Youngest on Top - Chapter 6

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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 6

‘Wow… he really holds a grudge.’

I’d given him a bribe—even mint chocolate, no less—yet he still held it against me.
I’d saved it by resisting my cravings every single night, and it all came to nothing?
Remembering those days of anguish, tears nearly blinded my vision.

The High Priest, infuriatingly, was unwrapping the chocolate as if he intended to keep the bribe for himself.
What a scoundrel.
I hoped he’d eat too much and get a stomachache.

Then, suddenly, something was thrust right in front of my face.
It was mint chocolate.

“…?”

I looked up at the High Priest in confusion, and he popped the chocolate into my mouth.

“…!”

The sweet chocolate melted smoothly on my tongue.
It tasted like happiness. My cheeks naturally softened into a smile.
Then, in that moment.

“Eek?!”

I startled and clamped my mouth shut, then opened it again.

“My mouth’s getting ice in it!”
“Ice?”

The High Priest furrowed his brow.

“The chocolate’s too cold!”

Watching me hop about in bewilderment, the adults chuckled.

“Sae, is this your first time eating mint chocolate?”
“Haha, well, mint is cool and refreshing, so it has a crisp flavor.”

Is… is that so?

In truth, throughout my entire life, I had never eaten mint chocolate before.
I’d never had mint tea, nor any opportunity to taste food containing mint.

My nose stung from the intense chill, and I kept blinking rapidly while my tongue curled inward.

“Oh dear, it seems the stimulation was too strong for the child.”
“Haha, my goodness.”
“It’s fine. Mint chocolate isn’t very good even for adults.”
“What’s wrong with mint chocolate?”

Even after finishing the chocolate, my mouth still burned.
Tears were threatening to spill.

“Mint chocolate…”
“Yes, Sae doesn’t like mint chocolate, right?”
“You don’t? It’s delicious, isn’t it? You were moved, weren’t you?”

I threw both hands up in the air.

“—It’s amazing!”

Honestly, since it was called mint chocolate, I thought it would just be stronger than regular chocolate.
But it wasn’t just stronger.

“It’s incredibly strong! Wow!”

As I cheered, something felt off about the Priesthood’s reaction.

“As expected! Our Sae has perfect taste!”

People who were delighted beyond measure,

“This can’t be…”

People who seemed to have witnessed something unbelievable.

As I tilted my head in confusion, the High Priest spoke to me.

“Your hand.”

Being the obedient child that I was, I quickly extended my hand.

“This is not a bribe.”

With those words, something was placed upon my palm.

‘Is it food?’

Thump.
My heart raced.

‘Huh? It’s hard though…’

It was not food.
A glittering pendant shimmered in my grasp.

“Open it.”

Only then did I realize the pendant could be opened. I carefully pried it apart, worried it might break.
When I nervously opened it, worried it might be damaged.

♪♬♩♪

The melody that poured forth was beautiful.

At a glance, it looked expensive, and I froze in place.
Was I allowed to possess something like this?
This was an object that had never been permitted for me…

“It is a reward.”
“A reward?”
“Yes, which means it is yours.”

I could actually keep it.
It was my first time receiving a reward.

For some reason, my chest felt tight and itchy, so I curled my toes inward.
The flowing music remained beautiful.
I glanced cautiously around before looking up at the High Priest.

“Do you want it?”
“…Yes.”

The High Priest seemed to hesitate for a moment, then reached his hand toward me.
Just as his hand was about to touch my head—

“Sae.”

At the sound of my name, I turned around.
Randel was smiling with his usual gentle expression.

“Randel! When did you get here?”

I quickly scampered over to Randel.
I hadn’t seen him all day for some reason, so I was delighted to see him.

“I just arrived. Have you been well?”
“Yes.”

Only after answering did I remember something.

‘Now that I think about it, the High Priest seemed to have something he wanted to do with me just now….’

As I tried to turn back toward the High Priest, Randel led me to the sofa.

“I went out earlier and thought of you. This is a gift.”

A gift?
Of course I was thrilled.
He thought of me while he was out!
And he brought me a gift!
It was such a wonderful thing!

Randel extended a plate with a domed lid.
Worried I couldn’t hold it with one hand, I carefully set down the pendant.

“Is this for me?”
“Of course. It’s Sae’s.”

I swallowed hard and lifted the dome.
The yellow object on the plate jiggled and trembled.
Brown sauce was drizzled across the top, and an incredibly sweet fragrance wafted up.
It was a food I’d never seen before.

‘Is it jelly?’

Jelly and chocolate were precious delicacies we could only eat on very special days at the Orphanage.
I eagerly picked up the spoon.
And I took a bite—

“…!”

My eyes widened involuntarily.
It was nothing like jelly. It was far softer, far more delicate.
Incredibly smooth, rich, and sweet…

“What is this?”

It felt like I’d entered a paradise of bliss.
Was this the taste of the secular world?

Randel paused for a moment before answering.

“It’s called pudding.”
“Pudding…”

Even the name matches the taste.

“It’s so…”

I spoke dreamily, cradling my cheeks in my hands.
Randel chuckled softly.

“Do you like it?”

Like it? What kind of question was that?

“Randel picked it out!”

I set the pudding on the table and threw myself into Randel’s arms.
Randel laughed and lifted me up.
His warm laughter settled gently against my ears.

“He won.”
“Indeed, he did.”
“As expected, Randel again….”
“Well, when has the High Priest ever had a proper conversation with the child….”

The Elders beside us whispered among themselves.
What on earth were they talking about?

* * *

Randel was apparently quite busy, handing me the gift before disappearing again.
It seemed he had matters to attend to outside the Temple.
As we finished our meal, Mogen arrived.

“Mogen!”
“Ugh! Yes, this voice—I’ve missed it so much.”

Mogen pinched my cheeks and made a pitiful expression.

“Without Sae, our office atmosphere is just terrible…. I can’t live without Sae anymore….”

Mogen was being rather dramatic.

“Spend today with me.”

I shook my head firmly.

“I’m with the High Priest today. We’re partners.”

Mogen stared at me with an expression of utter shock.

“It’s been forever since we’ve seen each other.”
“It hasn’t even been a week.”
“Exactly! It’s been way too long. I’m practically going through withdrawal.”

So this constant pinching of my cheeks was what withdrawal looked like.
I gazed at Mogen with glazed eyes.

His expression shifted to something more serious.

“This afternoon, the High Priest will be moving around outside his office, so it’ll be difficult to follow him.”

Ah. So that’s why Mogen came.

“It’s fine. Sae is strong.”
“Well, but…”
“Leave it be.”

The High Priest spoke to Mogen.

“Pardon? But… are you certain?”
“I can’t lock the child up by force. I have no choice but to let them do as they wish.”
“Still—”
“They keep saying they want to be with me so badly. When they desire it this much, what can I do?”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s troublesome, though.”

The High Priest clicked his tongue.

“Truly troublesome.”

…There was no need to say it twice.
What a disagreeable man.

* * *

Two hours had already passed since I began accompanying the High Priest on his afternoon schedule.
I hurried along in short steps, following his broad strides as he moved ahead.

‘How much further is he taking me?’

The Temple Grounds were vast beyond measure.
The High Priest was tall, and his stride was swift, making it difficult to keep pace.
After hours of following him, my stamina was completely depleted.

‘I’m going to die.’

Walking at a near-run, my breath came in ragged gasps.
When I slowed my pace out of exhaustion, the distance between us widened dramatically.
I was hurrying to catch up when it happened.

“Oof!”

Thud.
I planted my face directly into the ground.
Of all places, I had to trip right in front of the High Priest.

‘Get up quickly. Be brave. I’m strong.’

I usually bounced back up whenever I fell.
I’d even brush the dirt off myself without complaint.
But why now…?

My lips trembled uncontrollably.

The bribe I’d so carefully prepared had failed.
The High Priest hadn’t looked back once during the entire walk.
My breath was ragged, my legs ached.
Now even my knees stung.

It was so unfair.

‘No. Why now of all times…? Crying children are annoying. Get it together!’

Even as I thought this, my eyes burned and my vision blurred with unshed tears.
It hurts…

Then, a large hand lifted me up effortlessly.

“…?!”

Silver eyes were right in front of my face.
The High Priest, who had been walking ahead, had somehow approached and lifted me up.
He gazed at me quietly.

“Don’t cry just because you fell.”

His voice was cold.

“Simply get back up.”

His tone was disapproving.

I mustn’t cry.
I pressed my lips firmly together and struggled to respond.

“Y-yes….”
“The priests of Artemisia do not shed tears easily.”
“…!”

Words I never expected.
Shocked as I was, my tears vanished instantly.

“A-are priests of Artemisia like that?”
“Don’t cry.”
“I w-won’t cry.”

Long, slender fingers brushed against the corner of my eyes.
A faint moisture clung to his fingertips.

“Do your best.”
“I w-will try hard.”
“We’ll see.”
“Yes!”

The High Priest did not set me down.
I remained nestled against him as we moved forward.
His firm chest was unexpectedly comforting.

* * *

Several days passed in this manner.
I had grown accustomed to commuting to the High Priest’s office alongside Randel.
To what extent, you ask….

“Daddy!”

I released Randel’s hand and immediately scurried toward the High Priest.
Though the High Priest’s expression suggested annoyance, he lifted me and settled me upon his lap.

‘Hehe, observe this remarkable progress!’

I gazed up at him with pride, only to notice the High Priest’s attention fixed elsewhere.
His lips curved upward in an arrogant smirk.

‘What is he looking at…. Randel?’

Why was he gazing at Randel with such haughty amusement?
Curious, I examined Randel, but found nothing amiss.
When I turned back to the High Priest, his expression had returned to its usual cold and indifferent demeanor.

“Eat.”

The High Priest stuffed a choux cream into my mouth.
It was wonderfully soft and sweet.

“Does it taste good?”
“Yes!”
“…More than pudding?”
“…?”

Why would pudding come up now?
Bewildered by the strange question, I looked at the High Priest, who cleared his throat and averted his gaze.

“Pfft, cough….”
“Cough….”

I heard muffled sounds from somewhere and glanced over to see several Elders hunched over, trembling violently.

‘Here we go again….’

The Elders were the very pillars of this Temple, yet their condition was far from ideal.
At this rate, I couldn’t fathom what would become of the Temple’s future.
It seemed I had no choice but to lead them properly myself.

That was when it happened.
A Priest with a grave expression rushed urgently into the office.

“High Priest, Priesthood members from the Reyatan Church have arrived for a visit!”

The office erupted in murmurs at those words.

“What? Without warning? Didn’t we agree to meet next week?”
“They’re doing it on purpose.”
“There are limits to rudeness…!”

My ears perked up as well.

‘The Reyatan Church… they’re the ones who would become the Octagon by surpassing the Artemisia Sect!’

What on earth had brought them here?
From the looks of it, their intentions didn’t seem benign.

Just as Randel was about to escort me out.

“Now see here! Without even asking permission—”
“My, does Artemisia block the path of guests?”

The Priesthood members from the Reyatan Church entered boldly, as if they owned the place.

‘Those bastards?’

Fire blazed in my eyes.

* * *

“My apologies for this sudden visit. We heard that Count Norris would be coming next week.”

Shedmon Elder, the representative priest of the Reyatan Church, spoke with an attitude devoid of any apology.

“Ah, you know Count Noris, yes? That Count Noris who owns the platinum mines. We’ve recently been maintaining an excellent relationship with our temple, you see… I’m sure you understand?”

Without even asking permission, Shedmon sat down and let out a scornful laugh.

“Yet it doesn’t seem to be causing any particular trouble for the Artemisia Sect.”
“What—!”
“Isn’t that right? Artemisia doesn’t appear to have any guest appointments scheduled. Whether they come next week or today, what’s the difference? You seem to have plenty of free time.”
“Shedmon Elder!”
“Or perhaps.”

Shedmon tilted his head back arrogantly.

“Did you have an appointment scheduled for today?”

At those words, the young priests who had been protesting fell silent.

Shedmon watched with amusement as the priests glared at me with indignation written across their faces.

‘Hmph, these pathetic wretches who lack the ability yet dare to occupy a seat in the Octagon. How shameless.’

He turned his gaze away, a sneer still playing at the corners of his mouth.
Toward Anatullio High Priest, the representative of these pathetic creatures.

Contrary to his expectations, the High Priest was looking down at him with an indifferent gaze.

‘Pretending it doesn’t matter, are you.’

Today, I will tear that pristine mask from his face.
And I will make sure he never looks down upon me again.

The High Priest’s lips slowly parted.

“There were no appointments at all.”
“As expected—”
“Including you, you wretch.”

Shedmon’s face contorted violently.

“Haha, High Priest Anatullio. Even if we do have considerable history between us, I am an Elder of the Reyatan Church. Show some respect, won’t you?”
“That’s not something an uninvited guest should say.”

Silver eyes fixed upon Shedmon as though gazing upon some insignificant creature.
The High Priest neither adjusted his posture nor rose from his seat.
He simply remained seated as he had been from the start.
Yet from his entire being emanated a majesty as immense as Mount Tai itself.
That overwhelming pressure.

‘Damn it, damn it!’

Merely enduring that single gaze had left my spine drenched with sweat.
Shedmon’s previously sluggish face had gone deathly pale.
He clenched his teeth and forced his lips upward into a smile.

“Well, well, truly you are the High Priest of Artemisia. Truly… magnificent, aren’t you? That’s right. It wasn’t something an uninvited guest should say. I learn a lesson from you.”
“….”
“A ‘Saint’ really ought to emerge from the Artemisia Sect soon. Then your magnificent and illustrious High Priesthood would find things so much easier.”

As if you even have a Saint to speak of.
With his composure restored, Shedmon mocked the High Priest openly.

“Did I mention? In our Reyatan, a Saint of this generation has already appeared, and….”

He boasted about his own temple’s Saint—something no one had asked about or cared to hear.

“…which is why I’m truly looking forward to the upcoming assembly. I’m curious what achievements the Artemisia Sect’s trainee priests will attain during their training.”

No matter how hard you try, you’ll lose to us anyway.
Shedmon continued with a snickering laugh.

“Trainee priests are the future of the temple. If our Reyatan children prove superior in skill at this assembly, shouldn’t you reconsider your position?”

Yes, reconsider it—

‘Hand over the Octagon seat to us.’

It should have happened long ago.
The Reyatan Church is far more suited to the Octagon than this shabby temple.

“It must be exhausting maintaining such a burdensome position. We could lighten that weight for you, if you’d allow it?”

The words were audacious beyond measure.
Just as the hot-tempered battle priest Derrick was about to respond,

“Wow! That’s awesome!”

A child’s voice, utterly out of place in this setting, rang out clear and bright.

‘What is this?’

Shedmon turned his head.
There stood a young child, clapping enthusiastically.
The child’s eyes met his, and she broke into a wide grin.
Her chubby cheeks puffed up with delight.

“You said you’d help with the burden! I don’t know what you’re talking about, but instead you’re gonna work for us!”

The child raised her tiny index finger and pointed it directly at Shedmon.

“Slave!”
“…?!”

A… a slave?
Did she just call him a slave?

Shedmon, along with those from Artemisia and Reyatan alike, all stared at the child in utter bewilderment.

“There are people who don’t like being controlled. But there are people who want to command slaves!”
“….”
“People who like being controlled and being hit are the best! (People who like being controlled and being hit are the best!)”
“….”

The child positioned herself protectively in front of the High Priest.
And she cried out loudly,

“You’re suspicious, so don’t come any closer!”

The High Priest stared blankly at the child.
His face bore the expression of someone utterly bewildered, caught between disbelief and astonishment, as if words had abandoned him entirely.

“—That’s what Teacher said. (That’s what he told me.)”

The child, cautiously gauging the atmosphere, added in a mumble.

—————
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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