The next day.
I took Zenith to the religious headquarters for the Miko to give her a neurological exam.
Two people, Carlyle and Claire, came to pick us up at Cliff's house in a horse-drawn carriage.
While we were riding in the carriage, I was chatting with Carlyle.
He seems to deeply regret what had happened, and apologized profusely.
I don't intend to keep blaming him for that.
Even if he was a little at fault...
People make mistakes.
What's important is to reflect on it, learn from it, and move on.
Just overcoming a failure like that is difficult, anyone else would have given up.[1]
You can't keep moving forward without overcoming failures.
He shouldn't be beholden to me to move on.
Although Carlyle was talkative, Claire hadn't spoken a word.
Out of the five people riding in the carriage, only she was silent.
I wonder what she's thinking about.
Should I ask her?
While I was procrastinating, we arrived at the headquarters.
I went through the normal formalities, and was granted an audience in the center of the headquarters.
We were brought to a room, this is probably the room the Miko normally uses.
Just like when I met with the Pope, it was a room divided by a transparent barrier with two chairs and a window.
It was a little dim, six escorts stood guard.
Therese wasn't among them.
I wonder if she was replaced...
Anyway, it looks like the escorts are going to stay for the examination.
Well, I shouldn't need to be particularly cautious of them this time.
All of them had embarrassed expressions and avoided looking in my direction.
I don't need an apology.
You guys were just doing your jobs.
And I was just doing my job when I knocked you guys out, so we're even.
We were both just doing our jobs, so it's all good.[2]
In any case, we should all try to get along.
If these guys hold a grudge, I'll have to watch my back.
So we should try to get along as well as we can.
"Then, I'll start."
Miko and Zenith were sitting in the two chairs, facing each other.
Dust held Zenith's head, and had her meet the Miko's eyes.
Then, the Miko brought her face closer and had a look.
It almost seems like an eye exam.
"...Oh."
Looking at the Miko, Zenith's eyes glistened.
Her eyes seemed brighter.
... Still no expression though.
As they were staring into each others eyes, it looked as if faint streaks of light were darting between them.
Until now, I'd never seen such a light.
"As one would expect of Miko-sama..."
"As divine as ever..."