Whether You Call Me a Guardian Dragon or Not, I'm Going to Sleep

"By the way, you said you want to go out and see the world... I don't know the details, but is that alright?"

"Ordinary problems can be solved with strength. And if necessary, you can ask the Temple of Life for help, can't you?"

That's right! Since she's a dragon! There's no way there could be anyone stronger than a dragon, except for heroic figures like a hero, so she can solve everything with her strength!

And... asking the Temple of Life for help, huh? Hmm... is it just a saying, or do she really have a connection with the Temple of Life?

Well, it's not really my business.

I was secretly eavesdropping on the conversation between the priest and Tia, but it doesn't seem like any particularly meaningful information came up.

I might have been better off just going to sleep.

"So, you'll be traveling to see how people live in the world."

"Yes, that's right. I want to observe how people live."

"Then, a merchant will come to the village in two weeks, how about leaving with them? They are a trustworthy person."

Tia shook her head slightly at the priest's words.

"I can't impose on them. And if possible, I'd like to see the world quietly, on the same level as others."

"I see... If that is the priestess's wish, then there's nothing to be done."

The priest nodded slightly, then looked at Tia's horns and said,

"But if you want to move quietly, it might be better to hide or conceal those horns. There may be others like me who can recognize the priestess."

"Hmm... is that so?"

"Yes. The story of the Dragon's Priestess who adventured with the hero is widely known. Someone with a bit of knowledge would be able to easily guess your identity just by seeing you. I was able to do it as well."

Tia nodded slightly at the priest's words.

"I see. Then... maybe a hat or hood would work."

"Can't you make the horns invisible?"

Tia shook her head slightly at the priest's words.

"I can make them invisible, but then my power would weaken. If I forcibly try to maintain the concealment, the hidden horns would become visible again... So I'd rather not do that if possible."

"I see. If you don't like it, there's nothing to be done. But you can't always wear a hat or hood... How about making it look like an ornament for your head?"

"Head ornament?"

"Yes. Make a head ornament that covers your head and horns, so that the horns are mistaken as part of the ornament. You can't always wear a hat or hood, but a head ornament wouldn't seem strange to others."

Tia thought about it for a moment, then snapped her fingers, and a head ornament that covered her horns appeared on her head.

"Something like this, I suppose. It's a creation of illusion magic."

Illusion magic? Magic can do that too? It really looks real!

"Oho... the Dragon's Priestess can freely use kinds of magic, I see. And this illusion looks so real. Truly impressive."

"Un. This much is necessary to not fall short of the name 'Dragon's Priestess'."

So dragons can do that kind of thing...

Hmm... was the hero really able to defeat such an amazing magic-wielding dragon? I'm starting to have a bit of doubt.

Maybe it wasn't a dragon, but some other monster that resembles a dragon that the hero defeated?

No, the story clearly said it was a dragon. The hero's story wouldn't be a lie.

"But the horns are still quite large compared to the head ornament. I'm not sure if this excuse would be convincing enough."

"Hmm. If I make the ornament too large, it might be cumbersome."

"That's true as well. I'm not sure if this small head ornament will be enough to deceive others..."

"Hmm. I'll figure that out. I'll use magic to influence the thoughts of those who see the head ornament, so that they believe the horns are part of the ornament."

Influence their thoughts? What's that? Can she even control other people's thoughts at will?

What on earth can't you do? Dragon?

"Magic that influences thoughts... I didn't know such magic existed. But... magic that controls the thoughts of others doesn't seem right."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"The God of Wind and Freedom has said that all living beings have the freedom to live their own lives. But such magic infringes on the freedom of others. Even if you are the Dragon's Priestess, it should not be used carelessly."

At the priest's words, Tia nodded slightly after deep thought.

"I see. In that case, if it's a magic that makes others mistake the horns as part of a head ornament, without controlling their thoughts, would that be acceptable?"

"Illusion... hmm... that might work."

Is that it? Controlling thoughts is not allowed, but illusion is okay?

Do all who study theology become like this priest? I don't understand it.

"Anyway, are you planning to leave alone?"

"Yes. I intend to depart tomorrow."

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"In that case... how about taking a companion on your journey, Priestess?"

A companion? Could the priest be offering to accompany?

But if the priest, who has many duties in this small village, leaves, it would be a huge problem.

Blessings for newborns, healing the injured and sick, managing and mediating disputes among the villagers, taking care of orphaned children and teaching them language and writing, and handling funerals for the deceased - if the priest leaves, a major crisis would occur!

"A companion? Hmm... how troublesome."

"But it would be better to have one. A noble person like you should not wander around without any companion. It would be better to have someone to provide some care."

"Hmm. Are you thinking of accompanying me?"

At Tia's words, the priest shook his head slightly.

"No, I cannot. My body is too weak to walk long distances, as I was injured by an arrow in my knee."

"I see."

Huh? But the priest walks around just fine, even faster than me. Well, he must have his own reasons for saying that. "Instead, how about taking that child, Maybelle, who came with you today."

"That beastkin child?"

Me?!

"Yes. That child is intelligent, and will surely be of help to you, Priestess."

"Hmm... be of help, you say. But if the child does not wish it?"

At Tia's words, the priest shook his head slightly.

"That child also wanted to leave this village, so if you ask them to accompany you, she will surely leave happily. And..."

The priest took something out from his robe and placed it on the table.

"There is also a reason why that child must leave the village."

"What is this?"

"A letter sent last year by the mother of that child, who left her in my care."

As soon as I heard the priest's words, I rushed into the room where the two were without thinking.

"A letter from my mother?!"

"Maybelle? Weren't you sleeping?"

"How can I sleep now?! You have a letter from my mother?! And why didn't you show it to me?!"

I trusted him! I trusted the priest!!!

"Maybelle... calm down first."

"How can I be calm?! It's a letter from my mother, my mother whom I haven't heard from in years!!"

I poured out the emotions bursting from my heart.

Emotions that I would normally never utter.

"Why was there such a letter! Why did you hide it from me?! Why?!"

"Maybelle."

"I had trusted you, priest! I had thought of you as a parent, instead of the mom who left me here!!"

Betrayal. Sadness. Depression. But also a glimmer of hope. The hope that my mom didn't abandon me. The hope that my mom is still alive.

Complex emotions swirled in my heart.

"Let me explain step by step. First, calm down."

"How can I calm down, priest?! Huh?!"

I opened my mouth to shout again.

And then,

"Enough."

At those soft words, my body froze.

"I understand why you're reacting this way, but first, let's hear the story. So sit down and calm down."

Tia's voice, with its unyielding power, immediately suppressed the endless emotions surging within me.

Like that, I forcibly closed the emotions I had been pouring out, and sat down silently on a nearby chair, without a word.

"Yes, sometimes it's better to calmly resolve things through discussion, rather than just venting emotions one-sidedly. Let's talk it out."

Seeing that I had calmed down the priest slowly began to speak.

"I was going to tell you this when you became an adult. It's for your own good."

"For my own good?"

"Yes. For your own good. To keep you from falling into danger."

Danger? Me?

Just what was written in that letter that could put me in danger?

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