I saw a note behind the door. Curious, I checked it out.

I’m heading back to Prontera, the bishop is calling us for progress. I’ll be back this afternoon with dinner. I hope you’ll do well~ ♪

Be careful by the way. News is spreading about a massive revolt in the upper regions. It might get out of hand and reach all the way to this place.


I sighed; can’t be helped then, she can’t neglect her duties as a priestess. Let’s just find a way to kill time. I locked up every door and window in the house and headed for the park just near the clock tower. I found a blank bench near the tower to rest for a while, this makeshift prosthetic leg of mine hurts when overused (I overused it already?).

As I readjust my leg, I saw a shadow on the ground, approaching me. I looked up to see who it was.

“It must be really hard walking around like that.” she said. She’s holding a soda can and a small crimson bag with some markings on it, but I can’t seem to recognize who it was because of her hooded muffler.

Not to be rude, I replied back at her. “No, not at all.”

I lied, actually.

“…well, it does, but I can live with it.” She took off her hood and sat down beside me.

Oh, she looks like a royalty! She even has this cute crown in her head. Wavy, long indigo-colored hair and ribbons here and there, she looks like just the kind of people you see on cosplays.

She noticed me looking at her face. “Oh? What’s the matter?”

I’m caught!

“Oh? Don’t tell me you like me.” She snickered.

“N-no! I just thought—”

“Ha-ha, take it easy; just kidding.”

“But you know, that’s just how people think of me—no bad thoughts or whatnot.” She added.

"I'm tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. *lol*"

“You’ve got a good name, I guess.”

“Maybe so. Maybe they just don’t realize who I am.“

Come to think of it, I saw something odd on her neck; it looked like a tattoo to me. I looked closely at it…I think I remember what it was.

“What is it this time?”

“Ah, that thing on your neck…”

“Oh, that! I just that days ago when I passed by a tattoo shop down the mountains. Pretty neat, huh?”

You’re lying.

“Yeah, I guess so. I don’t think it suits you though.”

“Hmph, c’mon now.”

“Ah, that’s right; want some?” she opened her bag and handed me a can of soda, which I gladly accepted. After all, it’s the middle of summer.

“Thanks.”

“You’re name…”

I didn’t hear what she just said. “I’m sorry?”

“What’s your name?”

“Juno. Juno Vera Verne.”

I remember now. That outfit, that “tattoo” on her neck, those glasses, that hair. All of them… don’t tell me…

You…

She reached her hand out and introduced herself:

“Judith Hearns, the wandering sage. Nice to meet you.”

You must be kidding me!