”Yes, I am but a mere man. But please do not address her as some woman, Sa’ Raj.” Kiel simply removed his hand from the hilt of the sword held by George. He turned his back on the armed man and the priestess before walking towards me.

He knelt on one knee while his clenched fist draped across his chest. “For she is the lady that I serve with my everything.”

Bright blues drifted towards my golden ones with much intensity. He looked as though he would happily live a thousand lives and die a thousand deaths for me.

Was that really the meaning behind his unrelenting gaze?

Where does he get his passion from?

I shook my head and looked away from embarrassment.

A few women by the lamp post actually gasped in shock at what Kiel said, while others had their eyebrows knitted together.

For a second there, I felt happy that I wasn’t the only one confused with Kiel’s actions.

I wondered why Kiel did that. Why is he not hiding the fact that he knows me? Isn’t he just implicating himself by doing so?

“Interesting.” The silky-white garment fluttered as the priestess slowly strutted her way in our direction, ploddingly stopping a few meters from us.

Since she towered above us, she looked down on us with slight conceit shadowing her eyes as she said, “You did not deny that you knew her. You’re even willing to be considered as an abettor to a woman who has done a wicked act. Isn’t that insanity? You should know that only death is a suitable punishment for the slaughter of the innocent.”

“It is hardly insanity to still stay by my lady’s side, since I am fully convinced of her innocence.” Kiel made a brief bow at me before getting back on his feet. “Whereas, it is insanity if as a priestess, you already condemn the accused even without undergoing what the Divine law states. Even newly-ordained priestesses must know that a holy trial must be conducted to prove the innocence of the accused before they are labeled as criminals.”

Kiel smirked, “Or did you actually become one through means other than formally completing the ceremonies and your studies?”

For a split second, the priestess’s eyes smoldered with a mix of anger, panic, and embarrassment.

Kiel! I thought we were supposed to convince her! Why are you provoking her?!

I gave him a disapproving look.

Countless pairs of eyes widened in disbelief as mouths fell wide open.

George grit his teeth and grumbled under his breath while clenching his fist, “You insolent fool! How dare you insult our priestess!” It seemed to take everything he had just to contain his anger.

I saw Boris grabbing George’s arm with all his might. So it was not just by his sheer will that he was able to prevent himself from exploding with his emotions.

Good call, Boris!

The murmurs from the crowd intensified. I was internally praying that they didn’t bring more rocks or vegetables with them today. I didn’t want to become their target today as well. My clothes still reeked from last night’s session.

“Silence!” The priestess shouted as she waved her hand to the side, “He is correct. What happened a while ago was due to my shortcoming, indeed. I was obviously careless. I apologise if I also appeared rude to your lady.” Her slowly eyes darted back and forth, it made me question if she was really sorry about it.

She shifted her attention to me soon after.

“I don’t believe anyone caught your name, Miss. Would you mind introducing yourself?” She cocked her head to the right as her blue-gray hair slid down with her head and was dangling on the side now.

“I don’t mind, I guess. My name is...” It wasn’t the first time I was asked of my name in this world, but was it okay to say my name from the other world? Wouldn’t they find it weird?

Should I really say my name on Earth?

Ugh, never mind.

“...Rinya.” I blurted out before glancing at Kiel’s direction for a sign of approval. I was expecting at least a half nod from him or perhaps even a slight smile. Wouldn’t he be happy if I introduced myself with the name he gave me?

But no, Kiel’s face looked panicked for a second before it switched to a cold gaze. He was now deeply frowning at me and it was soon followed by him silently clicking his tongue.

Should I not have said that?

“That’s... impossible. Out of the twelve volumes of the expansive historical notes in the yearly census after the Great Firestorm. There hasn’t been any case where anything remotely similar to Our Goddess’s name was recorded.”

“Oh so you did study after all.” Kiel seemed to have regained his composure. He placed a hand at his hip. “Any one named after the Goddess who do not continuously receive Her blessing will receive misfortune, and ultimately death. They don’t get to live for more than a decade if they did not even deserve to share the name with the Peerless Goddess. But my lady, as you can see, is alive and well. She is obviously beyond ten years of age.”

“That does not prove anything. What if that is just something that you two are claiming? What if you are just trying to bluff your way out?” The priestess asked.

“You!!!” George grabbed Kiel by the collar but the latter was not phased at all. “First you disrespect our priestess and now you’re trying to lie to everyone! Geneva and Autumn deserve to have their justice!”

“Let him go!” I shouted as I stood up. The chains clanked loudly and all of a sudden, every one’s eyes were glued onto me.

“Thank you for your help.” I turned to Kiel. “But I will need to face this on my own.”

I then looked around at everyone, “You know why we’re all here. You want to see justice served and I want to prove my innocence.”

The wind blew gently, and it was the only thing any one could’ve heard when I paused. “I, Rinya, am requesting to be subjected to the holy trial as stated in the Divine law. You cannot deny me of that right.”

Kiel and everyone else stood still. There was silence until the priestess spoke, “I like that resolve. Very well then. The priestess of Raj accepts your request and will oversee the holy trial to its end as the representative of the One True Goddess.”

“Then, what will the holy trial be?” Kiel quickly asked.

“The most basic one.” The priestess smirked. “Trial by fire.”

Kiel grit his teeth, “You really are something, you greenhorn priestess.”

“If she lives after passing through a cave filled with flames, it means that her innocence is intact and Autumn’s killer is not your lady.” The priestess gave a small smile. “However, if she does burn, we will need to throw you into the flames as well, traveller.”

“I will make sure that you and your nasty servant will pay for what you did to me.” I shuddered as I heard the priestess talk without her opening her mouth. Or was that her real thoughts that I heard?

More importantly... I won’t burn, right?

I’m the Goddess everyone is worshipping, right?

That means that I won’t die, right?