Repeated Encounters

Lily Cubus could tell exactly why the crowd had formed. She, too, was drawing people in for the same reason. She must have it rough. Just walking around outside and people flock to her like this. She can't even give orders freely.

Watching the growing crowd of men as she and Arty interacted, Lily sighed and spoke up.

"[I'm sorry, but could you make way for me?]"

"Yes! Of course, Sister!"

At Lily's single sentence, the crowd that had completely surrounded her parted like the Red Sea, splitting instantly to either side. Lily offered her thanks and walked toward the café terrace.

"May God's blessing be with you... Hello, everyone. I didn't expect to run into you here again."

"...Hello."

Arty's complexion looked worse than it had during the day. Assuming it was due to the title's backlash, Lily turned her gaze from Arty and smiled at the supporting character beside her.

"Hello. You're Ju Joyeon, correct?"

"......?"

Ju Joyeon tilted his head without answering. Ding.

Her brainwashing still didn't work on Ju Joyeon. I suspected as much, but I didn't think it would fail again... Our compatibility really is...

"What? Did you change your makeup? Why do you look like Arty?"

Flinch! Lily's body jerked in surprise at Ju Joyeon's words. Arty, startled by what he'd said, quickly apologized to Lily in a panic.

"J-Joyeon! How could you say something so rude! I'm so sorry, Sister. He sometimes speaks without thinking."

"Huh? Was that rude? Why? Isn't saying she looks like you a compliment?"

"D-Don't say stupid things and apologize already~!"

"Ah, I'm sorry. You just looked similar, that's all."

"Similar how! It's not similar at all!"

"Is that so? Lara, what do you think?"

"If Master sees it that way, then it must be so. Both of you look truly beautiful in my eyes."

"Hmm~ Both...? I guess...?"

Still unconvinced by Arty and Tiasia's words, Ju Joyeon stared intently at Lily with a puzzled expression. Then—

"Nah, I don't get it. To me, Arty is more— Mmph?! Mmmph!"

"S-Sister! We'll be taking our leave now! L-Let's go, Joyeon!"

Arty clamped her hand over Ju Joyeon's mouth and tried to drag him away. Tiasia, who had been watching, gave Lily a slight bow before following. Once they were far enough that they thought she couldn't hear, Arty shouted.

"Joyeon! Why would you say that..! It's so rude..!"

"What. It's not like I said anything wrong. Why are you getting so worked up? You usually act like it's obvious you're the prettiest."

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"Y-You have to read the room! The Sister is incredibly beautiful too..!"

"She is pretty, but not enough to make you feel inferior, right?"

Throb!Really... He truly is a rude man...! Even knowing Ju Joyeon meant no harm, Lily couldn't help feeling irritated by his thoughtless words. In contrast, Arty seemed pleased by his sincere compliment and walked away with a slightly brighter expression.

"Hoho, so there was a woman as beautiful as Priestess Cubus. No wonder the crowd gathered like that."

"Now the crowd has grown even larger thanks to Priestess Lily Cubus."

Bishop Kilhug and Priest Felix, who had been watching from behind Lily, subtly implied that Lily was more beautiful than Arty, but their true intentions didn't reach her.

"...You're right. If people keep gathering like this, someone might get hurt... [Everyone, please go about your own business.]"

At Lily's command, the gathered crowd began to disperse instantly.

...He really is an unpleasant man. I hope he leaves the city soon. Suppressing her annoyance, Lily continued her night patrol.

Whether Lily Cubus was simply unlucky, whether it was due to Ju Joyeon and Arty's misfortune, or both—their encounters weren't over yet.

"...May divine guidance be with you... Hello, everyone."

"Ah, hello...? Sister."

"We meet again? What are you doing here?"

"Ahaha... Isn't that what I want to ask you?"

On her way back after finishing the brainwashing of new visitors who had entered the city under the guise of night pilgrimage, Lily wandered through the alleys of the residential district to deal with anomalies she already knew about through her title. While searching for a lost child, she ran into Ju Joyeon's group again.

"Oh~ We were just chasing some 'bugs' without much thought when we found this kid crying, so we were taking her home."

"Ah... That's truly wonderful. Helping a lost child like that."

Lily smiled brightly at the sight of the child holding Ju Joyeon and Arty's hands. No matter how unpleasant the man was, a good deed was a good deed. It deserved praise.

Ding.

Of course, the notification that grated on her nerves appeared again, but she ignored it since now wasn't the time to dwell on it.

"What brings you to a place like this, Sister?"

"We have a similar reason. Bishop Kilhug was worried that there might be people in need even late at night, so we were doing a night patrol of the city."

"Oh? The person beside you was the Bishop? He must be an impressive man!"

"Hohoho, please don't feel too pressured."

Next. The Magic Tower.

"...? What brings you here...?"

"Well~ Isn't the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Magic Tower a must-visit tourist spot for modern people?"

"...That's the first I've heard of it...?"

"Really? But don't a lot of modern people come here? This is the first time I've seen modern people since entering Neveiria."

"That may be true, but..."

"They sell magic books here too, right? If it's a holy— um..."

Ju Joyeon, who had been chatting excitedly, suddenly stopped and looked at Arty beside him, his expression turning worried.

"Sister, I'm sorry. Arty doesn't seem to be feeling well. We'll be going ahead."

"Eh. J-Joyeon. I'm fine though..."

"Don't lie. You look really pale right now. Lara looks a bit off too."

"I'm fine."

"Enough. Goodbye, Sister, Bishop."

Ju Joyeon's group left after once again grating on Lily's nerves.

And about thirty minutes after thinking, 'We probably won't run into each other again now.' — the Adventurer's Guild.

Ding.

"H-Hello, Ju Joyeon... Are you alone..?"

"Wow~ It must be exhausting running into each other like this over and over. You and the Bishop sure get around. I'm alone right now. I had some unfinished business from yesterday at the guild. What about ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you two?"

"...We came to greet the adventurers who work hard every day."

"Aah, so you came to show your face! Right?"

"Yes... That's right."

"I see. It's important to get along well when living in the same neighborhood. I've finished my business, so I'll be going now. Goodbye."

Ju Joyeon waved at Lily and walked away.

"...Does that man keep appearing just to get on my nerves?"

And finally, when she had finished all her tasks and returned to the temple—Lily encountered Ju Joyeon once more in the temple garden.

"...Is meeting you fate, perhaps?"

Ding.

"Nothing that grand. It's probably just coincidence."

"...I suppose so."

Lily agreed with his words without even glancing at the notification.

"What brings you here?"

"I heard the Curia Temple garden is really beautiful. I was passing by and heard that the renovation work had just finished, so I thought I'd come take a look."

"Ah... Now that you mention it, it was today."

Lily nodded, recalling the anomaly she had checked earlier.

"...Would you like me to show you around? I'm busy right now, but I used to tend to the garden, so I know it well."

Ding!

"No, it's fine. I just want to walk around alone and think for a bit. Thank you for the offer."

Ju Joyeon lightly refused an invitation that no one else would have been able to turn down and stepped into the garden.

"...I can't disturb someone who prefers being alone. I hope you enjoy your time."

Even I can't seem to shake the thought of brainwashing him. It's nothing but pointless stubbornness. Lily shook her head slightly as if to clear her thoughts and entered the temple.

In front of the Bishop's office.

"You worked hard today too, Bishop Kilhug."

"Hohoho. What hard work have I done? If anything, Priestess Cubus worked much harder."

"It is only natural as one who serves the will of God. Please rest."

"Yes. You worked hard today too, Priest Felix."

"Not at all. Thank you for your hard work, Bishop."

After finishing their evening greetings, the Bishop entered his office, and Priest Felix said he would return to his own room.

"Haa~ I'm a bit tired today... I'd love to just go back to my room and rest, but... a promise is a promise."

Left alone, Lily immediately left the temple and headed straight for Lord Richard's residence nearby.