IBTPEOTMLC 10

Chapter 10

Cathy, who had frozen in shock for a moment, let out an incredulous scoff and looked up at Hedwin crookedly.

“How have you endured it all this time?”

“I thought I had to endure it. I thought that someone like me, born with immense divine power but no ties to any prestigious people, simply had to tolerate however much those with noble blood disliked me.”

Otherwise, he had believed he would be cast out of the temple and forced back into the gutter-like life he once lived.

All of them had priests backing them, or they came from noble families that had produced talented priests for generations.

But he had neither bloodline nor connections—nothing.

‘Yeah. I was so sick and tired of it that I even considered quitting.’

But just before leaving, Coco’s cold words had changed his mind. On top of that, thanks to Coco speaking to a priest for him, he had even gotten the chance to meet the Pope.

The Pope himself came from a prestigious noble family renowned for producing exceptional priests for generations.

Yet contrary to expectations, he had been surprisingly bold and rough around the edges. When Hedwin first saw him, he’d been startled—far from the gentle impression one might expect from a priest, the man had the fierce face of a hardened mercenary.

Even the way he spoke was blunt and straightforward. Though he already knew Hedwin was being bullied, when Hedwin finally came to see him, the Pope had burst into hearty laughter and said:

“So you finally came? I thought you got scared and ran away.”

At that moment, Hedwin thought the rough old man strangely resembled Coco. Even the way they both irritatingly talked about running away was alike.

Anyway, there was something the Pope had told him.

“Why do you insist on shrinking yourself? Bloodline may matter, but in the end, only one person sits in this position—the one who proves exceptional talent and the skill to match it.”

Then, pointing at Hedwin, he added:

“And since you possess divine power that may one day surpass even mine, you’re the most likely candidate for this seat. You don’t seem stupid either.”

It was practically the same as indirectly naming Hedwin the next Pope.

After meeting the Pope, Hedwin spent a long time deep in thought before reaching a conclusion.

If Coco’s words alone were enough to stir his stubborn pride and keep him from quitting anyway, then there was no reason to keep hiding himself and quietly enduring everything.

He finally realized how foolish he had been.

To live timidly despite possessing such divine power and ability. The temple would never willingly let go of someone like him. Now that he understood that, Hedwin decided he would no longer just sit back and take abuse.

Normally, he would have ignored Cathy’s provocation while pretending to be kind.

But this time was different.

He was still someone who would soon become a priest. Even the Pope, despite his temper, treated the common people kindly. There were many ways to hide one’s true personality behind a gentle facade.

Eventually, Hedwin learned how to smile sweetly while delivering cutting sarcasm.

It was also a method he devised because he knew just how effective his appearance was on everyone, regardless of taste.

Hedwin was quick to learn bad habits.

‘I understand now that enduring everything isn’t always the answer. If you have rightful ability, there’s no need to bow your head.’

Step by step, Hedwin began transforming into someone with a terrifyingly sharp tongue.

To begin with, Hedwin had always hated and avoided physical contact with people.

“Hah. So what? Even after realizing all that, you still feel like pretending to be innocent?”

Cathy sneered.

“Well, I can’t exactly throw around curses like ‘idiotic bastard’ the way I used to outside the temple, can I?”

But when the vicious insult rolled off his tongue so naturally, Cathy stammered speechlessly.

Unlike Cathy, who had grown up delicately sheltered as a noble, Hedwin had grown up in the dirt. Naturally, he was better at swearing.

And yet, perhaps because of that beautiful face, Cathy looked visibly flustered.

A dazzling smile that contrasted sharply with his brutal words.

Hedwin whispered kindly,

“Leave while I’m asking nicely. I don’t want to cause unnecessary trouble.”

His voice was so gentle when he said “trouble” that for a moment Cathy almost wondered if he even meant the normal dictionary definition of the word.

When Cathy still didn’t move, Hedwin suddenly stepped closer and looked down at him coldly.

The oppressive pressure from up close made Cathy suck in a sharp breath.

“I said leave.”

Step. Step.

Cathy stumbled backward, rubbing his neck, before finally turning pale with fear and fleeing in a panic.

“You only understand after I show my temper.”

Clicking his tongue, Hedwin turned around—only to meet eyes with Coco, who had been secretly slipping out from behind a pillar.

“……”

“……”

The same strange silence as their last meeting settled heavily between them.

Why did she keep unintentionally witnessing this man’s true nature?

That was what Coco thought.

After meeting Hedwin, she’d gotten lost while thinking about the original story and had doubled back—only to find him having a vicious conversation with another priest trainee.

The way he completely blocked the path made it awkward for her to sneak past unnoticed.

Afraid of getting dragged into another troublesome situation, Coco quickly spoke before Hedwin could say anything.

“I didn’t see anything.”

As Coco replied calmly, Hedwin looked momentarily startled, but soon gazed at her as though it didn’t particularly matter.

There was no longer any need for him to hide his personality.

And besides, he had never bothered hiding his sarcastic side from Coco in the first place. Even if she found out now, he had nothing to lose.

“Did someone say something?”

“No. I just spoke first in case you were going to grab me again and start lamenting your life.”

At that, Hedwin’s expression darkened frighteningly fast.

Then he spat out bitterly,

“Don’t worry. I won’t do it again.”

For some reason, he hated the sight of her calm face, so Hedwin sharply turned his head away.

Then, noticing how quiet it had become, he turned back again—

Only to find Coco already running far away in the distance.

Dumbfounded, Hedwin opened and closed his mouth before sighing irritably and heading toward the prayer room.

He hadn’t felt like this since deciding not to bend anymore.

Why was it that only with that girl, he kept losing his words?

“Coco, welcome.”

Whenever Coco saw Venus greeting her brightly as always, the restless anxiety in her heart eased a little.

That warm gaze and smile still made her feel awkwardly embarrassed every time, but honestly, she didn’t dislike it.

“Venus, you look much healthier today.”

“I definitely feel better today. Thankfully.”

Even as she said that, Venus couldn’t completely hide the bitter air around her.

Her face looked as though she had just swallowed bitter tea, but she quickly composed herself skillfully and gestured for Coco to come sit closer.

Coco sat on the edge of the bed facing Venus.

Venus stared at her as if she had something she wanted to say. Since she hesitated to speak first, Coco asked instead.

“If there’s something you want to ask, feel free. I’ll answer everything I can.”

Meaning she would draw the line where necessary, so difficult questions were fine too.

Understanding her meaning, Venus parted her lips before finally asking:

“Coco… how did you find me in the Forest of Curses?”

Should she tell her or not?

As Coco hesitated, Venus added:

“You know the Forest of Curses isn’t somewhere people casually stumble into. But you found me immediately, as if you had come looking specifically for me.”

Perhaps worried Coco might become nervous, Venus lightly tapped her cheek a couple of times to ease the tension.

“Like you said, if it’s a difficult question, you can skip it.”

At those words, Coco hesitated a little longer.

Since Oriede had trusted her, Venus seemed trustworthy. And beyond that, Coco herself wanted to trust Venus too.

Thanks to Venus introducing her to Bay, her plans had finally begun progressing.

In truth, until now Venus had never asked how Coco found the land, why she was making such plans, or what her goals were.

Was she asking now because she thought Coco had finally opened up to her a little?

Even through a single question, Coco could feel Venus trying to be considerate.

Still, this was the first time she had ever opened up to someone.

Could she really tell her?

Honestly… she wanted to.

Until now, aside from Oriede, she had no one she could confide in.

Especially not an adult like this.

Could she really let it out…?

“Coco, to be frank, I can’t say I’m a particularly good adult. But…”

Trailing off, Venus looked at her and smiled softly.

“I can promise that I’ll be a good person to you, Coco.”

Was it foolish to waver because of a single sentence?

‘Then I’ll be foolish just this once.’

Reassured by Venus’s words, Coco explained how she had been searching for land with the help of Oriede.

Without interrupting even once, Venus quietly listened.

When the story ended, she gently squeezed Coco’s hand.

“Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me.”

Hearing that made Coco feel glad she had spoken, and she unconsciously let out a soft laugh.

“Spirits, huh. They’re quite unfamiliar. They rarely show themselves.”

After pondering for a moment, Venus looked at her firmly.

“Then wouldn’t it be good for you to study spirits?”

The conclusion was completely opposite from what Coco expected, making her ask reflexively:

“Huh?”

“That’s an extraordinary talent. Don’t you want to make better use of that child? I can provide information.”

As Venus rambled on enthusiastically, Coco simply stared blankly at her. Venus lightly flicked her nose and said,

“How about a guardian? I’ll act as one until you achieve your goals. As repayment for saving my life.”

“But…”

To do this much over one incident…

Sensing her hesitation, Venus absentmindedly touched the necklace hanging around her neck and answered casually:

“A life can’t be bought with anything.”

So this much was cheap in comparison.

Faced with her firm gaze telling her to accept it comfortably, Coco found herself nodding as though entranced.

“Then come visit more often. You’ll need to study now too. Though honestly, I’m mostly using it as an excuse because I want to see you.”

At the playful honesty, Coco became slightly embarrassed and subtly avoided her gaze.

Still, it felt a little nice knowing she could visit now without making excuses about work or worrying about appearances.

Maybe because since forgetting that child, Oriede was the only person she’d really talked to until now.

And Venus was someone trustworthy enough for even Oriede to acknowledge.

“And at this point, shouldn’t Coco ask me something too?”

What was she supposed to ask?

Tilting her head in confusion, Venus answered for her.

“The reason I was in that forest.”

Back then, Coco simply hadn’t wanted to get involved, so she avoided Venus and didn’t ask questions.

If someone used a false name, perhaps they didn’t want deep relationships with others.

Even now, since she was hiding in the temple, Coco assumed revealing her true name—let alone telling her story—must be difficult.

“I thought it might be uncomfortable for you.”

“Hmm, then should I say the same thing you did? If you ask, I’ll answer whatever I can.”

But instead of asking, Coco simply looked at Venus.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t curious. She just had a feeling she wouldn’t get the full story anyway.

As if expecting Coco not to ask, Venus instead showed her the necklace hanging from her neck.

“This is the most precious necklace I own. So precious that I can never take it off. It’s practically my weakness.”

As she spoke, Venus’s voice trembled slightly, as though suppressing overwhelming sorrow.

For the first time, Venus—who had seemed strong and steadfast even while wounded and sick—looked weak and pitiful.

“I got hurt that badly while trying to retrieve this.”

But in an instant, Venus erased all traces of vulnerability and returned to normal with a trembling sigh.

“That’s enough about this story.”

Did she have some unspoken past like Coco?

Ah, no. Coco didn’t have an untold past.

She had simply lost hers.

“Still, I feel relieved just opening up a little like this, Coco.”

“Me too.”

“If you ever took this necklace hostage and threatened me with it, I wouldn’t be able to do a thing.”

Venus joked lightly, and Coco nodded along.

“Maybe I’ll try that sometimes.”

Since Venus knew Coco would never actually do such a thing, she laughed cheerfully—

Then suddenly began coughing violently.

“Cough, cough—!”

“V-Venus?”

“Cough!”

As the coughing worsened, cold sweat quickly drenched Venus’s body.

“W-wait! I’ll call a priest!”

Frozen briefly in shock, Coco immediately burst out the door to find Alli.

Alli, who had been nearby, rushed toward her the moment she saw Coco running desperately.

“Could it be Lady Venus…?”

“Y-Yes!”

As if this sort of thing happened often, Alli didn’t even ask for details and hurried straight to Venus’s room.

Because of her terrible stamina, Coco barely managed to follow behind and closed the door a step later.

Near the bed, Alli was pouring divine power into Venus.

But things didn’t seem to be going well. Alli’s eyes drifted toward the necklace Venus clutched like a lifeline.

Was the necklace interfering with the use of divine power?

“Perhaps if you remove that for a moment—”

“Absolutely not!”

Venus raised her voice sharply for a moment, but when she noticed Coco, she flinched and bit down hard on her lip.

Coco moved beside her and gently rubbed her back.

As if telling her not to worry about appearances.

At the soothing touch, Venus finally seemed to calm down. Her ragged breathing gradually eased.

“Is she still not fully healed? Even with divine power?”

Before answering Coco’s question, Alli first looked at Venus.

Venus nodded, seemingly giving permission to speak.

Only then did Alli explain.

“There’s nothing physically wrong with her. But strangely, her body won’t recover… It may have something to do with the forest she visited…”

Alli let out a worried sigh.

‘The Forest of Curses where I found injured Venus? Is it somehow connected?’

But right now, Venus looked far too distressed, clutching the necklace while enduring the pain.

So Coco stayed silent.