[You're very kind-hearted,] Teest said.
When he said this, they were resting in an abandoned stone house.
Almost all the usable furniture inside the house had been moved out. Nol summoned some bones and temporarily constructed a bone bed. Reluctantly, Teest pulled some straw and fabric from his waist pouch. Nol soaked them thoroughly with clear water. After a bit of hustle, the siren was placed on a relatively clean bed by the two of them.
After some treatment, the siren's fever subsided. He was still in a daze, but he looked much better.
It was still pouring rain outside. Teest lit the fireplace. He simply boiled some herbal soup to ward off the cold, muttering his dissatisfaction, [I don't know how you see it, but in the Tahe that I know of, the synonym for 'coincidence' is 'trouble'.]
[This isn't kindness,] Nol responded mentally. [You know, with Kando here, I could have sent him straight back to the Lost Tower.]
[But you didn't, which is great. You don't trust him either.]
Teest tasted the amber-colored soup, grimaced for a few seconds, and added some honey and pepper to the soup. [Don't tell me we're taking him with us.]
[We'll see when he wakes up.] Nol sighed.
On the scarcely populated prairie, in terrible weather, with neighbors yearning for Paradise, what were the chances they'd meet by coincidence? In this world with "gods", Nol became highly alert.
The reason he was willing to save this siren was twofold—
First, on the off chance that this was truly an unfortunate neighbor, he couldn't just watch him die here; second… if this was a trap set by the enemy, he needed to see what they were up to*.
*What kind of medicine is inside the gourd. Metaphor expressing doubt or suspicion about someone's real intentions or plans.
[How compassionate,] Teest snorted but said nothing more.
Inside the dim room, under the warm light, Teest's exposed neck and collarbone glistened wetly. Nol couldn't help but stare at him for a while… Regarding the treatment of this siren, the Mad Monk compromised once again.
Nol slowly removed his cloak and applied a few drying spells. He moved behind the squatting Teest and draped the cloak over him. Teest's initially damp white hair became dry and fluffy upon contact with the cloak.
Squatting there, Teest looked up at Nol, raising an eyebrow slightly.
[The 'Temporary God' of the Drifting Mercenary Group gives blessings. I shouldn't be worse than them,] Nol said, looking down. [Thank you for understanding, Teest.]
"Water…" At that moment, the siren on the bed let out a dry moan.
Nol prepared a cup of saltwater, filled it in a leaf cup, and brought it to the siren's lips. The siren greedily drank it all up and took a long breath. He opened his eyes, taking in the two of them with pupils that were dilated.
"Thank you for saving me. Who are you two?" the siren politely asked, his voice weak but still alluring.
"By the Goddess, you speak the common language?" Nol feigned surprise. "We're both from Old Gemino, traveling together. You can call me Ross."
The siren was silent for half a minute and then gave a weak smile. "Yes, I learned the common language when I was sold from circus to circus."
Nol frowned. "Those people are simply inhuman! Kid, do you have a place to go? Where were you headed?"
"I escaped from New Gemino," the siren whispered, his voice filled with suppressed fear. "I… I want to go to the Black Forest…"
"Black Forest?" Teest, all wrapped up in his cloak, tilted his head and interjected. "For non-humans, Shiva is more suitable, right? There's a large saltwater lake in Shiva, and both mermaids and sirens have their tribes there. The Black Forest only has danger and death."
The siren averted his eyes, staring at the moldy, rotting ceiling of the stone house. "I have friends in the Black Forest. I must go." After saying that, he remained silent, his expression a bit tense.
Nol and Teest exchanged a secretive glance.
"We're heading west and can't accompany you. But we can give you some salt, smoked fish, and herbs," Nol said. "Can you manage on your own?"
"Yes, of course!" The siren perked up. "I… I was just too hungry, and there were no fish nearby. Thank you. Thank you both, kind souls!"
"Then that's settled," Teest said hurriedly, as if afraid Nol would change his mind.
The room grew quiet. Teest poured two bowls of herbal soup and handed one to Nol.
Holding the bowl, the aromatic scent of the herbs wafted around. The warmth of the wooden bowl seemed almost magical, enough to dispel the dampness and chill surrounding them.
Nol stared at the flickering fireplace, where two branches with smoked fish added to them sat, prepared crudely, most likely for the siren.
"…You two are from Old Gemino. Are you heading to New Gemino?" As Nol finished his second bowl of herbal soup, the siren asked softly.
"Yes," Teest, poking at the fire, replied tersely.
Old and New Gemino were the results of the split of the great nation of Gemino. Now, they were two evenly matched nations, but the bloodline of their people remained connected. From time to time, people crossed the border to visit dear friends or family on the other side.
Currently, with tensions high in New Gemino, only people from Old Gemino would still make the journey regardless of the circumstances.
"You saved me, so I have to be honest." The siren turned hesitantly and said, "Stay away from the coast of New Gemino, especially near the Desolation Islands. It's very dangerous for humans there right now… Other places should be fine, I guess."
Teest responded impatiently, "Everyone knows it's dangerous near Desolation Island. This isn't news."
Hearing this, the siren moved slightly, struggling to sit up.
"No!" he said emotionally. "It's not just the Demon King's corruption. There… The monsters are hunting humans. Young people like you are in great danger—cough, cough!"
"Okay, calm down. We'll be careful," Nol reassured, playing the red face*.
*One sings with a red face, the other with a white face (一个唱红脸一个唱白脸). Idiom referring to one person acting as the "bad guy" while the other acts as the "good guy" or the mediator (aka good cop, bad cop).
The siren lay down again, showing signs of fever. After just a couple of bites of the grilled fish, he fell into a deep sleep.
Nol sat down beside Teest with a blanket. Both of them watched the flames in the stove, the firewood crackling, reminding them of the night in the hunter's cabin.
[What do you think?] Nol asked in his mind.
[I shouldn't have given him the fish.] Teest was upset. [He bit into it. Now we can't eat it. What a waste.]
[…I mean, what do you think about the current situation?] Nol laughed.
[Same as always. "Coincidence" means "trouble",] Teest said. [If he thinks it's fine to leave, let him. Relying on a stranger for the truth is one of the dumbest things.]
[I get it.] Nol pursed his lips. [I'm just worried that even if he doesn't recognize us, he might be heading for Paradise.]
[Once he's gone, I'll inform Lynn and the others to keep an eye out.]
[Impressive. You're becoming sneakier by the day.] There was a peculiar satisfaction in Teest' face.
[No choice. I'm the leader of Paradise.] Nol gave a wry smile. [If I make a mistake, more than just me will suffer. I can't trust this siren, just as I can't trust the Temple of Life.]
Regarding the rumored "monster stronghold", he had to see it for himself.
Teest looked intently at Nol, slowly leaning his head on Nol's shoulder.
[Do you trust me?] Teest's thought was gentle as cotton.
Nol didn't respond immediately. His shoulder tensed for a few seconds, then relaxed. Finally, his cheek rested on Teest's hair. [For you, is "honesty" part of "faith"?]
[Who would lie to God?]
[Then, I trust you.] Nol closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the fire and his body.
Teest shifted in surprise. [Just like that?]
[If you ever betray me, it would actually be easier to let you go.] Nol, still with his eyes closed, whispered, [You wouldn't make it easy for me to give up, Teest.]
[You're right.] Teest nudged Nol's neck.
Nol peeked, looking closely at the silvery hair.
…He didn't want to be right.
If Teest never betrays him in the future, would he hold on tighter and tighter, finding it impossible to let go?
Unfortunately, this question was beyond the scope of games and systems, and Nol couldn't find an answer.
He closed his eyes again, listening to the storm outside the window.
...
On the way to Bissus, the weather was fine, and the sky was clear without a cloud in sight. The autumn sky seemed particularly vast and distant.
They successfully obtained the "Festival of New Green". As involved parties, the bishop and Eugene both had to go to Bissus—the headquarters of the Temple of Life—to report upwards and present this rare treasure to the Pope.
"Monsters are just monsters. Having many just makes them a mob. Dealing with Paradise was easier than I thought." On the carriage, the old bishop chuckled and said, "Their leader is a bit rough around the edges but quite simpleminded, probably the kind who hates evil fervently. Given time, perhaps he can be of use to me."
"Simpleminded?" Eugene mulled over the description.
The old bishop leisurely sipped his hot pear tea. "Their Manager met with us directly, and he and his knights even took on human forms. The magical tools they hold are just above average, all exaggerated in appearance."
"As soon as they had some information on the Temple, they immediately threatened us and gave it up… Speaking of the disturbances caused by monsters at the New Gemino border, his response was also quite straightforward."
By this point, the old man narrowed his eyes, whether savoring the hot tea or contemplating the simplicity of the Paradise Manager.
Idiot.
Eugene hid a sneer.
The old man had been too comfortable in Grape Collar for too long, pampered daily, with his sense of crisis completely eroded.
"Do you think Paradise doesn't recognize valuables and would trade gold for milk, like some primitive tribe?" he asked brightly, as if genuinely concerned about the other's opinion.
"Of course, it might also be because Paradise's base is adjacent to Grape Collar. Perhaps they fear the might of the Goddess and don't dare to act recklessly." The old bishop missed the underlying coldness. "I've seen many such organizations. A little favor can earn a lot in return."
"Thank you for the insight. I've spent years battling outside and am not familiar with such matters." Eugene lamented, "I'm used to treating monsters as enemies… I once thought Paradise was hiding its incompetence to safely expand near Grape Collar."
"It seems that when it comes to diplomacy, I see monsters as too cunning. I need to learn from your confidence."
The old bishop's expression stiffened for a moment. "You flatter me, Lord Eugene."
"You're seventy-nine this year, having served the Goddess for sixty years straight." Eugene poured himself a cup of tea and said gently, "Now that we've retrieved the 'Festival of New Green', the Pope will surely reward us both… Have you thought about how you'll enjoy this wealth?"
"'The brilliance of jewels can only blind people's eyes.' I wish to continue following the Goddess." The old bishop's smile was somewhat bitter.
"The path to the Goddess requires gold… Properly managing wealth is also a virtue." Eugene took a sip, looking increasingly cheerful. "I recently returned from Whitebird City, where the bishop's position is vacant. It's also a bustling trade hub with beautiful scenery. I think you'll like it. The new lord there is young and unlikely to cause any trouble. With your wealth and experience, you can surely spread the glory of the Goddess throughout Whitebird City."
The old bishop's smile faltered before plastering back onto his face.
"I appreciate your consideration," he said with difficulty. "Once I receive the reward, I'll request a transfer."
"Your devotion is touching." Eugene's smile was as warm as a spring breeze in March. "The Great Goddess Tilia will bless you until the very end."
"Praise the Goddess. We should dedicate our complete loyalty." The old bishop put down his tea, laughing more bitterly than if he were crying.
For sixty years, he climbed from a small church in a border town to the capital, earning his place. But what of it? Facing a Chosen One, fortunes could change in an instant—even if this Chosen One was only in his twenties.
Eugene Malloy.
Even among the many Chosen Ones in the Temple of Life, Knight Eugene stood out. Every clergy member at the core knew of his prophetic heroism. What was more, he was a devout believer through and through. Everyone said that once this Pope's term ends, Knight Eugene was almost certain to be the next.
Who would be foolish enough to offend a potential future Pope?
The old bishop closed his eyes, seemingly aging five years in an instant.
...
The storm subsided, and Nol stirred his head, finding himself and Teest tightly entwined—both of them were covered with a single blanket, their heads stacked together, fitting like two Lego pieces.
The surroundings were too warm, and Nol, deep in thought, eventually fell asleep. But it didn't matter. If that siren had any ill intentions, the Mad Monk would definitely sense the murderous intent first… right?
Looking at Teest, who was softly snoring, Nol became uncertain again. He tentatively gathered a bit of aggressive magic and gently waved it in front of Teest's nose.
Almost instantly, Teest tensed up, his sharp golden eyes scanning over and almost piercing Nol.
"It's not time for morning prayers yet…"
Realizing it was Nol causing mischief, Teest clicked his tongue in displeasure. He held Nol with one hand, seemingly ready to sleep again.
"I need to check on that siren," Nol said.
"I'd rather turn him into pickled fish." Teest stretched lazily.
He turned his head and placed a light kiss on Nol's forehead, not caring if the siren was watching.
"Morning prayers in advance," Teest muttered.
The kiss was warm and dry, just like this clear morning. Nol's gaze followed Teest's forehead, and on an impulse, he also leaned in for a kiss.
Teest froze in surprise, and his eyebrows almost shot up.
"A reciprocal response," Nol said.
"You are truly cruel." Teest rubbed his forehead, murmuring sadly, "What if I get used to it? If you're not around in the future, I'll never have a response."
Nol opened his mouth, searching for words. "Maybe…"
"Mm, what?"
"Maybe I can think of another solution." Nol's words came out before he could think.
Teest smiled.
It was that satisfied, radiant smile, slightly blinding. It forced Nol to pull his cloak over most of his face.
"Um… um…" Behind them, the siren mumbled in his sleep. "The black… black tide… is coming…"
Sweat covered his face, and the damp sheet clung to him. "The smell of the tide. The smell of the tide! Save me mom and dad…"
Nol quickly stood up, shaking the siren, who seemed to be haunted by a nightmare. "Hey, hey! Wake up. It's okay. It's safe here."
The siren's eyes opened wide.
His pupils, already large, were now utterly dark, as if two deep black pearls were embedded in his eyes. He grabbed the front of Nol's robe, his voice raspy and strange. "Not safe!"
The siren screamed. "Not safe. It's not safe here! The black tide is coming. The Demon King's corruption is coming!"
"Landus, help!" Unable to break free, Nol called for Teest.
But Teest didn't immediately come to his aid.
"That's unfortunate." Teest sighed.
Nol turned around to see Teest standing at the entrance of the stone house, looking serious.
"The Demon King's corruption is truly coming. As expected of New Gemino. It's so exciting," Teest said. "The sirens at sea call it the 'Black Tide', but the humans here prefer 'White Night'."
Nol didn't have the luxury of worrying about the siren's emotional nuances. He pulled himself free and ran to the door—
The just-risen sun vanished, and darkness slid across the horizon like a displaced night. The scenery of the plains seemed torn apart and swallowed by this darkness, disappearing quickly in front of him.
Nol felt an all-too-familiar and ominous cold sensation.
…It was the aura of the Demon King.