Perhaps because of Bernard, Loretta felt an inexplicable warmth toward Fu Qian.
While Fu Qian was brainstorming, she pondered for a moment, then her eyes lit up.
"If things are hard for you right now, would you like to stay here for a while?"
"Is that allowed?"
Fu Qian made no attempt to hide his surprise.
"Why wouldn't it be?"
Loretta smiled.
"It's a monastery, so I thought I'd have to pretend to convert first."
"...Of course not. Monasteries today are nothing like they were when they were first founded."
"Those gathered here now are a purer sort, people who simply seek peace of mind."
"After all, many of their peers are already close to doing the things gods do in myths."
As she spoke, Loretta's expression was somewhere between a smile and a sigh.
"That makes sense."
Fu Qian wholeheartedly agreed.
No matter how thick-skinned they were, the existence of the supernatural had a huge psychological impact on ordinary people in this world.
The Night Watchers had, to some extent, helped ease that burden.
"So come with me. We just need to let the person in charge know. The accommodations will be rather rough, though."
"Sure. I don't mind roughing it."
Fu Qian answered without hesitation.
He had come to investigate the monastery, after all. There was no way he'd pass up an opportunity like this.
As for roughing it, give me a break. What kind of places hadn't I seen?
Seeing how readily Fu Qian agreed, Loretta seemed to understand his eagerness. She giggled, said no more, and stood up to lead the way.
As they walked, her thin frame became even more apparent. She was as slight as a stalk of grain, looking as if she could snap at any moment.
Yet the lightness of someone just