Chapter 288

Although there was a slight mishap along the way, the stagecoach safely arrived in the town of Eggbell.

"From the outside, it doesn't seem like much has changed, does it?"

"That's true... Well, it's been less than half a year, after all."

However... Clael and Reina were immediately surprised as they passed through the town gates.

"Whoa...!"

"There are so many people... I'm shocked."

The town's main street was overflowing with people.

A sight unthinkable for Eggbell, a rural town on the frontier.

Even if it's treated as a holy place because it's the birthplace of the Saint, isn't this way too many people?

"Hey, Clael. You're back?"

"Roywood... What the hell is going on?"

Near the town's gates stood a man in a military police uniform.

It was Roywood Belen, Clael's friend from his student days.

"What's going on, you ask... In a way, it's because of you two."

Roywood gave a wry smile as he looked at Clael and the hooded Reina.

"I don't know who started it, but there's a rumor going around that spending New Year's in the Saint's birthplace brings happiness. Because of that, people have been gathering for days. There's even going to be a countdown event with a famous singer performing and fireworks being launched."

"Seriously...? I didn't think it was that big of a deal..."

He knew the town was lively because of Reina, but he didn't expect it to turn into something like New York.

"Good thing we wore the hood..."

Reina pulled her hood down further to make sure her face wasn't visible.

If people found out Reina was here, it could trigger a domino-effect panic.

"This is bad... At this rate, the shrine must be a madhouse too. No way we can have a peaceful New Year..."

Clael sighed.

It's New Year's, so he had wanted to make soba noodles or grill mochi, but clearly this wasn't the time for traditional preparations.

The Holy Spirits had even procured buckwheat flour and glutinous rice for this day, but it might all go to waste.

"Lord Clael, it doesn't look like we can get through here... If you'd like, we can return using my Holy Arts."

Reina tugged on Clael's sleeve and suggested.

Indeed... Walking through the packed main street would be tough. There was also a high risk of Reina's identity being exposed.

Reina could fly, and even in the game, she used to travel with her party that way.

"You're right... Well then, Roywood. See you later."

"Yeah, get home safe."

Clael and Reina left Roywood and entered a deserted alleyway.

"Alright then, here we go!"

"Mm..."

Reina clung to Clael.

Radiant wings sprouted from her back, and she gently floated into the air.

"Um... Reina. You don't have to cling to me to fly, do you?"

In the game, just touching Reina was enough to fly and travel together.

There shouldn't have been any need to cling to him like this...

"If I accidentally dropped you, it'd be a disaster... *sniff sniff*"

"...I see."

She just seemed overly cautious... That aside, having his face buried in her chest was unsettling.

(I know it's just my imagination, but it feels like she's sniffing me...)

"Alright then, Reina. Please hurry... If someone sees us, it'll be a hassle, so let's move quickly."

"*Inhale... exhale...* Understood. Let's go."

Reina took a deep breath and spread her wings.

"Here we go!"

With a short shout, Reina took off into the sky in the next instant.

The scenery flashed by in an instant... and within seconds, they landed in the familiar garden of the shrine.

"Wow... That was fast, as expected..."

At that speed, even if passersby saw them, they probably wouldn't have realized it was Clael and Reina.

"*Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale*"

"Reina, it's okay now."

"Ah... Yes."

Reina slowly let go of Clael after a long pause.

For some reason, Reina's cheeks were flushed, and she wore a satisfied expression.

"Now then... Is anyone at the shrine... huh?"

Clael peeked out from the garden, but his eyes widened immediately.

There was no one there.

Given how lively the main street was, he had assumed the shrine would be a madhouse too... but it was completely different from what he expected.

The entrance to the shrine was shut, and there was hardly any sign of people or voices.

"I was sure it'd be like Meiji Shrine... Well, I'm actually glad no one's here though."

"Lord Clael, what's Meiji Shrine?"

"Ah, it's nothing. Let's go in from the back."

Clael led Reina around to the back entrance of the shrine and used a key to enter.

"We're back. Excuse me—Gieville?"

While the two were away, the shrine had been managed by a man named Gieville, the acting Priest.

Gieville was a middle-aged man in his forties. He had thin hair parted 7:3 and wore silver-rimmed glasses.

He was a bit eccentric, but seemed serious and had a strong sense of devotion toward the Saint.

"He's not here?"

"Maybe he's in the chapel..."

Gieville was nowhere to be seen in the living quarters deeper inside the shrine.

Maybe he was out, or perhaps he was in the chapel.

When Clael and Reina headed to the chapel... there, they found a completely changed man.

"Ooooh... Saint Reina! Guardian Saint of 'Education' Lord Clael! I have been awaiting your return!"

"...Huh?"

There stood Gieville. In a way, in a completely transformed state.

Shirtless, Gieville had his hands together and was floating in a lotus position.

A halo shone from his back, and faint, translucent wings had sprouted.

"I, Gieville, have been protecting this shrine in your absence... It is an honor to witness your noble faces!"

"M-Mr. Gieville...?"

"I am Gieville!"

Gieville smiled with a serene, enlightened expression.

What in the world had happened over the past few months... Gieville had become emaciated like a withered tree, and his head was bald.

Only his glasses remained the same, and he now looked just like Gandhi.