The Prophet's Gift
I read through the weekly newspaper. There were a few stories about the recent string of kidnappings, but most of the pages were filled with news about the Sun Church.
Things have changed quite a bit.
The biggest change was the birth of a new prophet.
Thanks to Yurion’s influence, there were no rumors claiming Kasis had lied. The reports simply stated that the former prophet Kasis had stepped down and that Yurion, who had received the divine oracle, had become the new prophet.
That was not the only change to sweep through the Sun Church.
The end of factional strife, and the reform of doctrine and tradition.
With Yurion’s ascension, the bitter factional conflicts came to an end. The doctrine was revised to honor the former prophet, and outdated customs that had persisted under the banner of “tradition” were quietly abolished.
All of this had happened in the mere span of three or four days after Yurion became prophet.
I still had no idea how he had managed it.
“How did you do it?”
Questions like this were best asked directly.
I looked at Yurion seated across from me and spoke.
“I did nothing particularly grand. I simply warned that anyone engaging in factional disputes would be expelled according to doctrine. When I announced I would revise the doctrine as well, no priest raised an objection.”
“Doctrine aside, ending the infighting is remarkable. Factional conflicts are rarely resolved so easily.”
“It was not merely a warning… There was some heated argument. However—”
Yurion’s blue eyes gleamed as he continued.
“The oracle revealed the answer to me. That is all I can say. There are internal matters involved…”
I nodded.
Ordinarily, prophets glimpsed only distant or vague futures. Every prophet before, including Kasis, had been the same.
Yurion’s foresight operated on an entirely different scale. He saw both the far future and the near future, every major event and every minor detail.
Priests of the Sun Church and even outsiders who had no connection to it all said the same thing:
Yurion was the most powerful prophet in history.
Of course the factional strife had ended. No priest could afford to ignore a warning from Yurion.
I folded the newspaper I had been reading.
“So, what brings you here today? You do not seem to be here for counseling or treatment.”
I studied Yurion. His expression was clear, his gaze bright. There was no trace of anxiety or melancholy.
Yurion smiled gently.
“I came to offer the thanks I could not give last time. Thank you for saving Kasis—no, the former prophet.”
“There is no need for thanks. Protecting clients is part of a counselor’s duty.”
The memory was hazy now, but counseling ethics did include the principle of “protecting the client.” It did not literally mean physical protection, but… well, that was beside the point.
“Even so, I could not simply let it pass…”
As he spoke, Yurion produced a box.
“It is a modest gift, but please accept it.”
The first things visible inside were a pile of gold coins and what appeared to be a quill pen.
Upon closer inspection, however, the tip was far too sharp for ordinary writing. It also looked remarkably sturdy.
“It is both a pen and a sword called Osrender.”
“It certainly resembles a quill.”
“It is a sacred relic priests once used for writing, then wielded as a weapon in emergencies.”
“A sacred relic, you say.”
The prophets of the Sun Church truly beheld the future, while priests and paladins wielded holy power to perform wondrous feats. Likewise, the church’s sacred relics possessed extraordinary abilities. Osrender was no exception.
“Any text written with Osrender renders the inscribed person unable to use mana. Those stabbed or cut by it also lose the ability to wield mana temporarily.”
“A weapon designed to counter mages.”
“Yes. It dates back to the era when the Sun Church clashed with mages.”
Yurion closed the box and slid it toward me.
“Given the nature of your work, I suspected you would find yourself in combat often. I prepared this with that in mind.”
“Haha…”
A wry smile escaped me.
Counselors are not supposed to be a combat profession…
Lately I had been forced into fights with alarming frequency. At this rate, people might start thinking being a counselor inherently involved battle.
In this savage other world, even a counselor could not avoid combat. Merchants had to fight daily just to survive.
“Thank you. This will be useful.”
“I noticed last time that you use psychokinesis. Combined with this, it should serve you well.”
I nodded.
During the fight against the Idras cultists, I had drunk the longevity herb potion. The psychokinesis it granted had allowed me to save Kasis.
Back then I assumed the ability would fade with time.
Yet even now, long after that day, the potion’s effect remained. It was not as potent as immediately after drinking it, but I could still lift a thick book with my mind.
Because Osrender looked like a simple quill, it could catch an unsuspecting opponent off guard and neutralize them. With psychokinesis added to the mix, I could launch unpredictable surprise attacks.
Whoosh.
I lifted Osrender into the air with psychokinesis. Light as a feather, it drifted weightlessly.
The sight of a flying quill was hardly intimidating. That very unassuming appearance made it a deadly weapon—perfect for exploiting an enemy’s psychological blind spot.
Yurion watched in admiration.
“Incredible. Even I cannot predict its trajectory.”
“You are joking, surely.”
“Half and half.”
Yurion rose with a smile.
“Use the gold coins wherever you need them. I should be going.”
“Yes. Take care.”
“If you ever require the Sun Church’s assistance or my own, please do not hesitate to ask. I will help to the fullest extent of my power. By the name of the Sun Church prophet, I swear it upon Lumena.”
These were not empty words. Sun Church priests always honored oaths sworn to Lumena. A prophet’s vow was beyond question.
I found myself thinking that perhaps this oath was a greater gift than the gold or Osrender.
Several days passed.
Even after considerable time had gone by, the world remained abuzz with news of the Sun Church.
After all, the Sun Church had raided the Idras cult’s headquarters and all but annihilated them.
It was the doing of the new prophet, Yurion.
More precisely, it was said that Yurion had accomplished it alone. The priests and paladins had barely participated in the battle.
Yurion had single-handedly slaughtered every Idras cultist gathered at their base, combining his prophetic foresight with exceptional combat prowess.
Word of his feat spread, and the Sun Church flourished. Even those who had never followed the faith—or had once viewed it with hostility—were now joining after hearing of Yurion’s deeds.
“Hello, sir.”
Just as the Sun Church’s influence reached its peak, a familiar face appeared at the counseling office.
“Oh?”
“Kasis. It has been a while.”
“…Yes. It has.”
Kasis sat down carefully across from me.
Her posture and expression were stiff with discomfort and unease, as though she were sitting on needles.
“How have you been?”
“Mm.”
Kasis smiled.
“I have been well. As you know, there have been many changes within the Sun Church…”
“I heard the doctrine was revised to honor the former prophet with the utmost respect, thanks to Prophet Yurion.”
“Yes. That is why I have been able to live comfortably—more so than when I was still the prophet.”
Her words rang true. Despite her awkward posture, Kasis’s face looked healthier than before. Her once-gaunt cheeks had filled out, and her eyes shone with renewed vitality.
“I am glad to hear it. What brings you here? Surely you are not here for counseling again?”
At my lightly sarcastic tone, Kasis flinched.
Her reaction was rather entertaining. I considered teasing her a little more…
“I-It is not for counseling…”
“If not, then what? Have you come to deceive me again?”
“No, that is not it at all!”
Kasis’s face flushed crimson.
With her head bowed low, she spoke in a small, hesitant voice.
“I came to apologize… even though it is far too late…”
“What sort of apology?”
“Well…”
I waited deliberately, already knowing what she intended to say.
An awkward silence stretched between us. Finally, Kasis spoke in a trembling, tearful voice.
“…I am truly sorry for deceiving you!”
I smiled faintly.
“As long as you understand. Do not do it again.”
“I will not! There is no reason to!”
“Oh? You are hardly in a position to speak so boldly.”
“I mean, that is… but still…!”
Kasis struggled for words, her eyes gradually reddening.
I caught the sharp scent of embarrassment mingled with indignation and smiled.
“If I keep teasing you, you really will cry. I will stop here.”
“I am not crying.”
“Your eyes are already glistening, so I will pretend not to notice.”
Kasis bit her lip and hurriedly wiped at her eyes.
Watching her, I smiled and asked,
“Kasis, what do you plan to do from now on?”
“From now on…”
She repeated the words, then fell into deep thought. The conflict on her face was plain to see.
“Honestly, I do not know. If I wished, I could return to serving as a priest of the Sun Church, but… I do not feel like it. No, rather than simply not wanting to…”
Kasis lowered her head.
“I am afraid. I do not know how the other priests will look at me.”
After all, Kasis had lied to those around her for the sake of self-preservation.
Even with the revised doctrine honoring the former prophet and Yurion’s presence ensuring no one would openly condemn her, whispers would inevitably spread.
Lying was still a sin in the Sun Church, just as in any religion.
There would be priests who could not look kindly upon Kasis for what she had done.
She feared those gazes.
“I have a proposal.”
I rested my interlocked hands on the desk.
“How would you like to work here?”
“Pardon?”
Kasis stared at me as though she had misheard. Then she searched my eyes, trying to determine whether I was joking.
She must have sensed my sincerity, because surprise flooded her face.
“…That barbarian—no, that…”
“You mean Draksan?”
“Ah, yes. Did he not begin working here after receiving counseling?”
“That is correct. Our counseling office has grown considerably of late. We are short on staff and have been looking to hire more people.”
If I employed Kasis, I planned to have her manage reservations, schedules, and waiting clients. She could also explain the concept of counseling to newcomers unfamiliar with the service.
What should I call the position…
Desk receptionist? No, simply “guide.” Counseling guide staff.
It was a role I had needed for some time. Until now I had handled everything myself—scheduling, guiding, and counseling. Doing it all alone left me exhausted by the end of each day.
“Will you accept?”
I asked again.
Kasis closed her mouth and sank into thought.