Chapter 521

Chapter 521: Morning Labor

In the following weeks, these exchange students followed the old priest to learn related knowledge, gradually becoming familiar with life in the Holy Land.

Morning.

The students got up and ran to the foot of the mountain to fetch water, then carried it up to a reservoir at the half-mountain church.

Part of the water was used to irrigate the small plots of crops nearby, some was boiled for drinking, and the rest was for washing.

Splash—

Clear water poured into the large barrel, making a sound. As the barrel neared full, the girls who had been pouring water put down their buckets.

“Alright, that’s enough. The rest is on us,” said a tall blonde girl with a single ponytail.

The four boys put down their buckets and went to rest, leaving three girls behind. They would carry the remaining buckets to water the crops and boil water.

After spending some time together, the students divided the tasks simply: the boys carried water, while the girls watered and boiled water.

“Bolly, you go boil water. Lohil and I will water the crops,” continued the girl with the ponytail.

“Mm.” A short black-haired girl nodded and picked up a bucket.

The other three buckets were carried by Lohil and this girl to a small garden beside the church, where they grew fruits and vegetables for daily consumption.

“I didn’t expect Lohil to be so proficient at this,” remarked the girl as she walked alongside Lohil on the path.

The black scarf slipped, and Lohil looked at the girl in front of her. “I’ve seen adults do it before, so I have some idea.”

“Unexpected indeed,” said the girl, rolling up her sleeves to avoid getting wet, and carried two buckets towards the garden.

“I always thought Lohil would be a delicate girl, since everyone at school says so. I was worried about your health too.”

This girl was Jellica, from Bridge Pier Academy. She was one of the few exchange students not from Temple Academy. She was around 18 years old, second only to Hesin in age among them, giving her a big sister vibe.

“Is Lohil planning to join the Church?”

As they entered the garden and started watering the crops, Jellica asked.

“I don’t think so.”

Lohil dipped her hand into the cool water, lifted it, and sprinkled tiny droplets onto the tender green vines and crop roots. The water droplets sank into the soil, darkening its color slightly.

“Hmm? That’s surprising.” Jellica bent over, skillfully sprinkling water as she walked.

“Because you’re famous at school, many teachers believe you’re on the right path.”

“Moreover, the Angel Church is one of the top organizations outside the major nations. Although there are some rules to follow, it’s not as cutthroat as other countries. It seems quite suitable for you.”

Jellica spoke as if advising a naive younger sister about Lohil.

“I know, but I’m not particularly ambitious about fame and status. After graduation, I might return home.”

“Retiring in your hometown sounds nice. My dad said if I perform poorly at school, he’d have me inherit the family farm,” Jellica said, putting down her bucket, pressing her back, and looking at the rising sun.

“Where is Jellica’s home?”

“On the west side of Frost Rose. It used to be the territory of Vergha.”

“Oh, I come from a border region of Clancia.”

As she bent down to water the crops, several silver strands escaped from her headscarf.

“Phew, we’re almost done. Let’s just put the buckets back,” Jellica said, picking up two buckets and leaving one empty for Lohil.

“Mm.” Lohil softly responded and followed the girl.

After setting down the buckets, they began their free time. They sat on a sunny boulder to rest and continued their conversation.

“Jellica is in fifth year, right?” Lohil asked.

“Yes, I was originally going to graduate this year, but my dad told me to come to the Holy Land for some training, to temper my prideful nature,” Jellica said, lying down on the rock after cleaning it, arms spread wide, looking at the sky. Her golden ponytail fell onto the dark stone.

“Lohil, if you’re not joining the Church, why did you come here as an exchange student?”

“Out of curiosity for knowledge, to understand things, perhaps related to my background,” the girl replied.

“Sigh, could that rumor be true?” Jellica turned to look at the girl.

“What rumor?”

“There are rumors that you are a reincarnated angel or have descended, though not many believe it.”

“I don’t know.”

Lohil truly wasn’t sure.

According to current speculation, angels might be the product or transformation of ancient people, and she herself was also an ancient person. The relationship between them was still shrouded in mystery.

“I don’t know,” she answered, her voice tinged with melancholy.

Since she woke up, she believed she had arrived in another world, gradually letting go of the past. But recently, she learned many truths, and this world might still have beings from her era or civilization.

This gave her a glimmer of hope and longing.

Some things, once known, cannot be ignored.

To forget everything from the past, the rise and fall of civilizations, the familiar texts, poems, stories, experiences, and glories, was beyond her.

Like the three philosophical questions, if unresolved, they would cause confusion and anxiety.

Who are you, where do you come from—these became obstacles she couldn’t overcome.

Why could she be reborn, why did a godlike existence give her a new body, and what mission and expectations did she bear?

She urgently wanted to know.

Was this the continuation of the Seed Plan, or a serendipitous miracle?

If it was a mission and expectation, she needed to judge whether it was worth pursuing now. If it was merely an accidental event, she would be grateful and fulfill the buried Seed Plan, reigniting the civilization on Earth.

“Unsure,” Jellica murmured, gazing at the azure sky.

“Then let’s find out, discover the answer,” she extended her hand, placing it in her line of sight, looking through her fingers at the sky as if trying to grasp it with her hands.

“Come on, Lohil!”

The girl suddenly sat up and reached out to pull Lohil, who was sitting next to her.

“Let’s go, let’s head back. The nuns probably have breakfast ready. We’ll miss out if we’re late, especially you, so light as a feather. You need to eat more.”

Thus, Lolan Hill was led by the girl down the hill toward the church, where a wisp of smoke rose and the scent of wheat filled the air.

(End of Chapter)