<Episode 25>
'A kid?'
It was a child with a small build.
'It's rare for kids to come to the Temple.'
Though it wasn't unusual, for some reason, the child caught my eye.
I stared quietly at the child for a moment, then thought I should just continue on my way.
But then.
[Dorothy. Help that kid.]
It wasn't Agatha. It was the voice of another god.
These days, Agatha kept a tight rein, so everyone stayed as quiet as possible. This was sudden.
[Horte! Suddenly—]
[Please. Help him. Go ask what he needs, show you care, talk to him.]
Horte. He was the god who protected children.
[Uh, okay......]
Maybe because it was the first time I'd heard the usually playful and lively Horte speak so seriously. My feet automatically moved toward the child without resistance.
It felt like Horte was pushing me from behind.
"Hi?"
"Eek! S-Surprise......"
The child jumped in fright.
Up close, the child looked grubby. He even smelled...... like a vagabond.
'Even though Theodore runs the Vagabond Relief Project, it has its limits.'
There must be places it couldn't reach, so not everyone could benefit from it.
Still, to think a child this young was wandering the streets......
Having lived in a society where children's rights came first, my chest tightened.
I crouched down to meet his eye level and spoke as kindly as possible.
"What brings you here?"
"I heard the Temple gives out supplies. I'm an im— Empire citizen too, so I came to get some."
He spoke confidently and sharply, but his pronunciation leaked a bit. Looking closely, one of his lower canines was missing.
He was unmistakably a kid. So cute, but I tried not to tease him and smiled benevolently.
"I see? You wanted supplies. Come with me—"
Gurgle.
Before I could finish, his stomach growled.
"Hungry......?"
"Y-Yes! P-Please give me food too! I'm an Empire citizen, so I can eat, right?!"
He seemed embarrassed, yet he kept trying to speak boldly. It was utterly adorable.
"Of course, of course. Naturally. Come on, the dining hall is this way."
I naturally led the child along.
The first floor of the Grand Temple had worship halls where people frequented up front, while administrative offices and the dining hall—facilities unrelated to worship—were in the back.
Matching his pace took a bit longer than usual.
The dining hall wasn't open to the public; only Temple workers and priests could enter.
But hey, I'm the Saintess. So what if I want to feed a kid?
Feeling bold, I took his hand and entered the dining hall.
"Sm-Smells...... good."
The child looked around in a daze.
Buttered bread, thick stew, roasted bacon, fresh tomatoes. Hearty meals were prepared for the priests.
"This way. Let's line up."
I stayed by his side the whole time he got his food. Being short, he couldn't reach the serving counter, so I asked and got everything for him.
Having already eaten the lunch prepared in my room, I skipped my portion.
Before sitting to eat, I wiped his hands with a wet cloth and watched him eat.
[Dorothy, you're so kind.]
[You have to be good to kids.]
The modern sensibilities deeply ingrained in my heart moved my body on their own.
The child was starving and wolfed down the food. Stew smeared on his face here and there, unnoticed.
I just watched.
He was really small. About five years old? But his speech suggested he was older.
"Ah, Saintess...... Personally bringing and caring for a child. So kind."
Then, sitting there, I started hearing odd murmurs.
Only then did I notice the stares around us and quickly scanned the area.
The believers working at the Grand Temple had their eyes on us.
"She's kind to everyone."
"A blessing upon the Empire."
They all had warm gazes.
'Oh ho?'
This isn't bad.
I gathered my breath and energy intently.
Then, in a voice soothing the eating child—but 'loud' enough for others to hear—I promoted.
"Yes, yes! Delicious, right? This is all thanks to Lord Horte!"
"......Y-Yeah?"
'Yeah?'......! So cute.
I smiled contentedly and recited promo lines loudly for others to hear.
"A gift from the god of children, Lord Horte! Offer a prayer of thanks now! Lady Agatha will welcome it too!"
"Sis. Whatcha doing?"
The child looked puzzled, but I just shook my head gently and spread jam on his bread.
My goal wasn't for him to hear it.
"Lord Horte! Haven't heard that name in ages. Must visit the worship hall this afternoon."
"Prayer to Lady Agatha......"
Imprinting on people was key. I planned to mention the gods' names tirelessly whenever possible.
Of course, most would forget quickly. That's why buying newspapers was essential—
"Sis?"
The child tilted his head and asked.
I quickly pushed the thought away.
"Yes, yes. What?"
"You just did something weird."
"Oh, that? Just my hobby. Anyway, did you eat well?"
He seemed finished; his spoon was down on the table.
"Y-Yes. I a-ate well."
Quite a lot on the tray, yet he'd cleaned it spotless.
"My, you ate so well? Must be full now."
"Yes. Thank you. But, uh, nothing here I can take? To go?"
"Why?"
"'Cause. Lots. Friends—er, comrades—would eat it well."
"Comrades?"
"Yeah, live together."
"You have lots of friends."
Vagabond kids living together? My chest tightened.
"Yes, tons. Ridge always tells me to speak properly. Says if I act childish, they'll ignore me—"
"There's nothing wrong with being childlike."
"......Rea-lly?"
"Of course. Naturally. Hey, kid, what's your name?"
"I'm Henry."
"Henry. I see...... Henry."
I should check if he can get help from the Vagabond Relief Project, see what I can do.
"Take food and supplies. It'll be heavy, so I'll help carry. Where do you live?"
"Over there, Tenga Village."
"Tenga?"
Where's that? As I pondered, Agatha chimed in.
[A village on the outskirts of the Capital City. Even walking briskly, it'd take adults at least four hours......]
"......Henry. Did you walk here?"
"Yeees."
"How long?"
"Left at sunrise!"
Crazy. Sunrise lately around six. Now past one PM. At least seven hours.
"Henry. Go back with sis. Me. Definitely."
I shot up from my seat.
"Sis...... an angel?"
Henry looked up at me blankly.
"Huh?"
"Ridge said. Kind people are called angels."
"......I'm just. Nothing special."
My heart ached sharply; I couldn't meet Henry's eyes. I hadn't done anything grand......
Did Horte see this kid's situation right away?
[Lord Horte. You there?]
[......]
I wanted to ask, but oddly, Horte didn't respond.
* * *
It took two hours by carriage to reach Tenga Village on the outskirts.
The heavily loaded cart with supplies and food stopped before a shabby shack. Barely sheltering from rain and sun.
"......You live here?"
"Yes! Ridge, Gale! Chris! I'm back!"
Henry ran inside excitedly. I followed slowly. The coachman was unloading.
"Henry?"
"Henry!"
Children's voices came from within.
"You idiot. What if you vanish without a word! Thought you got caught!"
"No, I left a note!"
"Your handwriting's illegible!"
"Ridge! Look, got supplies and food from the Temple!"
"What? Idiot. Supplies are delivered sequentially. Ours tomorrow after next."
"B-But everyone was hungry. So......"
"Plus, you went to the Temple? How're you back so fast?"
A sharp girl's voice sounded, then the door opened.
"Gasp, what?"
"An adult!"
"Close the door! Isn't it the director's guy!?"
"Henry, you crazy?! An adult?!"
Seeing me, the kids panicked. The tall girl in front slammed the door shut and locked it.
This feels off. Really off.
[......Dorothy. These kids. None are ordinary.]
[What?]
[Abused at an orphanage...... escaped together.]
Agatha's voice trembled faintly.
[Dorothy. Help these kids.]
As confusion, fear, and anger surged, Horte's voice sank in.
[Abandoned and hurt children. Could only watch till now, but with divine power returning a bit, I led the purest soul, Henry, to you.]
That's why Henry caught my eye right away. Horte had called him.
I clenched my fists.
I approached the closed door, crouched, and spoke as kindly as possible.
"Hi, kids. I'm Saintess Dorothy. Heard of me?"
Good thing I had a trustworthy title everyone recognized.
"Saintess...... Dorothy?"
"That famous one lately......?"
Murmurs came from beyond the door.
"Liar! Why would such a big-shot Saintess come here?"
"Ridge...... that sis is nice......"
"You shut up!"
"If you don't believe, I'll prove with a miracle. Open up? How about flying? Wanna see?"
"I wanna—"
"Quiet! Can't trust adults! Go away!"
How to soothe kids who locked the door in fear? I pondered.
Forcing it open would be worst.
As I thought, I glanced around.
"That's it!"
Something caught my eye.
