CHAPTER 137: CH 137: I’M BACK - PART 4

The golden rays of the late afternoon sun streamed down on the marble courtyard of the grand temple, warming the pale stone beneath Kana’s feet.

She stood between Lysera and Irielle as the guard disappeared through the towering gates, tasked with announcing their arrival to High Priestess Jenna.

Irielle crossed her arms almost immediately, tapping her foot impatiently against the ground.

"Tch, how long are we supposed to stand here baking under this sun? Why do we even have to wait this long? I still don’t think that priestess deserves the souvenir you brought her."

Her sharp gaze shifted toward Kana, irritation simmering in her voice.

Kana smiled faintly, hoping to soothe her companion’s annoyance.

"Irielle... it’s probably just that she’s busy right now. There are always important things happening inside the temple. We should be patient."

Irielle frowned deeper, clearly unconvinced.

"Busy or not, she should at least respect your time. It’s ridiculous."

Her voice lowered, almost muttering under her breath.

Lysera, who had been silent until now, gave Irielle a sideways glance but didn’t speak.

Instead, she quietly observed Kana’s expression, as if gauging how bothered she really was.

Minutes stretched by, the only sounds being distant chants from somewhere within the temple and the occasional rustle of wind through the grand banners lining the walls.

Kana clasped her hands together, forcing herself to remain calm, but the absence of the guard began to gnaw at her too.

Finally, Lysera sighed softly and broke the silence.

"This is taking too long. Either they forgot us, or this is deliberate. Kana, maybe we should leave."

Her cool tone carried a weight of caution, and her sharp gaze swept toward the gates.

Kana hesitated, her lips parting as uncertainty crossed her face. Lysera wasn’t usually wrong when it came to reading situations, and something about her words made Kana’s chest feel tight.

Just as Kana was about to nod in agreement, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from within the temple.

The guard finally reappeared, slightly out of breath, and bowed respectfully.

"The High Priestess has granted you entry. Please, follow me."

"Finally!"

Irielle muttered under her breath, pushing past him without hesitation. She strode forward with an air of defiance, her irritation still simmering beneath the surface.

Lysera glanced back at Kana, her expression calm but questioning.

"Aren’t you coming?"

Kana lingered for a moment, her steps frozen in place. A strange, heavy feeling churned in her stomach—a creeping sense of unease she couldn’t quite explain.

"...I have a bad feeling."

Kana finally whispered, her voice so soft that only Lysera heard it.

Lysera frowned faintly but didn’t argue.

"If you think something’s wrong, we can leave."

Kana nodded slightly, turning toward Irielle.

"Wait. Maybe... maybe it’s better if we go back now. We can visit High Priestess Jenna another time."

She called softly, her voice laced with quiet urgency.

Irielle stopped mid-step and looked over her shoulder, her brows furrowing.

"Huh? After all this waiting?" She tilted her head, clearly frustrated but willing to hear Kana out.

Kana opened her mouth to explain—but before she could, movement at the top of the grand temple stairs caught her attention.

Three figures emerged from the entrance.

At the center was High Priestess Jenna, her elegant robes glinting faintly under the sunlight.

Beside her walked Evaya, her expression composed yet alert, and trailing just slightly behind them was a tall woman draped from head to toe in pale, silken fabric.

Her face was entirely hidden beneath the sheer veil, her presence exuding an almost unnatural weight.

Kana’s breath caught in her throat.

Even without seeing her face, she knew exactly who it was.

High Priestess Lumine.

The memory of their encounter at the Happy Summer Memories Resort flashed vividly in Kana’s mind—the chilling weight of the woman’s gaze, the tension hidden beneath her polite words, and the quiet, predatory pressure that seemed to cling to her every movement.

Kana’s heart began to pound. Without thinking, she grabbed Lysera’s sleeve and whispered urgently.

"We need to leave. Now."

Lysera blinked at her, immediately sensing the seriousness in her tone. She didn’t question it.

Kana turned to Irielle and gave her a sharp look, signaling for her to follow. For once, Irielle didn’t argue, sensing Kana’s unusual tension.

The three of them began to turn away, hoping to slip out quietly before they were noticed—

But fate wasn’t on their side.

High Priestess Lumine’s head tilted slightly, as if she had sensed Kana’s presence the moment she stepped outside. Her hidden gaze locked on them like a hawk spotting its prey.

Then, without hesitation, she quickened her steps.

Before Kana could retreat, a pale, graceful hand shot out from beneath the folds of fabric and seized her arm.

The grip was firm—too firm.

Kana froze, breath catching as her entire body tensed under the unexpected contact.

High Priestess Lumine’s fingers tightened around her arm, and though her face was obscured, the weight of her presence was enough to make Kana’s chest constrict.

"Found you."

Lumine’s soft, smooth voice cut through the heavy silence, carrying a quiet authority that sent a shiver down Kana’s spine.

Lysera immediately stepped closer, her sharp gaze locking on the veiled woman’s hand. Irielle’s face darkened instantly, her expression betraying her hostility.

Kana swallowed hard, forcing a strained smile as she tried to compose herself.

"...High Priestess Lumine."

The tension between the four of them settled thick in the air, heavy and unyielding, and Kana’s earlier sense of unease sharpened into something far more palpable.

Something was very, very wrong.

High Priestess Lumine’s hidden face tilted slightly, and though her expression couldn’t be seen, there was no mistaking the delight in her voice.

"Ah... so you do remember me, little one."

Kana stiffened, unsure how to respond, but before she could say anything, Irielle stepped forward sharply.

With a quick, protective motion, she grabbed Kana’s arm and yanked it free from Lumine’s grip. Her glare burned with open hostility as she positioned herself between them.

"I don’t care who you are. Keep your hands off her."

Irielle snapped coldly.

The tension in the air instantly thickened.