After taking a shower and drying my body with a towel, I stand in front of the mirror and notice.
My hair has returned to its original silver color.
I had dyed it golden using hair dye, but it must have washed out when I showered.
Will Cieltia lend me hair dye again tomorrow? Hair dye is a precious item, and if there's none left, what should I do…
"Cieltia-sama, there's something I'd like to ask."
So, after changing into my pajamas, I speak to her to confirm.
"Kiska, please don't use honorifics when we're alone."
"Huh?"
"I want to be friends with you. To achieve that, I thought it would be a good start to stop using honorifics."
"But I'm just an employee."
"In that case, it's only reasonable to listen to the words of your employer, me."
While what she said may be true, speaking so casually all of a sudden feels uncomfortable.
"Besides, Cieltia-sama uses honorifics with me too. Wouldn't it be strange if I'm the only one to stop using them?"
"I talk this way to everyone, so it's fine."
It sounds like an unreasonable argument. However, I have no reason to continue ignoring her orders, so I should obediently comply here.
"I understand. Is this okay?"
"Yes, with this, I feel like the distance between us has shortened a bit."
As Cieltia said this, her eyes seemed to be smiling somehow.
"So, what is it that you wanted to ask?"
"Oh, I was wondering if there's still some hair dye left for tomorrow. As you can see, my hair has returned to its original color."
"That's not a problem. There's still plenty left, so don't worry."
"I see. Sorry, it's a precious item, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is precious. However, it's not something you need to worry about."
After answering, Cieltia stood up. She seemed to be heading for a shower.
While she was taking a shower, I was left alone, lost in thought. Of course, I remained cautious due to the prophecy, but there was still a sense of relaxation. Somehow, she seemed to trust me too much.
Not only the matter of being a bodyguard but also inviting the opposite sex into the room like this. She claimed to be able to tell if someone is lying just by looking at them, but is that really all there is to it?
When she came out of the shower, maybe I should inquire about these things in more detail.
"Kiska, there's something I want you to see."
Several tens of minutes later, I heard Cieltia's voice from right behind me, indicating that she had finished her shower. So, I turned around absentmindedly.
In an instant, my gaze was captivated.
Firstly, she wasn't wearing proper clothes. She had a single towel wrapped around her, covering the essential parts, but her appearance, almost naked, was disturbing.
However, her enchanting appearance was a trivial matter compared to the information now right in front of me.
More than anything, my attention was fixated on a certain aspect of her.
It was her hair.
I observed each strand of her hair from the roots to the tips, captivated by the details.
Her hair color was a muted silver.
The radiant golden hair she had just moments ago had completely vanished.
"I am also an Alcus person like you."
She did say that, indeed.
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"I apologize for keeping silent until now. I thought you might not believe me even if I said it out loud."
Now, High Priest Cieltia sat across from me.
She had already changed into her pajamas.
"I don't really mind."
While saying this, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.
After all, I had only encountered someone other than myself from Alcus once before. It was the assassin Noct whom I met when I traveled to the past world. I never expected to have a fellow Alcus person so close to me.
"Could it be that you trusted me because I'm an Alcus person…?"
"Yes, that's right. I believe I understand the unique struggles of Alcus people. That's why I couldn't abandon you."
"So, can you really tell if someone is lying just by looking at them?"
"That was a lie I told to convince Elise."
"I see… I understand. Thank you for helping me in various ways."
It felt like all the questions I had been harboring were now resolved.
"Does Cieltia let others know that she's an Alcus person?"
"No, I haven't told anyone. No one among the priest associates knows that I am an Alcus person. So, I feel guilty asking you to keep this a secret, but could you please keep it confidential…"
"Ah, of course, I understand. I won't tell anyone about this."
"Thank you."
Cieltia nodded slightly. Since she holds a high position in the association, revealing that she is an Alcus person could lead to various complications, so, of course, I was willing to cooperate.
"So, Cieltia dyes her hair to avoid being bullied if people find out she's an Alcus person?"
"Yes, that's correct. If I remained as an Alcus person, I wouldn't have been able to climb the ranks as I have now."
"I see. The impact of Alcus people betraying the hero 100 years ago is still so significant…"
Thinking of the assassin Noct, I mentioned it. I witnessed the moment he betrayed.
"Of course, that has a significant impact as well. However, the persecution of Alcus people is not solely due to that."
"Huh…?"
I didn't know there were other reasons.
"In ancient times, there was a period when Alcus people were considered part of the demon race, so that might be another reason."
"Demon race?!"
"You're not aware of it?"
"Yeah, it's the first time I've heard of it. Can humans turn into the demon race?"
"When humans believe in the demon god, they can become part of the demon race."
"I see. So, even if Alcus people hadn't betrayed 100 years ago, would we still have been persecuted?"
"Most likely, that's a high possibility."
So that's how it was. When I tried to change the fact that the assassin Noct had betrayed when I went to the past world, my efforts ultimately proved futile. Learning this made me feel a sense of helplessness.
"Um, could you tell me about Kiska? When I look at you, you seem to be going through a lot, and I believe that as fellow Alcus people, we can share our struggles. Besides, it's the job of a priest to guide lost lambs."
"Well, if you insist."
After that, I began to share my life story.
The bullying I endured from a young age due to my hair. The death of my childhood friend and fiancée, Namia. Being accused of that crime and exiled deep into the dungeon.
I omitted details like "Save & Reset," the existence of the vampire Judite, the parasitic sword Puppeteer, and the fact that I had traveled to a past world, as it seemed unlikely she would believe them. Still, my story became quite lengthy. Nevertheless, Cieltia listened earnestly to my tale.
"Kiska, come over here."
As soon as I finished speaking, she said this with a serious gaze.
"Alright, but…"
Although perplexed, I followed her instructions. I sat next to her.
Then, she gently tilted my body and placed my head on her lap.
"What's this…?"
"It's a headrest. After hearing your story, I felt like doing this."
Then, she began to gently stroke my head.
"You've been through a lot, haven't you? But you've worked harder than anyone. I acknowledge that."
Saying so, she continued to stroke my head.
Her method might be awkward, but it was clear that she was earnestly trying to encourage me in her own way.
"Um, do you believe me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, no one in the village believed me."
"That's true. I looked at the records of the trial, and there were signs of tampering here and there. Besides, I'm an Alcus person, so I naturally view you, a fellow Alcus, with a favorable eye. I tried to give you reasons why I believe in you, did that satisfy you?"
I couldn't help but smile wryly at her earnest explanation. At the same time, touched by her kindness, I felt like crying.
"Hey, can we stay like this a little longer?"
"Yes, take your time."
I wanted to lean on her a little longer, just like this.
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