Chapter 32

Before long, Rika and the others arrived at the giant stone dais with the crest engraved into it, white pillars surrounding it, and a pedestal in the middle. Beyond was a tall building with Gothic architecture: arches, pillars, and stained glass. Past that was a small town with two armoured guards at the entrance.

"Wait, people live around here?" Rika asked. "I thought it was just the dais."

"This town is considered the keeper of the dais. They're the ones who maintain the barrier once it's put up," Ferran explained.

"Oh, so it's not all on me?"

"They can maintain it, but only to a point. They kept it up as long as they could, but without the saint... it was bound to break, eventually." Ferran swallowed hard, thinking about the previous saint.

"It will stay even if I leave to go home, right?"

"Yes, of course. For a few decades, so long as it's maintained, then we'll need another saint to restore the barrier to its full form."

"Wouldn't it be better if you lot didn't need to kidnap a woman from another world to make your barrier?" Kael asked.

"Tch. Stop acting like you know what it's like to be on the other side. We only summon a saint because we have to. If your country didn't keep trying to take ours over, and manipulate demons to do their work, maybe we wouldn't need to summon a saint," Wolfe snapped at him.

"And what about the plague? Is that my country's fault, too?"

"Considering it starts from demons, yes!"

Kael shrugged. "Not something I can say I know about."

As they got closer, people from inside the building attached to the dais flooded out in anticipation.

"Were they expecting us?" Rika asked.

"Yes, and they were probably worried we didn't show up earlier," Wolfe said.

Once they stopped nearby, three women in long, flowing white dresses approached them and bowed.

"We've been expecting you," they said in unison. "I am Astrid, this is Ingrid, and Sigrid, my younger sisters."

Wolfe hopped off the horse and held his hand up to her.

"Thanks." She took his hand to get off.

The three women stared at her for a moment and bowed. "You must be the saint."

Guess it's obvious when I'm the only female here, but my clothes don't scream it right now.

"Any chance one of you can help with her dress?" Kael asked, holding it up. "It was... damaged during our travels."

"Of course." Sigrid bowed to him and took the dress, heading back inside with it.

"If you don't mind, we can do the ceremony right away, and—"

"You must be tired from your travels," one of the women interrupted Ferran. "It is best to be rested and purified in our special baths before the ceremony, which can be taxing. Do you have the artifact with you?"

"Yes, safe and sound."

"We were hoping to finish this today," Wolfe said.

"It is best done under the moonlight when sacred power is strongest, so we can do the ceremony tonight. We have the tome ready to be read, so after some nourishment and cleansing, all will be set."

"Good." Wolfe nodded.

"We can also give you new clothes to wear after your bath," Astrid said, noticing Rika pick at the coat.

Probably another dress, but still better than just his coat.

"Here, let's get you cleaned up right away." Astrid held her hand out to Rika. "Ingrid, show the boys around, please." She led Rika off, who waved at the boys.

"Gentlemen." Ingrid swayed her hand towards the building. "Follow me."

"Do we really have to wait until nighttime?" Rika asked. "I thought we might finish by then and head back."

"It would be too dangerous to travel in the dark."

"Even if the barrier is up?"

"The barrier is linked to the towns, keeping the demons out of there, but the power isn't as strong in the forest. Smaller demons will be vanquished, but others may lurk."

"What keeps it so strong in the towns?"

"The crests built under them, just like the dais, except grander." Astrid led Rika through the winding halls of the building to the changing room connected to their bathhouse. "Okay, girls, this is our saint. Clean her up before her bath." Astrid clapped, and four girls dressed the same way as her surrounded Rika.

Oh, crap. "Um, I can clean myself, thanks."

"Nonsense. This is their job, and since you're the saint, it's an honour for our girls to work for you." Astrid clapped again, and the girls quickly divested her of her clothes.

"Ah!" Rika tried to cover herself, but it didn't work. The girls turned on an overhead shower and started scrubbing her.

Bloody hell.

Seriously, I could've done without the invasive scrubbing. I know how to clean myself!

Rika sat down in the circular tub, bigger than any she'd seen in real life, surrounded by thick pillars. Are we sure this isn't a swimming pool? Oh, it's like the Roman ones. A thermae?

She settled into the warm spa water, her feet planted on the floor as she sat on the bench circling the edge of the bath. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the floor behind her.

"Oh, this is so relaxing." And what is that floral scent? Rose? Probably, to go with everything else around here.

Splash.

Is someone else in here? I'm not sure I want to bathe with someone. Rika opened her eyes and froze.

"Oh, you're right. This water is nice," Kael said as he sat on the opposite side of the bath from her.

"What are you doing here?" Rika rushed to use her arms to cover her chest, splashing the water.

"What does it look like? I'm doing the same thing as you, bathing." He smiled at her.

"You shouldn't be in here. They told me that not only is this the women's bath, but I'm the only one who's supposed to be using it right now. Go use the one for the guys."

"But they don't want me there either. Something about teasing them too much." Kael shrugged. "Whatever. I like it better in here, anyway."

"But you're not allowed in here. Get out." Damn it all to hell. How am I supposed to get him to leave? I'm literally naked in here.

"No. I just got here, and I need time to relax, too. I was on the same arduous journey as you, and I helped with both the demon and giving you my coat to use. I'm not leaving. You're free to leave my awesome company, if you want." He smiled. "I don't mind."

Rika thought about getting up for a split second and sank deeper into the water. Of course, he wouldn't mind. He'd get to see me naked! Come on!

Kael looked around. "Isn't this like the Roman baths or something?"

"Similar to a thermae, yes." Guess I won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Might as well get some info out of him. "Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"Always. I encourage it, even."

"You said you're like me, from Earth, but how'd you get here?"

"The same as you, I imagine, after downloading an otome, because my sister always raved about them. Didn't even make it anywhere before a beam of light whisked me away, and into this body. The 'evil' prince from the neighbouring kingdom."

"Are you playing a character role, or are you... you?" Is he really this insane? Intrusive?

"Hmm... I'd say it's a mixture of things, really. This character is definitely part of my personality, though not one that's normally out in the open as much, but some of what I've done was because of quests the system gave me."

Not sure that helped any. Although maybe he took over Kael's body because they're similar. Does this mean I'm similar to the saint? "Do you think this is really just a video game, or is this real?"

"Well, there's a system that pops up, but I guess an alternate universe could work that way. This is quite real to us, and the others seem real, too, so I'm not sure it matters beyond that." Kael inched closer. "I thought there'd be more personal questions you'd have."

"Hey, why are you coming closer? You stay over there." Rika pointed at him and looked up, afraid of how much she could see through the water.

Kael stopped, head tilted to the side. "But it's too far to have a proper conversation."

"Then now isn't the time to talk, I guess."

"Except that it's just the two of us, and we can talk about the game."

Dammit! "We'll have to find another time. So, can you leave, please? I'll close my eyes, so I don't see you." She scrunched her eyes closed, still covering her chest with her arms.

The water sloshed as he walked through it.

Wait, is he getting closer? "Please use the exit on the other side you must've used!"

The water near her moved, and she stiffened, her heart racing.

Splat, splat.

"Kael, what are you doing?" Rika muttered and peeked with one eye to find him leaning over her, hands on the ground on both sides of her as he stared at her. "If you don't back off and leave right now, I'll... go for your sensitive parts!" she warned.

"Will you?" He snickered. "I'll take my chances."

Rika swallowed hard, struggling to move since she was busy trying to keep herself covered.

"I've been here for several months, Rika," he whispered her name and leaned in closer. "And I think you're the key to getting me out of here."

"Me?" Her stomach dropped and goosebumps trailed up her arms.

"Yes, you. You're the heroine of the story, and I probably need you to choose me, so we can both go home. Or at least that's what I believe."

"So you have no basis for it?" Of course, it's all guesswork.

"No, but this is an otome, and all the men want to be chosen."

"Are there others like you?"

"Not that I know of. So, little bunny, will you choose me and help me get home?" he whispered into her ear, his wet hand gripping her shoulder.

"W-what are you doing? Ow!" Rika yelped as pain pinched her neck. Without thinking, she shoved him away and summoned her energy ball.

"Tsk, tsk. You don't want to send it off in here and destroy something, do you? Oh, and I can see you now." He smirked.

"Shut up!" She sent the energy ball at him.

"Oh." He caught it and it disappeared in his hands, absorbing into him.

"What the hell? Wolfe!" Rika screamed. "Help!"