The silence lasted exactly three seconds.
Then I lost the battle.
I covered my mouth, but it was useless.
My shoulders shook violently as I tried—and completely failed—to hold back my laughter.
It burst out of me in waves, uncontrolled and unstoppable.
Tears streamed down my face, but these were tears of mirth, not sorrow.
“What are you laughing at?” Garrett asked, his voice flat.
“Nothing,” I answered a little too quickly.
“I just…” I bit my lip.
It didn’t help.
“I don’t think any beetle in history has ever received a knight’s blessing.” “…” “…You could have told me before I squatted.” Garret groaned, annoyed.
“I tried,” I said between laughs.
“You told me to go lower four different times.” Garret said I’m disbelief “Because you were blessing a tree.” I burst into another fit of laughter.
“You kept missing the grave.” Garrett let out a long sigh, the sound heavy with resignation.
“Heavens…This isn’t funny.” He said “And it’s far too early in the morning for this.” “Oh, it’s hilarious,” I replied, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye.
“You looked so serious.” I said laughing.
“I was serious.” Garret said “I know and that’s what makes it even more funny” That only made me laugh harder.
The image of Garrett squatting trying to bless the tiny grave, his face solemn and reverent, was burned into my mind forever.
Garrett folded his arms, his expression one of utter exasperation.
“…Are all of Theo’s friends…” He hesitated.
“…like Bibi?” I finally managed to calm myself enough to answer.
“Yes.” I grinned.
“Fifi is a fish.” “…A fish?” I nodded.
“And Timmy is a turtle.” Garrett pinched the bridge of his nose, his fingers pressing against his temples.
“I don’t even know why I asked.” “I should’ve warned you earlier.” I laughed “Yes.” Garret said “You absolutely should have.” I smiled innocently.
“But then I would’ve missed watching the great knight of the kingdom bless a beetle’s grave.” “…You’re enjoying this far too much.” Garret said “I really am.” I laughed.
He sighed again, the sound long and defeated.
“I regret asking any questions.” Garret said.
I chuckled before stretching my arms over my head.
“Come on.” I said “We should get something to eat.” “What about Theo?” Garret asked.
“He won’t eat.” I replied Garrett frowned, his brow furrowing.
“…He’s grieving.” I laughed a little.
“He is.” Garret said like he just remembered again.
“So we’ll leave him alone for a few hours.” I said “He’ll come downstairs when he’s ready.” Garrett nodded quietly.
“…” — A few hours later, I returned from my afternoon tea.
The clearing surrounding the sanctuary was peaceful, the only sounds being the wind rustling through the trees and birds singing somewhere overhead.
The sun was beginning its slow descent, casting long shadows across the grass.
The air was cool and fresh, carrying the scent of pine and earth.
Then I noticed Garrett.
He was standing near the barrier.
One hand rested against the invisible wall while the other held a small pebble.
His head was tilted, his sightless eyes fixed on nothing.
He looked like a man trying to solve a puzzle, a problem that refused to yield.
He tossed it forward.
Thunk.
The pebble struck the barrier before bouncing harmlessly back onto the grass.
He bent down, picked it up again, and repeated the process.
Thunk.
Bounce.
I smiled to myself.
I’d done exactly the same thing.
Back when the Goddess had first locked me in this sanctuary, I’d spent nearly an entire day trying everything I could think of to escape.
Stones.
Branches.
Holy power.
Even kicking it.
Nothing had worked, nothing had even made a dent.
The barrier was absolute, unyielding.
“You can’t break it.” Garrett stiffened slightly before turning toward my voice.
“You’ve been standing there long?” “Long enough.” I walked over, my footsteps soft against the grass.
“No matter how many stones you throw, it won’t break.” “Why?” He asked “Because the Goddess made it.” I shrugged.
“She may be an idiot…” I said “…but she did an excellent job with this barrier.” Garrett blinked, his brow furrowing.
“…Did you just call the Goddess an idiot?” “Yes.” I replied “Aren’t you supposed to be the Sol?” He raised a brow.
“I am.” “The Sol wouldn’t say something like that.” “Wouldn’t he?” “No.” “He should be the Goddess’s most devoted believer.” I couldn’t help it.
I laughed.
“The Goddess’s most devoted believer?” “What’s so funny?” “It just sounds ridiculous.” Garrett snorted.
“I knew it.
You’re a fake.
Sol, my arse.” “But I really am the Sol.” I said “Then why haven’t you healed my eyes?” “I can.” I replied “It just requires an enormous amount of holy power.” “If you’re truly chosen by the Goddess, that shouldn’t be difficult.” “It isn’t.” I shrugged.
“I simply refuse to nearly kill myself for someone as ungrateful as you.” With that, I walked past him.
Honestly…
I should’ve left him throwing rocks at the barrier.
“Syly!” Theo’s cheerful voice echoed through the clearing.
Well…
That was quick.
I turned toward the house just in time to see him running toward me with something fluffy clutched in his arms.
His earlier grief seemed to have faded, replaced by his usual boundless energy.
Children were remarkable like that—able to grieve deeply and then, moments later, find joy in the simplest things.
“What is that?” I asked Theo beamed, his eyes bright with excitement.
“It’s a mountain goat!” The little goat let out a loud bleat, its small hooves kicking at the air.
It was a scruffy thing, with patchy fur and oversized ears.
“I know it’s a mountain goat,” I said.
“My question is…” I pointed at the animal.
“…why is there a mountain goat inside the sanctuary?” Theo hugged it tighter, pressing his cheek against its fur.
“I think it wandered inside when we opened the barrier.” He smiled brightly, his earlier sadness completely forgotten.
“Isn’t he cute?” The goat bleated again, this time with more enthusiasm.
I stared at it.
Then at Theo.
“Cute?” The goat chose that exact moment to chew on Theo’s sleeve.