Holy Idol [EN]: Chapter 852

852. Mullu’s Trauma

“Curious, aren’t you?”

Rembrary asked with a smile.

“Spit it out. What are you talking about?”

Mullu’s expression hardened at the sight of that smile.

Seeing the unusual atmosphere among the children, even the paladins who had been watching with satisfaction lost their smiles.

“I can’t say yet because it’s not certain,” Rembrary said, still smiling. “So, let’s go and see together.”

Mullu bit her lip. It was an offer she couldn’t refuse.

* * *

After the paladins who would accompany them were decided, the group chartered an additional ship and boarded.

The voyage was smooth. The wind was moderate, and the large ship barely rocked.

Kentry wanted to admire the vast sea, but the subtly heavy atmosphere prevented him from fully enjoying the view.

When the green-haired paladin, who was largely responsible for the somber mood, finally entered the cabin, Kentry even sighed.

“What did you say to make that paladin look so unhappy?”

“A painful story.”

“Why did you bother telling a painful story?”

“I had to say what needed to be said.”

Kentry was about to say something more, but he was so taken aback when he saw Rembrary piling up food in the dining hall that he changed the subject.

“Can you even eat at a time like this?”

“Of course. But this isn’t for me.”

Kentry’s eyes widened.

“What? Then who is it for?”

“It’s for Jandi’s sister.”

Rembrary picked up the plate and walked towards the cabin Mullu had entered.

Kentry stared at his retreating figure, his mouth agape. Seriously? He’s taking care of someone else’s food?

* * *

Arriving in front of the cabin, Rembrary knocked on the wooden door twice.

“Who is it?”

The voice that had answered immediately fell silent as soon as Rembrary revealed his name.

Rembrary knocked again. But this time, no voice even asked who it was.

“Jandi’s sister, let’s eat. The bread looks delicious. There’s corn cake too. And strawberry milk.”

Rembrary diligently listed the menu to entice Mullu. If someone said that to Rembrary himself, he would have come out immediately.

However, Mullu still didn’t respond, as if she didn’t know that even when angry, one still had to eat.

“You’ll be hungry if you don’t eat.”

When Rembrary asked again, the door opened just a crack.

“Eat the bread.”

Rembrary smiled brightly and held out the plate.

However, the door didn’t open any further. Only a pair of light green eyes narrowed through the gap.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

When Rembrary asked again, Mullu’s eyes narrowed a little more.

“Why are you bringing me food?”

Perhaps she had calmed down a bit, as her tone had returned to its solemnity.

“Because you’ll be hungry if you don’t eat.”

“…….”

At those words, Mullu’s eyes narrowed even further. She looked ready to close them altogether if he said one more word. Rembrary wondered if Mullu would really close her eyes or not.

“Are you doing this because of my sister?”

However, before Rembrary could test her, Mullu asked first.

“Does that matter?”

When Rembrary asked, puzzled, the slightly open door slammed shut again.

“You don’t need to pity me.”

A firm voice came from beyond the door, drawing a clear line.

Rembrary stared blankly at the wooden door before picking up the dish and returning to the dining hall.

The paladins watched from nearby, exchanging glances.

“Is that okay?”

“Mullu is usually so upright and overly polite; she’s not one to show hostility so easily…”

The paladins murmured, worried about the earnest and kind child putting up such a sharp wall.

Rembrary was a talent whom everyone believed would become the next high priest. Moreover, his secular identity was that of a prince from a powerful nation.

There would be no good in being at odds with such a person.

Eventually, two paladins went to visit Mullu directly.

“Mullu, are you okay?”

“Did you ever have a big fight with someone named Rembrary before? If it’s too hard, do you want to go back now?”

As the seniors worried seriously, Mullu hesitated before confiding.

“Rembrary is a child who has helped Sir Cherub and has been helped by Sir Cherub.”

The paladins, who would normally have teased Mullu about her *mal-tu* [way of speaking], sighed at the mention of Cherub’s name.

Cherub’s name, after her disappearance a few years ago, was practically taboo for Mullu.

The day Cherub, whose disappearance had stretched on for too long, was finally listed among the deceased, the child changed completely, from her *mal-tu* [way of speaking] to her demeanor.

The habit of running to the mailbox to receive her sister’s letters disappeared, and she stopped asking the paladins for news of Cherub.

The child hardly ever mentioned the name, and even when she did, she referred to her as ‘Sir Cherub,’ as if addressing a stranger.

For Mullu, Rembrary, who was deeply involved with Cherub, was unbearable just by his existence.

“This won’t do. You should get off at the next settlement. There’s no need to follow if it’s too hard.”

“I must go.”

“This isn’t something to be stubborn about.”

“No, I must go.”

Mullu said firmly, but when she saw the paladins becoming overly serious, she deliberately lightened her tone.

“It’s really okay. It will be fine as long as Rembrary doesn’t see me as ‘Sir Cherub’s sister’ but as ‘Mullu’.”

The two paladins simultaneously waved their hands as if they had rehearsed it.

“That kid keeps calling you Mullu-*gyeong*, though?”

“Yeah, he kept saying Mullu-*gyeong*, Mullu-*gyeong*.”

“We didn’t even know he was friends with Cherub!”

Mullu blinked, then became slightly tempted. Really?

The paladins urged the child on, seeing that Mullu seemed to be pondering.

In the end, Mullu was pushed to go and find Rembrary.

“If you’re looking for Rembrary-*nim*, he’ll be in the dining hall.”

What am I going to say to him? She became bewildered as she walked down the hallway, but by the time she arrived at the dining hall, Mullu had steeled herself to apologize.

It was painful to see that child. But that was her problem. It was something she shouldn’t reveal to others.

Taking a deep breath, Mullu slowly walked towards the entrance of the dining hall. Perhaps because it was past mealtime, only Rembrary and another Redrin priest were sitting side by side at the table.

“Hey, Rembrary. Why are you being so nice to that green-haired paladin?”

But the two were just talking about her.

Mullu retreated and leaned against the wall next to the door.

“Because she resembles grass.”

However, the moment she heard Rembrary’s simple answer, Mullu was so shocked that she retreated even further.

After walking backwards down the hallway a few times, Mullu turned and started running.

—Because she resembles grass.

Rembrary’s blank voice echoed in her head like a mantra.

Mullu bit her lip. That child wasn’t seeing her as Cherub’s sister either. He was seeing her as grass!

* * *

Kentry, unaware that someone had been there, was just as dumbfounded by Rembrary’s answer.

“So, you like anyone with green hair?”

“No, I don’t.”

“But you said you’re being nice to her because she resembles grass.”

“That’s right. Mullu-*gyeong*’s hair resembles grass, so every time I see trees and grass, I keep remembering the promise I made with Mullu-*gyeong*.”

“What promise?”

Kentry kept asking out of curiosity, but Rembrary didn’t answer any further.

* * *

With a great misunderstanding inflicted on Mullu, the voyage continued peacefully.

The ship safely arrived in the Central Continent.

“It’s definitely good weather since the priests are all on board.”

“Take our ship when you return next time.”

Pleased by this, the sailors waved and joked whenever Rembrary’s group passed by.

Unexpectedly, the carriage journey was as smooth as the sea voyage.

Whether the monsters and black mages had all flocked to the Northern Continent, the group only encountered monsters twice during the long carriage ride.

Even those monsters were few in number.

“The black mages should have passed through the Central Continent too. I don’t know why they didn’t stay here and all crossed over to the Northern Continent.”

One of the paladins frowned, muttering as if he found it strange.

“How would we know what those people are thinking? If they were sane, they wouldn’t have brought in the demons either,” another paladin scoffed.

In any case, thanks to that, the group was able to arrive at the Iira Grand Temple sooner than expected.

“Welcome.”

Having sent word in advance, the priests of Iira opened the gates themselves to greet the group as they arrived in front of the temple.

The carriage advanced almost to the front gate of the main building.

“You must walk from here.”

Only after hearing the Iira priest’s subtle remark did Rembrary step out of the carriage.

As Rembrary revealed himself, the gathered Iira priests couldn’t hide their surprise.

The Redrin paladins felt proud as Rembrary remained composed amidst the numerous gazes.

“Thank you for coming such a long way. I am the highest-ranking priest of the Iira Grand Temple.”

At that moment, one of the elderly priests from the group of Iira priests stepped forward and greeted him on behalf of the others.

Rembrary was about to receive the greeting when he became puzzled by the priest’s expression. The old priest had a very troubled look on his face.

‘Why is he so upset?’

He found it strange, but by the time he tried to get a closer look at his expression, the old priest had already turned away.

“This way, Rembrary-*nim*. The Grand Priest is waiting for you.”

Rembrary followed behind him, asking, “Is something wrong?”

“Pardon?”

“Your expression isn’t good.”

The old priest gave an embarrassed smile, as if he hadn’t expected Rembrary to say it so bluntly.

Kentry, thinking it was rude, grabbed Rembrary’s arm and shook his head.

Seeing that signal, Rembrary didn’t ask any more about the old priest’s expression.

“Here it is.”

The old priest stopped in front of a large hall’s archway and pointed inside. He didn’t seem to want to go in with him.

“Thank you for the guidance,” Rembrary said gently before entering.

The other paladins followed behind him.

“Just a moment.”

However, the old priest stopped the paladins.

As the paladins looked at him, the old priest said with an apologetic expression, “I’m sorry, but the Grand Priest wishes to speak with Rembrary-*nim* alone.”

At the unexpected condition, the paladins glanced at each other.

“There were instructions to protect Rembrary-*nim* thoroughly. If you are worried because we are outnumbered and the Iira Grand Priest is alone, you may allow other paladins from the Iira Grand Temple to enter as well.”

As they truly seemed ready to block their entry, the highest-ranking paladin stepped forward to ask for understanding.

“I’m sorry.”

However, the old priest didn’t back down.

The paladins looked at each other again.

The Iira priests were heretics, but they were close to being allies in the face of the common enemies, the Demon King and the demons. Why were these people acting so suspiciously?

“Then is one person okay?”

At that moment, Rembrary interjected.

The old priest avoided Rembrary’s eyes as he answered, “If it’s just one person…”

Why are they acting so suspiciously? The paladins felt even more uneasy about their attitude. They felt they should leave this Grand Temple and discuss this attitude.

Instead, Rembrary immediately pointed to one person.

“Mullu-*gyeong*.”