~ Chapter : 24 ~
“Let’s just avoid running into him, as much as possible.”
Ritia had thought about it all night and finally made this decision.
According to what he had said, he wouldn’t interfere. By saying he was “Orb,” she understood why he appeared only when no one else was around. So, contrary to her worries, he probably wouldn’t appear randomly in front of people.
“Miss, are you really planning to go to the slums today as well?”
“Yes. It seems like other candidates aren’t going there, after all.”
“Still… there are plenty of better places…”
She had absolutely no intention of removing the imprint, but surely he wouldn’t want to get himself killed in front of his master either. Thinking that way, her conclusion was clear: avoid him as much as possible. If the reason she couldn’t fully use her power in the slums wasn’t because he stopped her, it was simply that her ability was insufficient, and she had no choice but to practice.
“Lord Gondor’s younger brother goes there often. It’s also good for building relationships. Strengthening trust helps face dangers more effectively.”
“Their duty and rule is to protect you, miss. It’s their very reason for existence.”
“I know. But adding trust on top of that makes it even better. Today, I’ll tie my hair up.”
“Shall I tie it up high into a single ponytail?”
“Yes.”
Ritia looked in the mirror, mentally bracing herself.
Every time she desperately sought him, he somehow knew and came. If she avoided seeking him out, maybe he’d give up trying to find her. The imprint seemed to be used for that purpose, but only if he wasn’t constantly watching.
“Did you know?”
“What?”
Ritia turned her gaze from the mirror to Emilia.
“The last time you went to volunteer, it made the news. They said you are Tenia. Everyone’s really excited to see your actions. They even described the clothes you wore!”
“W… they went that far…?”
“The head maid said that the master was really pleased. I’d prefer if you only visited clean places, but since the master likes it, maybe following your instructions is best.”
Emilia said this while busily tying up Ritia’s hair.
Yes—as long as that man doesn’t appear.
The pilgrimage event was about to take place soon. Ritia, after getting dressed and ready, practiced drawing and purifying her holy energy without resting, all the way until the carriage ride.
“Hello.”
As soon as Ritia arrived at the slums and got out of the carriage, she looked at the children who had come to see her.
They huddled in a corner, watching her, still cautious but not as hostile as before. Perhaps Lord Gondor’s familiar face standing firmly behind her made them less wary.
“Is Lord Gondor close to these children?”
“He tends to come here on weekends.”
Instead of the reserved Gondor, Peluga answered from behind.
Even the knights who had initially stared at Ritia strangely were no longer surprised by her actions. Gondor still eyed her with distrust, assuming her behavior was all for Tenia, but Ritia didn’t care much—he was notoriously hard on nobles.
Most importantly, Gondor had declared he would become a Temes himself, so Ritia decided to focus only on the tasks given to her.
“I see… Then, maybe Lord Gondor could help today? All I can do is donate holy energy, but I want to bless the children today. They say blessings reduce minor illnesses. I can’t cure everything, but even minor sicknesses can be fatal to children.”
As she made her request, Gondor stared at her silently. His expression revealed nothing about whether he would refuse.
Finally, after a long pause, he spoke.
“Very well.”
“Thank you. By the way, Ena isn’t here today.”
Ritia looked around, but Ena, who usually cheerfully tended to the children, was nowhere to be seen. She would have been delighted to see her brother here. Ritia couldn’t forget Ena’s sharp, bright gaze.
“She isn’t feeling well, so she couldn’t come.”
“Despite how he seems, he dotes on his younger sister. Ena only trusts her brother. These guys…”
Marmati added, as two children clung to his legs.
Since Ritia had started coming, clean drinking water had been provided in the slums. Naturally, she assumed they received some benefit from the empire or the temple, but that wasn’t the case at all.
Having practiced continuously before getting out of the carriage, Ritia felt confident she could handle today without issue.
Thanks to Gondor, the knights closer to the children quickly lined them up. The kids, who had been hesitant at first, immediately formed neat lines as soon as Ritia instructed them.
Seeing this was impressive, but Ritia also felt a twinge of frustration.
“…I’m the one handing out bread and blessings. But they don’t listen to me.”
She squatted to meet the children’s eye level, holding a bag of bread, muttering her disappointment. A small laugh came from behind.
Ritia quickly turned her head. Peluga, standing tall behind her, turned his head away.
“Sir Peluga, you just laughed.”
“I didn’t.”
“You did.”
“I was coughing.”
Suspicious, Ritia turned her gaze back—and in front of her was a fair-faced boy staring intently.
At first, his face had been dark and grimy, but now, after washing, his pale skin showed clearly.
“Can we really receive blessings too?”
The boy’s eyes were wide with disbelief.
Blessings or purification required taxes or offerings to receive even a fraction of the empire’s or temple’s benefits. The slum residents had been repeatedly excluded, forming the slums. Yet she was here to volunteer for Tenia’s prestige and the god Ates’ favor—an absurd arrangement.
“Of course. What’s your name?”
“Muyo.”
“Mu?”
“Yes, Mu as in Monsieur.”
“Ah, alright. Mu. Any pain anywhere?”
Ritia handed him bread and asked. He nodded, tearing and eating it immediately. Ritia smiled and placed her hand gently on his head.
Seri flinched behind her, but Ritia ignored it. Complaining now would be pointless.
Soon, a soft glow emanated from Ritia’s hand. The boy marveled, and Ritia felt relieved.
“Thank you!”
Once the child finished the bread, Ritia handed another to him and began blessing the next in line.
After blessing about ten children, her holy energy began to circulate effortlessly in her body—as if pouring from an endless spring. Using 1 unit would recharge 3 units. The warm, strong flow swept through her, and she gasped, then continued blessing the children.
“Won’t you attend the tea gathering?”
After finishing with the blessings and taking a short rest, Marmati asked.
“The tea gathering?”
“It’s a meeting for Tenia candidates. I heard it from other Temes.”
“Oh…”
Right, such a gathering existed. For sharing information, monitoring each other, and other reasons. Ritia smiled faintly.
“I don’t think I’ll be going anytime soon.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Probably because no one would welcome me. I’d rather spend time on tasks like this than be surrounded by people who dislike me.”
It wasn’t just speculation—it was true. Every other Tenia candidate, including Loa Cavendish, had harassed her. She had no interest in provoking them again, risking fatigue or trouble.
“You truly are extraordinary, princess.”
“Me?”
“Just choosing us alone proves it.”
“That sounds like you’re calling me a weirdo.”
“Can’t deny it. I’m just being honest.”
Ritia chuckled lightly.
“If they really look pitiful, I’ll host a tea gathering later. You’re invited. Dress code: uniform.”
Ritia stood and brushed off her clothes. Marmati laughed heartily.
As she prepared to continue her tasks, a carriage entered the main street. The slum entrance was narrow; one carriage already filled it completely. Ritia’s carriage had been moved aside after she disembarked, but another was entering now.
Children, Ritia, and the Temes all watched the carriage blocking the entrance.
Finally, a knight came quickly from behind the stopped carriage and opened the door.
A woman’s shoes in a voluminous dress appeared first. Step by step, she descended—and it was Loa Cavendish.
“…Smell.”
Loa Cavendish, frowning and holding a fan halfway over her face, stopped in her tracks upon seeing Ritia.
