Chapter 289

"Since Saint Clael was appointed as a teacher at the academy, I, even as an acting priest, have come to serve this shrine in earnest!"

In response to Clael's question, Gieville began to explain with a smile like a bodhisattva.

"As I trained daily to become a priest worthy of managing the shrine where Saint Reina was born and raised... before I knew it, I ended up being able to fly wrapped in light like this!"

"Uh... shouldn't you be a little more alarmed? Being able to fly and glow is kind of a big deal, you know?"

Incidentally... Reina wasn't actually born or raised in this shrine.

"That change in you, Mr. Gieville... it's clearly the influence of this shrine, isn't it?"

The shrine in Eggbell was imbued with divine power thanks to Reina's strength.

Ever since Clael took Reina in, he hadn't fallen ill even once due to the influence of that divine power.

"Even after Reina left town, the shrine—now a sanctuary—remained intact... I believe Mr. Gieville transformed into a being close to the Holy Spirits because of that power."

"Ah, I knew it... This too is the power of Saint Reina, and of Saint Clael!"

With an enlightened expression, Gieville continued speaking cheerfully while floating in a seated meditation pose.

"Previously, many people visited just to catch a glimpse of the shrine where Saint Reina grew up, but ever since I started glowing, visitors have mysteriously decreased. For some reason, they just watch from afar... Even the townsfolk don't come unless absolutely necessary."

"Ah... so that's why there are so few people. That explains it."

A glowing old man flying through the air.

It may be a sacred sight... but honestly, Gieville's appearance is unsettling to look at.

When a beautiful girl like Reina flies wrapped in light, she looks like an angel, but somehow when Gieville flies, he just looks like a 'mysterious glowing object.'

More like an alien than an angel. He wouldn't look out of place stepping out of a UFO.

(A shrine where a glowing old man constantly floats... Some thrill-seeking people might want to go in, but most normal folks would want nothing to do with it...)

Most likely, trendy tourists wouldn't dare step inside.

The only ones who would enter the shrine were truly devout pilgrims or the sick and injured seeking healing.

It seemed the number of visitors had decreased just enough.

"It's a bit lonely... but also a bit of a relief. I was worried it might get as crowded as the town."

Reina gave a wry smile.

While it's good for the town to be lively, it's unsettling when your own home is overrun with people.

If people found out Reina was at the shrine, hundreds, maybe even thousands of humans would surely flood in.

"Please rest assured, Saint Reina! I, Gieville, shall protect your peace!"

"Whoa!"

Gieville intensified his glow.

The clothes barely covering his lower half burst off, but thanks to the light, nothing indecent was visible.

"During the New Year holidays, I will stand watch outside to make sure no one disturbs your peace!"

And then... the fully glowing, naked Gieville floated out of the shrine's chapel.

"Wait... seriously?"

Clael reflexively dropped his composure, his face stiffening.

"How should I put this... In a way, it is sacred. Including the part that's hard to comprehend. He might be more fitting as a Saint than I am..."

"No... I think Priest Gieville is simply receiving power from this shrine. He'll probably return to normal once he leaves town."

"...I hope so."

After that, the glowing, naked Gieville continued floating all the way to the shrine's entrance.

Because of this, the tourists who had come to town were so frightened—no, so overwhelmed by reverence for the floating, glowing old man—that they stayed away from the shrine for a while.