Chapter 386 – Pure White Saint -4-

“Did you hurt your leg?”

“Yes···?”

When Roman asked in a low voice, Atra’s expression became sad.

As a bonus, I can feel the heat rising to her face. Because Roman knows his outfit even inside the invisible details.

Even if it is uninspiring to some, it is not a big deal to others, and even if their actions seem unusual.

The life story of a saint who is like a blank slate without any stimulating experiences with the opposite sex is different.

The current incident was serious enough to occupy the table of contents in her history book in bold letters.

“I asked because you looked uncomfortable.”

“Well… The shoes are newly made, so they’re a little hard!”

For a saint who was not gifted with her figurative words, the only thing that immediately came to mind was this sentiment that she had felt in the morning.

Roman’s eyes turned downward at Atra’s struggling excuse.

After hearing her comment that her shoes had less length, Roman agreed with her and placed her backpack down on the pile of grass.

“I also packed the shoes you were wearing yesterday. Would you like to change them?”

“No…! Mixing outfits like that is not allowed in the church.”

Unlike Atra, who just wants to do it and start again.

Roman looked around her, scratching her scar on her chin, then looked at her saintly back and opened her mouth.

“Please sit on the stone over there. I will take a look.”

“No… That…”

Atra, who was pursing her lips, followed Roman in front, walking behind him.

A picture created by a horse rolling like a snowball.

Atra, who was sitting on a wide rock, had a complex expression.

“Excuse me.”

Roman got down on one of her knees and placed Atra’s shoe on it.

“Tongue, brother!”

“No adventurer cares if something gets on their clothes.”

“Still···.”

“Once I’m done, I will present myself neatly to suit the status of Atra-sama’s escort.”

Although she didn’t say those words for that purpose.

Atra didn’t know what consequences would come if she opened her mouth any longer, so she was forced to close her mouth.

After checking Atra’s tiny feet with her thoughtful face, Roman took out a pure white bandage that she didn’t know where she got it from.

“The area around your ankle is red. I will put a light bandage on your ankle to prevent it from getting scratched.”

“Thank you.”

It wasn’t a lie that the new shoes were uncomfortable.

However, that is not the reason for the uncomfortable movement pointed out by Roman.

It was thought that Roman, who was sitting down and giving treatment, would also know this fact.

In a way, my heart was heavy because I felt like I had caused Roman more trouble by lying.

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Atra, by nature, began to walk properly, covering up her shame with a sense of guilt that arose within her.

Perhaps thanks to Roman’s treatment, my walking definitely became easier.

For lunch, I had a quick meal of dried food and bread that I had prepared in advance.

I continued walking, taking breaks in between.

‘Has the sun already gone?’

As I walked along the path through the center of the forest, it was already getting dark.

When I came to my senses, the sun was falling to the ground, pushed by the moon’s yin.

Atra was taken aback by the sight that signaled the passage of time.

When I traveled in the supported carriage, I remember leisurely passing through the village while the sun was shining.

I thought I would arrive leisurely before evening at the latest, but there wasn’t even a trace of the village in sight yet.

“I’m sorry. I thought you would arrive before evening…!”

“It’s okay.”

Atra’s steps are slow. Compared to Roman.

Compared to an ordinary person, it is not much different, but slow is relative, so compared to the comfortable walking stride of Roman or Majella, it is ridiculously slow.

He was aware that Roman was silently going at his own pace without urging him. She was also worried that she might feel stuffy for someone with a strong body.

‘Are you very upset…?’

Being behind schedule won’t be happy for anyone.

At the moment Atra glances over and checks on Roman. The two people’s eyes met precisely.

“Atra.”

“···!”

“I’m not sure what you’re so worried about, but if there’s something that bothers me, I tend to bring it up without hiding it, even from the emperor.”

In response to Roman’s kindness shown subtly, Artra revealed one of her inner thoughts in a low voice.

“Well, I’m just sorry that the schedule couldn’t proceed as planned due to my mistake.”

“I told you it was okay. Don’t overdo it and just go at Atra’s pace.”

“I might not be able to get there today with my steps…”

“Then wouldn’t it be okay to stay overnight?”

“···.”

Are you really asking me to give you my soul? Or maybe I’m the type of person who only feels refreshed when I receive a stern reprimand?

Atra’s expression was stiff and there was no sign of her softening.

Seeing this, Roman brought up an old story with a light smile.

“Atra-sama. Do you remember the time in the past when I visited Lilly’s unexpectedly for work, and we climbed the mountain path together?”

“I remember.”

It was a topic that came up suddenly, but Atra, who had briefly traced her memory, nodded at her remaining memories.

I don’t remember the entire conversation we had that day.

It would be rude to say it directly, but Roman’s face was quite clear as he was pressed for time.

“You explained to me why you climbed the steep mountain path on your own feet without the help of the escort who was with you at the time. Do you remember that too?”

“Did I even tell you that?”

Although she said that Art, whom she had only encountered in the past, was not a person with good perseverance.

Roman’s thoughts are the opposite.

Atra, who went on pilgrimages to remote places due to her status as a saint, did not rely on the shoulder of her escort, Majella, even when she encountered steep climbs.

There was a reason for all her actions.

– There is no unrelated relationship between prayer and suffering, which are the foundation and pillar of sacred magic.

– It may be funny to say that I suffer from such physical problems. You can think of it as having its roots in the experience of finding comfort and hope in difficult situations.

– Suffering may ultimately be one of the many facets, but as the act of prayer reflects desire, you can think of me as increasing the density of prayer by stacking these simple actions one by one.

The saint said that her magic began with prayer, and she kindly informed him when she encountered Roman in the past.

One-dimensional suffering that overworks the body to increase the density of earnestness that directly affects prayer.

Roman was quite surprised to see people living their lives taking that for granted.

The goddess, the creator of this continent, and the cult that was its main axis were clearly different from the religions Roman had known in his previous life.

“Certainly, if I had run with Atra in my arms, I might have arrived in a city close to the capital by now. Still, I believe that I am running for the benefit of myself and am not suited to the role of escort.”

“···.”

“Furthermore, I know that Atra does not receive help with moving around if possible. Although a non-religious person like me cannot completely understand, I can guess how much prayer means to the church members.”

“Brother, I don’t think it was a big deal that you would necessarily remember… Thank you for understanding my ugly habit.”

“I never thought I was ugly, and it’s true that I understand. Atra-sama, it’s true that you can take your time and go at your own pace.”

“···.”

Atra has felt this for a long time, and Roman has the impression that he is an eloquent person with a different direction from the adventurers he has met in passing. Including even powerful nobles.

The moment when Roman’s voice has a deep appeal and his eloquence is felt to be excellent is not a moment when he derives material benefit.

The moment he left out his own interests and persuaded someone was considered his true triumph.

“But Atra.”

“Yes, yes… Yes!”

Let Roman adjust the intangible atmosphere by changing his facial expressions and voice as if he were gradually adjusting it.

At some point, Atra was listening to his voice and only spitting out answers.

“I would like to presumptuously tell you something. Would you listen to me?”

“I will listen to what you say, brother…”

Atra, who was drooling from nervousness, nodded his head with an extremely serious expression.

“I don’t know how much your over-exercising behavior will be of great help to your holy magic.”

This was not something Art could answer with certainty. She just grew up in the hands of the church and learned that way.

That’s why I just listened to Roman’s voice.

“Has an oracle ever come down to say that Atra was thrilled by the proof she performed through penance when she encountered the goddess?”

“Yes···?”

“I have never heard any mention of suffering in the prayers of Atra or any of the other priests. All have first and foremost demonstrated the depth of their faith and faithfulness.”

“···.”

“Then isn’t prayer for the manifestation of sacred magic ultimately based on communication with the goddess?”

Does the hard work that one has done as a habit really have a great importance in the art of sacred law?

As for Atra, he has never once thought about it or doubted it.

The proof of her faithfulness that she has given so far is based on the knowledge of her church accumulated over a long period of time, and it is common sense that has been instilled in her throughout her life.

The saintess was lost in her thoughts for a while with her serious face and looked back on her oracle so far.

“···I don’t think I can come up with an answer right now. But I don’t feel anything about your opinion.”

When Atra, reflected in Roman’s eyes, appealed to her seriousness with her pursed lips, she found it cute in a way.

She asked.

“Then what will you do?”

When Roman sees a clear path ahead, he speaks out.

Atra spread her arms awkwardly, her face as red as her apples.

“Without shame… Boo, I’d like to ask you a favor.”

Roman put the backpack in his inventory.

I picked up Atra, who was stiff from tension, and began to break through the forest that was starting to get dark at a high speed.