Chapter 338 - Sincere Requests

Firuzeh remained as still as a statue in front of the shrine, her head bowed in solemn prayer. Cold sweat trickled down the side of her neck as she digested the White Maiden’s words.

The White Maiden had granted her freedom, but She had also dodged Firuzeh’s pledge of loyalty. Wasn’t this basically a rejection?

Rados wouldn’t let her go. She knew the Angel too well, and she also knew too many of Rados’ secrets. Right now, freedom was just an illusion. Without help from a higher power she was sure to find herself in His grasp once more.

She continued to pray, pledging herself to the White Maiden, hoping that she would receive a more firm answer.

~

Yuzu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly as she heard Firuzeh’s prayers. She could feel Firuzeh’s desperation, but it only increased her concern at the situation.

Saving the Saboteur was the right thing to do, but who knew that such a gesture involved an existence at the level of an Angel?

Only the portion of Rados within Firuzeh’s body had been consumed by the Clockwork God’s ritual, but there was still Rados’ main body somewhere out there. It was a heavy blow, but not fatal, and Yuzu had the feeling that Rados wouldn’t look kindly on her for her part in his injury.

Even if He were to accept that the White Maiden had nothing to do with this attack, He would still expect Firuzeh to be returned to Him.

But Firuzeh was clearly terrified of that possibility and, seeking sanctuary, pledged her allegiance to the White Maiden. In this way the White Maiden had essentially stolen an important follower directly from Rados.

Technically, I don’t have to save Firuzeh. If the moment I make contact with Rados, I return her to Him, I could likely avoid making an enemy out of him. It was cold hearted, but Yuzu considered this option seriously. She wasn’t the type of person to give out charity at great cost to herself. If Rados was powerful enough to threaten her then it would be reckless to try to protect Firuzeh.

But she did come to me for help, and she is important to Char Char. First, I need to learn more about Rados, I can choose the best course of action from there.

With this intention in mind Yuzu stopped paying attention to Firuzeh. The White Maiden had already given her reply to Firuzeh, no more needed to be said for now.

The sound of approaching footsteps drew Yuzu’s eyes forward.

Finn approached her with a firm expression in his eyes. Though he had approached the shrine and bowed respectfully to it, he hadn’t prayed to the White Maiden.

Finn was not a religious person. Like many of Noga’s citizens, he was taught to value science and be skeptical of spiritual topics. Knowing about the supernatural Exalted world and even taking a step into it himself hadn’t changed his views.

Yuzu thought about her own upbringing, and how prior to her own experiences she could even be considered as much of a skeptical as Finn. Over the past few months Yuzu had faced off against godly existences, but rather than awe and reverence her natural response was caution and skepticism.

Thinking about it this way, Lord Noga had effectively raised his populace to be resistant to the influence of foreign gods.

Therefore, as Finn approached her without showing a respectful deference to the White Maiden, Yuzu didn’t feel offended.

“Miss Xing.” Finn nodded, “It is good to see you in good health.”

“And you as well,” Yuzu replied.

They did not bow to each other, but looked firmly into each others’ eyes. From that single interaction that wasn’t according to traditional principles the two of them mutually understood each other.

“I respect you, not for your title or your position, but for you as an individual.”

Finn was approaching Yuzu because he wanted something from the White Maiden, but he was not the type of person to pray for help. Rather, he preferred to speak to Yuzu, Her representative. Yuzu didn’t even need to read the threads to understand what Finn wanted by approaching her directly.

Following their wordless exchange, Yuzu gestured to the door, “Shall we speak in private?”

They left the chamber and walked down the hallway until they were out of earshot of the others.

“Miss Xing, for this conversation I am not an officer of Lord Noga, but am here for myself.” Finn began.

“I understand.” Yuzu nodded. She had already read their conversation, how could she not know what Finn wanted to say? But she let the conversation occur naturally, as if she were unaware of his intentions.

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“I understand that Char Char is one of the White Maiden’s key followers. She could even be said to be the White Maiden’s blessed.” Finn said, “From your actions, I also understand that you are the White Maiden’s representative and have a direct connection to Her.”

Yuzu nodded, “That is correct.”

“Following Prince Deka’s failed rebirth, Char Char has been under investigation by Lord Noga. I have been the principle officer in charge of Char Char, and have gone to great lengths to keep her safe and out of custody. I have also, at great personal risk, deceived my superiors to assist Char Char in finding the White Maiden’s shrines. It is due to my efforts that she is here today.”

Yuzu understood Finn’s approach. He wanted to make sure that the White Maiden was aware of his contributions. He wanted to clarify that he had acted of his own volition and not because he was ordered to do so.

Why?

Because he wanted something from the White Maiden in return.

Yuzu had previously been confused as to how Char Char had appeared at the White Maiden’s shrine in Hasan. It was too convenient. If Char Char hadn’t appeared it would have been difficult for Yuzu to have taken possession of the Sun God’s amulet. Yuzu had considered whether it was a ploy from the God of Preeminent Wisdom, but He had just awoken— how could he arrange such a situation in so short a time, and how would he know about Char Char’s connection to Yuzu?

Finn’s actions explained Char Char’s appearance in a logical way. Finn wanted something from the White Maiden, and so with his assistance Char Char had found his way to the White Maiden’s shrine.

As for the timing of her appearance exactly during the Sun God’s trial… Yuzu still hadn’t figured that coincidence out.

“Your efforts to aid the White Maiden are noted.” Yuzu stated with a knowing smile, “You have done a great service to Her.”

“I would like to ask the White Maiden for help.” Finn said directly.

“Please, tell me.”

Finn had rehearsed this moment in his head, though he hadn’t found a way to bring up his request gracefully. Or rather, his personality was such that he couldn’t bring himself to bow and pray for help. That was why he had helped Char Char as he had, as a preliminary gesture of good will.

“I am looking for a man called Markus Gantt. He is an Exalted that had a direct influence on the events around Prince Deka. He has evaded capture from multiple organizations here in Noga has since disappeared without a trace.” Finn said.

“The White Maiden is aware of him.” Yuzu answered. Not only was she aware of him, but she had even seen Gantt in a vision.

“Can you help me find him?” Finn asked.

In an alternate future, Yuzu asked why he was looking for this man. Finn had given her the reason, albeit reluctantly. Gantt has killed his father. Not only that, but his father was an investigator who had been chasing Gantt for years. Finn had become a police officer specifically to hunt Gantt down and finish his father’s final case.

Finn had gone to such lengths to contact the White Maiden because of this extremely personal reason.

Yuzu decided not to actually ask the question, to avoid prying into Finn’s past in reality.

She considered his request seriously. Gantt had been a key figure in the cultist activities, and had directly infected the Abbott of the Cloud Monastery. Gantt had planted the poisoned wine meant to kill Char Char’s grandfather. However Yuzu had never had the opportunity to go after him, or rather she was too busy cleaning up his messes to think about it.

“The White Maiden isn’t omnipotent.” Yuzu said, “She doesn’t know Markus Gantt’s whereabouts.”

“I see.” Finn’s heart sank as he heard the words, though he kept his expression neutral.

“The best I can do is notify you if Gantt comes to Her attention in the future.” Yuzu said.

Finn’s lips tensed in dissatisfaction but he couldn’t argue with her. Even if he thought Yuzu was lying what could he do? Call the representative of a spirit goddess out on not knowing the details of a specific person? Finn had taken a risk on a long shot, and had missed the mark. The silver lining was, at least he hadn’t been caught.

“If the White Maiden doesn’t know, it can’t be helped. If Gantt does show up again, I would appreciate if you let me know.” Finn nodded. He felt dejected, but it was also one of the possibilities that he had prepared himself for. “In that case, and I hope you understand, I will need to bring Char Char back to her grandfather’s estate.”

“Of course.” Yuzu nodded.

Having nothing else to say Finn turned to head back to the shrine chamber. Though he held his back straight, Yuzu could see that his steps were heavier that before.

Finn had come to Yuzu for help, and had even put himself at great risk to help her out. Perhaps if Yuzu had looked specifically for Gantt after the ballroom event, she could have caught him. But unless he had stayed around Noga City there was no way for her to find him now. And amongst the hundreds of thousands of people in Noga, even if he were still in Noga City she would have trouble finding him unless he actively put himself in her sights again.

She considered Finn’s request seriously and couldn’t find a way to give him a good answer.

Since it was out of her hands she didn’t feel bad for rejecting him. That was just how life went sometimes.

~

The final person at the shrine was praying earnestly to the White Maiden.

Minnie Kim knelt at the shrine with her hands clasped, offering good wishes and thanks to the White Maiden, similar to the prayers that Kumin citizens were taught to give to Lord Noga.

Though she had had a traumatic experience through helping Yuzu she didn’t hold it against Yuzu or the White Maiden. She clearly saw it as just something she did in the line of duty, and even felt a bit proud that she had contributed to the White Maiden’s success in stopping the God of Life’s rebirth.

Since the prayers were not personal, Yuzu didn’t feel a need to respond to Minnie.

Char Char’s prayers on the other hand were too personal, filled with stupid questions like ‘Yuzu, can you hear me when I pray to you?’, and ‘Why is the White Maiden’s hair white?’. It went without saying that Yuzu didn’t respond to those either.

When Finn returned to the room the others had finished praying and had stood up, taking it as a cue for them to leave.

At this moment Minnie’s prayers changed in tone. In fact, she did have a request of the White Maiden, she had just been nervous about asking it. Now that they were about to leave, she made a snap decision to ask the question burning on her mind.

“White Maiden, if you are listening… There is something that has been troubling me for a long time and I don’t know what to do. If you could help me, or send me a sign, I would deeply appreciate it.”

Everyone had their troubles, and the White Maiden was a powerful existence that already helped so many people. Yuzu wasn’t too surprised. The emotion in Minnie’s prayers were so sincere that Yuzu was already moved from these words.

“White Maiden… I really, really like Finn, but I can’t seem to get anywhere with him. Is there any hope for us? Or should I give up on him?”

Hearing this request Yuzu nearly fell over.

This was what was bothering Minnie so deeply?

Since when was the White Maiden a matchmaker?!