"How about we visit the temple today?"

"Sounds great!"

Rio answered enthusiastically as I shared the day's plan. After hearing about it from Anya yesterday, we decided it was worth checking out. Since we hadn’t ordered custom outfits yet, nor knew how long they’d take to make, we weren’t planning to make any reservations just yet.

"I wonder what the temple will be like," Rio mused.

"Maybe something like a church back on Earth?"

We walked along the path leading northeast from the central plaza. The closer we got to the temple, the more people in priestly robes we saw.

Thinking about temples reminded me of the princess and the high priest who greeted us when we first arrived in this world. A faint unease crept in, and judging by Rio’s furrowed brow, she was feeling the same.

"Well, I doubt the princess is here, so let’s not worry about it," I said.

"Right."

After a while, we saw a large stone structure. It resembled something like the Parthenon, with stone columns encircling an elevated platform.

Climbing the stairs, we passed through the columns and entered the temple’s interior. At the back stood another stone building, complete with a bell mounted on the roof. There were no doors at the entrance, so anyone could walk in.

Inside was a hall filled with rows of benches, much like a chapel.

"Wow, it’s exactly what I imagined," I said.

"It really does feel like a church," Rio agreed.

The resemblance was uncanny. Though there were no stained-glass windows, the altar at the front held a statue that appeared to represent a goddess. She had an elegant and divine aura—not at all like the white-haired old man I met during my summoning.

Where had he gone?

Maybe he wasn’t even this world’s god? At this point, it hardly mattered.

"This place is bigger than I expected," Rio remarked.

There were at least four rows of benches, each stretching about 20 seats deep. A few people sat scattered around, some resting, others talking with the head priest at the altar, and a few kneeling in prayer.

"Welcome to the Elright Temple. How may I assist you today?"

A woman in priestly robes approached us as we stood near the entrance, observing the interior. She looked to be in her early twenties, with a graceful build and an air of maturity. So this temple was called the Elright Temple. Interesting.

"Oh, we’re just here to look around," I replied.

"Understood. Coincidentally, a wedding ceremony is about to begin. Feel free to observe if you’d like," she offered.

A wedding? That was something we couldn’t miss. Though the idea of getting married in front of a crowd made me a little self-conscious.

"That sounds wonderful!" Rio exclaimed, her excitement evident. She was practically glowing, much like Anya had been yesterday when talking about the ceremony.

After a short wait, a young couple dressed in neat attire entered the temple. They looked to be in their late teens, their faces slightly tense. The priestess spoke with them briefly, and then the sound of a bell rang from above.

"Wait, are people gathering?" Rio asked.

"Looks like it. Maybe the bell is the signal for the ceremony," I speculated.

The bell seemed to draw a small crowd into the temple. The couple, now holding hands, slowly approached the altar and knelt. The priest stood before the goddess statue and offered a resonant prayer. For a moment, the statue seemed to glow faintly.

"In joy and sorrow, in wealth and poverty, in sickness and health, do you vow to love and cherish each other until death parts you?"

"We do," the couple answered in unison.

The statue emitted a gentle light, enveloping the pair in a divine glow.

"Congratulations!"

A chorus of cheers and applause erupted from the crowd. Caught up in the moment, Rio and I joined in, clapping and offering congratulations as well.

As the newlyweds exited the temple, the onlookers clapped them on the back and showered them with well-wishes.

"It feels kind of nice, being celebrated by strangers like that," I mused.

"Yeah…" Rio replied softly, her gaze still fixed on the temple entrance with a dreamy expression.

The glowing statue had been unexpected. Maybe some divine magic or blessing was truly at work in this ceremony.

"Let’s head back," I said, gently taking Rio’s hand. Together, we left the temple, content with what we had witnessed.

Still riding the high of the day, we decided to swing by a tailor shop on the west side of the city. However, as we were passing through the plaza, four armed men approached us.

"You’re Shu and Rio, right?" one of them asked, his tone serious.

"Uh, yeah…?" I replied, puzzled.

"We need you to come with us to the guard station," the man said bluntly.

"Wait, what?"

Rio’s voice came out in a mix of confusion and disbelief.

"What’s this about?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"You’re suspects in a case of attempted murder and theft," the man declared.

"What!?"

The accusation was so absurd I couldn’t help but retort.

"I don’t have the slightest clue what you’re talking about," I said firmly.

It didn’t make sense. Since coming out of the forest, we’d barely interacted with anyone.

"Regardless, we need your statements. Let’s go," the guard insisted.