Ten Years Later, on a Certain Day_2
The Astasia Temple, said to be located in this small city, was mysteriously situated along a path climbing a hill lined with pine trees that released a strong scent of pine.
I hadn't walked far. Even on a first visit, the path could be somewhat complex, but following people's backsides would lead you to it halfway.
But the middle of the hill...?
Is it mountain climbing from the morning?
The temple's location is usually pointed out by the god through oracle, but our goddess Astasia, the goddess of wisdom, didn't seem to consider the possibility that her followers might not be able to come due to inconvenience.
Unlike my complaints, it was still early morning, yet many people were heading towards the temple.
That illegal child labor goddess is surprisingly popular...
But soon I understood that this popularity wasn't directed at the goddess herself.
“Is the priestess not here today?”
“... Yeah. I don't see her. Where did she go.”
“Haa, my only source of vitality in life is...”
Voices asking for a certain priestess regardless of gender filled the air.
To those seeking the temple, they were already famous, and although not spoken aloud, I could see glances for that priestess everywhere.
Priestess...? Who is it?
Astasia priests mostly wander around many parishes.
The priests I knew from 10 years ago at this temple have mostly been spread to temples across the country for a long time.
Among those who can be considered settled, perhaps some high priests including the parish head.
At first, I thought the priestess people were looking for was Lucia.
Her calm and quiet atmosphere, or her dutiful personality, wouldn't it be closest to the title of angel they speak of?
But soon, realizing the appearance and age group they mentioned didn't match the Lucia I knew, I had no choice but to change my thoughts.
“Idiots. Lucia unnie said she had something else to do today and wouldn't come.”
“…………?”
“The increase in people coming to the temple is good, but having more people come to see Lucia unnie instead of Astasia nuna today is not a desirable thing. The world is in the end times, so end times... Hoo! Our mom is like this too, so without sense, it's a disaster... Mmm.”
A little boy around 5-6 years old was munching on a piece of cake while muttering like an old man.
Probably imitating the adults around him.
As I blinked, the boy also looked back at me directly.
It was the boy who spoke first.
“Did you come to see Lucia unnie too?”
“Lucia...?”
“Yeah, Lucia unnie isn't coming out today.”
“... Really?”
I tilted my head and asked back.
“Little one.”
“I'm not a little one. I'm Tina.”
“Got it, Tina.”
“Um?”
“I don't know who Lucia is.”
Then Tina looked at me like she was looking at a weird person, tilted her head.
“If you don't know Lucia unnie, then you're not from here, right?”
“Yeah.”
“But not knowing our Lucia unnie is weird in its own way?”
Tina, who had forgotten what she was saying about the end of the world, puffed out her cheeks and was genuinely upset.
This is a childlike reaction.
“I don't know who it is, but go find Lucia unnie quickly. Our Lucia unnie is the prettiest person in the world. Our temple's mascot! Most people who come to the temple come to see her.”
“Really?”
“Really, our temple sells a lot of amulets and holy water across the country because of unnie. I don't know why they buy the water for throwing away and praying, but anyway, she's a person who absolutely can't be without in our temple.”
“Hmm... Are the Astasia sects using beauty to make money from selling holy water? Yeah, no matter what, religious groups have to make money. Since the goddess doesn't give money.”
“No way? Our Lucia unnie isn't a business person, she's a wonderful priestess?”
Tina said with teeth bared as if she was about to bite me.
At that moment, someone who punished Tina like that gave her a smack on the head.
“What are you doing here? What your mom told you to do... Mom, this kid is crazy, really! Mom said to put chocolate and cream on the cake, who told you to eat it?”
“Kya!”
“Really, I can't live, what do I do... Now I can't bake it again...”
With a familiar voice, I froze for a moment.
It's been 10 years. It's not a short time. I thought it had changed at least a little.
The sharp black eyes and black hair. The hand that stroked my hair was still snow-white and beautiful.
The appearance that seemed to contain all kindness in the world remained the same. It might be faster to think that the parts that didn't change over a long time are the ones that are different.
If there are a few changes, the soft, slightly upturned eyes had a more resolute feeling than in memories.
Perhaps the cause was the little girl tugging at her cheek.
“Uee... it hurts... don't worry too much, mom. I'll buy a new cake.”
“First, you have to say sorry. The cake was eaten by you.”
“The cake is for eating, mom.”
“Yeah. But eating someone else's cake without permission is wrong.”
“... Uu... sorry. I'll buy one.”
“Who’s money? Mom's little piggy bank is fine if I take a little.”
“My piggy bank is now skinny? I already ate it all.”
“Eat it? What kind of weird expression is that... No. It's your dad, right. Who to blame, it's me.”
Lucia touched her forehead.
“... Tina. Mom doesn't have time to play now. In a little while, Lucia will come to pick up the kids, and there's no snacks... Haa... No way, go to the bakery quickly and buy some bread. You know where the bakery is, right?”
“Yeah, I know. How much?”
“Enough for about 10 people to eat.”
“Yeah! Got it!”
Tina tried to jump, but Lucia stopped her.
“How are you going to buy bread?”
“Ah, right, money! Mom, I don't have money!”
“Keep your mind. Here, money.”
A few silver coins fell on my hand, and Tina ran away like the wind.
“Can't you take a different path?!”
“Yeah~”
Whether she listened properly is unknown.
Lucia watched Tina's back with an anxious face.
I opened my mouth briefly.
“You’ve been working hard.”
“Kya!”
Probably she hadn't noticed I was next to her because she was distracted by Tina.
Lucia belatedly brushed her chest and smiled bitterly.
“Ah... May the goddess be with you. Sorry for showing such a scary face, disciple. You must be tired because of our kids... I'm worried lately because you don't listen to what I say.”
“Understood.”
She didn't think I could recognize her.
10 years ago, the Lucia I saw was just a young, innocent teenager.
Compared to then, height, build, and features had changed a lot.
If she recognized my current appearance, it would be strange.
“………….”
As I remained silent, Lucia tilted her head curiously.
“……………? ………… Disciple?”
“... Ah, aa... Ah... No. No.”
“Are you here to pray?”
“... Ah, yes.”
I didn't remember what question I nodded to.
I didn't realize it myself, but meeting a familiar person from the past again felt somewhat strange.
“... Priestess Lucia.”
“Yes?”
Naturally, she answered because she was called by the same title to everyone in this temple.
“Tha...”
“………?”
What should I say first?
I had to introduce myself first?
Rather than being particularly flustered, trying to think of something I don't usually do left my mind blank.
Without time to quell the thought that came to mind, at that moment, someone far away called Lucia.
The young novice priest was panting heavily with a desperate look on his face.
“Priestess Lucia!”
“Oh, what is it? Is there something wrong? Ah, perhaps there's a problem with the preparation for the temple visit event for the orphanage kids...?”
“Tha... that's... not it...”
He barely calmed down while panting.
“Huff... Hah... Like last time, there's a supervisor from the empire... What should we do?”
“A supervisor? ... Ah, tsk. That guy. He's coming again. Haa… What a coincidence, today...”
Lucia clicked her tongue and sighed. The boy asked.
“What do we do? Should I tell the parish head?”
“He has something to do this morning and is away. The saintess called, so it might take a few weeks.”
“Uwaa, what do we do?!”
Whether there was some complicated situation with the 'supervisor' person, Lucia and the young man were wringing their heads anxiously.
In the end, I, who was not as good, asked cautiously.
“Is there something wrong?”
But my question as a stranger wouldn't be answered.
“Priestess Lucia. Who is this person?”
“Eh... tha... tha... This person is... the one who was with Tina just now...”
Lucia started slowly examining me with a surprised yet strange expression.
She asked me with a determined expression as if there was no more point in worrying.
“So... I wanted to ask from earlier, have we met somewhere before?”