The abused merchant’s daughter – 08 | Sousaku – 創作

Chapter 1, Episode 8: The High Priest (Other’s POV)

"Saint-sama"

Inside a room in the temple. High Priest Lars appeared before the Saint Sharla.
The dignified man with grey hair walked inside the Saint's room.

"Ara, what is it? Lars-sama."

Sharla was not good at dealing with this priest.
While all the other priests bowed down to the saint, this priest seemed to be in almost the same position, and he lectured Sharla insistently.

Even though I'm the saint――

She cursed him in his mind.

"Did you talk to one of the priests during the day? "

"Eh? What if I did? "

She glared at him as if he was trying to get into someone else's love life.

"It is a rule of the temple that Priests and Saint are not to be too close to each other.
May you never again act with such imprudence."

"I-I just called out to him! "

"That's the problem.
It is forbidden for the Saint and those inside the Temple to be united.
We must eliminate the dangerous elements as much as we possibly can.
The Priest you called will be sentenced to relocation to a remote area.
Your careless action deprived a young man of his future.
I hope that this will never happen again.
You will not be allowed to wander around until you are familiar with our rules and regulations.
Tomorrow you will begin your studies."

Lars said and walked out.

What's this? What's this? What's this?!!
I didn't know, so there was no helping it!!!

How could he say that after just one mistake?
You didn't even teach me in the first place!!!!

Of course, there was a mention of this in the book that the high priest gave her, saying that it contained information on how to be a saint.
But Sharla had not even opened the book.

"What's this?!! What's with that guy?!! "

In the habit of being a commoner, she threw the book on the floor.

"What is it, Saint?"

The one who appeared saying this―― it was the priest Grasil.

□■□

"So you're saying we should simply shelter him? "

Sharla's eyes lit up at Grasil's words.

"Yes. The relocation order will probably come through soon.
We will pretend he is dead during the transfer to that posting and bring him to you, Lady Sharla.
He is an obedient follower. If it is the wish of the Saint, he will come to you even if he has to give up his priestly duties.
I'll even arrange a private residence for it."

"That's a great idea! I would very much appreciate it! "

Sharla's eyes lit up like a maiden's, and Grasil smiled at her, thinking it went well.
He gloated that this small-town girl was really easy to deal with.

■■■

"I guess I'll have to relocate after all."

A few days after that. In his office at the temple, Farne informed Kyle with a sigh.

"Of course you do."

Kyle crossed his arms.
Currently, the Lars faction does not have as much of a say as it used to.
If she behaved like that in public, it would be natural that he would have to be transferred.

However, the saint herself was also punished in this case.

If the saint were to be made blameless, they would be able to drive everyone they didn't like into the countryside.
This time, it was largely for show. Hence, Farne could not disobey.

"So, where did you end up? "

"Tearnil."

"Well, that's quite the backwater you've been shipped off to."

"……Yeah. I don't think I'll ever be able to come back here again."

He said and sighed heavily.
He was favored by Lars, and at one time he was even touted as a candidate for high priest.
Farne was only interested in research and was planning to refuse.
However, it seemed that people around him did not see it that way, and now he was removed as a candidate for High Priest.
The priests who had previously spoken to him in a friendly manner were beginning to distance themselves from him, and then there was the saint's attitude.

It would have been a good excuse to get rid of him.

"Be careful out there."

"Yeah……The problem is……"

"That girl."

"Yes. I'm just worried about whether she'll be able to handle the long trip."

Then Farne sighed heavily again.

■□■

Since then. I asked the temple for more time to prepare for the transfer because I was taking care of a relative's child, and they listened.
Perhaps they were sympathetic.
Now I can concentrate on my preparations instead of going to the Temple.
Farne was relieved to have been given more time to prepare.
This world was a wilderness once you stepped out of the city.
There was not one sacred tree, but several, and the wilderness was dotted with cities built around these trees.
Kardiana, the city they were currently in, had a strong holy tree and a vast range of fertility blessings, but some holy trees had cities the size of a village.
They had to cross cities that existed scattered throughout such a wilderness.
During the trip, they will have to struggle with dust and heat.
Even if he were to rent a horse-drawn carriage, the girl would not be able to stand it, unless they include 2 to 3 days of resting in each city.
Even if they took enough rest, he was concerned about whether the child, who had just recovered to the point of barely walking, would be able to endure the long trip to the remote area.

He could not leave her with others as she might be a slave.
Even if he wanted to stay here, Farne could only stay here because he was a priest, and if he returned to being a commoner, he would have to return to his own homeland because he had no citizenship rights.
The journey would be even more arduous because it would require crossing the ocean to return home.

I just have to ask her to be patient.

Farne sighed and started to walk away.