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Chapter 101 Welcome Back
Thanks to Berna-san accompanying me, I was able to leave the entrance of the Grand Temple without any issues, albeit with my face concealed by a hood and veil.
Berna-san bowed her head and saw me off. Before parting ways, I wanted to ask her something I couldn't do earlier.
"Um, Berna-san, you're Claire-san's daughter, right?"
"Huh...? Yes, my mother is Claire. How did you know...?"
Just as I suspected. Why was the person who used to be Beato's wet nurse now working as an attendant to a saint? That's intriguing, but there's something else I need to know right now.
The last piece of the puzzle for my purpose in coming to Paladis. The reason why Beato had to be sacrificed. This person might know something about it.
"I have a bit of a connection with Claire-san... Well, um, may I ask you something?"
"Hehe, no need to be so formal. If I can be of any help, feel free to ask."
She had the soft demeanor of a church sister. I could sense her kindness even after just our brief encounter. I see, Beato must have grown up under her care. No wonder Beato turned out to be such a gentle and kind person.
"Well then, I'll ask, but about Be—"
"I don't know!!"
…I was surprised. The gentle Berna-san suddenly raised her voice the moment Beato's name was mentioned, overlaying my words, as if to conceal them.
"...I'm sorry."
She bowed her head apologetically to the worshippers who turned their attention towards her. After that, Berna-san approached me, who was still frozen in place.
"You must not casually mention that name in this place."
After saying this, she whispered in my ear.
"I've heard about you. Please take care of that girl... for me."
"Um..."
"I have duties to attend to, so I'll take my leave here."
Before I could comprehend what was happening, Berna-san bowed her head and walked into the temple.
In the end, I still didn't know why Beato was being targeted...
Feeling terrible after the nightmare, I wanted to meet Beato soon...
○○○
"Beato, and Mel-chan too! Where are you sleeping? Honestly!"
"Ah...!"
"Ouch!"
We woke up from our dreams as Grandma hit our heads. It seems Mel-san and I, exhausted from waiting, ended up falling asleep on the table for the night.
"Is it morning already...?"
While rubbing our heads, Mel-san looked around in confusion. From the chirping of birds and the light pouring in through the window, it's definitely morning.
...Where are Kyrie-san and the others?
"..."
"Grandma, haven't Kyrie-san and the others returned?"
"As you can see."
No way... I wanted to believe that there was no way something happened to Kyrie-san. I really wanted to believe that, but it had been a whole night, and they hadn't returned...
-Chirin Chirin!
The bell on the counter rang. Since there were no customers in this shop, it must be Kyrie-san and the others! They came back!
"Wait, Beato-nee-san, you can't go out!"
"..."
Yes, that's right. If, by any chance, they're actual customers, I might be seen.
"I'll go check. Well, most likely, it's customers."
"...?"
I don't think so. Because I've never seen a single customer in this shop before. I wonder how Grandma manages to live...
Grandma went to the front of the shop and then came back. She was accompanied by a little girl with her face covered by a hood and veil.
"...They weren't customers, surprisingly."
"Toka!"
"Hey, I'm back."
As she removed the disguise set, it was indeed Toka. Mel-san happily jumped towards her.
"Toka, you're safe!"
"Yeah, I'm fine. ...But, that Kyrie hasn't returned yet."
"...!?"
Kyrie-san, she's not back yet!?
"...! ...!!"
"Hey, calm down, Beato!"
I couldn't calm down! If I put on my veil, hood, and robe, I could go outside! I needed to search for Kyrie-san!
-Clank
At that moment, I heard the door of the store open.
○○○
This alley was quite intricate. Anyway, I had safely arrived at Claire's shop. Now, I wondered if Toka had returned...
-Clank
I opened the shop door and stepped inside. It's still eerie, and there's a strange smell.
"...Right, I just need to ring the bell on the counter."
As I reached for the bell, in that moment...
-Thud, thud, thud!
Someone was running towards me. Jumping out from behind the counter was a girl with her face covered by a veil and hood. However, with her sparkling blue eyes, it's immediately clear who it was.
"Beato!"
"...!!!"
After removing the disguise set, Beato rushed towards me. I hug her tightly after I catch her light and slender body. She was warm and had a pleasant scent...
"...! ...!"
She pressed her face against my chest and rubbed her head against it. Her tied-up hair sways like a dog's tail, which was incredibly cute.
"...! ...!"
But suddenly, she seemed to realize something and quickly grabbed a parchment and a pen.
"Are you hurt? If you are, I'll heal it right away."
"I'm fine. As you can see, I'm completely fine."
Whether it's Leiche or a healing mage from the church, all the damage from last night had been completely healed. Seeing me in good shape, Beato seemed relieved. She exhaled a sigh of relief and then smiled an angelic smile.
"Welcome back, Kyrie-san."
"Yeah, I'm back, Beato. Sorry for being late."
As I looked back at her, Beato seemed slightly surprised for some reason. Then, she swiftly moved the pen again.
"Kyrie-san, your expression was so gentle just now. It seemed like you were about to laugh a bit!"
"Eh, really...?"
It's strange; I wasn't aware of it at all.
"Well, if I had such a face, it's probably thanks to you, Beato."
"Thanks to me?"
"I was feeling close to rock bottom until just now. So meeting you healed me. No, it's not just that."
Not just now, but always. If it weren't for Beato, I would have probably become like Levia, living only for revenge, slowly letting my heart die, and in the end, dying without achieving anything.
"It's all thanks to you, Beato."
I hugged her tightly. It might not be like me, but right now, this was what I wanted.
"..."
Beato's face turned bright red, and she wrapped her arms around my back.
-Thump, thump.
Her heartbeat resonates.
"Hey, you're interfering with business, you know?"
"You're very passionate; it's amazing..."
"Oh, well, whatever. I'm just relieved you're safe, Kyrie!"
Hey, you three observing us from behind the counter. This wasn't a show, you know.
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