Adaptation - 3
With a creak, the door to the lodging swung open.
Vera, who had been waiting in front of Rene's door, froze at the sight of her emerging, his body halting mid-motion.
It was an instinctive reaction to Rene in her pristine white ceremonial robes. Golden embroidery draped over her form, wrapping her in layers upon layers of finery. The ornate outer cloak and the glimpse of the immaculate priestly garb beneath were almost excessively elaborate, yet for some reason, Vera didn't find them overdone at all.
They suited her perfectly. It felt as if the robes had been made for her from the start.
...No, he thought, even these might fall short.Could such garments truly capture her nobility?
Tap. Tap.
Rene approached, gripping Helga's hand and tapping her cane.
"Sorry. Have you been waiting long?"
Her words snapped Vera out of his daze. He moved his lips slightly before replying.
"No."
A curt, clipped response. He extended his hand, taking Rene's from Helga, then added, "Shall we go?"
"Yes."
As Vera's hand overlapped hers, Rene felt a faint tremble at her fingertips. She matched his lead, stepping forward. The tap of her cane and the thud of footsteps set a rhythm.
In her ears came Vera's voice, explaining the lodging's layout for her benefit.
"Straight out the door and twenty paces to the right leads to the exit toward the Great Temple's flower beds. The opposite way takes you to the eastern gate by the holy knights' barracks..."
Stiff words. But Rene knew. This rigid knight rarely let emotion color his speech. This brusqueness was his way of being kind.
"...The corridors are mostly straight. All decorations or obstacles have been cleared, so no need to worry about that."
"I see."
She nodded along, and more explanations followed.
"The flower beds ahead have an outdoor garden in the center. His Holiness awaits you there."
"Oh, flower beds with a garden? It must be huge."
"Yes. Far larger than the building housing your quarters, from what I understand. It's a hobby garden made by the Apostle of Abundance, who's away on dispatch now."
Apostle.
The word sparked thoughts. Come to think of it...
Vera was an Apostle too. She'd heard it before arriving in the Holy Kingdom, but it still felt strangely unreal. To her, Vera seemed more like a steadfast knight from a tale than an Apostle.
As her mind wandered, Rene turned to Vera, who had finished explaining and fallen silent, with a question that arose.
"Do all Apostles go out on dispatch?"
"Not all. It depends on their roles. For example, Trevo, the Apostle of Wisdom, maintains the barrier around the Holy Kingdom, so he doesn't leave."
"Ah, I see. And what about you, Sir Knight?"
"I'm your escort, Saint. Unless something dire happens, I'll stay by your side."
Stay by your side.
Rene's heart skipped. ...Saint?
"Ah, no! I just stumbled a bit!"
"My apologies. I'll slow down."
"It's fine!"
A booming voice burst from her throat. Rene felt heat rush to her face at her flustered outburst. Her eyes squeezed shut. Why am I acting like such an idiot? She'd once declared, "I'm blind, not stupid," but this made it sound like a lie.
She scolded herself for tensing up at every turn, steadying her fluttering heart.
Conversation ceased. Rene lacked the composure for more words, and Vera wasn't one for unnecessary talk.
After a long walk,
"We're here."
Rene straightened in surprise at Vera's words. Then came another voice.
"You've arrived."
A voice etched deep with the weight of years, belonging to an old man.
"You've had a hard journey. Saint."
At the repeated address, Rene bowed her head, her tone laced with tension.
"Hello..."
She swallowed dryly. Her mind raced with worries. Did I breach etiquette? Will he find fault?
Before her anxieties could spiral, Vargo's voice continued.
"Come, sit."
A gentle invitation. Rene thought perhaps he was kinder than expected. Vera, sensing an unfamiliar gentleness in Vargo he'd never seen, felt his expression sour. Has the old man finally lost it? Why act so out of character?
As Vera glared, Vargo clicked his tongue.
"What are you standing there gawking for, brat? Escort the Saint properly. Tch. You're the slowest in the continent, aren't you?"
Vera's teeth ground.
"...My apologies."
"Always with the apologies. Do you love that word or something?"
"Pfft...!"
Laughter slipped from Rene's lips at Vargo's words. Cold sweat beaded as she realized it. She felt Vera's grip tighten slightly and hastily apologized.
"S-sorry..."
"...It's fine."
Vera replied curtly, seating her opposite Vargo before standing behind, glaring daggers.
"Your eyes lack manners."
"I fall short."
"Yes, stay lacking forever."
Their gazes clashed, unyielding. Seeing Rene's confusion, Vargo softened toward her.
"Aigoo, showing such an unsightly side before the Saint."
"No!"
Rene wanted to flee. The harsh atmosphere made her legs tremble. If she weren't blind, she'd have bolted.
As gloom settled on her face, Vargo turned from Vera to her.
"No need to fear, Saint. This place is filled with those who cherish you more than anyone. Relax."
"R-really...?"
"Of course. I heard your journey here was rough. That fool's fault, no doubt."
Vera's face darkened at the jab. Vargo chuckled and pressed on.
"So, how's life in the Holy Kingdom treating you?"
"Y-you don't have to be so formal..."
"If you drop it first, so will I."
Rene's mouth snapped shut. She knew instantly: Vargo respected her. Seeing how he treated Vera made it obvious. Why so kind? Because I'm the Saint? Is the Stigma that special?
Her mind tangled, but she pushed it aside. Today's purpose was to learn her duties, so she set worries aside.
"Um... could I ask about my schedule going forward?"
A cautious question. She waited quietly.
Vargo, head slightly bowed, smiled faintly.
"Feeling overwhelmed?"
"Pardon?"
"Pulled here without explanation—you must be confused, even repulsed."
His sudden words made her flinch, but she nodded anyway, sensing the conversation veering.
"Yes, a bit..."
"Tch, I understand. I was the same when I first got my Stigma. Saw that black blotch on my arm and cursed the heavens."
Rene's head lifted at the unexpected tale.
"That's... intense."
"Childish folly. Back then, I hated hassle more than death, so I spent all day pondering how to rip it off. Well, couldn't, and here I am as Holy Emperor. Failed endeavor, I suppose."
Words unimaginable from the Holy Emperor. Curiosity overrode her tension as Rene ventured,
"But... is it okay to say that? About divine punishment or...?"
"If it existed, I'd be dead a hundred times over. No such thing. Those gods up there wouldn't blink if I spat curses in their faces."
Vargo added with a grin,
"Must be burdensome. Other Stigmata too, but this is the God's Saint's. You must become worthy of it, of the title. Right?"
Rene flinched. He'd pierced her core. The thought that had filled her since deciding to come here.
Vargo had nailed it. Despite never speaking it, he saw through her. She nodded, awe swelling.
"Yes, a little..."
"Let that burden go. Think of the Stigma as a lucky street find. Just do what you want, Saint. Revelation comes with realization."
He chuckled. Strange feeling. How does he know my unspoken thoughts? Does being Holy Emperor mean mind-reading?
A silly notion. Rene giggled unwittingly, nodding small.
"Yes."
"Priests handle daily life, I hear. For divine arts training... Trevo's perfect. He'll teach well."
Vera's eyes widened in shock at the suggestion. Is he sane? Entrusting Rene to that madman?
His stare bored into Vargo, laden with doubt. Vargo met it with a sly smirk.
Vera realized: the old coot was toying with him.