As they passed through the streets of Amfilochia and reached the temple gate, the structure revealed itself — neither grand nor small, neither beautiful nor ornate. Just plain, solid, functional.
Near the gate, a woman in her mid-twenties swept fallen leaves from the stone path. Her movements were slow, deliberate, almost methodical.
the guards called out to her.
"Hm… hello, Saint," he said, his voice calm and clear, carrying easily across the quiet courtyard.
The saintess turned toward them, her gaze immediately falling on Kore, who was being carried in Shin Yato's arms. She rushed forward, her footsteps quick but controlled.
"Oh… poor thing," she said, her voice calm but threaded with worry. "What happened to her? Come, bring her inside."
Inside the temple, the saintess led them to a small room where the injured were tended.
"Here… let her down," she said, brushing dust off the bed with a gentle hand.
Shin Yato carefully laid Kore on the mattress.
The saintess began treating her wounds. As she worked, her voice held worry.
"What exactly happened?"
Shin Yato's voice trembled with sorrow.
"Our village… it was attacked by a demon. We escaped… but we've been walking for days without food, water, or sleep."
He lowered his head, pretending to cry.
"And… we don't know what happened after that… not even if our parents are still alive."
Shin Yato was still pretending to cry when a guard tapped his shoulder.
"Hey… don't cry," he said, calm, a small smile on his lips. "A man should not cry."
A few minutes later, the treatment was finished. The saintess let out a small sigh of relief.
"Okay… everything is fine. She just needs rest and proper care."
She stood, brushing off her hands, her expression softening.
The saintess glanced at Shin Yato with unease. Seeing his clothes streaked with dried blood and his emotionless eyes, she took a steadying breath.
"There's a well at the back of the temple," she said, her voice calm and her expression composed — though a lingering uneasiness shadowed her features.
"Please… wash up and get some rest."
"I'll go and fetch some clean clothes," the saintess added, walking away.
The guards smiled and replied calmly, "Oh… I should get back as well. Take care."
Shin Yato bowed his head.
"Thank you, sir."
"It's okay, it's okay. Goodbye," the guard said, smiling gently before walking away.
Shin Yato approached the well, where another saintess was fetching water. As he drew closer, she looked up. Their eyes met, and for a moment, a chill ran through the air — an eerie, unsettling feeling neither of them could explain.
The saintess's hands trembled slightly, and the rope of the bucket slipped. The bucket fell with a clatter, water splashing across the stone floor.
In a hurry, she said, "I'm sorry," her smile nervous, hands trembling slightly.
Shin Yato's voice was calm, a small, reassuring smile on his lips.
"It's okay."
She picked up the bucket, still uneasy, and asked, "Sir… who are you?!" Her eyes searched his face, confusion clear in her voice.
Shin Yato replied evenly, his expression composed.
"I'm Shin Yato. I brought my sister for treatment… but I apologize for startling you."
Her gaze lingered on him a moment too long. A strange chill ran down her spine, though she could not explain why.
Her hand trembled slightly as she asked, her voice nervous, "Oh… so, sir, what are you here for?"
Shin Yato noticed her slight shake. He raised his own hand just a little, his movement calm, a faint smile on his lips.
"To wash up," he replied, his voice steady and composed.
The saintess's eyes widened as she noticed the dried blood on Shin Yato's clothes. Shock passed over her face, but she forced herself to remain composed.
"Please… just a minute. I'll draw some water for you," she said, her voice trembling slightly, though she tried to hide it.
She turned to the well and began pulling water up, her hands working carefully but with a subtle tension betraying her worry.
"Oh… okay. Thank you," Shin Yato said, calm, a small smile on his lips as he waited.
After a moment, he asked, his voice steady, "But you still haven't told me your name," his eyes watching her as she drew water from the well.
She flushed slightly and laughed awkwardly.
"Oh… I'm sorry, I forgot. I'm Nifti," she said, trying to focus on the bucket in her hands.
Shin Yato asked again, calm and unreadable.
"By the way… what is the name of that saintess?"
Nifti blinked, her voice slightly nervous as she continued drawing water.
"Who?"
"The one who treated my sister," Shin Yato said, still calm, his eyes watching her face.
Nifti paused, pouring water into the next bucket. "Hmm… the one who treated her?" She furrowed her brow, thinking, then gave a small, nervous smile.
"Oh… her name is Kyria. She's the main saintess… unlike us apprentice saintesses."
"Us? Apprentice saintesses?" Shin Yato's voice remained calm, expression unreadable.
Nifti hesitated, her gaze drifting away. "Yes… there are three more apprentice saintesses here in the temple," she admitted, avoiding his eyes. "We're still in training."
Nifti's voice remained nervous. "Sorry, sir… I should get going now to prepare dinner. Have a good stay."
Shin Yato's voice stayed calm, a faint smile on his lips.
"Okay… and thank you for drawing the water for me."
Nifti picked up the bucket and walked away, her steps careful, still avoiding his gaze.
Shin Yato watched her leave, then looked at his reflection in the well water. His face was calm and expressionless… yet in the reflection, a faint smile lingered.
After washing up, he returned to the healing chamber. Meanwhile, Nifti set down the water bucket and began preparing dinner. Just then, Saintess Kyria entered the kitchen.
"Nifti?" her voice calm, her face serene.
"Oh! Saintess Kyria?" Nifti exclaimed, surprised.
Kyria's smile was bright. "Are you preparing dinner now?"
Nifti grinned playfully. "Yes, Saintess, as you can see."
"Then can you make extra meals?" Kyria asked, calm and smiling.
Nifti's eyes widened. "Extra meals!? For those in the healing chamber?" she asked nervously.
"Yes," Kyria replied simply.
"I don't want to," Nifti said jokingly, pouting a little.
"Please, please," Kyria urged, smiling.
Nifti sighed, relenting. "Okay."
"Thank you, Nifti," Kyria said, her smile calm and bright.
Nifti scratched her head with one finger, her voice nervous. "Hmm… but don't you think there's something off about that person?"
Kyria tilted her head slightly, curiosity in her calm voice. "Why would you think that?"
Nifti hesitated, frowning. "I… I don't know. But when I looked into his eyes, I felt a chill… and nervousness," she admitted, voice wavering and confused.
Kyria studied Nifti's expression, the way she fidgeted, then smiled brightly. "It's your imagination," she said lightly. Yet deep down, she knew that strange feeling herself, though she chose to dismiss it.
Saintess Kyria smiled brightly. "Okay, now I'm going to bring the clean clothes to them. Make a tasty meal while I'm gone."
"Okay," Nifti replied, watching her walk away.
Kyria entered the healing chamber and saw Shin Yato sitting beside Kore.
"Hmm… sir, here are the clean clothes. Rest well. I'll inform you when dinner is ready," she said, calm and smiling.
Shin Yato looked up at her, expression serene, and said, "Thank you," his voice calm, a faint smile playing on his lips.
A chill ran down Kyria's spine — the same nervous, eerie feeling she had sensed earlier. She shook it off, keeping her composure, and quietly left the room.