CHAPTER 52: CH 52: BE CAREFUL AROUND THESE PARTS- PART 1

As the three of them walked down the long stone corridor toward the main temple hall, the soft sound of their footsteps echoed faintly off the marble walls.

The air here smelled different—cleaner, perfumed faintly with wildflowers and incense.

Bright tapestries embroidered with celestial symbols lined the walls, and golden sconces glowed softly with magical light.

Evaya walked a step behind Kana and the High Priestess, arms folded across her chest. She didn’t look angry—more confused and thoughtful.

Finally, after a beat of silence, she tilted her head slightly toward Kana and asked.

"How did you end up in the old inner sanctuary?"

Kana blinked.

"The... old inner sanctuary?"

Evaya gave her a sharp glance.

"That section hasn’t been in use for decades. It’s not even marked on any recent layout. Most don’t even know it exists. And the ones who do... keep quiet."

She narrowed her eyes.

"That’s not a place people find by accident."

Kana sucked in a sharp breath.

Her eyes flicked to the corner of her vision where her system interface hovered, unseen by anyone else. She quickly opened the map tab.

Sure enough, the route they were currently taking matched the one on map v1.

But the place she’d wandered off to earlier—the bush, the pink-haired girl, everything—was marked as the inner sanctuary on v2.

Kana’s eyebrow twitched.

’Seriously?

What kind of system labels v1 as the new map and v2 as the old one? Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?!’

She thought, half annoyed.

She let out a soft sigh, lowering her gaze as if thinking deeply. In truth, she was scrambling to come up with a believable excuse—but she was saved by the voice of High Priestess Jenna.

"There’s no need to question her, Evaya. The temple is an ancient place. Its walls breathe and its paths shift. It has a will of its own, if you listen closely enough."

The priestess said, her tone light but final.

She turned her head slightly, smiling in that gentle, unreadable way of hers.

"It’s not unthinkable that the temple guided Kana there for a reason. Perhaps the old sanctuary still remembers its purpose."

Evaya’s jaw tightened, but she said nothing. Her mouth opened, likely to argue—but then she caught herself. Her shoulders slumped slightly, and she looked away.

"...As you say, High Priestess."

She muttered. She didn’t sound convinced, but she didn’t push further either.

Kana, meanwhile, remained quiet.

She could tell Evaya still had questions, but something about the way the High Priestess had stepped in... It made it clear that not everything in this place could—or should—be explained.

They moved through another archway, and Kana immediately noticed the change.

This area of the temple felt newer—the architecture was less worn, the floors polished, the walls engraved with murals that looked recently restored.

Warm sunlight filtered in through stained glass windows above, casting rainbows along the polished stone.

It was also more crowded. Temple workers, young acolytes, and robed priests filled the corridors, carrying scrolls, flowers, or prayer offerings. The murmur of voices and footsteps grew louder as they walked deeper in.

Kana instinctively pulled her hood lower, hiding her face. She could feel the curious stares, the flickers of attention her way.

She had never liked being the center of attention—even less so now, when she still wasn’t sure what people expected of her.

Evaya and the High Priestess adjusted their pace and position subtly. One walked slightly ahead, the other just behind, shielding her from view as much as possible.

Kana was surprised how natural it felt—like they’d done this before.

After weaving through two more corridors and passing an inner courtyard filled with flowers and gentle wind chimes, the group slipped into a side hallway and reached a small, secluded chamber. It was quiet here, with only the gentle sound of a water fountain nearby.

"You can lower your hood now."

High Priestess Jenna said gently.

Kana hesitated a moment, then obeyed.

The relief was instant. She took in a deep breath, relishing the feeling of no longer hiding.

But before she could say anything, the High Priestess stepped in front of her.

She reached up and took Kana’s face in both hands, tilting it gently from side to side as if inspecting something fragile and precious.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as they scanned Kana’s features, taking in every detail with an unreadable expression.

Kana froze.

The touch wasn’t cold or cruel—it was warm, even reverent—but it still made her feel like she was standing under a magnifying glass.

After nearly a full minute, High Priestess Jenna let go and took a step back.

"You’re more blessed than I thought. Your charm... it’s no illusion. And your connection to the divine—it’s overwhelming."

She said finally, her voice soft, almost in awe.

Kana blinked, unsure how to respond.

"Many are blessed by the goddess in one way or another, but you..."

The High Priestess continued. She smiled, something secretive hiding in the curve of her lips.

"You glow with it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the goddess herself walked with you."

Kana’s heart skipped.

She didn’t know what to make of that.

Before she could ask anything, the High Priestess leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a more intimate tone.

"If you ever get to meet her... our goddess, ask her why she favors you so strongly."

She said.

Kana managed a weak nod, though her thoughts were spinning. The words sounded like a blessing—but they carried weight too. As if the High Priestess knew more than she was letting on.

Evaya shifted uncomfortably in the background, glancing toward the chamber entrance as if needing an excuse to break the tension.

But the High Priestess didn’t move. She merely smiled again and said.

"Come. There’s something I wish to show you. From now on, your time at the temple will not be as quiet as before."

Kana followed, unease tugging at her chest.

She didn’t know what the goddess wanted from her.

But it felt like... things had only just begun.

Kana stiffened.

The High Priestess was still close—too close. Her hands rested lightly on Kana’s shoulders, and her gaze held a strange, unreadable warmth.

For a second, Kana could feel her breath brush against her cheek. Her heart skipped, and she had the sudden, inexplicable feeling that the High Priestess might lean in and—

Before anything could happen, a hand shot out and yanked the High Priestess back.

"High Priestess, behave."

Evaya said flatly, her arm hooked around the older woman’s waist.

There was no venom in her voice, but the tension in her jaw told a different story.

High Priestess Jenna blinked once, then smiled faintly, almost mischievously, as she allowed herself to be pulled away.

Kana let out a quiet breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

Evaya turned to her and offered a quick bow.

"Apologies, Kana. Our High Priestess can... get carried away."

"I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. But you truly are lovely."

The priestess added with a soft laugh.

Kana managed a polite smile, though her thoughts were still tangled.

She wasn’t sure what had just happened—or how she felt about it—but she was grateful Evaya had stepped in when she did.