The Pastor’s Light and South Creek’s Revelation

“Um… Sister Elise…”

“What’s wrong? Are you unhappy with Fanny?”

“Of course not! I’m so lively and cheerful, how could I make anyone unhappy?”

After leaving the Village Chief’s house, South Creek followed Elise on the path back, but unlike their arrival, a grimy Fanny now walked alongside them.

“You two little ones, make sure to get along well.”

Ever since departing the Village Chief’s house, a shadow of worry had lingered on South Creek’s face.

Even as they walked, she completely disregarded the surrounding scenery, instead casting furtive glances at Elise, as if searching for some subtle trace on her face.

[The Village Chief… Sister Elise… and those words.]

Having overheard the conversation between the Village Chief and Elise, South Creek’s heart had remained unsettled.

The hidden implications within their words had stirred an ineffable disgust deep within her.

Fanny, on the other hand, appeared utterly unperturbed, her demeanor exactly as it had been before the eavesdropping, as if nothing out of the ordinary had transpired.

“You don’t look very energetic… your body probably hasn’t fully recovered yet. It seems it’s time to head back and rest.”

Gently touching South Creek’s forehead, Elise carefully gauged the girl’s temperature, murmuring softly to herself.

“Fanny, we’re going back to rest now. Would you like to come and play?”

“Well…” The girl, nimble as a kitten, darted in front of them.

On her grimy face, a pair of bright, observant eyes fixed on South Creek.

Upon seeing South Creek awkwardly turn her face away, Fanny playfully blinked, then replied, “While I’d really love to, I have other things to do, and my mother is waiting for me at home, so… maybe next time.”

“I see.” Gently stroking Fanny’s head, Elise smiled and nodded farewell.

“Be careful on your way back.”

“Got it, Sister E-lise.”

Elise and South Creek’s home also served as the village church, though it was far from the grand, imposing structures South Creek had seen in her previous life.

Quite the contrary, had Elise not mentioned it, South Creek would never have conceived of such a humble place as a church.

Nevertheless, it was still their home in this village.

[Could there truly be gods in this world?]

Peeking her small head out from the doorway, South Creek watched the scattered individuals who had come to pray in the modest little church, her heart filled with burgeoning doubt.

Although Elise had repeatedly urged her to rest properly in her room, South Creek found herself utterly unable to settle down in bed (and it was certainly not due to the hardness of the mattress).

Quietly opening her door, South Creek witnessed the scene unfolding before her.

“The Goddess blesses the devout and bestows goodness and beauty equally upon every grateful believer. We are all the Goddess’s eyes in this world; we observe all things, and, more importantly, we observe ourselves.”

Standing at the center of the small church, Elise led the believers in a collective chant of prayer.

Amidst the congregation’s murmurs, her gaze swept over each person in the church, finally settling upon an elderly, pregnant woman sitting quietly in a corner.

She approached the woman slowly, a gentle smile gracing her lips, and softly raised her hands.

Then, a miracle unfolded.

“I do not possess the Goddess’s mighty power; I am merely one of her humble representatives on earth. I spread blessings among all, and I also reserve blessings for myself.”

Light—pure, gentle, and literal—materialized in Elise’s hands.

It converged, floated, and shimmered, then dispersed and descended, transforming into tiny specks of starlight that merged into the woman’s body.

As the specks of light flowed into her, the elderly woman’s previously gaunt face and pale lips steadily regained their color. In mere moments, her eyes regained their luster, and her complexion became noticeably rosier.

“Mrs. White, you don’t have much time left until childbirth. You must take even greater care of your body; even if something comes up, you must first think of the child in your womb.”

“I understand, Pastor Elise.”

The old woman lowered her head slightly, speaking in a hushed tone to Elise, as if confessing a fault or unburdening herself.

“But these are busy times, and the livelihood from the fields concerns the fate of my entire family. How could I possibly stop and simply stand by?”

“But you are already so frail.” Sighing softly, Elise placed her palm against the woman’s forehead. Almost simultaneously, light gently diffused from her hand.

“Your body is very weak right now, and my abilities are limited; I can’t help you too much… After you go home, please remember to boil the roots of five handfuls of Pula grass with six Lorien flowers into a soup. Drinking a few bowls daily should improve your condition.”

“Thank you, Pastor Elise, you are truly a blessing to this village, and the Goddess will surely bestow extra praise upon kind people like you.”

Clasping Elise’s hands tightly, the old woman’s eyes seemed to well up with tears as she continuously expressed her gratitude, attempting to press some fruits and grains from her embrace into Elise’s hands.

“No, really, it’s not necessary, Mrs. White. These are simply my duties; as the pastor of this village, I must fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to me by the Goddess.”

Smiling, Elise gently declined the offered gifts.

She guided the woman back to her seat, then walked towards the center of the church.

“If you are willing, would you join me in prayer?”

“Of course, of course, I’d be delighted!”

“That is truly wonderful.”

Standing calmly at the church’s center, Elise opened the old scripture in her hands, preparing to continue leading the congregation in prayer.

“Pastor Elise, no matter how many times I see it, she remains so noble…”

“Such a kind and upright heart truly makes one feel ashamed of themselves.”

“How incredibly fortunate this village is to have a pastor like her.”

The other people in the church, having witnessed this moving scene, all voiced their heartfelt sentiments.

Their eyes were filled with nothing but respect and gratitude for Elise, and profound piety towards the Goddess.

Only one person was an exception.

[What on earth was that…?]

Staring dumbfounded at the unfolding events, South Creek felt as though her entire worldview was being upended.

[Why? Why did Sister Elise’s hands glow? And why did that light fly into that person’s body?]

Recalling everything she had just witnessed, South Creek could only describe it as utterly inconceivable.

[What was that? What exactly was that thing? I’ve never seen anything like it. No, my memory should… but I subconsciously ignored it.]

Similar scenes must have appeared in South Creek’s memories more than once, yet because they so vastly exceeded her understanding, she had instinctively dismissed them.

But now, having witnessed it firsthand, and correlating it with her past recollections, only one word seemed capable of providing an explanation:

Magic.