"The last two lines?— Oh! Do you mean the prayer chant?"
Mathew's tone was filled with excitement, I turned back to face him, the prayers were over and everyone was already leaving.
Staying here like this was no problem for now.
"Yes, why was it never used outside?"
"Hmm..." Mathew stared at me then at the priest's leaving the stage and going back inside Temple.
"...There are no special reasons as you expect, it's just easier and much more common to say the first three lines for the general public— Oh, but priests tend to say full prayer chants at the Temple. It's like an unspoken rule. Goddess will hear regardless of how we chant her name, so you don't need to think too deeply about it... Just pray with respect and a clear mind Goddess will solve your troubles nonetheless
Hearing his words, I couldn't help but doubt the authenticity of this information. He looks more like a scammer trying to get me to join his cult rather than giving a valid reason for the prayer chants.
But is the Goddess even real? I obviously can't ask this question especially not to a Temple member and in front of the Temple itself.
According to Liber Word Temple came into existence after a cataclysm more than ten thousand years ago, a very big time for anyone to survive.
But that's from a human perspective, for an awakener, a high-ranking one at that, maybe time moves differently, even as an awakened our aging has slowed down... And Morgana may have already crossed half a century's worth of life by now. Becoming a transcendent takes a long time.
So can't I make a guess that maybe Goddess Celestia isn't what we think she is? Maybe She could be someone from before or after the cataclysm that helped humanity sustain and become the hope of Civilizations.
That instead of a being beyond understanding maybe she could be a human who had managed to attain the power of a god through natural ascension.
But this can only be a theory, as I have no proof. She can also be a being born with the power of god as most monsters do, but this will make her impossible for us to understand.
As we will have no way of seeing her for what she truly was in the past or what she truly thinks.
This kind of existence must be lonely.
"...Are you okay?" Mathew asked with concern, he leaned back and crossed his arms looking straight into my eyes.
"Ah, yes, I am... I was just in some deep thoughts."
I tried to shake off the contemplation, realizing that I might have zoned out for a bit too long.
"I see, What's your name by the way— I am Mathew just like you said."
"...Asher"
Mathew tilted his head upon hearing my name then said in a tone full of wisdom.
"Asher, maybe I finally know why the river of Stars touched your cheeks."
My eyes widened in surprise, as I looked at him. What conclusion did he suddenly reach? His face looked serious as his eyes stared deeply into mine.
"Your eyes Asher, you have silver eyes. Did you forget Goddess' first chant— 'Celestia who loves silver...' Maybe you got this treatment due to this special feature you have."
Mathew spoke with an air of wonder, his eyes still locked on mine. It was true that my eyes were a rare shade of silver, something that had earned me more than a few odd looks in the past.
But maybe he was not wrong, it's widely known that the goddess loves silver. So maybe this odd action was due to this fact.
"Maybe... No, actually that must be the correct explanation. Thank you, your wisdom helped me alleviate my tension." I said gently before standing up.
If not for being aware of white world I would have accepted this explanation readily.
"No issue, I am always happy to help civilians."
Rubbing his nose he replied bashfully with a smile and stood up as well.
"Are you leaving now?" He asked.
"Yes, I plan to walk around the Temple for a bit."
He should have no suspicion of me, right? I did my most innocent and civil act of all time.
'Now that I think of it, whenever I face problems don't I just use brute force to get over it.'
I quickly dismissed this thought as I could already imagine Elda and Albert laughing at this.
Right, there is no way. I always take action with considerable thought and planning... Sometimes—
Ah, I am feeling down again...
"What happened, are you okay? Your face just got dark suddenly. Are you having mood swings or something?"
There was so much I wanted to say to him for his words but I couldn't— First of all who says a person is having mood swings to their face and with such a serious face, especially to someone you just met? I can't even laugh at it.
I sighed and shook my head in disappointment.
"It's alright— Yeah, let's just say I am having a severe headache."
I could see the question marks over his face.
But the same was true for me as well, I don't even know what I am saying anymore. Wasn't this supposed to be a place to worship and grieve today, why was I stuck in such an absurdly odd situation in the first place?
"Ah— I see."
"Anyway thank you for your time sir, I will take my leave."
Saying that I walked away.
Mathew just stared at Asher's leaving figure in disbelief and muttered.
"He must be really sick..."
If Asher had heard this, he would have surely lost his temper and given him a beating—After all, he was one of the reasons for his headaches today.
***
Walking around the corners of Temple I observed the ongoing people.
Even though so many had died, life was not stopping for anyone. They need to continue their life— Or at least that's what I thought.
"—Asher!"
Loud footsteps could be heard from behind, Franz walked on the Temple's white marble floor in hurried steps and closed the distance between us in an instant.
Why was he in such a hurry now?
"I have been searching for you... Didn't I say to wait for me?" Taking deep breaths Franz explained.
"I was planning to wait but you came earlier than expected"
"I had said an hour or something, never exactly one hour."
No, actually you did say exactly one hour before leaving— I would have pointed this out but I was in no mood to bicker right now.
"Sorry, my mistake I didn't hear properly."
"Yes, exactly your— Eh? Why are you admitting it so easily? Are you sick? Should we go to a doctor—"
Franz frowned mid-sentence putting his over my head. Which I swiftly slapped away.
"What happened, just tell me?"
I could feel my lips twitching in annoyance already. But Asher you need to keep calm, you are still injured remember—
At least I am trying... I reminded myself while repeating such words.
I need to control my emotions... I get angry, excited and happy too easily. This has led me to be more open nowadays but I can't always be like that.
By letting my emotions out I had been trying to keep my tendency in check, to not repeat my mistake of smiling crazily like in the past.
"Now you are straight up ignoring me... Anyway, Lady Morgana wishes to talk with you for a moment— Mind you we all are still busy, so don't expect many questions to be answered right now."
Franz smiled helplessly, he seemed to have noticed my annoyance and took a step back— Finally someone smart.
"Don't worry, I know all of you are busy." I said while shaking my head and took a step forward. "—Oh, Also what happened to all the kidnapped people."
I have not met either Lucy or Lilia— I was quite worried about them, but didn't get any chances to meet any of them.
Franz raised his brow but didn't answer right away.
"...We had taken them somewhere safe after your fight with that gang. Those who had been injured or not healthy enough were given immediate treatments, those who were good and recently taken were sent back to their families. All the children were recently brought there, so they didn't have any psychological impact because of this."
Franz spoke with a hint of pride in his voice. It was clear he had taken his duty to protect the people seriously.
It was a relief to hear this... At least Lucy and others didn't fall for Greth's horrible acts.
"...Good work"
Hearing my simple words of gratitude Franz's eyes widened but soon softened up, he licked his lips and smiled.
"Thanks"
We both continued the walk in silence, no one said a word to each other anymore. It wasn't needed anymore after all we both felt our own sense of duty.
And I was satisfied.
My lips curled up into a small smile. I have understood Franz and Mathew's character and view of the world a little bit.
It was a great progress for today.
"You look happy."
"Because I am happy"
"We were in a memorial ceremony just now"
"..."
Seeing my silence he laughed.
"You were crying in the hospital."
"...."
"...."
Ah, what a killjoy. He ruined both of our moods.
We both again started to walk in silence towards the hallway but this time he was the one in frustration, I could see the corner of his lips twitching.
Seeing this I finally found some joy.
"...Bastard"
He muttered in a low voice.
I couldn't hold back anymore and ended up laughing.
Bullying him is fun after all.
"Crazy bastard!"
Hearing my laugh Franz walked away faster than before, this time I could hear his words—No, the curses he threw at me.