A Chilling Unease
With that lingering chill, Ashytara arrived at Abaran's temple alongside Sione. She didn't show any overt dislike toward Sione. She figured her sister probably wouldn't either. Glancing sideways at her sister, Ashytara saw Sione nod just as expected. Her sister, who usually maintained a smiling face no matter what, was utterly expressionless. The knights escorting them were noticeably tense as well.
At the heart of the temple, Pope Prand 7th welcomed them.
"Welcome. Crown Princess Sione and Princess Ashytara of Solemnute."
"We pay our respects to His Holiness Prand 7th of Abaran and Saintess Eve Arcadia."
Sione forced a smile as she regarded them. Ashytara tried her best to maintain a natural demeanor. If she didn't, they might instantly see through her aversion.
At that moment, Ashytara felt eyes on her. Eve Arcadia was staring right at her. Eve wore a smile. But as Ashytara looked at that face...
She felt an indescribable eeriness. Like gazing into the abyss at a sunken monster—that kind of wrongness. Ashytara immediately understood why Sione had warned her to be so wary of Eve.
"We met last time too, didn't we? A year apart? It's been a while, Crown Princess Sione."
"Yes. It's been a while for you too, Saintess."
"And this is...?"
"My sister, Ashytara Solenute."
"Ah! I've heard the stories. A priestess who inherited Solem's flames has appeared recently—indeed, I can feel the extraordinary divine power."
Eve beamed at Ashytara.
"Hello, Saintess Eve Arcadia."
"Pleased to meet you, Princess Ashytara Solenute."
Eve flashed what she thought was an innocent smile, but Ashytara—who had been sensitive to people's emotions since childhood—picked up on it right away.
That woman's eyes aren't smiling.
Just her lips twisted into a grin. Ashytara wished it was mere illusion, but it wasn't.
She's wary of me after all. This is uncomfortable.
Eve felt the same. Gazing at Ashytara, who eyed her like a wary stray cat, Eve deemed it far from ideal. Of course, her twisted smile remained firmly in place.
If their meeting had ended there, it wouldn't have been Ashytara's worst encounter. But that day, she glimpsed Eve's true face.
After a brief chat with Eve, Sione and Ashytara joined the banquet to continue their discussion with the pope and saintess. It was all inconsequential talk. How were things lately in Solemnute? What about the Salvation Cult? Nothing more substantial. After polite responses, the banquet wrapped up.
Once Sione returned briefly to her quarters, Ashytara explored the temple interior. She'd overheard the priests' warnings while wandering, so she proceeded cautiously. They especially urged avoiding the prayer room, which was guarded.
Yet Ashytara felt an inexplicable pull toward the prayer room. She didn't know why, but she had to go. It wasn't like her usual self... but today, she felt oddly impulsive.
She rationalized it to herself.
If it's guarded, I just won't go in.
But unexpectedly, no one guarded the prayer room. The saintess's sanctum, left unattended? Her curiosity piqued, she slipped inside.
An otherworldly yet sacred atmosphere permeated the all-white space. Fitting for where the saintess prayed.
After a quick look around, with nothing more to see, Ashytara turned to leave—but footsteps outside made her hide in haste. Getting caught could spark trouble.
Thankfully, the room was spacious enough to conceal herself easily.
"I don't like it."
A voice twisted with venom. It was Eve.
Assuming she was alone, Eve's words rang clear in Ashytara's ears.
"It must be what that woman Sione said. Tsk. Everything from Solem rubs me the wrong way."
Her warped tone sharpened like a blade. Ashytara shuddered.
"Why cower like this before gods too pathetic to even let their voices reach their followers, defeated by mere Phisper?"
Alone, Eve vented her grievances, spewing slander against Solemnute. The vitriol escalated far beyond her earlier words.
Then Ashytara realized why the prayer room stood unguarded. To Eve, it was a dump for her base emotions.
Desecrating a holy site meant for the gods? Unthinkable to Ashytara, rigorously trained in Solem's doctrines.
Eve's complaints droned on, her sticky, lowly feelings assaulting Ashytara's ears vividly. At fifteen, the young saintess carelessly revealed her true self.
Ashytara's anger surged, but she couldn't confront her rashly. This was Abaran territory. No proof of her words, and she'd intruded where warned against. Even claiming Eve slandered Solemnute, no one would believe her.
Unwilling to ignite diplomatic issues, Ashytara waited until Eve vented fully and departed before slipping out carefully.
Having seen Eve's true colors, Ashytara—previously just cautious—now scrutinized her. She easily spotted Eve's dismissive attitude toward Solemnute and subtle belittling of her and Sione.
Throughout their stay in Abaran, Eve's behavior sufficiently irked Ashytara. By the time they returned to Solemnute, she hoped never to cross paths with Eve Arcadia again.
Led by Ludenberg toward Sione, Ashytara snapped from her reverie.
Yeah. Better not to run into that woman.
The conclusion came swiftly. If unavoidable, she'd play it cool. Thus lost in thoughts of steeling her composure, Ludenberg spotted Sione beside her.
"Ah, there she is. Sione sis."
"Oh, yeah. So it is."
Sione strolled the grounds with eerie calm. Enchanted by Ortara's novelty, or composing herself? Ashytara bet on the latter.
"Sis!"
Sione's serenity shattered, her gaze turning to Ludenberg and Ashytara.
"Hm? What's up?"
"Is it true?"
"What?"
"About visitors from Abaran and Istaltin!"
"Ah, the friendly match expansion? Yeah, Great-Uncle mentioned it."
"Then...?"
Ashytara's worried eyes met Sione's, who nodded.
"Yep. Means that black-hearted little brat Eve's coming too."
Ludenberg, clueless, tilted his head and glanced at Ashytara—then startled. He'd never seen that expression on her.
It was rotten. Twisted in revulsion, unmistakably loathing the woman called Eve.
Eve...? No idea who, but if Tara's making that face, she's someone to watch closely. Huh... Tara can look like that too.
Deeming Eve a person of interest, he asked Ashytara.
"Who's Eve...?"
"Abaran's saintess."
"Ah."
"And she's rotten to the core. Be careful, Rud. She badmouths everyone, even viciously slanders Solemnute."
Ludenberg had never seen Ashytara so repulsed by anyone. In his memory, only Mion had drawn a similar grimace—and this was worse. She looked like she'd hate sharing the same space.
"Got it. I'll be careful."
He figured her reaction had cause, nodding along. But apparently unsatisfied, Ashytara pressed him.
"No, no. I'll just stick by your side. Don't go anywhere without me, okay, Rud?"
Ashytara was certain Eve disliked her and might target Ludenberg.
"...That serious?"
Ashytara nodded fiercely.
"Tara's right. I don't judge people lightly... but Eve Arcadia's on another level."
"That bad?"
"Yeah. Once peeked into her heart—not deeply, but even the glimpse showed it brimming with filth."
With Sione's confirmation, no more needed saying. Ludenberg nodded.
"...Understood. Nothing much to gain from me anyway... but I'll stay cautious if we meet."
"Good. Be careful. Anyway, you two prepping well for the friendly match?"
"Yes. No issues."
"Enough to beat Istaltin's saint law users and Abaran's holy knights?"
"We'll see once we face them... but no red flags from Ortara's side."
"Hm. Timeline's extended anyway, and word is Istaltin and Abaran arrive soon. Plenty of time to analyze."
"That was the plan."
"Good work. Well, off to my duties. Tara, Rud—keep at the prep."
"Yeah, sis."
"Yes."
Sione waved and departed.
"Alright, shall we... head back to practice?"
"Let's. Nothing else to do. To the training grounds."
"Yeah. Oh, Rud—don't take what I said lightly, okay?"
"I won't, so don't worry. I've never dismissed your words, not once."
"...Yeah."
She says stuff like that without realizing...
Ludenberg's sudden sincerity made Ashytara's face burn hot.