CH 44

Today, I came to the city’s blacksmith with Korya to make the altar for the Temple of Lethe.

Although it’s called an altar, there aren’t many things to decorate it with. Thanasios arranged for a marble stone altar, and we only need to make a plate to offer the decorations with candlesticks and the handle of the medal I carry. The Goddess of Forgetfulness, Lethe, prefers simplicity, and in my memory, there wasn’t much on the altar at the monastery. The way to pray is simple, just meditate and spend time. It can be done anywhere, once a day. Therefore, the altar is technically unnecessary.

However, for the members of the Lethe Temple Knights, it should be the center of their faith, so we need to make it look presentable.

Korya, wearing a new white and blue knight’s uniform, leads me through the alleyways.

“Well, I was almost wearing nothing but rags until I came here from the Uranos Principality, so I’m grateful for the new clothes. My life will be more stable, and it’s all thanks to Prince Athanasios and Eleni-sama!”

“I see, that’s good to hear. But, since everyone originally has a different faith, don’t you have any resistance to serving the Goddess of Forgetfulness, Lethe?”

“Oh no, not really. Knights… while we may also believe in the God of Victory, Nike, or the God of Strength, Kratos, we’re not that enthusiastic about it. Our loyalty to our lord is more important. However, well, we have no experience in how to express our faith now that we have to believe in the Goddess of Forgetfulness, Lethe.”

I see, so they have that kind of concern.

Perhaps ordinary people don’t know as much about how to practice their faith as I thought. Or maybe they’re much more casual about it than I am. It’s not a big deal, though. The Goddess of Forgetfulness, Lethe probably won’t make a big deal out of it.

To reassure Korya, I decided to tell him about it.

“It’s okay. The Goddess of Forgetfulness, Lethe, is a generous person, so as long as you meditate once a day, there won’t be any problems. Just try not to be too extravagant and practice self-restraint. It’s no different from other gods in that regard.”

“Is that so? I have to tell everyone when I get back!”

“I would appreciate it if you could do that.”

However, there were over two hundred knights, so it would be quite a laborious task to spread the word.

In that case, let’s try a different approach. I asked Korya.

“Can all the knights read and write?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then I’ll make a simple guide to our faith. Distribute it to everyone and tell them to use it as a reference.”

“Oh! Everyone will be happy with that! But, you know, with the message game, the message can get mixed up…”

I’ve never played that game before, but apparently it’s a thing.

Watching Korya’s cheerful and lively back, I thought to myself that spending time like this was also nice. I had never walked around the city before, and since coming to the Styx Kingdom, the only places I had been to were the castle, the secluded monastery, and the taverns in Nikita and Thanasios, where I was taken once each. Those were the only places I had been to outside.

It is as if God has given us permission to do what we enjoy.

“The blacksmith is up ahead. You ordered a candlestick and a plate, right? Both will be made to order.”

“Korya.”

“Yes, what is it!”

I turned around and expressed my heartfelt gratitude to Korya.

“Thank you. I had so much fun being brought here.”

Then, Korya blushed and straightened his back as if he was about to jump up.

“I-it’s an honor beyond my wildest dreams, Eleni-sama!”

“Is it really that big of a deal?”

“Yes! As a knight, it is such an honor to earn the trust of a princess!”

That’s right, Korya was a knight. Even now, the relationship between me and Korya continues as princess and knight.

Well, if it makes Korya happy, it’s fine. I’ll play the role of a princess to meet his expectations.

“Then, would you escort me, Sir Knight?”

“Gladly!”

Korya, with a gentlemanly and joyful expression, proudly escorted me to the nearby blacksmith.

The sight was truly heartwarming.