Chapter 128 – The Duties of a Priest
"You four must be traveling mages. I'm afraid my hospitality has been inadequate."
Flamme glanced at the dining table, which was covered with an astonishing variety of food—so lavish it looked more like a banquet than breakfast.
Inadequate hospitality?
Then she saw Frieren and Robin already devouring the food without restraint. Suppressing a sigh, she lifted her gaze toward Giles with a polite smile.
"Priest Giles has provided us with lodging and such a generous breakfast. We are truly grateful."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Giles took a sip of coffee, blinking as though calculating something in his mind.
"Oh, right."
"About last night."
Though he wore a smile, he avoided meeting Flamme's eyes.
"The villagers were badly frightened. I hope you won't mention what happened last night again."
"Why not?"
Flamme replied with feigned surprise.
"Wasn't it Priest Giles who used Goddess magic last night to free the villagers from the curse?"
"A deed that great should be passed down by word of mouth and remembered by everyone!"
"That wouldn't be appropriate."
Giles pushed up his glasses.
"Although I wasn't affected by the curse at the time, I was severely injured and unconscious. It was only through instinct that I managed to cast the spell and save the villagers…"
"But that's simply my duty as a priest. There's no need to make a fuss about it."
As Flamme listened to Giles's explanation, she struggled to hide the contempt rising inside her.
Severely injured? Unconsciously casting magic?
Did he think they were fools?
And this extravagant "breakfast" that looked more like a feast—was it meant to keep them quiet?
Unfortunately for him, Flamme wasn't buying it.
"Priest Giles, we—"
"—will be leaving shortly."
The moment Elias cut in, Flamme silently closed her eyes and began shouting in her mind.
Elias! What are you doing?!
"Hm? Flamme, you're talking to me now? Last night when I suggested this, you didn't say a word."
"Honestly… you know perfectly well there's something suspicious about this Giles. Why won't you let me investigate further?"
"Did you forget, Flamme? You were the one reminding me not to create unnecessary complications. Yet now you're the one getting involved in trouble."
"That doesn't mean we should do nothing until we find the twin-sword hero!"
Meanwhile, Giles remained completely unaware of their silent exchange and simply chuckled.
"Very well!"
"Since you're continuing your journey, I, Giles, wish you a safe—"
"Ugh!!"
Before he could finish, the white-haired elf suddenly clutched her stomach and bent over.
"Hm? What's wrong with that little elf girl?"
Frieren frowned in pain and raised her head weakly.
"I'm sorry… my stomach suddenly hurts… and I feel a little dizzy…"
"Could we maybe—"
Before she could finish, she collapsed into Flamme's arms with a soft thud.
"Frieren?"
"What's wrong, Frieren?!"
The next second, Robin panicked as well. He quickly picked Frieren up and rushed into the room.
Elias, however, remained perfectly calm, silently observing Flamme's reaction.
"As expected of your disciple. Frieren really does listen to you."
"Thank you. Though honestly, even Frieren couldn't ignore this situation anymore."
Flamme immediately adopted a worried expression and turned toward Giles.
"My apologies, Priest Giles. It seems we'll have to stay in the village for a few more days."
Giles looked troubled, but he couldn't think of any excuse to refuse.
"W-well… of course. After all, this is part of my duty as a priest."
Just as he finished speaking, Flamme suddenly stepped forward and grabbed both of Giles's hands.
Elias's eyes widened slightly.
Don't tell me Flamme still has another move…
"Priest Giles," Flamme said earnestly,
"none of us are skilled in healing magic. Could you please use Goddess magic to treat my disciple?"
"Ah… well… about that…"
Giles's eyes darted left and right, clearly shaken. Seeing this, Flamme pressed her advantage.
"Priest Giles, why the hesitation? For a priest, isn't the Goddess's healing magic the simplest thing there is?"
"W-well… very well. I'll do my best. After all, it's my duty as a priest."
Elias watched coldly as Flamme carried out her plan. He intended to stay out of it—until the next moment he heard her voice again.
"Elias, don't just stand there. Go find that girl named Teresa."
"Are you serious, Flamme? Wouldn't this be better handled by you?"
"On the contrary," Flamme replied lightly. "Haven't you noticed? Compared to me, a woman, you're much better at dealing with young girls."
"…I still refuse."
---
"So you live here alone?"
Teresa eyed the tall demon warily, gripping an axe tightly in her hands.
"Relax. Flamme sent me—well, actually, to be precise, she forced me to come find you with a look that could kill."
When she heard Flamme's name, Teresa lowered the axe slightly.
"You're looking for me? With Lord Giles here, there's nothing left for me to do."
"Teresa, don't you realize that priest is a complete fool?"
The moment the words left Elias's mouth, Teresa's anger flared.
"Don't you dare speak about Lord Giles like that!"
She raised the axe again, glaring at him through clenched teeth.
"Lord Giles is a great priest! Thanks to his teachings, I was able to receive the Goddess's blessing and learn the magic recorded in the sacred scripture!"
"…Him? Teaching you?"
Elias couldn't help laughing.
That Giles couldn't resist the curse, couldn't detect Elias's demonic identity, and hadn't even recognized Flamme.
Teresa's Goddess magic existed purely because of her natural talent—yet she credited it all to Giles's teachings?
"There's no point arguing, Teresa."
"Why not see for yourself what the priest you admire is truly capable of?"
"Ah… what a pity."
___
Giles stood by the bed, looking down at the suffering Frieren, shaking his head with a sigh.
"This elf lady's illness has already surpassed the protection granted by the Goddess."
"Perhaps the unexplained sections of the sacred scripture contain the method to heal her."
"But as everyone knows, deciphering the scripture is an extremely long process. Even for me, it's impossible to accomplish in a short time… sigh…"
___
Standing outside the door, Teresa heard Giles's lament and looked up at Elias.
"Did someone fall seriously ill? Even Lord Giles can't treat it?"
"So now it's your turn."
"What?!"
Teresa stared at him in disbelief.
"If even Lord Giles can't cure it, then how could someone ordinary like me possibly do it?!"
Elias let out a cold laugh.
"Heh. You'll understand once you go inside."