Master Of None

Chapter 2211: 2211. Unrest

It was a silent day. The news did not take the city by storm, but settled over it like a quiet and cold snow. Bad news tended to do that. It would lay on people and wear away at them. Especially for those that had a deeper connection with that bad news.

Alice had not taken it as poorly as others expected her to. She was standing taller than usual as she met others. Especially her friends around the cathedral.

However, she was also very proud that her father had been the way that he was. The kind high priest who was always there for everyone. Regardless of his own situation. Guiding the hands that needed education. Speaking out when something was wrong. Opening his arms to those that needed a smile.

There had been many moments that mattered a lot to Alice and others. When the high priest had made contact with heroes and even pushed them to help the healers without being a member of the cathedral had made waves. Whether it was seen or not, that had been a defining moment of his foresight for the future.

To Alice though, she cared about every moment that came with him being there. Whether it was as a shoulder to cry on or advice, she knew that her father, the high priest, was always waiting for her to return.

He had even waited for her to return to hear about her first adventure. Waited for her when she had gone out to a village in need. Waited for her when she went to a large city that had been the seed for all churches and cathedrals. He had waited for her, a solid foundation to return to as he built her own.

Even more, he had accepted Walker multiple times. While his meanings in his words had been over Walker's head at times, he had seen right through Walker from the very start. Had certainly seen the future that Walker wished to build. Not only as a united city and alliance, but as a man wishing to grow a family one day.

Everything that the high priest left behind proved to be greater than what even his closest assistant knew.

Within the old office which had yet to be cleaned out for those who would take over for him, it was discovered that the high priest had written clear and careful self biographies. How he had learned his skills. How he had faced troubles in his life. Even how he had made the decision to leave the human city and come right to Genesis to build something he would never see flourish beyond his lifetime.

It was so amazing that there was a small argument over who would be able to read it after Alice. Naturally, everyone had accepted that these were Alice's to read first. So she could look at the world through his eyes. See what it was like while she grew up and her father figured out how to be a father.

Even though they had never been related by blood, the high priest had become a father above any other that would call themselves a father. Not because he had acted like it or just been there. It was the simple fact that he did not push an abandoned baby on to others. He had seen the problem and decided that he would take up all hardships related to that child and raised them with love and care that many were envious of.

His legacy had been cemented in stone in the small garden behind the cathedral. A place where he and Alice had sat for tea. A place he had rested in the sun. a place he had enjoyed in life more than the cathedral when it was full of song.

There was plenty more thought about and said on the day that he was put to rest. However, the news of the origin city of the church was hard to explain. Maybe the word explain wasn't the best, the best would be hard to handle since it brought about a lot of anger.

This sparked many controversies about the current state of the cathedral within Genesis and how it was so strikingly different. How the pure saintess who had helped so many had been harmed. How those that went to learn were instead ostracized and even threatened with execution.

The spark was slowly burning more and more as the gossip spread. It was only until a crow formed in front of the cathedral that things seemed to truly be heading down a poor path. That was when Walker and Alice made their appearance.

Recounting his anger filled words after Alice had stopped him from lashing out, the large crowd in the square around the cathedral calmed slightly. They could feel that as Walker explained he was struggling to keep himself calm.

A hero should control themselves and their strength, however, the reason that Walker was so loved as a hero wasn't just his actions. It was how people, felt being around him. Every single person in that crowd felt how Walker had felt. They could sense that he felt the way he did but many times more over.

Beyond that, they could see that Alice truly held the bright belief that the people should have a chance to leave and try again. That calling for a war when Genesis alliance had become so brilliant would be a crime. That the roots would rot if they were to push everyone in to flames of war over this.

Not only that, but the difference in strength was major. Their opponents would surely perish, even without the fact that an army from Genesis would come, that their enemy would fall

soon.

When Walker made that point, the crowd was stunned. Alice soon explained that leaving them had set an unstable balance toppling to the ground. Those that had forcefully controlled with threats and fear had been pushed to their own end. That when Walker, a hero announced by all systems of existence, had contradicted them, the people had taken a chance.

Some fled immediately trying to reach a new home. Others had to fight directly to take control or power. The others, had clung to their cruel beliefs and either perished or locked themselves away. All of that was what Walker had been sure would happen, but a few of the sneakiest scouts had already left to find information.

It would all be provided in time.

It all seemed to calm down as many of the church members used their skills to calm and ease the situation. The people were rightfully angry, but they did not need to fight here. They understood that now.

It was all fine until Alice spoke up again. This time, she kept speaking about what happened when she returned. How her father, the high priest, had smiled when she told him she was back. How Walker had ensured she got to him so he could properly rest. And how Walker had

asked clearly for permission and for his honor.

The response that Walker first heard, "Finally!"

Apparently, everyone had been waiting for the official announcement that their beloved saintess and golden hero would make it clear they would move forward with their engagement and marriage.

It quickly changed the way gossip flowed. Not about the enemy city that was falling to pieces in the distance, instead, it was about what dress Alice might wear. When they might get married. How large the celebration would be. How many great dragons would attend. Would there even be people from the elemental planes?

It made Walker's face turn bright red and Alice hide behind him. Yet again winning them a wave of shouts and adding to the gossip. Walker felt that he preferred being upset instead of this. He preferred standing ahead and fighting some monster with everyone watching rather than standing here and being asked what color his robes or suit would be.

Things only got worse when Gil arrived from the inside of the cathedral. He had listened to it all but left things alone. Now, he was immediately messing with Walker about actually

moving forward.

Leaving both Alice and Walker to flee when they had the chance. But it did leave them alone for the first time. A chance to just sit and let time pass without issue. Some people might think that silence is hard to handle. However, with the right people, silence can be enjoyable. It can be more than words being spoken.

Silence with those that truly understand you isn't silence. It's just a moment of peace to respect one another. To dwell on the emotions between them. To expect more from the future between them.

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