“……”
Rowy deliberately ignored the persistent stares and turned another page of his book. The place where Father Rainer worked was in the clearing at the very back of the temple, because some of the pigments used to draw talismans gave off pungent odors. Having set up in a place open on all sides, encountering people was unavoidable.
Those who had become familiar with him at mealtimes would approach Rowy with curious faces and greet him upon spotting him. Rowy would also return their greetings with a “hello” in his own friendly manner. It would be better if they came and spoke to him directly like that… The stares that had been sneaking glances from hiding for several days now continued to grate on Rowy’s nerves.
“……”
How much time had passed like that… Unable to bear it any longer, Rowy snapped shut the scripture he’d been reading with a loud thwack.
“This is uncomfortable.”
At Rowy’s words full of irritation, Father Rainer, who had been drawing talismans beside him, glanced at Rowy. Then he wrote on a spare piece of paper and showed it to him.
‘The believers seem curious about you.’
“I said I’m uncomfortable.”
‘They’re just children.’
Children, so what am I supposed to do about it? Rowy stuck his lips out petulantly. However, even seeing Rowy like that, Father Rainer simply turned his head back to the talisman he was drawing. It was because he didn’t realize that Rowy was just as childish.
“…I can’t stand this.”
Finally, thoroughly irritated, Rowy raised his hand.
“……?”
Father Rainer lifted his head at the suddenly unfamiliar energy he felt. But before he could stop it, Rowy’s magic had already shot out in an instant and was binding those who had been hiding behind the pillars.
“Ah! What is this!”
“Let us go!”
“I’m scared!”
The identity of the stares—those who had been hiding behind the pillars were dragged out in a line with a single gesture from Rowy. They were orphans living at the temple.
“Let go! You demon!”
“You demon!”
“That’s right! Demon!”
The children struggled and screamed. However, their bodies bound tightly by Rowy’s magic showed no sign of coming loose. Seeing this, Rowy grinned wickedly.
“Demon? Want me to show you what a real demon is?”
As Rowy waved his hand once, the children began to shake this way and that. Eventually, screams burst out. Rowy giggled as he listened to those sounds.
“Hehe, demon…”
“Ahhh!”
“Ah!”
“Hehehe…”
“……”
Father Rainer, who had been watching this, shook his head disapprovingly.
Rowy’s childish revenge continued for quite a while like that. Hadn’t they said that everyone at Elysion Temple was raised to oppose demons? Their faces were admirable, enduring even though the situation of suddenly being caught up in magic must have been frightening. But no matter what, children were still children.
“Hic, huu…”
Eventually, the smallest-looking kid began to sniffle. However, Rowy had no intention of obediently releasing them, whether the children cried or not. When Rowy showed no sign of stopping, the other children’s faces gradually became more tearful as well.
“Father Rainer! Please help us!”
Was he perhaps thirteen or fourteen? The child who appeared to be the oldest requested help from Father Rainer.
“……”
However, Father Rainer merely looked at the child once before turning his face back to the talisman he was drawing. Adults weren’t supposed to interfere in children’s fights, after all.
“Father!”
When Father Rainer’s reaction was lukewarm, contrary to their belief that he would naturally help them, despair spread across the children’s faces. Rowy, who had become even more triumphant at this, was pondering how to deal with these brats when—
“You four!”
A sudden rebuke flew from behind. Rowy, startled, straightened his body and looked toward where the sound came from. Van, who had been repairing the broken floor in the distance, had somehow approached right up close.
“What kind of rude behavior is this?”
Van, who had reached the table where Rowy was sitting in an instant, looked down at the children with a stern face.
“Where did you learn such nasty words?”
“……”
“Neil, you’re the oldest and you’re leading your younger siblings into this!”
Van’s eyes, which usually held a gentle light, were frighteningly cold. Seeing him angry like this for the first time, Rowy held his breath along with them.
“……”
Even though it wasn’t directed at him, feeling oddly self-conscious, Rowy quietly released the magic that had been binding the children.
“Stand up straight!”
The children, now able to touch the ground, were lined up in a row in front of Rowy along with Van’s sharp reprimand.
“Apologize right now.”
“……”
“Hurry up!”
No, it’s just something the kids said… Rowy scratched his cheek awkwardly at the suddenly serious atmosphere. Though to be fair, someone who had used magic to torment them just because kids stared at him a bit wasn’t really in a position to say anything…
“Neil, aren’t you going to say you’re sorry?”
“Tsk…”
The children forced to line up in front of Rowy kept glancing at Van while huffing indignantly.
“Why are you doing this? They’re just kids.”
Finding it rather uncomfortable to be caught in that situation, Rowy stopped Van. However, Van’s voice remained firm.
“They’re big enough. And even if they’re young, wrong is wrong.”
“Hic, waaaaaah!”
Unable to endure the suffocating atmosphere any longer, the youngest-looking kid finally burst into tears. The voice was incredibly loud. Rowy covered his ears in shock.
“Waaaaaah!”
The crying grew louder and louder. Father Rainer, who had been just watching the situation from the side, finally got up from his seat and began to tend to the children. Even as he was led away by Father Rainer’s hand, the biggest kid called Neil continued to glare at Rowy.
“You are a demon! The demon took all our hyungs away! We won’t let you take the Commander! You demon!”
“Neil!”
Van’s thunderous reprimand fell once again. The startled children finally let go of even Father Rainer’s hand and began to run away. Even in the midst of that, they kept glancing back at Van, which was pitiable in a way… But his opponent was Rowy. Rowy ostentatiously stood close beside Van. Seeing this, Neil’s eyes became even sharper.
‘Hmph, won’t let me take him? Well, he’s mine anyway.’
Rowy, who had grinned wickedly, now outright hugged and clung to Van’s waist. It was laughably childish behavior, but his opponent was a child at a similar level anyway. Neil, who had been glaring at Rowy, finally lowered his head. Hehe, Rowy showed a smile of complete victory and then raised his head to look up at Van.
“Are those the kids you used to look after? The ones you said you washed their hair and stuff for?”
“Yes.”
“With your personality, it’s surprising you were even thinking of leaving them behind.”
Van looked at the children disappearing into the building in the distance.
“That’s what I’m saying….”
Van’s voice saying that was deflated. His expression wasn’t good either. Van had been in a good mood ever since they ate together. …Really, at times like this, exorcism or whatever, I just want to hurry back to Seraphila. Rowy’s face crumpled along with him.
“Anyway, I absolutely hate kids.”
“Even if we get married, adoption would be difficult….”
…Why is the conversation going in that direction? Rowy looked at Van with a completely appalled expression.
* * *
The exorcism ritual took a full ten days just to prepare. During that time, Rowy learned all the basic sacred language. It was an astonishingly fast pace.
“……!”
The most surprised person was Father Rainer, who had been teaching him the sacred language. Though he felt he hadn’t really taught much, Father Rainer was genuinely impressed watching Rowy read and interpret sacred language fluently in an instant, and clapped loudly for him. Wasn’t the vow of silence supposed to mean not making sounds with the body either—he clapped for Rowy’s sake. Though Rowy had lived his whole life being called a genius, this was the first time he’d received such sincere applause, and his face reddened a bit.
“Well, I’m a bit… Actually, I can even speak the demon language. Sacred language is nothing.”
“……”
…That probably would have been better left unsaid. And around that time, the Head Priest summoned Rowy. Rowy also needed to perform a purification prayer. It was the final step in preparing for the ritual.
“I don’t even believe in god. Is my prayer important?”
“It’s called a prayer, but it’s nothing much. You just need to close your eyes and follow the Head Priest. Please just bear with it a little.”
Van coaxed Rowy with a face full of worry. He spoke so earnestly that even Rowy, who had been habitually grumbling, felt awkward.
“Ah, fine. I’ll pray. I will.”
“Come, come this way.”
The Head Priest, who had been watching their conversation with a pleased expression from the side, opened the prayer room door for Rowy. When doing this purification prayer or whatever, apparently only priests could accompany him. So leaving Van behind, only the Head Priest and Rowy, just the two of them, entered the prayer room.
“Will it take long?”
“We’ll finish quickly. Now, please give me your hand.”
The Head Priest carefully received Rowy’s hand, covered it with his vestment, and offered a short prayer. Rowy, who had been obediently listening to that prayer, spoke up.
“What do I need to do?”
“You just need to stay still. You can close your eyes too.”
“Can I keep them open?”
“Hehe, of course.”
Having directly experienced just how great Rowy’s curiosity was over the past few days, the Head Priest chuckled and nodded his head.
“Now, I’m going to sprinkle holy water, so please close your eyes for just a moment.”
“Mm.”
Rowy obediently closed his eyes. Soon, cold holy water was sprinkled all over his face. Though he flinched at the coldness, Rowy continued to keep his eyes tightly shut. The Head Priest, watching that face, let a slight smile play on his lips. The Rowy he had observed so far was the owner of quite a gentle disposition. Of course, it couldn’t be said that he was never unreasonable, but…
‘Still, he listens well to Daer’s words.’
The Head Priest’s smile deepened as he recalled the sight of the two together. The way Daer looked at Rowy was so full of affection that they were a pair that was heartwarming just to watch from the side. Especially considering Daer’s condition when he left the temple…
“I’m glad Daer seems much brighter.”
“Mm?”
