It was already night after meeting Claire at noon. I headed for the so-called Temple of Miracles, walking along.
The temple was up the mountainside a bit on the opposite side from the forest I'd passed through to reach town, but not too far a distance.
Normally it wouldn't be an issue, but today was the day of the miraculous event. On my way up the stone steps to the temple, I got stuck in the traffic jam of other attendees.
I kind of wanted to see Claire's ceremonial dance too, but at this rate I'd miss it. And since I hadn't paid any offerings, I wouldn't be allowed near enough to see anyway.
As I wondered what to do, I heard a voice.
It came from the trees and bushes off the path.
"Teehee~ This way, this way."
Glancing around, I saw the eye mask girl beckoning me. What's she doing there?
"Over here~"
She seemed to be calling to me. Or rather, I was the only one who noticed.
I hesitated, but figured ignoring her would be lame too, so I left the line and went over.
"Yo! Good evening!"
She clasped her hands in front of her body and greeted me.
What kind of pose is that? What are you doing?
"Well, I was super interested in the miracle too. But there were so many people I couldn't get close, right? So I found a bit of a shortcut to get nearer, and happened to see you looking troubled over there."
Eye mask girl apparently planned to take a roundabout way besides the orderly path everyone was using to get closer to the temple.
"It's pretty dark already. Aren't you worried about getting lost or something? More like, is this really okay?"
"It's fine! I scouted out the path earlier while it was still light! Like, see that fallen tree over there? So then—"
She specifically explained the way to the temple.
Definitely walked it once before.
"Devout people wouldn't think to sneak a peek like this. They're all obediently lining up!"
"You're shameless..."
These townsfolk deeply believe in their gods.
I shrugged helplessly, but actually I'd been considering slipping out of line too. Keep that on the down low.
Well, if there's a way to get there I might as well go.
"Is someone over there?"
They must have overheard us talking. Two or three men started heading our way. Crap, did they find us?!
I mean, we weren't doing anything wrong, but if they realized we were taking the side path we might get accused of blasphemy or whatever. These people had absolute faith. Only one thing left to do.
"Everyone! There's a sneaky girl here trying to cut ahead and get to the temple!" I shouted.
"Huh? Whoa—!"
"What!? Disgraceful wench!"
"Hey, grab her!"
Several men chased after the fleeing eye mask girl.
Once they were gone, I casually climbed the path she'd shown me.
"There it is..."
Following the route led me right beside the temple.
With everyone focused on the temple itself, no one noticed me around the perimeter.
Nice spot. I could observe at my leisure here.
"Your sacrifice wasn't in vain. I appreciate it."
"..."
Hm? Sensing a presence, I glanced sideways.
Somehow standing next to me and pouting unhappily, the eye mask girl had caught up when I wasn't looking.
"That was mean."
"Oh, you made it."
"Don't 'oh, you made it' me! Using me as a decoy like that..."
"Thanks for the help."
"Geez, geez, geez! What if they'd caught me? What would you have done? Why do you get to act all innocent?"
"It'd have been fine."
Some freak like her wouldn't get assaulted.
And I figured she could easily escape. Just like she'd shaken her pursuers right away.
If she had been caught, they'd just scold her a little. Probably.
"You'd underestimate it! They might've done all kinds of things to me!"
"Yeah, sorry 'bout that."
"Doesn't sound sincere at all! Apologize properly!"
"Oh look, it's starting."
I changed the subject to shut her up.
"Hmph. Even after I showed you the way here. The disrespect."
The dance began.
The crowd watched with peaceful expressions, fervently praying or anticipating something.
"Hmm."
Unlike earlier today, Claire wore thin, plain garments. Must be the local shrine maiden outfit.
So sheer it looked see-through when wet, but she didn't seem to be wearing anything underneath.
Didn't seem to be wearing anything underneath...!
"You look pretty excited."
"Hm? Oh... nice dance."
"Doesn't look like you're enjoying the dance to me."
"No such thing."
"Even with a cute girl like me right next to you..."
She was muttering about something, but I tuned her out.
"So what exactly happens during this miracle of the gods?"
"Well, it'd be easy to understand if the gods appeared, but that's not gonna happen, right?"
I doubted it would. We both probably thought the same - gods didn't exist as tangible beings.
But the townspeople's faith was beyond excessive.
Was something incredible enough to elicit such absolute belief going to occur?
Before long, the dance ended and the miraculous event finally began.
The altar at the back of the temple was opened by the bald priest I'd met earlier.
A massive stone was embedded in the wall. The temple and altar were built around the Godstone, you could say.
After catching her breath, Claire removed the bracelet and started circulating mana through her body like I'd seen this morning.
Everyone waiting for the miracle watched intently and silently as the pivotal moment arrived.
"...Ngh!" Claire vocalized softly as she channeled the mana into the Godstone.
In that instant, the impossible happened.
"Wha—!"
My body floated up. And not just me - the eye mask girl beside me, all the spectators, we were all floating!
It only lasted a second, but unlike jumping myself, I clearly felt the sensation of being lifted.
"No way..."
After landing, cold sweat dripped down.
People floating - this was the miracle of the city of the gods.