Chapter: 169
“By the way, you’re planning to explore the world… I don’t know what’s going on, but are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“Most problems can be solved with brute strength. And if it comes to it, can’t you just ask the Temple of Life for help?”
Right! She’s a dragon! There’s no way anyone stronger than a dragon exists, except for those heroic figures like the heroes! She can sort everything out with her strength!
And… asking for help from the Temple of Life? Hmm… is she just saying that, or does she actually have a connection with them?
Well, it’s not really my concern anyway.
I was sneakily eavesdropping on the conversation between the priest and Tia, but it didn’t seem like there was any particularly exciting gossip.
I probably should’ve just gone to sleep.
“So you’ll be traveling to see how people live around here?”
“Yes, that’s right. I want to observe the way people live.”
“Then in two weeks, a merchant’s coming to the village. How about leaving with them? They’re a trustworthy sort.”
Tia shook her head slightly at the priest’s suggestion.
“I can’t impose on them. And if possible, I’d like to observe the world quietly, on the same level as everyone else.”
“I see… if that’s the priestess’s wish, then it can’t be helped.”
The priest nodded, then looked at Tia’s horns and continued, “But if you want to move quietly, it might be best to hide or conceal those horns. There could be others who recognize the priestess, like me.”
“Hmm… is that so?”
“Yes. The tale of the Dragon’s Priestess who adventured with the hero is well-known. Anyone with a little knowledge would easily guess your identity just from seeing you. I figured it out myself.”
Tia nodded slightly at the priest’s words.
“I get it. Then… would a hat or hood work?”
“Can’t you just make the horns disappear?”
Tia shook her head at the priest’s suggestion.
“I could make them invisible, but then my power would weaken. If I strained too much to keep them hidden, they would show again… so I’d prefer not to do that.”
“I see. If that’s the case, then we have no choice. But you can’t always wear a hat or a hood… How about making it look like a hair ornament?”
“A hair ornament?”
“Yes. Create a headpiece that covers both your head and horns, making them look like part of the ornament. You can’t always wear a hat or a hood, but a hair ornament wouldn’t look too out of place to others.”
Tia thought for a moment, then snapped her fingers, and a headpiece that covered her horns magically appeared on her head.
“Something like this, I suppose. I made it with illusion magic.”
Illusion magic? Magic can do that? Looks pretty real to me!
“Oho… so the Dragon’s Priestess can use all kinds of magic freely, huh? That’s impressive! Looks almost real as well.”
“Yeah. This much is needed to live up to the title ‘Dragon’s Priestess.'”
Dragons can do stuff like that, huh…
Hmm… did the hero really defeat a dragon that used such amazing magic? I’m starting to have a few doubts.
Was it maybe a dragon-like monster instead of a real dragon the hero defeated?
No, the story clearly said it was a dragon! The hero’s tale can’t possibly be a lie!
“But the horns are still pretty big compared to the headpiece. I’m not sure if this excuse will be convincing enough.”
“Hmm. If I make it too big, it might just get in the way.”
“That’s true too. I’m not sure if this little hair piece will fool anyone, though…”
“Hmm. I’ll think of something for that. I’ll use magic to influence the thoughts of those who see the ornament, leading them to believe the horns are part of it.”
Influence their thoughts? What’s that? Can she really control other people’s minds like that?
What on earth *can’t* this dragon do?
“Magic that influences thoughts? I had no idea such magic existed. But… controlling other people’s thoughts doesn’t seem right…”
“Oh? And why’s that?”
“The God of Wind and Freedom said that all living beings have the freedom to live their lives. But that kind of magic intrudes on others’ freedom. Even if you’re the Dragon’s Priestess, it shouldn’t be used carelessly.”
At the priest’s words, Tia pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly.
“I see. If that’s the case, what if it’s a magic that just makes people mistake my horns for part of a headpiece, without controlling their thoughts?”
“Illusion… hmm… that could possibly work.”
So, that’s how it goes? Manipulating thoughts is out, but illusions are okay?
Does studying theology turn everyone into a wise priest like him? I just don’t get it.
“By the way, are you planning to set off alone?”
“Yes. I plan to leave tomorrow.”
“In that case… how about taking a travel companion with you, Priestess?”
A companion? Is the priest suggesting he wants to accompany her?
But if the priest, who’s loaded with responsibilities in this small village, leaves, it would create a huge mess!
There’s all the blessings for newborns, healing the sick, dealing with resident disputes, caring for orphans, teaching little ones how to read and write, and handling funerals — if the priest takes off, we’re doomed!
“A companion? Hmm… that sounds like a hassle.”
“But it would be better to have one! A noble person like you shouldn’t be wandering alone. It’d be nice to have someone to help out a little.”
“Hmm. Are you offering to come along?”
At Tia’s statement, the priest shook his head.
“No, I can’t. My body isn’t suited for long journeys, thanks to the arrow that hit my knee.”
“I see.”
Huh? But the priest walks around perfectly fine, even quicker than I do! Well, he must have his reasons for saying that.
“Instead, why not take that child, Maybelle, who came with you today?”
“That little beastkin girl?”
Me?!
“Yes! That child is clever and will definitely be a help to you, Priestess.”
“Hmmm… a help, you say. But what if the child doesn’t want to?”
At Tia’s question, the priest shook his head.
“That child also expressed a desire to leave this village, so if you suggest she accompany you, she’ll likely be thrilled to go. And…”
The priest took something out from his robes and placed it on the table.
“There’s also a reason why that child must leave the village.”
“What’s that?”
“A letter from the child’s mother, sent last year, explaining why she left her in my care.”
As soon as I heard the priest’s words, I rushed into the room without thinking.
“A letter from my mom?!”
“Maybelle? Aren’t you asleep?”
“How can I sleep now?! You have a letter from my mom?! And why didn’t you show it to me?!”
I trusted him! I really trusted him!
“Maybelle… calm down first.”
“How can I calm down?! It’s a letter from my mother! My mother, who I haven’t heard from in years!!”
Emotions poured out of me, ones I’d usually never express.
“Why do you have such a letter?! You kept it from me?! Why?!”
“Maybelle.”
“I trusted you, priest! I thought of you like a parent instead of the mom who left me here!!”
Betrayal. Sadness. Despair. But also a flicker of hope. The hope that my mom hadn’t abandoned me. The hope that she was still alive.
My heart was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
“Let me explain everything step by step. First, take a breath and calm down.”
“How can you expect me to calm down?! Huh?!”
I opened my mouth to shout again.
And then,
“Enough.”
At that quiet word, my body froze.
“I understand why you’re reacting this way, but for now, let’s hear what I have to say. So take a seat and settle down.”
Tia’s voice tightened around me, her authority was impossible to resist. The flood of emotions I’d been feeling was suddenly squashed down.
So, I forced myself to bottle up the emotions and silently took a seat in a nearby chair.
“Yeah, sometimes it’s better to talk things out calmly than just let your emotions spill everywhere. Let’s chat about it.”
Seeing me settle, the priest began slowly to explain.
“I intended to tell you this when you became an adult. It’s for your own good.”
“For my good?”
“Yes, for your own good. To keep you safe from danger.”
Danger? Me?
What exactly did that letter say that could put me in peril?
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