Chapter 14: Small Happiness

The Sacred Reyrin.

The birthplace of Saint Reyrin, who bequeathed "miracles" to the Exorcists—the demon-hunting priests.

This holy ground is both the sacred site of the Sanctified Burial Church and the headquarters of the Exorcists.

And now, this sacred land is unusually lively.

The grand cathedral at its center, the churches where the Exorcists gather, even the residential districts of the common folk outside—everywhere is restless.

But not in a bad way.

"……So, it’s that time of year again."

Muttering to myself, I gaze out the window.

The Comet Festival had only just ended, yet another event was already approaching.

Thinking, "This world is a fictional story, so there are more events set up than usual…" might be too cynical.

In reality, it’s probably just that in a world with little entertainment, even small occasions are celebrated as festivals.

Harvest festivals, carnivals, religious events—they all serve as sustenance for the people living in this cruel world.

"…………"

I drag my finger along the windowpane before pulling away.

Today isn’t the day of the festival yet.

There are still three days left.

So, the commotion is just preparations.

But one thing’s certain—it’s even more bustling than the once-every-seven-years Comet Festival.

The reason is simple: this festival is far more significant.

The Holy Birth Festival.

The day Saint Reyrin was born in this sacred land.

In other words, the birthday of the highest-ranking figure in the religion.

In the Sacred Reyrin, nothing takes precedence over this.

Back in my room, I splash water on my face and dry it with a towel.

The automatic water dispenser, which feels out of place in this era, and the finely woven towel—apparently, they were inventions proposed by Saint Reyrin herself.

Saint Reyrin wasn’t just exceptional as a religious figure. She was also an outstanding Exorcist, scholar, inventor, and ruler.

…Or rather, her ideas were just too modern.

I don’t remember such settings in the game, but… was she, like me, someone with memories of a past life?

But there’s no point dwelling on that.

She lived over a hundred years ago.

She’s long gone, and there’s no way to confirm it.

Besides, even if I knew, it wouldn’t change anything.

Clad in the Exorcist uniform—a priestly robe—I leave my room.

An endlessly long, wide hallway stretches before me.

This is the housing for Exorcists in the Sacred Reyrin… or, in modern terms, company housing.

Exorcists live here rent-free, and unless there’s a special reason, nearly all of them reside here.

The size and furnishings of the rooms are determined by rank.

As an Upper-rank, my room is a little too spacious for one person… but Lower-rank Exorcists get only the bare minimum.

Well, Lower-rank Exorcists come and go frequently anyway.

It’d be troublesome if they had too much space to leave their belongings.

…Either they get promoted to Middle-rank and move, or they die in the line of duty.

Either way, turnover is high.

It’s unfortunate, but that’s just how it is.

"Still, they’re way too excited…"

Glancing at the excessively decorated bulletin board, I keep walking.

It’s morning—though a bit late—and rookie Exorcists are already crowding around, checking missions.

Their basic pay probably doesn’t leave much for entertainment.

Fancy clothes, good meals, books for self-improvement—they’re scrambling for optional requests to afford those.

There are no dubious requests like in the original game—no "demon rank misassessments" or similarly flawed missions.

Since I’m not in a hurry, I watch the buddy pairs chatting, request sheets in hand.

They seem pretty close, huh....

Letting out a small sigh, I lean against a marble pillar.

If I wait just a little longer—

"Ah, Elsie!"

Raising an eyebrow, I turn toward the voice.

There stands Yuri, my buddy, wearing a Middle-rank robe.

I check the pocket watch on my chest.

Ten minutes before the scheduled meeting time.

But—

"You’re late, you know~?"

"Ugh, sorry…"

Yuri bows apologetically at my snark.

Even though the meeting time hasn’t passed, Yuri arrived early—but since I got here even earlier, I sound like an idiot complaining. So, I cover it up with a grumble.

I click my tongue and step up to the mission board.

"Alright, Yuri, check from that side."

"R-Right."

Time passes, the crowd thins, and the board is less packed now.

Standing side by side with Yuri, we scan the posted optional requests.

"Elsie, what about this one?"

"That’s something even a Lower-rank can handle. It’s not urgent—let another Exorcist take it."

"O-Oh, okay…"

Yuri deflates and re-pins the request sheet to the board.

I skim through the options too, but they’re all low-rank missions, none suited for us.

Nothing urgent, nothing that connects to my knowledge of the original story…

Just as I start feeling bored (yet relieved)—

"……Hey, Elsie."

"What?"

"……Um, why are you making me practice picking out requests?"

Until now, I’d always chosen optional requests on my own without consulting Yuri.

Priority went to urgent missions or dangerous ones tied to the original story.

But from now on—

Six years later, when I’m gone—

"So I don’t have to drag myself out early to grab requests, obviously?"

"Ugh, sorry… You’ve been doing it alone all this time…"

"Tch. Whatever. As long as you get it, that’s all that matters."

He needs to learn to choose on his own…

My remaining lifespan, the time I have left with Yuri… and his life after I’m gone.

Thinking about it, I realized—I have to make sure he can stand on his own before then.

So that even without me, he can keep going… alone, or with a new buddy—

"Elsie?"

His voice pulls me back to reality.

"……What?"

"N-Nothing? It’s just… you seemed kinda down."

"……Quit staring. Focus on the requests, would you?"

"Right… sorry."

We resume searching, but nothing suitable turns up.

I let out a sigh.

"Well. Nothing worth our time."

"Guess not… Probably got snatched up by the early birds. Plenty of easy ones left, though."

Yuri sighs softly.

Simple requests are for Lower-rank Exorcists—to earn money or gain experience.

If Upper-ranks like me take them, it causes problems.

In the end, with no viable requests, we step away from the board.

"Honestly, everyone’s way too diligent. And the Holy Birth Festival is right around the corner."

"Ah… right, that’s the day after tomorrow. Forgot about that."

"……Well, last year we were out on an assigned request. I forgot too until this morning."

Our conversation stutters along as we sit on a bench—slightly removed from the foot traffic.

"So, Elsie… Wanna do something together for the Holy Birth Festival this year? If you’re up for it."

"……First the Comet Festival, now this. Why are you so into events?"

"W-Well… I just really like festivals, y’know?"

"First I’m hearing of it."

"Eh? Really?"

"Total lie. You’re an indoor type."

"N-Not always… okay, mostly."

His gaze flits away.

"So? The real reason?"

I eye him skeptically until his expression shifts to resignation.

"Um… well… I just wanted an excuse to go out with you."

The words tumble out, embarrassingly earnest.

"……You’re not ashamed saying that?"

"Ugh, I mean… yeah, it’s embarrassing, but…"

His flustered, unguarded honesty makes me feel awkward. To hide it, I look away.

"You don’t… need a festival to invite me out."

"……Really?"

"……Yeah."

I press my lips thin, realizing how that sounded. Like I’m asking to be invited.

To dispel the tension, I snap—

"B-But! Just because you can invite me doesn’t mean I’ll go! Make it worth my while, got it?!"

"R-Right… I’ll try."

As if he’d ever not invite me after that. Restless, I fiddle with my hair.

"……So? What’s the plan for the festival?"

"If you’re okay with it… I’d love to go out together."

It’s a tempting offer.

But considering what’s coming—

Considering the end awaiting me—

"…………"

"……Elsie?"

Getting closer to Yuri when my time is limited… isn’t wise.

The eventual parting will only hurt more.

For both of us.

So I should keep my distance.

I know that.

I do.

And yet—

"……Fine. I’ll go."

Why do I still say yes?

Is it selfishness?

Or—

"Awesome! Let’s hit the market street outside the church, then."

I turn away from Yuri’s beaming smile.

"You couldn’t come up with a better plan?"

Self-loathing? Embarrassment?

Without a mirror here, I can’t tell what face I’m making.

---

A few days later—the day of the Holy Birth Festival.

Yuri and I walked through the streets.

Even beyond the grand cathedral at the heart of the Sacred Reyrin, the cityscape remained steeped in religious imagery. Decorations inscribed with reverent words for Saint Reyrin, religious paintings—all of it a testament to the depth of their faith.

But—

"……There are an awful lot of couples around, huh~?"

"Y-Yeah…"

Hand-holding, leaning close—lovers everywhere.

Even on the saint’s birthday, it seems romantics abound.

Technically, the Holy Birth Festival is about gratitude—for Saint Reyrin’s birth, yes, but also for cherished people in one’s life.

So, in short?

It’s become an event for giving gifts to lovers or crushes.

I remember this from the story too—the day when the heroine with the highest affection would give you items or gear.

……But Yuri doesn’t have a heroine like that.

Because I’ve monopolized his side, keeping him too busy hunting demons to even think about romance.

……Maybe I’ve been a little cruel.

Should I get him something to make up for it?

As the thought crosses my mind, I glance back at Yuri—only to find him eyeing a street vendor.

An elderly woman, her wares spread on a rug over the cobblestones.

"……You wanna take a look?"

"Eh? …Uh, just a quick one."

"Then go ahead."

"R-Right."

While Yuri approaches the stall, I let my gaze drift over the peaceful, festive scenery.

Young couples, fingers intertwined—

I look away.

For some reason, my chest aches.

A suffocating tightness.

An unbearable impulse, almost like frustration.

Probably jealousy.

But—

"……Must be my imagination."

What am I jealous of?

What do I even envy?

What do I want?

I don’t know.

So it has to be my imagination.

I exhale deeply and head toward the vendor where Yuri stands.

She seems to specialize in silver trinkets—delicate, ornate.

…Silver, they say, has the power to repel evil.

Fitting for the Sacred Reyrin, though it’s just ordinary silver, not the Sacred Silver used to slay demons.

Yuri and the vendor exchange words—then he tucks something into his coat.

My eyebrow twitches. I stride over.

"Yuri. Buy something?"

"Huh? Oh, uh… well, yeah."

His evasive tone makes me blink.

Yuri’s never cared about fashion, so it’s not for himself.

Which means… It’s a gift for someone else.

He steps away from the stall—and tries to sidestep me too.

I quicken my pace, chasing him—

"……Over here. Now."

"Wha—wah—?!"

I grab his wrist and drag him into a secluded alley.

"E-Elsie…?"

"Show me what you bought."

"Uh, I—I mean, it’s…"

His hedging irritates me.

If he bought it now, it’s for the festival.

In the original game, you could give gifts to close friends during the Holy Birth Festival.

Doing so raised their affection… or whatever.

…This world isn’t exactly like the game, but if Yuri’s giving someone a gift—

What is it?

Who’s it for?

I want to know.

Even though I’ve got no right to care.

"……What, you can’t show me?"

"N-No! It’s not that, it’s just—not yet—"

"Not yet?"

Not yet implies he’ll show me eventually.

"Ah, no, that’s not—I mean—"

So… what does that mean?

"……Ugh… fine."

Seeing my suspicious glare, Yuri seems to misinterpret it—his face shifting to resigned acceptance.

Then, from his coat, he pulls out a silver ornament.

Geometric, intricate.

"……What’s this?"

"I was… gonna give this to you later, Elsie."

He presses the newly bought silverwork into my hands.

Light.

A little cold.

Circles and squares, arranged in a pattern that seems chaotic yet deliberate.

Not… cute, exactly.

Not the kind of accessory you’d give a girl.

But somehow, I like the design.

I lift my gaze from the silver to Yuri’s face.

"Why... me?"

"Th-That's... I mean, you're always looking out for me, so..."

His flustered excuse lingers in my mind.

The Holy Birth Festival is for giving gifts to lovers or crushes—no, wait, that's not quite right.

It's about showing gratitude to those close to you. Parents, siblings, friends, even teachers—anyone you care about.

So... no, I'm not misunderstanding.

I'm perfectly calm.

"O-Oh... I see...? R-Right."

Totally calm.

I take a deep breath in, then out.

Yuri misreads my tension as irritation, his face twisting with worry.

"......Elsie, you'll... take it, right? If you don’t want it, you can just toss it in a drawer or something..."

I sigh and nod.

"I’ll keep it properly, but—"

As I speak, I lift the ornament to my neck, fastening the leather cord around it.

"......How's this?"

......I brush aside my rose-colored hair where it tangles with the pendant. Not like I dressed up today—just my usual priestly robes, no frills. Against the plain fabric, the silver trinket rests beside my sacred rosary.

When I glance back at Yuri... he’s staring, dumbstruck.

Then—

"Y-Yeah... It’s really... cute."

"......Hmph. Sure."

I cover my mouth with my hand.

My usual smirk threatens to crack.

Fiddling with a strand of hair, I step past Yuri, pausing to look back at him still frozen in place.

"......What? Weren’t we going to see the festival?"

"O-Oh, right! Coming!"

With a small hnn, I stride ahead, weaving through food stalls and soaking in the atmosphere. Occasionally, I buy snacks along the way—

"......Elsie, is that good?"

What I’m holding is a skewer.

A cube of sponge cake drenched in cream.

"It’s... fine."

"......Just fine, huh?"

It’s disgustingly sweet.

Cloying to the point of vulgarity, far beyond what its innocent appearance suggests.

......Yuri’s hesitant expression makes me sigh.

"......Want a bite?"

"Huh? N-No, it’s yours, and... um..."

His eyes dart between the cake and my face—no, my mouth. When I tilt my head, he flushes and looks away.

......I think I get it.

"You’re worried about indirect kissing?"

"......W-Well, yeah."

......Pathetic.

His inexperience is almost endearing.

Not that I... dislike that about him.

Seeing him red-faced like this just makes me want to tease him more.

"......And yet you’ve actually kissed me before."

"Wha—?! N-No we haven’t...?!"

His bewildered denial makes my brow twitch.

"......Hah? In Verapoli. You did."

"Wait, did we...? Uh—guh—!"

I drive an elbow into his ribs.

"You really don’t remember?"

"...I-I mean, that was just... emergency resuscitation..."

"......Whatever."

For some reason, irritation prickles under my skin.

I don’t know why it bothers me so much.

That was my first time— and here he is, acting like it meant nothing.

"S-Sorry, Elsie..."

"Hah? Don’t care. I don’t."

His guilty, drooping expression makes me shake my head.

......It’s fine.

I just wanted to mess with him.

I didn’t mean to make him look like that.

......The heat in my chest cools abruptly, and I shove the skewered cake—

"Mmph—!"

—straight into Yuri’s mouth.

"......Well?"

"Mmf...! Wow, that’s... way too sweet..."

"Told you. Finish the rest. Then I’ll forgive you."

"O-Okay..."

It’s a ridiculous demand, pure selfishness.

But Yuri just nods, no complaints.

......Honestly, I’m starting to worry he’d get scammed by some pushy woman someday. If a girl bossed him around, would he just... agree to everything?

Lost in thought, I walk ahead—only for Yuri to hurry and fall into step beside me.

When I glance up at his slightly taller frame, he meets my gaze with a soft, helpless smile.

A spineless, pitiful grin.

But also... warm. Gentle.

......Before I realize it, my own lips curve—not a smirk, but something genuine.

Just for a moment, my heart stutters.

Just... a little.

---

Walking beside her, I glanced at Elsie's face.

She was just a little shorter than me, and when our eyes met, I couldn't help but break into an awkward smile.

Embarrassed. Flustered.

Maybe she found my expression amusing, because Elsie smiled back—not her usual mocking smirk, but a natural, girlish grin, fitting for her age.

Seeing that look, my heart pounded like a drum.

I swear, my body temperature rose a little.

Because... she was just... so cute.

Trying to distract myself, I spoke up.

"……Hey, Elsie. Anywhere else you wanna go?"

At my question, she averted her gaze.

"……Can we stop by that place?"

Her eyes were fixed on... a general store, the kind that sold who-knows-what.

"Of course, sure."

I agreed, and we stepped inside.

……What wasn’t in here?

Trivets, accessories… even mugs.

As I scanned the cramped shelves, Elsie picked something up—then headed straight for the checkout without putting it back.

I couldn’t help but ask.

"……Elsie, what’d you get?"

"A talisman."

She showed it to me.

It looked like a small pocket watch, but the hands didn’t move, and instead of numbers, tiny gemstones were embedded in the face.

"……Wow, it’s pretty."

Honestly, it seemed fancier than the silver trinket I’d given her.

Not that I regretted my impulse buy—that silver piece was simple, unadorned, but intricate if you looked closely. Still, maybe Elsie’s taste leaned toward… flashier designs.

Realizing my misstep, I hesitated—but then—

"It’s not just pretty. It actually has a purpose."

"……Huh?"

I blinked.

Wait, is she more devout than I thought?

I wasn’t much of a believer myself, but… I shouldn’t dismiss her views.

"You’re thinking something weird, aren’t you?"

"N-No way!"

Could she read my mind?

Or was I just that easy to read?

Probably the latter.

"This is a single-use item."

"Single… use?"**

The unfamiliar term made her expression twist slightly.

"……Forget it."

"O-Okay?"**

Elsie sometimes used words I didn’t know.

And whenever she did, she’d brush it off without explaining.

Her understanding of the Sanctified Burial Church ran deeper than mine—maybe it was some religious term.

Ignoring my confusion, Elsie finished paying.

……The price? About three times what I’d paid for the silver piece.

I looked away, suddenly feeling a little pathetic.

"C’mon, Yuri. Let’s go."

"Ah… yeah."**

Clutching the talisman, Elsye stepped out of the store.

A faint awkwardness hung between us.

Probably because she’d just bought something far more valuable than my gift.

She started walking, and I followed.

Then, without even looking at me—

"……Here, Yuri."

She shoved the talisman into my hands.

"Huh?"

I fumbled to catch it as Elsie let out a dismissive hnn, already walking ahead without meeting my eyes. I hurried after her.

"Elsie, this is...?"

"You’re painfully slow on the uptake. Did you really think I’d just take your gift and call it even?"

"N-No… I mean, I guess not."

I stopped, staring down at the talisman in my palms. Elsie paused too, glancing back.

Her expression was… hard to place. That usual smirk, but somehow… strained.

"It’s your return gift."

"But something this nice—"

I bit my tongue.

Sure, it was worth more than what I’d given her.

But Elsie had still chosen it for me.

Which meant she didn’t care about the difference in value.

My refusal was just pride talking.

……Swallowing my protests, I nodded.

"……Thanks, Elsye. I’ll treasure it."

"Whatever. It’s not a big deal."

"No, it is—because it’s from you."

"……D-Do what you want."

Her smirk twitched as she looked away, rose-colored hair swaying with the motion.

I caught up, falling into step beside her.

"Elsie… wanna grab dinner together later?"

"……Fine."

"I know a good place around here, so—"

"……Hmph. Sure."

Watching her curt replies from the corner of my eye, I smiled.

Every little thing she did made my heart race—embarrassing, but…

"I’m really glad I got to spend the Holy Birth Festival with you."

This moment felt unbearably precious.

I wish this happiness could last forever, I thought—

"……Well, I’ll give it a passing grade."

—and seeing her mutter those words, I found myself thinking it all over again.