HPL 38

chapter 38

I walked with Roy and Nene for quite a while until we arrived at the herb market. Until now, I’d been asking pedestrians and nobles for information about the Countess of McCurlin, but today I planned to ask apothecaries instead.

The owner of a trading house that supplies medicines to apothecaries would either be admired or resented. Information from someone like that might be different from the information everyone else has.

Hmm, who should I ask? Someone older might know more.

I scanned the area and spotted an apothecary with a long white beard.

Oh, perfect. He’ll do.

I walked toward the bearded apothecary, with Roy and Nene following behind. While Nene peered curiously at the herbs displayed on the counter, I struck up conversation. Roy chimed in with questions once in a while.

When Roy and I naturally shifted the conversation toward the Countess, the apothecary stroked his beard and revealed information I hadn’t expected.

“Perhaps the Countess inherited her skill with medicine from her father.”

Father…? I’d never heard anything about the Countess’s father.

Roy and I exchanged surprised looks. The female apothecary selling beside him also turned toward the bearded man—as though she’d overheard.

“Wilson.”

She called sharply. The bearded apothecary—apparently Wilson—waved his hand.

“Mara, why are you getting so touchy? It’s not like I’m slandering her. The father was strange, but the Countess sure isn’t.”

“So her father wasn’t normal?” Roy asked casually, steering the conversation forward.

Wilson ran a hand through his beard and replied.

“His name was Woz. A nobleman, but obsessed with making medicine. He was such an eccentric that eventually all his servants quit. Everyone thought he’d never marry, but later in life he suddenly wed a very young woman.”

At the mention of marriage, the woman—Mara—clicked her tongue.

“That old geezer should’ve just lived alone instead of ruining someone else’s life.”

“Ruined?” I repeated.

Mara hesitated for a moment, but after hearing Wilson speak openly, she exhaled sharply as if thinking, Fine. If he’s saying it, I can too.

“He suspected his young wife of cheating. Locked her in the house. Beat her. After she finally ran away, he locked up his daughter and tormented her instead. The Countess couldn’t even leave the house until she was nearly grown.”

Wilson picked up the story.

“Still, the Countess is a good one. Even after that wretch fell ill—unable to speak right, his mind slipping away—she cared for him devotedly. When he disappeared, she searched everywhere.”

I told him it was news to me, and Wilson explained that only older apothecaries remembered—it was long ago.

Interesting. The father went missing? I’ll have to ask Wayne if he knows anything about this.

Since we weren’t getting more information on the Countess, I changed subjects.

“Has there been anyone recently who suddenly changed? Personality, behavior—anything drastic?”

I had to keep investigating possible transmigrators. If someone suddenly changed, people might think they were ill and buy medicine—an apothecary might have heard rumors.

“Oh, there is!”

“Are you really that behind on news?”

My eyes sparkled.

“Who?”

“A girl named Daina. She used to be a half-wit, but suddenly got smart. So brilliant that priests wanted to study under her!”

“They say she took down criminals who abused other races—first time she’d even wielded a sword, and she subdued them. Fights so well that the young master of the McCurlin family fell for her.”

…That was me. Why are the rumors so ridiculous?

I forced a smile and asked again.

“Anyone besides her? Like someone who suddenly turned over a new leaf?”

“Turned over a new leaf? The lord of the neighboring territory, Lord Cray, comes to mind. Can’t think of anyone who fits that phrase better. Younger folks wouldn’t know—it was long ago.”

Lord Cray… the business genius and regular customer of the McCurlin Trading Company?

I asked for details, and the apothecaries began to speak.

Cray had been a notorious troublemaker—until age nineteen. Then, without any reason or incident, he suddenly changed.

A dullard turned business prodigy. He managed to acquire citrus trees unknown in East Continent, planted them in his territory, and thanks to them, a poor land became rich.

When they finished, I smiled faintly. Interesting. Worth investigating.

As I walked, mulling it over, the smell of food drifted on the wind.

Nene must have smelled it too—she swallowed hard. Non-humans had twice the olfactory ability of humans. The scent must be torture for her.

I pulled out a silver coin and held it out.

“I’m hungry. Can you buy something to eat?”

“Yes! What should I get?”

I shrugged.

“Anything.”

If I asked what I wanted, she’d never say her preference—she’d think it rude. But if I left it vague, she’d buy something she wanted to eat.

Nene ran toward the vendors. The moment she left, Tommy spoke.

{Sometimes I get confused and think you’re actually a god, Naida.}

Why confused? I am a god.

I waved at the empty air where Tommy floated—but as soon as I felt the slave-binding magic respond, I quickly lowered my hand.

The moment I let go of Roy’s hand, a dark force washed over him.

Ever since that day, the Countess used the slave-binding artifact whenever she felt like venting.

When the curse faded, I released him. But soon, the dark magic pulsed again, so I grabbed his hand.

It happened three times. Roy gave a bitter smile.

“I must be a bother.”

“You’re not. Don’t worry.”

I shrugged and let go again—but before my hand fully pulled away, Roy took mine first.

“It seems more efficient to keep holding hands than grabbing and letting go every time.”

He squeezed gently.

He wasn’t wrong—but I didn’t expect him to suggest holding hands continuously.

I stared, wide-eyed. Roy looked away, but he didn’t release me.

I couldn’t help a small smile.

“Well… that’s true.”

“Then let’s stay like this.”

A faint smile curved his lips.

“What are you two doing?”

The familiar voice cut in. We turned to see Wayne walking over with a thin smile.

“We went to the herb market for information. Oh—and I heard something interesting.”

When I told him about the Countess’s father, Wayne stopped and raised an eyebrow.

“Oho, never heard that one. I’ll poke at that idiot Count. He’s so stupid that if you nudge him, he’ll cough up everything.”

“I’m counting on you.”

But then Wayne noticed our hands.

“Now that I think about it, when we ran into that woman at the temple, Roy looked like he was in pain. She’s definitely the type to use a slave-binding artifact—so I’m guessing she did. And when Daina held your hand, you got better.”

His eyes asked for an explanation.

Sharp as always. No point denying it.

Roy must have thought the same—he gave a wry smile and explained. Since Wayne already knew about the artifact, he didn’t hold back.

When Wayne finished hearing it, he muttered thoughtfully.

“I’ve never heard of holy power blocking a slave-binding artifact.”

That’s because it wasn’t holy power—it was divine power.

I pretended to watch Nene at a food stall.

Wayne flicked a glance at me, shrugged, and continued.

“Well, who knows. Anyway, since we’re all here, I have useful information.”

Roy and I both turned to him. Wayne flicked his eyes toward our hands.

“That woman eats with Karl from noon to one. From one to two she has a meeting with her trading staff. During that time, you’re safe.”

“Oh?”

My voice rose with genuine delight. Roy’s eyes shone too. But he still didn’t let go.

“Did you not hear me? You can let go now.”

Wayne smiled teasingly.

Roy’s voice was flat.

“She might eat lunch late.”

“….”

Wayne’s smile widened—not kindly.

He stared at Roy—then suddenly grabbed my left hand.

“I’ve been stressed because of that woman. For my mental stability, I will also hold Daina’s hand.”

“Holding her hand won’t lower your stress,” Roy muttered.

Wayne widened his eyes innocently.

“It lowers mine.”

The two stared each other down. Tommy watched in fascination.

{I didn’t know you were this popular, Naida.}

“Popular indeed,” someone said aloud.

The voice was familiar. We turned—and there stood a handsome blond man a short distance away.

Dain.

When our eyes met, he approached. Seeing my hands held by both men, his lips curled in amusement.

“I worried you’d struggle to adapt, but it seems you’re doing well. You’re even dating.”

…Dating?

His unexpected words stunned me—Roy and Wayne too. They both jerked and immediately let go.

{Gods… date?}

Tommy looked baffled. He knew human customs but not divine ones.

I replied silently.

Gods can date too. Some even take vacations in the human world and fall in love.

{So gods really are similar to humans. Is that why you’re like this?}

Was that an insult or a question?

I swatted uselessly at his direction and answered Dain.

“It’s not like that. Why are you here? Work again?”

“Hm, it could be work, or not.”

He shrugged vaguely.

If it’s work, it’s work. If not, then not. What does that even mean?

Before I could press, Wayne nudged me.

“Who’s that guy?”

Roy clearly knew who Dain was, but he wasn’t about to explain for him—he was too busy staring holes through him.

“He’s my friend.”

Wayne’s eyes widened.

“Friend?”

Why the shock? Do I look like someone who can’t have friends?

While Wayne studied us suspiciously, Nene returned with her arms full of snacks. She froze when she noticed Dain.

“Don’t worry. He’s my friend.”

Nene relaxed a little.

Dain turned to her, radiating warm sorrow.

“Right now, sorrow devours you and agony pierces you. Pitiful one, mocked by life… I shall bring you peace.”

That… was so like him. And completely out of place.

He was supposed to be pretending to be human, not an angelic cotton candy spiritual guru!

There was no glowing aura, no divine phenomenon—but his calm, powerful tone and sacred atmosphere carried an unmistakable divinity.

Even Nene… Roy… Wayne—everyone froze.

What are you doing!? I introduced you as my friend! Not a celestial being!

I glared. Dain scratched his head awkwardly and forced a laugh.

“That is… um… a message from the god I serve.”

Nene snapped back to reality.

“Oh! Are you a priest?”

“Uh… yes. Yes, I am.”

He answered while sneaking a glance at me. Thankfully, Roy and Wayne seemed convinced.

Once the tension eased, Dain continued gently.

“And there is one more message for you.”

“A… message?” Nene blinked.

His voice dropped.

“The final line: ‘Do not grieve when the dandelion seeds fly away.’”

Dandelion seeds? What?

Roy and Wayne looked confused—but Nene’s eyes widened, tears slowly filling them.

And then—drop.

A tear fell to the ground.

What did that message mean… and why did it make her cry?