"I don't want to do anything."
I lay on the bed, feeling sluggish and unable to think straight since earlier. The incident with Namia had a profound impact on me. To the point where I felt indifferent about everything.
However, I couldn't afford to come to a complete stop. I decided to review the seven prophecies once again. Some of the statements weren't quite fitting to be called prophecies, but I chose to collectively refer to them as such.
I couldn't remember who wrote these seven prophecies. However, as I traced back through my past memories, there were blank spaces, and it seemed like those spaces matched the forgotten girl. For example, the girl who gave me the skill "Save & Reset" – I couldn't recall her.
While I couldn't remember the girl, I understood that I must not do anything that would betray the expectations of the girl who wrote these prophecies.
I had to protect these prophecies at all costs.
"Protect High Priest Cieltia from enemies."
The first thing to do is to fulfill this prophecy.
For that, I need to meet High Priest Cieltia.
◆
Honestly, I don't want to leave my home.
If I go outside, villagers might see my silver hair. So, I put on a cloak with a deep hood and walk outside. I think this way my true identity won't be easily discerned, but I can't shake off the unease.
"Hey, who are you?"
Someone addresses me.
I see a woman dressed in white robes. From her attire, I can tell she's a female priest. She must have been on watch outside.
The inquiry is from the most splendid mansion in the village. I heard a rumor that the priests who come from outside the village stay here.
"I have business with High Priest Cieltia."
As I was spoken to, I convey my purpose.
"Answer my question. I asked who you are."
"I am Kiska, a swordsman."
"What business does a swordsman like you have?"
While I've already answered about my purpose, I respond to the question.
"I have come to meet High Priest Cieltia."
"What business could someone with an unknown background like you have with High Priest Cieltia?"
For a priest, she sure has a foul mouth.
"I have come to offer my services as a guard for High Priest Cieltia."
To protect High Priest Cieltia, I need to be close to her. I thought it would be convenient to become her guard.
"Guard? We are already providing strict security for High Priest Cieltia. Why would an unrelated person like you want to take on the role of a guard?"
"Well, I thought maybe you could use an extra hand."
"We have enough manpower… but you seem suspicious. Saying all these pleasant things, are you planning something shady behind the scenes?"
Saying this, the priest glares at me.
This is bad. If I want to get closer to High Priest Cieltia, I'd rather avoid earning her displeasure here. I might need to come back later.
"You, you're an Alcus, aren't you?"
In the next moment, she points the staff she held towards me.
Certainly, being this close, it was inevitable that the silver hair under my hood would be revealed.
"First Tier, Capture Chain."
As she incanted those words, multiple chains made of light shot out from the ground, entwining around my arms and legs. I resisted, but the chains were tight and unyielding. It made it difficult to even stand.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing!"
I reflexively shouted.
"Why would an Alcus be here? What are you up to?"
"I told you, I'm here to be a guard—"
"Don't lie. You must be scheming something sinister."
"Hey, do you have any evidence or something?"
"Isn't it enough that you're an Alcus?"
I was taken aback.
Maybe my understanding was too naive. Indeed, Alcus people were deeply disliked in the village of Katarov. However, I unconsciously thought that communication might be a bit more reasonable if dealing with people from outside the village.
That was an illusion.
"You know it, don't you? A hundred years ago, the Alcus betrayed the hero and sided with the demons. That silver hair is a symbol of ill omen! It's not suitable for someone like you to enter this festival!"
It seemed that Alcus people were discriminated against everywhere.
In the end, despite my efforts in the past, it seemed impossible to change the prevailing prejudices against Alcus people.
"Hey, is something wrong?"
"I heard a loud noise, but…"
Suddenly, priests and guards who seemed to have heard the commotion gather. I feel like I'm being put on display.
"He's an Alcus. We caught him because he seemed suspicious. Take him to the interrogation room. He'll spill something once we question him."
"Wait! I haven't done anything!"
Shouting this, no one pays attention. The moment everyone saw my silver hair, contemptuous glances were directed at me.
Damn, just because I'm an Alcus, they treat me like a criminal.
"Is something happening?"
It was a very clear voice.
In an instant, I could feel the change in the surrounding atmosphere. Everyone straightened their backs and fell silent. Thanks to that, a sense of tension filled the air.
"High Priest Cieltia!"
The priestess who had captured me shouted, revealing that the person in front of me was indeed High Priest Cieltia.
First, I'm surprised that she looks much younger than I imagined. Probably younger than me and shorter in stature. I had assumed she would be older because I had heard she was an important figure.
However, despite her youthful appearance, her expression is mature, and her wisdom is evident at first glance. Even in this situation surrounded by adults, she stands confidently without hesitation.
"Priest Elise, please explain what happened."
When High Priest Cieltia issued the command, the priestess who had captured me, named Elise, responded with a crisp "Yes!" and straightened her posture. It seems her name is Priest Elise.
"We have captured a suspicious Alcus person as we found him. We plan to conduct an interrogation in the questioning room shortly!"
"Suspicious? Specifically, what was he doing?"
"He was saying something incomprehensible about wanting to meet High Priest Cieltia."
"I see."
High Priest Cieltia nodded.
Her expression, unmoving as a single brow, carried a certain coldness, and a growing sense of crisis made me fear that I might face punishment at her hands.
"Wait! I am not a suspicious person. I merely offered to be a guard for High Priest Cieltia. I am confident in my skills! Please, consider hiring me!"
Now is the only chance for an explanation.
I speak everything that comes to mind.
"Where are you from?"
"I'm from the village of Katarov."
"I see."
She replied and stared at my face, contemplating something or maintaining a deliberate silence.
Then, finally, she uttered a single word,
"Incomprehensible," she uttered.
"I don't understand why you're so desperate to offer protection. Is there some special reason?" she asked.
It was the most crucial question.
If I couldn't provide a convincing reason here, I would likely be deemed suspicious.
"I received a prophecy. According to that prophecy, High Priest Cieltia will be attacked by enemies soon. That's why I must protect you," I said.
Unable to come up with a convincing fabrication, I decided to speak the truth.
"Clearly, this person is suspicious! Prophecy, there's no way something like that exists!" Priest Elise raised her voice.
Certainly, it was natural not to believe such an outrageous story. High Priest Cieltia probably wouldn't believe it either.
"High Priest Cieltia, please immediately deal with this man—"
"Elise, please be silent."
"Yes, I'm sorry!"
"I apologize. My subordinate can be quite noisy."
"N-no… don't worry about it."
I was bewildered by High Priest Cieltia silencing her subordinate.
"Was that prophecy bestowed upon you by the gods?"
"I don't know."
I honestly answered High Priest Cieltia's question. I had no idea what she was thinking.
"How did you receive this prophecy?"
"…When I woke up in the morning, the prophecy was in my head."
In reality, it was written on paper, but I thought that revealing the written prophecy might lead to showing the paper with the other prophecies, especially the one stating, 'Let the second prince Dilekka be left to die,' which wouldn't likely elicit a positive response.
"Elise."
"Yes!"
"Guide him to a guest room."
"Huh?"
"And please release him from confinement immediately."
"U-Understood!"
Her sudden decision left me bewildered.
"It seems I need to hear the details from you."
She stared at me with clear eyes.
It seemed she was willing to listen to what I had to say.