Chapter 12 Encounter with the Goddess （1）
As Brugo’s head finally hit the ground, silence returned to the abandoned district—thick, eerie, and absolute. For a moment, the only sound was the wind whispering through broken windows and rusted metal.
Then a familiar voice pierced the cold air.
“Well done,” Sir Kael said, stepping out from the shadows. “I was half-convinced you were bluffing when you said you’d take them all on… but you really did it. I admit, I doubted you for a second.”
I turned. His silver armor caught the moonlight, gleaming faintly like a blade just drawn. Behind him, several knights followed close, one of them dragging a limp, unconscious body—bloodied and bound like some discarded animal.
"We found this one running like a coward," Sir Kael said, nudging the man with his boot. "Figured he might be one of Brugo’s men."
"He is," I replied flatly, my voice devoid of emotion.
Sir Kael gave a short nod and turned to his men. "Clean up the bodies. Bag Brugo too—we’ll need to confirm his identity for the records."
The knights obeyed, moving methodically through the corpses scattered across the broken cobblestones. I watched them for a moment, then turned away.
"Well, I’ll be going then. Make sure the reward goes to the Guild Master. I’ll claim it in the morning."
But as I passed Kael, he reached out and placed a firm hand on my shoulder.
"Are you going to be alright… after what just happened?"
I blinked. "Yeah? Why do you ask?"
His eyes locked on mine—calm, experienced, sharp. "I’ve seen that look before. This was your first time killing someone… wasn’t it?"
I looked away for a second, then sighed. The night air suddenly felt colder.
"Look… it doesn’t matter if it was my first time," I said quietly. "What matters is that someone like Brugo didn’t deserve to live. That’s all. If you ignore someone that dangerous, more innocent people will suffer. I just… can't stand around and pretend nothing’s going to happen."
His grip loosened. I shrugged it off and walked into the night.
The return to the inn felt heavier than before. I didn’t know if it was exhaustion, adrenaline withdrawal, or the fact that I’d just taken a man’s life. Maybe it was all of it. My mind was quiet. Too quiet.
When I finally arrived, the inn was nearly dark. A single candle flickered on the front desk. A sleepy-eyed woman was leaning against it, barely upright.
She blinked as I walked in. “Oh—are you here to rent a room?”
I shook my head. “No. I already have a room. Just got back late.”
She smiled, stifling a yawn. “Ah, I see. Well then, go ahead and rest.”
“Thanks,” I muttered and made my way toward the stairs.
Just as I reached them, she called out, “Hey… you were out for a long time. What were you doing so late?”
I paused, then forced a chuckle. “Nothing. Just looking at the stars, that’s all.”
She laughed softly. “Really? You’re a carefree one, huh?”
“Something like that,” I said, offering a half-smile before heading up.
Inside my room, I stripped off my gloves and boots and collapsed onto the bed without even pulling the blanket over me. I stared up at the ceiling.
Then I noticed it again—the glow.
The mark on my arm, the divine blessing I’d received, was pulsing gently in the darkness. It wasn’t harsh or painful, just… persistent. Like a heartbeat. Like it was waiting for something.
I narrowed my eyes at it and muttered, “I’ll deal with that tomorrow.”
Sleep took me soon after.
---
Sunlight streamed in through the curtains, golden and warm. The scent of freshly baked bread drifted in from somewhere nearby. I sat up, groaned, and stretched until my joints popped.
The mark on my arm was still glowing.
“This thing’s been glowing since last night,” I muttered. “Is it a message? A warning? A call?”
The idea stuck in my mind like a splinter. I couldn’t shake it. Maybe I needed answers. Maybe the church could help.
I pulled on my gloves, fastened my boots, and headed downstairs.
The morning was crisp. The village of Altheria was already bustling with activity—merchants shouting prices, kids laughing as they chased each other through the streets, blacksmiths hammering steel.
As I stepped outside the inn, I saw a familiar face—Miri, the girl from last night. She was up early, washing the windows with a bucket and rag in hand. Her dark brown hair was tied back, and her cheeks were rosy from the cool air.
She looked up and smiled. “Good morning!”
“Morning,” I replied with a nod.
She walked closer and tilted her head. “My mom said you were out really late last night. What were you doing?”
I laughed nervously. “Oh, it was nothing—"
Then I froze. “Wait… your mom?”
Before she could respond, the woman from the front desk shouted from inside. “Miri! Are you done washing those windows yet?”
“Almost, Mom!” Miri called back, then turned to me with a sheepish grin.
“So Miri’s your name, huh?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yeah. Oh! I guess I never told you that, did I?”
“Neither did I,” I said, holding out my hand. “Raito. Nice to meet you properly.”
She took it with a bright smile. “Nice to meet you too.”
“Hey, Miri,” I asked, “does Altheria have a church around here?”
“Yup!” She pointed toward the east. “Go past the bakery and you’ll see the bell tower. The church is right behind it.”
“Thanks,” I said, and gave a small wave before jogging off.
---
The bell tower stood tall, casting a long shadow over the street. Its old bronze bell glinted faintly in the sunlight. Just beyond it, nestled in a quiet clearing, was the church.
It wasn’t grand or opulent like the ones in royal capitals, but it had a dignified charm.
Stone walls aged by time, ivy climbing up the sides, and a modest spire reaching skyward.
Stained-glass windows depicted scenes of light, protection, and grace—figures bathed in golden halos, their hands outstretched in blessing.
I stepped through the large wooden doors.
Immediately, a hush fell over me.
The interior was bathed in soft light filtering through the stained glass.
Wooden pews lined the stone floor, and the scent of incense and polished oak filled the air.
At the far end of the sanctuary stood a majestic statue—a serene woman carved in white marble.
Her hair flowed like water, her arms spread wide in welcome, and her expression held a calm, almost motherly warmth.
The goddess.
Even though it was only stone, I could feel something… watching.
“Welcome, traveler,” said a voice beside me. I turned to see a priest in simple white robes. His voice was calm, almost reverent. “What brings you to the Temple of the Divine Lady?”
I bowed lightly. “I just came to… pray.”
He smiled gently and nodded. “Then you are welcome. Take all the time you need.”
He stepped aside and walked toward a side room, leaving me alone in the sacred silence.
I walked slowly toward the statue. With every step, the mark on my arm glowed brighter—stronger. The air around me seemed to hum.
When I finally stood before her, the energy became overwhelming. I hesitated, then raised my hand and placed it gently on the base of the statue.
Everything turned white.
---
The world vanished. No sounds, no smells, no ground beneath my feet. Only light. Endless, pure light.
Then, as if the world rebuilt itself around me, the light softened.
I stood on a gleaming white platform, floating in an endless sky. Soft winds brushed past me, even though there were no clouds, no sun—just that same radiant void.
And then… she appeared.
A woman of impossible beauty stood before me. Her silver hair shimmered like moonlight. Her dress flowed like silk spun from stars. Her eyes were ageless—deep with wisdom, but filled with kindness.
The one who summoned me to this world.
The one I’d only seen once, in a dream-like blur on the day everything changed.
The goddess herself.
She stepped forward, her presence both divine and gentle.
“We meet at last, Raito,” she said with a warm smile. “Or… should I say, Eiji Minato.”