HPL 36

chapter 36

When I asked about Nene’s whereabouts, Roy answered in his usual calm, low voice.

“She’s in the bushes behind the annex.”

“In the bushes? Since when?”

“Since you left, Dina.”

That meant she had been there for over two hours. If he knew, why didn’t he at least bring her to the room?

But I quickly changed my mind. Nene was better than when I first met her, but she was still afraid of Roy.

Roy knew this too and didn’t approach her unnecessarily. It was his way of showing consideration. Moreover, while Roy had improved compared to before, he wasn’t the type to take interest in others or approach first.

“I’ll go look for Nene.”

As I stepped out of the room, I heard the sound of a sword being swung on the other side of the door.

Training again, I guess. Doesn’t he ever get tired? Dina’s body would give out easily, yet I almost wished I could borrow some of Roy’s stamina.

Heading behind the annex, I saw the overgrown bushes that had been left unmanaged.

So she’s somewhere in here? This might be hard to find.

As I braced myself while surveying the dense thicket, a pair of gray ears poked slightly above the leaves. Finding her was easier than I thought.

I cleared my throat loudly, thinking that suddenly approaching might startle Nene.

“Ahem.”

The gray ears on the bush twitched and then quickly sank back down.

“It’s me, Dina.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the gray ears appeared again. But unlike before, Nene didn’t rush toward me.

I walked carefully toward where her ears were visible. From above, I could see Nene crouched tightly among the bushes.

Feeling my gaze, Nene tilted her head upward.

“You’re here? I was just… thinking about some things…”

She forced a smile, but her words came out in broken fragments.

Tomorrow, a funeral for the other races will be held at the Temple of the Creator.

Until now, the ears and tongues of these races had been kept as evidence at the lord’s manor. But now, with all those responsible punished, they had been placed in the temple as unfortunate victims.

{You seem unsure whether to attend the funeral.}

Tommy spoke, noticing Nene’s lack of energy.

She was probably torn between wanting to see the last rites and the fear of being truly alone.

I looked down at Nene and spoke.

“If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to.”

“Huh?”

When Nene asked, I continued calmly.

“The dead are already at peace. So whether you attend or not won’t change that. It’s your choice. Do what you want.”

The path for the dead was probably already determined by how they lived. So Nene could act according to her own feelings.

{As a god, at least try to say something that brings peace just by listening.}

Tommy seemed worried for Nene and tried to urge me gently. But comforting or encouraging her was outside my duties.

I had often threatened or cursed evil spirits, but I had never offered comfort or encouragement. A clumsy attempt would be worse than nothing, so I had no choice but to speak sincerely.

Thankfully, Nene nodded after hearing me.

“I’ll think about what I want to do, like Dina said.”

“It’ll be night soon, so go back to your room and think. It’ll get cold and dark out here.”

There was no reason to let her think about dark, gloomy things in a cold, gloomy place. It would only make it worse.

Nene looked up at me silently, then got up.

She didn’t eat that evening and stayed in her room.

The next morning, Roy and I were ready to head to the temple and came out to the entrance of the annex. Nene still hadn’t shown herself.

Was she planning not to attend? If that was her decision, we had to respect it.

We quietly headed toward the wall with the small opening. But someone had arrived before us.

“I’ll go too.”

Nene blurted this out as soon as she saw us.

She looked exhausted, probably from sleeplessness, but her bloodshot eyes radiated firm resolve.

So this is your choice.

I silently nodded and kicked the wall. I was now so familiar with the place that I could locate the hole without clearing the vines.

The straw pile blocking the wall fell away, revealing the hole.

We slipped through it and headed straight for the temple. When we arrived, a young acolyte was waiting for us.

“Follow me.”

The young acolyte guided us to the altar near the bell tower.

Around the altar, dozens of priests bustled about preparing for the funeral.

Priest Leman, who had been giving instructions to others, quickly approached when he saw us.

“This young lady…”

Leman’s words faltered as he looked at Nene, then he apologized and took her hand.

“I understand you’ve suffered greatly because of foolish people. On behalf of humanity, I apologize. We will do our utmost to conduct a proper funeral for the unfairly sacrificed companions of this young lady.”

“Th-thank you.”

Nene flinched slightly but bowed in gratitude to Leman.

As Leman comforted Nene, Wayne arrived. But next to him was an unwelcome presence.

Why is the Countess McCullin here?

{She’s wearing a black dress and even brought chrysanthemums. I want to slap her.}

Tommy mimed kicking the countess with his foot. Roy also gave her a cold glare.

I sent Wayne a look asking why she was here. Wayne pointed to Priest Leman.

“Didn’t we agree to conduct the funeral quietly among those involved?”

I gave Leman a sharp look.

What is he thinking? This meddling fool!

Leman didn’t pick up on the tension in our eyes and gestures.

“The countess said she wanted to participate to pray for the victims. She’s also starting a new welfare project for the other races. And, if you think about it, the countess is also involved, isn’t she?”

Leman was too naive. While helpful in general, this was not the time.

Of course, it wasn’t Leman’s fault. The problem was the brazen Countess McCullin.

The Countess approached us and started gloating.

“If only I had discovered and reported Baron Uriel’s corruption a bit sooner, this wouldn’t have happened. Such a tragic event.”

She covered her mouth with one hand, speaking mournfully.

“Really? How did you notice the Baron’s corruption?”

I imagined slapping her as I answered.

I had been careful not to let information leak. How did she manage to act ahead and remove the Baron?

Seeing Roy and Wayne looking confused, the countess sighed.

“I neglected to manage the items I ordered. So I decided to let go. Small gaps create large cracks. Thinking that way, I noticed corruption that was previously invisible.”

Hearing her words, I realized what had happened.

The moment she heard that Nene had escaped, she decided to remove the Baron. In some ways, she was worse than an evil spirit.

The countess’s gaze shifted to Nene, her eyes chillingly calm.

“How sad and painful it must have been. My heart aches too. But don’t hate all humans. Not everyone is cruel.”

She reached out to Nene. Unaware, Nene instinctively extended her hand.

I quickly grabbed Nene’s hand, and Roy blocked the countess.

I couldn’t risk revealing the truth to Nene yet, so we had to keep her away.

“Nene, observe Priest Leman and the preparations. If anything doesn’t fit your customs, let me know.”

Leman clapped his hands together.

“Oh! I hadn’t considered that. If Nene is comfortable, please do so. We want to honor the deceased properly.”

Nene nodded and left with Leman. The countess scrutinized Roy up and down.

“I didn’t even ask your name back then. What is it?”

“I don’t see why I should tell you my name.”

With the lord and priests absent, Roy didn’t show her respect.

Roy exuded a cold, sharp aura. The countess smiled.

“I like proud people like you. The more proud they are…”

The countess laughed softly, and Roy shivered.

“Ugh.”

Roy bit his lip, groaning. The countess looked concerned.

“I told you to come to our guild if you didn’t want to be hurt. But you ignored me, so now you’re in more pain.”

Her eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure. She must have brought a slave-binding magical device, anticipating Roy would be here.

“You look in pain. Wouldn’t it be better to take our guild’s medicine now?”

She couldn’t expose Roy as an escaped slave. That would reveal she had purchased a slave.

Was she trying to torment Roy to make him come to her? Not on my watch.

I quickly stepped closer. Roy reached for my hand, something he had never done first before. Normally, I would approach him.

Surprise and a fluttering sensation rose within me.

Someone trusted and relied on me. I wondered if gods feel this fluttering every time they handle the world.

I let my divine power flow to Roy. His face, twisted by pain, gradually relaxed.

I shifted slightly, letting my body touch the countess’s arm, and flowed divine power toward her as well.

The power toward Roy was protective; toward the countess, it was probing.

If it were an object like a ring or bracelet, I could pretend to bump into her and snatch it.

Seconds later, I felt magic coming from the countess’s chest.

Damn, she hid it under her clothes. To remove the slave-binding device now, I’d have to strip her. Should I act crazy and just do it?

I glared at her top. Roy tightened his grip on my hand. I glanced back reflexively, and he shook his head slightly.

“I’m fine. With you here.”

“Oh my, you must be close enough to confess in front of others. Looking at you two reminds me of a fairy tale.”

The countess narrowed her eyes. She spoke without asking, narrating a story.

“Once, someone liked taming wolves. But they didn’t like wolves tamed by others. So they decided to punish the wolf. A woman, pondering the punishment…”

She paused mid-sentence, looking at me.

Her gaze was strange—not purely mad, but not cold either. Fascinating.

I stared without fear.

“The wolf tore apart the woman it liked right in front of its eyes.”

She said this cruelly, as if asking, “Aren’t you scared?” But after dealing with evil spirits, I wasn’t fazed.

I twitched my lips, silently asking, “So what?”

The countess frowned but then had to squint both eyes.

“The story’s ending is different from what I remember. The wolf seems to have killed the mad woman by biting her neck.”

Roy’s low growl overlaid in my mind.

He radiated the kind of cold aura that could tear the countess’s throat and bathe in blood without hesitation.

The countess flinched instinctively, but she refused to admit being overpowered, tightening her gaze.

“Is that so? Then let’s bet on who remembers the story correctly.”

She ground her teeth and turned sharply. Irritation, anger, and hostility rippled around her.

Yet in front of the priests preparing the funeral, she wore the mask of a kind and gentle person.