HPV 91

“First of all, that fortune teller said something even a three-year-old could come up with. And.”

Penzey, who had been listening from the side, cut in. The mage pointed at Banwes.

“Saying that’s ominous after seeing that is the easiest thing in the world. It’s basic human instinct to fear what’s different. Anyone could tell that, not just a fortune teller.”

It didn’t sound mocking—more like a simple listing of facts. Since there was no malice behind it, I let it go for now.

“You flared up at that, didn’t you? That probably gave it all away—you’re fighting against the world for his sake. Judging by your clothes, you’re a traveler. You and he are traveling together, so it wouldn’t be strange to assume you’ve gone through a lot together.”

So the reason that fortune teller insulted me, not Banwes who stayed quiet, was because I’m the one who wants to protect him—and that made me the more dangerous element?

I only heard those words because of Banwes. The conclusion still left a bad taste in my mouth. I felt more offended by that fortune teller than by Penzey.

***

The king personally issued a royal decree commending the hero’s party, including Banwes, and granting them rewards.

The land Banwes was given wasn’t inhabited, but it was a fine area filled with lush forests. Surrounded by other territories, it was free of monsters. It was land designated by human law as an inviolable zone—no one could trespass.

‘Banwes will live peacefully there…’

Then what about me? I spent the whole trip back to the capital trying to hide the heaviness in my heart while thinking about that.

The king had acknowledged my contributions as well and rewarded me with wealth, but money wouldn’t protect me.

Going to the temple is still the right decision. I need to be protected from Hancanera. And I need the curse on my mouth to be lifted.

Even if I try to expose the sins of the Rohin Order, it would be meaningless unless I, the only victim, can testify myself.

I was caught up in these thoughts when something completely unexpected happened.

I was sitting at the inn. Our group had started to go their separate ways, but with the aftermath of the Black Dragon subjugation still lingering and the rewards still being distributed, there was still some sense of unity.

So when Paronai suddenly found out which room I was in, gave a half-hearted knock, barged in, and shouted without warning—it didn’t seem that rude.

“What’s going on?”

The hero was visibly agitated. I wondered if his body was fully healed… then he dropped a bomb.

“Ria, did you hear? Someone’s objecting to the land Banwes is supposed to receive!”

“What?”

I stared in shock as Paronai hurriedly explained the situation.

Prince Dodio—the wild, irrelevant extra I’d completely forgotten about—had suddenly shown up. For no reason at all, he’d taken a hostile stance toward Banwes and insisted he be sent off to the far North.

His justification? Apparently some nonsense about goblin half-bloods and other beastkin hybrids destroying civilian homes in a count’s domain.

‘What the hell is wrong with that prince?’

My blood boiled with rage. I downed a glass of cold water, which I didn’t usually enjoy, and seriously considered tracking that prince down and confronting him myself.

Yurichen told everyone to stay put.

“Prince Dodio’s reasoning is absurd. There’s no way his claims will be accepted. He’ll probably just get scolded by the king.”

And just as Yurichen predicted, the king was visibly angry. Even the royal secretary, who normally stayed silent on political matters, harshly reprimanded the prince.

Prince Dodio’s objection was dismissed. There was no change to the rewards Banwes was to receive.

Of course. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

Why the hell did he go after Banwes in the first place? What does it matter to him if Banwes gets land in the central-western region or not?

The original story was pretty much over, but there was still an epilogue. I was sure of it—Banwes would go to his land without a single interruption. The scene of him looking out over his vast land and forest with a deep sigh—that was supposed to be the ending.

So what changed about Prince Dodio?

—What are you going to do with those delicate hands? If you’re tired of work, come to me. Enter my bedroom on a moonlit night, and I’ll promise you a different kind of life.

He spoke to me—someone who wasn’t even in the original story—in the royal palace.

…There’s no way that means anything, right?

It’s a theory I can’t even stomach emotionally. That Prince Dodio couldn’t forget me after just that brief encounter—so much so that for three whole months, he kept thinking about me—and decided to go after the easiest target among the hero’s group just to get back at me?

Just thinking that far made me feel sick. It wasn’t because Prince Dodio was a man too—that wasn’t the problem. What was horrifying was that someone I didn’t want to be involved with had been thinking about me for so long. Even more so if it was out of lust.

‘No, that’s not right. Assuming everything that goes wrong is about me is kind of self-centered, isn’t it?’

I forced myself to think differently. I decided to believe it had nothing to do with me.

Prince Dodio was a frivolous and promiscuous man—so much so that he refused to take a princess for the sake of his freedom. There was no way he’d carry a passing encounter with me in his heart for months. (Absolutely not. Never. Never.)

‘Something must’ve changed while I was away from the capital.’

Even back then, I’d instinctively felt it would be best not to run into Prince Dodio a second time.

‘Even now. I absolutely must not meet him!’

Thankfully, after that small commotion in the great hall, Prince Dodio was confined to his palace under house arrest. Unless he completely lost his mind, he wasn’t likely to come out.

Now there was another thing I needed to avoid: Hancanera and Prince Dodio.

‘I wanted to enjoy at least one more day in the capital’s finest inn…’

It would be best to leave in a hurry. As expected, the temple I’d scouted before—one I could enter using my connections—was the most viable option.

Before that, I had to talk to Banwes.

If I just disappeared into the temple without a word, it could cause a misunderstanding—that I’d run off to the temple because I hated him or something. We’d been through too many things like that already.

“It’s only for a bit. I was curious about the temple.”

“…All right.”

I didn’t know how long that “bit” would last. Hopefully I’d find a lead quickly.

Yurichen personally escorted me to the temple.

Considering how I’d flip-flopped before about becoming a cleric or not, he was being incredibly generous. He even looked… pleased? Maybe I was reading too much into it.

‘But… is the guest lodging really this deep inside the temple?’

I only had a moment to admire the centuries-old marble and ceiling carvings before doubt crept in.

“You’ll be able to see Banwes from time to time, I assume? Will once a day suffice?”

“…Yes.”

We hadn’t asked Banwes whether he wanted to see me once a day… but before I knew it, I nodded and agreed.

“Is ‘visitation’ the usual term used?”

“Yes. I also need to submit a leave request to go out of the temple.”

That didn’t sound quite right… I tilted my head as we finally reached a large chamber deep inside the temple.

Who even used a room this big? Not even a high priest would, I imagined. It was sparkling clean, as though someone had wiped it down in advance, and all the furniture was brand new.

That wasn’t the only strange thing.

‘Why is there food like this in a temple…?’

Steamed eggs and vegetables. Yellow pumpkin and savory sausages. Herb-roasted turkey. A fruit tart. (Everything came in small portions, just enough for one.)

I knew the temple wasn’t strictly vegetarian, but they did restrict meat. What was with this lavish spread?

“I hired a chef. The temple’s bland food might not suit you. Breakfast and lunch will be simple, but I’ll make sure dinner—which the chef prepares—is satisfying.”

“I’m from a temple too, you know.”

At those words, Yurichen looked calmly at me, but I saw him hide his clenched fist in his sleeve.

Moldy oat bread and a tiny amount of water—deliberately spoiled by the clergy to punish me—had been my entire diet for twelve years… Even if Yurichen didn’t know that, priests live frugally too. Would a few months of travel have really made me picky?

Still, I couldn’t hide my brightening face as I sat at the table. A bit of guilt followed.

“Did the chef go through all this trouble just for me? Making many small portions must take a lot of effort…”

“Not at all. We made generous quantities and shared them with the commoner worshippers who visited the temple today—and with Banwes as well.”

At that last part, my mood lifted so much that I forgot about everything else.