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“Found it? What are you talking about?”

The Dragon Priestess approached the boy who was dying from poison, ignoring my words.

He had brown hair and a somewhat gentle-looking face.

“Who… are you? Could you be a mage…?”

“Could it be, the mage who helped us?”

The adventurers seemed flustered as they watched the Dragon Priestess approach, but the Dragon Priestess didn’t even glance at them and headed straight for the boy.

His skin was turning black from the poison, and blood was continuously oozing from his wounds.

If left like this, he would soon lose his life.

“All life, bloom once more.”

The Dragon Priestess had no intention of allowing such a thing.

With a low voice, the life energy that flowed from the tips of the Dragon Priestess’s fingers seeped into the boy’s wounds, pushing back the poison that was rotting his skin and muscles.

The blackened skin gradually regained its original color, and the boy’s labored breaths began to stabilize.

The Dragon Priestess expelled all the poison that had seeped into the boy’s body through the wounds, then burned the black poison with a moment’s light.

“Uh… detoxification? No, it’s not detoxification… You forcibly pushed out the poison, didn’t you?”

“Is this… divine magic?”

Well, not exactly. It was just pushing the poison back with power.

But most adventurers probably wouldn’t differentiate such meticulous things and might think it’s something like divine magic.

“I don’t know who you are, but thank you for your help.”

The man who was called the captain among the adventurers bowed his head and expressed his gratitude to the Dragon Priestess.

“Come to the Church of Life.”

With that brief statement, the Dragon Priestess lifted the still unconscious boy into the air.

“Huh?”

“This boy. I’ll take him with me.”

“What? Why all of a sudden…?”

Of course, the captain and the other adventurers were greatly confused, but the Dragon Priestess soared into the air without a care.

“What are you thinking?”

‘I told you. I decided he would be the hero.’

“A hero? That boy?”

‘Yep.’

And so, the Dragon Priestess wrapped a barrier around the boy and flew rapidly toward the Church of Life.

“Out of the blue, a hero. What does that even mean?”

‘I’ll explain later.’

The Dragon Priestess spoke with a gaze that was different from usual.

Not the usual emotionless look, but one that contained a faint warmth.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Upon returning to the Church of Life, the Dragon Priestess ignored the bewildered other priests and tossed the boy into one of the guest rooms.

Well, “tossed” might be a bit harsh. Let’s say she laid him on the bed.

“So, you mean to say you’re going to declare this child a hero?”

‘Yup. I declared it.’

“Hmm… I did say it didn’t matter who you picked, but…”

I looked down at the boy who was sleeping on the bed.

His appearance… well, it’s pretty average? He has a somewhat gentle impression, but there’s nothing particularly handsome about him.

His age seems to be around 15 or so? He looks like he might soon reach adulthood.

“Hmm… well, if you like him.”

‘Yep. Thanks, me.’

“Don’t mention it. But remember this one thing. Even if you declare him a hero, once you decide, there’s no going back. Once you pick, you stick with it. Don’t forget that, okay?”

“Of course. I’ll take responsibility and raise him well.”

“You talk about the hero as if you picked up a pet.”

Well, it’s not that different from picking one up.

“But what do you even see in him that makes you want to take him as a hero?”

‘Um… I’m not really sure.’

“Not sure? But you picked him?”

‘Yeah. I just… I don’t know how to explain it. I was suddenly drawn to him, that’s all.’

You were drawn to him? What’s that supposed to mean?

It’s as if the Dragon Priestess fell for this boy at first sight.

Could it be that this kid, who used to cause mischief just a few years ago, has suddenly awakened to love?

I don’t know. Well, I don’t understand emotions like love either. It’s beyond my comprehension. So I’ll just let it slide.

While I was slowly examining the boy who had become “the hero” while he was asleep—

Bang!

“Oh Dragon Priestess! I heard you brought a boy?!”

“Shh… he’s sleeping.”

“Oh, sorry.”

The High Priest, who barged into the room with a loud voice, quickly lowered his tone upon seeing the sleeping boy.

“So, is this boy to be the hero?”

“Yes. I chose him.”

“But… to choose this young boy over all the skilled knights or warriors, is this really appropriate…?”

“Well, looking at his appearance, I’m around the same age, right?”

“I am aware of that.”

The High Priest spoke with a look that showed he was in trouble.

“Do you understand the importance of making this boy into a hero?”

“Yes, of course.”

“This is not just about the Dragon Priestess’s companion. It comes with responsibilities and duties as a hero.”

The Dragon Priestess looked at him with a questioning gaze, as if pondering his words.

Responsibilities and duties as a hero. Everyone expects the hero to stand against formidable foes like the Demon King.

The weight of being a hero is embodying everyone’s hope, but it seems the Dragon Priestess doesn’t fully understand that.

To be honest… if the Dragon Priestess uses her power, she could probably sweep away most foes without issue.

The Demon King? Even if he’s called a demon king, he’s just a mental entity. Without a physical form, he can exercise power over others, but he probably wouldn’t stand a chance against the Dragon Priestess.

The only concern is what might happen if the mental entity of the Demon King meets the Dragon Priestess’s physical form, but…

Well, we’ll deal with that when the time comes. For now, if it becomes an issue, I’ll lend my power somehow.

“Do you understand? A hero is not merely someone chosen by the Dragon Priestess! A hero is someone who wields the hero’s sword for humanity, overcoming challenges and formidable enemies to create peace in the world! You cannot simply declare someone a hero just because the Dragon Priestess is fond of him!”

“But I said it’s okay.”

“You said it’s okay…?”

The High Priest tilted his head slightly, realizing what the Dragon Priestess had said.

“Are you suggesting that person…?”

“I’m not sure who you’re referring to with ‘that person,’ but since you said it’s okay, it must be fine.”

“I… I see.”

The High Priest quickly seemed to grasp who the Dragon Priestess meant.

Well, how many can hear the voice of the Dragon Priestess? No less so those who wouldn’t share it with others, not even the High Priest of the Church of Life.

If he has any sense, he’d naturally realize that the voice belongs to me.

“Ahem. If they said it’s okay, then it means it’s fine. Understood.”

The High Priest said so and turned to the “hero.”

“Still, there needs to be some kind of verification process, or else it won’t be convincing to others, so let’s have a little chat once he wakes up. Dragon Priestess, you should join us then too.”

“Yes. I have many questions I want to ask as well.”

Honestly, right now the Dragon Priestess knows nothing about this kid besides his name.

Despite knowing next to nothing about him, suddenly saying she fell for him… hmm…

Wait a minute. What if this so-called “hero” of a boy just has the look that matches the Dragon Priestess’s taste, but he’s a total brat inside? What if he’s a villain? What if he’s a hopeless mess?

I looked at the Dragon Priestess’s slightly delighted expression while she looked at the boy and made a small decision.

Then… I guess I’ll have to step in a bit.

Even if this boy has the mentality and spirit of a failed human being, there are various ways to make him human.

Well, as a hero, he certainly needs some level of training.

The Hero’s Sword, Chloive Solais is definitely a strong sword, but unless someone who can handle it well wields it, they won’t be able to draw out its full power.

So naturally, swordsmanship training and education should take place, and if there’s a chance to mix in a little personality adjustment or moral education during that process… even if this boy is a failure as a human, we might still manage to fix him up.

Well, upon realizing this, the Dragon Priestess might be a bit disappointed in me…

As the Dragon Priestess looked down at the boy who had become “the hero” and the High Priest left the room after mentioning that dinner would soon be ready.

“Umm…”

The boy who had been unconscious as “the hero” slowly opened his eyes.

 

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