“Father Alex, you’re free today, right? I contacted you before coming.”
“Ah, yes. Believer-nim.”
The conversation was briefly interrupted by a customer who happened to visit the ticket booth. There were more visitors to the temple than expected—so many that several people made purchases during the short time they conversed inside the ticket booth.
“Given the situation, it’ll be difficult for me to guide you personally.”
Father Robert, wearing an apologetic expression, wrapped bands around Rowy and Van’s wrists. They were admission tickets.
“You won’t need directions, will you, Commander-nim?”
“Yes.”
“Then, see you later, Commander-nim. Everyone will be so happy when they find out you’ve come. And about the curse… it seems you’ll need to discuss it with the Head Priest-nim. His schedule is completely full today, so you’ll have to wait until business hours are over.”
Van nodded and naturally wrapped his arm around Rowy’s shoulders. Father Robert’s eyes narrowed as he watched them.
‘So what exactly is their relationship?’
For bringing him along because of the curse… aren’t they sticking too close together? However, before he could ask, the two had already passed through the entrance. Father Robert watched their backs for quite a while before finally smiling broadly and turning his head. Whatever their relationship was, he was relieved that the Commander’s atmosphere seemed brighter than before when he saw him again after so long.
* * *
‘The inside of the temple seems exactly the same as before….’
Van, who had led Rowy inside, looked around. What on earth is there to see in this cramped place that people would even buy admission tickets to enter? Van glanced at the admission ticket fastened to his wrist and shook his head. However, unlike Van, Rowy was as excited as if he’d come to an amusement park. His steps were light as he walked around looking here and there in a place that didn’t have much to see.
“Then you can give me a tour of the temple. I want to go here. The prayer room. They say there’s a painting of the Archdemon Mammon.”
Having somehow obtained it, Rowy pointed directly at the prayer room with his finger while looking at a temple guide booklet.
“Is that written in there too?”
Van looked at the booklet in surprise. The booklet, which looked exactly like the Ens tourism guide booklet that Seilan had given them, had endless information about various aspects of the temple written in it. There’s this much to see in this tiny temple? Van took the booklet from Rowy and examined it carefully. And the contents were….
‘The dormitory where the priests’ divine grace flows! Come receive their energy.’
…Isn’t this just forcing it? Van closed the booklet with a reluctant expression. Meanwhile, Rowy was excitedly walking ahead on his own, fluttering along. And other visitors kept passing by them. Though he was still bewildered by the temple’s unrecognizably changed atmosphere… the lively atmosphere wasn’t bad. Before Van left, the temple had been like….
‘A giant funeral home….’
Van quickly shook his head to dispel the unpleasant thoughts that kept surfacing. There was no need to dwell on the past and think depressing thoughts. The Archdemon had been annihilated long ago, and now it was time for others to move forward with new lives too. Just like himself right now. While lost in thought, Van saw Rowy, who had already walked far ahead by himself, and strode forward to catch up.
“…Come this way. The prayer room is this way.”
Taking Rowy’s hand to lead him, Van finally smiled a little.
* * *
“……”
He had definitely thought positively about the temple’s changes until just a moment ago, but….
“Gasp, it says ‘Hit the Demon Experience’! Let’s do this!”
“…There are more experiences?”
There were so many experiences along every path that Van’s expression became ambiguous again at the endless stream of experience booths lining the short path to the prayer room. They’ve managed to stuff all this into a small temple. Van sighed as he was dragged along by Rowy’s excited hand.
The Hit the Demon Experience was a simple game that you’d find at an amusement park or night market. This experience of hitting demon drawings on the wall with darts was surprisingly quite popular, because if you got the highest score, you received a small Holy Sword replica as a prize. Van, who had lined up behind three or four people, now wore an enlightened expression.
“Why on earth do you need a Holy Sword replica?”
“Are you kidding? It even has the same holy language written on it!”
Ah, yes…. While waiting for their turn with a reluctant expression, Van met another welcome person.
“Welcome. The experience is one hundred Cen.”
“Max, long time no see. Have you been well?”
“…Gasp! Commander Daer!”
Max, who had been mechanically collecting customers’ money, stood up in surprise when he saw Van. Max was a member of the Holy Knights that Daer had led, and one of the few knight members who survived the bloody battle with Mammon. Max had lost one leg that day. Van’s face hardened at the prosthetic leg visible below his pants, then he quickly forced a smile.
“Wow! How long has it been! Have you been well?”
“Yes. You’re working here.”
“Yes. There are more customers than expected, you see. …So the priests secretly give us extra pay too.”
His whispered voice was bright. Van’s heart lightened somewhat.
“I’ll take this.”
While the two were greeting each other, Rowy, who had paid, picked up the darts. To receive the prize, you had to aim for the demon’s forehead or heart drawn on the wall. Rowy, who immediately ran to the target, just threw the dart. The dart, thrown without any technique, couldn’t even get close and dropped to the floor with a thud.
“……”
Rowy stared blankly at the dart that had fallen limply.
‘Oh no.’
Had Rowy’s feelings been hurt? Van quickly approached his side. Rowy whispered quietly to Van as he came closer.
“…If I use magic, will the gods get angry?”
“Do you want the replica that badly?”
“Yes.”
Van nodded with a reluctant expression.
“I don’t think it matters. That’s your ability too, Master-nim.”
“Right?”
Rowy, excited again in an instant, floated the dart in the air. Seeing the dart embed itself dead center in an instant, Rowy smiled brightly.
“Give me the prize.”
“You’ve annihilated the demon. Congratulations, customer-nim.”
Max, wearing a friendly smile, recited his lines according to the work manual and handed the prize to Rowy.
“Wow.”
Rowy, who received the Holy Sword, examined its appearance from all angles. They said a famous craftsman made it, and indeed, its appearance was excellent. While Rowy was captivated by the prize, Van greeted Max again.
“So, are the other guys still working here? The priests too—everyone said they were leaving, but you all still remained.”
“That’s right. Where would we go? Many of those who left have returned too. And… did you hear? The trading company is currently managing the temple. So Sir Shane and Sir Turner are mainly doing escort work for the trading company.”
“I see.”
Shane and Turner were the knights who had stayed by Van’s side until the end. Van’s eyes grew dim again as he recalled them.
“…I should have visited again sooner.”
“Commander-nim, you’re really still the same. Everything you’re worried about shows on your face. Don’t worry. We’ve been doing well. We’ve made a lot of money too.”
Just then, Rowy, who had finished examining the Holy Sword replica, approached and placed money in Max’s hand. It was a tip.
“This is really well made! Here.”
“Thank you!”
Max, who had bowed his head, grinned as he looked at Van.
“You saw, right? I’ve made a lot of money.”
Max’s expression as he said that looked truly excited. In fact, with the amount of money Rowy had given him, it would be hard not to be excited…. Rowy was always generous.
“We really are doing well.”
“…Yes. I’m glad it seems that way.”
Van smiled back with a much lighter face.
“How long will you be staying in Marzen?”
“I’m not sure, but we’ll probably be here for a while.”
“Then, will you have time to eat together?”
“Of course. I’m planning to see the Head Priest-nim today, so I’ll ask about the schedule then.”
“It’s a promise!”
“Sure.”
Seeing the youthful appearance of the young kid he’d first met in the excited, cheering figure, Van unconsciously stroked Max’s hair. And at that moment, Rowy, who had been pretending to examine the Holy Sword while secretly listening to their conversation from the side, quickly intervened.
“Can I come along too?”
“Of course. Ah, I haven’t introduced you. This is Max. I’ve been taking care of this child since he was very young. He was in the same Holy Knights order.”
“Hello!”
“Hi.”
Max greeted them cheerfully. Rowy also waved his hand lightly in return.
‘…So who is this person?’
Max had been extremely curious about who this beautiful person who appeared to be a noble was. Excellent employee Max, who had been well-trained not to say unnecessary things to customers, kept his mouth firmly shut until Van spoke first, but his face was full of undisguisable curiosity. Seeing the youngest member’s unchanged nature despite aging, Van smiled and introduced Rowy.
“This is my Master-nim.”
“…What?”
Whether they knew they’d caused Max deep confusion or not, Rowy and Van headed off toward the next experience booth.
