The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 28

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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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Chapter 28
“Hmm?”
Do Gyeong tilted his head at the unexpected question.
“I’ve caused trouble again, haven’t I? I’m different from everyone else, so strange…….”
Arin was rambling, on the verge of tears.
“Still no good at comforting children, I see.”
Yeoryeong slipped quietly into Maehwadang. Do Gyeong, already uneasy at the sight of Arin’s troubled expression, glanced at her.
“The celebration—what about it? Why are you here?”
“Geumgeum will stand in for me.”
Geumgeum was a spirit creature bound by contract to Yeoryeong and could disguise herself as a priestess.
This was one of Geumgeum’s Divine Mystical Arts, and it was also why rumors circulated that Yeoryeong appeared and disappeared like a phantom.
Yeoryeong approached Arin and gently caressed her cheek.
“Little one, you are not lacking in any way.”
“But everyone said I was incomplete.”
“That’s just foolish talk from those who know nothing.”
Yeoryeong smoothed Arin’s hair with a tender touch. That gesture alone set the girl’s mind at ease.
“You are not incomplete—you are special.”
“I’m special?”
“The truth is, I too am a Zodiac Sign who cannot perform the Animal Transformation.”
At Yeoryeong’s admission, Arin’s eyes widened in shock.
She had always heard that Priestess Yeoryeong was revered by all the Zodiac Signs as a venerable elder.
Yet this woman stood in the same position as herself—unable to transform.
Arin’s lips trembled as she struggled to comprehend.
“What must I do to become as wonderful a Zodiac Sign as you, even without the Animal Transformation?”
She would put in whatever effort it took.
Arin wanted to find confidence in herself. And she wanted to be of use to her family.
Sensing her resolve, Yeoryeong’s gaze grew distinctly gentler.
“If you wish to learn more about yourself, come to the Village of Zodiac Signs soon with your father. It is a long tale, too much to tell here.”
At the mention of the Village of Zodiac Signs, Arin’s face darkened.
“But I heard that once you enter the Village of Zodiac Signs, you cannot leave for three years…….”
She did not want to be separated from her newfound family.
Yeoryeong, perceiving her innermost thoughts, smiled faintly.
“You speak truly. Ordinarily, one must remain apart from family as the rule dictates—but there are exceptions.”
Yeoryeong glanced at Do Gyeong.
Only the priestess, the patriarch of the Geumho Family, and the direct bloodline of the Baekryong Family could freely enter and leave the Village of Zodiac Signs.
Arin knew this fact too, which made her confusion all the greater.
She was neither the priestess, nor of the Baekryong Family, and her father was merely the patriarch of the Geumho Family.
Yeoryeong drew out the Golden Lotus Medallion from her sleeve to set Arin’s mind at ease.
“Whoever carries this may freely enter and exit for a time.”
“Oh!”
The gleaming golden medallion looked extraordinarily precious.
“Am I allowed to accept this?”
“Rather, I am grateful that you will take it. Consider it a gift to commemorate your becoming the daughter of the Geumho Family.”
Yeoryeong treated Arin with the care one might show a precious crystal orb.
It was utterly different from the cold demeanor she showed others.
‘It seems she’s smiling for the first time in quite a while.’
Unaccustomed to seeing her this way, Do Gyeong found himself rubbing away an unexpected chill on his arms.
It had been far too long since Yeoryeong had smiled freely after the incident that had come before.
A child with pure Divine Power seemed to revive her spirit simply by being near.
“Then I shall see you soon.”
Yeoryeong embraced Arin with a reluctant expression, then took her leave.
* * *
Several days had passed since the Welcome Ceremony.
Arin blinked as she looked over the list of gifts that had poured in for her.
“Did really this many arrive?”
The volume far exceeded what she had received when celebrating her birthday at Hongsaga.
It spoke to the greater prestige of the Geumho Family, though her thoughts did not reach that far.
Cho Ryeong puffed out her chest with a smug grin.
“Of course. They’re all for Miss Arin. We’ve inspected everything, so please use them as you wish.”
‘I can’t possibly use all of this by myself.’
But storing them away in the warehouse felt like such a waste.
She had watched her mother leave things forgotten in that warehouse long ago, only to see them rot into rubbish.
Rather than let them languish and decay, Arin spoke up, wanting to put them to good use.
“Cho Ryeong, are there many orphans and vagrants in Geumho Village?”
“Well, it’s a port region where sea trade passes through, so yes. Children are abandoned here all the time—more than you’d think. The head of the family does run a Relief Center, but….”
“If I traded these gifts for food, how many children could we feed?”
“What? Surely you don’t mean to give all these gifts to street children?”
“I have far too many. Keeping them in storage would cost more to maintain than they’re worth.”
“But….”
Cho Ryeong hesitated, wishing Arin would keep the gifts for herself.
Yet Arin’s resolve was firm.
“Since there’s a Relief Center nearby, that’s perfect. I’d like to visit it.”
“…Very well, we’ll go. But please, let me set aside your share separately?”
“Mm!”
It was just as Arin’s stubbornness was pulling them toward the streets outside the Geumho Family compound.
“Where are you going?”
Do Young, who had been heading out for Sword Technique Training, nearly collided with them.
“The young lady wishes to visit the Relief Center.”
“The Relief Center? Why?”
“She wants to distribute gifts to the street children.”
“Hmm. I’ll come along.”
“Brother, what about your training?”
“It’s fine. I don’t feel right sending you alone. Do you have any idea how rough those street children can be?”
Do Young pressed close to Arin’s side as if he’d been waiting for this.
“Isn’t this just an excuse to get snacks?”
“It’s not!”
At her piercing remark, Do Young shot her a glare.
“Of course I want to stop by the Dumpling Shop nearby! You want dumplings too, don’t you, little one?”
“Mm!”
Arin was happy with whatever Do Young suggested.
Seeing the siblings get along so well, Cho Ryeong simply laughed it off.
And so the three of them were heading to the Dumpling Shop before visiting the Relief Center.
The area around the Dumpling Shop was in chaos.
“You again!”
Drawing closer, they saw a boy arguing with the shop owner.
His black hair hung so thickly over his eyes that he could barely see—all the signs of a street child.
When the owner could no longer contain his anger and reached for a broom, the boy deftly dodged and growled viciously.
“I have money too!”
“I don’t sell dumplings to riffraff like you! Now get out! How many times have I told you?”
“Bah! With such a rotten disposition, no wonder you’re getting fat and flabby.”
“What did you just say, you brat?!”
Humiliated, the owner’s face flushed red and purple as he seized the boy by the scruff of his neck.
Gold gleamed in the boy’s eyes for just an instant before he tore into the owner’s forearm with his teeth.
In that mere instant, as the boy’s body seemed to darken, Arin’s eyes widened.
“Let go, you spiteful little brat!”
The owner shrieked at the crushing force of those jaws, tearing his flesh.
“Argh!”
The owner released the boy, clutching his arm.
The boy snatched a dumpling from the basket and grinned wickedly.
“Consider it payment for the trouble.”
“You—you damnable little beasts!”
The owner didn’t chase after him, blood dripping steadily from his wound.
His forearm looked as if a wild animal had bitten him.
Just then, the boy brushed past Arin.
Seeing his sullen black eyes, Arin tilted her head slightly.
‘Did I see that wrong?’
She could have sworn his eyes had gleamed gold.
But it had happened so fast that she couldn’t confirm the boy’s face now that he’d passed.
At that moment, Cho Ryeong clicked her tongue.
“There are far too many of these alley cats about. We’ll need to be careful not to have our purses snatched.”
With the owner injured, the shop would surely be in disarray.
“Well then, we’ve finished all the dumplings today. I know a different place with excellent food.”
Do Young led Arin to the Noodle Shop as though he’d been waiting for just this moment.

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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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