Chapter 76
But there were things that didn’t need to be said to be understood. Irene could grasp it because she had experienced it herself.
“You were hurt by people, weren’t you?”
“People think they can treat those with ominous symbols however they please. People here are lucky to survive childhood.”
As they talked, a limping child came into view in the distance.
“Aluna.”
“Ah, brother!”
The child called Aluna looked to be in her early teens. As she got closer, it became clear that one of her feet was twisted in an unusual direction.
“Aluna, are you out for a walk?”
“Yeah, Aunt Mari says it’s good to get some sunlight sometimes. So I was walking.”
“Is it hard for you?”
“It’s okay because of the crutches Eugene made for me.”
Aluna smiled brightly.
“But who is the lady next to you?”
At the question, Chess glanced at Irene, as if asking for permission to introduce her.
When she nodded, Chess introduced Irene to Aluna in a gentle voice.
“This is Lady Irene, who has come to our village. Would you like to say hello, Aluna?”
“Yes! Hello, Sister Irene!”
Aluna waved her hand with difficulty while balancing on her crutches.
“Careful!”
Irene reached out to steady Aluna, but she stood firm.
“I’m used to it. I’m fine.”
“Okay.”
“Enjoy your tour of the village! I’m going to continue my walk!”
Aluna waved again and moved forward.
“How did she get injured like that?”
“It’s something her father did. Unfortunately, by the time we found her, too much time had passed to reverse the damage.”
If she had met a priest, it might have helped, but it was difficult for them to even meet ordinary people. No one would treat a child with an ominous symbol.
“Are there many people with such injuries?”
“There are quite a few. We try to rescue them as quickly as possible, but it’s not easy to find those with ominous symbols.”
“I see.”
Irene quietly looked at her own hands. She still found it hard to believe, but she had once performed a miracle. And even now, the world was being influenced by her.
Could this power be used to help children like Aluna?
The thought crossed her mind.
“Is it possible to meet Aluna and the other sick people?”
At Irene’s question, Chess turned to her with a desperate expression.
“Are you trying to help?”
“If possible.”
Chess turned to face Irene. Just as he was about to lower himself to the ground, Irene stopped him.
“You don’t need to kneel. I’m doing this because I want to.”
“But still!”
“It’s alright. Now, can you show me the sick people?”
“Thank you, thank you!”
Chess quickly led her through the village, heading towards the largest building in the center.
“Most of the severe patients are here.”
As they entered, the smell of herbs immediately filled the air.
Inside the dim room, several people lay on beds, with a distinct air of melancholy hanging over them.
“Oh, Mr. Chess!”
One of the caretakers, who had been tending to the patients, approached Chess. She was trying to smile brightly, but the exhaustion on her face was unmistakable.
“How are things today?”
“It’s the same. We’re running low on herbs, and the patients keep increasing. At least, thanks to the recent food supplies, no one is starving.”
She wiped her tired face with her hand.
“If you’re exhausted, you should rest. You can switch shifts with someone else.”
“No, I’m fine. This much is nothing. Everyone else is working hard, so I can’t be the only one to take it easy.”
The woman spoke firmly.
“And this is someone I haven’t seen before? Is she the newcomer you mentioned?”
“Yes.”
“She doesn’t look sick, which is good. Hello, I’m Riya, one of the caregivers here.”
“Hello.”
“Are you here to meet everyone? Let me introduce you to the others.”
Riya walked past each bed, introducing the patients. Despite her fatigue, she seemed to find fulfillment in her work.
“I realized there’s something I can do to help. Before, I felt… well, you know.”
Riya paused, staring into space for a moment.
“I thought of myself as just the dregs of a demon clan.”
“No, that’s not true.”
Irene disagreed.
“We are not demons.”
“I know. I understand now. No demon would have these kinds of feelings.”
Riya placed her hand over her heart. Irene placed her own hand over Riya’s.
‘I want to help them.’
Although she couldn’t yet perform miracles at will, her desire to help was genuine.
‘Goddess, please.’
For the second time in her life, Irene tried to invoke a miracle by her own will.
‘I want to heal them.’
As the thought formed, a soft light began to emanate from Irene’s body, spreading out across the floor.
She saw the surprised expressions on Riya and Chess’s faces, but she paid no heed.
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