24 Hearts

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Calypso’s Nightmare

Slowly, they headed to the room where Arhil had been resting. It was a room in the hall, not too far from where they came from. After walking for a while, they reached the room. As they stepped closer, they saw the door hang open a crack.

He heard their conversation continue meaning no one had heard of them yet. Judah raised his index finger to his lips and looked back at Jeanne to silence her. Understanding the meaning of the gesture, she nodded her head. It was a bit rude to eavesdrop, but the conversation from inside had been too good to pass.

“I’m sorry, Mark. Could you repeat that again?”

“I meant… I like you!”

Wow. Judah had to stop himself from whistling. He was joking, but the man really took his advice and confessed.

“Sigh.”

A sigh echoed from the crack of the door. Oh my. If she sighed, then Arhil had obviously rejected the confession. If she felt the same way, she wouldn’t sigh like that. She would be cheering in glee. Even without looking, Judah could feel the tension inside.

“I’m sorry. I can’t accept your feelings.”

“Why?”

She had decided. The silence was her trying to come up with a way to reject him. And, of course, Mark asked why.

“As I said before, I’m leaving this team. I made up my mind.”

“Why do you have to leave? I can’t understand why you suddenly made that decision.”

“Lien. I’m sorry to say this to you as a leader, but do I have to explain? …It’s not a big deal. It’s just, I’m disappointed with you.”

“Disappointed? We’ve been caring for you, Miss Arhil.”

“Of course, I’m grateful for that. You’ve been taking care of me so far.”

“But why? No way, is it because of Mark’s feelings?”

“No, that’s not it. When the ghosts attacked here, can you remember what you said to me?”

“…That’s something I couldn’t help.”

“I know, but to tell me that we should just sacrifice the villagers so we can escape was a disgrace for me, a priest of Jopiel.”

Now he knew what she meant earlier. When the ghosts attacked the village, the adventurers tried to persuade her, who had been struggling with the enemies for days. They might have urged her to use the people as bait so they can run away. They probably did it so the priest could live. It was easy to cave into that kind of thinking. They were human. But it was disrespectful to even plan on using other people as a scapegoat. She didn’t want to neglect them, and instead, she put herself in danger to save everybody else, which probably scared the adventurers.

However, it was amazing that she used herself as the bait instead.

“Wait a minute, Lien. I’m sorry, but the story between Arhil and I is not over. I asked why, but I haven’t heard your answer. Tell me. What am I lacking?”

Arhil looked at him from head to toe before saying anything.

“Mark. There is nothing that you lack. You’re kind, gentle, strong, good-looking, and considerate. The downside is that once you’re angry, you’ll… Never mind.”

“Come on. Tell me why.”

“To be honest, it’s simple. Because you’re not my taste, you’re overwhelming, and because I’m leaving this team soon. Oh, don’t get hurt. My biggest reason is the last one.”

“…is it.”

The room became quiet again. Their conversation stopped as everyone lingered about their issues. It was the perfect moment to step in, so Judah knocked on the door, pushing the door open with a creak. He smiled as he stepped in, everyone’s gaze snapping up at him.

“Everyone looks so serious. What happened?”

Judah heard enough, but he pretended not to know a thing. They looked at each other’s faces and stood there quietly. However, the big man named Mark stalled as his face swelled with tears that looked unfitting for him. Judah couldn’t make fun of it. Mark moved past Judah and Jeanne and left the room as if he had been embarrassed.

“I want Miss Arhil to remain on our team. If there’s anything wrong, please point it out like before. Then we can fix it, right?”

“That’s right, but it’s too late. I’ve already said that I’m going to join Judah’s team, and my heart has already left.”

She said firmly. The two remaining adventurers, who seemed to realize that she could not be persuaded, exchanging glances nervously. It wasn’t easy to find a priest with the skills of Arhil, so it was natural that they tried to hold onto her like this.

“…That’s all you want to say, right? Why don’t we leave it at that? I haven’t been up for a while, but I’m already tired of all the talking. That’s all.”

It was an obvious statement. Eventually, they couldn’t say anything and had to leave the room. Judah saw them out and shut the door tight.

“Sigh.”

When the door closed, Arhil sighed. She pressed her forehead with her thumb like soothing a headache.

“I guess I came here at a bad time.”

“No. It’s okay. I didn’t expect he would profess his love for me… so you don’t need to worry about that. Oh, I think I know why you came. You want to introduce this person to me?”

Judah nodded his head. He reached out her hand as Jeanne took her step toward her.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jeanne Art Loire.”

“I am not a patient, but it’s not polite of me to introduce myself with me lying down like this. I hope you can understand.”

“It’s okay. You haven’t slept for over ten days to protect the townspeople, and you had to keep up a veil. So I can understand.”

Jeanne’s polite understanding eased Arhil, making her smile.

“Thank you, I’m glad. I’m Arhil. I’m a priest serving King Jopiel. Did you hear the story from Mr. Judah?”

“I only heard it a little bit. I wouldn’t have known it until the angry man confronted us a while ago. He tried to threaten us, but I didn’t like it.”

“Oh, no. I told him not to do anything rude, and then he did. Whoo.”

There was no time for Judah to intervene in the flow of their conversation. So he took a step back and gave them time to grow comfortable with each other. It was the right decision. Jeanne and Arhil quickly became friends, exchanging questions and answers about each other.

The conversation soon came to an end, lasting for about thirty minutes. Judah had to lean against a wall and wait for their chatting to end, but it didn’t bore him. His name was dropped into the conversation every now and then, so listening to what they had to say was a bit entertaining to him. As the conversation died, Judah filled in the silence before it became awkward.

“Did you guys get along? Is it okay if we talk then, Jeanne?”

“Yes, definitely…”

Arhil blinked at them and realized it was her time to be evaluated.

“Oh. Wait, what is it? Are you going to evaluate my participation in your team? Can I listen? Should I cover my ears?”

Jeanne laughed at Arhil’s cute rambling.

“Unlike Judah, you’re a cute and lively girl. I don’t know what will happen, but I won’t get bored when walking down the street if you’re with us. I don’t know how good a priest you have to be, but you have a kind heart for protecting these people. There’s nothing else for me to know.”

“Of course! Believe me; if your arm is cut off, I can heal you. Oh, you can cut off your fingers right now. I can put it back again. I’ve done it once, so I’m sure. Of course, you won’t get hurt. But it’s best not to do it, actually.” She rambled like this was her real personality, “So, did I pass? Can I join Judah’s team?”

“If Jeanne objected, the decision might change, but you’re good. I’ll give you a passing score. It would be great to work with you in the future, Arhil.”

“Thank you. The King and God will bless our meeting.”

Judah stopped at her words. The god she just spoke of was the Creator who made this world. Arhil closed her eyes and clasped her fingers together for a short prayer. It was ironic. She had high faith in her holy king, yet she would become the apostle of Asmodeus, a monarch’s servant. Judah thought, watching her reverence in prayer.

“I don’t know the King, but God will listen to you. He will bless and watch you.”

God, the creator of this world, was not far away. He was right in front of her, watching and listening to her prayer. He had no power to give blessings like God, and he was a god who could only give her gratitude. Arhil chuckled at what Judah uttered as she continued to pray.

* * *

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Tip 20. Has any of your team members been injured? Then try recruiting priests! He or she can immediately heal injured wounds, cast a blessing that can amplify some of your abilities, and even conjure a barrier that can protect their allies! Priests’ divine magic is perfect.

Of course, she is a priest. Some people don’t look like priests.

…You shouldn’t judge people by their appearance, right?