Chapter 13: The Legend of the Faceless Saint Begins.

The modest inn dining hall turned into a lively banquet scene shortly after Suna came down.

Centered around her, the townsfolk she’d saved or healed joined a spontaneous feast.

They gathered at tables, eating, drinking, and waiting for a chance to thank her personally.

Having declined most of their gifts out of courtesy, Suna accepted their invitation to the banquet.

Truthfully, she hadn’t expected the enthusiastic townsfolk to take turns thanking her again during the meal.

They were considerate, not overly disturbing her dining.

Still, a few tearfully tried to kneel in gratitude, which slightly troubled Suna as she stopped them.

Though she planned to use their gratitude to craft an excuse to leave, their heartfelt sincerity left her a bit overwhelmed.

Seeing their intent to prolong the banquet, Suna raised a glass of grape juice.

“I deeply feel everyone’s gratitude.

Let me toast you all with this in place of wine.

May the Golden Bough’s blessings bring you happiness.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but as she spoke, the chatter quieted.

The townsfolk listened intently, and when her simple blessing ended, cheers filled the inn’s ground floor, echoing dozens of meters outside.

As the applause subsided, Suna continued with a half-joking tone.

“Also, I hope this banquet doesn’t run too late.

We don’t want to disturb others, and if you get hungover from drinking too much, I’d have to heal you again, right?”

Her subtle hint to end the event early was met with cooperation.

The gratitude feast wrapped up just before nine.

As Suna prepared to return to her room, a tipsy young man with brown hair, barely of age, voiced a question.

“Saintess… why do you wear… a veil?

We can’t… properly remember your face.

It’s… such a pity.”

His companion, an older man, smacked his head and apologized to Suna.

“Sorry, Saintess.

This kid’s drunk and talking nonsense.”

Sensing the townsfolk’s curious gazes about her veil, Suna knew they assumed she had her reasons and had refrained from asking.

With her veil and a low-level [Veil of Truth] blessing, even when she lifted it to eat, her face remained indistinct.

“It’s fine.

I wear the veil for personal reasons, but mostly to ensure people focus on my actions following the Golden Bough Goddess’s teachings, not my appearance.”

Her gentle words drew reverent looks from the townsfolk.

The drunken youth lowered his head in shame.

Unbeknownst to Suna, her casual remark would later inspire her future title.

She reassured the youth with a playful tone and bid farewell.

“As for what’s under my veil, beautiful or not, feel free to imagine!

Now that the banquet’s over, I’ll take my leave.”

Returning to her room, Suna packed lightly.

Her enchanted backpack, with multiple magical effects, had been transformed into a simple white shoulder bag.

Placing it by the bed, she entered a light sleep.

Alert for hunters or other threats, her mind never fully rested, but the night was eerily calm, undisturbed by any creature.

Even the demon side didn’t contact her.

“Ugh, such a quiet night almost feels disappointing.

Am I the problem?”

Rising early, as per her saintess routine, Suna muttered while brushing her hair.

After a quick grooming, she prepared to leave.

Having slept in her clothes, she used simple life magic to smooth out wrinkles.

Opening her door, she found gifts left outside.

With her luggage packed, she avoided adding more, so she carried them downstairs to the innkeeper.

“Sorry, can you hold these gifts for me?

I’ll need a proper suitcase to take them.”

Noticing she wasn’t carrying her usual suitcase, the innkeeper nodded and took the gifts.

He didn’t know her belongings were already in her enchanted bag.

Though its capacity was limited by important items, fitting a suitcase’s worth was no issue.

Greeting friendly townsfolk and chatting briefly, Suna declined food gifts from shopkeepers.

Using magic fluctuations, she located the scarred hunter.

“Hello, sir hunter.

I thought I’d let you know I’m leaving, so you don’t chase me down.”

Her words were light, but she braced for his response, ready to navigate any suspicion.