Chapter 11
Before I knew it, the season had turned to early summer.
When we reached the top of the hill, a vast lake came into view below us.
Its surface caught the sunlight streaming down and sparkled brilliantly.
Along the lakeshore stretched a city of pure white, protected by tall walls.
It was Luminael, the holy city and headquarters of the Church.
As we followed the road down toward the city, we eventually reached the holy city's main gate.
I looked up at the enormous gate towering before us.
It was covered with intricate carvings depicting angels and saints.
Gate guards in white mantles stood on either side, spears in hand.
They looked imposing, but the massive gates stood wide open.
The holy city showed no sign of turning visitors away.
After passing through the gate, Chris drew his horse up and turned to Roy and the others.
I looked up at the enormous gate towering before us.
It was covered with intricate carvings depicting angels and saints.
Gate guards in white mantles stood on either side, spears in hand.
They looked imposing, but the massive gates stood wide open.
The holy city showed no sign of turning visitors away.
After passing through the gate, Chris drew his horse up and turned to Roy and the others.
“Thank you for your escort. Your assignment is complete.”
As he said this, he handed Roy a wooden token.
“Please call on us again if you need us.”
When Roy said that, Chris gave a small nod.
“Take care, Noah.”
“Yes. You take care, too.”
I bowed politely.
With Agatha and Jake waving us off, Chris urged his horse onward.
We continued straight into the holy city's main street.
I looked around at the city as I swayed on horseback.
Amid the bustle of the street—the cries of peddlers, children's laughter, and the sound of bells—I realized the holy city was far livelier than I had expected.
After turning a few corners, a stately stone temple came into view beyond the white-walled buildings.
“This is the temple where I used to serve. We'll be staying here for a while.”
Chris's voice reached me from behind.
I leaned forward a little in the saddle to observe the temple.
It was a large, old building. A well-tended garden spread out in front of it, and a quiet air of prayer hung over the grounds.
Priests moved quietly through the garden and along the approach, each calmly carrying out their duties.
Even a single scene like this showed how orderly and disciplined the temple was. It seemed to take great care of its visiting worshippers, too.
For a place Chris used to work, the man in charge seemed to be a remarkably respectable clergyman.
People like this were more troublesome to deal with than those driven by greed. Still, there were ways to handle them.
—All I had to do was embody the ideal child.
Once I had earned his trust, I could take things from there.
After circling around to the back of the temple and dismounting, Chris headed straight for the rear entrance.
I silently followed him.
When we reached the door, Chris gave it a light knock.
“Yes, come in.”
A gentle voice answered from inside.
“Excuse me.”
I quietly entered the room behind Chris.
The room was plain but neatly arranged.
The wooden floor was polished, and there was very little decoration.
The necessary books were neatly lined up on the shelves, and the only things on the desk were some parchment and an inkwell.
The priest who had been writing stopped and looked toward Chris, smiling gently.
“Chris. I'm glad you made it back safely.”
His expression was calm, and he seemed genuinely happy to see Chris unharmed.
“Yes. I have completed my sacred duties and returned.”
Chris gently nudged me forward.
“This is Noah. It's nice to meet you.”
I bowed properly and greeted the priest.
Then I raised my face slightly and made sure to meet his eyes.
“Likewise. You greet people very well.”
The priest's smile deepened a little as he nodded.
At that moment, I quietly appraised him.
【Name】Edward
【Rank】Ⅲ
【Mana】B
【Skills】Holy Magic
【Magic】Heal Sanctuary Bless
—Holy Magic.
So there's more than just Light Magic? Then maybe my Life Magic won't be treated as heresy?
“Noah can use Heal at his age.”
Chris continued.
“That's wonderful. It's proof that he has received God's blessing.”
There was no hint of ulterior motives in his words.
—As I thought, he was a different sort of person from Chris.
“Please let him stay here until I can arrange an audience with the bishop.”
At Chris's request, the priest nodded quietly.
“Then, as a novice, you'll begin by getting used to the daily routine here.”
The priest rang a small bell on the side of his desk.
A tall man arrived right away.
His gray clerical robes were slightly different from those worn by Chris and the priest.
“Johan, this is Noah. We'll be looking after him for a while.”
The priest said this as he looked at me.
“Please take care of him as a novice.”
Johan nodded and smiled gently.
“First, I'll show you to your room.”
I gave a small nod and walked down the hallway. My footsteps echoed on the stone floor.
Johan walked silently beside me, then pointed to a door farther down the hall.
“This room is available right now.”
When he opened the door, I saw a simple room with two bunk beds lined up inside.
A wooden chest with a lid sat at the foot of the beds.
“He'll be your roommate.”
A boy sitting on one of the beds looked up.
He was a little older than me.
When our eyes met, the boy gave a slight bow.
I bowed my head a little, too.
“Nice to meet you. I'm Noah.”
I smiled up at him.
“I'm Philip. Nice to meet you.”
He spoke in the tone one might use with a small child.
His pleasure at having a novice younger than himself was plain to see.
—Then I could make use of that feeling.
“I still have a lot to learn, so I hope I can rely on you.”
I said it in a slightly timid voice.
“Of course. If you have any trouble, just let me know.”
Philip smiled back, looking pleased.
“All right, introductions are out of the way.”
“You can put your things in that chest.”
Johan explained things briskly.
“Now, here's the daily routine.”
“We start the morning with prayer. Then there's cleaning and helping around the monastery, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, we work or study, then pray again in the evening. After that, it's time for bed.”
“A bell will signal each activity, so be sure to listen for it. If you need anything, ask Philip.”
Having said that, Johan left the room.