chapter 19.1

There is a very fine line between weirdo and Cleric. A healing peach color.

I stood there with a hand pressed against the wall, head hanging.

-I ate too much.

Since I was starting to get hungry again so I flew far away to eat some humans but I got carried away and ate 6, twice as much as I usually eat. And since they had a reasonable amount of magical power, Im beyond full, to the point of throwing up. But its a waste so I wont throw up! I was going to try moving to get rid of the excess energy, when I was called out to.

Oh, h.e.l.lo Vito. What are you doing in such a place?

Its Madeline.

When she notices that I dont look so good, she rushes over and asks me if Im okay. I have eat. Ah, I meant no regrets.[1]

Im fine, I just ate a tad too many humans is something I definitely cant say so I decided to say I just feel a tad ill instead.

You should go back to your room. Shall I help you?

No, no its fine. If I walk a little bit it should get better.

Really? Im a bit worried

Madeline, whats wrong?

When I thought that I heard a male voice, standing there was the prince from the other day.

Hes sparkling as always. This guy actually does seem pretty tasty but, what do you call it, its like a cuisine made as an ornament rather than for eating, and it makes me not want to eat him. If I was to make that metaphor simpler, its like a caviar covered in jewels and perfume. Its a pity because it was something that used to be good. Its a pity, prince. Alright, lets call him disappointing prince from now on.

Wait, does that mean they were walking together? Eh? What kind of relations.h.i.+p does the disappointing prince and Madeline have? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Madeline is part of the Monrante house. They did say something about her being an egg of a magician.[2]

Prince LeBlance, since I cant leave her alone, is it okay if she walks with us?

I dont mind.

Dont mind!? Please do mind! What am I going to do if this was a date?! Im going to be interrupting![3]

Luckily theres no one around so I wont get stared at Eh, wait, where is this?

I looked around again.

-Where is this. And who am I.

The decorations around here are much more luxurious than the ones at where I usually work. This place is definitely outside of our jurisdiction. On my first day at work Miss Milena told me never to enter this place without permission, and that it was not a place for a maid to enter. Which means its near the royal familys residence.

Oh no.

It seems that my sense of direction was disoriented by my nausea, and I ended up walking in here by mistake. A s.h.i.+ver runs down my spine.

That was close..! If I was caught then I would have been lectured by Madam, and in the worst case scenario I could have gotten fired! Wait, doesnt this count as being caught? I glanced at the disappointing prince but he just sent me a d.a.m.n wink. No stop. Im super fragile right now, please dont do that.

Dont mind me. Cheris.h.i.+ng your friends is very important.

It seems that he actually believes what he said from the bottom of his heart, and gives me a lovely smile. Hes unexpectedly nice, this disappointing prince. Lets actually call him prince from now on. Even though I didnt bow he didnt shout at or scold me, but instead gives me those kind words. In my head, royalty was an unreachable high cla.s.s being, be it a power flaunting tyrant or a kind king working for the sake of his country.

But the man before my eyes, prince er, leb, leburya Prince LeBlance seems, this is probably really bad to say but uh, hes like a commoner prince. His appearance is straight out of a fairy tale, a prince in s.h.i.+ning armor on a white horse, but perhaps its because his base personality is friendly, I never actually feel nervous around him. Hes kind of like a friends older brother. But more importantly, where were these two going to go, all alone?

Vito, why dont you come with us to see the Cleric? If is them, theycould surely cure your sickness.

Cleric?

So there was such a person in this country!

By Cleric

Theyre the only person in this country that can use healing magic. Theyre even called a prophet.

Now that I think about it, I know nothing about this world or country. Maybe Ill try reading a history book when I get the chance. Aah, but Im bad with textbooks. I wasnt very good at studying and my grades werent very good. Hey, rather than reading a boring history book, wouldnt it be better if I just go meet this cleric person and see what theyre like myself?

I can just skip the ha.s.sle of investigating. Hey, Im pretty smart.

Isnt this surprisingly okay? No matter how you look at me Im an average servant girl. If they can get rid of this nauseating feeling, of course Ill go!

There was a time that I thought like that too.

I had felt so ill, to the point that I would make such a foolish decision.

And the cleric, they were one heck of a pretty woman.

The room was made of marble and there was not a single window in the room. The most surprising thing was that the entire area was flooded with water. The water actually went up to my waist. Aa the water is flooding out!! I thought and paused at the doorway but i was surprised to see Madeline and the Prince enter the room without hesitation.

What the h.e.l.l-! I screamed internally and scooped up the water, only to spill it. I repeated the process until Madeline grabbed my wrist with a bitter smile and dragged me to the center of the room.

Sorry Madeline. I dont think my brain can keep up with this situation. Please forgive me.

In the center of the room there was a circular open area. Maybe there is an invisible wall there after all? In the first place, is this even real water?

Standing there in the fountain within this circular s.p.a.ce with straight, long flowing silver hair, was the Cleric. Their hair fell and melted into the fountain, and at first i thought the hair was just soaking in the water but looking carefully it seems like the hair and water is merged.

You cant move if your hairs like that you know.

When I asked Madeline later, it turns out that the cleric really cant move. Apparently theyll die if they move, or something. What kind of catch is that?

Up to my chest in height and with very youthful features, I feel like theyre a bit too young. Are you really alive? They had a really mysterious feeling to them, and not to mention- he was a boy.

I was really surprised.

Wait, arent clerics normally women? Apparently my thoughts were prejudiced, for before me was a boy cleric. I wouldnt be surprised if they were a girl though, but their chest is too flat! They were wearing something like a white dress but there was NO chest! None! It was more like a sheer cliff than a cutting board [], but even more surprising was their voice. It was that of a boy after p.u.b.erty, the voice fully deepened and everything.

Where the heck is that voice coming from! His appearance is of a young boy, his voice is of an man how strange. In addition, it seems that hes actually lived over a thousand years. Are you really human? Definitely not, right? right?

Should it really be this easy to meet with the living fossil of this country!? When I asked it turns out that even commoners can meet with him, as long as you do the proper paperwork. How anticlimactic. But apparently people get too intimidated so he rarely has visitors. Huh, no wonder Ive never heard about this. Well its understandable how people would find him unapproachable, seeing how hes lived for a thousand years.

Oh hey, if it isnt the prince. What business do you have with me today?

His grin was similar to that of a G.o.ddesses smile. Its beautiful, but too beautiful to the point that it makes him seem unearthly, almost as if he isnt living.

Its about theTiruzoto Empires messenger. Youve heard the news, right?

What I want is to have a silly little talk, that humans regularly do. It wouldnt hurt to go along with me, right?

Whenever i go along with one of your talks it usually takes about three nights. Please, lets do that at a later date instead.

How harsh. Fufufu, I know what you want to say, prince. Please be rea.s.sured.

Talking to this guy seems really tiring. Good luck, prince! Fight!!

Oh, and the Egg of A Magician, you are beautiful today as well.

It has been a while, sir cleric.

If possible i would like to gift my song to yo

Dont even try.[dont flirt.]

How rude of you, prince. All I want to do is admire beautiful things. Or perhaps youre jealous? Fufufu, I am always on your side, prince. [devoted]

The prince lets out a long sigh. This is coming from the prince who winks at anyone regardless! It seems like everyone has a person thats hard to deal with. I understand that feeling, i really do.

Moreover, you just said theTiruzotoEmpire and its messenger, right? Is that what you were coming here to talk about? Is it really okay if im here?

Sir cleric, before that, can you take a look at her? It seems that shes not feeling well.

While i was wondering if it was really okay to come with them, Madeline spoke up.

Is this the get-fixed-up-quickly-and-leave flag? And when I leave youre probably gonna have an important conversation. I have no idea how youre gonna fix me up, but as soon as im better i just gotta leave, right? I can read the atmosphere, so please do so by all means.

I was pushed forward by Madeline.

It was instantaneous.

Oh?

The cleric looked at me and gave me a smile that obviously had and underlying meaning to it.

a s.h.i.+ver ran down my spine, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I immediately followed my instincts and put up my guard.

The cleric looked at me, with my over-the-top smile, as if he could see right through it with those silver eyes. What, what. what in the world? This is bad. This is really bad! Really completely bad!! I want to leave, I want to leave right now!! I want to run away from here!

My instincts were alerting me to danger.

It was like the unmistakable feeling of meeting a predator.

Come this way

A slender hand reached towards me. I have to take his hand. If I dont the prince and Madeline might become suspicious of me. But I dont want to go. Dont want to Dont want to Dont want to. An unknown feeling wells up in me and I feel even worse than before. Im sweating. And then Madeline pushes on my back and I stumble forwards.

As I hesitated, over thinking about taking the outstretched hand, he brought his face closer.

He brought his silver eyes with my image reflected to point blank range. *gulp*

that appearance is?

In a moment I saw my appearance in his eyes, the one I had been searching for. The human-me. Black hair. Black eyes. Black uniform. It was Me.

But it was only a moment, and then it vanished. Reflected in his eyes was my current form. I couldnt clearly see it, the face as well.

But there was no mistake. That was me.

hmmm, this is rare, isnt it

Dont be alarmed. I dont bite.

Its like you isnt it, having been told that, alarm bells are going off in my head.

Police cars and ambulances, the siren of a fire truck, the sound of a railroad crossing, the sound when you get caught on the ticket gate, a houses doorbell and the schools first bell, the phones ringtone and the notification sound of cellphones, the sound of a car backing up, the sound of an alarm clock. All sounds from my human memory.

These sounds run noisily in my head.

– this person, do they know? That. im a dragon?

Why? How? Because they lived a thousand years? What kind of ability is that?

So its already been a hundred years, time really does fly by. But really, how strange Who exactly are you? In the future i predicted you did not exist. But this actually might turn out to be interesting. It sure seems like it. Aa, yes im looking forward to this. Arent you? Of course you are.

The finger that strokes my trembling hand is cold. With a spellbound smile he talks and states his observations to himself. What the heck is this person. A standup comedian who can do a nori-tsukkomi? [6]

But, hm yes. I see.

He continues to stare into my eyes.

With those silver eyes that look like they can see right through me he was even still so close to my face we were almost touching noses. I couldnt move, my whole body froze up like a stone, I couldnt move a muscle. Because he lowered his voice like it was a secret meeting, The prince and Madeline probably couldnt hear anything. I want them to hear and I dont want them to hear.

If I knew something like this was going to happen, I wouldnt have eaten that much!

Its kind of late to be realizing that.

The cleric dropped the smile.

[I can only tell you this. you will eventually die.]

On what authority are you telling me this!! Are you my s.h.i.+nigami?! In reality are you not a cleric, but a s.h.i.+nigami? Even if you say it like that, its still technically correct!

[Y-Yes. I will definitely someday die. Because of biology.]

My voice quivered, but I managed to say it.

[Ha ha ha, its not like that. I probably said it poorly. You may die, you may live, it depends on which road you follow. Thats what I mean]

Isnt the substance completely different? Arent you playing around too much cleric?! Its a matter of life and death for me!

[On both paths despair awaits you, both paths s.h.i.+mmer with hope. Which you choose, that is up to you.]

Well I would choose to live over dying by all means. But your words are too vague. And apparently youre a seer too but thats something that anyone can say that applies to everyone.

I-If you can see into the future, why dont you, look into the future and just, win the war?

Thats true, but the future is a fickle thing. The things i read into can only serve as a consolation. There has been plenty of times when I was wrong. In short

Youre not omnipotent.

Like a weather forecaster.

well~ it just means that in the end, the future depends on you

The cleric gave me a bitter smile that seemed to say saying im not omnipotent, youre pretty harsh despite your looks, huh?.

Doesnt that mean theres no point in reading the future? My life is decided by my choices. However it feels kind of strange, having that said to my face.

Kinda like ive been deceived by a fortune teller.

In short, its up to me.

AKA, its up to my feelings.

Thats not advice you know.

But youve already made up your mind, correct?

Aa, thats right.

But theres that undeniable feeling that Ive been cajoled.

Fufufufu, dont worry. I am very friendly to your kind.

Who is my kind? I really dont want to ask. I dont want to ask, but it really bugs me. Wait, if this guy has really lived for a thousand years, doesnt that mean hes met the previous ones?

The question arises, but if I ask, that would be basically confirming Im a dragon. I dont want that.

They do, determined their own fate. I dont know how you will end up, just make sure you live with no regrets.

The last thing he did was gently kiss my cheek.

Also, try not to over-eat so much.

Wha How did you know why i was feeling so sick?! Thats embarra.s.sing!

I let out an internal scream at the sensation on my cheek, but was surprised to notice that I no longer felt sick.

Feel free to come again if you have any questions.

My face slips. [7] The rigidity in by body disappears as i quickly retreat from the spot.

I was worried about the Cleric telling the prince, but he only laughs brightly and brings his pointer finger to his lips.

I wont tell a soul

He mouths to me.

What is your objective. He definitely has some ulterior motive! A bribe!? I dont have that much money!

Vito, are feeling better?

yeah

I feel better but Im mentally exhausted. But I cant show that, so I pull up some energy.

Thanks. Im feeling better, so Ill head back. Besides, you have some important business here, right? It seems like Im in the way.

Dont worry about it. Besides, the talk will end quickly, so if you could just wait outside a little, Ill walk you back.

I rea.s.sured the worried Madeline and slipped through the not-wet water, exiting the room.

Prince LeBlanche, Im sorry I got in the way.

Dont worry about it

In actuality, I just didnt want to be there. I wanted to get out of that room, even one second earlier the better. I felt Madelines worried gaze on my back, but i quickly fled the room.

The Cleric is a strange person. I dont even know if theyre really human. And they are definitely a weirdo. Im tired.

They seem to know that Im a dragon and said they wont tell anyone, but its impossible to predict what they will do. Am I going to have to fearfully spend every day terrified of what he might do? He grabbed my strongest weakness. [8]

But wait.

Even if the fact that Im a dragon is revealed, cant i just act innocent?

Eeehh what? Ive never heard of such a thing. Me? A dragon? Ahahahah thats impossible! Like that. No no no, I dont know how much power the clerics word has, but its possible that I will be suspected. what the h.e.l.l am I supposed to do? When I think of the future, all I can do is sigh. Besides the cleric was inedible? Rather it was more like the Cleric could eat me. Thats how I felt. Uwaa, scarry.

I suddenly really want to go see the captain. [9]

I wonder why.

While im walking back to my room, someone ahead is walking towards me.

Its the vice-captains daughter.

I wonder why. After talking to the Cleric, just meeting someone else soothes me. Peach colored hair is really girly and cute. Even though she bad mouthed me, just seeing her brings relief to my heart like a spring breeze.

But i feel like she actually doesnt look so good. As soon as our eyes meet, she makes a disgusted face and walks by.

uhm

When I call out to her, she takes a few steps before stopping. She makes a grumpy face at me, but at least she didnt ignore me.

What. If you have no business with me, dont call out to me.

I did have some business with her, thats why i called out. I hurriedly pull out a small pink bag from my pocket. Its a drawstring bag with its opening tightly shut. I really want to be nice to someone right now.

Here. For you.

hah?

Its a potpourri bag. Just hanging this from your neck helps a lot. Please take it, if youd like.

Her pale face is probably because of the Fourth knights corps dormitory. It seems like it was worse than usual because it was it was flight training today. But since i always had this on me, I didnt mind it as much. There also were delicious smelling people and that was the dragon side of my brain. But since the Vice captain has been making people shower after training, saying that its bad for hygiene, it should be better than before.

I told her I dont need it anymore, but she slapped it away with the back of her hand.

I dont need it. Why should I accept a hand-me-down from you?

Really?. But you dont look so good.

She looks like she might faint. Im a little worried.

Since the vice captain is of n.o.ble blood, she probably had a pretty good upbringing. Shes more suited to a higher, more flashy job like a maid rather than a cleaning job like ours. Should a girl her age really be doing such a harsh job just because she wants to work in the same place as her father?

Do you have a father complex, huh? Well they do say that the Lieutenant is a doting father. Its not like I cant understand how he feels. Shes super cute. Almost a waste to eat.

youre persistent. I get it already.

Seemingly getting annoyed with how I was still holding out the potpourri bag, she s.n.a.t.c.hes it out from my extended hand. Thats good. I dont know if shell actually use it, but at least she accepted it.

Dont talk to me anymore. Annoying.

She harrumphs and turns on her heel, heading the same way she was heading before.

Wouldnt it have been better if she went and saw the Cleric rather than me? She looks ill.

recalling earlier, I shudder.

If possible, I dont want to see him ever again.

I can finally understand why everyone gets scared and doesnt want to meet him anymore.