Praise Your Excellency

If there was one thing that soothed Yuushin’s heart, it was seeing actual humans.

No horns, tails, or furry ears.

Which meant that, as long as he kept up with that place’s fashion, Yuushin wouldn’t stand out so obviously as someone from another world. From what he had heard from Lyr, the people there didn’t seem to be hostile toward “foreigners”. Still, it never hurt to play safer in those situations.

That said…

Seeing fellow humans was the only thing reassuring Yuushin at that moment.

“Priest Lyrelith, we have been awaiting your arrival.”

Lyr moved the second they stopped, walking in front of the wagon to greet the ones blocking the entrance.

Standing in front of the gate, surrounded by at least ten other people dressed in a mix of robes and golden armor, was a brown-haired man wearing a tall and broad-brimmed hat—one that almost mimicked a crown. His robe, although similar to Lyr’s and the others, had enough embroidery and sashes to make it appear more regal.

And though the man’s voice was calm and serene, something in those black eyes…

It made Yuushin shiver.

Lyr gave a full bow, both hands hidden within the robe’s sleeves.

“Had I known Your Excellency would’ve come himself, I would’ve made even more haste, Arch Bishop.”

The man smiled, his lines gentle and soft. “There was no way for you to know, as this was an impromptu decision from me. I wanted to see the one who fought against a dragon with my own eyes.” As the Arch Bishop’s gaze shifted to the outsider, Yuushin recalled Lyr’s words to him just before the wagon stopped.

“Please, do not speak unless you are prompted to.”

Whoever that man was, Yuushin didn’t feel like getting involved with him.

“Oh, I instructed him to remain seated due to his injuries, Your Excellency. In fact, I plan to take him directly to the Sanctuary to get properly evaluated and treated.”

That dark gaze lingered on Yuushin a few seconds too many before turning to the priest, making the young man somewhat even more unsettled.

“It surprises me to see him breathing, still. Pray tell, Lyrelith, what of the bestial creature’s fate?”

Yuushin saw as Lyr’s tail raised hackles, twitching for half a second between his legs.

“There is no longer a threat we should be concerned about, Your Excellency.”

“Oh?” The Arch Bishop raised an eyebrow, showing a spark in his eyes that betrayed the voiced detachment in his tone. “How is that so? Certainly, you won’t claim a Stellar Priest such as yourself was the one to slay the dragon.”

“O-of course not, Arch Bishop. You see, due to the corruption, the d-dragon was, well…”

At that moment, Yuushin recalled the conversation between Kez and Lyr. And though he could not see Lyr’s expression, there was no way to miss the tension in the priest’s back.

So before he could even think of what to say, Yuushin leaned forward and turned to the priest.

“Are you doing this because of what I said before?”

All eyes suddenly landed on him, Lyr’s shock losing only to the fear reflected in his gaze. Yuushin gave a short bow toward the Arch Bishop, trying to seem apologetic.

“I’m sorry, I think Lyr…elith is trying to make me feel better. It’s quite embarrassing how it all went down. Apparently, I misused Soulchant trying to make the dragon leave and blacked out right after—even peed myself, for shame. Your priest here got to the scene just in time to help me, after the beast was gone.”

His cheeks flushed as he spoke, his heart racing. Yet when the Arch Bishop widened his eyes, there seemed to be only one thing the man focused on.

“Is it true, Lyrelith? Did this boy use Soulchant?” Even as the man looked straight at Yuushin, he directed the question to Lyr.

Well, that’s a bit rude.

“Judging from the injuries in his channels, and what he relayed about his interaction with the dragon, that’s the only conclusion I could reach.”

The man let out a weak chuckle, his voice amused.

“Fascinating.” He turned his back on them, facing the others. “Go ahead and make sure our guest will have a room close to his kin at the Sanctuary, as well as the best healers to check on his condition.”

All in unison, at the same time, the members stomped their feet on the ground and hit their fists once on their chests, shouting ardently.

“By our Veritux command! Bless Your Light!”

Yuushin watched, stunned, how every single person turned their back and moved in synchrony. The Arch Bishop shifted to Lyr one last time before taking his leave, the man’s smile leaving Yuushin with a bitter taste.

“I look forward to paying a visit to the boy, once he’s healed.”

Only when there was no one else in sight did Lyr’s body relax, his eyes shaking slightly as they landed on Yuushin’s.

“I appreciate the help earlier.” His voice was kind and warm, if not somewhat concerned. “Yet if I may give a word of advice…please refrain from interacting with the Arch Bishop. His Excellency can be…difficult, at times…”

Oh, Yuushin didn’t need the memo.

If it depended on him, he would steer as far away as possible from that Church.

                                                                      ▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

“Color me surprised, you actually made it… I’m glad.”

“If not for you sending help, I would be as good as dead. So now you’ve saved my life twice.”

Jay’s smile was just as genuine as Yuushin’s, the two men clasping their hands together as they greeted each other.

The “Sanctuary”, as locals called, was practically a temple functioning as a hospital. As soon as he arrived, the Church members took Yuushin to one of the rooms and informed the others about his arrival. Though some people were still being treated, most of them came to see him.

“Did you really kill the dragon?” A not-so-familiar face popped on his left, a blond man with light brown eyes and piercings on his ears and left eyebrow. “Like, holy shit, dude! Did you invoke Bruce Lee’s spirit or something?”

Yuushin let out a faint laugh, passing his hand through his hair.

How do I even respond to that…?

“Of course I didn’t kill them. Only did enough to make the dragon fly away.”

The man’s eyes sparkled with excitement, his voice even more hyped.

“Dude, that’s so peak. You gotta teach me how to do that. D’you know how to do it again? It’s magic, right, so, will you start training with the folks here and become, like, an Asian Gandalf or something? Some guys already talked with Jay about it, but he—”

Jay put his hand on the man’s shoulder, giving Yuushin an apologetic look.

“C’mon, Johnny. The man just got here, give him some space. We’ll have time to talk more later.”

Johnny blushed, somewhat flustered as he replied. “Shit, my bad. I guess I’m still processing all of this, y’know. My exes usually complained how I never thought much before speaking, haha…”

 Yuushin spotted Heidi then, as she walked closer to the bed. Apart from a few bandages on her cheeks and shoulders, she seemed fine.

I’m glad she’s all right.

“We just came to check on you, so we’ll leave you to rest now. But once you are better, let’s gather everyone and do something together! I saw they have some great hiking trails here.”

His muscles started to cry.

“S-sure, we’ll see…”

One by one, they walked away, leaving only Yuushin and Jay alone in the room. Somehow, he had an inkling the man wanted to talk with him alone. Perhaps the others noticed it, too.

Without uttering a single word, Jay paced around the room for a while, glancing out of the window with a distant gaze.

“Did that priest tell you? About the reason we got here.”

He nodded. Just once. A laughter crackled its way out of Jay, the sound broken and empty.

“Funny, isn’t it? How another world's God could punish us so easily, without even asking for permission…”

Jay turned to him, something fierce and stark brewing within his green eyes.

Something that gave him chills.

“Do you wish to go back, Yuushin?”

Yuushin blinked, his voice gone for a few seconds.

“I—honestly, I don’t know.”

There was no anger, disappointment, or frustration on the man’s face. Only understanding. And as Jay glanced out of the window, arms crossed, Yuushin felt that “something” in his voice as well.

“They told us no one ever returned, yet this is not something I can accept, you see. There’s someone waiting for me, so I need to go home.”

Heidi did mention it…

Something about his family.

“No matter what they say, I will find a way. A way back to my children. To my wife.” Jay’s eyes met Yuushin's again, and this time there was a silent plea in his gaze. A sad glow as Jay flashed an apologetic smile. “Yet I sure could use a hand.”

Yuushin had no one waiting for him. He had no great expectations of making it back to Earth. Yet as he saw a man like Jay, determined to make the journey either way, even if Yuushin decided to remain in that world in the end…

“You can count on me.”

Jay smiled brighter, his voice relieved.

“Thank you.”

There was no way Yuushin wouldn’t admire—and envy—the man’s spirit.