"Very well. Let me first answer your question.

  I have questions of my own, but those can wait."

  The Head Pastor set down a tray with a teapot and two cups at the foot of the altar, then sat cross-legged on the floor.

  I was too shocked to speak.

  All I could do was point a trembling finger at where he was sitting.

  "Is something the matter? Come—join me over here."

  Something the matter?

  This wasn’t just about bringing drinks into a holy place—

  He was sitting cross-legged in front of the altar.

  I’d expected we’d sit quietly on a prayer bench, maybe sip some tea at most.

  If the version of him from the surface—my teacher—saw this, he’d probably faint on the spot.

  "Oh, I suppose the Dark Faith doesn’t do this sort of thing.

  But don’t worry.

  Medicine is a lonely god—he’s happiest when someone is close."

  ...Is that true?

  I honestly had no idea how their faith worked.

  But if someone who calls himself the Head Pasto says so,

  then I guess I’ll just… believe him.

  I walked wordlessly to the altar and kneeling formally.

  "You really are something.

  Relax a little, won’t you?"

  "This is the most comfortable for me."

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  …It wasn’t.

  But the idea of sitting here all loose and sloppy made me even more anxious.

  "Very well then.

  Now—why didn’t this chapel burn?

  Simple.

  The stained glass is clear.

  This building absorbs sunlight every day,

  and it’s protected by the sun.

  The sun doesn’t like other flames getting too close."

  He handed me a teacup as he spoke.

  "I see…"

  I couldn’t keep up.

  Not that I could blame myself—

  It had only been, what, an hour since I fell into the underground?

  The Head Pastor gently pushed the blue cup toward me on its saucer.

  Sip.

  "Kh—"

  Spicy.

  I’d expected something like black tea—my guard was down.

  "Khh—Koff!"

  My throat burned. I couldn’t stop coughing.

  "Are you alright?

  It’s quite normal tea for us..."

  He moved beside me, gently patting my back.

  "I’m okay.

  Just surprised—it wasn’t the taste I was expecting..."

  I answered through teary eyes.

  "I’m surprised it shocked you so much.

  It’s said to be similar to something on the surface—Butterfly Pea Tea, I believe.

  Ah, of course! I’ll add some syrup."

  I had never heard of Butterfly Pea Tea.

  But now that I looked closer, the tea really was bright blue.

  I hadn’t noticed—the cup was blue, too.

  Was it really safe to drink?

  What if he was trying to gain my trust, only to...

  "It’s just herbal tea.

  But if you’re still suspicious—"

  He added a splash of syrup into my cup.

  It was nearly neon pink.

  …That syrup can really go into tea?

  Still, refusing would be rude.

  If this was the moment I had to summon my courage,

  then so be it.

  Sip.

  …Wait.

  It’s… good.

  I ended up taking a second, then a third sip.

  And the Head Pastor, watching me quietly, asked:

  "Was that surprise genuine, or were you faking it?"

  He waited until I put the cup down to continue.

  "You knew about the underground, didn’t you?

  When I told you where you were,

  you didn’t even flinch.

  And you never once asked about my white robes.

  How long have you been in contact with the Dark One?"