In the creaking wooden mansion, behind the unsightly fence that seemed to ward off visitors, a voice stirred in the night.
"Za... I loved teasing you... your embarrassed face... how I miss it..." Gauss murmured, his words barely a whisper as he slumbered, his mind caught in some distant, wistful dream.
Knock Knock
"Time for the daily ritual!" The voice rang out, clear and loud, a righteous tone with an unshakable sense of duty.
Gauss's eyes fluttered open. With a groan, he shifted his tired body, his movements slow as he turned toward the source of the sound.
"Your room looks like a mess, Gauss." The priest observed aloud, his voice tinged with a note of disapproval.
"It looks quite clean to me," Gauss replied, his gaze gleaming with a golden light, sharp and knowing.
"Ah, I see it now. You're right, I was mistaken... My bad. You know how it is, Gauss." The priest's tone softened, almost apologetic.
"I choose the prayer," Gauss interrupted smoothly, his voice carrying a weight of authority that cut through the priest's words. "Za, destiny is a funny thing. I was afraid you'd lost your way," he murmured, a faint light flickering in his chest, like the glint of a distant star.
The priest paused, his hand reaching into his robe. "Good. Here's your vial of holy water," he said, almost too casually. "I noticed you don't gulp them all down in a single motion anymore. Have you finally learned patience, old man?"
"Heh... I'm just not as thirsty as I once was..." Gauss's voice dropped, the sadness flickering in his eyes like a dying flame. 'I pray that child is still alive,' he thought, but kept it locked away in his heart.
"In a week, there will be an event. The rite to pass through the holy gate and ascend to become a Righteous, like me." The priest's chest swelled with pride. "I hope you'll be there to compete for the key."
Gauss chuckled softly, his old bones creaking as he waved away the notion. "These old bones are too tired for such things."
The priest smirked. "It seems some people never grow with age. By the time I'm as old as you, I'll be at least Sacred," he said, his tone brimming with youthful arrogance.
"As passionate as fire... be careful, child. The further you ascend, the heavier the weight of responsibility becomes." Gauss's voice was low, like the rumble of distant thunder.
"We won't meet again once I reach that point," the priest said, his eyes gleaming with certainty. "But I'll remember you."
With that, the priest moved on, leaving Gauss to ponder his words.
The priest went to the next house.
Minutes later, the sound of the priest's voice broke the silence. "Did you just try to give your holy water to someone else? As punishment, you will pray three times today."
The man sighed. "I'm sorry, priest... I'll do the three prayers."
"Three? No, no. You seem a bit too eager," the priest said calmly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Make it four."
The man nodded, resigned. "Okay. Four it is."
And so, the man prayed. By the time he reached the fourth prayer, a strange light began to break within his chest. It splintered into thousands of tiny particles, scattering like sparks in the air.
"An outcast," the priest declared, his voice cold and accusing. "Guards!"
"No, please, don't take my husband!" The wife cried out, her voice full of panic. "I'll do anything!"
But Gauss only shook his head. 'I can't let them take my last neighbor,' he thought. 'They are the only ones I like in this godforsaken neighborhood. They live in peace... a kind of peace I envy.'
"Hello, guards, righteous priest," Gauss called, his voice steady and deliberate. "Standing here, I noticed it wasn't his light that broke into particles, but just some butterflies. You can see them in the bushes." He pointed toward the fluttering creatures, delicate as the truth itself.
The priest hesitated, his brow furrowing, then gave a sheepish laugh. "Ah... yes, butterflies. I see now. My mistake. False alarm, sorry." He scratched the back of his head, turning on his heel. "My bad, guards. Let's move on."
A short while later...
"Thank you, Gauss, you saved my husband!" The wife cheered, her eyes bright with gratitude. "Thank you, Gauss, I really owe you one." said the husband.
Gauss simply nodded, his gaze distant. "Just remember, I can't do this again. I don't want to lose you, neighbor. You and your wife are the only ones I care about in this place. You live in peace and prosperity... don't take that for granted. From now on, truly believe in your prayers. Don't just speak words for the sake of it."
""Yes!!"" they both responded in unison, their voices filled with conviction.
"Hah, good," Gauss muttered, a smile creeping across his face. "Now, let's eat and drink! Today's a day to celebrate!"
— Hours later, Gauss sat drunk, his breath thick with alcohol.
"Bah! To be honest, I'm jealous of you two," he slurred, his eyes unfocused as he glanced between the man and his wife.
"Gauss... jealous?" the man asked, bewildered.
"Of course!" Gauss barked out a laugh, though it was tinged with bitterness. "The one I love... never loved me back. How could I not be jealous when I see you two lovebirds?"
With that, his head slowly sank onto the table, and within moments, he was snoring, lost to the world.
"Who could ever reject Gauss?" the wife wondered aloud, rising her brows.