Chapter51: Meeting Again With The Goddess

Alice and I went back inside the church to meet with Clara-san. The lady I met earlier took us to a small room where Clara-san is resting. And now, in front of us is Clara-san who's lying on a small bed. Alice is just hiding behind my back while holding my clothes.

[ are you feeling well, Clara-san? ] I asked.

[ yes, I'm feeling fine now. ] Clara-san replied.

[ I'm really sorry about this. ]

[ no no, don't worry about this, it always happens. ]

[ ...this wouldn't have happened if I didn't leave both you and Alice alone... ]

[ no, really, it's not your fault. You saved us in the end too, so there's really nothing for you to apologize. ]

[ haah... I also like to think that way, but it's still our fault you got caught with us in the first place... ]

I should have just asked Clara-san to wait for us back at this city, and we could have just talked about her joining our party after we get back. But thinking about it, I wonder what would happen to Alice if we did that...

[ anyway, Alice is also here, she wants to thank you for protecting her. Come-on, Alice. ]

[ ...un. ] Alice replied.

Alice finally walked away from my back and walked towards Clara-san. Alice's head is still pointing at the ground, maybe she's still shy or maybe she really feeling guilty about what happened.

[ umm... th-thank you, Clara onee-san... and I'm also sorry this happened to you because of me... ]

Clara-san looks shocked at first but it suddenly turns into a gentle smile.

[ is that so? it's not your fault, okay? I protected you because I wouldn't want you, Alice to be the one in the bed right now. I'm sure your onii-chan, Haruto-kun will also do the same, right? ] Clara onee-san sat up on the chair, and she patted Alice's head with a smile.

[ un, that's right, Alice. ] I said.

[ this is also for paying you back for saving me guys back at my village, and look, I'm also fine now, so everything is now okay and there's nothing to worry about anymore. ]

[ ...thank you Clara onee-san... ] Alice replied with teary eyes.

[ you're welcome. ]

I guess they will be more close now after what happened. I'm sure Alice will now become more open with Clara-san.

[ Clara-san, I'm sorry but I'm going outside for a while, I'm just going to talk with the nun I met earlier and also the person who healed you. ]

[ that's okay. ]

[ also, do you want to stay here with Clara-san till I get back, Alice? ]

[ ... okay, onii-chan. ]

[ take care of Clara-san, okay? ]

[ un... ]

***

I finally walked outside the room and I closed the door. I still don't know how I'm going to pay the church for healing Clara-san so now I'm going to find the person who healed her.

I walked towards the hall. I saw the mature version statue of the goddess Clair in the middle, and I decided to walk towards it. If I could I would really want to try talking with Clair again.

[ are you here to give prayers to Clair-sama? ] suddenly, a gentle voice came from behind me.

I turned around and see a young woman wearing a white robe. Her eyes are blue and her hair is blond and long. She has also a gentle smile on her face.

[ umm... I'm not really... ]

[ ...really? are you not a believer? ] she asked in a gentle tone.

[ umm... no, I just came here to look for the person who healed my companion... ]

[ is that so? well, I guess you already found her. I'm Jena, I'm a priestess newly assigned here by the High Priestess, it's also my first time working as a healer. It's a pleasure to meet you. ]

[ ...i-is that so? ]

I guess that would explain the white robe. Well, anyway, I came here to look for her to ask her about the payment so I guess I should just ask her immediately.

[ hmm... looking at you... are you looking for me because you're going to ask about the payment for the treatment? ] she said while tilting her head.

[ ...how did you know? ]

[ well... I have a good eye for people. ]

[ is... is that so? ]

that was a bit... weird.

[ umm... is something wrong. ]

I think I saw her twitching her brows...

[ no, nothing is wrong. Anyway, the church won't ask for any payment, but if you can and want to, you can donate us some few coins. ]

[ is that so? ]

[ that's right, but, I might be being selfish but I also want you to give a prayer to the goddess, it's not that hard, right? ]

[ hmm... I guess so. How do I do it? ]

[ you don't even know how? ]

[ we-well, I'm quite new to this... ]

[ is that so? ] she said as she looked at me with suspicious eyes.

[ haah... I guess that's fine. Well, you can just kneel in front of the statue and say your prayers. ]

[ what kind of prayers...? ]

[ anything. Umm... let's see... how about you thank the Goddess for saving your companion? ]

[ hmm... I think that's good enough. Okay, I will do it. ]

I knelt down in front of the statue.

[ now put your hands close together, then close your eyes and say your prayers. ]

I did what she told and I finally started thinking about what should I say to Clair.

" umm... first of all, I guess I should thank you for sending me to this world, I was confused at first but I recently got used to this new world and I also finally moved on with my family. I also met a lot of nice people here, I was scared at first because you told me that the people of this world are cruel to a person who looks different. I guess that's all I want to say... well, I guess... I should also thank you for saving Clara-san? "

Well, I guess that should be enough...

[ yo! I was waiting for you, Yuki-san. ]

[ ... ]

[ hey! what are you doing? you deaf!? ]

wait wait wait... I'm sure I heard that Goddess, Clair's voice... am I hearing things...?

[ this idiot... ]

wha??? it really sounds like her...

[ hey! Aho! wake up! ]

I can't endure the annoyance anymore. I guess just praying to that loli is really hard for me.

I then opened my eyes...

[ ouch! ]

the sudden ray of white bright light hurt my eyes.

[ you really never change... still as rude as always... ]

And there stood in front of me from nothingness is...

Clair...