The Campfire in Her Palm
The garden in front of the Love Apostle's lodging. Rene sat on a bench in a sunny spot, diligently practicing her divine spells. What she was working on now was elemental magic, the simplest of the law spells. She couldn't learn throwing arts due to her physical limitations, and spell arrays required theoretical knowledge she hadn't yet grasped, so this was her fallback.
“Hoo…”
A long breath escaped Rene's lips. She inhaled deeply once more, releasing the divine power within her and gathering it above her palms. Then, focusing her thoughts, she began shaping it.
The basis of elemental magic was manifesting the image in one's mind into form. Fire. Not too hot—just the warm flames that had comforted her body during past camping trips. That was what she pictured.
It would roar to life, flickering in form. It would glow red, like the sunset. Held close, it would radiate heat onto her skin. Though she couldn't see to confirm, Rene drew on memories from when her eyes still worked, summoning as close a replica as possible in her mind's eye. Then she molded the divine power to bring that image to life.
Whoosh—
As she drew out the divine power and refined its shape, a crackling sound emerged. Pop. The snap of firewood, too. Probably from envisioning and creating a bonfire.
Rene kept kneading and shaping the flames without rest until, in the midst of wrestling with the divine power, she realized there was nothing left to refine. She turned to Vera with a question.
“Sir Knight, how is it?”
“A splendid success.”
“Hehe, what a relief.”
A bright smile bloomed on Rene's face at his reply. Vera met her gaze, then looked back at the flames hovering over her hands and continued.
“It's a strong crimson fire. At the base, there are a few long sticks that look like firewood. The heat…”
Vera held his hand over the flames as he spoke.
“…is a bit warmer than body temperature. A campfire, right?”
“Ah, yes! It reminded me of the one we lit on the way to the Holy Kingdom.”
“You've recreated it perfectly. No one would believe you shaped it without seeing the real thing.”
It wasn't empty flattery. The bonfire floating above Rene's palm was so meticulously crafted that even if she'd made it while watching the flames, it would have seemed believable.
“Imagination is the most crucial element in manifesting spells. You have a real talent for elemental magic, Saint.”
“Th-that's too much praise… it's embarrassing.”
“I mean it. I can't do this kind of manifestation myself.”
“Even you, Sir Knight?”
“Yes. That's why I'm clumsy with elemental magic.”
That was precisely why Vera delved into spell arrays among divine spells. It was a field where he could advance through senses, experience, and knowledge—plenty of room for growth. He judged it could cover his weakness in imagination.
Vera was the type who never invested in low-potential endeavors.
Rene nodded slightly in understanding at his words, then gave an awkward smile and continued.
“Hmm, it's surprising to hear there's something even you can't do.”
“I'm only human, after all.”
“Still… you always seem like you can do anything.”
“I'm honored.”
“Honored this time? No more apologies or regrets—try something else.”
Snap—
Vera's mouth clamped shut. Rene giggled at how he immediately fell silent and dodged the question, then spoke up.
“Just kidding.”
“Regre— ”
“That's still not allowed.”
Vera felt a wave of embarrassment rising inside him at her firm words. He always struggled for words when Rene teased him like this.
It had been over a month now. Rene had mostly adapted to life in the Holy Kingdom and was starting to show the playful side she'd displayed back in the village. A relief, truly—but Vera couldn't shake the worry that this playfulness was for the Holy Kingdom's people. His insides burned with anxiety every day.
Of course, it was purely his subjective concern, far from the truth. Rene's attitude was her own way of calming her wildly thumping heart—teasing to soothe her frustration at how flustered she got around Vera. A desperate measure.
But even this had its limits, it seemed.
As the mood quieted, Rene felt that familiar itch in her chest again. She racked her brain and quickly changed the subject.
“Oh, by the way, the Great Temple seemed a bit bustling. Is something going on?”
“Ah, probably because the Love Apostle is back in the Holy Kingdom for a short while.”
“The Love Apostle?”
“Yes, the one who's been on long-term dispatch for five years. I heard she's stopping by to rest briefly.”
“I see…”
Rene nodded at his words, then felt curiosity bubbling up and asked again.
“What's the Love Apostle like?”
“I wouldn't know. I've never met her.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. By the time I joined the Holy Kingdom, she was already dispatched. This will be my first meeting too.”
“She must be incredibly busy.”
Rene said that, let out a soft “hmm,” and posed another question. Dispatch had reminded her of someone.
“Speaking of which, doesn't Lord Rohan go on dispatches?”
Rohan, whom she ran into now and then. Always bright and boisterous. She'd heard he was the one dispatched most often, yet since arriving in the Holy Kingdom, she'd never heard him mention going anywhere.
“He's on standby orders for now. Since you've only recently arrived, the Apostles should stay close to protect you as much as possible. That's why the Love Apostle is making time to come now too.”
“Ah…”
At his explanation, Rene felt oddly sheepish and lowered her head slightly as she replied.
“I feel sorry for some reason. Because of me…”
“No need to worry. Anyone else, maybe—but Rohan wouldn't care about you; he'd be off playing regardless.”
“Ah.”
A look of realization crossed Rene's face. Vera watched her and continued his thoughts.
It was the plain truth, without exaggeration. After the indefinite standby order, Rohan had turned into a total wastrel, heading to nearby cities for revelry. He only staggered back to the Holy Kingdom at dawn, drunk out of his mind. Vera was glad the man he most distrusted was out like that, but Vargo's sighs grew daily at Rohan's pathetic state.
“He's no good to be around.”
This time, Rene couldn't even muster a rebuttal.
“Y-yeah… um, yes.”
Her head drooped in full agreement.
Even to Rene, Rohan was someone whose lifestyle desperately needed fixing.
“Shall we head in now? It's nearly mealtime.”
“Ah, yes.”
Rene flinched as Vera's hand settled on hers, then stood. Slow steps. As always, Vera matched her pace so she wouldn't strain herself.
The way he walked in sync with her felt oddly pleasing, bringing a faint smile to her lips—until a sudden question bubbled up in her mind.
Come to think of it…
Vera would soon be an adult. Exactly eighteen, born in winter, so come this winter, he'd legally be able to indulge in nightlife.
Which meant, in four months, Vera might start hitting the bars for drinks.
Snap!
Rene's body went rigid at the thought.
“Saint?”
Vera's call. But Rene's mind was tangled in the rising worry, unable to respond.
What if…
What if Vera followed Rohan to the red-light districts? Drinking all night there.
And women…!
Creak, creak.
Rene's movements turned stiff as a wooden puppet.
“Saint?”
His voice again. She jolted, her body twitching, and replied in a rigid tone.
“Yes!”
“Are you unwell anywhere?”
“N-no!”
She answered and tapped her cane firmly to move forward. Vera said nothing more, simply holding her hand and walking in silence.
In the quiet, amid the nonstop delusions flooding her mind, Rene suddenly blurted out.
“Sir Knight.”
“Yes.”
“Um… do you like alcohol?”
Right after speaking, Rene replayed her own words and felt a pang of regret. Oh no. Vera was still a minor. He'd probably never even touched the stuff.
Yet here she was, blurting out a foolish question she couldn't bear to hear answered.
What was she doing? Self-reproach welled up, her eyes squeezing shut—
“I enjoy it to some extent.”
His reply came.
Naturally, a dazed sound slipped from her lips.
“…Pardon?”
“I haven't had any since coming to the Holy Kingdom, but before that, I indulged occasionally. Especially on sleepless nights—nothing worked like it as a sleeping aid.”
Vera's answer drew from his past life's memories. And since he wasn't aware he was currently underage, he'd said it without thinking.
Of course, to Rene—who knew none of this—it sounded like “I drowned in booze until fourteen.” Her expression hardened accordingly.
“…I see.”
“Yes, hmm… talking about it brings back memories.”
Twitch.
Rene's fingertips trembled—enough for Vera to notice.
“Saint?”
“N-no, it's nothing… nothing at all…”
Good lord. Panic flooded her.
Now she knew. A delinquent youth—the terrifying types from big cities. Vera was one of them.
Her heart sank. Thud. Thud.
It felt like forbidden knowledge. Sure, whether he liked booze or women had nothing to do with her!
But still! Just imagining it twisted her gut.
Squeeze—
Rene gripped Vera's hand tighter.
“Um… Sir Knight?”
“Yes, speak.”
“Alcohol… is no good…”
For some reason, she felt glum. Her tone carried it as she spoke to him. Vera tilted his head, then replied.
“True. If you drown in it, you end up like Rohan—so you must always stay vigilant.”
Whoosh.
Rene's face lit up. Gloomy. Joyful. Elated. Her emotions seesawed wildly, but she poured her delight into her beaming reply.
“Right?”
“Yes. But why ask about alcohol all of a sudden?”
“Huh? Oh, nothing!”
Tap.
Her cane hit the ground. Rene walked on with a grin.
Vera watched her bubbling laughter and thought.
Does she want to try drinking?
At only fourteen, wasn't it too early? But then he recalled.
No… she might.
Rene was right at that age when puberty hit. He nodded slightly in acceptance. Girls that age wanted to seem mature, after all. Curiosity was natural.
Vera pondered. Should he get her some if she wanted? Or scold her?
As his dilemma deepened and his expression grew stern, he shook his head to clear it.
She'll decide for herself.
He just had to follow her lead.