Raysi's Day <Side: Raysi Gliss>
『Cross Moon - 20th (Morning)』
Cross Moon - 20th (Morning)
"…Hic. Th-thank you…! Mister, and all you adventurers. I've learned so much thanks to you. See you next time!"
Alex had asked our party how to get stronger, then burst into tears and dashed off.
"Raysi. Is that kid always like that? Even for someone his age with such rich emotions, he came in looking all gloomy, then suddenly starts bawling and runs away. Boys' feelings are impossible to figure out."
Elizabeth brushed back her long, purple-tinted hair as she watched Alex go, her face a mix of bewilderment that mirrored my own.
"Liza. Kids that age are all like that. Whatever the case, Raysi, he seems like the promising young man you were bragging about. Not just grinding away at training—he's seeking other paths to power."
"What? There's no way you were that emotional at his age… How would you know?"
"Just saying~"
Myrit, wearing what looked like heavy iron gauntlets at a glance, waved at Alex's retreating back without looking away. He deftly brushed off Elizabeth's jab with his usual sly grin.
These two, husband and wife, bickered often, but there was no doubt they were a golden couple.
Once Alex's figure vanished completely, the guild's main gate fell quiet again.
"It's a bit late, but let's go report to the guild. I begged Heri to stop by when she gets back."
"Heri… She wasn't this rigid back in the day. Position really does change a person."
Heri had grabbed Elizabeth's hand so hard it left marks, insisting we report the moment she returned. No way we could forget that.
Was the report that crucial? But wrapping it up would leave the timing awkward…
I gazed at the sunset sky deepening to indigo, lost in thought. Should I finish quick and ask to be excused early…?
Such worries gripped me until a pat on the shoulder snapped me out of it. Turning, I found Myrit grinning sheepishly.
"Raysi. You're dying to see her even a second sooner, right? Liza and I will handle the report. Go to the church already. Evening prayer service is soon—you won't have much time to chat anyway."
"Wait… She said we should all come together."
"It's fine, it's fine~ Ignore Liza and go, Raysi. We'll take care of it. Consider it thanks for introducing us to that persistent newbie adventurer. Buy us a meal later."
"Hold on… I'll look like the bad guy! You guys are really… What about my position…?"
They were already bickering again. I'd seen it plenty before—this wasn't a real couple's quarrel.
Besides, their three-week dispatch had stretched a full week longer because of me. I felt guilty for making them indulge my stubbornness twice, but I wasn't so stiff-necked as to reject their kindness outright.
Later, like Myrit said, I'd treat them to a meal.
"Thanks. I'll repay you properly for this—and for the messed-up schedule. See you."
"Yeah, yeah~ Make sure to deliver 'that thing' you scoured the entire empire for!"
"Sigh… Hard to badmouth folks like that… Hope it goes well… Not as golden as us, but still!"
As if they'd never quarreled, they beamed and waved me off from the guild, offering blessings.
With the slowly indigo sky at my back, I headed for the church. Even in heavy plate armor, my steps felt light this moment.
After all, I'd kept my love waiting a whole month—and now I was going to her.
『Cross Moon - 20th (Evening)』
Cross Moon - 20th (Evening)
My steps halted before the church's grand doors. Inside the firmly shut gates, busy voices echoed.
Evening prayer hadn't started yet—probably the priests preparing.
I took a deep breath and gripped the handle.
"First time seeing her in a month… Don't panic… Stay calm…"
Steeled, I pushed the door inward.
Rainbow-stained glass, brilliant lights, towering statue. All proclaimed this the heart of the Haeweol Church.
As I entered, the bustling priests turned to stare.
Among the white-robed figures, a woman with pink hair in twin tails, striking black eyes, turned from directing them.
My love. My joy. Muse.
"Put the sheet music there, light the candelabras… Huh? Why's everyone staring? Did someone…?!"
Muse, so fervent moments ago, froze like her tongue was tied upon seeing me.
--Pat pat…!!
But only for a moment. She rushed into my arms, pink hair flying.
"Seriously… Why'd you take so long? No word at all… Hic…"
She buried her face in my chest, voice breaking. Even through my armor, her sobs shook my heart.
Making my one fiancée cry wasn't the way of a man—or a former knight.
I stroked her hair. "I'm home… And sorry. Circumstances held me up."
She pulled back, looking up, tear tracks accusing me of leaving her alone so long.
I swept her bangs aside, gazing at her as her sobs quieted.
"…Hic, still… You're safe. I thought something happened…"
Wiping her tears, she buried her face again, thumping my armor with both hands.
I couldn't fathom the heart she'd carried waiting a month. No excuse for my late return without notice.
Just listen. That was my atonement.
"Truly sorry… Muse. For leaving you alone so long…"
The church's bustle had yielded to our reunion. Priestesses moving furniture or cleaning now whispered, eyeing us like girls in a romance novel.
It pricked at me. To shift the mood, I changed topics.
"Sorry to drop in while you're busy. I came before evening prayer, but maybe too late…?"
"N-no! Prayer service is still a ways off…"
True to her word, preparations had just begun. But as head priestess, Muse was central.
This was our last time today—post-service, she'd pray till dawn.
Would've loved dinner together. And hand over 'that item'…
"Priestess Muse!"
"Wh-what? Why the sudden…?!"
A priestess shattered our tender moment, approaching with Muse in my arms.
She grasped Muse's hands. "We'll lead evening prayer tonight. Go have dinner with your fiancé, Priestess Muse!"
"Wh-what? Why are you all…?"
"You've prayed late nights crying for him. Now fate reunites you—no second to waste! Leave it to us!"
"W-wait, how do you know…?"
So that's what the whispers were. This priestess bore Muse's insignia—high rank, fit to lead.
Before Muse could waver, I took her hand.
"Deeply grateful for your concession, Priestess. May fine meetings come to you too. Let's go, Muse."
"Wha-huh? W-wait, Raysi…"
I pulled her out. She stammered, but I knew she wasn't too rigid to accept colleagues' kindness—she followed without resistance.
--Creeak… Thud…!
The heavy wooden door shut. Just in case she changed her mind, I'd hurried.
Sun set, indigo sky spread above, stars twinkling here and there. Beautiful nightscape—but nothing to the Muse beside me.
She was first in my heart.
"…S-so, what now? Dinner, right?"
Dinner… I was hungry. Lunch was ages ago, and I knew a spot perfect for this hour.
We'd eaten there before; she loved it.
"Yeah, dinner. I'll tell you everything over food. You've been dying to know. And…"
"And?"
"Something to give you."
I left it at that, gripping her hand tight, lanterns lighting our way through the bustling streets.
Pedestrians mingled with touting merchants grabbing passersby to hawk wares—streets overflowed.
"Dinner… that place?"
"Yeah. Best I know. You liked it last time. Unless you know better…?"
"No… Just… Walking this street hand-in-hand with you… It's around the corner. Not much time holding hands…"
"Heh, kukuku… That all? Thought you'd tired of it already."
"I-I'm serious! It's been a month since we held hands…"
She puffed her cheeks, waving her free hand. Too cute, too lovable. My soul etched that I was her fiancé.
I ached to give her 'that' from my pocket now… But no.
Whew… Hold back. Myrit said build atmosphere for maximum impact…
Muse clung close, arm linked. Her fragrant scent tickled my nose; her warm hand cradled my rough one.
To savor this for her, I walked slowly. With her head on my shoulder, the street felt ours alone.
We reached the restaurant after our leisurely stroll. Crowded, but seats for two remained.
Ignoring clattering servers, we sat and ordered—piling on Muse's favorites.
This hour was hers alone. And Myrit said: Create an atmosphere she'll love.
"…You sure? All my favorites…?"
"No problem! Battlefield whetted my appetite differently."
"Really? You didn't order any of yours… Sure?"
I knew her tastes from five years together. But atmosphere blinded me—I'd made her uneasy.
Too late to cancel. Push forward.
"Ahem… I'm fine. Tonight's star is you, Muse."
"Huh? What suddenly?"
"Said I'd tell all…"
"That's true, but… Trying to set a mood? Won't fall for it!"
Arms akimbo, she struck a haughty pose. Sharp as ever.
Busted, no need to play cool. Time for honesty.
As I opened up, she spoke first.
"Anyway, been a while. We met here first, right? I quit the kingdom knights, you ditched holy knights, bumped into each other here."
"True. Right when we pondered futures."
"Yep! I'd been searching. That man who desperately carried my collapsed self from deep woods back to base. But he'd quit holy knights right after. Learned here it was you who saved me!"
She reminisced our first meeting here.
Old tale… Born third son of merchants, my life was rote: same lessons, etiquette, destined path. Dull, ordinary.
Then, knightly procession changed it. Begged father to join holy knights. He opposed fiercely—condition: disownment.
Now, maybe his final plea for me. Should've listened…
"Holy knight days aren't fond memories."
Anyway, I served: palace guard, monster hunts, patrols. Proud, devoted to goddess, protecting citizens.
Didn't last.
"Fair. Rookies quit fast realizing the truth—known in kingdom knights too. Holy knights hushed it viciously."
Quitting and meeting Muse: same day.
Framed for monster collusion, bullying innocents, inept superiors, seniors fleeing using juniors as shields. United expedition shattered my holy knight ideals from the start.
"If I'd known sooner, would've quit before."
"But that led to us meeting. Good opportunity, in a way?"
Climax: massive dog-beast shaking earth. Demon King's invasion herald, from tales.
Holy knights tasked with protection fled swordless, armorless.
I feared too. But not coward to abandon stranded citizens.
Hidden monsters swarmed too.
"Thought I'd die. Knights fought desperately, but no holy power—couldn't dominate monsters."
Exhausted, wounded, panting, I pierced countless foes, collapsed near unconscious.
Forcing eyes open to rise—then, blood-soaked battlefield filled with pillar of light.
Beams from it skewered monsters effortlessly, making my struggle foolish. All purged swiftly.
"You saw the light. I witnessed miracle—goddess real, with my eyes!"
"Of course. For me, opposite: reason to quit holy knights."
Muse saw salvation, miracle mesmerizing her amid losing arm, near-death.
I raged: Why not sooner, save more? Quit expedition's end, fleeing.
"Haeweol has that saying: 'Faith's number never dwindles.' You know?"
"Naturally. Ex-holy knight. Didn't believe at first. But seeing us now… Hits hard."
Odd doctrine: Believers die, apostatize—new ones appear instantly.
Day I quit, Muse vowed priesthood. Chillingly accurate.
Suddenly realized: She'd hijacked the talk.
I should've led naturally… Now deep in past, food nearly gone.
"Wait, Muse! I have things to—!"
"Shh! You said weeks, I waited. No word past that—worried sick. Curious, sure, but don't want you guilty. Happy you're unscathed."
"Muse…"
Guh…! Her pace again.
Grateful, but no retreat. Must explain for 'that'.
Her words: Forgives silence, drop it.
Then straight to…!
"If you say so, no more talk. But… Must give you this."
"…Huh!? R-right. You mentioned. Important?"
"Very, very important. Need you to see."
I pulled small blue box from pocket, offered it.
She startled, waving hands. "Wh-what?! Priests can't accept valuables…!"
"This is for Muse Symphony the person, not priestess. Please accept."
Cheeks flushing, trembling hand touched box. Carefully opened.
Saw contents—speechless. Expression: couldn't speak.
"Dispatch was three weeks; late return my fault. Gem in ring—from empire-exclusive monster, rare. Processed into ring. Delayed week, but made for you. And now: Marry me, Muse."
She stared piercingly, hands shaking on box.
"Muse?"
"I-it's… First time… Don't know what to say. Th-thank you so much… Hic…"
Gifts before, but no ring; she refused most. Priest's duty: give, not take.
I understood as ex-knight, but inwardly hurt.
This time, no yielding. She stammered, tears flowing—moved.
"Such a crybaby."
I wiped tears, slipped ring on her finger.
"Now, Muse… Your answer? Marry me?"
"Y-yes! If someone like me's okay… I accept… No, wait—not that… I want to marry you!"
She met my eyes squarely, shouting. Tearful face gone—proud, accepting boldly.
Her pink hair shimmered brighter under lanterns. Fancy… or goddess blessing our union?
Paid, we stepped into streets now quieter. Fewer pedestrians; merchants closing up.
I held her hand firm, like before.
"Back to church?"
"Yeah. They handle evening prayer, but post-service devotion to goddess is mine."
"You work too hard, Muse."
"Haha… For goddess, this much… Wish prosthetic was right arm, not left. Less cool."
Monster attack cost left arm—now prosthetic. Ring gleamed on ring finger, but machine irked her.
Pitiful, admiring it while walking.
Time to shift mood…
"By the way, Muse. Something up at church? Looked swamped."
"Ah, yeah… Soon, inviting speaker for lecture and prayer. 'Savior of Orphans'—Ustis, director of Siete Orphanage, aiding countless kids."
"Siete… Orphanage? Wait, Siete…?"
"Right, Clarice's from there. Ustis knows her well. Upset no recent letters; hasn't visited church…"
"Something happen…?"
My mood-changer veered serious.
Clarice… Apprentice nun in Alex's party. Her absence depressing Alex? And now this.
"Not sure. Church folks at guild say she takes quests daily lately. Too tired maybe… But she came twice weekly; month's absence odd."
Something with Clarice and Alex… Should check later. Promising adventurers—senior like me must help.
"Anyway, that's it! Thanks for walking me. See you tomorrow~"
--Creeak… Thud…!
Church already. She waved, entering lit interior.
I waved small, seeing her off.
Perfect happy day. Glorious new chapter for Muse and me.
Savoring it, I turned from shut door, headed to inn.
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