Ellar might grow suspicious. Ellar carried the remaining books she’d selected and sat beside her.
“Ritia.”
“Hm?”
“You don’t need to burden yourself like that. Father’s always been that way.”
He gently reassured her that she didn’t need to pressure herself, that it was fine for her to stay as she was a little longer.
“But the day of the pilgrimage isn’t far off.”
Ellar made an awkward expression at her words. No matter how much he cherished his sister, he couldn’t go against their father’s will and block Tenia’s path.
But that wasn’t the only problem.
‘There’s nothing here at all.’
Despite being labeled as stories about them, what little she found were nothing more than rumors. There was almost nothing concrete.
She had managed to get her hands on only two books, and aside from the original knowledge she already possessed, there was even less information than before.
At this rate, she couldn’t even confirm whether that man was truly an Orb—let alone resolve the crest carved into his shoulder, his ability to suppress power, or the pain that accompanied it.
‘This is bad.’
And yet, she couldn’t very well go around questioning every Tenia candidate she encountered.
In the end, did she really have no choice but to ask him directly? But then again, he’d probably tease her and impose some strange condition just to mess with her.
It was clear he held some affection toward her, but…
Would he truly come just because she wanted him to? Or would he refuse?
Ritia’s delicate brow creased deeply. Then, noticing Ellar flipping through the book beside her with mild curiosity, she asked:
“Brother.”
“Hm?”
“Have you ever seen them? Face to face… or even from afar?”
“Hmm…”
Ellar pondered, mulling over his memories. After a long pause, he shook his head.
“I don’t think so. You probably haven’t either.”
“Yeah… of course not, right?”
“What reason would we have to see them? They never cross over unless it’s absolutely necessary. And we’re the same.”
The empire was vast, yet despite existing on the same land, within the same empire, it was strange how they never crossed paths—almost as if the world itself had been divided.
“Are you that curious?”
Ellar asked again as Ritia returned her gaze to the book.
“Huh? Oh—well, not exactly curious, just… I want to know everything. I told you—it’s purely to recover my memories. I’ve read it all. All of it.”
Ellar’s constant watchful presence beside her made Ritia uneasy.
In the end, she left the study without even finishing the books.
Ellar’s gaze followed her the entire time.
Two more days passed.
“Careful as you step down.”
“Ah, thanks.”
The moment the carriage door opened, a foul, almost nauseating stench assaulted her nose.
Ritia stepped out into the slums on the western outskirts of the capital, having arrived early in the morning.
“…….”
But the moment she lifted her head and looked around, she was struck speechless.
She had heard it called a slum, but seeing it with her own eyes was shocking.
The temple she had visited just yesterday had floors paved with neat stone, not a speck of dirt clinging to her shoes, and the air had been filled with the scent of flowers. Its white walls were meticulously maintained, dazzling to the eye.
Here, it was hard to find a proper house. Trash was scattered across the ground, the earth beneath her feet nothing but bare dirt. Though it hadn’t rained in days, the ground was muddy, and puddles lingered in the shadows.
It wasn’t even that far from the temple—how could the difference be so stark?
Contrary to Ritia’s worries, the children of the slums were laughing loudly as they ran about. Though most wore filthy clothes, they looked surprisingly healthy.
Seeing their bright smiles, Ritia felt a small sense of relief.
“Is it uncomfortable? You just need to endure about five minutes.”
“Five minutes? Endure what?”
She had come here to volunteer—what did five minutes mean?
She had deliberately worn practical clothes and even warmed up beforehand. Having spent so long confined to a sickbed, she was actually happy to do physical work, even if it exhausted her more than a banquet ever would.
This was something she had always wanted to do. Always dreamed of doing.
Even washing dishes with her own hands would have been a cherished wish—would anyone even believe that?
She had come prepared to burn herself out completely today, no matter the task. And now—five minutes?
“What I meant is that staying here for about five minutes shouldn’t cause any problems. Showing your divine power would be best, but… if you’d prefer, shall I bring the cleanest child over?”
The longer Serri spoke, the more Ritia struggled to control her expression.
She couldn’t understand Serri’s words at all. Then what was the point of coming all this way?
Having steeled herself since early morning, Serri’s explanation drained her energy instead.
“A child? No—don’t do that.”
Ritia hurriedly waved her hands, afraid Serri might immediately grab one of the nearby children.
“All right. Then you can stay just a little longer before leaving.”
Serri even took out a pocket watch, as though she intended to measure the time precisely.
“I came to volunteer—what are you talking about? Forget that. I want to find whoever manages this place first. I need to know what I can help with. Where should I go?”
Serri’s expression turned strangely stiff.
“You mean… you want to volunteer personally?”
“Of course.”
“Simply having a Tenia candidate present is already a blessing upon this place. If it troubles you that much, shall we arrange a separate donation instead?”
She added that no one had ever actually worked with their own hands before.
Most candidates stayed for about five minutes, donated a few gold coins, and left.
Even Roa—who was said to be the most active among the candidates—visited nearly every day, but did exactly what Serri had just described.
Perhaps she assumed Ritia lacked memories and needed an explanation, but the more she spoke, the worse Ritia’s expression became.
‘Didn’t they say the god was watching?’
She had assumed everyone worked earnestly for that reason—but could that truly earn divine blessing?
Roa had scoffed at her, telling her to do her best, yet it seemed her pride came from nothing more than spending five minutes here.
‘This is absurd.’
Ritia could have done the same. Everyone else did—why shouldn’t she?
But a stubborn defiance rose within her. She didn’t want to be told she was doing the same thing as Roa—the very person who had driven her body to death.
“Forget that. Call the administrator.”
She clenched her fists.
“I’m really going to do this.”
