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Chapter 30
I was the only one feeling awkward in the middle.
“Danny.”
“……”
He stayed silent, and in the end, the Saint let out a sigh and turned to me.
“Why don’t you tell me, then?”
I calmly opened my mouth.
“He’s doing well. His appetite’s back, and he’s been smiling more lately.”
Of course, not that much.
But it was true—he was doing fine.
Maybe it wasn’t the answer she wanted; the Saint clenched her fists briefly and then walked straight back into the house.
“Sir Danny, you can go back to the carriage. I have to meet with the High Priest anyway.”
“The boss said I have to report everything you do.”
“Why’s that, I wonder.”
“Because he doesn’t trust you.”
“Hehe.”
Is that really it, though?
You don’t know the secret I do.
At my sly smile, Sir Danny scowled and grabbed my nose before letting go.
“Jealousy doesn’t suit you.”
“Stop playing with the boss. I don’t even get time to hang out with him anymore, thanks to you.”
“That’s not possible.”
“I’ll give you gold coins.”
“If I play with the boss, he gives me that whole belly.”
“Then I’ll play too.”
Why, does Sir Danny want gold coins too?
What a greedy man—he’d rather take the whole thing than a few coins.
After that, we didn’t talk much. We just walked toward the central building. Our breath came out white in the cold dawn air.
It was still chilly in the early morning.
In the open corridor supported by four pillars, priests were sweeping and arranging flowers.
When they saw us, they placed both hands over their hearts and bowed their heads in greeting. That was the temple’s greeting custom. I returned it the same way and headed inside.
At the entrance, High Priest Isard spotted me and approached.
“May the grace of God be with you.”
“Isn’t it prayer time right now?”
I was actually planning to wait until it was over.
“I skipped dawn prayer today. A special guest was coming.”
He smiled faintly at me.
“……Did I tell you I was coming today?”
No, I didn’t. I came on my own.
He didn’t answer, only smiled meaningfully and led the way. Danny followed, and apparently, the High Priest didn’t mind.
He guided us to a small garden gazebo.
A light tea service had already been set. Three teacups—one each for me, Danny, and the High Priest.
I lowered my voice and asked Danny,
“Sir Danny, can the High Priest see the future?”
“Never heard that before.”
“Me neither.”
“Please, both of you, have a seat.”
We obediently sat, and he sat across from us.
“What is it you wanted to say?”
I couldn’t stay long—I had to fetch Joshua soon. His frightened face still haunted me, and I didn’t want to be late.
Going straight to the point, I asked, and the priest took a sip of tea before speaking softly.
“You won’t be found out. It won’t last forever, but for now, you can rest easy.”
“Pardon?”
“There will be trials and hardships, yes. But I believe you’ll overcome them all.”
I could guess what he meant.
If I hadn’t reincarnated into this novel, I probably wouldn’t have understood him at all.
“Not being found out” must mean my divine power.
And “trials and hardships” meant the problems still waiting ahead.
The story wasn’t over yet.
It had started again when the boss was cursed with the demon’s spell from Serael and locked himself away.
“Do you feel a bit more at peace now?”
I nodded. My biggest worry had been getting caught by the Saint, and thanks to the High Priest, that fear eased a little.
“Yes, thanks to you.”
“I hope my words don’t make you fear the future.”
“No. It’s better to know—I can prepare.”
“That’s wise.”
“Do you see the future, High Priest?”
“I do not.”
“Then why tell me this…?”
“Since dedicating my life to God, nothing I do is by my own will.”
“Huh?”
That didn’t sound great.
So basically, he’s controlled by God?
He chuckled quietly at my grim expression.
“Others may pity me, but I feel more alive than ever.”
“If you say so, then I can’t pity you, can I? Thank you for your words.”
“That will be all, then.”
He rose and looked at me kindly.
“Come to me anytime. I can’t give you much, but I’ll listen.”
“I’ll probably visit often then. Thank you.”
He said he couldn’t give much—but that meant he could give something.
He’d probably just listen rather than talk, but still…
People like him in stories always end up sharing critical information when the time comes.
He already knew I was hiding something, so there was no need to conceal it.
When the time came that I needed the High Priest’s wisdom, even if he didn’t say much, maybe he’d drop a useful hint.
“If you go now, you should be able to meet Joshua.”
It had barely been thirty minutes.
He smiled again, then departed without hesitation. Danny and I headed back to Joshua.
He didn’t say anything, and neither did I. I couldn’t explain that cryptic conversation to him yet—and he knew it, so he stayed silent too.
He may seem slow, but his intuition is sharp.
“I’ll tell the boss.”
“Tell him what?”
Why the sudden tattling?
“That you’re visiting the High Priest every day.”
“I’m just going sometimes.”
“Then maybe the boss will feel so lonely he’ll want to die.”
“I’ll visit rarely, then.”
“Then the boss will barely manage to survive.”
What’s your problem?
I ignored the teasing glint in his eyes. The Saint had told me not to come close, but I decided to go near enough to see the house.
I stopped halfway when Joshua came out.
“Joshua!”
When I called, he spotted me and ran straight into my arms.
“Titi!”
He buried his face in my shoulder, trembling. His tears soaked my clothes.
I gently patted his back. The Saint came out of the house and stared straight at me.
Sir Danny stepped forward and blocked her from view.
“Let’s go back to the carriage.”
“Yes.”
He gripped my shoulder and turned me around. I bowed slightly to the Saint and hurried away.
For a split second, I thought her expression looked… displeased.
Joshua wouldn’t leave the boss’s room.
He’d cried while forcing down breakfast, then jumped onto the bed, buried his face in the pillow, and lay there ever since.
Even though it was already noon, he hadn’t moved once.
“What’s wrong with him? How can he breathe like that?”
The boss ignored him, sitting in his chair, scribbling formulas and muttering spells.
Maybe it was because he hadn’t used magic for a while—or because it was a high-level spell—but sweat dotted his forehead.
I wet a handkerchief in cold water, wrung it out, and wiped the sweat from his brow. The chill made him flinch and glance up at me.
Seeing his wide eyes behind the glasses, I couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m just wiping your sweat. You’re such a scaredy-cat.”
“……I don’t need it.”
He refused, but I didn’t stop. Fortunately, he didn’t pull away this time.
He returned his focus to the paper, eyes intent.
Was there an error in the formula?
After wiping his sweat, I brought some chilled fruit.
“Boss, say ‘ah.’”
“……”
He hesitated, then opened his mouth slightly. I fed him a bite-sized piece of watermelon.
Once he’d eaten contentedly, I turned to still-sniffling Joshua.
“The watermelon’s really sweet. Say ‘ah.’”
“Ah.”
His face was a mess of tears and snot, but he obediently opened his mouth. I popped in a piece, and though he kept sniffling, he chewed diligently.
I scrubbed his face clean with the handkerchief.
“Did the Saint bully you? Why are you crying so much?”
“I’m in pain!”
He whimpered, clinging to me, and I glanced at the boss.
He was resting his chin on his hand, watching me steadily.
I mouthed, ‘What’s wrong with him?’
“He’s in pain.”
“What? Really?”
He answered aloud, not minding.
“Joshua, where does it hurt? Should I get medicine? Tell me where it hurts, and I’ll bring the right one.”
“My body stings! Like someone poured salt all over my wounds!”
“That’s… awful.”
I shuddered.
“There’s no medicine.”
“What do you mean, no medicine?”
“There’s none! Because the demon’s power is fading!”
When I looked at the boss, he said quietly—
“Purify.”
