The Priest's Bitter Peppers
Priest Alex sprinkled the fertilizer he was holding onto the field.
"Phew... what fine weather. Just the day before yesterday, I was worried about all that rain, but it's all good now!"
He gazed contentedly at the vibrant green plants that had grown safely. Among them hung unripe, wrinkled peppers. Alex smiled warmly as he admired them.
"Grow well now."
It was then, as he gently touched one of the peppers.
"Father! Father!"
Startled by the clear, bright voice, Alex whipped his head around. Not far from the pepper patch stood a pristine monastery that looked newly built, teeming with children at play. Some were pretending to be knights, others reading scripture, and a few napping lazily in the sun... all bursting with life.
One girl among them approached Alex with a basket.
"Father! Father! Look at this! I picked so many!"
Alex couldn't help furrowing his brow at the girl's cheerful grin.
"Ah, you shouldn't do that, Emma. These aren't ripe yet."
"Huh?"
Alex shook his head at the puzzled girl. Months of effort ruined by her well-meaning hands. Regret gnawed at him, but he said nothing to her. Instead, it was a perfect teaching moment.
Alex stroked her head with a smile.
"See? They're only the size of your palm yet? And the color's still yellowish. When they grow bigger and change color, they'll be tastier and more nutritious."
"Huh? R-really? Well, nothing to be done then. These aren't edible, right? Guess I'll toss 'em!"
"......"
Rather than wilting, her voice brimmed with vigor. Veins bulged on Alex's forehead at the sight.
"Emma! Did you do this on purpose...!"
"N-no! It's not because I hate peppers! It's just... the bitterness when you chew 'em, and that weird smell... they're kinda... hard to eat..."
"That's why you hate them! Hah...! I just don't get why you'd call these delicious peppers tasteless!"
Alex shook his head.
"Just wait a bit. I'll pick one so good you'll fall in love with it! Let's see... Ah! Here's a ripe one!"
Alex grinned and carefully snipped a pepper with grafting shears, holding it out to Emma.
"Here, try it. Emma!"
"......"
"...Emma?"
Alex peered ahead in confusion. She was gone. The girl who had been there moments ago had vanished.
Nothing remained where he'd offered the pepper.
"......?"
Alex's eyes widened as he scanned around. The lively children were nowhere in sight. The once-pristine monastery now sagged with neglect—yellow mold creeping over crumbling walls, patches collapsed entirely. The green field had withered to brown, and the pepper in his hand was shriveled and dry.
"...Ah."
A wave of nostalgia washed over him, and Alex realized the truth.
Nothing was left here anymore.
Only he remained, utterly alone.
"...D-dinnertime already! And I'm starving, so I should... hurry... back and... eat..."
Alex shook his head, voice trembling.
Back home, he blanched the wilted peppers in boiling water, sliced them, and set them on the table before sitting. Blinking, he stared at the multiple plates and the bitter, unappetizing slices atop them.
"...Oops, prepared too much again."
Am I going senile? Even after all this time, I still... haven't... gotten... used... to... it...
He told himself that. Please, get used to it.
But another whisper countered from within. Please, don't get used to it. If he did, he'd forget the children. If he didn't, he'd keep longing for and remembering them.
Either way, peace eluded Alex.
"...Gotta toughen up!"
Alex speared a pepper slice with his fork and popped it into his mouth. It wasn't over yet. There was still hope. He had to endure, even if it tortured him.
"...Ah, yes... so... good! These peppers!"
Alex smiled. They tasted wonderful. Just blanched in water, yet so incredibly flavorful! Perfect! No salt, no seasonings. No sauce at all. The bland, bitter peppers had a texture that was nothing short of abysmal.
Yet he ate on in silence, convincing himself they were delicious.
He had to think that.
Otherwise, he couldn't prove to the children who might return that peppers were tasty.
"Ahh, why did the kids... hate... something so... delicious...? Haha. Ha... hahaha..."
Tears welled as sobs escaped. It hurt. He wanted to erase this loneliness right now. But the time hadn't come yet.
Knock! Knock!
Startled by the knock, Alex hastily wiped his tears and shot to his feet.
"Ah! Right, I asked Yuan to deliver some supplies a few days ago!"
The gloom vanished. He rose energetically and hurried to the door, a smile blooming at the thought of his guest.
"Last time I invited him for dinner, he said he was busy and turned me down. Today, I'll make him stay no matter what!"
Brimming with anticipation, Alex flung open the door.
"It's been ages! Yuan! Let's have dinner together to—"
His words died. His eyes bulged in disbelief.
"......?"
A small girl. Bronze skin, crimson eyes. Soft silver hair. She stood at the threshold, her petite frame dwarfed further by a deep hood.
"Ah..."
Alex was speechless. The girl tilted her head up at him, curiosity in her gaze, oblivious to his reaction.
Trembling, Alex reached out unconsciously and murmured.
"Em...ma?"
She looked exactly like the girl he knew.
"Whoa! You scared me! A huge crow burst out of the woods—I thought it was a monster!"
The man in his mid-thirties, driving a donkey-pulled cart, laughed heartily. The cart was crammed with odds and ends, leaving scant room to sit. That tiny space was occupied by the crow-masked man and the hooded girl.
"Cramped, huh? Haha! Still better than walking, right?"
"......"
Loki ignored the incessant chatter from the peddler named Yuan and eyed the girl beside him. Sensing his gaze, she flinched and ducked her head, making no move.
...Has her wariness eased at last?
Once out of the forest, Loki had found a path worn by countless travelers. Follow it, and it'd lead to some village or town.
Salat, still guarded, had trailed at about five meters. Earlier, it was ten, or she'd watch from treetops. But realizing he meant no harm, she'd gradually closed the gap day by day.
During their awkward journey, they'd hitched a ride with this passing peddler. Loki had only asked for directions to the nearest inn village, but Yuan waved it off with a grin.
—A place to stay? Hmm... probably tough! With all the war talk, folks are wary of strangers. Plus...
Yuan pointed at Loki's side—specifically, at Salat walking a ways off.
—Your wife looks exhausted. She needs a proper spot! I know a monastery nearby—I'll ask there!
Salat looked flustered, but Yuan's rustic, beaming smile half-forced Loki onto the cart and beckoned her aboard. In the end, they sat together by sheer momentum.
Too sudden to react properly; the timing slipped away. As Loki climbed on, Yuan guided her right next to him.
"Phew! You saved me! The priest there gets awfully lonely. He'll be thrilled to host you."
Loki fell silent, watching Yuan's bright expression. This was Ronia Kingdom, nearest the Frozen Lands, now torn by civil war between the first and second princes over the throne.
War's ripples affected neighbors. Frequent conflicts drained national strength and economy. With crumbling security, displaced folk turned to vice. Bandits, raiders, deserters roamed freely as the new normal.
Yet Yuan treated Loki and Salat with unguarded kindness, as if oblivious to the brutal world.
"...You're very kind."
"Huh? Oh, I hear that a lot. Thanks!"
"Don't most folks wary of strangers? Especially someone in odd garb like me."
"Hmm, true! You are weird! Super weird! A crow mask... kinda ominous, right?"
"......"
Yuan was brutally honest.
"Still, bandits know rural spots like this have nothing worth taking. No gold, no goods—just our hides."
Yuan smacked his lips.
"That's why we fear slave hunters or raiders more than thieves. If they nab us, no hope."
Loki spoke as Yuan grinned.
"And yet you help us? Far too trusting."
"Hmm, yeah, I hear that too! 'You're the type to get scammed!' So naive, huh? Haha!"
Optimistic. A fine trait, but dangerous in this world.
"Not long ago, bandits hit me—took everything, even my last pair of pants! Haha! Now I work day and night to cover losses! But I learned: If bandits come, ditch the goods and run! At least keep your clothes! Haha!"
... Fanatically positive.
Loki made a dumbfounded face under the mask and asked.
"So why help us even then?"
Once burned, twice shy. Bad bandits might enslave you.
Yuan smiled at the question.
"Ah, it's from an old teaching of the Azelan Constellation."
"......?"
"Chapter 625, The Parable of the Four Apostles: If someone struggles, help unless it's wicked. Their hearts shall find salvation... That's what the priests say."
Following religious doctrine?
Loki knew vaguely of the continent's faiths, but not to this extent.
"Plus, crows feel familiar."
Familiar? Loki couldn't help but wonder.