ABSVW~09

Chapter 09

The maids’ expressions were serious.

The hands holding my clothes trembled slightly, as if they were in shock.

Why are they acting like that?

Ah… right.

In the temple, children would sometimes trip me, shove me, or knock me over whenever they were bored.

So I often ended up covered in bruises. Even if I didn’t see it myself, it must look disgusting to others.

“I s-sorry… Nana for-got sayin’… (I’m sorry. Nana forgot to say it).”

“Priest…?”

“I’m sorry I got hurt…”

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable…”

High Priest Amelia, the orphanage director, especially despised and looked down on me, the useless Golden-Eye.

Whenever she saw my injuries, she would scoff and even get angry instead.

“A priest managing their own body is basic. Are you showing your injuries like it’s something to be proud of?”

“I don’t know whether you’re incompetent or simply shameless.”

“Be grateful I am your director. Others already dislike you. Be careful before everyone comes to hate you.”

Seeing the maids’ stiff expressions, I tried to hide my bruises with my small hands.

But there were too many to cover.

“I… Nana very ugly… sorry… please understand…”

I hung my head, shrinking in shame.

Then one of the maids suddenly pulled me into a hug.

“No, that’s not true at all, Priest-nim.”

She hurriedly dressed me in fresh clothes, her eyes trembling.

“Your injuries are not something you should ever apologize for.”

Her name was Sophia, and her eyes were slightly wet.

“Does it… hurt when you get bruised like this?”

The atmosphere grew heavy.

This is bad…

After thinking for a moment, I decided.

“I’m okay. Nana strong.”

“What do you mean strong? You’re so fragile…”

Then I had no choice. I had to show my secret weapon.

“Nana wolf.”

I formed a wolf shape with my hands, then growled softly.

“See? Nana strong.”

Sophia blinked for a moment… then suddenly lowered her head.

Oh no. Did it not work? Was it too childish?

But then she lifted her head and shouted—

“So cute!!”

“…Huh?”

The other maid, Judy, also cupped her cheeks, eyes sparkling.

“Aww~ Our little priest’s wolf is so fierce~ I’m going to get eaten~”

Sophia quickly pulled me onto her lap, begging to see more animals.

And so I began making all kinds of shadow animals I could think of.

“Cat… bunny… bird…”

Each time I did, Sophia and Judy clutched their hearts and squealed.

“Aaaah! So cute!!”

I really… I really don’t understand what’s happening anymore.

And why are these sisters being so nice to me?

They were now arguing over how to style my hair.

“Baby priest would look better with braids!”

“No, round buns are cuter!”

They glared at each other as if about to start a war.

Ugh… exhausting.

In the end, I tugged on Sophia’s sleeve.

“Today… Sophia do it.”

Judy looked disappointed but quickly declared she would practice hard for tomorrow.

While Sophia carefully braided my hair, Judy suddenly rushed in after hearing news from outside.

“Baby priest! A new priest has arrived!”

“A priest?”

“Yes~ They said he’s from the same temple as you. Apparently you requested him yourself?”

Huh? First I’m hearing of this.

I blinked and ran to the window.

And there I saw an unfamiliar adult priest.

And—

That guy… isn’t he that one?

Even from a distance, his arrogant expression was unmistakable.

Louis Gregory.

A boy favored by High Priest Amelia because of his noble lineage, despite having low divine power.

If it ended there, it would’ve been fine…

But the problem was that he couldn’t stand that I had more divine power than him.

So Louis used his popularity among teachers and children to bully me relentlessly.

He even framed me for breaking temple objects during group play.

“Nana did it. She probably didn’t understand how important it was.”

Of course, no one believed me.

In the end, I starved for an entire week, while Louis was praised as a “devoted trainee.”

And now he’s here… using me as an excuse?

I clenched my tiny fist.

Still, I had no official status yet—I wasn’t a proper deputed priest.

First, I need to understand the situation.

I hurried toward the Duke’s office.

* * *

Luckily, the office door was slightly open.

I peeked inside.

Found him!

Louis was sitting beside a senior priest, speaking in a worried voice.

“…Honestly, I’m very worried about Nana. She may act fine, but she’s very shy.”

“Louis has always taken good care of her. Helping her socialize with the other children at the temple.”

The senior priest nodded approvingly, patting Louis on the shoulder.

“He is the most outstanding candidate among the trainees. Perfect for deputation. His character speaks for itself.”

“Not at all. It’s only natural to care for someone younger like Nana.”

Louis smiled gently.

I thought he was lying, but I didn’t expect him to be so skilled at it.

In my past life, I used to cry because of this guy all the time.

Now he’s acting like we were close siblings.

“But Nana’s opinion matters too. May I speak with her directly?”

As soon as my name was mentioned, I quickly ran away from the door.

Then I stood somewhere visible and waited.

“Oh, Nana.”

Louis spotted me and smiled—far warmer than any smile he had ever given me before.

“I already spoke with the Duke while you were away. You can return to the temple with the priest now.”

“Reaally?”

I tilted my head innocently.

“But the Duke said Nana is a deputed priest.”

“The higher-ups changed it. The position is mine now. So you should go back.”

“Liar.”

Louis’s expression stiffened, but he quickly smiled again.

“I’m not lying. It’s true.”

“Then Nana will go ask the Duke.”

As I turned to leave, Louis grabbed my arm.

“You stupid orphan girl.”

His polite mask dropped instantly.

“Even if you stay here, you can’t do anything. Everyone at the temple already thinks Sladeyche belongs to me, not you.”

He leaned closer, voice dripping with contempt.

“I was planning to go to Sladeyche anyway—to become the first deputed priest and earn fame.”

My past self would have been terrified.

I would have obeyed him immediately.

But not anymore.

I quietly composed myself and looked up.

“Please excuse me.”

Then I met his gaze directly.

“But Louis… you’re weaker in divine power than Nana.”

That struck a nerve.

“You think divine power is everything? It’s not even about that!”

I tilted my head sympathetically.

“Then why are you still not a real priest?”

“W-what?”

“Poor thing. Louis tried so hard…”

That was the final trigger.

He shoved me lightly against the wall.

And everything went according to plan.

I deliberately stumbled into a decorative stand.

Crash—!

“Ahh! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Louis! Please forgive me!”

I made a loud commotion.

Louis panicked.

“I didn’t push you that hard—”

But I had already knocked over a vase.

Crash!

People rushed in immediately.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

I sobbed dramatically on the floor.

“I’m sorry… Sladeyche… Louis… he said he would take me away…”

The moment Sladeyche was mentioned, the atmosphere turned cold.