Chapter 36: Incomprehensible Time

When Lucia woke up on the church bed, Dorothy and her group had already been gone for some time.

Fratina sat on a chair, reading a book borrowed from the church.

Hearing movement from the bed, she turned. “Lord Lucia, you’re awake?”

“Yeah.”

Lucia nodded, stretched, and rubbed her sore shoulders.

Though mentally prepared for lower living standards outside, the hard bed had kept her uncomfortable all night. Despite sleeping, she kept tossing, unable to find a good position.

“Where’s Dorothy?”

Fully awake, Lucia greeted Fratina and asked about Dorothy.

“She’s already left for the Papal State.”

“What? So soon?”

“Well… maybe you didn’t rest well last night and slept late. Lunch will be served soon.”

“Haha… can’t help it. I’m not used to places like this.”

Lucia gave an awkward smile, realizing it was nearly mealtime.

But she quickly clarified, “I don’t mean I can’t handle it. I just need time to adjust. Don’t overthink it, Fratina.”

Seeing Lucia consider her perspective, Fratina smiled, a warmth spreading in her heart.

“It’s fine. When we go adventuring, I’ll take care of your needs, Lord Lucia.”

Lucia’s willingness to let her adventure thrilled Fratina, especially with the added security of her presence. And from Lucia’s words, she was even lowering herself to support Fratina’s resolve.

Noticing the respect in Fratina’s eyes, Lucia relaxed. Her approach was working—Fratina genuinely respected her now.

A nun knocked on their door. “Guests, lunch is ready.”

In the dining hall, priests and nuns gathered for pre-meal prayers. As non-Church members, Fratina and Lucia stood, mimicking them but unable to join the murmured prayers.

The clergy didn’t mind, as Dorothy had instructed them to treat the two as honored guests.

Unlike yesterday’s lavish banquet, today’s lunch surprised Lucia. Expecting plain bread and vegetable soup, she found meat and wine instead.

Long ago, the Church enforced strict asceticism, especially for clergy, who needed senior priests’ prayers to “cleanse” meat before eating. But reforms had made the Church more progressive, elevating women’s roles—allowing a Saintess to share divine authority with the Pope—and relaxing rules for clergy and followers.

Today, this church had its own garden, pasture, and vineyard, improving life for its members and believers.

After the prayer, a nun curiously asked Lucia, “Is this your first visit to a church?”

Fratina’s identity was known, so their curiosity focused on Lucia.

“Sort of.”

Lucia recalled her past. The old Lucia had visited churches when they were more conservative. Clergy attire hadn’t changed much, but their demeanor, habits, and preaching style—once dogmatic, now persuasive—were worlds apart.

“I didn’t expect the Church to live so well now. In my memory… it wasn’t like this.”

Her words silenced the room.

“Lord Lucia, you’ve seen the Church before?” Fratina whispered.

Lucia nodded slightly.

The clergy froze. Even the Church’s drinking reform was decades old. Was this person over a hundred?

Or… not human?

Rumors surfaced—about the Hero captured by the dragon Lucia, becoming her servant.

Now, it seemed less like capture and more like Fratina bringing the dragon out.

“Um, the Saintess didn’t tell us your identity. Are you…?”

“As you suspect,” Lucia said, not hiding it.

With the treaty signed, Londe would spread the news. Rumors—whether she defeated Fratina or Fratina abducted her—would swirl. Better to admit it openly.

“I didn’t expect the Church to change so much after centuries.”

“But… I like this version better.”

Hearing Lucia’s approval of the reforms, the clergy felt validated. Their path had been right, earning praise from someone who’d seen the past.

*

After lunch, Fratina and Lucia returned to their room to pack.

On a whim, Fratina asked, “Lord Lucia, you said you’ve lived for centuries?”

“Yes.”

Lucia nodded.

“It’s been so long, I don’t even know my exact age. There was a time I was so bored I slept for months, even years…”

Fratina, speaking to a long-lived being for the first time, found it surreal.

Humans cherished time; sleeping for months or years would feel like a tragic loss. But for a dragon, it was routine.

“Then, Lord Lucia, do you have any friends?”

Fratina grew curious about who might hold weight in Lucia’s long life.