A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 169

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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‘Is this some kind of publicity stunt?’
Camilla recalled anew that the necklace she had received was defective, and she clicked her tongue softly in disapproval.
Did the Temple really manufacture faulty goods?
‘Ugh, never mind. It was free anyway.’
Now that I thought about it, there were quite a few people wearing necklaces around me. They probably invited those who had made substantial donations?
The Priest Ghost furrowed her brow continuously as she watched the Pope wearing the red stone. Did she dislike that sacred object?
[Stupid bastard.]
Huh! Did she just curse?
[What a pathetic wretch. All you think about is money while sitting in the Pope’s seat, so your holy power is worthless. I feel sorry for those who revere a fool like you as Pope.]
Camilla doubted her own ears. She rubbed her eyes and checked the clothes the Priest Ghost was wearing again. Is that really a priest’s vestment?
‘Well, it is, isn’t it?’
No, even if she’s dead, how can her manner of speech be so crude? Is that even allowed?
[….]
Gasp!
Did the Priest Ghost sense being watched? She suddenly turned her head. Camilla averted her gaze as naturally as possible.
Right, let me not worry about it. What does it matter to me whether a ghost clings to the Pope’s side or not? Priests are people too—they can curse if they want.
While Camilla was lost in thought, the ceremony proceeded rapidly. She too focused entirely on the blessing ritual, pushing everything else from her mind.
The choir’s song wishing for abundance echoed throughout the Garden, followed by the tedious sermons of the High Priests and the Pope.
“The Lord speaks thus.”
Wow… this is really boring. Why do all sermons in the world have such a deep friendship with lullabies?
Camilla had to bite her tongue repeatedly to keep from falling asleep.
When does this even end? Does it ever end?
[Hm… *yawn*.]
…So ghosts yawn too.
That Priest Ghost from earlier was squatting in front of the Pope who was giving the sermon, her mouth wide open as she let out a yawn. It was rather refreshing to see a priest behaving that way.
[This is so damn boring. Why do both of them drag out their sermons like this? Who actually listens intently? Just get to the point, will you? Repeating the same thing over and over. My ears are going to get calluses, you fools!]
My thoughts exactly.
“Now we shall proceed with the blessing.”
Should I just collapse dramatically to escape?
Just as I was seriously considering it, the sermon finally ended and we moved on to the next part.
Following the master of ceremonies’ words, the Pope slowly walked toward where the Lord’s Tree stood.
With people’s eager eyes upon him, he bowed his head and began to pray. Then a soft light flowed from his hands—it was holy power.
[I can’t believe that’s considered holy power.]
At that moment, that crooked voice pierced my ears again.
As Camilla hesitated, the holy power flowing from the Pope’s hands seeped directly into the tree.
“Wow!”
Then small leaves suddenly sprouted all over the withered branches. The sight drew a tremendous cheer from the crowd.
“It looks like we’ll have abundance this year too.”
“Don’t you think more leaves appeared than last year?”
“As expected of the Pope.”
Camilla couldn’t hide her bewilderment as she watched people genuinely rejoice and marvel over merely a few leaves sprouting forth.
It was certainly remarkable, but was it truly something to be so astonished about?
‘The tree is still as bare as ever, though.’
Chris, reading her perplexed expression, offered an explanation for the situation instead.
“There was once a Pope who couldn’t awaken a single leaf, I’m told. That autumn, the harvest failed entirely.”
“What? Are they divining the future from that?”
Wasn’t that simply a matter of differences in sacred power among individuals?
‘Why would priests serving the divine use that to divine the harvest of the year? And priests at that?’
Camilla shook her head slightly. It seemed that across all eras, people arbitrarily assigned meaning to things in the same way.
“What are they doing now?”
Following the Pope, the other attendees of the ceremony began stepping forward one by one and offering prayers toward the tree.
“It’s the final order of the blessing ceremony. Everyone attending the ceremony offers prayers toward the Lord’s tree, wishing for abundance.”
“Everyone? Does that mean I have to do it too?”
“Yes.”
At Chris’s explanation, another short sigh escaped Camilla’s lips. I hadn’t wanted to come in the first place, and now I actually have to pray?
‘And how long will it take for all these people to finish praying?’
Why can’t they all just do it together at once?
[These incompetent fools sure do love their pointless formalities.]
Agreed this time!
“Huh?”
While I was internally nodding along with the Priest Ghost’s words, I unconsciously lifted my gaze toward the tree and my eyes widened in surprise.
Something very familiar was fluttering and hovering above the tree.
A small, faint, crimson dragon.
‘Yongyong?’
That creature I’d seen in the Gracia Empire Imperial Greenhouse!
[It’s you!]
Yongyong spotted me just in time and flew over rapidly, flapping its small wings with all its might. The way its eyes kept blinking showed just how delighted it was.
[So you were here. I hadn’t seen you over there anymore.]
This is my main territory, so that makes sense. But why are you here?
The Red Dragon opened its mouth again, as if reading the question in my eyes.
[It’s only natural that the King who rules autumn would be where autumn begins.]
The Red Dragon, which had been circling around, suddenly landed and settled itself on top of my head.
‘Hey! What are you doing right now?’
Why are you sitting on my head?
I wanted to shake my head vigorously and knock it off immediately, but I had to restrain myself because of the gazes of those around me.
‘Gasp!’
Moreover, the Priest Ghost who had been standing beside the Pope was staring intently at me. It seemed she too had noticed the Red Dragon and was now focusing her attention on me instead.
Did we just make eye contact? I quickly looked away, but…!
[Humans are truly amusing.]
‘What is?’
Even as this unfolded, the Autumn Spirit King shook his head disapprovingly at the sight of those earnestly praying before the Divine Tree.
[They interpret everything however they please. It’s we spirits who govern the harvest! You can’t understand it through such things!]
‘Humans are simply like that.’
They insist on ascribing meaning to everything. Humans are capable of deifying even a stray dog passing by if they set their minds to it.
[And that tree—it’s incredibly old, isn’t it? It’s merely resting because its body isn’t what it used to be in its age, yet they pray for abundance to such a thing. These youngsters don’t know how to respect their elders.]
The Autumn Spirit King cast a displeased gaze repeatedly toward the Pope. He seemed dissatisfied with the Pope’s earlier action of forcibly manifesting leaves using holy power.
[It is we who govern nature. It cannot be measured by holy power, you fools!]
…It seems this creature came here to mock this entire ceremony. I’d like to join in the mockery, but what can I do? I’m human, after all.
“Camilla.”
“Yes.”
Chris called out to Camilla. It was her turn.
The gazes of the Pope and the others had already converged upon her.
One blessed by the divine. Given the rumors surrounding her, everyone’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Of course, among them were those who regarded her with displeasure, claiming the rumors were baseless.
‘Of course.’
They’re all false rumors, I’m telling you. What could I possibly do here?
[Shall I help you?]
‘What are you saying?’
What help could there be here? I just need to go out, pray, and come back in.
Camilla ignored Yongyong’s words and walked forward to offer her prayer.
Just standing here with my eyes closed feels awkward, so I might as well ask for something. Please let it live a long life.
“Gasp!”
“L-look at that!”
“Wow!”
What’s all this noise?
Camilla, who had been concentrating on her prayer, slowly lifted her head as murmurs reached her ears moments later.
“Huh!”
Once she grasped the situation, she drew in a sharp breath. Her wide eyes trembled continuously. Why was this suddenly happening?
The tree that had been withered and bare just moments ago had vanished. In its place stood the Divine Tree, now lush with abundant foliage.
[How is it?]
“…!”
In that moment, the voice of Yongyong reached her ears once more.
[This is the power of a spirit who governs nature. It’s on an entirely different level from holy power. Ahem!]
Was it you? Did you do this?
Watching the Red Dragon flutter back to her side with smug satisfaction, Camilla was left speechless for a long while.
“Did you see that?”
“We did! The moment the young lady of Sorpel offered her prayer, light emanated from the tree!”
“I’ve never seen the Divine Tree look so lush before.”
“So she truly is blessed by the divine….”
“The rumors weren’t false after all!”
This is driving me insane.
Camilla’s head throbbed with a dull ache as she felt the weight of countless gazes fixed upon her—eyes gleaming with wonder and admiration.
Even the Pope himself stared at her with wide eyes. What in the world was this ridiculous misunderstanding?
“You….”
[Why? People are saying you’re amazing. Isn’t that good?]
“It’s not good at all.”
Camilla growled softly. Why was he doing things she never asked him to do? She’d like to see him die by her hand today!
[You’re a funny human. Don’t humans usually enjoy being the center of attention?]
I’m already receiving more than enough attention without your help. In fact, I’m drowning in it—it’s become a genuine headache!
[Hmph, I help you and you complain. No gratitude whatsoever.]
“…You seem to be struggling too. Would you like my help?”
[What? You, a mere human, would help me?]
“How about I call Aislah and have her freeze this place solid?”
[W-What?]
“Autumn would vanish in an instant. Then you’d finally have some peace, wouldn’t you?”
[I-I’m actually quite busy. I must go!]
The moment the name of Aislah, the Winter Spirit King, left Camilla’s lips, the Red Dragon’s expression froze and he vanished in a flash.
“Sigh.”
Right, I should disappear too.
Camilla hurried away from the crowd, evading their intense, eager gazes. They all seemed to want to say something to her, but she ignored them all.
“….”
Yet there was one who watched her departure with unwavering attention—High Priest Daniel.
His gaze never left her as she hastily withdrew.
Only after Camilla had completely vanished from sight did a deep smile bloom across his lips.
“How truly desirable.”
He murmured the words softly to himself, then resumed his usual benevolent demeanor as he engaged in conversation with the others.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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