CHAPTER 112: CH 112: PIN THE BLAME - PART 4

The walk back to the shop was quiet at first, though Kana’s thoughts were anything but calm.

The weight of the day’s events pressed down on her, making every step feel heavier than the last.

When they finally arrived, Penelope immediately locked the door behind them before leaning against the counter with a deep sigh.

"Kana, be a little more careful for the next few days. And whatever you do, don’t go anywhere alone."

She said in a low voice, glancing toward the entrance as if expecting trouble to walk right in,

Kana blinked, slightly startled by the sudden seriousness in her tone.

"...Why? Do you think those temple guards will try something?"

Penelope gave her a sharp look.

"I know they will. They’re stubborn, and stubborn people who think they’re right are dangerous. There’s no telling what they’ll try next in the name of their so-called ’justice.’ So, if you’re going anywhere, make sure you’re with someone. Preferably Lysera."

Kana hesitated, but then nodded slowly.

"...Alright. I’ll be careful."

She waited in the shop as Penelope continued tidying up, the atmosphere strangely tense despite the silence.

Eventually, Lysera arrived, striding in with a composed expression as always.

Kana noticed, however, that her friend’s gaze briefly flicked toward Penelope, and Penelope returned the glance with an unreadable expression.

As Kana packed up her things, she overheard the faint murmur of the two women talking near the doorway.

Their voices were too low to catch the exact words, but when Kana finally approached, she noticed Penelope giving Lysera a sharp look.

Lysera gave her a small nod in return, almost like they had come to an agreement.

Kana blinked, confused.

"...What were you two talking about?"

Lysera met her gaze and, after the briefest pause, answered casually.

"Penelope was just helping me catch up on what happened earlier."

Something about her tone didn’t sit right, but Kana decided not to press further.

Instead, she followed Lysera out of the shop, waving goodbye to Penelope before stepping into the cool afternoon air.

They hadn’t gotten far when Kana suddenly felt a prickling sensation crawl up her spine.

The faint sound of footsteps followed them—not close enough to be obvious, but just enough to make her uneasy.

"...Lysera, I think someone’s following us."

Kana whispered, leaning closer.

Lysera’s expression didn’t change, but her hand subtly moved to her communicator.

Without slowing her pace, she tapped into the security department’s channel and requested immediate backup.

Within minutes, several members of the security force appeared from the surrounding streets, cutting off the shadows trailing them.

The figures revealed themselves to be none other than the temple guards from earlier.

Lysera’s cold gaze hardened as she stepped forward.

"I’m issuing an official restraining order against you. If you keep stalking Kana, I’ll escalate this to High Priestess Jenna herself and report every single one of you for misconduct."

The guards froze, unease flashing across their faces. One of them, recognizing Kana, suddenly muttered.

"Wait... isn’t she the one High Priestess Jenna personally intervened to protect before?"

The realization spread among the group like wildfire. Murmurs rose as they exchanged anxious glances, realizing just how deep they might have buried themselves.

They had picked the wrong target to antagonize, and they all knew it.

Kana, meanwhile, stood frozen beside Lysera, uncertain what would happen next.

Elsewhere, within the grand halls of the temple, High Priestess Jenna arrived at High Priestess Lumine’s private quarters.

Her expression was calm as always, but her steps carried quiet urgency.

"Lumine, I heard your attendant was poisoned. How is he?"

Jenna began softly.

Lumine, lounging by a window, barely looked up from the book in her hand.

"He’s fine. A little shaken, but fine."

Jenna frowned faintly.

"...You should show a little more compassion toward your people."

Lumine finally set the book aside and gave her a bored look.

"I do have compassion. I just reserve it for when they’re not being foolish. She mishandled a poisonous plant. That’s not on me."

Then, with an abrupt shift in tone, Lumine added casually.

"I did track down where the plant came from, though. Bought it from a little plant shop worker myself. But considering what happened..."

She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"That person might be in danger now."

Something in her voice made Jenna pause. She didn’t mention any names, but Jenna’s mind immediately went to Kana. A cold unease settled in her chest.

She tried to dismiss the thought, telling herself she was just being paranoid—but no matter how hard she tried, the feeling wouldn’t go away.

High Priestess Jenna’s sharp gaze lingered on Lumine, trying to read past her casual tone.

"Are you certain it was the plant shop worker?"

She asked, her voice even but laced with quiet tension.

Lumine leaned back on her seat, swirling the tea in her cup as if the situation were of little concern to her.

"Positive. I bought the plant myself. The girl at the counter was the one who handed it to me. If the guards are after her now, it’s not without reason."

Jenna’s fingers tightened slightly around her own cup.

"Not without reason. And yet, from what I’ve heard, your attendant mishandled the plant. Isn’t it unfair to place all the blame on a shop worker who simply sold what was requested?"

She repeated softly, then met Lumine’s eyes.

Lumine’s expression didn’t waver, her lips curving into the faintest hint of a smile.

"Unfair? Perhaps. But fairness has never been the temple’s priority, has it? We protect our own, Jenna. And sometimes... outsiders bear the weight of our mistakes."

Jenna’s gut twisted at Lumine’s words, a cold heaviness settling in her chest.

For a moment, she almost asked directly if Kana was the one Lumine spoke of—but she stopped herself. Showing too much interest would only make things worse.

Instead, Jenna sipped her tea calmly, masking her unease behind a polite smile.

"I see. Then I’ll keep that in mind."

She said softly.

But inside, her instincts screamed louder than ever.

If Lumine had set her sights on Kana—even indirectly—this was no longer a simple misunderstanding.

Once she left Lumine’s chambers, Jenna’s steps quickened, her robes trailing behind her.

She needed to confirm Kana’s safety immediately... before the temple made its next move.