READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 357
“I found it? What are you talking about?”
The Dragon Priestess approached the boy, who was dying from poison, without acknowledging my words.
A boy with brown hair and a somewhat innocent-looking face.
“Who…? Are you a Mage…?”
“Could it be? Are you the Mage who helped us?”
The adventurers looked flustered as they watched the Dragon Priestess approach, but she paid them no mind and continued toward the boy.
His skin was turning black from the poison, and blood was gushing out, refusing to stop.
If left alone like this, he would soon lose his life.
“All life, bloom once more.”
The Dragon Priestess had no intention of allowing such a thing to happen.
With a soft utterance, the life force flowing from her fingertips seeped into the boy’s wounds, and the poison, which had been rotting away at his skin and muscles, began to falter under the life energy, slowly pushing back toward the wound from which it had entered.
The black, decaying skin gradually regained its original color, and the boy’s labored breathing began to stabilize.
The Dragon Priestess expelled all the poison that had infiltrated the boy’s body through the wound and burned the black poison to ash in an instant.
“Hah… A detox? No, it’s not detoxifying… Did you forcibly push the poison out?”
“This is… holy magic?”
Not quite, but certainly not something they would understand. It was simply the power to suppress the poison and drive it away.
However, since most adventurers wouldn’t discern such meticulous details, they might have assumed it was similar to holy magic.
“I don’t know who you are, but thank you for your help.”
The man called the captain among the adventurers bowed to the Dragon Priestess in gratitude.
“Come to the Church of Life.”
Leaving behind that succinct remark, she lifted the boy, still unconscious, into the air.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m taking this boy.”
“What do you mean, all of a sudden…?”
The captain and the other adventurers were obviously taken aback, but the Dragon Priestess soared into the air without a care.
“What is she thinking?”
‘I told you, I declared him the Hero.’
“A Hero? That boy?”
‘Yep.’
And so, the Dragon Priestess flew swiftly toward the Church of Life, enveloping the boy in a protective barrier.
“Suddenly naming him a Hero; what on earth does that mean?”
‘I’ll explain later.’
The Dragon Priestess spoke with a different glint in her eyes, not the usual emotionless gaze, but one filled with a hint of warmth.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Upon returning to the Church of Life, the Dragon Priestess tossed the boy into one of the guest rooms without paying attention to the bewildered priests.
Well, perhaps “tossed” is a bit harsh. Let’s say she gently laid him on the bed.
“So, you really intend to designate this child as the Hero?”
‘Yep. I’ve decided.’
“Hmm… I mentioned that it would be fine to choose anyone, but…”
I looked down at the boy sleeping on the bed.
His appearance was… well, average? He had a somewhat gentle impression but nothing strikingly handsome.
He looked to be around 15 years old or so. In a little while, he’d be recognized as an adult.
“Well, if that’s what you want.”
‘Thank you. I appreciate it.’
“You’re welcome. But remember this: just because you designated him as the Hero, you can’t change your mind once you’ve decided. Once you choose him, you must stick with it. Never forget that, got it?”
‘Of course. I’ll take full responsibility for nurturing him.’
“You talk as if you just picked up a pet Hero.”
Well, there isn’t much of a difference, is there?
“So what is it that made you want to choose him as the Hero?”
‘Umm… I’m not sure.’
“Not sure? You’re the one who chose him.”
‘Yeah. I just… I don’t really know how to explain it, I felt drawn to him suddenly.’
Drawn to him? What does that mean?
It sounds like the Dragon Priestess has fallen for this boy at first glance.
Could it be that this child, who had just been causing trouble until a few years ago, has developed feelings of love?
I have no idea. I don’t understand the feeling of love myself, so I can only let it pass as something I don’t get.
As I was quietly observing the boy, who had unknowingly become the Hero, while he slept—
Bang.
“Dragon Priestess! I heard you brought a boy here?!”
“Shh! He’s asleep.”
“Oh, my apologies.”
The High Priest, who burst into the room loudly, quickly lowered his voice, looking a bit flustered.
“So, is this boy the one who will become the Hero?”
“Yes. I’ve chosen him.”
“But… to choose a mere child over seasoned knights, warriors, and adventurers…”
“Well, if you just look at my appearance, I’m about the same age.”
“I know that.”
The High Priest said, looking troubled.
“Do you understand the significance of making that boy a Hero?”
“Yes, of course.”
“This isn’t simply about being the Dragon Priestess’s companion; it’s about the responsibilities and duties that come with being a Hero.”
Upon hearing the High Priest’s words, the Dragon Priestess looked at him with a questioning gaze.
The responsibilities and duties of a Hero. The expectations placed on the Hero to confront the formidable Demon King, carrying the hope of all people.
It seemed the Dragon Priestess didn’t fully comprehend the weight of the Hero’s role that contained the hopes of everyone.
To be honest, if the Dragon Priestess unleashed her power, she could likely wipe out most foes without much trouble.
A Demon King? Even if you call it a Demon King, it’s just a spiritual entity, lacking a physical body. No matter how much power it has over others, it would be no match for the Dragon Priestess.
What worries me a bit is the unpredictability of what could happen if the Demon King’s essence meets the body of the Dragon Priestess…
But that’s a problem for another time. Right now is right now. If it becomes an issue, I can always lend a hand somehow, can’t I?
“Do you understand? A Hero isn’t merely someone chosen by the Dragon Priestess! A Hero is someone who takes up the sword of a Hero for humanity, overcoming adversity and powerful foes to bring peace to the world! You cannot simply designate someone based on mere preference for a Hero!”
“But I said it was fine.”
“It’s fine, you say…?”
The High Priest tilted his head slightly in confusion, but soon grasped what the Dragon Priestess had said.
“Could it be that you’re referring to…?”
“I don’t really know who the person you’re talking about is, but since they said it’s okay, it should be fine.”
“I see…”
The High Priest quickly seemed to comprehend who the Dragon Priestess was referring to.
Well, how many people can the Dragon Priestess hear that voice from? To speak in a way that others can’t hear, even the High Priest of the Church of Life.
If he’s a bit perceptive, it would be obvious that voice belongs to me.
“Ahem. If that person said it’s alright, then it carries meaning, I suppose. Understood.”
The High Priest then looked at the newly designated Hero.
“Still, we will need some level of verification process to convince others, so after he wakes up, we’ll have a bit of a chat. The Dragon Priestess should join us as well.”
“Sure. I have many questions I’d like to ask.”
To be honest, right now, the Dragon Priestess knows nothing about this boy other than his name.
The fact that she could be so smitten despite knowing so little… Hmm…
Wait a minute. What if this supposed Hero, despite his looks being suitable for the Dragon Priestess, has an atrocious character? What if he’s a villain? What if he turns out to be a total mess?
I looked at the Dragon Priestess, who had a slightly excited expression while gazing at the boy, and made a small resolution.
Then… I might have to step in somehow.
Even if this boy has the mind and spirit of a beast not fit for humanity, there are various methods to make him into a person.
Well, the Hero will need some training, of course.
The Hero’s sword, Chloive Solais, is certainly a strong sword, but unless you’re someone who can handle it to a degree, you won’t be able to fully unleash its strength.
Therefore, swordsmanship training and various education are naturally required, and if I sprinkle in some moral education and personal character development along the way… even if this boy has problems, I could somehow fix him.
Though, if the Dragon Priestess finds out, she might be a little disappointed with that idea.
And so the Dragon Priestess continued to watch over the newly designated Hero, and after the High Priest exited the room with the remark that meal preparations were nearly done—
“Umm…”
The boy, who had been unconscious, slowly opened his eyes.