Interlocked Hands
A little while later, desserts began to arrive.
Various foods were placed one by one on the table, starting from all kinds of drinks to cakes and such.
Colorful desserts that gleamed and exuded sweet aromas. A sight hard to see anywhere else.
“Eat as much as you want of this.”
She whispered, and the boy with a somewhat stiff expression gulped down only cold water.
‘So, he won't eat the food given by the cult...’
At this age, so devout.
Actually, it was just because he didn't like the woman who was flirting with Sugar.
Slightly mistaken, Sugar scooped up some pudding and put it in her mouth. The cult and all that didn't matter. The food and the chef who made it had no sin.
The moment it entered her mouth, the sweetness stuck to her tongue. After a while, her expression softened as well.
Seeing that, Rubshi let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
People let down their guard when eating. So, the cafe they brought her had an expenditure far exceeding expectations.
I hope there is a good outcome.
Whether or not, Sugar, who didn't care, opened her mouth while slurping the pudding.
“So… I'll let you off for thinking you won't harm anyone.”
“Indeed, non-believers tend to have a strong impression that we are scary and evil people...“
“It's not an impression, it's the truth, isn't it?”
“No. We are approaching non-believers as kindly as possible to build a good image.”
“Pretending to be kind, then changing expression and killing people? Kidnapping? Offering to the god you believe in?”
“… Where did you hear such rumors? Is it indoctrination by Gabianto's followers?”
“If you just flip through the newspapers, you'll see all the incidents the heretics are causing...”
In this world, there are various heretics besides the Shadow Cult. Regardless of whether their tendencies are good or evil, in this land where 'Saint Faith' is deeply rooted, they are simply 'evil heretics'.
In the old days, the Saint descended like light to save the world when people suffered because of the gods they worshipped.
Sugar said it with that mindset. Actually, she didn't know much about religion or whatever, but the obsessive attitude of 'I'm scared of heretics, I hate them' was not only a normal reaction of people in this world but also suitable for pushing away Rubshi.
‘They don't realize that it's only them who hate heretics.’
In the streets, openly showing it, I don't know what confidence that is, so it was even more eerie.
In response to Sugar's sharp words, Rubshi tightened her hands that she was quietly gathering.
In addition to the unexpected expenditure, the divine blasphemy continued like flowing water. It wasn't necessarily because of that that her emotions were upset.
Hoo, she exhaled.
“Sugar. We… at least don't do such things. There are times when we raise our staffs for the cause. To confess, I too have stained this hand with a lot of blood. But not like that… not like that… indiscriminate killings targeting ordinary citizens.”
“…”
If that was acting, it was disgusting, but if not acting, it was strange.
“… Okay. Setting that aside. Then, tell me the reason you want to take me away.”
“I'm not sure if I can say this while such misunderstandings have accumulated.”
Sugar's eyebrows rose.
“The last mission… has become the last mission now, so it wasn't the last mission then. Anyway, when I visited this city during the previous mission, I saw you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. It was really a coincidence. Walking slowly while sensing my surroundings on an unfamiliar road, and then something caught my eye.”
And then she made a circle with her hand and put it to her eye.
“My eyes are special, so I can see what others can't. So, I was hiding behind the orphanage fence and saw you.”
“Stalking…”
“Call it observation. Sugar, do you know your mana properties?”
From how she spoke, Rubshi seemed to have already figured it out. Still, she didn't want to say it, so she kept her mouth shut.
As if the answer didn't matter, Rubshi continued to speak on her own.
“Your mana is really pure. It takes everything as its own. It turns what is its own into someone else's. I saw great potential here. You will meet many people in the future and change many things. I hope that at that time, Sugar's affiliation is 'ours'. I hope you become our side to lead the change.”
“… Other motives? Are you not simply trying to exploit power? What exactly are you trying to make me do?”
She had been circling around the Saintess like that.
“Ah! Did you get interested? You're welcome anytime! First, become a layperson through a few weeks of education. Then, dedicate yourself to building faith and abilities, and become an apostle like me to spread the gospel—”
“Enough. I'm not interested.”
“Ah…”
In front of the somewhat deflated Rubshi, Sugar quietly thought.
Something was odd.
Setting aside the good or evil of the cult, just listening to the conversation now, it felt like they had come simply to scout talent.
Since your power will have a great impact on the world, I hope you join us.
They were only focusing on the 'possibility' of pure mana.
The story about the Saintess and the role that entity takes was completely omitted. Of course, if told directly, anyone would run away, but there's no need to hide and recruit. If they're going to do this much scheming, just kidnapping would be much easier and more efficient.
Then why try to have a conversation while making a pledge to their own god. Even while stealing without money.
‘They only know that I have pure mana, but they don't know that the Dark God fell in love with someone with this property?’
So, Sugar's importance was not that high.
It was strange that they came to the mission and found Sugar. In the original story, there was no mention of such a meeting, just that she was kidnapped by the cult.
‘The cult that kept getting rejected finally kidnapped? But… then this person…’
I haven't seen it in the original story?
‘Apostle’ is the name for high-ranking members of the cult, but among those with that title, there was no Rubshi. A blind woman with black hair who can see what others can't, even if similar, didn't exist.
I don't know what happened.
Contact with the cult was too early, three years.
They claim they are not all bad.
An apostle not seen in the original story.
“…”
Deep in thought, Rubshi slightly opened her mouth.
“I… hoped that the person I bring last would be someone who would greatly help the cult. Of course, I welcome everyone, and each will exercise their abilities in their own roles. But since it's the last one, I wanted to bring a somewhat special person.”
“Last?”
“Yes. I will retire next year. Since I've been active for a long time, it's time to rest.”
Ah.
So, that's why I didn't see it. She looks young to retire, but anyway. Then, she wouldn't appear in the main story time, which is much later.
The picture was roughly drawn.
In the original story, there would have been no contact with her. Living without any connection, and when Sugar turned 12, she retired and wouldn't appear in the original story.
Then, why was there contact now.
Probably on the day Sugar's face was injured and Frallin went out instead.
‘I saw me left behind in the orphanage.’
So, she came to make an offer to join.
In other words, the story changed.
The result of eating all the parfaits in front of her. The brain was more awake than this recently, with sugar seeping in.
“… Is it delicious?”
“Yes.”
“… If some misunderstandings have been cleared, can I talk about the doctrines? To explain the cult in earnest…”
Sugar raised her hand as if to wait a moment and finished the parfait.
“Haa. I'm a bit full. Rubshi. I roughly know the story. But whether I hear the doctrines or not, my answer is the same. I'm a devout believer by nature. I can't be with you.”
“Is it that you're treated as a heretic?”
“Yes. Heretic. Right. When the Saint descended to this land, he saved those who suffered. What did those who suffered from? Because of the gods you believe in, right?”
“… History is always written from the victor's perspective.”
“Anyway, I like the victor. You lost because you were inferior in power to the Saint. If you didn't like it, win.”
“…”
“And I, I'm not that different from what you think. I don't know what you're expecting, but I have no interest in changing the world or anything. If I've said this much, you'll understand, right? I hope you send me away.”
She said it casually while wiping her mouth.
Her heart was about to burst out, but she held her head high and faced it bravely.
From Rubshi's reaction, the cult still didn't know about Sugar's importance. They didn't know what would happen when Sugar met the Dark God. Because of her unusual mana properties, they couldn't have anticipated it.
‘I wonder if they didn't imagine that their great god would have such attachment to a single human.’
So, she said firmly. I'm not that special, I have no intention of joining, so send me away.
I don't know what reaction that strange woman would show.
If the words "I won't force it" are true, they'll just send her away.
If it's false, then-
“…”
‘… Huh?’
It was a moment.
As if cutting off the bad thoughts that spontaneously rose, warmth touched her hand.
The young friend who thought 'if it comes to that, I have to send him away' grabbed her hand.
It was small but had strength.
She was also tense, sweating, and held it tightly as if not letting go.
‘What…’
There was even this side to her.
Why does it feel sturdy despite being a child's hand. Since starting to learn magic from the boy, she has occasionally felt that way.
It was embarrassing. Somehow, her stomach was fluttering.
Soft. Flabby.
Not at a time like this. When she should be on high alert and tense.
She kept wanting to tease her.
As if representing that feeling, Sugar wiggled her fingers. Thinking something was up, Tomi loosened the strength in his hand slightly, and she immediately interlocked her fingers.
At the moment they were caught, the other side flinched and trembled, but soon they held each other.
Closely intertwined hands.
No gap, no hole for heat to escape.
“…”
“…”
Unexpected reaction or this was not bad either.
The warmth transmitted from the hand seemed to turn into courage and fill the heart.
Even without looking at each other's faces, the will was conveyed through the interlocked hands.
The two people whose faces were strangely flushed stayed quietly holding hands without a word.
As if not knowing what was happening under the table, Rubshi quietly drank her water. It was an extremely ordinary and everyday scene.
Slightly placing the cup down, she opened her mouth.
“I’ll come find you again next time.”
“… Don't come.”
“… Don't come.”
She just smiled faintly without answering.
***
Sugar and Tomi were holding a bunch of various desserts in both hands.
Since leaving them behind would be a waste, they took the packagable ones. They added magic options for preserving freshness. Of course, the additional cost was paid by Rubshi.
“Should I not escort you?”
“I don't need it. Go quickly.”
“Yes. Then, have a good day. May darkness embrace you.”
“Ugh. No need.”
It was a cult-style greeting. She wanted to wave her hand but had no empty hand, so instead she shook her head and turned around.
The time when the sun was setting. Two children dressed in a way that didn't match the bustling city street were walking side by side on the packaged road.
“… Sorry, Tomi. I got caught up in it for nothing.”
“…”
Tomi, who lowered her gaze silently, looked powerless. Since she saw it, the earlier incident came to mind.
“… Thank you. For being next to me.”
Smiling and greeting, she glanced at Sugar but then lowered her gaze again.
The reaction was somewhat dull, but it was true that it had become her will.
I hope this kind child doesn't get a bad influence. If the encounter with the heretic is bad, it would be bad, but it could never be good.
Sugar sighed.
Today, she had somehow safely escaped. But what about the future.
‘… I will keep my promise.’
Still, it wasn't pleasant.
Once they met, who knows what would happen. Living with such risk factors was too unpleasant.
While chewing on her emotions, a corner of her heart burned. Defeat is said to train a person.
“… I will train hard.”
It was a word she muttered to herself. It was a vow to the friend and mentor standing next to her.
She couldn't afford to be discouraged. She had to think about winning.
The will to become stronger faster, even by one day, rose. She wanted to have the power to eliminate all risk factors quickly.
“Tomi, will you help from the side?”
Recalling the interlocked hands, she asked, and he nodded without a word. Thinking his own thoughts, he was biting his lip as if something was bothering him.
It was embarrassing. A somewhat bitter smile formed as if wondering why he was so serious.
“Hey, relax your expression. If you're that worried-”
—Beep—
“-…”
Her mouth closed.
The sudden high-frequency sound was very chilling.
At the same time, a sound like something exploding hit her ears.
Looking to the side, Tomi turned his head and looked behind. The glance was sharp, like angry.
“… What's going on?”
Even looking where Tomi was looking, there was nothing. Just people walking busily on the road.
“… It's nothing. Go.”
In response to the blunt answer, Sugar also shrugged her shoulders and, thinking about tomorrow's plans in her head, took a step towards home.
.
.
“Ah… I got caught…”
She cast a bit of magic.
It was nothing special, a magic to monitor every action. Rubshi couldn't 'see' with her eyes, so she enhanced it to 'feel'. It didn't violate the promise not to harm.
She cast it towards Sugar, but it was instantly dispelled.
It was a light magic without a staff.
But, the boy didn't seem to be holding a staff either. He defended against this.
It was because he was focused only on Sugar's pure mana, but the boy next to him didn't seem ordinary either.
“The kid is also a talent…”
The many experiences accumulated as an apostle for nearly a hundred years suggested it.
The sharp gaze that pierced the skin. The roughly fluctuating mana that said not to mess with it.
Before going to her side, meeting such children. In a fateful meeting, Rubshi found today's experience overwhelmingly enjoyable.
Although the expenditure was high. Thinking about it, it was a bit bitter, but as the cost of a good experience.
The one who came from the shadows entrusted herself again to the darkness, promising to return later.