The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 32

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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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Episode 32
“What?!”
Arin, startled beyond measure, clapped a hand over her own mouth.
She’d been shocked enough when Yeo Ryeong said she couldn’t perform Beast Transformation during the banquet, but now to hear she could use Zodiac Animal Power without it—that was something else entirely.
She’d already learned from Cho Ryeong that Yeo Ryeong could transform into a fox.
The realization that the Priestess had been spinning comfort lies for her sake left Arin’s expression darkening.
“You don’t need to go to such trouble for my sake.”
“Hmm?”
“I already know that you can transform into a fox, Priestess.”
Only then did Yeo Ryeong grasp what misunderstanding Arin harbored, and a warm smile spread across her face.
“The transformation people saw was not mine—it was Geumgeum’s. Geumgeum can shift into any of the Twelve Zodiac Animals.”
“Wow.”
So Geumgeum could transform into any of the Zodiac Animals.
As Arin’s eyes brightened at this revelation, Yeo Ryeong pressed on.
“So my inability to perform Beast Transformation has nothing whatsoever to do with wielding Zodiac Animal Power. Does that set your mind at ease now?”
“……But the physician said I don’t have a Spirit Core Gate. Doesn’t that mean I can’t use Zodiac Animal Power?”
“A Priestess’s power works differently from that of ordinary Zodiac Animals. And you have a living example standing right before you, do you not? If you wish it, I intend to teach you how to master that power starting today.”
At the mention of learning to master her power, Arin shifted on her seat with sudden eagerness.
“Really?”
“Yes. So don’t be swayed by the thoughtless prattling of those who know nothing.”
“……Yes.”
Arin remained conflicted. Too many years spent as a mutation, as defective goods, had made it difficult for her to believe.
“When a creature remains in its cocoon, there’s no way to tell if what dwells within will be a moth or a butterfly.”
“I still feel like I’m a moth.”
“A butterfly does not lose its beauty simply because it believes itself a moth. When the time comes, you will know the truth of what you are.”
Yeo Ryeong did not press Arin further. That restraint itself became a great comfort to her.
“I’ll work hard, Priestess.”
“Good. Your teacher will be quite stern, so you mustn’t slack off.”
“Yes!”
With Arin’s spirits lifted, Yeo Ryeong continued with the legend of the Twelve Zodiac Animals.
All the Zodiac Animals loved one Priestess, who chose the White Dragon, and his descendants established the White Dragon Clan.
And the Zodiac Animal who resented this most was the Black Horse.
“The Black Horse could not accept the girl’s choice. He tried to abduct her and fought fiercely with the White Dragon before departing far away.”
“Is he still gone?”
At the naive question, Yeo Ryeong’s smile turned bitter.
The Black Horse, living in isolation, never gave up on the girl.
His descendants carried on his legacy, beginning to threaten Priestesses generation after generation.
Endless wars erupted, and the fiercest collision had come ten years ago.
At that time, Yeo Ryeong had no choice but to sacrifice half her Divine Power to stop Hyeok Gwang, the leader of the Black Horse Clan.
Sealed away, Hyeok Gwang fled and has never been caught since.
And three years ago, he stole the Yeouiju from Baek Mu Je, the heir to the White Dragon Clan.
Likely he sought to restore the power that had been sealed within himself.
The hapless Baek Mu Je suffered for it, and the King searched everywhere for him.
Unfortunately, they never even discovered the Black Horse Clan’s headquarters.
Yeo Ryeong gazed at the Black Horse statue in the shrine, then murmured softly.
“Even now, he watches and waits, scheming to claim the girl.”
As though the Black Horse had been obsessed with the girl his entire existence.
In that instant, a desolate wind swept through the Temple Shrine.
Arin’s body shrank back, and Yeo Ryeong draped her robe around the girl’s shoulders.
“So before you master your power properly, no one must learn of your abilities.”
Yeo Ryeong spoke in a low, frightening tone, and Arin’s shoulders drew inward.
“Especially—you must not rush to aid me again, as you did at the last feast.”
“But what if you’re hurt, Priestess?”
“You think too little of your father. He already knew of the assassin’s presence.”
“Oh.”
Now that she thought about it, Do Gyeong had moved at the very moment Arin cried out.
“Did I almost ruin things?”
“Not at all. We only wish for your safety. Aside from seeing something like mist, have you noticed anything else unusual?”
“Hmm. Oh! There’s a sound from the Bell on Geumgeum’s ear—sometimes I can hear it, sometimes I can’t.”
“Hmm.”
The bell ring hanging from Geumgeum’s ear chimed whenever its location needed to be communicated to Yeo Ryeong.
‘This child’s spiritual sensitivity is remarkably acute.’
Perhaps that was precisely why she had become so attuned to reading others’ moods.
Perceiving things that others could not required tremendous emotional expenditure.
Yeo Ryeong drew a bell from the drawer and shook it gently.
“Can you hear this?”
“No.”
“What about this one?”
When Arin shook her head, Yeo Ryeong fell into thought.
‘So it’s specifically spiritual creatures that sharpen her senses.’
If that were the case, keeping a spiritual creature like Geumgeum nearby would be all the better for concealing Arin’s abilities.
Yet spiritual creatures were not something one could simply summon to one’s side on a whim.
The compatibility between them mattered greatly.
“Let us investigate further.”
Yeo Ryeong was about to call for Geumgeum when—
A white lizard slipped into the temple shrine and settled beside Arin.
Yeo Ryeong’s eyes narrowed slightly as she registered the arrival.
Baek Mu Je then sent her a mental transmission.
– Pay me no mind.
Seeing the creature settle with such ease, as if reclaiming its own place, Yeo Ryeong tilted her head in curiosity.
It was surprising—this child who avoided approaching people now pressed itself against Arin’s side.
– Do you know Arin?
– Ah, so this child’s name is Arin.
– Yes. She has just been registered into the Gold Tiger Clan.
– I see, so this is that child. No wonder I found it difficult to locate her presence. Does this mean she will now reside here freely as well?
Baek Mu Je spoke at unusual length.
It seemed he had reasoned that once one entered this place, departure without permission was forbidden.
– No. This child may come and go as freely as you do.
– Is that so?
The white lizard tilted its head as if the explanation warranted further clarification.
“Oh! You’re that lizard from before!”
Arin, belatedly recognizing him, seized him at once.
“It’s you, isn’t it?”
Baek Mu Je’s eyes widened in bewilderment as her face drew suddenly close to his own.
At the same moment their contact was established, he felt the headache vanish once more.
‘This child truly is different.’
Confirming that his suspicion was correct, Baek Mu Je’s eyes took on a bloodred hue.
Seeing his golden irises bleed crimson, Arin spoke up.
“Priestess, can you make him like Geumgeum?”
Yeo Ryeong let out a soft laugh at the brazen question.
The heir of the White Dragon Clan transformed into a spiritual creature—what an audacious notion.
It was a remark that could easily be taken as dismissive, yet Mu Je remained silent.
Or rather, he appeared too preoccupied with other thoughts to respond.
Yeo Ryeong opened her eyes slightly and spoke in a measured tone.
“Well, if that creature wished it, then yes, it would be possible.”
At Yeo Ryeong’s jest, Baek Mu Je’s gaze shifted away.
He had no intention of releasing his Beast Transformation or revealing his true form.
Yeo Ryeong studied the two of them quietly, her eyes fully open.
Arin’s vital force was so clear and pure that Mu Je’s surging murderous intent seemed to lose its power in her presence.
‘They seem remarkably well-suited to concealing each other’s energies.’
Arin had only recently become aware of her own abilities, so naturally she did not yet know how to open and close her power at will.
Divine Power differed from the other Zodiac Animal Powers in how it radiated outward into the world.
Unable to regulate it herself, she was constantly expending her vitality—which was why she appeared smaller and frailer than her peers.
Even if she began training now, she could not master such control immediately.
Mu Je, by contrast, was a child well-practiced in restraining his own strength.
If Arin, who must always remain open, and Mu Je, who must always remain closed, were to stay together, they would be of mutual benefit to each other.
‘Yet there is no chance that such a proud young master would consent to such an arrangement.’
Understanding Baek Mu Je’s temperament as she did, Yeo Ryeong resolved to seek an alternative approach.
It was then that Arin produced a Chestnut Pouch from her lap.
“I’ve always carried these with me, hoping to give them to you when we met. Don’t they look delicious?”

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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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