HPV 7

Even though I’d said it like some shameless villain, Paronai’s expression remained oddly relaxed. He even seemed to be smirking a little.

“Sure, let’s say you did something a little bad. But your ability to handle spirits was incredible, wasn’t it? They say spirits won’t lend their power to someone with an evil heart.”

I fell silent for a moment at Paronai’s words.

Now that was the most ridiculous thing I’d heard. If spirits truly chose people based on the goodness of their hearts, there’s no way Hancanera would’ve become the cult leader.

More importantly—if we keep talking like this, I might actually end up becoming friends with him!

The longer the conversation went on, the more anxious I felt.

Paronai was the kind of guy who would think the guy who bullied him for five years in swordsmanship academy was just a misunderstood friend. With someone that tolerant, it wouldn’t be surprising if he tried to befriend even an extra like me.

I needed to nip this in the bud. Tell him clearly. That I was going to the temple and planned to live a quiet life there. That talking about my abilities was pointless now.

“I’m going to convert. Planning to enter Gaioh’s temple. I’ll be giving up the cult’s spirits.”

“What? What do you mean by that?!”

Paronai’s eyebrows shot up as he gasped. His mouth hung open so wide it looked like a knot in a tree trunk. Was it really that shocking?

“You’re giving up that power? You can’t! Then how are you supposed to come with me to slay the black dr—”

Hrk! Paronai slapped a hand over his mouth in a comically awkward panic, as if he’d blurted out a huge secret by accident.

Then, inching backward step by step, he bolted like his tail was on fire.

“Have a great day!” he called back cheerfully.

…Did I hear that right? Come with him to what? Slay a black dragon…?

No way. Not a chance. I’ve played my part as a conniving, sniveling side character perfectly.

Sure, I used spirit power twice—out of necessity. But was it really that impressive? The party already has a high priest for healing, and an excellent mage for ranged AoE attacks.

Objectively speaking, they don’t need me.

My head spun. I tried to push the thought away, but then Yurichen’s earlier words came back to me.

—Isn’t this the royal palace? Why not take me to the temple?

—You’ll understand once we arrive.

…Could it be Yurichen had already planned to bring me along?

He did say he’d let me enter the temple in return for handing over Banwes… but thinking about it, he never actually promised. And the conversation took place inside my head, so there’s no proof.

So what, it’s my fault for not getting it in writing…

Compared to what I went through in the cult, this wasn’t even that bad.

But even so, I couldn’t stop the wave of regret crashing over me.

Okay. Calm down. Let’s assume the worst first. What if I really do end up joining the hero’s party?

I’ll definitely die. Not just be a burden—I’ll just plain die.

I’m absurdly weak. And this isn’t some comfy luxury carriage ride. We’ll be trekking through forests and mountains, camping all the time, probably taking turns on night watch.

I can’t even ride a horse properly, so I’ll mostly be walking.

Just thinking about it, I recalled what my body was like.

I’d barely walked a hundred steps and already had to sit down and rest. Grew up underground without a single real workout, soft and underdeveloped, half-starved most of the time. I didn’t even really know how to run. I’d probably trip if I tried.

Absolutely not. I’m refusing!

There was no story reason I had to go with them. I wasn’t even a character in the game’s original narrative!

So I’d go find Yurichen immediately, ask him straight-up if it was true, and if it was, demand an explanation. Then I’d tell him I had no intention of tagging along and politely request to be sent to the temple, thanks very much…

But unease crept in, slow and sour.

What if they say no to the temple because I refused to join the party?

My confidence crumbled. It was the same kind of creeping dread I used to feel right before cult members would hand me a loaf of bread—stuffed with worms.

I stood up and sat back down several times, deep in thought. I needed a backup plan.

If I couldn’t get into the temple, where else could I hide from the cult?

The royal palace?

It was just as closed-off. The only real way in was as a servant, and even then, if I messed up the job, I’d probably get kicked out immediately.

If not a servant, maybe… a playmate for a young royal? But for that, I’d need a recommendation from someone with status and influence…

Just as I reached that point in my scheming, a crowd of people suddenly appeared ahead.

In their midst, I spotted a young man in flashy clothes.

“His Highness the Prince is passing through!”

The attendants quickly stopped walking and bowed their heads. I hurried to follow suit.

The prince, with his arrogant expression, looked to be around my age—or perhaps even younger.

“Excuse me, what’s that young man’s name?”

I asked in a whisper, still bowing, sidling up to someone nearby.

“That is Prince Dodio.”

A familiar name. I didn’t recognize his face, but—

Dodio von Echinear, fourth prince of the Echinear Kingdom.

A character barely mentioned in passing in the game. A notorious playboy prince, obsessed with luxury and women. His mouth, like the rest of him, was loose and indulgent.

But wouldn’t someone like that be easy to approach? I could flatter him just a bit, charm my way into being a playmate, and if he ever tried anything nasty—I’d just switch to a different royal.

The fact that I was calculating all this probably made me just as sly and degenerate as Prince Dodio himself. Maybe the two of us would actually get along.

Just then, the prince walking past me suddenly stopped.

“You. Raise your head.”

I glanced around for a few seconds before realizing he was talking to me, then lifted my head in confusion.

“Hm.”

His face was right in front of mine. He tilted my chin with his fingers, turning it this way and that as if inspecting my features.

“Where do you work? Who assigned you to menial tasks like this?”

I just opened and closed my mouth, lost for words. Did Dodio know me? No way.

Then Dodio leaned down, pressing his lips close to my ear, and whispered softly.

“What kind of work are you doing with such delicate hands? If you’re tired of it, come find me. If you slip into my chambers under a full moon, I promise you a life unlike anything you’ve known.”

After that, he asked for my name, but his voice barely registered. My chin, still caught in his grasp, was trembling uncontrollably.

…Several hours later, when I met Yurichen again, I said:

“I’ll join the journey. I’ll follow you anywhere. Please give me the chance.”

That incident made things crystal clear. If the palace had princes who couldn’t even tell whether someone was male or female, I’d be better off staying on Yurichen’s good side.

I also remembered the way the cult members had looked at me—those leering, sinister eyes. If there was even a small chance I’d face danger of that kind, then the only truly safe place was the temple, where celibacy ruled.

The sheer veil still concealed Yurichen’s face. I already knew what he looked like thanks to the game, but if I hadn’t, I imagined it would’ve felt incredibly frustrating.

“If you wish to naturalize into the temple, there’s a condition. You must accompany us on the black dragon subjugation.”

So the verdict falls at last. I accepted it calmly, trying to picture how my life would unfold from here.

“To be precise, you may leave once we reach the black dragon’s nest. The honor of slaying the dragon cannot be yours, for you are not the one chosen by prophecy… But if all goes well, I will personally guarantee your appointment as a priest without any lay period. I promise this in the name of my mentor, High Priest of Gaioh.”

It was a shockingly generous offer. And Yurichen was putting his name on it—meaning he would keep his word.

The lay period, typically earned through years of service and prayer, was being skipped entirely. That kind of privilege was unheard of. I couldn’t believe it. Why go so far?

Most likely, because my presence in the hero’s party was that important.

But that was exactly what I didn’t understand…

“Why me?”

“Banwes… there is no one else suited to handle him.”

My eyes widened at the name I’d nearly forgotten.

“Through the grace of Gaioh, we investigated his history. Though he’s never harmed a human since birth, it would be wrong to call him friendly toward them. It’s quite the opposite. When the time comes for him to die, he’ll likely take twenty people with him into the afterlife.”

I already knew that. Banwes’s lifelong suffering and resentment—his brusque nature that couldn’t help but be cold. Even near the end of the game, he never let go of his hatred for his own existence.

“You recall his outburst in the underground chamber this morning. We sent in only one person to subdue him. And when he sensed that person’s presence, he quieted down. The beast-like look in his eyes softened.”

Listening to Yurichen’s account, I began to grasp the seriousness of the situation.

“That person was you.”

I’d interfered with the original story more than I’d realized.

“You’ve tamed him. So now, you must take responsibility.”