Chapter 186: The Saint and Maria-3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 186: The Saint and Maria-3
The morning service proceeded as it always did.
However, the eyes of those in attendance frequently drifted elsewhere. Their gazes were not fixed on the pulpit, but on a seat toward the middle of the room. Even the Holy Knights sitting in the very front row stole glances behind them from time to time.
Given the restless atmosphere, it would have been only right for the Bishop presiding over the service to bark a reprimand. Yet, even the elderly Bishop atop the pulpit was stumbling through his prepared sermon, his eyes constantly darting toward a specific spot.
The focus of everyone’s attention was the seat where the Saint sat.
"And so, the faith that Rob showed at that time was..."
The Bishop’s voice drifted faintly. He would read a paragraph of the sermon, look at the Saint, then read another paragraph and look at the Saint again.
Rustle.
The Saint, who had been staring at the Bishop’s face with perfect posture, shifted his head slightly. It was his first movement in the two hours of the service, during which he had sat as still as a statue.
Everyone flinched and snapped their eyes back to the pulpit. They feared that if the Saint realized their attention was on something other than the worship, they would be in for a severe scolding.
The Bishop, who had been faltering through his manuscript, cleared his throat as he saw the restless atmosphere finally settle.
As expected of the Saint...
Watching In-ho from beside him, Maria marveled inwardly at how he remained focused on the service without a single lapse in concentration. At the same time, she felt a wave of shame.
I need to focus on the service too...
She felt deeply embarrassed that she couldn't concentrate simply because the Saint was present. Maria tore her eyes away from In-ho and turned her gaze toward the Bishop.
Ugh... I'm starving. When is this going to end?
Of course, the object of Maria’s reverence was currently far removed from the image she had of him.
*
Once the morning service concluded, In-ho and Maria headed to the dining hall. There was still a bit of time left before the food was served, but In-ho had subtly hurried her along.
"There are five minutes left until serving begins, but I believe we can take our portions early," Maria said, seeing that the preparations were already complete.
She had In-ho sit at a table and headed toward the serving line. Soon, she returned and placed two trays of food on the table. The meal was much the same as yesterday’s: bread, meat, and soup.
"It smells wonderful."
In-ho sniffed the air and spoke with a benevolent expression. With the food before him, he clasped his hands together. Maria, sitting across from him, also closed her eyes.
After a moment of silence, Maria opened her eyes at the sound of clattering cutlery. In-ho had already picked up his fork and knife and was busy slicing the meat on his plate.
Maria, who had hoped to hear the "Saint’s Prayer" she had heard rumors about, looked a little disappointed.
"Ah, Sister Maria. How did you find today’s sermon?" In-ho asked, looking up from his meat.
"Pardon?" Maria asked back, looking dazed.
The sermon? She remembered it was about Rob. However, perhaps because her mind had been occupied by In-ho throughout the entire service, she couldn't remember the exact details.
"Ah... well..."
"I found it very moving. Did you feel the same, Sister Maria?"
In-ho popped a bite-sized piece of meat into his mouth and chewed. Maria felt as though his blue eyes were piercing right through her. She was certain: he already knew she hadn't been focusing on the service.
"I am sorry."
Maria was quick to apologize.
"Eh? For what?" In-ho asked with a mouthful of bread, his pronunciation slightly muffled.
"I... I failed to concentrate on the service."
Her face turned bright red at the humiliation of confessing her sin with her own lips.
"It’s alright," the Saint replied nonchalantly to the woman struggling to calm her racing heart. "It is difficult to stay focused every single moment. So, do not let it trouble you. I am sure you will be able to focus next time."
The Saint spoke as he put another piece of meat into his mouth. Only then was Maria able to eat the food before her with a peaceful mind.
*
After lunch, the Saint’s next scheduled activity was to observe a Bible interpretation class for apprentice priests. The class was being led by a priest who had spent his entire life dedicated to the scriptures and the establishment of doctrine.
Midway through the lesson, Maria cautiously opened the door. She and the Saint entered through the opening. In the classroom, all the apprentice priests were engrossed in the lesson with perfect posture. It was a class specifically assembled from the highest-achieving students to be shown to the Saint.
The Saint stood at the back of the room with Maria and listened to the lecture. The class ended thirty minutes later, and the elderly priest pointed politely toward the back as he addressed the apprentices.
"The Saint has been observing our lesson."
At those words, the apprentice priests all made the sign of the cross in unison. It was like watching actors perfectly following a script.
Well... I suppose it’s only right to prepare thoroughly since I’m a high-ranking person.
In-ho smiled bitterly, recalling the Holy Knight from the day before who had been dripping with sweat in his polished armor.
"I am Kang In-ho. It was truly moving to see your passion for the scriptures."
In-ho offered a slight bow instead of a formal greeting, praising their hard work in preparing for the lesson. Just as he was about to conclude the observation with those professional words, he turned his head at the sound of someone calling him.
"S-Saint."
A young boy was looking at him. In-ho stared back. Feeling his gaze, the boy shrank back like a rabbit before a predator.
"In... In the Book of Emilio, there is a passage that says, 'Those who follow the Path of Light must be wary of themselves.' I do not quite understand this part."
The priest looked visibly flustered, and the other apprentice priests wore anxious expressions.
It was clearly an unscripted question.