Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 32

Chapter 32

"Ehh?!"

Startled, Arin raised her voice, then quickly covered her mouth. She had been surprised when Yeoryeong said she couldn't transform—but now she said she could use the power of the Twelve even without transforming. Having already heard from Choryeong that Yeoryeong could transform into a cow, Arin thought she was lying to comfort her. Her expression turned somber.

"You don't have to go out of your way for me."

"Hm?"

"I know you can transform into a cow, Divine Maiden."

Only then did Yeoryeong realize Arin's misunderstanding and smiled gently.

"The transformation people have seen is actually Geumgeum. Geumgeum can transform into other twelfth-year beasts."

"Wow."

Learning that Geumgeum could transform into a twelfth-year beast, Arin's eyes sparkled. Yeoryeong added,

"So being unable to transform has nothing to do with the power of the Twelve. Does that reassure you now?"

"...But the physician said I have no opening in my core. Doesn't that mean I can't use the power of the Twelve?"

"The power of a Divine Maiden differs from ordinary twelfth-years. And there's a living witness right before you. If you wish, I can teach you how to wield that power starting today."

At the offer, Arin shifted eagerly in her seat.

"Really?"

"Yes. So don't be swayed by the words of those who know nothing."

"...Okay."

Arin was confused. Having been treated as a mutant, a defective product for so long, she couldn't believe it so easily.

"You can't tell whether a caterpillar will become a moth or a butterfly while it's still in its cocoon."

"I still feel like I'm a moth."

"Just because a butterfly thinks it's a moth doesn't make it any less beautiful. In time, you'll realize you're a butterfly."

Yeoryeong didn't push her—and that, in itself, was a great comfort.

"I'll work hard, Divine Maiden."

"Good. But this teacher is very strict, so don't try to slack off."

"Yes!"

As Arin's spirits rose, Yeoryeong continued the tale of the Twelve. She told of how the first Divine Maiden, loved by all the Twelve, chose the White Dragon, and how his descendants became the White Dragon House. The one who envied this most was the Black Demon.

"The Black Demon couldn't accept the maiden's choice. He tried to abduct her, but fought bitterly with the White Dragon and was driven far away."

"Is he still gone?"

At the innocent question, Yeoryeong smiled bitterly. The Black Demon had lived in seclusion ever since, but he had never given up on the maiden. His descendants, generation after generation, had begun to threaten the Divine Maiden. Endless wars followed, and the greatest clash was ten years ago. At that time, Yeoryeong had been forced to sacrifice half her divine power to stop the Black Demon's leader, Hyeokgwang. Hyeokgwang, his power sealed, had fled and remained at large.

Then, three years ago, he had stolen the Yeouiju from Baek Muje, the heir of the White Dragon House—likely to restore his own sealed power. The king had searched everywhere for him, but even their hideout remained unknown.

Yeoryeong gazed at the statue of the Black Demon and murmured lowly,

"Even now, he covets the maiden."

Just as the Black Demon had obsessed over her for a lifetime. At that moment, a chill wind swirled through the shrine. Arin shrank, and Yeoryeong draped a robe over her.

"So until you can properly control your power, no one must know of your abilities."

As Yeoryeong whispered in a grave tone, Arin's shoulders tensed.

"Especially—don't try to help me the way you did at the banquet."

"But what if you get hurt?"

"You're underestimating your father. He already knew about the assassin."

"Oh."

Now that she thought of it, Dogyeong had moved at the very same moment she shouted.

"Did I almost ruin things?"

"Of course not. We only want you to be safe. Apart from seeing things like fog, have you noticed anything unusual?"

"Hmm. Ah! The bell on Geumgeum's ear sometimes rings and sometimes doesn't."

"Hm."

The bell on Geumgeum's ear was used to signal its location to Yeoryeong.

Her sensitivity is remarkably keen.

Perhaps that was why she was so attuned to others' moods. Perceiving what others couldn't was mentally exhausting. Yeoryeong took a bell from a drawer and shook it.

"Can you hear this?"

"No."

"And this?"

Arin shook her head. Yeoryeong fell into thought.

Is she only sensitive to spirit beasts?

If so, it would be good to keep a spirit beast like Geumgeum near her to help conceal her power. But one couldn't simply keep a spirit beast by wanting one—compatibility mattered too.

"Let's find out more."

Just as Yeoryeong was about to call Geumgeum, a white lizard slipped into the shrine and settled beside Arin. Noticing it first, Yeoryeong narrowed her eyes.

Baek Muje sent a telepathic message.

Pay me no mind.

He lay down as if he belonged there, and Yeoryeong tilted her head. It was strange—the boy who avoided people had drawn so close to Arin.

Do you know Arin?

So her name is Arin.

Yes, the daughter recently adopted into the Geumho House.

Ah, so she's that child. No wonder I couldn't pinpoint her location. Will she be staying here from now on?

Baek Muje had spoken at unusual length. He must have thought that once entered, one couldn't leave without permission.

No. This child can come and go freely, just like you.

Pardon?

The white lizard tilted its head as if asking for an explanation.

"Ah! You're that lizard from before!"

Belatedly recognizing him, Arin grabbed him.

"It's you, right?"

Suddenly face-to-face, Baek Muje's eyes showed surprise. At the same time, he felt his headache fade the moment Arin touched him.

She's definitely different.

Confirming his suspicions, his eyes reddened. Seeing his blood-tinged golden eyes, Arin asked,

"Divine Maiden, can you make this one like Geumgeum too?"

The bold question made Yeoryeong laugh—turning the heir of the White Dragon House into a spirit beast! Though it could have been taken as an insult, Muje remained silent, apparently preoccupied with something else.

Yeoryeong narrowed her eyes and mused,

"Well, if he's willing, it's possible."

At her joke, Muje glared—though he made no move to reveal his true form. Yeoryeong quietly observed the two. Perhaps because Arin's energy was clear and pure, Muje's surging killing intent seemed subdued.

They seem ideal for concealing each other's energy.

Having only recently learned of her abilities, Arin naturally didn't know how to open or close her power. Divine power was emitted outward, unlike other twelfth-year powers—and she couldn't control it, which was why she kept expending energy and remained smaller than her peers. Even after training, she wouldn't master it overnight.

Muje, on the other hand, was skilled at controlling his power. If Arin, who needed to keep hers open, and Muje, who needed to keep his closed, stayed together, they could help each other.

But that proud young master would never agree to such a thing.

Knowing his character, Yeoryeong was about to seek other options when Arin pulled out a pouch from her bosom.

"I've been carrying this around in case I saw you. Here—doesn't it look good?"

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