chapter 113…………………………………
Inside the dry rocky mountains, the Temple of Death was built in a place so cleverly hidden that it could hardly be found.
Its roof was visible from the outside, but the interior was shaped like a basin — unless someone trespassed deeply inside, no outsider could ever know what went on within.
And today, for the first time, all the people of Foldenbach except for Riette came to understand why the temple was built that way.
In the wide, intricate garden at the heart of the temple, a great fire was burning.
The flames, blooming beneath the darkness, rose as tall as three people, and before them, the Dancers of Death were performing their graceful dance. The one leading them was Sariati.
“You have come.”
Sariati wore only a thin, gauzy garment like insect wings — as good as naked. She greeted the Saint, Bernadette, and Riette with delight and led them forward.
“This is the sacred spring of Saruin, down below.”
The inner courtyard of the temple was vast. During the Great Winter Festival, all the maidens of Saruin gathered there before winter’s arrival — so it made sense that the entire mountain basin had been used. There was even a small waterfall.
With the sound of the falling water, it was obvious that whatever happened inside could never be heard from outside.
From the shadows of trees, gazebos, and ornate structures, faint sounds of pleasure were already leaking out.
“Wash your hands with the water in this basin, and place a Pijak leaf on your tongue. Bite it gently — the juice will help you.”
The Pijak leaf dulled the senses. Anyone who held it in their mouth could not utter a word until dawn — unless they were one of the Dancers of Death.
Bernadette refused, citing her duty as a guard, but Sariati was unyielding.
“The dead do not speak. It is a strict law of death, and essential to the rite. Please, follow the rule.”
There was no choice but to obey. Riette, bold as ever, bit down on the leaf first.
Bernadette followed, though reluctantly, her face scrunched as she placed it on her tongue. The Saint was last.
Sariati smiled once she confirmed that all three had the leaves in their mouths.
“Come. Whatever happens here becomes a dream the moment you leave — so surrender yourself to the flow of the dream.”
Sariati and seven Dancers of Death surrounded them and led them toward the temple.
“This way, Lady Saint. We’ve prepared a special place for you and your companions.”
Bernadette felt a little relieved. She had feared she might be forced to partake in the reckless acts happening in the courtyard.
Though she had tried to act brave — mostly for Riette’s sake, who seemed to be enjoying herself — Bernadette was conservative by nature and disliked adventure. This kind of situation was her worst nightmare.
To think I’d have to share my body with women!
If the Foldenbach family ever found out, the entire house would be thrown into chaos.
With women, of all things!
But as they went deeper into the temple, it became quieter and more sparsely populated. The dim, cozy interior seemed more suited for rest.
“It’s only natural that the ladies of Foldenbach aren’t used to such things,” Sariati whispered. “You’ll need a quiet place to lie down and rest through the night.”
As she spoke, she used her fingers to push the Pijak leaf that had slipped from Bernadette’s lips back into her mouth. Bernadette instinctively bit down again — and immediately regretted it.
One or two leaves can’t hurt, she thought.
After all, among the people of Til Neve Cedric, it was considered a mild indulgence.
But that was a mistake. The next moment, Bernadette staggered, her body swaying as her vision blurred and her strength melted away.
“What is… this…”
“Shh.” One of the Dancers approached, wrapping her arm around Bernadette’s and silencing her with her own lips.
Bernadette’s eyes widened.
“Mmph!”
Her struggle was useless. Another dancer came and restrained her arms.
The priestesses, their faces solemn, carried her away into the shadows.
Riette, watching the scene, smirked. She swallowed the Pijak leaf and opened her mouth.
“I knew she’d react like that.”
Erysi, who still had her leaf in her mouth, looked up at Riette in surprise. Riette opened her mouth wide to show it was empty.
“Actually, if you swallow the leaf, you can talk just fine.”
“Sir Klein is right,” Sariati added with a wink.
“We just didn’t tell her that.”
Erysi couldn’t help but laugh softly. She already knew this ritual was, in truth, an excuse to send Bernadette away.
And in her case, she didn’t even need to swallow the leaf. Sariati leaned in and gently removed it from between her lips, whispering:
“You’re already a married woman. You don’t need to undergo the rite of life.”
“…Ah.”
Then what now? Did you bring me here to help me escape through some secret passage? But I can’t just run away… that’s not what I should do…
Just as she was about to speak, a shadow flickered across the crevice in the temple wall beyond her gaze.
A familiar silhouette.
One she could never forget — not even in dreams.
Erysi’s eyes widened like lanterns. She turned to Sariati in shock.
Sariati, still holding Riette’s arm, smiled knowingly.
“Yes. Men are forbidden to enter here.”
“But…”
“Our benefactor is an exception. Gratitude comes before gender — it’s a virtue above all else.”
No words of surprise or thanks followed.
Because the moment Sariati finished speaking, Erysi Ahern was already sprinting down the temple corridor.
Tap, tap, tap, tap…
The sound of bare feet echoing through the halls — then a cry that burst forth, short and trembling like a scream.
“…”
The temple was built in the Tarir style, so no one could hear what the reunited lovers were shouting at each other beyond the walls.
But from the fragments of sound that reached them, it was clear just how deeply they had longed for one another.
“Are you all right?”
Riette looked down at Sariati and asked. Only then did Sariati realize she had been smiling bitterly — and she returned Riette’s smile.
“Of course I’m all right.”
“I hate to say it myself, but I’m pretty all right too.”
Sariati couldn’t help laughing at that.
“Let’s go. The night’s still young…”
And in an instant, the two of them vanished into the dark.
Leaving behind only the reunited lovers.
Their lips crashed together in a frenzy.
Their breaths tangled, hot and trembling. The taste of salt seeped between their mouths — probably Erysi’s tears.
At last, they had found each other again, and in their daze they devoured one another — love and resentment, sorrow and joy all colliding.
I hate you. I hate you so much.
Erysi beat her fists weakly against his chest, desperate to press closer even as she pushed away. The familiar, beloved scent enveloped her.
I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Erysi. I missed you. I’m sorry for leaving you like that.
Apologies and confessions of love poured into her ears, each followed by soft kisses.
Their noses bumped, but he didn’t care — he sucked at her lips hungrily, his hot, blunt tongue exploring every corner of her mouth.
As if to make up for all the time they had been apart. Their lips and breaths tangled so tightly she could hardly breathe — joy and ache merging until tears flowed endlessly.
“Why now…”
Before she could finish her cry of Why did you only come now?, he pulled her into a crushing embrace.
Feeling the dampness against her forehead, Erysi finally realized — he was crying too.
Her heart shattered… then melted again as his tearful voice whispered:
“I’m sorry I left you alone…”
And with that confession, their tears met — and they clung to each other all the more tightly.
