Chapter 6: The White Saint

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Lusha Catomiar. The moment he heard that name, Lloyd’s thoughts stopped for an instant.

“Lusha Catomiar… As in that White Saint?”

Lloyd asked in disbelief. In response to that question, the girl—no, Lusha—gave a modest nod and showed a slightly self-mocking smile.

“…Yes. That Lusha Catomiar.”

You’ve got to be kidding me…

Lloyd muttered internally. The White Saint. There wasn’t a single person living on this continent who didn’t know that name. At only sixteen years old, she had mastered holy magic and was recognized by the Leafia Church, which worshipped the Earth Mother Goddess Leafia, as a saint. With her silver-white hair and sacred vestments, her pure appearance made people refer to her with respect as the White Saint and praise her as such. And yet, someone like her was now being called a False Saint by the church and hunted down.

“What’s going on? Someone like you… Why would the church be after you?”

“To explain that… The story will get a little long.”

Lusha glanced at the corpses of the Temple Knights scattered around them, then lowered her face apologetically. At that moment, Lloyd also remembered the bodies lying nearby. They were the Temple Knights Lloyd had killed during the earlier battle. The traces of overwhelming force cutting them down remained vividly on the ground. There was no guarantee that these three were her only pursuers.

“There are still more chasing you, right?”

At Lloyd’s question, Lusha quietly nodded.

“Yes. I’m sure another group of pursuers will come soon.”

“Thought so. Then we should get away from here for now. If we borrow their horses, we can put more distance between us.”

Lloyd said while glancing toward the forest entrance. If they took the Temple Knights’ horses, and while they were at it, their rations and valuables, they would be able to survive somehow. For Lloyd, who didn’t have a single coin to his name, this situation was, in a sense, helpful.

“You’re willing to run away with me…?”

At Lloyd’s proposal, Lusha blinked in surprise.

“That was the plan. Something inconvenient about that?”

“N-No! It’s just… Well, this is strange coming from me, but… Being with me is dangerous, and if you turn me in to the church, you’d probably get a reward. So why would you…?”

Hearing Lusha ask timidly, Lloyd felt the urge to hold his head.

What is this girl even saying?

He could tell she was raised well and incapable of lying, but she had way too little awareness of her situation as someone being hunted. If Lloyd were the type to be blinded by money, he’d have handed her over to the church without hesitation.

“You want me to turn you in? If that’s what you want, I’ll do it.”

“N-No! That would trouble me greatly.”

Lusha shook her head violently. Seeing that, Lloyd let out a small laugh and said with a sigh.

“Then don’t say things that put yourself at a disadvantage.”

“…I’m sorry.”

At Lloyd’s warning, she hung her head, shoulders drooping. Even if she was called a saint, this part of her was perfectly her age. It was honestly kind of cute.

“You don’t need to apologize. Besides, I’ve got a proper reason for this.”

Saying that, Lloyd lowered his eyes to his right arm.

“You stopped my rampage… That warmth… That was the first time I’d ever felt anything like it.”

Lusha’s eyes widened at his honest confession, then she smiled softly.

“I see. If that’s the case… I’m glad.”

It was a smile that looked truly happy. For some reason, Lloyd felt a small jolt in the back of his chest and looked away without thinking.

“Ah—well. I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Lloyd Valt. Nice to meet you.”

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you, Lloyd.”

After finishing introductions, they returned to where the Temple Knights had tied their horses. They began rummaging through the bags hanging from the saddles. Dried meat, dried fruits, water flasks, coin pouches. Lloyd took only what was necessary and placed everything into a single bag. But the action made him feel uneasy. After all… The person next to him was the real White Saint. Stealing from the dead right in front of a saint felt wrong.

“…Truth is, I’ve got my own circumstances. I don’t have food or money. Basically nothing to my name. So, please turn a blind eye to this pillaging I’m doing right now.”

Feeling awkward, Lloyd gave the excuse.

“No, it’s fine. It can’t be helped… And I don’t have anything with me either, so we’re in the same situation. Let’s not make a fuss over it.”

Lusha didn’t look shocked or accusatory. Instead, she smiled in a troubled but gentle way. Her slight tilt of the head was so soft that Lloyd once again felt his chest tighten for a moment.

“Then, call me when you’re done sorting the supplies. I’ll be at the place from earlier.”

Saying that, Lusha turned toward the trees.

“Hm? Why go back there?”

“…I’ll offer a prayer. Those people didn’t deserve to die in a place like this.”

The saint’s profile as she whispered that looked somehow lonely.

“Those people”—she must have been referring to the Temple Knights. Even though they called her a False Saint and tried to kill her, she still intended to mourn them without discrimination. What a softhearted person…Or maybe something else. But including that too, it was clear why she was called a saint.

After watching Lusha walk back into the forest, Lloyd resumed searching through the supplies.

Or maybe she was just being considerate of me?

She likely wanted to offer prayers as a saint, but knowing Lusha, she probably also wanted to give Lloyd some space, seeing how uncomfortable he was. She was a kind girl. Still, it helped tremendously to find food and money here. With this much, the two of them could live for a few days, and once they reached a town, they could buy what they needed.

Once he finished packing, Lloyd unfastened the horses’ tethers and released them into the field. Ideally, Lusha would ride one too, but apparently she couldn’t ride. He’d have no choice but to seat her in front of him and guide the horse himself. Lloyd mounted his horse and rode back to where she had gone… Only to see three graves dug into the earth, each covered with soil. She must have used magic. In front of them, Lusha knelt and prayed. Though she was only a girl praying, perhaps it was due to the gentle moonlight, she looked strangely divine.

So this is the White Saint.

Lloyd narrowed his eyes at her back. It was a strange feeling. Just watching her pray made him feel as though even someone like him—a killer—was being forgiven. There was no way a girl who could make someone feel like this was a False Saint. No matter how one looked, she was unmistakably a true saint.

Soon Lusha noticed him and stood.

“We should go. Before more pursuers come, we need to put as much distance as we can.”

“Yes… Thank you for taking care of me.”

“We’re helping each other. Come on.”

Lloyd extended his hand down from horseback, and Lusha timidly took it. He pulled her up and seated her in front of him. Her soft scent drifted up, brushing Lloyd’s nose. Before night fully fell, the two rode away from the scene. 

The girl once called the White Saint and the Black Swordsman burdened with a curse. A journey between two people who were never meant to cross paths was now quietly beginning.

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