The Reward for Saving The World is a Husband - Chapter 17
Elias took a step back and naturally turned around.
Only then did I notice the large and grand building that had been hidden from my view since I’d been distracted by him.
‘So, that’s the temple of this world.’
“Have you ever been to a temple before?”
I shook my head in response to Melder’s question.
“No.”
“During the day, the sunlight hitting the white exterior walls is dazzling.”
Imagining that scene in my head, I felt a bit disappointed that it was already dark.
As we followed Melder toward the center, passing by paladins standing like statues, my heart started to beat faster.
‘Could gods really exist?’
If they truly existed, what would the god of this world say about me?
“Is something wrong?”
“Huh? What?”
“You seem nervous. Do you know someone in the temple?”
I shook my head at Elias’s question.
“They said the Saintess communicates directly with the god, right?”
“Not in the way we might think, but yes, she is considered a messenger of the god’s will.”
“I see…”
As we continued our conversation, I noticed someone standing in front of the platform.
The moment I laid eyes on the plain woman dressed in loose white robes, I instinctively knew.
‘That’s the Saintess.’
Everyone we encountered in the temple, including Melder, was surrounded by a peculiar power distinct from mana, but the woman at the front had the most vivid and powerful aura.
This must be what they call ‘divine power.’
Just as I recognized the Saintess, she recognized our group. With a gentle smile, she scanned Melder and Elias before finally looking at me.
At that very moment, her eyes widened.
Her face turned pale as she urgently raised a hand to cover her mouth.
“…..?”
Extending my senses to catch any sound she might be making, I was taken aback. She was emitting a strange, distressed noise, something close to “Gahhh!”
‘What’s wrong with her?’
Though I didn’t know the reason, it certainly didn’t seem like a good sign.
Elias seemed to notice that something was off with the Saintess as his steps slowed slightly. Nonetheless, we continued approaching her.
Finally, when we were close enough to have a conversation, I saw the Saintess subtly shift her heels back.
‘She seems scared, but why…?’
Since my face didn’t seem particularly frightening by this world’s standards, the reasons could be narrowed down to a few possibilities.
‘She either sensed that I’m from another world or gauged my general abilities.’
Still, her sense of duty seemed strong, as she didn’t flee despite her apparent fear.
“Please proceed with your conversation.”
Melder, who had been watching both sides, bowed and then turned to leave the temple.
“Um… hello…?”
The first words the Saintess managed to say, after constantly moving her lips, were a simple greeting.
“What’s the reason for summoning us here at this late hour? I doubt it’s just to say hello.”
As I observed, it became clear that Elias didn’t speak kindly to anyone, regardless of who they were. As much as I didn’t want to admit it… it seemed he wasn’t the nicest person.
‘He grew up in such an environment, so it can’t be helped.’
I wasn’t sure if this world had a similar saying, but in the world I came from, there was a common phrase: “People act according to their appearance*.”
(T/N: The expression 얼굴값 하기 마련이다 is an expression that can be roughly translated as such, but based on the situation, it seems to just talk about face value, and how good looks triumph over bad personality (LOL))
So even if Elias’s personality became even harsher than it was now, everyone should understand.
“I’m sorry if I offended you. I had no choice because this concerns the safety of the world.”
“You must have already heard the news,” Elias said with a crooked smile.
“There was no dragon. We don’t know where it went.”
“No, that’s not what’s important…”
Mumbling, the Saintess trailed off, glancing at me. When our eyes met, she startled herself and began to hiccup.
Elias looked at the Saintess with a baffled expression.
“Did you eat something bad?”
Though he probably didn’t intend to be threatening or intimidating, Elias’s sarcastic question only made the Saintess shrink further.