CHAPTER 50: CH 50: THE TEMPLE VISIT - PART 3

The grand structure of the temple rose before them like a quiet giant, its tall spires glinting in the morning light.

Kana followed beside Evaya, her steps hesitant as her gaze roamed over the finely carved stonework and soft gold accents that shimmered on the outer walls.

The streets were empty this early, but the temple grounds still buzzed faintly with movement—acolytes and guards moving about with quiet purpose.

"Pull your hood up. We can’t risk drawing attention. That face of yours is too much trouble."

Evaya said without looking at her.

Kana blinked, startled.

"Trouble?"

"Charmed trouble. Just do it."

Evaya muttered, tugging at Kana’s cloak.

Kana obeyed, pulling the deep hood over her head until it shaded her eyes.

She didn’t understand how her face could cause problems, but she said nothing more as they approached the temple’s grand gate.

Two guards stood watch, spears crossed. As soon as they noticed the pair approaching, they stepped forward, blocking their path.

Evaya walked ahead confidently, pulled out a few coins, and pressed them into the hand of the taller guard.

She leaned in, whispering something close to his ear. The guard’s face twitched—then relaxed into a casual smile. He stepped back without a word, raising his arm to let them pass.

Kana was stunned. She glanced at the coins exchanged and then back at the guard, who now seemed not to see her at all.

"That was... a bribe. He let us in just like that?"

Kana said as she hurried after Evaya.

"Keep your voice down. It’s routine. The temple lets a few of these things slide to identify weak points in our system. Every guard who takes a bribe is already on a watchlist. They’ll be removed in due time."

Evaya said, not slowing her pace.

"That sounds reckless."

"It’s how the High Priestess operates."

Evaya replied flatly.

"She believes anyone can fake piety for a paycheck. Loyalty, on the other hand—"

She stopped and gave Kana a sharp look

—"needs to be tested in real conditions."

Kana didn’t respond. Her thoughts swirled uncomfortably.

Evaya exhaled and turned away.

"Anyway, we need to meet High Priestess Jenna soon, but it’s also the prayer hour. I’m expected at the main altar."

"Wait, you’re leaving me?"

"You’ll be fine. Go to the inner sanctuary. High Priestess Jenna will meet you there. Wait until I return."

"But where—?"

"Follow the halls straight through the east wing. You’ll find it."

Evaya was already walking away, disappearing through one of the wide arched doorways before Kana could say anything else.

Kana stood there, uncertain. The halls branching out before her were wide and maze-like, each decorated with heavy red curtains and wall-carved reliefs of scenes she didn’t recognize. She took a few steps forward, then stopped, frowning.

"...Where even is the east wing?"

A chime echoed in her ears.

[Would you like me to provide a map of the temple interior?]

Kana’s shoulders dropped in relief.

"Yes, please."

Two glowing projections flickered into view in front of her. One labeled Map v1, the other Map v2.

Kana tilted her head.

"There are two versions?"

The first one was older—she could tell from the faded markings and fewer room labels.

The second was crisp, detailed, and featured a highlighted marker showing her current location. It also had several more rooms marked as ’restricted’ and ’red zone,’ though no details followed.

Kana chose the second map.

"Newer has to be better."

Her surroundings shifted slightly as the map embedded itself into her vision, faint glowing lines now outlining the correct path.

She stepped carefully down the hall, her footsteps echoing against the stone floor. As she passed a pair of robed acolytes, neither spared her a second glance. The hood, apparently, was doing its job.

Following the map’s guidance, she moved past a long colonnade and into a quiet corridor filled with incense.

Everything smelled faintly of jasmine and iron—sweetness and blood.

The deeper she walked, the more silent the world became. The temple air turned cooler, and the light dimmed with every turn.

The torches were fewer here, and she could feel something heavy settling on her shoulders the closer she got to the sanctuary.

A reverent pressure.

A warning.

She paused outside a closed wooden door. The map blinked.

[Inner Sanctuary: Arrival point.]

Kana touched the door gently, fingers trailing over the smooth wood. Her heart thumped a little faster.

Something about this place reminded her of the statue from yesterday. Familiar, yet unknowable.

She pushed the door open.

Inside was a quiet chamber, circular in shape with a domed ceiling that arched high above.

A single large symbol was engraved on the stone floor—elegant, curved lines wrapped in gold. Pillars ringed the edges, each carved with prayers and names in a language Kana couldn’t read.

At the center stood a single kneeling cushion, facing a raised dais with a smaller altar. Everything here was pristine, almost untouched by time. The silence was deep.

Kana stepped in and let the door close behind her with a soft click. The moment it shut, the outside world disappeared.

She was alone.

"...Guess I wait here."

She murmured, her voice swallowed up by the silence.

She walked to the cushion and sat, her hands on her lap. The stillness pressed against her like a weight, but she didn’t find it frightening.

Instead, her thoughts drifted.

Why was she really here?

Why had High Priestess Jenna summoned her?

And why did she feel like something—someone—was watching her from within the sanctuary itself?

The map flickered once more in her vision before fading. The silence held her still, breath quiet, heartbeat steady.

Kana waited.

Nearly an hour passed.

Kana shifted her weight, legs numb from sitting so still. The air inside the inner sanctuary had grown heavier with time, as if the silence itself had settled like dust on her shoulders.

No one had come. Not Evaya. Not the High Priestess.

The longer she waited, the more restless she became. A twinge of doubt began to crawl into her chest.

’Did I misunderstand the instructions? Was I even supposed to be here alone for this long?’

Eventually, she couldn’t take it anymore. She stood up, brushing her palms against her thighs.

"This is pointless. I’m going to—"

She muttered.

A sudden rustling sound cut her off.

It came from the far corner of the sanctuary, where thick vines and ornamental bushes formed part of the decorative landscape. The sound was too loud to be from an animal.

Someone was hiding.

Kana narrowed her eyes and crept forward, stopping just before the bush. Another rustle—and then a soft, startled voice.

"W-Wait—ow—this damn vine—"

Without hesitation, Kana reached out and parted the bush’s branches.

Her eyes widened.

There, caught in the tangled leaves and struggling to free herself, was a pink-haired girl. Strands of her hair clung to the twigs.

Her cloak was twisted awkwardly, and her hands flailed as she tried to untangle herself without success.

The girl froze when she realized she’d been discovered.

Kana blinked. The pink-haired female looked oddly familiar—her face almost a perfect match to the goddess statue she had seen the day before.

"...Who are you?"

Kana asked cautiously.

The girl blinked back at her.

"I... don’t know."

She whispered, looking truly lost.