Don't Be Holy! - Chapter 24
As soon as she finished making the medicine, she finally gave in to Otis’s pestering and arrived at the tutoring center early.
Eir placed the book the teacher had opened in front of her and began reading one character at a time.
“Al… e… t…. Ah, I don’t know.”
After deliberately reading it wrong, Eir collapsed to the side like a weak patient. Mr. Linden, who had been waiting patiently for Eir to read on her own, finally exploded.
“Al-et?! Anyone can see that it’s ‘Iwatasia’! How can you be this ignorant! After learning for so long too. How do you ever expect to read prayers like this?”
Mr. Linden, who was known for his good nature and kindness, and who was in charge of teaching the holy language to children, only ever raised his voice like this with Eir.
Eir weakly brushed aside the hair blocking her vision and apologized.
“I’m sorry.”
Mr. Linden sighed deeply, removed his glasses as if he had a headache, and pressed firmly against his temples.
“Teacher! I’ve finished writing!”
As if he had cleverly anticipated this, Otis quickly handed over what he had written, and Mr. Linden, relieved that not both of them were fools, praised Otis even more.
Hmph.
When Mr. Linden wasn’t looking, Otis stuck his tongue out at Eir before pretending to listen attentively to the teacher’s words again.
Eir pretended to concentrate on the book while glaring and thinking to herself.
‘How much longer can I keep this up?’
It has been three years so far.
Although Granny’s magic was helping, she was starting to worry if people wouldn’t begin to find it strange.
She was reaching her limit just pretending not to know the holy language and taking only beginner classes. Originally, Eir had manifested as a priestess at age 7, so she had learned the holy language even before the Imperial language.
She could recite this basic material with her eyes closed, and she knew the prayer book in the temple from beginning to end by heart.
But what could she do? This was the only way to avoid having to take turns reciting prayers during religious festivals when people strengthened their faith.
Surely, the moment she recited a prayer, white light would emanate from her hands, just like when she first discovered that man.
‘Come to think of it, when is Rubel’s turn?’
So far, he had been quietly participating in festivals as an outsider, but it was uncertain when his turn would come to step forward and recite prayers.
When that day arrives, Eir’s hands would glow white in response to Rubel’s recitation with his divine energy, and people would report to the temple that Eir had manifested divine power…….
Soon everyone would recover their memories and know that she was a traitor who had sided with a witch.
And her body would be split in half under the divine sword.
Just like the Alupu’s body that was shattered and thrown by Rubel’s hand on that stormy night.
Her body shuddered.
During festivals, Eir would sit as far away as possible from Rubel, who was already exceptionally devout, fearing he might whisper prayers. Fortunately, this didn’t require much effort, since the village women had already arranged to take turns sitting beside him.
‘You really don’t want to join in?’
‘Well, you already live with him. You don’t really need to sit beside him too.’
‘Then we’ll arrange it among ourselves!’
She remembered the village women gathered at the washing place, sitting close together and cheerfully deciding the order.
Watching that scene, Eir had to suppress the urge to ask those women, ‘If he starts reciting prayers, could you maybe kiss him to stop his mouth? I’ll do anything in return.’
Of course, it wouldn’t be hard to find someone willing to do it, but then she’d have to lie again with some strange excuse, and that would bring divine punishment again.
‘This cursed body.’
Eir pinched her thigh in self-loathing.
Can’t even lie. It hurts when I do. But what sense does it make to live a life where I have to deceive someone forever? It makes no sense.
