Little Pink Starfish

What was clearly visible to Iyu didn’t seem to be seen by Amon or the priests, who probably considered themselves too noble to notice. The reaction when Amon recently accepted Lesha Gwen into the Holy of Holies was a clear example. As soon as the priests assisting Nyne heard the news, their faces brightened.

“Lord Nyne, it is truly a matter to be congratulated. Thankfully, Lord Sha Amon bestows even greater grace and love upon us servants.”

“This will be an opportunity for the Leshas to purify their minds and bodies more thoroughly.”

The priests’ faces clearly showed they believed that with Amon’s acceptance of his first Lesha, he would begin to show attention and affection to more people. According to doctrine, those who receive Sha Amon’s gaze and touch are blessed, and those around them can also share in that blessing. Thus, the more Leshas Amon embraces, the higher the chance for many to live happily in the afterlife.

Iyu thought especially of the news that Osen Iyad had rejoiced. That snake-like man, he’ll surely use this opportunity to raise his authority by leveraging priests and nobles eager to bring their children into the Lotus Hall. But whether the high priest’s power grew stronger or not had nothing to do with Iyu, so that thought soon vanished.

While all the priests were joyful, only Nyne blinked a few times with a blank face and gave a slight nod. Then, following the priests, he said it was a matter worth celebrating. Of course, to Iyu, it didn’t seem like Nyne was celebrating at all.

Unlike the wealthy priests and nobles, commoners generally lived by monogamy. In the Grand Temple, the existence of Leshas, who were effectively Sha Amon’s consorts, was taken for granted, but to Iyu, it seemed deeply unfair. Thus, Nyne, who always received the utmost care from priests and lived in luxury, appeared pitiable.

Even if his body was at ease, Nyne’s spirit never seemed happy. Especially because Sha Amon’s nature was far from kind and affectionate…

“Besides memory loss or depression, he seems to have some other problem. To be so obsessed with a nonexistent pink cat…”

Iyu clicked his tongue silently. Recently, when Nyne said a pink cat entered the bedroom, Iyu was surprised. But what was the reaction of Popo, a senior priest with much experience? She calmly put Nyne to sleep and told Iyu:

“Priest Iyu, the Sha sometimes sees illusions after rituals, so please be careful with your words and actions so as not to alarm him.”

After hearing that, Iyu sighed inwardly. Is this really okay? Even if he’s a god, he understands human suffering and pain. What if he ends up breaking down like a human? Does Sha Amon not know about these things? Or does he just not care?

But as a mere devoted servant, all Iyu could do was entertain Nyne with his humble stories.

Nyne tended to Napa, then headed to the garden. He sat on a bench by the pond and quietly gazed at the pinkish carp he had seen recently. His gaze wasn’t so much admiring the fish as it was blank and empty, as if his soul had slipped away. Nyne often had that look, and each time he looked like he might disappear any moment.

Once, Iyu even doubted his own eyes, thinking he saw Nyne’s skin shimmer like a mirage and fade. Maybe… it was just the sunlight being too strong.

To ease Nyne’s boredom, a music priest quietly began to play the lyre. At that, Nyne, who had been flicking grass toward the carp, furrowed his brow and suddenly stood. The music priests immediately fell flat on the ground. As Nyne strode off, the attendant priests quickly followed behind him.

“Lord Nyne, are you perhaps hungry?”

“Did the music not please you?”

“Shall we bring sweet wine or palm liquor?”

Their voices were so soft and smooth that they tickled the ears. Wouldn’t it be better to just leave him alone? Iyu thought so, when Nyne snapped in irritation.

“You’re being annoying. I’m sleepy, so I’ll sleep now.”

Since their master had barely eaten lunch or dinner, the priests were anxious but obeyed. They carefully inspected the sleeping quarters and replaced the damp blanket with a fresh one. They lit calming incense and thoroughly checked for any dust.

As Nyne entered the chamber, he waved away the priests trying to undress him. They hesitated, then bowed their heads and quietly retreated. Iyu, permitted to stay as close as possible, listened attentively to any sounds inside the chamber. For someone who claimed to be sleepy, Nyne didn’t seem to lie down. Judging by how often the sound of pages turning was heard before bed, he might be reading.

But unexpectedly, Nyne neither read nor lay down. There was rustling, then the sound of pacing near the terrace. Though a reclining chair was there, Nyne didn’t use it—only the sound of restless movement could be heard.

A depressed person can do anything at any time. Feeling uneasy, Iyu quickly moved closer to the terrace. He glanced up at Nyne pacing and said to the guards sternly:

“There’s a strange sound coming from the west. Go check it thoroughly and patrol while you’re at it. I’ll keep watch here.”

“Yes, understood.”

The more skilled a warrior priest is, the more sensitive his senses are. So they didn’t doubt Iyu and left. Meanwhile, Nyne, showing clear signs of anxiety, tried to climb over the terrace railing.

The chamber was on the second floor, and the terrace was built to give a full view of the garden. Iyu was thankful again that he had sent the guards away. They were inflexible—especially Sein Ka Hoan, the most rigid of them all—and if they had seen this, it would’ve caused a huge stir.

Nyne must have underestimated the warrior priests’ senses. He tried to move as quietly as possible, but it was useless. Not only Iyu but others could have easily noticed. Iyu quietly moved under the terrace and caught Nyne’s falling body as he dropped down.

“……!”

Startled, Nyne hadn’t expected anyone to catch him. He barely stifled a scream, took a deep breath, and commanded,

“Put me down.”

“Yes, Sha.”

Iyu respectfully put him down as if nothing had happened. In the darkness, Nyne’s golden eyes gleamed. Iyu pretended not to notice his inner anxiety. After a few moments, Nyne spoke in a half-resigned tone.

“I simply fell by accident. Don’t make a fuss.”

“Understood, Sha.”

Iyu replied politely and studied Nyne’s face. Lit by the garden lanterns, he looked terribly lonely.

Even if he lived surrounded by dozens of people every day and received devoted care, how happy could a life be without a single person to confide in? Since coming to the Grand Temple, Iyu had grown weary of the cold, fanatical devotees and thought he understood how Nyne felt. Looking at the distant lanterns with a blank expression, Nyne looked as if he might disappear. Iyu cheerfully said,

“When you can’t sleep, a light walk is not a bad idea, Sha.”

Nyne turned his head at Iyu’s words, eyes widening slightly, then smiled faintly.

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, Sha. Or milk with honey works well. It’s sweet and filling, so sleep comes easily.”

“Indeed, you do like sweet things.”

That remark surprised Iyu a little. Did Nyne notice how happy he was when given sweet treats?

Perhaps because he had many siblings and never ate enough, Iyu had always had a big appetite. Since becoming a warrior priest, he consumed even more. The food Nyne gave him was precious and cherished. Each time, he felt sincere gratitude.

“…Enough. Tonight, I’d best just go sleep.”

After a long silence, Nyne replied with a sigh-like voice, eyes lingering on the tower door of the Holy of Holies. Iyu couldn’t ignore the emotion in that voice. Nyne was too kind a master, even to a warrior priest. Blasphemous as it was, no god should be this human.

Oh well. Nyne is merciful—surely he will keep this secret and spare my life too. Scratching his head, Iyu lowered his voice and asked,

“Is there anywhere you’d like to go? If you command it, I will carry it out in secret.”

Nyne blinked several times, as if he hadn’t expected such a question at all.