Home/The Seven-Year-Old Village Chief of Exile/ch 68

Chapter 68

In truth, Nema was worried about something else.

It was Hebenia, whose fever still wouldn't go down.

"Habi is..."

"Her fever will soon subside."

Verity wiped the cold sweat from Hebenia's forehead with a handkerchief.

Thanks to the healing magic, color had returned to her face, but she was still sweating due to the persistent fever.

The Inquisitor's authority was immense.

Olive had requested simple medical supplies from the station staff. Her temperature was stuck at 38.9 degrees Celsius.

"A fever of this level isn't life-threatening, but she needs to regain consciousness as soon as possible."

The accompanying holy knight advised keeping her hydrated and cool to prevent dehydration.

When the holy knight briefly stepped away.

"Nema-nim."

Verity quickly said.

"My Lady has gained power as a reward for overcoming the trial. It's just that she's still young, so accepting that power is a bit overwhelming."

"Then..."

"Her fever will naturally subside with time. You don't need to worry."

Only then did Nema place a hand on her chest, relieved.

Just then, Ian returned.

He'd been subjected to an interrogation-like questioning by Olive.

"Sigh, why do you look like that? Did he confess? Is the Inquisitor in love with you?"

Verity had meant it as a joke to lighten the mood, but Ian's expression was serious.

"I heard something similar."

"Pardon...?"

Verity was shocked.

Nema covered her mouth with her hand.

'Libby's brother must have confessed to Ian!'

As the two were having that misconception, Ian said.

"He asked if Habi has a fiancé."

An uncontrollable misunderstanding grew.

Ian swallowed dryly, as if suppressing nausea.

He had met the most despicable person in the world, and he was devastated that it was the sibling of someone who felt like a little sister to him.

"That guy's not normal. He said if she has a fiancé, it would be inconvenient, and asked me to give them some alone time so he could talk to Habi when she wakes up."

The burning desire in his eyes had been genuine, Ian shuddered.

"Such an abomination!"

"The sister is fine, but the brother is such a pervert...!"

"Wouldn't it be better to just kill him? If Libby knew her brother was like that, she'd be sad. We could stage an accident and leave her with only good memories..."

On the other hand.

"A s-saintess?"

"Shh."

Olive was also swallowing his own misunderstandings.

"It seems she's experiencing the awakening fever."

"Th-that's right! I remember too!"

The holy knight's long green hair swayed as he nodded.

Those chosen as saintesses or saints sometimes suffer from prolonged awakening fevers that healing magic can't cure.

'That explains why her fever wasn't easily lowered by healing magic!'

They were almost certain that Hebenia was a saintess.

"According to the testimonies of the rescued victims, a young girl created a transparent barrier to protect them."

"A barrier..."

Olive recalled the divine magic he'd learned during his training.

Healing, purification, enhancement.

Three types of magic that could be acquired by overcoming the trials and hardships sent by angels.

'A barrier would be an application of enhancement magic.'

If so, she'd likely awakened divine magic at a young age and received separate training. There might be a temple connection in her family.

Even those who aren't priests or holy knights can sometimes use divine magic.

The most representative example is Crown Prince Edelros.

Having gained enhancement magic as a reward for overcoming hardship at a young age, he was often sent on prayer tours.

Due to his low birth, succession to the throne was out of the question, so it was widely believed he would join the temple when he came of age.

'That prince was staying at the Deste Territory when the angel descended.'

Surely, that young girl had also received the saintess's calling.

The mysterious group he'd met at the lab insisted on going to Deste. They probably had a home there.

'Judging by their attire and guards, they seem to be from a fairly wealthy family.'

Olive turned his head.

His gaze fell on Ian, Verity, and Nema, who were whispering with serious expressions.

Feeling his gaze, they paused and then averted their eyes.

"...We need to persuade them well."

Olive suppressed his emotions as much as possible. The accompanying holy knight bit his lip, swallowing his pity.

They were about to inflict a great wound on them.

"It's a long-standing custom and an ancient pact between the Empire and the Church that saintess candidates reside at the central headquarters."

The transition would be hard for a young child to endure.

---

The first morning train happened to be bound for Trans Station, the transfer point.

"I've already secured tickets, so let's go together."

Olive sent the accompanying holy knights away and asked if they could just go with him. He seemed determined to follow even without permission, so Verity reluctantly agreed.

'Sigh, how did Libby-nim's brother turn out to be such a pervert...'

Verity wondered how to deal with him.

'I can't kill people, so I'll have to rely on Sir Ian and Nema-nim.'

The four sat facing each other in the first-class compartment.

Nema and Verity sat together, and Ian and Olive sat opposite. Ian subtly pressed himself against the window to keep as much distance from Olive as possible.

Hebenia lay with her head on Nema's lap. Her legs naturally rested on Verity's.

The weak appearance of the young child, still breathing labored breaths, was enough to evoke sympathy from the adults.

"...Nni."

And then.

"Mother..."

Even muttering the name of the family a child normally relies on most.

And even shedding a tear.

"......"

Feeling moved, Nema quickly wiped her moistening eyes with the back of her hand.

Ian and Verity, also touched, pressed their lips tightly together.

"...Is this young man the girl's brother?"

Just then, Olive spoke up.

The touching atmosphere instantly turned hostile.

Olive fully understood why they were on guard. He guessed they knew what he was about to say.

"I asked the knight first, but he was reluctant to speak."

"He's a fine person."

Verity answered curtly.

Olive asked bluntly.

"Why were you in such a place?"

"We're not obligated to answer that."

"The Church is obligated to know."

"My little sister is still young."

Verity warned with genuine feeling.

The demon kept reminding himself that this mad Inquisitor was Libby's brother.

Otherwise, he felt he might forcefully unlock his sealed true power and kill him.

"...So you did know."

Then this would be quick, Olive said.

"Your little sister is currently awakening as a saintess."

Clackety-clack—.

The sound of the train wheels running relentlessly filled the first-class compartment.

"...Pardon?"

Verity made the most flustered and dumbfounded expression he'd ever worn.

"M-my sister—no, my little sister is what?"

"You know it. Your sister is a saintess."

"......"

Hmm?

'Our Lady is?'

Verity glanced down at the sleeping Hebenia.

"My Lady! How many times do I have to tell you to take off your socks properly!"

"Oh, honestly. As a butler, it should be an honor to turn my Lady's socks right-side out, and—pfft! Ah, don't throw them at my face!"

This cheeky little brat?

"Oh? Where have you been?"

"To the village hall. The guests in the dungeon might get bored, so I went and showed them the hip dance Uncle Pofina taught me."

This wicked little brat?

"My Lady, what are you drawing? A chicken coop?"

"A playground for the dungeon guests to take walks."

"...Isn't that too small? A person can barely stand in it."

"Walking in place is still walking."

My Lady, who's like a torture-ology graduate?

Verity's thought process short-circuited, leaving him speechless. Ian was the first to react in horror.

Nema was also shocked and forgot to breathe.

"She's a saintess? What a terrible..."

"Watch your words. A saintess is an extraordinary being who can wield the power of the divine—divine power."

"No, this child—no, my Lady is...!"

Stammering, Ian finally realized the meaning of what Olive had said to him earlier.

'Saintesses can't marry!'

In the state religion, from lay priests to head priests, salvation priests, holy knights, inquisitors, archpriests, and the Holy King—marriage is forbidden from the moment one becomes a servant of God.

The only exception is when one is already married and then chosen as a saint or saintess.

"So that's why he asked if she had a fiancé so he could break it off...!"

The good news was that Libby's brother wasn't a pervert.

The bad news was that Verity and Nema were glaring at him resentfully.

'Still, it's a relief...'

Ah, no.

Ian faced a new problem.

"You mean you're going to take my Lady away?"

"Not immediately. There are various procedures first, and even if she lives apart, she can always communicate with her family, and..."

Olive eagerly explained how well the Church would care for the saintess.

Just then.

Crash—!

A massive roar shook the ground, and the train lurched.

"Kyaaah!"

"An, an explosion!"

"The bridge was blown up!"

Screams erupted from all directions.

The train, swaying dangerously, shook violently due to the sudden stop, and sounds of falling luggage and people screaming filled the air.

Fortunately, the train stopped without derailing.

"Everyone, please wait in your compartments!"

The crew quickly came out to check on the passengers.

"Are you all right..."

Ian, Verity, and Olive had pulled Nema and Hebenia into a tight ball.

Verity raised one hand and smiled.

"We're all people who can handle ourselves, so we're fine. Please check on the other passengers."

"Ah, yes..."

Just as the crew member tried to step back with an awkward smile.

Click.

A silver gun barrel was aimed at the back of the crew member's head.

A masked woman whispered quietly.

"Hands up."

Train robbers had entered in an instant.

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