I need to learn to stop expecting things. This woman is going to be the death of me! Viktor had obediently followed Sister Aura to the stables, already planning which Kelpie he would ride, when she led him to a stall containing a brown horse with a white star splotch on its right hindquarters.

“When did this one get here? I thought everyone either walked or rode a Kelpie?”

Sister Aura smirked and wagged a finger at Viktor triumphantly. “And that’s just one of the ways you need to better yourself in, Brother. This glorious creature is my pride and joy, Sonne. I brought her all the way from Aoi with me, and I guarantee you won’t find a better mount anywhere!”

“Don’t let Father Lena hear you say that.” Viktor teased as he held out an apple to the horse, a small smile quickly forming as Sonne took it from him and permitted Viktor to pet her. “I won’t deny that she is a fine animal. But why did you bring her with you? I can’t imagine being on a boat for a long time is good for a horse.”

I can think of several people who would say boats aren’t good, period. But I can’t rule them out in case Nadia and I need one. Sister Aura chuckled. “You weren’t listening. I said she’s the finest horse in the land. Why wouldn’t I bring her with me?”

Because bringing a horse on a long journey on a boat might result in complications. But I’m not going to say it. Viktor patted Sonne and pointed to a stall further down. “I assume you won’t need my help getting her ready, then? I’ll borrow Kiba for”-

“Why?”

“Huh? Why what?”

Sister Aura gently nudged Viktor out of the way as she opened Sonne’s stall. “Why do you need to borrow Kiba? You were the one who said we wouldn’t find anything.”

Viktor bit back a groan and gritted his teeth. “I didn’t say we wouldn’t find anything. I said we probably won’t. Sonne is a magnificent animal, but I doubt she can carry us both, even for a short distance.”

“Who said anything about riding her?”

“Oh, now you’re being ridiculous! You kept going on and on about being in a hurry. And riding will get us to the village faster than walking. I refuse to walk while you ride. There’s no reason for me to do that!”

Sister Aura shook her head. “I never said I was riding either, Brother. I know Death Clerics are often treated like outcasts. But I had hoped you would understand that I’m not like that. I am related to Father Lena, after all. My mana has led me down a different Path. But I adore my uncle very much.”

She gently placed her hand on Viktor’s shoulder, giving Sonne a chance to step out of the stall and begin heading toward the barn entrance at a leisurely pace. Viktor looked between the horse and the woman, but Sister Aura never looked away from him. “I don’t think I’m better than you because you’re a Death Cleric, Brother.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow, opening his mouth, but Sister Aura neatly cut him off. “I think I’m better than you because I am. My connection to my uncle did get me sent to one of the finest cities for training. But I have the skills to back up my lineage and more.” She tapped his shoulder and followed Sonne while calling out. “You’ll understand eventually. Now, let’s get going!”

I don’t like this woman. Viktor thought he remembered the route to the village. He was at least confident that he wasn’t lost. But Sister Aura acted like she traveled to this forest every day. She never paused to look around until they reached the village outskirts. Viktor pulled out a water pouch and took a swig.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

I feel like I was marching for hours. Did we take a shortcut? I’m sure it took longer when I came here with Nadia. Sister Aura gave some water to Sonne and glared at Viktor. “For someone who works in the stables. I’d have thought you’d tend to Sonne first.”

Viktor shrugged. “She isn’t my mount. You brought her with us. You can take care of her. Are you going to head into the village now?”

“Well, I’m not going to wait until sundown!”

Viktor pointed at the sky, revealing the sun already sinking beneath the treeline. “Then you might want to hurry up, Sister. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you about our time limit?”

Did she bring Sonne in case we needed to flee? There are wild animals, but I can handle anything in this forest. Sister Aura turned away with a huff, quickly patting Sonne’s side, and whispered into her ear. Viktor rolled his eyes and leaned against a tree.

It’s fine for me if she wastes time, but I still can’t believe she’s related to Father Lena. She’s such a child. Sister Aura patted Sonne and turned to Viktor. “I won’t need protecting now. Sonne is going to assist me. You may continue to wait here, Brother.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow. “A horse is going to help you find something Father Lena couldn’t?” That should be interesting.

Sister Aura nodded. “I would explain it to you, Brother. But since you can’t sense mana. There’d be little point. Sonne is to me what a ghost is to you. Does that make sense?”

“No, but I’ll settle for watching. Call if you need or sense anything.”

“Thank you for understanding.” Viktor watched Sister Aura and Sonne explore the village quietly. At least she’s thorough. I’ve seen Fire Clerics skip investigating when they’ve read reports and go straight to a new approach. It’s a shame she’s so arrogant. But this does save me the time trying to befriend her.

Sister Aura led Sonne to the center of the village and clapped her hands, making Viktor jump in spite of himself as Sonne started glowing. What the? Did she cast a spell? But why do such a thing on a horse? They’re not known for tracking. Yet the longer Viktor watched, the more convinced he became that’s what Sonne was doing.

The horse shook her head, almost hitting Sister Aura with her mane as she trotted to the graveyard and dashed back into the village, going in random directions as she circled every house before looking in Viktor’s direction. Don’t panic. You didn’t use your mana that night.

But he couldn’t help but stare back as Sonne stepped toward him. Sister Aura looked from her horse to Viktor’s position and sighed. “Damn, you really weren’t kidding, were you?”

What is she talking about? “What kind of spell did you just use? Did you find anything?”

“No, I didn’t. This area isn’t polluted. It's completely barren. If I didn’t know any better. I’d say this area has been abandoned for years… But that wouldn’t explain the lack of spirit orbs. The report said the graveyard was empty. Are you sure you can’t sense anything off about it?”

Viktor shook his head as he relaxed. “I can go check if you like. But if there were any spirit orbs or other kinds of ghosts. I would have known by now.”

This place is too quiet without the dead. The absence of death isn’t life. It’s… empty. I pray we won’t have to do this again. I don’t want to deal with Sister Aura for too long. He watched her pet Sonne as she pulled out a thin paper tag. “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to use this, but my spell should have revealed any impurities or curses in the area. Whatever did this is very strong.”

“That’s a given.” So, she was never looking for mana… But it sounds like Nadia’s power isn’t similar to a demon’s, at least. But what’s the tag for, and why bring a horse for such a task?

Sister Aura rolled the tag against her palm, muttering under her breath until it began to glow. She held it above her head, and the tag disintegrated instantly. “What did you do, Sister?”

“That tag is the Water Temple’s version of a purification. We know something bad happened here, and soon…” She smirked at him. “We’ll see what it was!”