"Wouldn't it be better to call a carriage?"

"No, please don't do anything unnecessary."

After half an hour of walking, Gray, for the umpteenth time, asked me with gleeful malice. For the umpteenth time, I gritted my teeth and replied.

True, I was now panting, pale, and drenched in sweat. But! If I got serious and reinforced my body with mana, I could cover this paltry distance in an instant.

The only reason I'm strolling with this idiot right now is to avoid wasting mana on trivialities, so don't you dare get cocky.

I said:
"How much further?"

"Oh, we just passed it. Look, that domed building over there."

"Then why are we still walking?!"

"Sorry, sorry. Seeing you struggle so earnestly, I couldn't resist. Let's head over now."

This scoundrel...! Just you wait. Next time I chop you in half, I absolutely will not tidy up your remains.

"I will faithfully report your despicable conduct today to Adam."

"Please have mercy."

Exchanging these meaningless words, Gray and I arrived before the Star God's church.

The church was built of silver-gray stone bricks, its lines soft and solemn. Its dome was inlaid with dark blue glazed tiles that reflected the starlight under the gradually darkening night sky.

Several constellation reliefs were carved on the church's outer walls. Each star was adorned with silver wire and luminescent crystals, seeming to move slowly when viewed from afar.

The design was truly excellent. Just looking at it made me relax. I should visit more often when I have time.

Gray pushed open the church's black oak door. A cool scent of sandalwood mixed with the smell of old paper washed over us. The interior of the church was extremely quiet, with only faint whispers drifting through the corridors.

It felt a bit like a library, making me hesitant to speak loudly.

A cleric approached, made a few gestures at his forehead, shook Gray's hand, and said in a low voice:

"It's been a while, Mr. Wilson. Have you come to attend the Star Prayer ceremony?"

"No, I have some matters to discuss with the Bishop."

"Understood, I will arrange it immediately. However, the Bishop is taking a short nap at the moment. Would you be willing to wait for about half an hour?"

"No problem. May he enjoy good health."

"Thank you for your understanding. I shall take my leave. Before entering the church, please cleanse yourselves. Feel free to use the waiting room."

The cleric pointed to a star-shaped basin of water placed by the door before leaving. The water in the basin was clear to the bottom, with a few silverleaf herbs floating on the surface.

Gray showed a teasing smile and said:
"'Cleansing' means washing your hands in this basin. They say it clears distracting thoughts. They've enchanted the water so that when a distinguished guest like me approaches, it emits starlight in welcome. Watch."

He approached the basin and extended his hands. I looked curiously into the water. No change at all.

Is fooling me that much fun?

Just as I thought this, another pair of hands reached toward the basin. The water surface suddenly rippled, the colorless fluid gradually turning into a silky, smooth silver.

I looked up. It was Adam, wearing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Indeed, Adam was far more noble than the fool beside me.

Speaking of which, this was the first time I'd seen him with this expression. Was it because of the pretty girl accompanying him?

Adam said:
"Mr. Wilson, this thing recognizes people by their medallion. You gave yours to me today."

Gray discreetly glanced at the girl beside Adam and said to him:
"What a coincidence. You look quite exhausted. The Golden Flame matter must have been tough."

"You, on the other hand, look quite at ease. Did you actually organize the materials properly?"

"...Hah. You should learn some manners from Miss Via."

"If I didn't remember your... charming demeanor after drinking, I might almost think you were serious."

Who's 'Via'? You're not allowed to use a nickname for me, it's disgusting.

Also, whenever Adam encounters Gray, not only does he talk more, but his aggression rises too. It's completely the distance of friends. I'm so jealous.

Maybe it has nothing to do with the person, simply because he's in a good mood...

Let me try greeting him too.

"I was Mr. Gray's assistant all afternoon, I can attest. Both he and I worked very hard."

Adam敷衍ly smiled a single pixel's worth and said:
"Mhm. You worked hard."

That settles it. He's definitely treating us differently. I'm going to get jealous and throw a fit.

But yay! Give Gray a hard time!

Adam's female companion suddenly stepped in front of me, extending her hand. Her beautiful crimson pupils looked down at me from above, exuding a stern, heroic aura. So cool.

"Hello. My name is Merry. I'm a nun at this church, a member of the Obsidian Mage Corps like Adam, and his combat instructor."

Obsidian Mage Corps... A name I haven't heard. Adam didn't tell me at all. But it sounds impressive. Good for him.

I took her hand and replied:
"Hello. I'm Adam's elf, Sylvia. Pleased to meet you."

"Adam's elf, huh. And?"

"And...?"

"Never mind. I heard from Adam that Mr. Wilson came here seeking holy water?"

After saying these cryptic words, Merry left me hanging and turned to converse with Gray.

...

Everyone! Why is everyone giving me the cold shoulder?!

Gray said:
"Yes, and also to speak with the Bishop."

"At this hour, the Bishop should be resting. How do you plan to pass the time?"

"Haven't thought about it yet. But from your tone, you seem to have a good suggestion?"

Merry grasped the pendant on her chest with one hand, made a few gestures at her forehead with the other, and gave a slight bow. This seemed to be some sort of etiquette for Star God信徒?

She smiled and said:
"I was just about to preside over the Star Prayer ceremony. Would you be interested in experiencing it?"

Gray said bluntly:
"Forgive my bluntness, but I have no faith and am not interested in prayers."

"All the better. The Star Prayer has nothing to do with supplication, and it receives particularly high praise from non-believing visitors. It has even moved many to join the faith. Have you met Viscount Golden Flame?"

"He was quite lost after his wife's twelfth affair, and the ceremony completely resolved his worries."

That damn gossip-loving brain of his took the bait. His eyes lit up, and he said:
"That does sound worth seeing. Adam, Miss Elf, what do you say?"

Adam said:
"I'll go."

I chimed in:
"Then I'll go too."

Merry curled the corner of her mouth, revealing the triumphant smirk of a comic book minor villain.

Huh. I originally thought she was the aloof, distant type.

She gestured toward a room in the corner of the corridor, which seemed to be the waiting room.

"Excellent. I shall go make preparations now and will return in five minutes. In the meantime, please wait near the waiting room. There is hot tea and snacks inside."

Oh, how thoughtful.

I sidled up to Adam, planning to ask him about Merry and the Obsidian Mage Corps, and maybe improve his opinion of me in the process.

However, Merry suddenly spoke up:
"Adam, come help."
"...Yes."

Adam shot me a few fierce glances and followed Merry without hesitation. What does that mean? I'm a little hurt.

Once again, only Gray and I were left by the waiting room.

Gray watched Merry's retreating figure and said to me:
"See? Her attitude towards me isn't special."

Ah, so Merry is the nun he saved. What a coincidence.

"Compared to Adam's attitude towards me, I think it's already quite friendly."

Gray teased:
"Haha... Speaking of which, Miss Elf, these two are close in age, both talents in the Mage Corps, and they have a teacher-student relationship on top of that. Don't you think they're quite well-suited?"

Are you starting this again?

"You're free to think whatever you want."
"Is that so? Then, how about I try to play matchmaker for them later?"

This person is so boring it leaves me speechless.

I should just refuse directly and scold him a bit... No, wait. Adam's attitude today was especially bad. A little revenge isn't too much, right?

Let him experience the hell of a matchmaker's antics.

I replied:
"Sure, go ahead. I don't mind."

Merry, I'm sorry. I don't want to defile the sacred Star Prayer ceremony either. But what can I do?