Jeanne watched the two boys walk away, lost in thought. A wave of relief washed over her, knowing that neither child showed any signs of straying down a dark path. Yet, curiosity soon got the better of her, and she turned toward the Elafia with a puzzled expression.
"Alina, how did that boy end up with the scriptures I gave you? Has he truly developed an interest in the priesthood during my absence?"
Jeanne studied Alina, thoroughly intrigued. In truth, she hadn't paid much attention to the role the small chapel played in the village, only asking about it whenever it crossed her mind.
Through their past conversations, she knew the building didn't see much regular use. The villagers would gather there to celebrate during major festivals, but those who held genuine devotion were almost exclusively the ones who had witnessed Jeanne's incredible deeds firsthand.
The later arrivals had only heard grand rumors of her feats, and expecting them to form deep devotion based solely on hearsay was simply unrealistic. Neither Alina nor Jeanne minded this in the slightest.
Jeanne's primary reason for encouraging Alina to wear the sister's robes was simple: this land was entirely too plagued by bizarre and terrifying entities. Having the protection of holy vestments gave the Elafia a vital shield against the dark, didn't it?
Take the demons, for instance. Under Alina's influence, those terrifying entities were rendered as harmless as mere insects. Even the dreaded Emperor's Blades had practically become creatures that dropped spoils and fortunes whenever they were struck.
They were a complete embarrassment to elite forces everywhere! Yet, against the laws of absolute elements, there was no room for argument; none of them possessed the talent to reverse such a fundamental disadvantage.
Seeing Eno cradle that book as if it were his most prized possession naturally sparked Jeanne's interest in how the boy had changed over the seasonal interval.
"That boy," Alina explained with a gentle smile, "seems incredibly drawn to you. He possesses a deep desire to understand who you are. Because your deeds are connected to the faith of Laterano, he naturally developed a profound interest in the scriptures as well."
Alina watched Eno's departing figure as she spoke. Among all the youths, Eno and Sasha paid the closest attention to Jeanne and Talulah. She suspected this stemmed directly from the day the two leaders rescued them from their plight.
Because Jeanne and Talulah had pulled them from that wretched existence, the two women held an incomparably high status in their hearts.
Had they run into Talulah today, they would have reacted in the exact same manner.
It was only because Jeanne remained away from the settlement for such extended periods that her sudden appearances triggered a far more dramatic reaction from the boys.
"It seems the boy truly wishes to pursue a path toward the clergy? That would certainly make for an interesting future," Jeanne mused, her thoughts drifting as the boys vanished from sight.
Then again, if the youth truly intended to become a priest, wasn't his frame a bit too delicate? In Jeanne's memory, true priests were formidable individuals capable of driving away malevolent spirits through raw physical strength alone! Compared to that standard, the boy's stamina was still entirely too lacking.
"It is certainly a possibility," Alina noted, though her expression grew complex. "However, both boys have already commenced their training. Eno has begun learning healing arts from our medical practitioners, while Sasha is said to possess a remarkable talent for marksmanship."
Alina harbored mixed feelings regarding these developments. If choices were entirely up to her, she would never wish for children of their age to prepare for combat. Yet, under their current circumstances, fostering such talents from youth was an inescapable reality.
Reunion needed fresh blood. When faced with children who possessed both natural gifts and a strong desire to contribute, the movement could hardly turn them away simply because they hadn't reached maturity.
The fact that these youths weren't being sent to active battlefields was already a massive mercy. Therefore, despite her personal misgivings, Alina could only offer her silent approval; she was simply grateful they still came to her classes to learn to read and write.
Listening to the Elafia's recount, Jeanne joined her to assist with the morning's tasks. A fair number of children had gathered in the building by now, and managing such an unruly crowd entirely on her own was becoming too heavy a burden for Alina.
Fortunately, through Reunion's various rescues, several educators had been brought into the fold. The schoolhouse, which had once been a casual project, had grown significantly in scale.
Throughout the morning, a constant stream of worries ran through Jeanne's mind. Would Fafnir remain well-behaved by Alina's side? Would she grow frightened in an unfamiliar environment without her? Was she entirely too shy to mingle? Could she truly get along with the other children?
Without even realizing it, Jeanne was behaving exactly like a fretful mother terrified of her daughter facing hardship, worrying constantly over the young dragon while helping with the schoolwork.
She didn't expect Fafnir to blend in seamlessly like an ordinary child. Fafnir's miraculous nature meant she could never lead a mundane existence; forcing her into a normal routine would likely be a complete nightmare for the youngster.
All Jeanne truly desired was a trusted companion who could guide the child when needed, and a welcoming place where she wouldn't feel lonely while Jeanne was occupied. That was all.
And what was Fafnir doing at this very moment? She offered a completely indifferent glance toward the children who matched her apparent size, before settling into a quiet spot to daydream and doze.
As long as Alina wasn't actively doting on her, the young dragon looked capable of staring into space until the end of time, appearing thoroughly detached from the group.
Yet, this was only natural. A great dragon playing happily with normal children was a scenario best left to storybooks. The endearing, sweet side of Fafnir's personality was a treasure reserved strictly for Jeanne and a select few.
Beholding the youngster sitting so quietly in her corner, Jeanne felt a sudden pang of sympathy squeeze her heart. A wave of guilt washed over her, making her feel as though she were somehow mistreating the poor child.
If circumstances allow for it in the future, perhaps I should simply keep her by my side wherever I go. I wouldn't mind having her tag along as a constant companion.
"Um... Big Sister Jeanne!"
While Jeanne was secretly observing the youngster, the voices of Eno and Sasha sounded from right behind her. The two stood together, catching her in the act of spying.
"Oh, it's the two of you! What is it? Has something occurred?" Jeanne asked quickly, noticing the tense look on Eno's face.
"Ah, no, nothing like that at all!" the two boys corrected in unison, realizing they had inadvertently caused her to fear the worst. "We simply... have a few words we wished to share with you!"
Seeing that the youths desired a private word but felt too embarrassed to speak in front of the classroom, Jeanne offered a warm smile. "In that case, come with me. Let us find a quiet spot to talk."
With those words, she guided the children to an undisturbed corner. Looking down at the pair—one perfectly composed, the other visibly nervous—she asked gently, "What is it you wish to tell me?"
Jeanne leaned down slightly to listen, waiting patiently for the two youngsters to find their voice.
Beholding the quiet surroundings, the boys seemed to gather their courage, looking up at Jeanne as if summoning every ounce of their strength.
"Thank you so much for bringing us to this place!!!" ×2
The boys delivered a deep, formal bow to express their boundless gratitude. They had already offered similar words to Talulah, but Jeanne's long absence had prevented them from thanking her sooner.
They had spent months wondering how they could ever repay the two leaders for their salvation. For now, the best they could do was voice the sincerity of their feelings.
Hearing their declaration, a bright smile broke across Jeanne's face. She reached out to gently pat both of their heads, murmuring, "If it is gratitude you are offering, then I shall gladly accept it. From this day forward, you must focus entirely on embracing your new life."
Perhaps the exchange was a bit overdue; such expressions usually took place the moment refugees arrived at the settlement, making this formal thanks feel quite delayed.
Yet, the mutual understanding between them was absolute. The two youths nodded with genuine smiles, answering in perfect unison, "We certainly will!"
Jeanne smiled warmly as she watched them. She felt entirely certain that these two children would never grow into the tragic figures of her older memories. Never.
With their peace made, Sasha prepared to take his leave. The midday hour was fast approaching, and they were expected at their training exercises for the afternoon.
However, while Sasha walked away, Eno remained rooted to the spot, still cradling Alina's scriptures. He shifted from foot to foot, looking deeply hesitant, as if there was still an unvoiced thought lingering in his mind.
"If there is something else on your mind, you may speak freely," Jeanne encouraged, offering the white Liberi youth a comforting smile.