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Chapter: 251

“Dragon Priestess…?”

Arthur questioned what he had just heard.

A Dragon Priestess. Seriously, a Dragon Priestess? Isn’t that a character straight out of a hero’s legend? What on earth does it mean for her to have qualities of such a character? His expression seemed to ask just that.

Yet, it was indeed true.

The bloodline flowing through this child’s body and the sealed magical power within her.

That was undoubtedly a potential to become a Dragon Priestess… someone infinitely close to me.

If this girl were to be shocked deeply… the seal flowing with her blood would be released in an instant.

And she would be swept away by an overwhelming power that was far too much for one individual to hold.

Well, if she were just a healthy child, merely checking the seal and making slight adjustments would be enough… but with the poison lingering in her body and the illness gnawing at her…

Weakening from the poison and threatening her life, the moment she breathes her last, the sealed magical power would burst forth, expelling all the toxins and transforming her body.

That would be the simplest way to resolve the illness and poison.

Ah, by the way, Arthur also had quite a bit of magical power flowing through his body.

But being a boy, he didn’t have enough magical power to be able to become a Dragon Priestess like Vivian.

Hmm. But what happens if a man possesses the potential to become a Dragon Priestess…? Would he transform while remaining a man? Or would he even change genders?

I’m not sure, but someday I might find out.

“Isn’t a Dragon Priestess a character that exists in a hero’s legend? What do you mean she possesses the qualities of a Dragon Priestess?”

Hmm. It seems he believes that a Dragon Priestess refers to a specific individual… in other words, someone who traveled with the hero, pointing to me.

Well, since there haven’t been any other Dragon Priestesses other than me so far, it’s only natural for him to react that way.

“The term Dragon Priestess does not refer to a specific person. It signifies a being chosen by the Goddess of Life, who can directly hear her voice.”

That’s a lie. Up until now, I have been the only one to act in the name of Dragon Priestess.

Aldin publicly claims that the Dragon Priestess is not just one person.

Teaching the ancient elves spirit magic in the past, embarking on adventures with heroes, all the Dragon Priestesses who have been active for a long time are said to be the same one person… it’s just a tad romanticized.

If that fact were to be revealed, interest in the Dragon Priestess, that is to say, me would certainly increase.

More attention means more trouble. And I really don’t want any trouble.

So, let’s just keep it as the Dragon Priestess is a saint-like being chosen by the Goddess of Life.

Coincidentally, the descendant of the hero… is right here too.

“A being chosen by the Goddess of Life…?”

“Yes. She will become an infinitely noble being. If she transforms like that, all the poison and disease gnawing at her body will vanish.”

Her body will change. She will become someone infinitely close to me.

Turning into a being with powerful magical power that cannot be touched by mere poison or illness.

On a side note, should I add some horns too? Horns are one of the symbols of the Dragon Priestess after all.

It might be fun to use them as antennas for direct communication with me.

“So I can be healthy…!”

“Yes. Well, even without becoming a Dragon Priestess, temporary treatment is possible.”

I suppressed the poison spreading within the girl’s body, alleviating her suffering. As a result, her expression seemed to ease significantly, and the signs of torment diminished.

Even though it’s temporary treatment, just suppressing the poison and allowing her battered body to recover isn’t that difficult.

However, since the poison and illness have permeated every corner of her body and intertwined with her flesh… it won’t be long before she becomes battered again. Completely curing it is a bit troublesome.

It’d be easier to completely overhaul her body and make it anew.

If there was no seal on her magical power, I could try to push my limits and modify her body, but with this seal, doing so would cause it to break instantly. Now, that would be a real hassle.

“Naturally, since it’s a temporary treatment, it will worsen again shortly after. But if you accept the possibility of becoming a Dragon Priestess and embrace that fate… your body will change and you will become healthy.”

“My body will change…?”

“Yes. Your appearance will change, and what lies within you will also change. Your soul will remain the same, but your body will be like someone else’s.”

I spoke with a touch of exaggeration. Such changes are something I can adjust adequately. Even if she becomes a being similar to me, being a perfect copy is a no-go!

I’ll maintain the original’s appearance as much as possible, while tweaking it with different hair colors or horns to give a slight resemblance to me.

“Moreover, if you are chosen as a Dragon Priestess… you will become a vital figure within the Church of Life. That way, you could live a life quite different from your past one… a life without any hardships at all. To add a little exaggeration, you could even live a life akin to that of the royalty of the Romania Empire.”

At my words, Arthur flinched a little.

“A vital figure within the Church of Life…?”

“Yes. Because you can directly hear the voice of the Goddess. From the perspective of the Church of Life, they would want to serve you with utmost devotion.”

Although Asherat responds to the prayers of believers, it’s almost on an automated response level, and she doesn’t convey her voice directly.

The last divine revelation was sent decades ago.

Nevertheless, the faith of the priests in the Church of Life shows no sign of waning; those folks truly are impressive.

“Perhaps, living under the Church of Life’s care might be happier than living a life chased by the Romania Empire…”

I spoke in a calm voice, looking towards Arthur.

The still young boy wore an expression where he hadn’t yet hidden his feelings properly.

Confusion. A look of not knowing what to do. A little boy sweating and troubled.

Seeing him, I continued my story.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, what experiences you’ve had, or how you ended up here. What matters is that while you sought my help, you haven’t been honest about yourself.”

My gaze was fixed on the boy. On what he hid in his heart.

What is he hiding? What is he thinking? What does he want? What kind of emotions fill his heart?

That emotion was revenge.

A thick, sticky vengeance glowing a dark red lay at the boy’s center.

“I….”

The boy hesitated. Unsure of what to say or keep hidden. Even at such a young age, he seemed to ponder and prepare his words.

But it was futile.

I could see everything. I could read it all.

So, I gave him a gentle nudge.

“If you don’t speak honestly, I won’t help you.”

Now that I’ve set the stage, he should have to say everything, right? Right?

At my words, the boy opened his mouth with a determined look.

“My name is… Lucius. Lucius Altirius III. I am a member of the Romania royalty, originally the crown prince with rightful claims to the throne.”

Finally, he started to speak honestly.

By the way, Lucius Altirius III. It looks like he took his name straight from the Knight King.

“Is Arthur a pseudonym?”

“That… is a nickname from when I was a child. My grandpa… more precisely, my great-grandpa called me that, saying someone might confuse it with my name.”

“Great-grandpa, huh…”

Then this kid is the great-grandson of the Knight King.

“In that case, the grandfather you mentioned must be the Knight King.”

“Yes. Grandpa told me to seek someone’s wisdom if there was a need.”

Hmm… The Knight King surely must have told the next monarch… and since he’s a crown prince, it means he might be the next king.

Or maybe, he rambled too much because he thought his grandchild was too adorable.

Should I shake down the Knight King, who’s now in the Underworld going through trials, for some answers? Ugh.

“So, it seems the crown prince coming here in such a state is… not a usual occurrence.”

Arthur slowly nodded. Coming here in such a state, alongside his sick sibling afflicted with poison.

A rebellion? No, if it were a large-scale uprising, I would’ve heard about it long ago.

For the same reason, it wouldn’t be an invasion from other countries. If a war or rebellion broke out, people would die in droves.

Even if I wasn’t paying attention, I’d still learn about the deaths of many people.

If such a thing were to happen, Hades wouldn’t keep it to himself.

If it’s neither rebellion nor war, the fact that a crown prince with claims to the throne is fleeing in such a state…

“Is it a battle for succession?”

Arthur couldn’t respond.

After all, it would seem akin to exposing the royal family’s dirty laundry.

Instead of Arthur,

“Yes… my brother has had his things taken away…”

Thanks to the temporary subsiding of the poison and illness, the girl who rose to her feet spoke up.

“Vivi…”

“Brother. Let’s be honest and tell everything. We have no other way.”

At this girl’s words, the one called Vivi, Arthur nodded softly.

 

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