Arc 3 - Chapter 13: Church of Andromeda (1/2)

After parting ways with Tobias and Dimen, they turned onto the road to the Andromeda Church and drove up the hill. In the back of the car was Kigaro and Link, who was tied to him.

Even if he now found him more believable, there was still the possibility that he was a prisoner lying to get out. He could have convinced himself he was a Long and tried to escape after his release. To prevent this, he was tied to Kigaro.

The church grew bigger and grander as it got closer. Its minarets were so tall that if Yu were on top of it he would probably be afraid to look down. The bells at the top of the minarets swayed in the strong wind blowing above, and their sound carried down to the road where Yu was walking.

"It's like Yurine said, the view of the city from the top of this hill is beautiful. If I'm not scared, it will be even better from the minarets."

The church was on a hilltop, overlooking the city. Because of their proximity to the sea, the salty smell of the sea came to his nose, and if he went to the other side of the hill, he would be able to see the sea.

"I'm used to Rolderhelm, I feel like I'm far away from home, this foreign feeling... It's strange."

For a moment, crossing the sea and returning to Rolderhelm seemed as impossible as returning to his own world.

They had come a long way to get here, they should have been happy that by coming here they were getting closer to the dream they wanted to achieve, but already fear and anxiety filled them as they walked towards it.

"When will I stop thinking about these selfish feelings?"

He shook his head and focused on the road ahead.

"What do I do when I get inside the church?"

Soon he would meet people he did not know at all. He wondered how he would be received, what would happen inside. When he focused on the road, he didn't like what he was thinking, so he turned his head and looked at the city to clear his mind.

Almost everything was white and gray smoke rose from the roofs of the buildings. He could not see people on the roads, but the wagons were like little ants. Although he could not hear human voices, it was possible to recognize the market scattered on the streets of the city.

"How many times has she looked down from this hill with her mother? I hope she's not feeling bad right now."

He was in the driver's side of the car, so he couldn't see what Yurine was doing inside, but he was sure she was looking out the window. There was no way she couldn't be sad right now. Yu started to hurt a little more.

"Stop!"

The Andromeda Guardian, dressed in white armor with gold embroidery and a steel war mask covering his entire face, stepped in front of their already stalled vehicle.

The guard's golden cloak, billowing in the wind, seemed to give him a hard time because the wind was strong and the cloak kept pulling the guard back.

The Andromeda Guardian had golden stars on his chest, a golden sword hanging from his waist, and a golden shield and spear in his hands. He was a tall man and his voice sounded as if he was ready for battle at any moment.

"He looks like a cosplayer."

At that thought, the man's aura faded in Yu's eyes. Yu stopped the carriage and saluted the guard.

"This is Neko, daughter of Cardinal Rie, from Virgo Cathedral. You must have received advance notice of our arrival."

Their arrival had been far, far beyond the planned date, and even beyond the margin of delay. Yu wished that they hadn't forgotten them, or that they hadn't stopped waiting, thinking they were dead.

Maybe someone was still waiting for them inside the church, but the guard had no idea they were coming. Logically he should have, but the information was getting old and maybe he was dealing with a newcomer.

"We have received news that Her Eminence has passed away in Rolderhelm."

Fortunately, his fears were not realized. Yu wouldn't have to explain the events and their story because the other person knew about the situation. It also made him realize that Sivina and Ana had fulfilled their mission.

"I was right to trust them. I'm not going to lie if I were, I would have seriously considered, and probably would have done it, to take the money and run away before they even got here. This is not a pipe, this is thousands of gold coins... I say good for them, our trust was not in vain... That's all well and good... But these two are a bit of stupid. You've got thousands of gold coins and if you ran away with all of it, where would I find you again? Anyway, it's better this way. Anyway, I don't need their brains, I need their loyalty. Let them be stupid but loyal, I'll think for them if necessary."

He was happy that he had not betrayed their trust and proud that he had managed to select good workers.

"Is the Cardinal's daughter inside?"

"Yes."

"I need to see her."

There was no official sign on their vehicle, so they could not enter the church unescorted. Soon, with Yurine's proclamation as cardinal, they would have the seal of the Virgo Cathedral and the right to do as they pleased in the territory of the Zodianist areas, but right now the guard had to check on Yurine to make sure that no dangerous people were allowed inside.

"I wonder if he's seen her before? He must know her if he wants to see her now."

Yu got out of the driver's side and opened the door of the carriage, stepping in front of the guard. Yurine was looking out the window. When the door opened, she turned to face Yu, her eyes misted.

"It is indeed you, my lady."

The moment the Andromeda Guardian saw Yurine, he knelt down and bowed his head in greeting.

"We heard about what happened, we are sorry for your loss."

Yu was surprised. He had not expected them to treat Yurine with such respect.

"I wonder if he reacted that way because she is Rie's daughter or because he thinks Yurine has the Virgo Blessing."

To prepare Yurine for the cardinalate, he told Sivina and Ana to inform the Andromeda Church that the Blessings of Virgo and Orion had been passed to her. Yu had both Blessings, but since Yurine had a better chance of being confirmed as a cardinal, they were to pretend that she had them.

Sivina and Ana were not aware of this lie. Yu was the current bearer of both the Virgo and the Hunter's Blessing, a secret known only to Yurine and himself.

Yurine explained that there were two ways to see the Blessings in people: the first was the Star Altar in the Andromeda Church, and the second was the Orion's Blessing. If their plan worked, their lies were unlikely to be exposed.

"Thank you."

"Azer forgets nothing, and when the Promised Day comes, justice will be done."

The Promised Day was a concept within Zodianism. In a text in Zodianism's holy book, The Whisper of the Stars, it is written that Azer swore that one day he would restore his rightful position in heaven and punish those who wronged him and his faithful servants.

The day Azer would do this was called the Promised Day.

"But neither of us has the time or patience to wait for Azer."

Yu was both impatient to see what he was about to encounter and worried that he was getting closer to it every day. "A place that even the gods cannot perceive. What will we encounter?"

When Yurine said nothing, Yu wiped her teary eyes and closed the carriage door.

"I'm hoping we can get in now."

Yu was in a hurry and moved to the driver's compartment without waiting for an answer to move the carriage forward. The guard stood where he was and looked at the back of the carriage.

"Who are they?"

He was expecting it. Kigaro was not one to go unnoticed.

"That thing... Wait a minute! That man! Why is he tied up?"

Tearing his gaze away from Kigaro, he pointed to Link, who had moved onto a rino and had his hands tied.

"We forgot to untie the man..."

Link spoke while Yu was looking for an excuse.

"Hello there."

He raised his hands, bound with a thick rope, and saluted the guard. An innocent-looking smile had settled on his face, and it was getting on Yu's nerves.

"The first fucking person we met as soon as we got here can't knew him dude, it can't fucking be that much of a coincidence."

Now he knew Link was telling the truth. Now he had to give the guard a convincing explanation as to why they had tied him up and made him crawl with them as a prisoner.