Reverse of the Rain

But suddenly, Rain spoke up. “Huh~ Stop pretending to be a thug. Tell me, how many people do you want to save?”

Boss Eye’s expression darkened as he clenched his fist and scolded, “What are you talking about? We are thugs! We steal things! not save people.”

Rain facepalmed.

Boss grabbed Rain’s shoulder and said, “Give me that rocks!”

Like a woman named Iva noticed something. Her Mouth opened, “He knows?”

Rain, not concerned, Boss grabbed, turned his head to the woman named Iva, “You’re Iva, right? You should be the boss instead of him. That would make it more realistic.”

Rain took out the Sun rock and grabbed Boss’s hand, then placed it in his hand.

Boss instinctively kept it, feeling its warmth, but still said, “What are you doing?” He then turned to his acquaintance. “Take him down.”

Everyone looked at each other, then took out their weapons. But Rain quickly sat down, not waiting. “Okay, let’s sit down.”

His behavior shocked everyone, not knowing what to do. But Iva remained calm and used her hand to signal their friends to calm down. Everyone put away their weapons, even Boss took a step back. Then she asked, “How long have you noticed us?”

Rain thought for a moment, tilted his head to the left, and said, “Since your group started laughing.”

A young man with a short body in the back instantly said, “As I told you, we laugh too much! How can thugs always laugh like crazy people? Just once is enough.”

Rain turned his head back to him and gave him a thumbs up.

He touched his neck and nodded thanks for Rain’s compliment. His friend with a tall body nudged him with his elbow.

Then he turned back to the boss and said, “No thug would admit that they are thugs. Okay, Chief? At this time, who’s wanted the coins? Are you from east coast city? In here, especially this small town, We trade with food and supply, If you give him the warm cloth, that would be sensible.” He looked at Iva and said, “You carry a bow, but no quiver of arrows? That’s weird, right?”

Iva’s mouth opened, “Ah, that while before I go out, I fell I miss something.” Iva replied.

He turned his head back to the boss. “No thief would set up camp in an area near the city like this. You’ll be arrested within a week. You use this camp as a safe point in case something happens and you need to quickly get into the city. And all of your hands look rough, like the hands of hard workers, instead of the hands of fighters or thugs... that’s it.”

Rain sat cross-legged, took off his wooden mask, and clasped his hands together and said. “So, Let’s talk your business.”

His assumptions shocked everyone. The man with red hair whistled for him. Rain turned his head to him and gave him a double thumbs up. “You’re the best actor.” He stroked his red hair and looked up at the ceiling. His friend glared at him.

—§—

One month after Rain’s departure.

To the north of Sun Rock it a majestic fortress called White Rey stood proudly on the northern side. Use Mountain as backbone, Castle was a tall, bold, and strong. It made entirely of pure white stone from Sun Rock mountain. Adorned with symbols of the Church, it housed a medium-sized town inside, attracting people in search of a safe haven. Though a refugee camp set up within the fortress, there were no resistance or karma check systems in place. The main church served as the center of the north, and minor people church at south. With a Saint who carried the God Whisperer, a sacred book, and minor follower constantly passing through to ensure everything was in order. No one dared to commit any wrongdoing within the fortress.

Inside the central area of the church, Ella stood surrounded by various church members who congratulated her.

“Congratulations, Saint Ella, for eliminating the dark object from this land. It is a great blessing for our Holy land,” a old muscle man in sacred attire, similar to Ella’s, applauded her.

“Thank you, Saint Rexton. May the Holy bless you,” Ella responded, wearing the full ceremonial dress of a saint. Ah, I hate this. Why do I have to do this? I just fought with one monster, and destroyed that greeny monster cave. All of you just come and hope to swim in this golden river.

“congratulation Saint Ella.”

“Thank you, Holy bless you,” Ella waved her hand with a forced smile, acknowledging the others. When will this end?

“Congratulations on killing the Obsidian Serpent,” another person approached.

“Thank you, Holy bless you.”

“Congratulations Saint Ella, you are our hope and light,” another one said.

“Thank you, Holy bless you.”

“Saint of Holy Tower, please stayed with us until the end of the world.”

“Thank you, Holy bless you.”

As if the river of well-wishers would never cease. But finally, it did. The last person to approach was Aria, dressed simply in a white long-sleeved suit and pants, not carrying any additional of sacred objects. “Thank you for your hard work,” she said.

Ella take a moment and said, “You and Eeon fought too. Why am I the only one who has to wear this heavy dress?” Ella complained, swaying her heavy dress from side to side.

“Because It you first beginning and you did it well, the outfit suits you very well, isn’t that good?” Aria replied.

“Just one monster and one cave! We haven’t even started our quest or left this continent yet, and people come to me because I’m a princess. They want to connect it with the kingdom instead of congratulating me.” Ella said.

Aria smiled and continued, “I did nothing. I just ran around the field.”

“You also searched for a safe place along the way and cooked our food,” Ella said, lifted her skirt slightly. “You also helped me clean the cloth and washed away all the dirt. I don’t even want to think about it. If this dress gets stained, I can’t imagine how difficult it will be to wash.”

Aria giggled.

Ella smiled back. “I’m telling the truth.” Released her lifted hands, “What do we have to do next?” Ella asked.

“Just walk around and give some preach. If you...” Aria began, but Ella interrupted, hugging Aria’s hand. “Can we skip the preach? Aria, can you do it instead of me, please?” she pleaded. While continued walking and church’s main door.

Shaking her head, Aria replied, “You’re also a saint, and I’m not from your heritage line. I can’t do it for you.”

“Hump! Aria is so mean. If he is still here, I’ll give him a talk instead?” Ella said.

Stopped at the front of the big door. Looked at Ella, “Who are you talking about?” Aria said.

“You follower, filthy bastard monkey king, Rain.” Ella said.

“Is he really that good with speech?” Aria asked.

“Like a fire! Non-stop, super annoying. He can repeat anything you say.” Ella responded.

Aria just smiled, then stepped back a little. pressed hand and open a grand door for Ella. light slowly shine on Ella's face.

After leaving the church door, every peasant eagerly desires to greet the saints of the holy tower with a special emphasis on Saint Ella. Nobles, merchants, and church servants alike all gather to catch and see her. She continued keeping smile face and waving hand to everyone. While Aria moved to the side to make way for the others.

Aria noticed some kids staring at her from afar, so she walked over to them. There were many kids and teenagers, dressed in various attires like those from a refugee camp. In front of her stood a little girl, small enough to only reach her waist. Aria kneeled down and smiled at the girl.

The girl’s eyes moved left and right, and her hand trembled a little. Aria gently touched her hand and felt that it was cold. She sent mana to warm up the little girl’s hand and then spoke softly, “Hi.”

The girl’s hand felt warmer. A little voice sound out, “Ah, like a brother Rockman.” she looked at Aria.

Aria tilted her head, “Rockman?”

Girl looked at Aria, as because for shyness, she tried to speak several times, but no sound came out. Another child touched her shoulder and nodded at her. Finally, the girl found the courage to ask, “Are you Saint Aria?”

Aria nodded and replied, “Yes, I’m Aria. Are you looking for me?”

The children’s eyes lit up as if they had found a treasure. Some nudged each other, while others tapped their feet. One child exclaimed, “I told you it’s her! Just like brother Rockman said, kind and beautiful, like a sky fairy.”

Aria wondered at the words that kids said.

The shy girl in front of her asked hesitantly, “Can I hug you?” Her body trembled like a little bird.

Aria instinctively nodded.

The girl’s face lit up with joy as she rushed forward and hugged Aria. She exclaimed, “Ah, it feels like a warm breeze!” When the other children heard this, they all rushed to hug Aria, too. They could all feel the warmth radiating from each other. Aria’s heart felt uplifted, as if a halo had surrounded it. This feeling had been long lost to her. Some parts of her heart were being patched up with light.

After a moment of hugging, they all separated. The girl took something out of her pocket and handed it to Aria. It was a small flower. The other kids did the same, giving her rocks or herbs, one by one. Aria’s hands were now full of flowers and stones.

Aria wondered and asked, “Why are you giving me these?”

Before the child could answer, a breeze blew in, causing Aria’s hair to flutter in the wind. The flowers floated and flew around her.

Aria’s eyes widened as she saw an image of a rugged man with black hair and blue eyes. He smiled at her, and his mouth moved in sync with the children’s words... Even Aria’s mouth moved, saying the same word.

“It can send love and care.”

The wind flowed fast, the sky was clear, birds flew, and the church bell rang. The knight knocked his sword to the ground, and even the sound of people chatting was clear in her eyes. But the words ‘It can send love and care’ resonated deeply in her heart.

“Yes, Brother Rockman said that!” kids said.

“He told us that Saint Aria loves flowers, and if we can’t find any flower, even a stone will do. Saint Aria is kind. She will give a hug to a good kid.”

“Yes, yes, he told me the same thing,” one kid said.

“Brother Rockman is so awesome! He gave us precious warm stones. I want to be like him,” another kid said.

“But I like Saint Aria more. She is beautiful and strong. Have you seen? She is really beautiful,” one girl said.

The little girl in front struggled to say. “A-And he also told us that if Saint Aria cries, please say these words to her, ‘I remember the promise.’”

Many pictures came to her mind, and even though they were short, they held meaning for her. Aria touched her own face, tears starting to run down her cheeks, reflecting the images of flowers all around.

The kids asked, “A-Are you okay, Saint Aria?”

She smiled at them and said, “It’s okay, these are tears of joy,” as she hugged all the kids tightly, caressing them softly. The children giggled with joy.

Then Ella came closer and said, “Can I get a hug, too?”

Some kids took a step back and asked, “Are you Saint Ella?”

Ella instinctively replied, “Yes, this pretty sister is Saint Ella.”

When the kids heard this, they were all shocked and tried to hide behind Aria’s back. Some of them were even trembling with fear.

Ella furrowed her brow and asked, “Why are you all acting like that?” Something inside her ignited.

“B-Brother Rockman said to beware of Saint Ella. He said she can transform into a GORILLA!”

Blood rushed to her head, and she even kicked her foot on the ground. “A gorilla! Damn you, Rain, you bastard. Your father is a gorilla, your mother is a gorilla! I’ll make you into gorilla food!” Hot air flew above her head.

“Yak! she really can turn into gorilla.” The kids scared and hugged Aria even tighter. Aria tried to calm Ella down, but soon the sound of giggles filled the air again.

When children were sent home and Ella finished all the procedures, they had some free time in the room.

“I want to see him… I mean… Rain” Aria said.

“Do you remember?” Ella asked.

“No, I don’t. I just want to see him... at least once... before we continue our journey,” Aria replied, tapping her own thigh.

Ella looked at Aria, waited a moment, and then said, “I want to kick him too. How dare he lie to a kid like that?” Ella kicked the floor. “But how do we find him? All we know is that he spreads rumors around here,” Ella continued.

Aria smiled at Ella and said, “I know the way.”

The Red Witch emerged from the shadows behind Aria with a teasing smile at Ella.

Ella stared back and asked, “What?”

The Red Witch doesn’t speak with words, just moves her mouth slowly up and down in three syllables, Go-ril-la.

“Are you too!?” Ella slammed herself into a chair, not wanting to argue with Faye.

Aria turned to Faye and asked, “Do you know about your kid’s rumor?”

Faye smiled at Aria and replied, “Yes, I know. That’s why I came to you, Aria. Can you give Rain to me? I really like him.” Faye licked her lips.

Ella and Aria simultaneously said, “No!”

Faye exclaimed, “How dare you call me a bad lady who can eat an entire boar!”

Aria tried to correct her, saying, “No, no. He said, ‘Best bad lady friend, who happily to eat entire boar!’ It has ‘best’ and ‘friend’ in the words too.” Aria grabbed Faye’s shoulder and continued, “No, you can’t eat him, Faye.”

“It looks like all of us agree to find him. Huh, the worst part is at me again, talking with Eeon,” Ella said.

meanwhile, everyone decision in White Rey fort.

The man who they were talking, now stand at the front gate of Hope Chest town. He wore a church robe and had a lot of children behind him. “Knight of Hope Chest, Holy Tower bless you. I’m a follower of Saint Aria, Rain.”