There is no coincidence, only fate.
If so, are all sins fated to be? Are people born evil or good? That no matter what they do, they cannot escape their fate? Is bowing to the divine the only path?
Tink... tap... pat...
Not quite. The Inner Pathway taught that truly believing in Polaris means being the master of your own path. A mere mortal cannot hope to change the world or their fate, but they can control how the world affects them.
The Order doesn't believe in heaven or hell, only spiritual return. All sins can be repented of, as long as you are sincere. They won't prosecute someone just because they broke the Ten Commandments.
However, everyone who broke them was Silenced. And none ever recovered from that. There are many interpretations of this, but it could be said that the repentant is not treated the same as the righteous.
At the very least, that was what this book, The Teachings of the Lodestar, said. I suppose.
Tink... tap... pat...
Rain pattered on the window. Thinking about it, this was the first time I saw rain in this world. Nothing out of the ordinary. It was just...
"Crap! My clothes are still outside!"
***
"Oh, Brother Cain. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Sister Eliana... I left my clothes outside..."
"Ah, here. I collected them for you, Brother Cain. They are still drenched, however. My apologies."
"It's nothing, really. Normally, I never had to clean bedding myself anyway..."
Sisters here were so diligent that I had taken their help for granted. It was only lately that I had started taking care of my own chores.
Sister Eliana fell quiet.
"..."
"What's the problem?"
"It was Sister Angela who handled them..."
In hindsight, that should have been obvious. Judging by her expression, I suppose Angela hasn't improved much.
As I struggled to find words, Sister Eliana spoke faintly.
"Did you talk with her yet?"
"...I'm trying to."
"Brother Cain, Sister Angela is strong. Whatever the problem was, I'm sure she will find her answer soon."
Would she say the same if she knew what really happened? At this point, everyone in the church knew something had happened, yet they supported her regardless, without questioning either of us.
Sister Eliana smiled—a wistful smile.
"Do you know, Brother Cain? Sister Angela was quite a mischievous child. Always sneaking away from classes to play. I never thought she would grow into such a mature and dependable sister."
I could definitely see it. This had only made me admire her even more.
"Brother... no, Cain, please take care of her."
"You can trust me with this."
Sister Eliana lightly bowed and left.
...Angela. I should find her.
We would adventure together. I wanted to see this world, too. The capital, the academy, even the frontlines where real heroes fought. Anywhere would do.
But not without her.
Sunlight dimly shone through the quiet hallway.
I abruptly stopped.
So did Angela.
"..."
"..."
Rain tapped the windows.
"...How are you, Angela?"
"I'm fine, Cain."
She refused to meet my eyes.
"Angela."
"...Yes?"
"It's not your fault. You know that, right?"
"..."
She tightly clutched her pendant.
"If anything, it was my fault. I wasn't decisive enough—"
"No! I killed that man of my own choice. It was never your fault..."
Her voice rang throughout the hallway. I frantically turned around and looked to see if anyone had overheard it.
"You shouldn't say that out loud..."
"But it is the truth."
"Still..."
"Cain, I do not regret my choice. I don't want to. Even now, I believe I would still make the same choice..."
"Then... What's the problem...?"
For a moment, our eyes met. Then she looked away.
"I... must repent, but not like this. I'm astray from the Path, but I cannot see the way back. If so, I'd rather stand still."
"The Path...? Why does that..."
Deep inside, I knew what she meant. She has her duties, and it was not for me to decide what she should do.
"You should go first, Cain."
"What do you mean?"
"I cannot leave. You should go to the capital yourself."
As I was stunned by her words, she turned around to leave. I blurted out whatever came to mind.
"Does repentance mean more to you than this?"
"..."
She didn't stop.
"T-That whole Saintess and Miracle thing... I don't care! I just want us to see the world... together."
She stopped. Yet she didn't turn back.
"You promised... So, please..."
"I-I..."
Her voice wavered.
"...am sorry. I cannot decide."
"..."
"I'm too selfish. But I cannot let it hold you back, so... please..."
"I'll wait."
Just as I once said, the Path itself was never important to me. If it means she is willing to walk again, I'll wait.
"I'll take you somewhere far away. No matter how long it takes."
The silence was deafening.
Angela ran away.
***
Tick... tick... tick...
I was back at the library again. I wasn't reading anything. I took out The Teachings of the Lodestar again.
Looking outside, mist now obscured the window.
No matter how long I waited, the rain didn't stop. If only the rain were gone, I could return to my training. If only...
...Maybe I should learn to be patient. It was not like the world would end tomorrow.
"The drizzle seems to be lasting a while, doesn't it?"
That voice...
"High Priestess Martha?"
"Yes, Chosen One. How have you been keeping?"
"It has been... better. I suppose."
"It seems that my child has been giving you a hard time."
She sat down on the opposite seat. My gaze remained fixed outside.
I heard her pick up the book.
"Angela has always been indecisive. I hope you can forgive her for it."
"I would never blame her for anything..."
"Cain."
She called me, and I involuntarily turned back. It was a first in this life.
"When the time comes, you should take Angela away."
"Really? Are you sure?"
Her hand traced over the worn-out book.
"Yes. As much as I'm proud of her as a fellow believer, I also believe that her true Path lies elsewhere."
"...As a parent?"
"No, I had no say in her life. I'm not even her real mother."
"!"
"She is... an unfortunate child. This city is not her birthplace, nor a place she should lay her life to. It's fated that she will leave this place someday."
Never once did I think she would be this open...
"Shouldn't you tell her this?"
"I want her to decide it for herself. Fate is to be realized by oneself, not others. I believe that she will realize this herself in time."
"Oh..."
That was right.
But how long would I keep this up? I want to do something, yet the best thing I could do is wait. It's just...
Martha stood up.
"It was a pleasant talk, Cain. I hope our next conversation could be a happier one."
"Yeah..."
She bowed lightly.
"May the Lodestar guide your path, Cain."
She left.
...
The mist now clung to the window, blocking the view completely.