The small island nation of Rieberk was bustling these days.
"A truly amazing person has co."
"I was there, I tell you! She saved a person who was really dying with a single gesture."
"That's right. I was there too. There was a hole this big in the boat, and it disappeared in an instant. Without a single small scratch."
Whenever people gathered, they talked about Pala, who had saved a person who was on the verge of death.
"Ah, she's an outsider, right?"
"So they say. You can tell just by her accent."
"My, my. It's a strange world. To think such a person would co to Rieberk."
"But you know."
A man lowered his voice and said.
"There's a rumor that she was a priestess of that famous Resurrection Cult from the mainland."
"Eh? The Resurrection Cult? Isn't that a cult?"
"Hey! You'll be in big trouble if you say that elsewhere. They say the Resurrection Cult is that amazing. But the strange thing is... the ability that woman showed seems to be the ability of the cult leader."
People stirred at the ntion of the Resurrection Cult. They, too, would occasionally hear news from the mainland through people who ca and went.
"But wasn't the Resurrection Cult gone? That dragon ca and..."
The man lowered his voice at the ntion of the dragon.
"That's right. They say the person who was the cult leader died then. But as far as I know, there was no one among the Resurrection Cult priests who had such a healing ability."
"Really?"
The man nodded his head.
"That's what I'm saying. I definitely heard it when I went to Arant last ti. Ah, and they say one of the people who was at the scene the other day was a believer of the Resurrection Cult."
"Eh?"
"That's what I'm saying. But that person definitely said that woman was a priestess of the Resurrection Cult. And a high-ranking priestess who was closest to the cult leader at that."
As more information was added, people now seed almost certain.
"Then everything makes sense. The Resurrection Cult, which had incurred the wrath of the dragon, scattered, and that woman must have run away."
As the gathered information fit together perfectly, the people continued their deductions as if they were detectives.
"That's right! And that woman inherited the cult leader's ability!"
"Then are we in big trouble now?"
At that, the people's gazes gathered on one man.
"Why?"
"Why do you think! Aren't the dragons going to co after that woman now?"
At that, a montary sense of bewildernt crossed the people's faces.
"Huh? Is that so?"
"Oh, please. What are you talking about? What do you an, 'is that so'? No, do the dragons have nothing better to do? The Resurrection Cult is over anyway, and didn't that woman just run away because she wanted to live quietly?"
At that, public opinion shifted to one side again.
"That seems to be right."
"So we just have to treat that woman well and make it so she can't leave this place."
"Right. That's right. Why would you kick away a pumpkin that has rolled into your lap?"
It was true. With that level of healing ability, it was a great benefit and a blessing for Rieberk, which didn't even have a decent priest.
"Everyone, know that and treat her well."
***
"Are you really okay? Let's leave quickly, even now."
Liwol asked with a worried expression.
"It's okay. It's not like I did anything wrong."
"But..."
Liwol's worry was natural. But Pala no longer wanted him to be hard because of her.
"Are you really okay?"
"Of course."
She had to stay at Liwol's house until she moved her residence.
"Now, then, shall we do so cleaning?"
But Liwol's house was not as neat as a man living alone's house usually is.
"I'll do it, so please sit down."
"It's okay. Just help when I ask for help. I like cleaning."
It wasn't a lie. She would often organize her thoughts while cleaning when she had a lot on her mind. And seeing the clean house would make her feel better.
"Still..."
Just then.
-Bang, bang, bang!
As soone began to pound on the door as if to break it, Liwol quickly hid Pala behind him.
-Bang, bang, bang!
The door shook violently once more.
"Stay here."
Liwol, who seed to think this wouldn't do, hid Pala behind the door and slowly approached the door.
"Who is it."
Liwol's voice, standing by the door, trembled slightly.
"It's the Royal Knights."
Liwol and Pala exchanged glances.
"It's okay, so open it."
Pala said, nodding her head.
'They must have co for .'
Since Rieberk was a small island nation, the rumors must have spread quickly.
Liwol, who had grabbed the doorknob, hesitated.
"We don't an any harm."
The voice coming from across the door was gentle.
Liwol, who had swallowed once, slowly opened the door.
"Greetings."
The knight, who had first bowed politely to the commoner Liwol, had his eyes on Pala.
"Our king has said he wishes to repay the hero who saved a citizen."
Pala knew exactly what the knight's words ant.
'It's over.'
It ant that it was impossible to live a normal life here.
"Yes."
"There was an order to escort you with respect. Will you co with us?"
Just then, sothing briefly crossed Pala's mind. The one scroll Liwol had given her when they first t. It was still in her bosom.
'No.'
But she soon dismissed the thought.
'I can't leave Liwol.'
If she left like this, she would have to part with Liwol as well.
"Yes. I'll go."
Pala, who had resigned herself, nodded her head and then looked at Liwol.
"I'll be back."
"Pala..."
Liwol, too, could not stop Pala. No matter how small a kingdom it was, a king was a king.
"I guess I'll have to do the cleaning when I get back."
Liwol's expression was devastated as he looked at the calmly speaking Pala.
"You have to co back soon."
Liwol hugged Pala, who was about to leave the door with them.
"If by any chance they do sothing bad... don't think about and run away. I'll co looking for you."
And he whispered in Pala's ear.
"Wherever that may be."
"Yes."
Hearing those words, Pala's heart throbbed.
'He's only thinking of .'
Now, even as she followed them, she was no longer afraid.
'Because he'll co looking for .'
***
The royal palace of Rieberk was smaller than the ducal residence of the Arant Empire.
But they welcod Pala no less than the empire.
The banquet set on the large table was full of foods that were hard to see in Rieberk, and the desserts set behind it were all pretty and delicious.
'To welco like this.'
It was the first ti she had received such a grand banquet. Moreover, since everyone, including the king, treated Pala with the utmost respect, she didn't know where to put herself.
'It was the first ti I had received such treatnt.'
The king of Rieberk expressed his sincere gratitude to Pala. Moreover, he even granted her a new house to live in and the title of baroness.
In fact, coming to this situation, her judgnt began to blur.
'In any case, Rieberk is a place where other people don't co often...'
And it was also the ho where Liwol, to whom her heart had already gone quite a bit, had set his foot and was living.
'If I have a title, I'll also get an allowance for maintaining dignity.'
If that happened, she might be able to live a happy life with Liwol, eating delicious things.
'Wouldn't it be okay to help sick people sotis?'
Pala looked down at her hand.
The inside of the carriage bestowed by the king was cozy. Since she was full, the swaying of the carriage felt like a cradle.
'It's comfortable...'
It was the first ti. To have felt such a peaceful feeling.
Her eyes closed on their own.
'Right. If things get bad, let's run away. Liwol said he would co looking for wherever I am.'
Perhaps because her body was comfortable, her mind also settled down comfortably.
Not long after, the carriage stopped and the door opened.
"Pala!"
Had he been waiting since when? As soon as he saw Pala, Liwol ca running in one breath.
"Liwol."
As Liwol hugged her tightly, Pala was certain.
That it was a good choice. That this was the right choice.
***
Liwol, who had heard Pala's story, had a happier expression than anyone else.
"Then are you really living here?"
"Probably."
He wasn't happy about the new house or Pala's title. He just seed happy about the fact that Pala was staying here.
"I'm really, really so happy."
As Liwol smiled brightly, a smile also blood on Pala's face.
'Right, if I settle down here, I can bring Pola.'
A new life. Pala was now certain that she had gained a new life here.
Moreover, seeing Liwol so happy, it was impossible not to be happy.
She thought that a mont of a faint light had finally co to her dark life.
She finally had a decent house she could call her own, and she no longer had to worry about her als.
Pala was now even grateful for this ability she had not wanted. It could help people, and it had even given her a new life.
"Pala. Look over there."
At Liwol's words, she looked out the window, and there were people there.
Although the sun was slowly rising, it was still dawn, yet there were about ten people there.
"I think they're probably waiting for you."
"For ?"
"Yes. Since it's an ability recognized by the king, people are no longer afraid."
As Pala showed her face at the window, the people smiled awkwardly and waved their hands.
"Don't mind them. It's too early now. I'll go down and talk to them."
"No. I'll go."
She thought it must be an urgent matter if they had co at this hour.
'And they are people who need my help.'
As Liwol had said, it was her ability that the king of Rieberk had recognized. Moreover, since she had even received a title, she even thought it was natural to help the people of Rieberberk.
"But Pala. This is a very rude act. If this happens, people will co asking for help anyti."
Liwol lightly grabbed the hand of Pala, who was about to leave the door.
"It's okay. It's not like I was sleeping now. Besides, His Majesty the King said he would send servants to help in the future, so this won't happen again."
As she gained what she hadn't had, the next step was so easy and natural. And Pala didn't want to miss all of that.
It was the first chance that had co to her. The chance to live with people who recognized her and to help them.
"...Okay. But let's go together."
"Of course."
Pala, who had smiled faintly, left the door with Liwol.
"What is it?"
Although the waiting Pala appeared, the people fidgeted and no one could readily open their mouths.
"It's okay, so please speak."
As Pala spoke kindly to them, a woman stepped forward.
"My child is very sick. He's been running a high fever for several days, but I don't know what the problem is. Please save my child."
At that, the woman fell to the ground and began to beg.
"My wife is also very sick. She fell down the stairs a few years ago and hurt her back, but as ti passes, it's not getting better, but worse. Now she can't even get up from bed. Please heal my wife too."
Following that, a man fell to the ground and begged.
"My mother..."
Then another man.
"My daughter..."
Then another woman was prostrating herself before Pala, begging.
A strange sense of intoxication settled in Pala's chest as she stood tall before the people prostrated on the dim dawn road.
"Everyone, please rise. My ability is for you all."
Pala's lips trembled slightly as she looked down at them and spoke.
'How pitiful. I must help them.'
And so, a saintess appeared in Rieberk.
[End of Chapter]
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