The Somewhat Mad Saintess (3)
"Saintess? You mean that Celereja whatever saintess?"
"Yes, Saintess Celereja."
"Anyway. What about her?"
"Well, there's this thing..."
Della headed to City Hall in the early evening, a bit later than usual. The hall had been packed that day, even with the fence construction workers around. Once dinner was roughly cleared away, she grabbed a basket and left the inn.
The first floor of City Hall was a total mess. As officials were gradually hired, the empty space had filled up with desks and office supplies. Under the bright glow of candelabras, Hildeva and the officials were working overtime—drafting documents, checking ledgers, and consulting one another.
"Let's eat first, everyone."
As Della entered with her basket, Hildeva paused her work. They cleared a large conference table and set up a simple meal. While Della unpacked the basket, the door suddenly opened.
Hildeva spotted the newcomer first and stood from her chair.
"Welcome, Saintess. What brings you here?"
Saintess Celereja stood awkwardly by the door, fidgeting. The other officials, just about to start eating, rose from their seats as well. Though not superiors, saintesses were tacitly treated like high-ranking officials.
"Were you in the middle of dinner?"
"Just starting. Come on in."
The saintess gave a slight bow and entered. An official offered her a chair, and she sat. The mood turned awkward with a holy woman suddenly joining their meal.
"If you haven't eaten, please join us, Saintess."
Hildeva smiled invitingly, but Celereja declined.
"I'm fine. I usually skip dinner anyway."
"I see. Then, excuse us."
With everyone glancing around, Hildeva started eating first, and the officials followed suit naturally. Celereja watched them eat, glancing around the hall curiously. She didn't seem to have any real business—just passing by, saw the lights, and popped in.
"Working so late like this, you must all be swamped."
"The city's finally getting back to normal. We're catching up on everything at once, so it's busy."
"I see."
With that, the saintess said nothing more, watched them eat for a bit, then stood.
"Leaving already? Have some tea with me first."
"No, I feel like I've interrupted your meal. Carry on."
And with that, she left City Hall.
"Isn't that weird? Why'd she come to the hall, just sit there quietly, and leave?"
I already knew the reason.
"That saintess is a zealot. She was probably sniffing around for anything blasphemous in City Hall."
"Hm... didn't seem like it..."
Della tilted her head.
"Oh, and something even weirder. After everyone finished eating..."
As Della cleared the empty dishes and left City Hall, she spotted the saintess wandering the streets alone. Not doing anything specific—just aimlessly walking, occasionally gazing at the sky.
"I think she was wandering like that even before coming to City Hall."
"So you're saying she's been roaming outside since sundown?"
Della nodded, and I gave her the answer.
"Definitely. She's a fresh-out-of-ordination baby saintess, eyes burning to rack up some holy deeds by combing the city. That's it."
"She didn't seem like that type..."
"Didn't you see her yelling at me earlier? Said I needed an inquisition trial just for naming the dog Kali."
"Kali? Why?"
"Huh? Kali's the god of the hunt, protector of hunters."
"Oh, was that it?"
Della hadn't known and burst into laughter. Her smile was so pretty, I found myself chuckling along.
Still, gotta be careful. That Celereja saintess seems crazier than I thought. Patrolling like that in the dead of night, poking around everywhere. She's already got a grudge against me, so she'll probably barge into the inn unannounced. Doesn't bother me, but Idwild's the problem. Black mages aren't illegal per se, but if that zealot blasts holy power for real, it'll be a huge headache. She'd totally do it.
Since she seems scared of dogs, better move Kali's house to the front of the stairs.
The next day, the workers continued the fence from morning, and the inn buzzed with travelers. No official announcement from the capital yet, but rumors had spread wild—settlers poured in daily.
By morning, I finalized lease contracts for the mill and bakery. Word was, plenty more wanted to set up shop here—restaurants, stores, even a mercenaries' guild and adventurers' association. Makes sense; Rosens is a must-pass between the kingdom's north and south, so demand's high. Apothecaries and barbers too. The city was coming alive.
Hildeva's gonna be swamped. Officials promised long-term stays and paid up front, but barely showed. Every other night, they pulled all-nighters, napping in shifts upstairs. More from Bue incoming, but still crazy busy for now.
With more people, the inn got slammed too. I cooked my ass off; Della and Idi ran the hall and rooms ragged. Need to hire at least one more server. For this size, five minimum to run smooth. With folks flooding in, applicants should line up. One server and a head chef would be ideal.
I scribbled a help-wanted sign on paper and stuck it outside the inn door. Wonder who'll show.
Turning after posting it, I spotted the saintess at the courtyard entrance. Face twisted in fury, glaring at me—but she didn't come in. Kali slinked out from the doghouse right by the stairs. She glanced between me and Kali, then turned and walked toward downtown.
What a nutjob...
Evening brought a flood of customers; the three of us were wiped. Della even had to turn away folks waiting outside. No real shops or eateries in town yet—inn's the only game. Good thing I stocked extra ingredients, or we'd have run short. Need hires ASAP and some town spots opening up to normalize. If the capital announces the Golruk takedown official, we'll be overwhelmed.
Worried about filling the hall not long ago; now too crowded? Business—surge hits when you're unprepared. Still, coin's piling up. No competition yet; gotta milk it.
Then shouting from outside.
"Hey! Get lost!"
That crazy bitch again? Outside, the saintess faced off with Kali in the yard.
"Come out! Shoo!"
She yelled and swung her arm, but brave Kali just wagged and approached. Backpedaling, she spotted me on the platform.
"Just gonna watch?"
"Watch what?"
"Get rid of this dog! Can't enter the inn!"
"What can I do if he's friendly?"
Fuming at my retort, she stomped.
"I have business at the inn!"
"What business? Checking the troll skull for curses?"
"You think I'd stoop to that?!"
I shrugged. Even ignoring her tantrum yesterday, no way I'd let her in with Idi inside. Not here to stay, that's for sure—just harass Idi or nitpick the inn. Maybe shake down "temple funds" on chief priest orders.
I held firm; she gave up first and left the yard.
Why keep coming...
Over the next few days, the saintess showed up at odd hours, stared down Kali, then left. Funniest part: dark circles under her eyes grew each time. No sleep, hunting heresy—duh.
Meantime, fence work progressed steadily, finishing by dusk. Sturdy iron mesh topped with barbed wire at the top; entrance got double doors and a padlock. Inspected with the contractor—no issues—paid the balance. Too late to leave; they'd crash here and head out early tomorrow.
That night, I checked City Hall for city updates. Hildeva lit up seeing me after ages, grabbing my hand and beaming—embarrassing for her staff.
"Welcome, Bertrand!"
Upstairs over tea, she briefed me. More officials from Bue; admin mostly functional despite greenhorns. As 7th-grade, her underlings' ranks were iffy, so promoting her to 6th.
"Congrats!"
"All thanks to you."
Capital announcement delayed by local lords' backlash—bypass profits drying up. But rumors spread; settlers jammed in. Most work now: registering them and property deals.
"Judges and a guard platoon incoming. Tax guys too... headache."
"Tough gig."
"Gotta do my best."
New chief priest's corrupt as hell, sending the young one for "temple funds." Pressuring settlers for worship and donations. Priests all the same. Especially pesters Hildeva to visit temple alone—I stressed:
"Never go alone. Who knows what that creep'll try. Stick with me. Priests are horniest mutts!"
"Haha, what?"
"Seriously."
"Priests are fucking horny mutts!"
Her spicy declaration cracked us up. Funny, but gotta visit that chief priest sometime. Too blatant for a city head.
"Didn't mean to keep you so late. Heading out."
Before descending, she tugged my sleeve and pecked my cheek.
"Come again."
"Uh... yeah... thanks."
Heading back wasn't too dark. New settlers' homes leaked light and chatter. Some carried lanterns; others worked late on interiors. Night I hauled the alpha Golruk's head: pitch black. But past downtown to inn: still shadowy. Folks filling center first.
Humming along, something odd caught my eye—a blanket pile dumped roadside. Felt off for trash. Not just garbage.
Approaching, I froze. The saintess lay crumpled against the wall.