I watched Journey scamper over to the nun, practically wagging her tail like an eager puppy. It was ridiculous. She’s so quick to act scared when it comes to fighting, but now she has zero caution? It’s kind of contradictory.

Is it that she only reacts strongly to immediate threats she can see? Watching her like this, I almost felt like a behavioral expert. Not that I’d ever studied it or anything like that. Does this world even have jobs like that? I’ve never seen anyone provide specialized counseling here—most people just run to a priest for everything.

“You were attacked by a monster? Hurry, go see a priest for healing!”
“There’s an outbreak? Notify the Church immediately!”
“Father, I have sinned...”

In this world, Edel’s priests were treated as a kind of cure-all.

Journey didn’t seem to grasp that the dangers of the wild aren’t limited to monsters or beasts. Luckily, this person in the clearing turned out to be a nun from the Edel Church, but if it had been a dangerous group, she could’ve been in serious trouble.

While I tied the horses to a nearby tree and prepared to camp, Journey engaged in cheerful conversation with the nun.

"Sorry for the late introduction. I’m Celine, a nun serving Edel. Please, just call me Celine."

"My name’s Journey. Feel free to call me whatever!"

"Alright, Miss Journey. I take it you’re also guided by Edel’s grace?"

"Edel’s guidance...? Oh, yeah! How did you know? Not everyone recognizes it."

"Hehe. If someone can’t see such deep traces of Edel’s grace, they’re not fit to serve him. And..."

Celine’s gentle gaze shifted to me.

"The young lady here seems to have received just as much grace as Miss Journey."

"Eh, Kana?"

"Is that your name? It’s a lovely one."

"Oh..."

Hearing my name mentioned, I tilted my head slightly. Journey must have said something to her while they were talking.

"Kana, this is Celine. She’s a nun from the Edel Church."

I could tell that just by looking. I couldn’t ignore the introduction, though, so I gave Celine a brief nod. Every priest I’d met so far had been either kind-hearted or truly virtuous. This Celine seemed to fit the same mold.

Of course, I hadn’t known her for even an hour yet, so I’d have to see, but she didn’t seem malicious. Maybe I could let my guard down a bit.

"But isn’t it scary camping alone out here? I’d be too terrified to sleep."

"Hehe... You’re very kind, Miss Journey. But no need to worry. With this—"

"Wow!"

"—with Edel’s power, I’m perfectly safe."

Golden light emanated from Celine’s hand, illuminating the darkness. It spread around the clearing, forming a soft, glowing ring that encircled us.

"Is this a barrier?"

"Well, it’s more like holy magic, but it functions similarly. Tonight, I’ll protect you, so you can rest easy."

"Won’t it be tiring for you?"

"Thanks to Edel’s abundant love, this is hardly a strain."

'Hmm...'

I examined the light surrounding us. It wasn’t as bright as when it first appeared from Celine’s hand, but it shimmered gently, forming a barrier around the area. I reached out to touch it, and my finger passed through without any resistance.

I’d seen other priests set up safe zones like this before, but those usually blocked movement both in and out. However, Celine’s barrier didn’t restrict us from leaving. I guess it prevents entry but doesn’t stop us from exiting. Interesting.

"Kana, are you amazed?"

"..."

Journey was watching me with a warm expression as I prodded the barrier, making me feel slightly uncomfortable.

 

"It seems like Kana found Celine’s magic fascinating."

"Yes, it’s quite enchanting for those unfamiliar with it."

Journey laughed pleasantly. Kana was now staring at the fire as if nothing had happened, but Journey had seen her tapping the barrier earlier, much like a child playing with a new toy.

'She’s still just a kid at heart.'

Journey found herself both amused by and a little guilty for interrupting Kana. But what could she do? Like when uncles playfully tease their nieces and make them cry—it’s just too tempting.

Celine, who had been laughing with Journey, suddenly turned to her and asked, "Are you both heading to the Sacred Nation?"

"That’s right. ‘Both of us,’ does that mean you’re going there too?"

"Yes. I’m on my way back to the Sacred Nation."

"Perfect! Since we met by chance, how about we travel together?"

Journey’s natural friendliness kicked in, and she immediately suggested traveling together. Celine looked slightly hesitant, smiling as she glanced in my direction.

"I appreciate the offer, but shouldn’t we ask for Kana’s opinion as well?"

"Oh, right."

Journey calmed herself, realizing how excited she had gotten. Meeting a nun straight out of a storybook had thrown her off balance for a moment.

Journey cleared her throat. Kana would probably say “do as you like” without much care, but it wouldn’t be polite to add a companion without consulting her first. She understood the importance of trust and didn’t want to damage her relationship with Kana.

"Kana, Kana."

"...Why do you always call me twice?"

"Because it sounds warmer that way. Just using your name alone sounds so cold."

"Not really..."

"Anyway, Celine is also heading to the Sacred Nation. Would it be okay if she joins us? It’s more fun with more people, right?"

"Not sure about that."

Kana’s response was indifferent, and just as Journey was about to try persuading her again, Kana spoke up first.

"Do as you like."

Just as Journey had predicted.

"Since she’s a nun, she should know the way well."

It wasn’t like anyone had accused her of anything, but Kana sounded almost defensive.

Journey beamed, having gotten the approval she wanted.

"Kana agrees too!"

"...I didn’t say I liked it."

"You heard her, right?"

Kana, now able to understand a little Arkish, tried to correct Journey’s fabrication, but Journey was persistent.

"...Is that so?"

Celine, unsure, glanced between the two of them, clearly puzzled.

"Yes! Kana’s not that familiar with Arkish, so she can’t express herself well. She meant to say, ‘I’m so happy! I won’t oppose it at all!’"

"I... I see? It seems like she isn’t fluent, but..."

Celine swallowed her words, slightly taken aback by the dynamic between Journey and Kana.

The cheerful Journey and the sullen Kana—an odd pair indeed. At first glance, it seemed like Journey would take the lead, but it was clear that Kana held the reins. However, Kana didn’t seem overly controlling either.

'Edel must have his reasons for watching over these two.'

Celine’s eyes sparkled with interest.

"Alright then, I’ll be in your care."

Celine ignored Kana’s annoyed expression and thanked us. The three of us shared a peaceful night, courtesy of Celine’s barrier. We made a simple stew with the Rain Buffalo meat we’d gathered the previous day, and after breakfast, packed up to set out once more.

Journey stomped out the fire and doused it with water, smiling as she spoke.

"Safety first, you know. Some of those childhood lessons come in handy out here."

"Indeed. Fire safety is crucial."

"Oh, hehe... You heard that?"

"Yes, it’s good advice. I should teach it to the children at the temple."

Journey laughed awkwardly. She hadn’t expected Celine to hear her mumbling.

With the fire safely out and their gear packed, the group prepared to continue their journey—only to encounter an unexpected problem.

"Wait a minute. Celine, where’s your horse?"

"Horse?"

"Yes, the one you rode here."

"I don’t have one..."

Journey gaped at Celine, shocked by her reply.

"Then... how did you get here?"

"I walked."

"Walked... here?"

"Yes. Edel has blessed me with endurance, so it wasn’t too difficult."

"Oh... maybe Edel was a fitness enthusiast back in the day."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing! So, is there a rule against riding horses in your order?"

"Of course not. I just miscalculated my expenses... A bit embarrassing, really."

Celine laughed sheepishly, while Journey mirrored her expression. Now they had a problem. With only two horses between the three of them, things were about to get tricky.

"Um, you can go on without me. I’ll be fine."

"No! I can’t leave a companion behind."

"Companion?"

Journey’s fierce expression caused Celine to take a step back. Journey then turned to Kana, who looked unamused by the entire situation.

"Kana, would it be okay if we doubled up? Celine doesn’t have a horse, so maybe you and I could share, and she can take the other one?"

"Why don’t you two ride together?"

"The horse would be too strained. It’d be better if I rode with you."

"Fine, I’ll just run while you two ride separately."

"Come on, Kana! Don’t be so cold."

Journey and Kana bickered, neither willing to back down. Celine, sensing the tension, tried to step back to give them space.

"Alright, then I’ll ride with this nun."

"...No way!"

"Why not?"

"Just because!"

"Be honest, and I’ll think about it."

"...It’s the perfect chance to stick close to Kana! I can’t let it slip away."

"Go die."

"Eek! You promised to think about it! You’re a liar, Kana!"

Kana grabbed a branch and began to chase Journey around the camp. Celine blinked, caught in the middle of their sudden game of tag.

The chase ended with Journey flat on the ground after taking several hits from Kana’s branch.

"I knew this would happen when you invited her so recklessly."

"Kana, you agreed to this..."

"Yeah, because you’d have pestered me endlessly if I didn’t."

"True, but hey, ow! Why’d you hit me again?"

"Because you’re annoying."

Kana snapped the branch in half and tossed it away, motioning to Celine.

"Get on."

"Are... are you sure?"

"Yeah. I agreed, so I’ll follow through."

Kana kicked Journey lightly.

"Get up."

"Ugh, everything hurts... Maybe if you blow on it, I’ll feel better."

"Then just stay down forever."

"I’m up!"

Celine, watching the pair, found herself laughing unexpectedly.

'Even if Edel hadn’t planned this, I might have ended up traveling with them anyway.'