CHAPTER 101: CH 101: YOU DON’T LOOK SO GOOD - PART 1

The tension in the temple courtyard lingered even after the scuffle had ended, the air thick with the fear and shame of the fallen guards.

Irielle, still gripping the wrist of the one who had started the mess, dragged him forward with effortless strength and shoved him toward Evaya.

"Take better care of your dogs. Before I’m forced to clean them up for you myself."

Irielle said coldly, her voice laced with contempt.

The guard stumbled, his pride shattered, face pale under Evaya’s stern gaze.

Evaya exhaled slowly, shoulders rising and falling as though she had expected something like this.

"I’ll take better care of my people. And... I’m sorry for the mess."

She murmured.

Her apology wasn’t dramatic, just tired, but it was enough to ease the tension. She gestured toward the temple doors.

"Come. Sit inside. The High Priestess will meet you shortly."

Kana exchanged a look with Irielle, who shrugged but followed. The two stepped inside, led into a quiet chamber where cushions were set along the floor.

The silence of the temple was different from usual—strained, filled with the echo of hurried steps and whispers that carried the weight of ongoing investigations.

When High Priestess Jenna finally entered, her face told the story before her lips did. The woman’s posture was firm, but exhaustion shadowed her eyes.

Still, when she saw Kana, her expression softened.

"Kana. I’m glad to see you safe."

Jenna greeted warmly, though her voice betrayed her weariness.

Kana leaned forward anxiously.

"How is the investigation going? Is everything alright?"

Jenna gave a small, wry smile.

"It’s... time consuming. There is far too much to unravel. Most of the people tied to High Priest Rudy scattered the moment his name came under scrutiny. What they left behind is a chaos of half-broken ties and abandoned schemes. Untangling it all is no small task."

She shook her head.

"But you need not worry about this. It is the temple’s burden to bear, not yours."

Kana hesitated, but Jenna raised a hand gently to stop her.

"You have fulfilled your role, Kana. You are free from duty now. But know this—you are always welcome here. Come back whenever you wish. My doors will never be closed to you."

Kana opened her mouth to respond, only to falter when Irielle cut in with a scoff.

"She has no reason to come back here. Why bother with an annoying job when she has me to take care of her?"

Irielle said, crossing her arms with sharp annoyance.

Kana froze, her face warming with embarrassment. The words stuck in her throat, and she decided against speaking at all.

Instead, she lowered her gaze, cheeks tinted pink, while Jenna gave a knowing little smile, choosing not to argue with Irielle’s bluntness.

After a few more exchanges of small talk—Jenna assuring them once again that everything was under control, and Evaya silently watching them with her usual calm—the two were finally allowed to leave.

The walk home was quiet, Kana still feeling the heaviness of Jenna’s tired eyes, and Irielle walking beside her with a quiet scowl as if displeased at the entire outing.

But as they rounded the corner, both came to an abrupt halt.

There, in front of Kana’s home, stood a familiar figure.

Lysera.

She was motionless, her back straight, her gaze fixed on the door as if she’d been standing there for hours. She hadn’t gone inside—hadn’t even moved. Just... waiting.

The sight made Kana’s chest tighten.

Irielle’s voice came sharp and irritated beside her.

"Forget about going in. Let’s head to dinner instead."

Kana glanced at her, then back at Lysera’s still form. Something about her didn’t feel right. Her posture, her silence—everything screamed unease.

"No. I should meet her. Something seems wrong."

Kana said softly, her voice firm despite Irielle’s growing irritation.

Irielle clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Tch. Fine. Do what you want."

But though she complained, she didn’t stop Kana from moving forward.

Kana stepped closer, her heart tugging in her chest.

"Lysera."

She called gently.

At the sound of her name, Lysera turned—and before Kana could even blink, she was wrapped tightly in Lysera’s arms.

"I missed you."

Lysera whispered, her voice cracking with raw relief.

Kana stiffened, surprise overtaking her—but before she could respond, Lysera’s strength gave way.

Her body collapsed forward, fainting directly into Kana’s arms.

Kana staggered under her weight, eyes wide, as Irielle rushed forward with a curse.

"Damn it—Lysera!"

The evening, which had promised quiet after a day of chaos, shattered once more.

Kana’s breath caught as Lysera’s full weight pressed her down, forcing her to stumble back. Her knees buckled, panic rising in her chest.

"L-Lysera...!"

She gasped, straining to push her off.

She planted her hands against Lysera’s shoulders, using every ounce of strength she had, but the woman’s body felt impossibly heavy—like a lifeless weight that refused to move.

Before Kana could collapse entirely, Irielle appeared in a blur, grabbing Lysera with sharp efficiency and yanking her off Kana.

"Tch. Careless woman. Collapsing out here without a thought—does she want to drag everyone down with her?"

Irielle muttered, her tone filled with irritation as she steadied the limp figure.

Kana ignored the bite in her words, quickly kneeling at Lysera’s side. She pressed a hand to her cheek, then her forehead, and her heart clenched.

"She’s burning up. Irielle, we need to bring her fever down fast. Get water, towels—anything that can cool her."

Kana whispered, alarm rushing through her voice.

"I’ll handle it."

Irielle replied briskly before hurrying inside.

Left alone, Kana tried to slip her arms under Lysera’s shoulders, gritting her teeth as she attempted to lift her.

"Come on... just a little more."

She urged, straining with all her might. Her body shook with effort, but Lysera barely budged.

The woman’s weight dragged her down again, making Kana realize with a sinking feeling—she couldn’t move Lysera on her own.

’Shit, what do I do now? If I don’t get Lysera inside soon, they she’s going to get worse.’