Youngest on Top - Chapter 108

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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 108

I couldn’t fathom why she was treating me this way, even if I rewound time to our first meeting.
But rewinding time would certainly help me understand what situation I was in.

.
.

Several hours earlier, morning.

“You’re beautiful, my daughter.”

Randel whispered as he brushed my hair with his own hands, just as he had when I was young.
The tender touch filled me with warmth, though I felt a little embarrassed.

It truly felt like I finally had a father.
My real father had abandoned me, after all.

‘…I wonder if Kaiser arrived safely.’

My thoughts naturally drifted to Kaiser, my other godfather.

Not long ago, Kaiser had departed for the Pearen region, a war zone.
Monsters had begun appearing in the Pearen region in large numbers several months prior.
As the conflict dragged on, a request for reinforcements was sent to Kaiser, a renowned Holy Knight.

The fact that they were requesting aid without easily resolving it suggested that demons were mixed among the monsters.

‘Before my regression, I don’t recall demons ever being involved like this.’

If demons had been involved in the conflict, Parmanase would have mobilized as well.
But I have no memory of that happening.

‘Why are the demons being so proactive in this life?’

The same applied to the false Sacred Maiden incident at the Artemia Temple.
That too was something that never occurred before my regression.

I still hadn’t uncovered who was pulling the strings behind Diana, the mirror demon who’d been masquerading as the Sacred Maiden.
Perhaps that’s why I felt so unsettled.

‘…It couldn’t possibly be that lunatic Misa, could it?’

The face of Behemoth—that deranged psychopath, perverted stalker Demon King—flashed through my mind, and I shuddered violently.

“What’s wrong, Sae?”
“I suppose I’m just nervous.”

It was nothing but a vague deflection, yet Randel lowered his head and met my gaze with a gentle expression.

“It’s natural to feel nervous. You want to do well, you want to achieve good results.”
“….”
“I support that desire. But you don’t need to burden yourself, Sae.”

Randel brushed my hair behind my ear and smiled.

“No matter what result comes about, your father will be here to support our daughter.”
“….”

I wasn’t actually nervous at all.
I’d just made an excuse.

Even as I thought that, my heart felt as though it were bathed in warm sunlight.

‘Perhaps this is what it feels like to have someone to rely on.’

Ever since the Celestial Realm, I’d been nothing but trouble and a source of headaches.
So I’d never heard words like someone saying they’d support me no matter what happened.
Instead, they’d watched me with wide eyes, monitoring my every move.

‘Before the regression, when I was in Parmanase, they said they couldn’t even stand to watch me breathe.’

This was the first time someone had trusted me so completely.

“Thank you, Father….”

I called out “Dad” not because Randel wanted me to, but because I wanted to.
His kind green eyes, gentle as the cool shade of a summer’s day, widened slightly.
In the next moment, they sparkled like the most beautiful jewels in the world.

Feeling oddly awkward, I changed the subject.

“I wish Kaiser could have gone with us.”

The moment I spoke, I was startled.
I hadn’t even known I harbored such feelings.

Kaiser departed as a Holy Knight for the greater cause.
With Kaiser’s strength, victory was assured, so Artemia’s reputation would naturally rise.

‘When I think about it rationally, shouldn’t I be happy that things worked out this way?’

Kaiser’s attendance at the gathering with Moloresta wouldn’t change anything in particular.
The matches would be conducted by me and the Trainee Priests anyway.

‘…Besides, I have no justification to stop Kaiser from departing.’

In the chaos surrounding the false Sacred Maiden, I’d practically forced my way into becoming the godmother.

‘Kaiser was suspicious of Diana, so making me the godmother was a political choice.’

To block the power concentrated on Diana.

Kaiser is a good person, so he takes quite good care of me as his godmother.
But I can’t act thoughtlessly toward him the way I do with Randel.

“Sae.”

Suddenly, Randel gripped both my shoulders.
And with an infinitely serious expression, he spoke.

“That guy going out is helping you.”
“…”

Ah, that’s right.
Things were incredibly tense between Randel and Kaiser.

* * *

I secured the item I’d received from Hephastos in my possession.
As he handed it over, Hephastos told me something.

“I made it the way you described, but it can break down pretty easily.”
“That would be inconvenient if it suddenly malfunctioned.”
“That’s why you need to get it inspected regularly.”
“Inspected?”
“If you can’t afford for it to break down, you absolutely must come get it inspected once a month.”

Having to get inspected once a month was honestly too bothersome.
So Hephastos wasn’t that skilled at this point either.
Was it because he was still young?

In any case, I decided to leave the inspections to someone else.

“Yeah, that’s actually a great idea. There’s no need for Sae to go get it inspected directly. You’re already so busy as it is.”

For some reason, Randel seemed absolutely delighted with my decision.

After finishing our preparations and heading to the plaza in front of the temple’s main building, people were already lined up.

“Sacred Maiden.”

Sirius Elder greeted me with a rather formal demeanor.
Sirius was the overall director overseeing this assembly.

This assembly was no ordinary gathering.
It was truly a critical assembly that would determine a new leap forward for the Artemia Temple!

Knowing this, not only the priests but even the trainee priests bore solemn expressions.
Everyone was grave.

“I really should be the one going!”
“…”

Debon Elder waved his arms about frantically, his eyes glistening with tears.
He gazed at me standing beside Sirius.

“I must go witness our precious treasure’s exploits firsthand! My heart aches unbearably at not being able to see you directly!”
“….”
“My heart feels like it’s being torn apart. Not being able to see you. Not being able to touch you. I can’t believe this reality.”
“….”
“Why can’t I take the place of that person beside you?”
“….”

Isn’t this precisely why he can’t go?
Sirius wore an exasperated expression, clearly sharing my thoughts.

“If you went instead of me, Moloresta would undoubtedly be the same way, so we absolutely cannot switch.”
“I’m far more compatible with our precious treasure than a cold-blooded fellow like you!”

Debon suddenly pulled me into an embrace and rubbed his face against mine.

“Let’s exchange farewells first! Now then, my dear!”
“Come here! I must bid my dear farewell as well!”
“Why can only one Elder go! This is unfair!”

I accepted the Elders’ beard assault with a serene expression.
The High Priest watched the scene intently before muttering.

“There’s no law saying the vice-chairman can’t go on the association’s expedition.”
“Well, naturally you’re not going, so there’s no particular law against it. By that logic, there’s no law saying only one Elder can go either.”

At Sirius’s words, the High Priest spoke with a solemn expression.

“But what if I insist?”
“….”
“….”

Whiiiiing—.
Despite it being spring, a chilling wind swept across the plaza.

And so we set out—not with solemnity and grim determination, but we set out nonetheless.
The Trainee Priests, who had been subtly tense, walked with noticeably lighter steps.
It seemed their nervousness had dissipated after witnessing the adults behaving as foolishly as always.

‘Perhaps they did it on purpose?’

As I pondered this, Edmund whispered to me.
For this gathering, Edmund had taken on the role of leader and positioned himself at my side.

“Do you think this gathering will be alright?”
“Why?”
“Well, it’s our first match against Octagon, but Dmitri and Ilay aren’t here.”

Noticing my gaze, Edmund shrugged and added,

“Either way, both of them are our strongest forces.”
“They won’t be able to return before the gathering ends.”
“I suppose that’s inevitable…”
“But there’s nothing to worry about.”

Edmund looked at me, hearing the certainty in my words.
I could feel the other Trainee Priests perking up their ears and watching me intently.

“You’re enough on your own. It’s not as though you’ve been idling around all this time, is it?”

I grinned widely.

“I believe in the abilities of my priests!”
“…!”

The children’s eyes widened.
Soon, a resounding response echoed back.

“Yes!”

* * *

The Moloresta Temple was adorned more lavishly than ever before.
The High Priest addressed those gathered before him.

“Even if we’re both part of the Octagon, we’re in a different league from someone like Artemia.”
“Yes!”
“Just a few years ago, Artemia was on the verge of being expelled from the Octagon.”

The High Priest scraped his chin as if displeased.

“If you’re part of the Octagon, you should rank in the top eight nationally, but she was always below that. Not just ninth or tenth place—even lower than that.”

The Octagon’s roster doesn’t change based on the yearly temple evaluations’ rankings.
It was a clause the temples belonging to the Octagon had decided upon to maintain their power.
But I never imagined it would become such an obstacle.

“We should have erased her name from the Octagon long ago…”

The trainee priests of Moloresta whispered after hearing the High Priest’s words.

“Why is the High Priest suddenly paying attention to Artemia?”
“Right? He didn’t care at all before. And now this joint assembly is such a hassle.”

The trainee priests had no idea about the projected rankings for the eastern region.

“Why do we even have to come out and greet Artemia’s people?”
“They say it’s to dampen their spirits, but is that really necessary? Artemia is below us anyway, right?”
“Still, I actually like the joint assembly itself. There are plenty of priests and trainee priests from Artemia I wanted to see in person.”
“Oh, me too.”

That conversation soon died down.
The people from Artemia were beginning to enter the Moloresta temple.

“What? Why is the person in the elder’s robes so young and handsome?”
“He looks like he was carved from ice.”
“Isn’t that the famous Randel? The photos didn’t do him justice!”
“Right? He’s truly radiant…”
“And isn’t that Edmund, the prince of House Rapashiello?”
“He certainly exudes dignity. You can feel the refinement of a great house.”
“House Rapashiello is a great house, so they must have ancient myths. I bet they can use increasingly powerful divine power as they go deeper into them.”

The whispers of the children suddenly fell silent.

“Wow….”

My eyes caught sight of a small child standing between Sirius Elder, Randel, and Edmund.

Brilliant golden hair that seemed to gather the very essence of the sun.
Blue eyes that held the highest sky and the clearest sea within them.
Delicate features radiating an overwhelming sense of holiness.

The children inadvertently gasped in admiration, then quickly closed their mouths and exchanged nervous glances.
They were concerned that they’d let out an exclamation upon seeing another temple’s Sacred Maiden.
Especially when their own Sacred Maiden was standing right beside them….

That was when it happened.

“Wow, she’s really beautiful!”

Martina, the Sacred Maiden of Moloresta, praised Saelika with a bright, beaming smile.

“I’d heard that Artemia’s Sacred Maiden had an angelic appearance, and it’s true.”

Another priest beside her spoke with a tone of disappointment.

“Did that come from you? You really do have such a good personality.”
“What’s wrong with saying something beautiful is beautiful?”

Martina laughed brightly with an easygoing expression.
The trainee priests smiled at her demeanor.

“Martina really is the best!”
“No matter how beautiful someone’s appearance is, what does it matter? The most important thing is personality.”
“Since Martina’s personality is so good that she subtly incurs the jealousy of other Sacred Maidens, let’s make sure to protect her!”

Martina tilted her head, apparently not hearing the children whispering in hushed tones.

* * *

“Even though we’re both from the east, the architectural styles are incredibly different.”

At Roana’s whisper, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Artemia’s temple was built far longer ago than ours.”

The mythical prestige simply cannot compare.
A building adorned in resplendent style might capture one’s attention for a moment, but that’s all it amounts to.

‘Besides, it seems they’ve deliberately made it even more ornate now.’

Even the first evening’s meal was an evening party rather than a formal banquet.
It was an enormous affair with many prominent guests in attendance.

‘Since the party hasn’t officially opened yet, making my move now would be premature. Perhaps I’ll approach her in a little while?’

Connections like Madame Caitlin were invaluable to cultivate.
I was contemplating this when it happened.

“Hello!”

A cheerful voice rang out.
It was Martina, the Sacred Maiden of Moloresta.

Edmund greeted her with proper etiquette.
Every time I saw him, I couldn’t help but marvel at his aristocratic elegance.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sacred Maiden of Moloresta.”
“Sacred Maiden? Just call me Martina!”

Martina spoke with infectious energy and playfully winked.

“There’s no need to be so formal, is there?”
“I find this more comfortable.”
“Ugh, I find all that formality awkward and embarrassing. Being revered as ‘Sacred Maiden’ this and ‘Sacred Maiden’ that.”

Martina laughed brightly.

‘She certainly does seem to have a good personality, just as Roana said.’

But Edmund seemed to find it burdensome, as he was rather particular about propriety.
Edmund answered with a polite “Yes” and turned his body away entirely.
Then he handed me a beverage.
It was my favorite iced chocolate.

Martina’s eyes widened as she witnessed this.

“For the young master of House Rapashiello to behave this way is quite unusual.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, and not even as a servant.”

Edmund stared intently at Martina.
Just as he was about to open his mouth to say something.
Martina beat him to it, beaming brightly at me.

“Well, if the Sacred Maiden is this beautiful, I’d want to serve her too. And Sacred Maidens usually grow accustomed to receiving such service.”

Martina muttered, “I never could quite adjust to it myself.”
Then she leaned in close to me.

“You’re Saelika, the Sacred Maiden of Artemia, right? I’m Martina! Pleased to meet you!”
“Yes, nice to meet you too.”
“I hope we can become close friends at this gathering! We’re both temples in the east, yet we’ve had no contact until now.”
“Yes, that’s true.”

Even though your temple has blocked both our temple and the Octagon’s gatherings.

“For some reason, I find it difficult to become close with other Sacred Maidens.”
“Really?”
“Yes, perhaps because I’m not good at pretense? I understand why they all find me uncomfortable.”

Martina seemed to be quite an outgoing and talkative person.

“But I think I can become close with you, Saelika! You’re the first Sacred Maiden who accepts me so naturally without formality!”

Martina clapped her hands together with a bright smile.

“Is it because you come from a commoner background?”

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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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