As the doubt among the crowd grew, a man stepped forward. His clothes were torn and stained, and in his trembling arms, he carried a small girl with tangled hair and bare feet. Her thin dress was dirty, and her legs were covered in bruises and scabbed-over scars.
"I don't care whether you're a messenger or a fake," the man said, voice shaking. "Just… please save my daughter."
Dilek's expression darkened as he knelt down. The girl's wounds were deep—some old, some fresh, as though her legs had been struck again and again. "How did this happen?" he asked quietly.
The man looked down, clutching his daughter tighter. "There are people in Phermola," he muttered. "The other kids… they throw rocks at my poor child to play. And if I—" his voice cracked, tears spilling down his cheeks—"if I try to stop them, the parents threaten me. They say they have connections... That's why I need someone. Someone I can believe in."
His voice broke completely. "Someone to save my family…"
The crowd went silent. Only the faint rustle of wind and the distant neighs of horses was in the air.
Dilek slowly reached out and hugged the man and his child. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I wasn't able to meet you before this…"
He drew back, his tone soft but steady. "My healings are painful… because people have something broken in them. Truth is, the ones broken the most feel the most pain." His eyes met the man's. "But since you believe in me, I'll make it painless. You've been through enough, my friend. I'll heal you without any pain—since you're already suffering enough."
The man's lips quivered. He sank against Dilek's shoulder, crying. The little girl, seeing her father cry, began to sob too.
A faint notification popped in front of Dilek.
BP: 110 (+1)
Skill acquired: Believe in me for super good heals (Only works if people believe in you. It can heal any wound as long as it's not life-threatening.)
Dilek blinked at the strange name but shook his head. He placed his palms gently over the girl's legs. Suddenly, a soft pink light bloomed from her wounds. The air shimmered faintly, and a quiet gasp ran through the crowd.
The girl didn't cry—only stared in wonder as the light wrapped around her. When Dilek withdrew his hands, every wound on her body had vanished. Her scarred legs were smooth again, her skin glowing faintly under the sunlight.
Her father's eyes widened. "Thank you… so much…" he whispered.
Before he could say more, Dilek clasped his hand. The same pink glow spread across the man's body. His cracked nails, blistered feet, and bruised arms all healed in seconds. He looked down in disbelief—then dropped to his knees, trembling.
"THANK YOU… THANK YOU SO MUCH!" he cried. "I paid a hundred Bisho for a month and they barely healed my family at the church! Thank you!"
He broke down again, clutching his daughter. Dilek helped him up, smiling faintly.
"Thank you for believing in me," he said. "But it was the will of Goddess Yaguya. Don't think you were never heard—you were. She heard you. I'm here as proof of that."
Then, to their surprise, Dilek bent down and removed his own shoes. He gently placed them on the man's feet. The man looked horrified.
"Please don't—wait, your legs—!"
Dilek smiled up at him. "It's alright. If you can stand for so long just to ask for help, then I should be able to walk for a while without shoes. No… I must. If I don't, I'm sure the Goddess will be disappointed in me."
The man couldn't speak. His daughter hid her face in his chest, crying softly. Around them, the crowd began murmuring in awe.
Then—
"Please heal me as well!"
"Please help me!"
"My child needs you!"
"Please, my wife—she's hurt!"
Voices rose one after another as people pressed closer. Some limped, others carried wounded loved ones, their eyes shining with desperate hope.
Dilek raised his hands. "I will, but please—don't block the pathway. Let's go sit in the grass patches beside the road. It hurts me to see your feet burning on this stone, and it hurts me to see the carriage drivers suffer in the heat. Please, follow me."
He climbed over the short stone wall and stepped into the wide green field beside the road. The grass was dry but cool under his feet. The people followed, one by one, leaving the main road clear.
The carriage drivers, stunned, blinked as the path opened.
"IT'S OPEN! MOVE FAST, FAST!" someone shouted.
Horses neighed as the line of carriages finally began to move again. The guards watched from the roadside.
"Damn," one muttered, watching Dilek kneel among the crowd, his hands glowing pink as he healed one person after another. "I think even I'll believe in Yaguya… Does she have a church?"
Kelid, standing nearby with her arms crossed, looked stunned. "Uh… I don't know…"
The guard chuckled and turned away. "Maybe someday I'll pay a visit. But for now, I need to get back to my clients before I get yelled at."
He waved goodbye and walked off as Kelid hopped over the stone wall, landing beside Dilek. Pink light covered the people over the patch of grass where the people gathered, faces softening into smiles as their pain faded.
Kelid stared at the sight, speechless.
She muttered under her breath, "What the hell even just happened…?"
—
Dilek sat cross-legged on the grass, exhaustion showing faintly in his shoulders. Beside him, an old man with thin hands sat down, breathing heavily.
"Thank you… boy," the old man said weakly. "Thank you for helping us. But could you help us more? I know it's selfish… but there are people who are sick back in Phermola. They couldn't come because they're too weak. So we brought the wounded instead. Please…"
Dilek looked at him with gentle eyes and said softly, "Of course. The goddess would never want me to stop helping people. I will."
The people around them broke into cheer, their tired faces lighting up. Dilek raised his voice slightly, smiling.
"Please continue coming. I'll keep healing you. And then, I'll meet you at Phermola. I came here with my friends, you see—they were stuck in the traffic. I know it's disgraceful of me to ride in a carriage while you have to walk back."
A chubby woman gasped and quickly bowed, shaking her head. "No, no, no, sir! Please don't say that! The goddess has shown us enough mercy. Please do not pressure yourself to live like us."
Dilek smiled, his tone calm but sincere. "But I am like you."
The woman looked up in surprise.
"I am alive," he continued, "and a living being just like you. Just like everyone. The goddess doesn't see me any higher than you, young lady."
Her eyes softened as Dilek looked around at the gathered crowd. "Everyone is equal in her eyes. In her eyes, you are the same as me. So is everyone here. So please… don't call yourself lower than me."
The air went quiet for a moment—until a young boy smirking shouted suddenly, "Then walk wit—"
Before he could finish, a man beside him grabbed his shoulder sharply. "Respect him, boy," the man said sternly. "If he reaches there before us, he can help our people. Not a single Cardinal, let alone a low-ranking priest, has ever healed us. And this man did it for free—heals that costs more than you'll earn in your life."
The boy went pale and looked down, silent now.
Across the road, the line of carriages was moving again. The one carrying Dilek's group slowed near the wall, and the group leaned out curiously. Ami's eyes widened at the sight of Dilek sitting in the grass, surrounded by dozens of people glowing faintly with pink light.
Diego's throat tightened as he whispered, "Saint… he's helping them."
Nandita looked between them, confused. "What happened?"
Kelid noticed the carriage and walked toward it, explaining everything quickly. Marcus listened quietly, a small smile appearing on his face as he heard how Dilek healed the people without asking for monetary compensation.
Ami, still watching the scene, muttered, "Could've asked for one Bisho at least."
Nandita ignored her and looked at the crowd. She was surprised—almost moved—seeing how the people smiled at Dilek, as if he'd changed their lives.
Hela, however, was slack-jawed. "He has a cult?!"
Diego immediately snapped at her. "Not a cult, you hag! It's something the Saint was trusted with!"
Hela turned to him, furious. Diego panicked and shouted, "Sorry—for calling you a hag—but point still stands! It's a faith, not a cult!"
Duja chuckled quietly, earning a glare from Hela that instantly shut him up. Even the carriage driver leaned forward to watch, fascinated by the glowing field and the kneeling villagers.
Duja crossed his arms, tilting his head. "Hm? He might actually be a priest."
Nandita turned to him. "How come you're saying that now?"
Duja shrugged, his tone thoughtful. "Well, yknow… healing magic is provided by deities. Only church members usually have it. And if some random kid has it, the churches—like Liora or Seran—scout him immediately. From what I see, Dilek's healing is pretty high-level. At least Bishop or Archbishop tier."
Hela frowned, conflicted. "That might be true… that he's some sort of God-given—"
She stopped herself. No way. She clenched her jaw. She denied it.
—
Coming, in a bright white carriage trimmed with gold, Archbishop Kaelis Kaelis sat comfortably, untouched by the heat. His robes were pure silk, made with shining threads of gold. The carriage interior smelled faintly of flowers.
He chuckled softly, adjusting the jeweled ring on his finger. "I'm surprised the traffic cleared up," he said. "I thought we might have to physically remove them."
His secretary bowed beside him. "Yes, Archbishop. It's better for us this way."
Kaelis tilted his head, the faint smile never leaving his face. "Why did they do that?" His eyes glimmered sharply beneath his wrinkled lids.
The secretary hesitated. "I'm not sure… Should I check it out?"
Kaelis waved dismissively. "Oh, hoho, no need. I'm sure it was the god Liora helping his faithful servant."
He clasped his hands together, murmuring a small prayer.
The secretary turned toward the window—and froze. Outside, on the roadside, The protestors sat in the grass, gathered around a single man. He blinked, unsure what he was seeing. He wanted to speak, to report it—but seeing the Archbishop deep in prayer, he stayed silent as their carriage passed by.
—
Back on the grass, Dilek rose slowly to his feet.
"I'll be going now," he said, smiling faintly. "I'll meet you in Phermola. Have faith in Yaguya."
He bowed politely as the crowd murmured, smiling back at him. Some just whispered among themselves, Some stayed silent.
They were unsure of this new goddess. But Dilek's kindness—his refusal to force faith upon them—made them hope. For the first time, they felt a god might actually be there for them.
They would soon worship a goddess that did not exist—a false deity born from Dilek's lie.
But they would never know.
No one would.
Only Dilek.
BP: 156 (+46)
—
When Dilek entered the carriage again, his hair clung to his forehead from sweat. He exhaled heavily and sank into the seat, relief washing over him as the cool air brushed his skin. Kelid climbed in behind him, closing the door.
"Dude, what were you doing?" Marcus asked immediately.
Ami leaned forward. "Why didn't you ask for money?"
Nandita added, "How were you healing them without causing pain?"
Diego, eyes still wet. "Saint, you're so kind… Not only did you help the traffic move, you helped the ones suffering."
Hela crossed her arms. "What was that, huh? You starting a cult?"
Duja smirked from his seat. "More importantly—where are your shoes, man?"
Dilek blinked, startled by the barrage of questions. "Calm down, calm down. Let me rest a little. I'm tired as hell for some reason… Well, it was hot, and I'm sweating, so give me a break." He slumped deeper into the seat, closing his eyes for a moment.
'Damn… I got a lot of BP', he thought. 'And well, I was convincing enough for them to believe me.' 'Thankfully, that new skill healed without pain. If it didn't, I'd be done for. Guess I'm lucky they believed every word…'
He looked down at his bare feet and sighed. "I need shoes."
As his voice trailed off, Kelid reached out and gently held his hand. Dilek turned toward her, surprised.
"It feels better, right?" she said quietly.
A cool sensation spread through his body from her touch. Dilek felt the fatigue go away, and his cheeks turned rose faintly.
He nodded. "…Thanks."
Kelid looked outside, her expression soft.
Outside, the carriage wheels began to roll again. As they finally started moving after the huge traffic.