âThere is also a well here. Why go all the way?â
Dennis recalled the well he passed by earlier and asked in wonder.
âThe water dried out here. Itâs already been about three months⌠The adults tried asking the Temple to help several times, but nothing happened.â
âThe temple doesnât do anything right.â
Initially, it was the Temple that insisted on taking charge of the slums. Under such circumstances, they demanded huge amounts of funds every year.
The amount of wealth they would have accumulated was definitely considerable. It was astounding how the slums were left unattended until this point, with all the fortunes raised.
âHmm.â
Esther, who was listening intently, swallowed the last bite of her potato and stood up.
âJerome, whereâs the drywell?â
âBehind that building.â
Estherâs eyes glistened, glad the location wasnât far from this place.
âBrother Judy, come to the well with me for a while.â
âUh? Okay.â
Judy jumped up excitedly at Estherâs request, although unaware of what they would be doing.
âIâll come with you.â
âPlease stay with Jerome.â
Esther winked Dennisâs way. She was going to utilize her mana ability, so Jerome had to stay so he wouldnât witness her.
Among the escorts that stood at a far distance, she only motioned for Victor to follow them.
The well was stationed behind the building Jerome pointed to. The surrounding area was filled with overgrown weeds, proving the place was not managed properly.
Judy reached the well first and peered inside.
âI canât find a single drop of water.â
âI agree.â
Esther got on her tiptoes and glanced inside too.
The well was so dry that not even a drop of water could be detected.
âBut why are we here? No way⌠You can revive the well?â
âIâm going to try first.â
Esther grinned at the astonished Judy and knelt to touch the ground. She closed her eyes.
While she concentrated in order to detect a source of water, a flowing energy was distinguished underneath the soil.
âThereâs still water.â
Fortunately, the area wasnât completely dry, although the main waterway was blocked by dirt and mud.
Esther opened her eyes, a contented smile on her face. She would be able to reverse the water path back to the well using her power.
Judy imitated Estherâs movement, curious what she was feeling underneath the ground.
âWhat happened?â
âI think itâll be solved fine.â
Esther glanced around once more for safety measures before letting go of her overflowing mana.
After confirming no one was nearby, she directed her mana through the ground using her palm.
There seemed to be no change on the surface, but after a while, something exploded from the bottom of the well.
âOoh!!â
Seeing that the water began to spring forth, the three joined together and looked inside.
âI knew my lady was a saint candidate, but⌠are all candidates this talented?â
Victor muttered so with a blank face.
âI donât think so? Ugh, why donât I have this ability?â
Judy, aware Esther was a Saint, shamelessly replied to Victor as he observed the water rise.
But there was a problem.
The tree beside the well was pulled from its roots as it couldnât stand the sudden rush of water.
By the time the three realized the fact, it was already after the tree began to slowly lean sideways. It happened in an instant.
âEsther!â
âMy lady!â
Judy and Victor rushed in simultaneously in an attempt to protect Esther.
âOop.â
However, Esther instinctively pulled herself back the moment she sensed the tree falling from above her head.
The tree was dry, so it didnât pose a great threat, and thanks to Estherâs swift movement, everyone avoided the conflict safely.
ââŚYouâre fast.â
âRight. I think we should train Esther.â
Victor and Judy awkwardly rubbed their shoulders that collided with each other as they tried to save Esther.
At that moment, Esther ignored the two, overcome with bewilderment at the person she witnessed before her.
There was one more person who jumped in to cover her, besides Judy and Victor.
She never expected to meet him here.
âSir Khalid?â
âAh⌠Hi. Itâs been a while.â
He slowly retracted his hand, which showed he was also trying to prevent her from being hit by the tree.
âDo you know him?â
After thoroughly confirming not one inch of Estherâs body was scratched, Judy stared at Khalid.
âYes.â
âHuh? He was the one from the TempleâŚâ
Victor muttered in recall of his last visit to the Temple with Esther.
âTemple?â
Judy put his hand on his waist, unsure whether the person was sent to retrieve Esther.
âWhat are you doing here?â
âI had earned a few days off. As I entered the Tersian territory, I happened to see you, so I followed.â
âYou came to Tersia for vacation?â
Coming to Tersia when he had no connections. Estherâs eyes were filled with suspicion.
âI heard from the Saint that you were here. Iâm here to meet you.â
Khalid only stated the superficial reasons, making sure to exclude the fact that he was here to receive blood.
âI havenât seen you in a while. Will you give me some time?â
The way he looked at Esther was quite friendly. He couldnât help but laugh continuously at their encounter.
However, Esther adamantly refused.
âIâm sorry.â
âHuh? Why? You donât want to talk to me even for a second?â
Khalid stuttered in embarrassment, shocked at the direct rejection.
He was ordered to receive blood, but right now he simply wished to genuinely chat with Esther.
He was happy to see her after a long time. His heart pounded at the blunt refusal.
âYes. I wonât meet you even if you visit again, so please donât waste your time.â
Estherâs answer remained cold even as she observed the hurt Khalid.
âHe must have been sent by Rabienne.â
Khalid was Rabienneâs person anyhow. If he had heard about Esther from Saint Rabienne, there was no way he could have arrived this far with pure intentions.
âOur Esther is doing very well. Sheâs much smarter than her older brother, wouldnât you agree?â
Judy whispered to Victor as he observed the situation with his arms folded proudly.
Esther filtered everything well on her own, so Judy wasnât required to step in.
âI think weâre done talking. Letâs go. Dennis is waiting.â
Judy pulled Esther from Khalid with a very satisfied expression on his face. He hid Esther behind him so that Khalid could not see her.
âDid a revelation come down at the Temple?â
Esther was doubtful. When she got home, she would activate the holy water to determine her suspicions.
âIâve told him several times that no one would like reading books, but he didnât listen to me. Iâd rather run around.â
As they approached the vacant lot, Judy clicked his tongue as Dennis read Jerome a history book on the bench.
Dennis closed the book when he saw the two returning.
âEsther, you donât look so happy. Did something happen?â
âA while ago, Esther ran into someone she knew from the Temple.â
âWho?â
Esther didnât want to talk more about Khalid, so she pretended not to hear and turned to Jerome.
âAre you having fun studying history?â
âYes. I want to learn how to write.â
Jerome hugged the book he received from Dennis while laughing happily.
âWhat happened to the well?â
âHas it been fixed?â
âReally? Did Sister fix it?â
âNo. When I went there, the water was already full.â
Even when Esther denied his words, Jeromeâs eyes already seemed to be filled with faith in her.
âI wonât tell anyone. Who really are brothers and sister?â
Jeromeâs mother recovered her health as soon as the three left, and they were even distributing food today, so he was very very curious, was what he said.
Esther replied honestly, as she had already spoken of the matter with Darwin.
âWeâre from the Grand Duchy.â
âGasp. Did the Grand Duke hire brothers and sister to help us?â
There was a bit of a misunderstanding, but she didnât bother to correct him because it would be better if he thought that way.
âYes. When people ask you who we are, just say that. That way, they will know the Temple wasnât the cause of this.â
First off, she wanted to break the people from the illusion of the Temple even if it was only limited to Tersian territory.
âOkay, sister.â
The three accompanied Jerome home and boarded the wagon they had placed nearby to return home.
âPhew.â
A sigh left Estherâs mouth as she held her chin and stared out the window on their way home.
Whenever that happened, Judy and Dennis would exchange glances.
âI think sheâs in a bad mood.â
âYeah. Sheâs totally down.â
âShould we take her there?â
âThatâd be a good idea.â
As the two swapped conversations while lip syncing, they stopped the carriage in an attempt to relieve Estherâs mood.
âEsther, get off the carriage for a second.â
âHere?â
Once she hopped off, a large bakery appeared in front of her.
Esther tilted her head and followed her brothers into the store.
As the door opened, a sweet smell permeated her nose. Estherâs eyes began to glisten.
âUwah.â
Estherâs eyelashes fluttered as she placed her hands against the glass display that presented a delicious looking cake.
She stared blankly, as if possessed. Saliva formed inside her mouth.
Judy spread his shoulders triumphantly and said.
âChoose whatever you like. This brother will get it for you.â
âAnything?â
âOf course.â
Estherâs desserts were frequently made by the patissiers at home, but there were many more categories of sweets she had seen for the first time today.
Estherâs eyes twinkled as she wandered the store to choose her dessert.
âEverything looks delicious.â
If she could, sheâd take a bite from everything here, but Esther made sure to choose carefully as she was limited to a certain amount.
She soon picked up her dessert after much consideration.
âDid you finish choosing?â
Judy received the plate from Esther. She nodded vigorously and headed towards the counter.
He shoved his hand into his pocket to appear cool and lavish whenâŚ
âHuh?â
Judyâs expression darkened. No matter how desperately he scoured his pockets, the money he was searching for didnât reach his fingers.
âWhat the heck? The money⌠I donât have it.â