Chapter 5

Youngest One on Top Chapter 5 (5/299)

* * *

The morning after discovering the treasure.

As I walked holding Randel's hand, the direction was different from usual.

"Mo-geon-nim-han-teo ang-ga? (Aren't we going to Mr. Morgan?)"

I meant, "Aren't we going to the place where I usually work?"

"From now on, I'll be working in the High Priest's office."

"Randel-nim deo nopin saramdaeseyo? Jal-da! (Randel is a higher-up now? That's great!)"

I said, and Randel laughed.

"It's not that. The High Priest said he wanted to keep an eye on you because you did so well."

Lies.

'He probably wants to keep a closer watch on me.'

But since it was a lie from an adult, I decided to play along as a child.

"Uwa! Ttae jal-daeseyo?"

"Yes, you did very well."

In any case, it wasn't a bad thing for me.

Before finding the treasure, I hadn't even seen the High Priest's hair, let alone his face.

But now I would see him every day, so it was an opportunity.

'I need to see his face to develop some affection.'

If the summoning of the divine beast and the discovery of the treasure had raised suspicion, then acting like a normal child would lower it.

Actually, I was a bit nervous.

I wasn't just speaking in a childish way.

Sometimes, my mind would completely revert to that of a child.

I wasn't sure if it was because of the child's body or the process of synchronizing my soul and body.

'...If I completely become a child in front of the High Priest, I might make a mistake.'

But I couldn't avoid it.

Thus, the operation named "Develop Some Affection" began.

"Daedimim, annyeonghaseyo. (High Priest, hello.)"

I greeted him punctually, even though he didn't respond.

"Ttae daedimim jaggulhae. (I want to be your partner, High Priest.)"

I always took the seat next to the High Priest.

"Daedimim a~"

I picked up food and offered it to the High Priest.

People who give food are good people!

I'm a good child.

However, the High Priest's gaze was unusually cold.

He looked like he could freeze the mushroom I offered with a single glance.

'...Could he have realized I gave it to him because I hate mushrooms?'

Feeling a bit guilty, I fidgeted and asked.

"Daedimim, beoseot sileohaeyo? (High Priest, do you hate mushrooms?)"

"..."

"Randel-nim geuraeseyo. Punsil napdaeyo. (Randel said so. Picky eating is bad.)"

"..."

The High Priest remained silent.

His gaze, which could kill mushrooms, didn't change.

Sweat started to form on my forehead.

'...He really hates mushrooms, doesn't he...'

"......Ttae-ga daesim meogeojugeyo....... Randel-nimhanteun shiit haejugeyo....... (......I'll eat it for you....... I'll give Randel a break.......)"

I pulled the mushroom back to my plate.

Looking at the slimy fungus, my face turned pale.

'I have to eat it.'

If I eat what the High Priest hates, my score will naturally go up.

I'm a black knight.

A black knight who saves the High Priest princess from the mushroom monster...!

I swallowed the mushroom monster in one breath, holding my breath.

My face contorted involuntarily.

I chewed a few times quickly and swallowed.

'Ugh, it's tasteless...'

As I gulped, I opened my eyes to find the surroundings unusually quiet.

The adults were all looking at me.

'...Did I eat it too tastelessly? Children who eat happily are loved.'

I was flustered.

Thud.

Something fell onto my plate.

'...Sausage?'

I looked up blankly at the High Priest.

He was eating as if nothing had happened.

I picked up the sausage and put it in my mouth.

Honestly, it wasn't that delicious, being cheap.

But it was.

'...It's delicious.'

* * *

After the meal, I had a new hope.

Maybe the High Priest would accept me as a trainee priest.

'People who give food are good people.'

I decided to be brave.

"Come on, Sae, it's time to go back to the trainee priest's quarters."

Randel extended his hand, but I shook my head.

"Ttae yogiswulrae. (I want to stay here.)"

I clung to the High Priest's leg like a koala.

"Daedimim-i-rang gachi iswulgoya. (I'll stay with the High Priest.)"

I glanced up at the High Priest, but he wasn't even looking at me.

He was ignoring me, as if a dog was barking somewhere.

'...But he's not pushing me away, right?'

I gathered my courage and clung tighter to the High Priest.

I squeezed so hard that my chubby cheeks were squished against his leg.

The adults murmured at the sight.

"Ha... I should have married earlier. Then I would have had a daughter like Sae."

"That's strange. My nephew always cries to go home because he finds it boring among adults."

"Come to think of it, Sae is always well-behaved. She sticks to the High Priest and doesn't throw tantrums."

A priest uncle asked me.

"Sae, aren't you bored being with the High Priest?"

"Ang diluhaeyo. Jaemisseo! (Not at all. It's fun!)"

"Fun?"

"Un. Daedimim eolgul jaemisseo. (Yes. The High Priest's face is fun.)"

The priests' expressions became subtle.

"...Fun...?"

"...The High Priest's face...?"

"Does that mean his face is... funny...?"

The uncle who was speaking glanced at the High Priest and quickly lowered his eyes.

His face turned pale, as if he had seen a horror movie.

"Haha. Children don't know what they're saying."

"Sae didn't mean anything..."

"Fun!"

I pointed at the High Priest.

"Janshingin go jaemisseo. Janshingin go boman joa. Nuni siyeonhae. (I find handsome faces fun. I like looking at handsome faces. It's refreshing.)"

Whoosh—

An awkward wind blew through the office.

The cold atmosphere.

But in such moments, I had to be bold.

Half-hearted flattery is worse than nothing.

I will serve you properly, my lord!

"Daedimim eolgul neul saeroeo. Ttariteo. Chaeogo! (The High Priest's face is always new. Thrilling. The best!)"

The High Priest looked down at me with a blank expression.

It seemed my flattery wasn't working at all...

In fact, it might have had the opposite effect...

Was it over?

At that moment.

'Huh?'

I noticed a change in the High Priest's expression.

"Haha! Sae seems to really like the High Priest."

"Indeed, the High Priest's appearance is well-known... Even among the believers..."

"Children are honest, so the High Priest shouldn't be too angry..."

The priests tried to defend me.

I ignored their words and kept looking at the High Priest.

I was sure I saw the corners of his mouth twitch just now.

But no matter how I looked, I couldn't find a hint of a smile.

Oh, that's right.

Considering the reactions of others, I must have been mistaken.

"Sae, I thought you followed Randel the most. Randel, aren't you a bit hurt?"

"Haha, that's true. I'm a bit hurt."

I flinched at Randel's voice and turned to the High Priest.

"Randel-nim, seomseophaeyo? (Randel, are you hurt?)"

"A little?"

This is unbelievable!

I never imagined Randel would be hurt.

I had to flatter the powerful, but I didn't want to hurt the kind Randel.

"What to do~? Randel is hurt~."

"That's understandable. Sae sticks to the High Priest and ignores everyone else."

The adults smiled, and I was really conflicted.

Should I go to Randel now?

But the highest authority...

As I fidgeted, the High Priest raised an eyebrow.

Then he said to Randel.

"Then you take her."

Randel smiled.

"Is that okay? I thought you liked having Sae around."

"What? It's just a bother."

The High Priest's face really looked bothered.

No wonder he told me to go without hesitation.

'What a jerk.'

All the effort I put into getting closer to the High Priest.

I even flattered him with all my might.

"I'll go."

I reached out to Randel.

Randel laughed and picked me up.

As I left the office in his arms, I peeked at the High Priest.

"Ttae-do sashi Randel-nim-i deo joa. Haneulmangkeum dangmangkeum! (I actually like Randel more. As much as the sky and the earth!)"

After saying that, I quickly hid my face in Randel's chest.

Ha!

* * *

The bombshell Saelika dropped brought silence to the office.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha!"

The silence was broken by a hearty laugh.

It was the reaction of the elders, who were contemporaries of the High Priest.

"Did you get one over by a little kid?"

"You should treat her better. She looked so pitiful, whimpering like a dog caught between the old and new masters."

"Is it funny to tease a child like that?"

"Hey, isn't the High Priest being a bit too harsh?"

The High Priest twisted his lips and put down his documents.

"Am I tormenting her? Randel said he was hurt."

"Randel has calmed down, but he used to have a temper."

"Still, the child has done a great service. Shouldn't we reward her?"

The atmosphere, which had relaxed, tightened again.

"Isn't it premature? The summoning of the divine beast and the discovery of the treasure could have been part of Parmanas' plan."

"Indeed... Her background before coming to the temple is suspicious."

A priest who had been investigating how Sae came to the temple spoke.

"Suspicious?"

"Yes, it's a bit strange, so I sent another investigator. I'll report after reconfirming everything."

The priests nodded.

It was important to be certain about everything.

"Then it's best to decide the reward later."

"Sae will be disappointed."

"Indeed. It will be heartbreaking to see her disappointed."

"Still..."

Just as the conversation was about to conclude, the High Priest, who had been silent, spoke.

"—Not giving any reward would also be a problem."

"Excuse me? But—"

"Regardless of who instructed her, the child has been a great help to the temple. No one can deny that."

"..."

"To maintain the order of the temple, rewards and punishments must be clear. Most of the priests, who don't know that Sae came with Parmanas' divine power, will wonder why she's not being rewarded."

"..."

"Furthermore, if Parmanas is using her, it would be better to make them think we trust her."

The priests were somewhat puzzled by the detailed reasoning.

The High Priest wasn't usually the type to explain.

But now he was...

However, his words weren't wrong, so they all nodded.

"Indeed."

"Then, we should at least give her a small reward..."

Some of the elders whispered.

"Is it just because he wants to beat Randel? After all, Sae chose Randel."

"But he's also worried about disappointing her."

"Ha, that's not it."

"True, it's the High Priest we're talking about."

The elders shook their heads, finding their own words amusing.

Thinking it was impossible.

* * *

I must be crazy, crazy!

Why did I say I like Randel more after all that!

Did eating the mushroom turn me completely into a child?

Bad mushroom!

Now that it's come to this, there's no choice.

I have to use my last resort.

I opened the drawer solemnly.

Inside was the item that had caused me serious distress.

'The High Priest is human. He won't be able to resist this.'

Sigh, to have to use 'this.'

The High Priest is truly formidable.

"Ingdeunghaejuzi! (Recognize me!)"

But this is the end.

I held 'it' in my hand, grinning wickedly.

The next day.

"Daedimim!"

As soon as the office door opened and I saw the High Priest, I ran over.

The High Priest lifted me up with a bothered look.

"Be good."

"Ne."

The priests around us chuckled.

"Sae saw you yesterday, but she seems happy to see the High Priest again."

"Ne!"

"But you said you like Randel more?"

"Kugeun... (Well...)"

I fidgeted with my fingers.

This was the moment to use my last resort.

But when the time came, I felt a bit reluctant.

After much hesitation, I finally made up my mind.

I opened my mouth solemnly.

"Daedimim."

And I extended my hand even more solemnly.

In my hand was the mint chocolate.

"Dukey. (I'll give it to you.)"

The High Priest raised an eyebrow and looked at my palm.

"...What is this?"

"Naemul. (A bribe.)"

He probably didn't expect me to prepare something so valuable.

A new believer sister gave it to me, saying I was cute, and I saved it for days without eating it.

I puffed out my chest proudly.

But the priests' reactions were strange.

"Haha. She's just a child. Where did she hear such words...?"

"Ttae naeungeun mongji ara. (I know what a bribe is.)"

I said to the High Priest.

"Ja boireun goya. (I'm trying to look good.)"

"Look good?"

"Un. Ttae, suron sade doeo. (Yes. I want to become a trainee priest.)"

The High Priest frowned.

His gaze became sharper.

"For what?"

"To become a trainee priest and live with Daedimim."

"..."

"Because I like Daedimim."

"..."

"More than anything."

The last part was a lie, but...

Hehe, my lord. This is the level of my charm.

The High Priest looked at my face for a while and then poked my chubby cheek.

"...You said you like Randel more."

I thought I heard him mutter.