Dion and Alec’s minor disturbance was brilliantly quelled by Silvia.
Ririka watched the scene with bated breath, eventually developing a sense of respect for Silvia.
As for Ririka, she didn’t want any disturbances happening in this temple.
Ririka’s reason for coming to clean the temple like this every time was initially a form of atonement.
Until Kousuke, the ruler of this tower, was announced to be an avatar, she had caused disturbances in the executive branch herself.
Looking back now, it was nothing short of embarrassing, but at the time, she believed it was natural for temples to have clergy.
She also held the belief that those in clerical positions should naturally be responsible for temple management, including cleaning.
As she continued to do this, she gradually grew to like the atmosphere of the temple.
Normally, even without general visitors, a temple would always have one or two clergy members.
Of course, temples in the countryside were a different story, but for a temple in a city of this scale, this was truly an exception to the exception.
The transition from the city’s bustle to the quiet serenity upon entering the temple, and the unique atmosphere felt inside, had become something she could experience.
She continued to visit, even while her companions half-teasingly told her she was working hard, because she had realized she could experience that atmosphere.
Once she became conscious of this, she properly explained it to her companions, but they merely tilted their heads, saying something like, “Is that so?”
Ririka didn’t expect them to understand when she told them.
After all, even those who often did cleaning work with her tilted their heads, so it was probably understandable.
She didn’t know if this sensation was due to her status as clergy or if she was the only one experiencing it.
Among the adventurers, there were those who, like Ririka, were clergy.
And among them, there were also those who, like Ririka, came to this temple to clean.
By visiting frequently, she naturally began to make acquaintances.
Some of these clergy members also made similar remarks, so perhaps it was an atmosphere that those who have trained in clerical duties could sense.
In any case, including such things, she now liked this temple, which was why she was doing the cleaning work.
That was precisely why she had come to the temple during the festival and was performing her usual cleaning duties.
Ririka felt a sense of admiration for Silvia, who had subdued Dion with only the power of her words.
She looked no older than her own age, or perhaps slightly older.
A woman, who could be called a girl, had made a man back down without using force.
It was likely that many people, not just Ririka, would feel the same.
Silvia, in particular, held the position of shrine maiden to the main god of this temple.
Among the clergy who already came to clean this temple, she was treated as if she were the Temple Head.
Given her position as the main god’s shrine maiden, this was natural.
In this temple, which was unusual in many respects, the treatment of the shrine maiden was also different.
The very fact that a shrine maiden was not permanently stationed at this temple was already unlikely.
Furthermore, it was said that this shrine maiden was directly caring for the avatar himself somewhere in this tower, making it even more unimaginable.
Since the avatar, despite being a god, was constantly present (manifested) in this world rather than in the divine realm, it was perhaps natural for the shrine maiden to be by their side.
Therefore, understanding Silvia’s position, the clergy who visited this temple treated her specially, even though they rarely saw her.
Of course, Ririka had also been among them until now, but this incident had only strengthened that feeling.
♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦
Ririka reconfirmed the members accompanying Silvia.
From what she had heard earlier, the man who had dealt with Dion was likely Alec, the magistrate of this town.
It was not strange for Silvia, who was with Kousuke, the ruler of the tower, to be with the magistrate of this town.
It was said they were enjoying the festival, and it was probably related to the daughter mentioned in the conversation.
In the end, he had not shown his face until Dion left, but after Dion departed, he removed his mask.
There were four other people wearing masks.
Given the status of the members who had already revealed themselves, it was likely that they also held positions of considerable standing.
She noticed that one of them was staring intently at her.
She hadn’t noticed him at first because he was wearing a mask, but now she could clearly feel his gaze.
“?” “What is it?”
Based on his aura, Ririka sensed he was young, but she decided to respond politely, just in case.
For some reason, she felt a similar aura to Silvia.
“Ah, no. I apologize. That was rude.”
With that, Kousuke finally removed his mask.
Silvia, standing next to him, was flustered.
“Ko… Isn’t it better not to take it off here?”
Silvia almost let his name slip, but managed to hold back.
Even though he had only shown his face at the completion ceremony, that ceremony had been held at this temple.
There might be attendees from that event.
While guests could be considered, there were quite a number of adventurers who were mobilized for that event.
“No, it’s alright. …For now.”
Kousuke could assert this with such confidence for a reason, of course.
Around the time Dion left, he had begun to sense the presence of the gods.
These presences were, naturally, the three great gods who bestowed their blessings upon this temple.
He also had an idea of the reason behind it.
This situation was undoubtedly due to the consideration of the three great gods.
Perhaps sensing Kousuke’s demeanor, the tower’s members silently watched to see what Kousuke would do next.
Sensing the atmosphere, Alec and his wife also remained silent.
“Silvia, can you introduce her?”
Remembering that he hadn’t asked her name, Kousuke said this.
“Ah, yes. This is Ririka-san.”
“I see. Ririka-san. Ririka-san, you can sense the atmosphere of this temple, can’t you?”
Ririka was taken aback by Kousuke’s sudden words.
“Atmosphere?”
“Yes. The atmosphere. Or the feeling. The stillness, things like that. …It’s difficult to put into words when you try.”
Kousuke said with a wry smile.
“That is, in our words, probably what is called divine energy.”
Silvia offered a follow-up to Kousuke’s remark.
And what Ririka usually sensed was precisely that.
“Is that so? So this is divine energy.”
It was only when Silvia said it that Ririka finally understood.
She realized that even though she knew the words, she hadn’t truly understood until she experienced it.
Seeing Ririka’s reaction, Silvia nodded.
“Is that so? Ririka-san can also sense it. That’s wonderful.”
“Uh, but… it’s not just me who can sense this, you know?”
There were other clergy members who sensed this atmosphere as well.
“If you undergo a certain amount of training, you will be able to sense it. Those individuals can also be considered to have a certain level of power as clergy.”
“R-really?”
Ririka tilted her head at Silvia’s words.
Indeed, being able to sense this divine energy meant ascending to a higher level as clergy.
Normally, one would be taught by a superior with considerable power.
However, unfortunately for Ririka, who was an adventurer, there were no such individuals, so she didn’t realize this was divine energy.
The clergy who interacted with Ririka on a daily basis naturally assumed she knew about divine energy and responded accordingly.
Conversely, it could be said that Ririka had reached this point without any guidance.
