REBOOT SIENNA

Chapter 12: Live To Sienna Pt.12

Roy took the lead, walking forward, before she could even give an answer. She followed him through a small side gate at the back of the temple and saw a small garden the size of a square room.

All the plants there were of the same kind, grass with five leaves larger than her palm. Some were so thick that they came up to their waists.

Sienna gave a loud laugh as she looked at the garden awkwardly. It wasn’t built well enough to be called a garden. It occurred to her that it looked very much like Roy, the owner of the garden.

“Is it that much of a mess? It’s actually my first time gardening. It’s a shame that the priest serving the Goddess of the Earth can’t even garden.”

Contrary to what he had said, the condition of the plants was extremely good. Rather, because they looked so good, the plants looked more like colonies rising from the ground than plants that were being grown to cultivation.

“No, that’s not it. It’s amazing. But, it’s all one kind. What’s the name of this plant?”

“It’s called hemp.”

“Why are you planting it? Don’t you usually plant vegetables such as salad ingredients or tomatoes in a garden?”

“It’s a stimulating plant. At this time of the year, many children suffer from pneumonia or influenza in the back alleys of the city. They even lose their lives. That’s why I planted it in advance. Hemp is often used as basic medicine, and some children can overcome their own illnesses while it supports their stamina and physical condition.”

He was partly to blame for his childish appearance, and his playful smile and light accent made her feel like he wasn’t a priest at all, but listening to Roy’s story made her feel great.

Because of the existence of classes, some people were treated worse than animals, and sometimes, even five slaves would cost less than a horse. It felt great to be able to understand and reach out to the poor in this place.

“That sounds great, Priest Roy Whist.”

After Sienna’s words of admiration, he said, scratching at the back of his head, “It’s OK. It’s only natural for a man of the Goddess. More than that, Sienna, please be at ease and call me Roy.”

“How can I dare call a priest by his name so indiscreetly?”

“Priesthood is not a position, it’s kind of like a job. You don’t have to worry about it that much… Well, if you feel uncomfortable, please take my last name off and just call me Priest Roy.”

“OK. Then, I will do so.”

A small bird sat on his shoulder as he nodded. The bird with black wings and gray plumage had a patch of orange plumage around its neck like a scarf.

“Chirp, chirp!”

The bird ran around, jumping all over Roy’s shoulders. Roy, as if familiar with the bird, put the grain kernels he had taken out of his pocket on his palm and stuck them out for the bird. The bird ate a few grains from his hand and flew away.

“Every time I see it, I’m intrigued. You easily calmed down the rampaging horse last time, and you talked to Coco. How is that possible?”

“Ha-ha! It’s just something I’ve been doing since I was a kid… I could just read the animals’ minds.”

“Then, can you read people’s minds?”

When asked that by her, Roy changed the subject, “No. Unfortunately, I can’t do that. I don’t know if it’s because people’s minds are more complex than those of the little ones. More than that, I owe so much to miss Sienna…”