“May I speak?” groused Nashetania, looking annoyed.
Her description of the events leading up to her arrival at the temple was not so different from Adlet’s. What was news to Adlet was that after the two of them had been separated, she had immediately encountered Goldof. That had been right after Adlet and Fremy left, around the time the two of them had been at the fort speaking with Private Loren about the Phantasmal Barrier.
Next, Goldof told his story. He spoke of tracking the Brave-killer and how, when he had been marked with the Crest of the Six Flowers, he had been alone in the Land of Holy Rivers. Goldof also recounted his reunion with Nashetania. That part Adlet already knew.
Next was Mora. “My name is Mora Chester. I am the Saint of Mountains and the current elder of the All Heavens Temple.”
“The All Heavens Temple?” Adlet interjected. He’d heard that name before but didn’t know anything about it.
Nashetania filled him in. “The All Heavens Temple is the organization that supervises us Saints.”
“Yes,” said Mora. “Though we are not terribly active as an organization. We merely observe the Saints to ensure that their powers are not used for evil. In any case, I have memorized the faces, names, and abilities of all seventy-eight Saints.”
“When people like Chamo get our power as Saints, we have to go see Auntie Mora,” said Chamo.
“However, I knew nothing of Fremy over there,” Mora commented. “The Saint of Gunpowder, you say? I have heard naught of such an individual. I would hazard that she is a new Saint.”
“Is it possible for there to be a new Saint?” asked Adlet.
“It is not unheard of, though it has not occurred this past century. Let us get back to the topic at hand.” Mora continued, “It was about ten years ago that I took over the role of elder of the All Heavens Temple from the previous elder, Leura, Saint of Sun.”
Leura. Adlet had heard that name multiple times throughout the course of his journey. She controlled the light and heat of the sun and had the power to burn down whole castles. They said that, though she was old, her powers over the sun had not waned one bit. But still, her body was frail, and she could not move from her easy chair. And then, about a month earlier, she had disappeared.
“I believe I have fulfilled my duties for the past ten years without serious error,” continued Mora. “Though keeping Chamo from getting out of control has been a trial.”
“I think you’ve been doing a wonderful job,” said Nashetania. “My father said that no Saint could commit evil deeds as long as you’re around.”
“The king of Piena said that? An honor.” Mora nodded in satisfaction. “When the Evil God awoke, I was in the Land of Crimson Peaks. I departed immediately for the Howling Vilelands, and two days ago, I arrived at the place where we would gather. At the fort, Private Loren told me of the Phantasmal Barrier, and on the very same day, I resolved on my course of action. I concealed myself and waited alone, until yesterday, when Hans came wandering by. Not long after that, I saw explosions occurring from the direction of the temple, and I hurried here.”
“You didn’t know about the Phantasmal Barrier until two days ago? Isn’t it your job to govern the Saints?” asked Adlet.
“I knew of its existence, but no more than that,” she said. “I first learned how to activate it and the location of this temple two days ago, from Private Loren. Had I known this would happen, I would have had a proper discussion with Uspa of Fog and Adrea of Illusion.”
The names probably belonged to the Saints who had created the bafflement. So, Mora’s acquainted with the people who made the barrier. I’ll remember that, thought Adlet.
“Now then—next, Chamo,” instructed Mora.
Chamo nodded. “Sooo, Chamo became the Saint of Swamps at around seven years old, which was seven years ago. Chamo’s a little too powerful, so Auntie Mora always gets mad. A long time ago, in the martial tournament in the Land of Golden Fruit, a guy died in the first round, and all the other competitors bailed out of the competition.”
Adlet knew that story, too. It was a well-known anecdote used to describe how powerful she was.
“So anyway, getting here was nothing special, really,” she continued. “When the Evil God woke up, everything was normal at home. Mom and Dad helped pack. Then Chamo got a map and headed out for the Howling Vilelands. Traveling here didn’t take long, but Chamo got lost and ended up coming late. While walking along, killing fiends and stuff, Chamo noticed something was going on and went to the temple and saw Fremy there. It was so surprising! And that’s about it.” Chamo finished her story.
Goldof added some supplemental details for Mora and Hans. He told them that in the past, Chamo had fought with Fremy, and that Fremy was the Brave-killer.
“Meow. So she’s the Brave-killer. I can’t believe it.” Hans sounded doubtful.
“She admitted it herself. It’s the truth,” replied Goldof.
It seemed as though Hans was preoccupied with some thoughts on the matter, but he wasn’t sharing.
“We shall ask Fremy to tell her story later. Next, Hans,” Mora prompted.
“All righty,” Hans began.
Adlet figured he should pay close attention. Hans’s entire image—his appearance, his mannerisms, his nonchalant demeanor—made him the most suspicious of all, though Adlet didn’t want to judge too quickly.
“My name is Hans Humpty. I’m from…well, it don’t meowter. I’m an assassin.”
“Assassin?” Nashetania cocked her head.
“Your Highness, an assassin is someone who kills for money. Someone whose occupation is to murder people.”
Goldof’s explanation surprised Nashetania. It seemed she had never heard of assassins before. “A man like that is one of the Braves of the Six Flowers?” she exclaimed.
“Meow? Somethin’ wrong with an assassin bein’ a Brave?” Hans scoffed at Nashetania’s naïveté. “My job history has got nothin’ to do with bein’ chosen
