Home/The Seven-Year-Old Village Chief of Exile/ch 86

Chapter 86

I asked Ian a few more questions about the Crown Prince.

"Do you know what the Crown Prince dislikes? Anything at all—just tell me whatever you know he hates."

"Is that important? We should know what he likes to treat him well when he comes..."

"What would I do with what that bastard likes?"

Perhaps due to my forgotten childhood, even asking about the Crown Prince felt exhausting right now.

It felt like forced emotional labor.

Meanwhile, Flora, who had grown bored of the adults' conversation, went outside with Verity to play in the rest area pavilion.

I took the chance to ask Ian about the Stria family as well.

The information Ian gave me was much the same as what Aunt Prellia had told me.

Except for one thing.

He had some valuable information.

"And there was a rumor that the Crown Prince wasn't very fond of her either."

"This oppa is quite the informant."

He always had good answers.

"But why doesn't he like her?"

She was a grandson born at the cost of her precious daughter's life—wouldn't she dote on him?

In my experience, most grandmothers were like that. Even the person I'd believed to be my grandmother in Korea was the same.

'Or did she see his true colors from the start?'

Unfortunately, Ian didn't know any more than that.

But he did speculate.

"Maybe it's painful to see him, because he reminds her of her dead daughter."

"That's plausible."

Just then, Verity, who had returned without us noticing, interjected.

"Or maybe she hates the grandson who consumed her daughter?"

"Wow, as expected of a demon..."

Your way of thinking is different.

Ian and I frowned at him, but Verity only grumbled, as if he were the one being wronged.

"Come on, such evil deeds are a human specialty! How many parents abuse their children under all kinds of excuses—'takes after the father,' 'takes after the mother'?"

"Th-that, I can't argue with."

"I apologize on behalf of humanity."

Indeed, there are so many terrible parents in the world.

"Whatever."

I quickly put my curiosity to rest.

"Are we in a position to worry about other people's families? Especially the family of our abusers?"

I wasn't that generous.

"Anyway, Ian oppa, thanks for telling me."

"Was it helpful?"

"More than enough."

Now it was my turn to repay him.

"Ian oppa, let's have dinner with Aunt Daliss tonight."

"Wh-what...?"

"Let's eat together! Let's eat!"

Secretary Flora grabbed Ian's hand and tugged him along.

"Mom said she's making something delicious today! It's, um, you cut vegetables in circles and put tomatoes like this..."

"Ratatouille?"

"Yeah!"

Ratatouille was a dish Uncle Pofina had created to enjoy the summer vegetables we'd harvested.

"Just ratatouille won't be enough protein."

I said to Ian nonchalantly.

"Oppa, you're good at cooking meat. Make some and let's eat together. Flora and I are growing, so we need to eat lots of meat."

"......"

Ian hesitated, then let out a wry laugh and gave me a light glare.

As if to say, "I'll let it slide this time."

'You're happy about it, don't even try to hide it.'

I saw that smile.

"If Aunt Daliss is okay with it."

But as always, he worried that his feelings might burden Aunt Daliss—such a considerate man.

In the end, our house had dinner with the neighbors that day, and Aunt Daliss and Ian ended up doing the dishes side by side.

---

A few days later.

The Deste Temple contacted me.

Well, technically, I went to extract the contact.

"It's not that I'm rushing you, but since the High Priest is back to normal, um, that, the first-aid kit endorsement...?"

I'd come to promote the finished prototype to the priests.

But what was this?

Priest Saker teared up the moment he saw me.

"Sigh, as expected of you, Lady..."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. Please, come in."

"Um, why are you making the sign of the cross when you see me? Do you sense a demonic aura from me?"

I remembered the morning's struggle with Verity over an extra slice of bacon.

Surely he couldn't have known?

"I'm just happy to see you, Lady."

"Why would you be happy to see me?"

"How could I not be happy, looking at you, who has given us so much help and performed miracles for that purpose?"

"...I'm not a saintess, you know?"

Now I see why he was acting so strangely!

The sudden royal treatment felt off, and I let out a deep sigh.

'Ugh, Olive already thinks I'm a saintess and it's annoying enough.'

I never expected to face this misunderstanding here too.

'No, I didn't do anything to warrant this. I helped because we had a mutual exchange—why are they suddenly falling into this delusion?'

Frustrated, I clicked my tongue.

This would make things difficult for Aunt Daliss when she returns from her maternity leave.

'She's the real saintess.'

And if they knew the saintess was a demon's child, would they still react like this?

I eyed Priest Saker suspiciously.

I had to test him.

"Are you going to let the baby saintess walk on her own two feet? Hurry up and carry me. And hand over your assets—cleanly, after all taxes are deducted."

"Haha, you're so funny."

"I'm not joking..."

Priest Saker chuckled and guided the way.

'This guy didn't even carry me?'

And he dares to treat me like a saintess.

What a half-hearted faith.

Feeling wronged, I revealed the truth.

"I made a contract with a demon. I've summoned demons four times, and Lord-class demons pamper me."

"Hahaha, you're really good at jokes."

"I'm warning you—I've said it now, so don't come at me later."

In the end, I walked on my own two feet.

"This is the place."

I was led to a luxurious reception room. It seemed to be used for hosting distinguished guests.

Until now, we'd always met in secret due to the temple's internal and external circumstances, so this was the first time I'd been received in a proper room.

There were others already there.

"Lady."

Priest Chel do.

And.

"Allow me to introduce you. This is the High Priest who oversees the Deste Temple."

"My esteemed benefactor."

An old man with both sides of his temples shaved stood up and bowed respectfully.

"It is an honor to meet you."

"Oh, no! The honor is mine!"

Flustered, I hurriedly bowed as well.

After 25 years in Korea, Confucian thought was ingrained in me, so it made me uncomfortable when an elder bowed to me like that.

After exchanging greetings.

I declared as soon as I sat down.

"I'm not a saintess. I'm really not."

"Yes, we'll keep this a secret."

"Fine, believe what you want..."

If they were going to believe it anyway, what could I do?

'I did my part.'

Resigned, I sipped the tea Priest Chel do placed before me.

Savoring the bitter tea, I grumbled inwardly.

"I've heard from the two priests about what happened."

The High Priest cautiously began.

A look of regret appeared on his wrinkled face. I sincerely hoped that feeling was genuine.

"I truly thank you for helping the Deste Temple and so many people."

"My good deeds aren't pure enough to be thanked."

I only spoke the truth.

"I helped the Deste Temple purely for my own benefit. I just helped others when I had the means."

"Hehe, you're that kind of person, Lady."

"......"

Something was off.

I had revealed my mercenary true feelings, yet the High Priest looked even more impressed.

The two priests beside him were even teary-eyed.

'I really don't understand anymore...'

Fine, believe what you want.

I'll just take care of my own interests.

"Let's start talking about the first-aid kits."

Now that I'd built up goodwill, I decided to milk it.

"First-aid kits are medical supplies used in case of sudden injury or emergency."

They prevent secondary infections through rapid initial response and provide psychological stability through pain relief.

Above all, in situations where a doctor can't be called immediately, they have the great advantage of increasing survival rates.

"I'm going to differentiate between household and field-use kits. For example, household kits would address mild illnesses like fevers or stomachaches, while field-use kits would handle major injuries like fractures or bleeding..."

I showed them the business proposal I'd brought.

The High Priest put on his reading glasses and carefully reviewed the proposal.

Priests Saker and Chel do examined the samples I'd brought.

'This reminds me of my office worker days.'

The feeling of submitting a proposal for review.

I knew they wouldn't reject it, but the possibility of rejection was still frightening. I didn't let my guard down.

And after a while.

"Very well."

The High Priest, wearing his reading glasses, smiled.

"You asked for our help, but rather, it's us who should thank you for giving us this opportunity."

Along with undeserved praise, the High Priest explained why he liked my proposal.

"To be honest, something similar to this first-aid kit already exists. But commercializing it is a different matter."

It's about who captures the market first.

The High Priest praised the concept of the first-aid kit and the creation of a new market by commercializing it first.

"And with the temple's endorsement, later competitors will have a hard time catching up."

"......"

"If it starts well, you'll secure the first-aid kit market in the long term."

"......"

"And the Deste Temple's endorsement can help you get that start."

"Th-that's right..."

I nodded slowly.

'Did you study business?'

The High Priest reminded me of a business school professor.

'Anyway, I'm glad.'

The High Priest assured me he would present the first-aid kit endorsement at the next regular meeting.

'Everyone in the village!'

We did it!

'Sniff, my eyes are getting misty.'

I lightly touched my dry eyes with my fingers.

I thought of the adults' hard work—producing the products, writing the business proposal, and establishing the trading company—and felt moved.

Then, the High Priest told me the documents I'd need to prepare by next week's regular meeting.

"I brought them just in case."

"Hehe, as expected, you're prepared..."

"Here you go."

I opened the subspace and handed him the documents.

"......"

But the High Priest didn't even look at the documents—just stared at me with wide eyes.

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