Chapter 204: Turning a Blind Eye-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 204: Turning a Blind Eye-2
Returning from the third day of relief efforts, In-ho heard the report from the errand boy who had been sent to Albainin Village.
"They moved?"
"Yes. I was told they left the village."
On the way back to their lodgings, Maria wiped In-ho’s hands with a damp towel.
"Did they just move house? Is moving that common around here?"
In-ho, who had obediently offered his hands to Maria, asked her back with a puzzled look.
"It is quite rare for people to leave the village entirely."
"Still, if they were neighbors, wouldn't they at least know why they left?"
When In-ho pressed for an explanation, Maria furrowed her brow. She didn't know much more than he did.
"Did that errand boy scam us?" In-ho asked, his tone shifting back to his natural personality as he dropped the Saint’s formal way of speaking.
Maria shook her head vigorously.
"I don't think so. I questioned him myself, and he said the villagers seemed reluctant to talk about it."
"Maybe they were buried in debt? If that’s the case, it would make sense why the Order called Antonio back," In-ho suggested.
Maria shook her head again. "In cases where apprentice priests or nuns have debt issues at home, the Order is more likely to keep them within the fold rather than send them away."
Their carriage continued its journey back to the lodgings. Perhaps because the carriage's appearance was now well-known, they could see onlookers gathering to catch a glimpse even from inside.
"Hmm... Then did he really just fail to adjust?" In-ho mused, stroking his chin with his freed hand.
"That is actually the most common reason. Many apprentice priests and nuns return to their hometowns every year."
"But it's rare for them to move away entirely."
"That is true."
The conversation had circled back to the starting point. In-ho scratched his head, feeling the complexity of the situation, and leaned back against the seat. Having finished cleaning his hands, Maria carefully tucked the towel into her habit.
"We go back tomorrow," Maria murmured, looking out the window at the spreading orange glow of the sunset.
"Time flies. Still, it was nice to have a change of pace."
In-ho had been confined to the Order ever since his dimension transfer. To him, the scenery of the Order and Madini Village wasn't all that different, but the free atmosphere of Madini had certainly lifted his spirits.
"It will take some time to get back, though," Maria said with a soft smile.
"Camping is fun, too. It reminds me of the old days."
In-ho thought back to the times he had spent camping with So-yu.
"Did you camp often?" Maria asked, her eyes showing curiosity at the expression on In-ho’s face as he delved into his memories.
"Yes. Often... but that was a long time ago."
Unable to bring himself to mention another dimension, In-ho glossed over his words. Maria wanted to pry further, but she remained mindful of the Saint’s mood.
"I heard you have another dinner appointment today."
Nicola had been insisting since morning that he would prepare a magnificent feast for their final night. In-ho had considered declining after remembering the previous night's events, but Nicola had been incredibly persistent. Furthermore, the surrounding Holy Knights seemed to secretly hope that In-ho would attend. Fearing it might be a grave insult to refuse, In-ho had eventually accepted.
"It’s going to be noisy again today."
In-ho’s face involuntarily contorted at the thought of another chaotic dinner.
"I gave them a warning yesterday, so I expect they'll show some restraint today," Maria said reassuringly.
"I see."
"So..."
Maria began to steal glances at In-ho. She avoided his gaze, her fingers nervously rubbing the edge of the seat. In-ho watched her, wondering what she was about to say. He noticed her ears, visible from her turned profile, gradually turning bright red.
"D-don't worry, and feel free to... to d-drink some wine."
As if realizing how embarrassing she sounded, Maria hung her head low the moment she finished speaking. In-ho stared at her with an incredulous expression before speaking firmly.
"I'm not drinking today."
"Wh-what?! How could you!"
Maria snapped her head back toward him, her face a mask of profound disappointment.
*
The next morning, the Saint welcomed a refreshing day free of any hangover. Conversely, his attendant was in poor condition. This was because she had 'coincidentally' mistaken wine for water and brought it to the Saint’s room, and then 'accidentally' mistaken that wine for water and drank it herself.
A slightly tipsy Maria had asked if she could rest in the Saint’s room for a while, but the Saint had firmly sent her back to her own quarters. There was no way to confirm if she had drunk more once she returned to her room, but judging by the hollow look in her eyes later, she had almost certainly continued drinking alone.
"It was an honor to serve you, Holy Saint."
Nicola and Pietro saw him off as he boarded the carriage.
"Thank you for your wonderful hospitality. May the grace of Light be upon you both."
In-ho, now accustomed to playing the part, offered his blessing. Behind the genially smiling Nicola and Pietro, he saw Holy Knights emerging with heavy sacks.
In-ho watched the scene idly. The heavy sacks, tied with blue string, were loaded into the luggage compartment of the carriage carrying the priests.
I don't think those are our bags.
He recalled that there were no such sacks among the luggage they had brought with them.
"Then, I hope to see you again," Pietro offered his final farewell, and In-ho snapped out of his private thoughts.
To the cheers of a massive crowd, the Saint’s carriage pulled out of Madini Village. After three days of travel, In-ho arrived back at the Church Headquarters.
The carriage entered the town nestled below the headquarters and passed through the square where the Saint’s execution had previously taken place. Fatigued from the long journey, the Saint stared blankly out the window, feeling the reality of his return.
Holy Knights were lined up along the streets for the Saint’s procession. As they passed through the clear path the knights had maintained, a group of beggars being shoved into an alley caught In-ho’s eye.
"...Sister Maria."
"Yes, Holy Saint."
"Please send someone to look into Antonio's whereabouts once more."
In-ho murmured the request as he watched the beggars disappear, pushed aside by the crowd as if the authorities were clearing away anything that shouldn't offend the Saint’s eyes.