“Prince Igna? Where are we going?” Europa demanded.
“To the Grand Basilica,” Igna replied.
Europa’s eyes widened. “Huh? But they don’t allow ordinary people entry. Won’t they turn us away at the gate?”
“No. Because of the ongoing search, Oz, myself, and some of our guards have been granted the right to come and go freely.”
“You never mentioned that.”
“All that blood loss has helped me cool down.”
Was he trying to say his blood ran too hot normally? Europa wasn’t sure, but she’d take it. Also, he was holding her hand without permission, and she really wanted to yank it away and fully express her disgust. But, if she did that, blood would just start gushing from his nostrils again. She had reluctantly accepted this as a necessary evil.
It would be a colossal waste of time to wait for him to come to his senses again. Good grief.
When the pair arrived at the Grand Basilica, the priests at the entrance were surprised at first to see them—then broke into radiant grins.
“It’s the saint! Oh, Saint Evelyn!”
“You’ve come back to us! We’ve waited and waited...!”
The two priests danced ecstatically, their hands clasped together as they shouted, “Hooray! Hooray!”
Though she hated to burst their bubble, Europa decided to be frank. “No, I’m Europa.”
The priests froze.
“Oh, balls! Another hallucination! I can’t deal with this anymore!”
“Everything looks like Saint Evelyn now! The trees, the grass, the shadows, the sky, the birds!”
“Wait, wouldn’t that mean I’m Saint Evelyn?”
“If you’re Saint Evelyn, then I’m also Saint Evelyn! Praise be! Thank you, O Mother Goddess!”
This was...certainly a scene.
Paying no mind to the wailing priests, Igna turned back to Europa. “Good. Let’s enter.”
“I...don’t think any part of this qualifies as ‘good.’”
But it was convenient that the two were being allowed inside, and so they proceeded into the Grand Basilica.
Within seconds, Europa’s breaths grew ragged.
Nnngh! Saint Evelyn walked these corridors for twenty-three years! This is the sublime space in which she breathed, studied, changed clothes, ate meals, and prayed! Oh. Oh no. The more I think about it, the more excited I get! My legs feel like jelly!
She knew she shouldn’t, but she couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Beside the panting Europa, Igna was also panting.
Nnngh! When will she pull her hand away and call me disgusting?! She’s such a tease...!
The two peas in a pod kept walking, breathing heavily, and somehow managed to make it to the basilica’s great hall. There, an elderly priest stood before a young man.
“Who are they?” Europa asked.
“The high priest and the clown prick,” Igna replied.
“Why is the high priest brandishing his staff like he’s about to murder someone?”
“Because he’s about to murder someone.”
Europa immediately understood the circumstances.
Alex was hiding behind a pillar, keeping his distance from the high priest as best as he could. Since he was unarmed, evasion was the only tactic left to him.
The crown prince noticed the two new arrivals. “Igna! You’re back!”
“This is the day you diiieee!” the head priest shouted, mercilessly pressing his attack.
Alex lunged out of the way. “Y-You have to help me! This crazy geezer is trying to get rid of me while everyone else is gone!”
Then, noticing Igna and Europa holding hands, he shot them an envious, somewhat intense glare.
“Hmph. Must be nice, holding hands with your lovely betrothed.”
“Oh. I completely forgot,” Europa said. “Your Highness, your palm is gross and sweaty. Let go, please. Right now. Thank you.”
“Ngh...! I’ve been waiting for this!” Igna exclaimed. Blood gushed from his nose and he collapsed with a thud.
Europa used her newly freed hand to produce a fan from her breast pocket. “Allow me to assist you, good sir. Shall we tear the moron limb from limb?”
“What a marvelous young lady you are,” the high priest replied. “I gladly accept your kindness.”
“Wait a second! Lady Europa! You can’t be serious!” Alex shouted incredulously.
Europa scoffed. “For twenty-three years I’ve been plotting your demise. Now that the opportunity has finally come, I must not let it slip me by!”
“You weren’t even born yet twenty-three years ago! Why would you hate me that badly?!”
“Gouge out your heart and reflect upon its blackness!”
“I’d die if I did that! How would I reflect upon anything then?!”
Europa readied her fan with a sharp motion, and Alex’s face went pale when he realized she wasn’t joking. But, before the two could attack him, the high priest dropped his staff.
“S-Saint...Evelyn...!” he wheezed.
“Huh?!”
Was he hallucinating like the other priests?! Europa stood there, flustered, as the high priest hobbled toward her.
“Oh, Saint Evelyn...! Saint Evelyn!”
“N-No, good sir, I am Europa...”
The high priest fell reverently to his knees—not before Europa herself, but before the mud on her clothes. In tears, he said, “I can sense Saint Evelyn’s magical power emanating from this sacred mud...!”
What a formidable man...! Europa thought, trembling at the accuracy of his assessment. “I-Indeed, this mud is imbued with a sliver of Saint Evelyn’s magical power. But how did you...?”
“I knew it! I can always detect Saint Evelyn’s wavelength, no matter how faint!”
“Oh, impressive!” Europa exclaimed with a smile, cold sweat dripping down her skin.
“And you, young lady. Proudly sporting Saint Evelyn’s very own mud.” The high priest chuckled. “Staking your claim, are you?”
Europa chuckled in turn. “Quite the opposite. I am but Saint Evelyn’s humble, faithful servant. I am proud to be caked in this mud, as it is proof of my devotion.”
“Oh, impressive!” the high priest exclaimed.
“I would argue you’re more impressive by far, good sir.”
The two chuckled maniacally while Alex watched from a distance.
And then a voice that really should not have been here echoed around them. “What a fascinating conversation. Might I ask for more details?”
Europa gulped loudly and went rigid. She turned around to see the figure of Oz in a wheelchair, emerging from the dimly lit corridor.