300 Solaria, The High Priestess.
Valerian was surprised to see the crowd moving around in the market. He spotted so many beastmen that his eyes did not know where to look at. Finally, Altamash said, “Master Valerian, it is bad manners to stare at someone.”
The young man immediately awoke from his fascination and asked, “Your Eminence, these people come into being when a human and a magical beast copulate?”
Valerian had kept his voice down on purpose. Altamash nodded and said, “Yes, in ancient times, a few magical beasts had managed to master the magic and the secret of transforming into a human. However, they all had some of their beastly characteristics left.
These rare humanoids became a subject of attraction, and humans gradually accepted them. Thus the current scene, and yes, that is how the beastmen are born. Though the natives would rather have you call them Distincts.”
Valerian thought about it and said, “Indeed, this term is very befitting of them.”
As they walked through the bazaar, Valerian saw that not everything about this community was in harmony. The people were distinct. While some were adorned in riches, some were suffering in pain. He spotted a few people squatting down, shivering and looking starved.
He asked, “Is the temple of mercy not supposed to help the people here? Why are they all in so much trouble?”
Altamash knew this question was dedicated to him, but he did not reply. Valerian frowned, and the Guardian of the dragon temple said, “You can ask the high priestess when you meet her.”
Valerian understood and nodded. He was not impatient and wanted to know the cause behind this dereliction. A few minutes later, they crossed the bazaar and came to stand in front of a white building. Altamash introduced the place to Valerian and said, “This is the high temple of mercy. The high priestess resides here. We will meet her in a short while. Please make sure that you keep your temper in check.”
.....
The prince nodded and followed the Guardian to climb a flight of stairs. Then, surprised, the young man asked, “Since when did the temple of mercy introduce doors?”
Altamash replied, “When they had a few hundred followers killed by the Tyrant of the east mercilessly. The saintess decided that the order would no longer indulge in selfless acts of mercy. If the actions they perform intending to help those in need bring them harm, then the followers should have some understanding of themselves and retreat. Thus, the gates were installed at the temple entrance.”
Valerian nodded and said, “The Tyrant gives off an impression of a bloodthirsty animal. I wonder why did he commit all these things that he did.”
Altamash shrugged and said, “Only he and the primus know the reasons.”
Valerian nodded and watched the Guardian push open the door. The two people entered, and Valerian realized that the inside of the temple was neither too warm nor too cold. He did not understand how this was possible but did not voice his thoughts.
Altamash looked around and found an acolyte wearing a white nun’s habit walking towards them. The girl did not look any older than sixteen. She folded her hands in greeting and asked, “Your Eminence, welcome to the temple of mercy. Her Grace is waiting for you in the eatery.”
Altamash thanked the lady and walked ahead. Valerian folded his hands while passing the girl and said, “Vita, be praised.”
The girl was surprised but then replied, “Vita, be praised.”
This was a standard greeting among the followers of the temple of mercy. Valerian had this phrase etched in his mind ever since childhood. Diligentia used to greet others like this, and she also taught him how to do it.
The girl led the two people through the corridor to the eatery. If the dragon temple was grand and luxurious. The temple of mercy was a big building housing the essence of simplicity and sobriety. Valerian spotted many people who were not followers of the order. He asked, “Are these people the ones the temple is looking after?”
The girl nodded and said, “Yes, this younger brother seems very knowledgeable in mercy.”
Valerian smiled sadly and said, “My mother was a temple follower, and she taught me various things.”
The girl found it weird and could not help but as, “How can that be?”
After all, the followers had to leave behind every relationship they ever had to join the ranks of official priests. How can a lady still be a mother when she has joined the order?
Valerian replied, “She was the person who sheltered me in the orphanage she looked after. She was my mother, and she cared for me like a child. Isn’t that how the followers of mercy should act?”
The girl replied, “Indeed, I wonder why do you say she used to teach you? Where is she now?”
Valerian replied, “She is beside primus now. An excommunicated priest took her away from me a few years ago.”
His tone was solemn. Whenever he recalled that scene, he would find it hard to control his emotions. He took a deep breath and calmed his mind. The girl led them to the eatery, where all the people in the temple would be served food. The dishes were all the simplest of them all.
The place’s layout was simple, with rows of long benches and tables to accommodate the maximum number of people. On the side was a washing area where the people could wash their plates when they ate. The food was served at the end of the room, where a few temple priests and priestesses would wait for the people to come over in a queue and serve them food.
None of the people were given a limited amount of food. The temple of mercy advocated that the followers eat only when the sheltered people have been fed. Valerian looked at the end of the room and found a lady in a white habit with a blue strip on her hood serving people with steamy white rice.
The acolyte led the two men through the rows of tables to greet her and said, “Your Grace, the guardian of dragon temple, and his guest.”
The lady nodded and said, “Thank you for your help, Saya. I will entertain them.”
The girl bowed, and after a greeting, she left the place. Altamash folded his hands and said, “Greetings, Your Grace.”
The lady nodded and said, “Vita, be praised.” After that, she kept serving other people.
Then she asked, “What bought you here today, Your Eminence?”
Altamash replied, “This is Valerian. He needs to earn his merit to meet the saintess. He comes from the dragon kingdom’s reference.”
The high priestess was surprised. She did not expect such a big thing to knock at her door. She cast a gaze at Valerian and scanned him from head to toe. The young man folded his hands and said, “Vita, be praised. Greetings, Your Grace.”
The lady nodded and said, “Vita, be praised. Welcome to the temple. Would it be alright if we talk after I finish my duties?”
Valerian nodded and said, “Please take your time and tell me if I can help.”
The attitude he displayed was humble. The lady nodded and said, “You can go and wash the dishes left behind by some people. Would that be alright?”
She would not let go of a chance to test this young man. He looked like a prince of his temperament. How can he do all these menial things? However, the young man nodded and turned around to finish his work. Valerian walked through the rows of tables, picked up every dish he could, and began washing them carefully.
Altamash was surprised at this behavior. He did not expect the young man to be so open-minded. The lady in the blue habit asked, “Altamash, please tell me, who is this young guy?”
Altamash nodded and said, “This is Valerian. He was an orphan adopted by the royal family of the Lumen Empire. He is very talented, enough for the dragon queen to allow him to climb the throne mountain and strong enough to take on a fallen god and win.”
Although Altamash praised the young man, the lady frowned and asked, “Has he killed people?”
Altamash nodded and said, “He has killed people but never harmed an innocent person. This guy has only protected the innocent from the devastation of war and the Valkyrians. Solaria, do not judge him with your normal eyes.”
Solaria nodded and said, “Fine, I will do it. However, he will have to earn his merit through hard work.”
Altamash nodded and said, “It is all as you wish. The guardian of the sky, Her Grace Gale has told me to treat him like a normal person. So it is alright.”
Solaris nodded and said, “Fine, I will deal with him when I am done here. After that, we will see how good or bad he is when it comes to dealing with situations with mercy in his heart.”
Altamash nodded and stood up in line with her to serve food. He said, “Allow me to help you and wash some of my sins away.”
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