“I am so sorry for making you accompany me for my sake.”
Having moved from the art museum, Kent and his companions had arrived in front of the sanctuary. Sophie said this to everyone who had accompanied her, with an apologetic expression.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. I live here, and my older brother’s house is across the street, so it’s like a neighborhood.”
“I am also currently staying here, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
To Sophie, Rachel and Josette said not to worry, as they lived next to the sanctuary.
“It’s the same distance as my usual commute to my part-time job, so you don’t need to worry about it either.”
Caro also told Sophie not to worry, as it was no different than traveling to her part-time job.
“For me… well, it’s just that. If we were to part ways like that, it would leave a bad taste in our mouths, so I’ll see this through with you.”
“That’s why, Sophie, you don’t need to worry.”
“…Th-Thank you, everyone.”
After receiving kind words from everyone, Sophie’s expression brightened as she replied.
“Oh? Did you need something from the Captain?”
“No, today I’m just here to offer prayers as an escort.”
When they reached the sanctuary gates, a Holy Knight standing guard spoke to Kent. It was common knowledge among the Holy Knights that Kent and Otsupain, the captain of the Holy Knights, were on good terms, so the gatekeeper Holy Knight seemed to have assumed Kent had come to see Otsupain upon seeing him.
“That is a commendable intention. Please proceed.”
The sanctuary is usually open to anyone who comes to offer prayers, so the gatekeeper Holy Knight let Kent and his companions enter the sanctuary grounds without any issue.
“…Kent, you know the Holy Knights, don’t you?”
“Yeah. We live nearby, and we’ve known each other for quite some time.”
Kent gave a casual reply to Sophie, who was looking surprised.
“Still, to create such a facility in such a short period of time… my mother’s drive is truly astonishing.”
Gordon remarked this as they entered the grounds, looking at the magnificent sanctuary building.
“Queen, before you came to this country, weren’t you a Saintess in another land?”
“Ah, I don’t recall the details of that time very well, but I have heard so. I don’t know what gods were worshipped in that country, but my mother’s joy upon learning that a god existed in this country even now was beyond anything I’d seen from her.”
When Kent asked Gordon, he answered within the scope of his knowledge. Indeed, Margaret, having been educated to worship gods as a Saintess, her actions in that regard appeared abnormal to ordinary people. Gordon looked back on that time and said with a strained expression.
“We’ve arrived at the sanctuary. Let’s offer our prayers too.”
“Yes. I think that’s a good idea.”
Upon entering the sanctuary, Josette proposed that they all offer their prayers. Caro immediately agreed.
“I guess I have no choice. I’ll join you.”
“Right. Let’s pray.”
“That’s why, let’s all go.”
Rachel and Gordon also decided to offer prayers, and Kent naturally intended to go along, so in the end, they all proceeded to the depths of the sanctuary.
“It’s a statue of the Goddess.”
“Indeed.”
“I realize anew that this statue skillfully captures the subject’s features.”
Josette, Caro, and Rachel murmured as they looked at the statue of the Goddess enshrined in the sanctuary. The statue of the Goddess had large wings, but aside from that, it closely resembled Hanako’s true form, whom they had met recently, making them realize anew that it was skillfully made, capturing her features well.
“Welcome to the sanctuary.”
“…Ah, today it’s not the usual priest, but the Saintess who is here.”
To accommodate visitors, there is usually a priest or staff member beside the statue of the Goddess, but on this day, a different person was unusually fulfilling that role. The slightly youthful woman, dressed in white clothes, spoke to Kent and his companions in a polite and gentle tone.
“Cassaline! You really look like a Saintess like this.”
“Rachel, not ‘like’, I *am* a Saintess, you know.”
Upon seeing Cassaline, Rachel approached her familiarly and stared at Cassaline, who was dressed in Saintess attire.
“Cassaline, thank you for your hard work.”
“Cassaline, you’re working hard.”
“Hmm, it seems you are diligently carrying out your duties.”
Following Rachel, Josette, Caro, and Gordon also offered words of encouragement to Cassaline.
“Sorry for barging in when you’re busy.”
“Not at all. The sanctuary does not turn away visitors with good intentions.”
Kent apologized to Cassaline for the commotion, but she didn’t seem to mind.
“…Um, are you perhaps acquainted with the Saintess and everyone else?”
Sophie, seeing Kent and his companions speaking so familiarly with the Saintess, asked with surprise.
“We live together. We’re like family.”
“…Is th-that so? Could it be that Kent, after all, is not of high status?”
When Kent mentioned living with Cassaline, Sophie was surprised.
“No, I’m just a commoner.”
“…You’re on good terms with the Prince, and with Josette from the Duke’s family, and with the Saintess. It’s too strange for a commoner’s circle of friends.”
Sophie found Kent’s social circle to be unusual.
“Well, a lot has happened.”
Kent replied with a deep meaning, recalling everything that had happened.
“So, the priest is not here today?”
“That’s right. *Ahem*. That’s right. He went out saying he was going to look for something, even though it’s his working hours.”
“I-I see. And that’s why the Saintess herself is out here today.”
“I have a lot of work piling up, so it’s troublesome to have her step out. Well, this is Sanctuary business, so please just listen and forget about it.”
Cassaline explained her reason for being there to Sophie, interspersing a bit of her complaints.
“Then, those who are ready, please offer your prayers before the Goddess statue.”
Returning to business mode, Cassaline prompted Kent and his companions to offer their prayers in the same manner as she would with other visitors.
“Then let’s pray in order.”
“Yes.”
“That’s right.”
“Indeed.”
“…Yes.”
Kent went first, and they offered their prayers before the Goddess statue in order.
“Alright, Sophie, you’re last.”
“…Yes.”
Sophie was the last to offer her prayers. She clasped her hands before the Goddess statue with a serious expression and began to pray.
“Cindy mentioned that this person offers prayers enthusiastically every day. The times she comes to the sanctuary usually overlap with her store hours, so I haven’t seen her very often, but I rarely see someone this devoted.”
Cassaline said to Kent as she watched Sophie fervently offering her prayers.
“Also, this might be none of my business, but she possesses magical power. However, I sense a disturbance in its flow. Could it be that she has some kind of physical ailment?”
“Huh? That…”
At Cassaline’s words, Kent was struck with realization and replied in surprise.
