Youngest on Top - Chapter 2

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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 2

But that was all.
The High Priest simply stared at me as though I were something peculiar, taking no action whatsoever.

I reached out my hand again.

“Please, mister!”

Twitch.
The High Priest’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
An expression as if asking, “Why would I?”

Why? Because I need to!

“Holy power! (Divine essence!)”

Don’t you need divine essence?!

“….”

The High Priest gazed down at me silently.
His eyes held a chill sharper than the biting north wind itself.
But I refused to yield, my eyes sparkling with determination.

In the end, the High Priest picked me up.
Though “lifted” would be the more accurate description.

“Is this enough?”
“Yes!”

I won!
I answered enthusiastically and reached my hand toward the High Priest’s chest.
More precisely, toward the sacred relic adorning his priestly vestments.

‘No need to strain myself.’

My divine power is minuscule right now, but that doesn’t matter.
Just as the sacred artifact I used for teleportation was recognized as ‘higher-tier divine power,’ my own divine power is somewhat special and resonates exceptionally well with sacred artifacts.
Especially with artifacts of the Artemisia Sect.

‘Just a light touch—barely a whisper of contact.’

And the moment my divine power brushed against the sacred artifact.

Whoooooosh—!

A blinding radiance erupted from the artifact.

“This… this is…!”

The cascading light coalesced and transformed into the shape of a wolf.

A magnificent mane.
Pure white fur gleaming with silver luminescence.
And above it, azure patterns shimmering with divine radiance.

“Alkieus! The Divine Beast Alkieus!”

Though considerably smaller than its true form, it was unmistakably the Divine Beast Alkieus.

“A… a true Divine Beast…!”
“How is this even possible?!”

But the Divine Beast could not maintain its form properly.
The light wavered unstably, as if it would be unsummoned at any moment.

“Damn… it hasn’t awakened after all!”

The Divine Beast Alkieus’s eyes remained tightly shut.
Only upon awakening could it maintain its presence in this world through its own will, yet it remained dormant.

‘As expected, there are limits to shortcuts.’

A Saint would have awakened it without issue, but this was the extent of what I could accomplish.

‘To regain consciousness, I’ll need a substantial amount of divine power.’

My divine power was completely depleted from summoning the Divine Beast, so it was impossible.
That was when it happened.
Divine power emanating from the High Priest enveloped the Divine Beast.
Like a warm, cozy nest.

‘Phew, thank goodness.’

The High Priest’s divine power was far more formidable than I’d anticipated.

‘With this much divine power, he rivals the High Priest of Parmanas. Or perhaps even exceeds him….’

So his talents extended beyond mere political acumen.
His abilities as a priest were equally exceptional.

‘That’s why the Artemisia Temple still holds a seat in the Octagon with the High Priest this strong.’

The Holy Knight Kaiser and the High Priest.
These two made the impossible possible.

‘I really need to make a good impression!’

With divine power like this, the Divine Beast would open its eyes someday.
Thinking such thoughts, I turned my head—.

“…!”

Startled.

The High Priest was staring at me intently.
Everyone else was captivated by the Divine Beast, but the High Priest was different.
He was focused solely on me, cradled in his arms.

Eyes that were unreadable, emotionless.

‘Good impression, good impression.’

They say you can’t spit in the face of someone who’s smiling.
I lifted the corners of my mouth toward the man of power and let out a bright laugh.

The High Priest’s eyes twitched slightly.
Yet his expression remained as impenetrable as thick fog.

Awkwardly fidgeting with my hands, I asked.

“You’re not a demon, are you?”

How could a demon summon a divine beast?

At my question, the Meeting Hall that had been in chaos from the divine beast’s appearance fell silent in an instant.
The gazes of the Priesthood turned toward me in unison.
Completely different from before.
I could see that the misunderstanding about me had been cleared.

But what mattered was the highest authority who held the final decision-making power.
I looked up at the High Priest with the most innocent eyes I could muster and asked.

“Is it alright if I stay here?”

The High Priest, who had been quietly observing me, slowly parted his lips.

“It’s far too late for a child to be awake.”

The High Priest’s gaze shifted away from me toward the Temple Priest I had first met.

“Prepare a room in the Trainee Priest Quarters.”
“…!”

Did this mean he was accepting me as part of the Temple?

“Are you accepting this child as a trainee priest?”

The other priests seemed to share my confusion.
Another high-ranking priest beside them asked the High Priest.

“No.”

But the High Priest flatly shook his head.

Even after summoning a divine beast, I wasn’t being accepted.
My shoulders were about to slump in disappointment.

“You’re merely a candidate.”
“Your meaning is….”
“It wouldn’t be unreasonable to observe and decide later.”

A candidate?
Then if I work hard and do well, I can become a Trainee Priest?

“Thank you so much!”

I threw my arms around the High Priest’s neck in a sudden embrace.
But the High Priest was frowning, staring at me with furrowed brows.

‘Why does he scowl even when I’m being respectful?’

Adults were supposed to like well-mannered children.
Powerful people are always so difficult to please.

The Temple Priest cautiously extended his hand toward the High Priest.
Since I was clinging to the High Priest, he seemed to be offering to take me down.

But the High Priest didn’t let me go.

“…?”

When I tilted my head in confusion, the High Priest flinched and suddenly released me.
The Temple Priest was holding me, so I didn’t fall.

‘Hmm….’

The High Priest’s lips had stiffened slightly as he turned his face away from me.

‘Why is he acting like that when I even summoned a divine beast for him?’

In any case, I had narrowly escaped being thrown out on the spot.
Though I still hadn’t been fully accepted as a member of the Temple.

‘If I gradually get closer to this powerful figure, things should work out.’

With that thought filling my heart, I waved my hand enthusiastically toward the High Priest.

“Bye now!”

The High Priest didn’t respond.
Tch.

* * *

Even after the child left, the Meeting Hall remained filled with excitement.
Everyone gazed at the Divine Beast, which lay sleeping beneath a sacred barrier.

“The Divine Beast that disappeared has returned—isn’t this an extraordinary event?!”
“It’s remarkable that the Divine Beast responded to that child’s touch and emerged!”
“Children possess pure souls that the Divine One cherishes above all. It’s only natural that the Divine Beast would respond to them.”
“Besides, Alkius has always been fond of young children.”
“Would that alone be sufficient? That child must possess exceptional talent as a Priesthood member.”
“From the very beginning, I sensed a clear sacred aura emanating from that child’s eyes!”
“Weren’t you simply charmed? Your lips have been curled upward since the moment that child appeared.”
“The child is admirable and pitiable. To think we mistook such a pure soul for a demon….”
“Despite being wrongly suspected as a demon, the child harbored no resentment and instead returned the Divine Beast to our Temple. How noble and dignified.”

These were people who struggled daily to grasp and transform their hopeless tomorrows into something better.
Exhausted by circumstances that could only worsen no matter what they did, the sudden appearance of this child had granted them hope.
Beyond the excitement of the Divine Beast’s return, they couldn’t help but see the child as precious.

“But how did that child know the Divine Beast dwelled within the High Priest’s brooch?”
“Children who occasionally bear sacred auras in their eyes often perceive things others cannot.”
“Then the child’s aptitude as a Priesthood member must be exceptional!”

The faces of the Priesthood brightened.
If such a talented child were to join the order…!

Yet despite the festive atmosphere, the High Priest’s gaze had turned cold and sharp.
The other elders seated at the head table wore the same expression.

* * *

The Temple Priest who first discovered me was incredibly kind.

“My name is Randel. Would you tell me your name as well?”
“My name is Saelika.”
“Saelika?”
“Yes!”
“What a lovely name. Saelika is also the name of a messenger who serves the Goddess Artemisia.”

Randel smiled gently.
He took my hand and walked with me down the corridor.

“I didn’t realize you were listening to all of that.”
“I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.”
“I’m not blaming you for overhearing.”

Randel stopped walking and knelt down to meet my eyes.

“If you were upset, I apologize on their behalf. Everyone was just on edge about a sensitive matter—it has nothing to do with disliking you.”

Being mistaken for a demon was hardly pleasant.

‘But I can understand why they might have thought that.’

I had appeared suddenly in the middle of the night with a tremendous crash.
And I was so young that I couldn’t come to the temple alone even during the day, let alone at night.

“Did you think I was a demon too?”
“No.”

Randel shook his head firmly.

“I was the one who found you first, wasn’t I?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“What I sensed from you was clearly holy power.”

What?

‘Why didn’t you tell me sooner!’

Then the misunderstanding about me being a demon would have been cleared up immediately!

“…To be precise, it was the divine power of Parmanas God.”
“…!”
“It disappeared right away, but I’m certain. Since you wouldn’t have divine power, it was likely a trace of using a sacred relic from the Parmanas side.”

Oh no.
It seemed this had happened because I’d used the sacred relic that the Parmanasus Temple had donated to the Orphanage.

Most people probably couldn’t sense it because of the distance—.

‘The High Priest sensed it.’

That was why he’d asked me so firmly what I needed.

‘He thought the Parmanasus Temple had sent me.’

Perhaps the other high priests had noticed as well.

Come to think of it.
They hadn’t pressed me on how I knew about the sacred relic containing divine essence.

‘They must have thought the Parmanasus Temple had told me.’

Temples were always competing over who could secure more followers, so they didn’t get along well with each other.
To the extent that they’d poach talented individuals from rival temples and use them as batteries.
Moreover, the Parmanas Sect and the Artemisia Sect had been sworn enemies from the start.

They wouldn’t suspect a young child like me of being a spy or think I had some ulterior motive….

‘But at minimum, they’d think the Parmanasus Temple sent me with some scheme in mind.’

In short, I was someone to be wary of.

‘That’s what the High Priest meant when he said he would “keep watch” over me.’

I bowed like an innocent child toward Randel, concealing my true thoughts.

“Thank you so much!”
“…?”
“You did it quietly so I wouldn’t get kicked out, didn’t you?”

Randel gazed at me silently.
His eyes narrowed slightly before he carefully placed his hand on my head.

“…You’re quite clever. But a child shouldn’t have to worry about such things. The Parmanasus Temple is trying to use you—”
“But I’m not on the Parmanasus side!”

It was quite the opposite.
The Parmanasus Temple was my enemy.
The ones who used me as a battery for their saint.
And Parmanasus was also an enemy of the Artemisia Temple.

So please, look after me.

“Everyone may hate me now. And that’s only natural.”
“….”
“But I’ll work hard…..”

Don’t doubt me.
I have nowhere else to go.
I’ve already experienced slowly withering away until death once—that’s more than enough.

I want to live here.
In the place where I was always meant to be.

* * *

Chirp, chirp.
The sun greeted me along with the birdsong.

It had been three days since I arrived at the Artemisia Temple.
I opened my eyes brightly and stretched my short arms wide, yawning.
Then I immediately knelt on the bed and sat up.

‘Beloved and revered Artemisia, I beseech you. Please make me stronger. Make me more powerful. So that—’

I clasped my hands together fervently.

‘I can beat everyone and go anywhere!’

That was when it happened.

“Praying since morning? How admirable of you.”

At the sound of that voice, I stopped my prayer and turned my head.

“Randel!”

Randel looked at me and smiled brightly.

“You shouldn’t call me that anymore.”
“Oh right, Randel! My apologies!”

My current position was that of a Trainee Priest candidate.
So I needed to address him properly, not casually.
And my bearing as well.

‘…Though if I think about my life before reincarnation, I should be the one greeting Randel.’

“Good morning, sir!”

In any case, after I gave a respectful bow, Randel smiled contentedly.
He extended his hand toward me.

“Good. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, sir!”

I took Randel’s hand and left the room.

The Trainee Priest Quarters were quiet.
All the trainee priests had left for a training retreat and would return in a week.
So I was spending time with Randel.

“You have to chew it thoroughly.”
“Yes, twenty times, chew chew! (Yes, I’ll chew it twenty times.)”

I answered brightly enough, but honestly, I had no appetite for this.

‘How could the Temple’s food be worse than the Orphanage’s….’

I dissolved the hard bread with my saliva and forced it down.
The moment it went down, my throat felt blocked and I thumped my chest.

Randel pushed his portion of soup toward me.
My soup was already gone from soaking up the bread.

I shook my head vigorously.

“You eat it, Randel. (You should eat it.)”
“I’m fine.”
“If I eat, your stomach will growl. (If I eat, your belly will rumble.)”
“Children need to eat well.”
“….”
“That’s how you grow big and strong.”

Randel’s expression was resolute.
Refusing seemed like it would only sadden him further.
I hesitated, then ate the soup with determination.

“That’s right.”
“I’ll grow big and strong, even bigger than you! (I’ll grow and grow, even more than you!)”
“That’s good. Then you shouldn’t leave any behind—eat it all.”

Randel smiled.
But that smile soon faded.
He pitied me.
The food was too poor for a child to eat.

‘Randel really is a good person.’

He shows such kindness even though I’m connected to Parmanas, which must make him uncomfortable.

“All done! (I finished eating!)”

I scraped the bowl clean and shouted, and Randel laughed.

“Shall we go?”
“Yes!”

After breakfast, going to where Randel worked had become part of my daily routine.

As I walked alongside Randel, I spotted a carriage standing in front of the Main Temple.
A carriage so grand and magnificent it seemed out of place in this dilapidated temple.
The emblem carved into the carriage was one I recognized.

“The Grand Duke of the North, House of Noishurael, has come.”

And no wonder—he was the ruler of the North and the Empire’s protector.
It was the emblem of House of Noishurael.

“The Grand Duke? (The Grand Duke?)”

Had the Grand Duke of the North been supporting the Artemisia Temple?

‘That doesn’t make sense.’

What nobleman would support a temple without a Saint?
That wouldn’t be an investment—it would be throwing money away.
Besides, if the Grand Duke of the North were supporting them, the Artemisia Sect wouldn’t be this impoverished.

‘Which temple did the Grand Duke of the North support before the regression?’

It was information I couldn’t possibly know, having grown up confined within the temple grounds.
Though there was a more famous rumor about the Grand Duke of the North.
Surely—

“He lost his daughter. He’s come hoping to find some clue.”

Yes, his lost daughter.
The rumor was that the Grand Duke of the North and his son were desperately searching for their missing daughter.

—————
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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