Rat and Dragon (4)
"By the way, you're planning to tour the world.... I don't know what circumstances led to this, but are you sure you'll be alright?"
"Most problems can be solved with brute force. And if things get dicey, I can always ask for help from the Life Temple, right?"
Of course! It's a dragon, after all! No one's stronger than a dragon except maybe a hero like the Hero! She can smash through anything with raw power! And... asking the Life Temple for help. Hmm... Is that just talk? Or does she really have connections there?
Eh, not really my business anyway. I've been sneaking around eavesdropping on the priest and Tía's conversations out of curiosity, but... nothing too juicy so far. Maybe I should've just gone to bed.
"Then you'll be traveling to see other places as well."
"Mm. That's right. I want to observe how the people of this world live their lives."
"In that case, merchants come to the village in a fortnight. How about leaving with them? They're trustworthy folk."
Tía shook her head slightly at the priest's suggestion.
"I couldn't impose like that. Besides, if possible, I want to travel quietly, on the same level as everyone else, to see the world."
"I see.... If that's the Dragon Priestess's wish, then there's nothing to be done."
The priest nodded faintly, then glanced at Tía's horns and spoke.
"But if you want to travel quietly, it might be best to hide those horns. There could be others like me who recognize your true identity."
"Hmm.... I figured as much."
"Yes. Stories of the Dragon Priestess who adventured with the Hero have spread far and wide. Anyone with a bit of knowledge could easily put two and two together upon seeing you. I certainly did."
Tía nodded slightly at the priest's words.
"I see. In that case... maybe a hat or hood would do the trick."
"Can't you make the horns invisible?"
Tía shook her head again.
"I could, but doing so would weaken my power. If I force myself to draw on my strength, the hidden horns would reappear.... So I'd rather not, if possible."
"I understand. If you dislike it, there's no helping it. But you can't wear a hat or hood all the time, so... how about making it look like a hair accessory?"
"A hair accessory?"
"Yes. Create one that wraps around your head and horns, tricking people into thinking the horns are part of the accessory. Hats and hoods are impractical for constant wear, but a hair accessory wouldn't raise eyebrows."
Tía pondered this for a moment, then snapped her fingers with a faint pop, and a hair accessory that covered even her horns appeared on her head.
"Something like this? I made it with illusion magic as a test."
Illusion magic? Magic can do that? It looks totally real!
"Ho.... They say the Dragon Priestess wields all manner of magic freely, and it turns out to be true. An illusion that looks just like the real thing... Truly impressive."
"Mm. This much is necessary to live up to the title of Dragon Priestess."
Dragons can even do stuff like that.... Hmm.... Did the Hero really defeat a dragon that can use such amazing magic? I'm starting to have my doubts. Maybe it was some other monster that just looked like a dragon? No, the stories clearly said it was a dragon. The Hero's tales wouldn't lie.
"But compared to the accessory, those horns are too prominent. It might not fool anyone."
"Mm. Making it too big would just get in the way."
"That's true. I'm not sure if such a small accessory could deceive others...."
"Mm. I'll figure that part out. If I weave in magic that subtly guides people to believe the horns are part of the accessory, that should do it."
Guide their thoughts? What's that? She can even control other people's minds? What can't this dragon do?
"Magic to guide thoughts.... I wasn't aware of such a spell. But... manipulating others' thoughts doesn't seem right."
"Ho? And why is that?"
"The God of Wind and Freedom once said that all life has the freedom to live as it chooses. Yet such magic infringes on that freedom. Even for the Dragon Priestess, it shouldn't be used lightly."
Tía pondered the priest's words, then nodded slightly.
"Indeed. I see. Then how about magic that creates an illusion of the horns being part of the accessory, without controlling thoughts?"
"Illusion.... Hmm.... That might be acceptable."
Does that even work? Mind control is off-limits, but illusions are fine? Do all priests get like this after studying theology? I don't get it.
"That aside, you're planning to travel alone?"
"Mm. That's the idea. I'm thinking of leaving tomorrow."
"In that case... how about taking one companion on your journey, Dragon Priestess?"
A companion? Is the priest going to tag along? But if he leaves this small village where he handles so many duties.... That'd be a huge problem!
Blessings for newborns, healing injuries and illnesses, mediating disputes with the village chief, taking in orphans and teaching kids to read and write, handling funerals... If the priest leaves, I can only see disaster ahead!
"A companion? Hmm.... Sounds like a hassle."
"But it's better to have one. It isn't proper for someone as noble as you to wander without any attendants. Someone to assist you would be ideal."
"Hmm. Were you planning to come along?"
The priest shook his head at Tía's question.
"No, my body can't handle long travels anymore. An arrow to the knee left me with lingering issues."
"I see."
Huh? Really? But the priest walks around just fine. Faster than me, even. Well, he must have his reasons for saying that.
"Instead of me, take the child who came with you today. Maybel."
"That rat beastkin girl?"
Me?!
"Yes. She's clever, so she'll surely be of help to you."
"Hmm.... Of help, you say. But what if she doesn't want to?"
The priest shook his head at Tía's words.
"That child wants to leave the village herself. If you invite her along, she'll be thrilled. And...."
The priest pulled something from his robes and placed it on the table.
"There's also a reason she needs to leave the village."
"This is?"
"A letter from her mother—the one who entrusted her to me—sent last year."
The moment I heard the priest's words, I couldn't hold back anymore. I burst into the room where the two of them were.
"Mom's letter?!"
"Maybel? You're still awake?"
"Who cares about sleep right now?! Mom sent a letter?! And you didn't tell me about it?!"
I trusted you! I trusted you, Priest!!!
"Maybel.... Calm down first."
"How am I supposed to calm down?! It's from Mom!! From my mom, who hasn't sent a single word in years!!"
I poured out the emotions surging in my chest—ones I'd never voice under normal circumstances.
"Why hide a letter like that from me?! Why?!"
"Maybel."
"I trusted you, Priest! You were like a parent to me after Mom left me here!!"
Betrayal. Sorrow. Depression. And threading through it all, a sliver of hope. Hope that Mom hadn't abandoned me. Hope that she was still alive. A storm of complex emotions raged in my heart.
"I'll explain everything step by step. Calm down and sit."
"If it were you, could you calm down, Priest?! Huh?!"
I opened my mouth to scream again.
And then.
"Enough."
That quiet word froze my body solid.
"I understand why you're upset, but listening first takes priority. So calm down and sit."
Tía's voice wrapped around my body like chains. A voice carrying irresistible power. The emotions welling up endlessly were suppressed in an instant. Like that, I forcibly swallowed back my outburst, sat silently in the nearest chair, and said nothing.
"Yes. Sometimes it's better to unravel things calmly through talk rather than venting emotions one-sidedly. Let's talk it out. Talk."
Seeing that I'd calmed—or at least appeared to—the priest slowly opened his mouth.
"I planned to tell you once you came of age. It was for your sake, after all."
"For my sake?"
"Yes. For your sake. To keep you out of danger."
Danger? Me? What on earth is in that letter to put me in danger...?