"…You will be safe with us. With our protection, you can do whatever you want. That's why I'm telling you to co back. What do you want to choose?"
Veronica smiled at his words. "I understand that my safety is your utmost concern and I'm happy to know that. However, if I act like a scaredy-cat, the bad guys will have the upper hand. I cannot show my weakness.
"I have a duty to the people of Goddess Juvena. The Goddess sent for that purpose. I'm sure She will protect . If I, as Her blessed child, cannot show a little faith, how can other people have faith in Her?"
The Head Priest let out a deep breath. "You are right.. Faith is what we need if we want the Goddess's strength."
He paused before adding, "When we found out the remarkable job you did in the desert, we were so proud of you. We wished to welco you grandly. Who knew you would choose this path? Are you sure you want to walk down a road that has no future?"
Veronica politely refuted, "It's not that it has no future. It's just we don't know what the future holds for . And yes, I'm sure I want this road to walk."
Walking that road, full of uncertainty, most people would avoid it, but Veronica didn't. Going into the unknown future, she wasn't worried or scared because she had Arthur by her side.
Arthur was her biggest support. He always gave her courage.
If she walked on the unknown path, she wouldn't be alone. There would be people who would follow her even if she didn't ask.
That's why she had the courage to choose this path.
The Head Priest stared at her for a long ti before saying, "Maybe that's the reason Saint Ava wanted to let you go. Do whatever you wish. This old man will hide that he t you today. The King knows you are dead. As long as you want, I'll keep this secret. At least Saint Ava should know that you are alive. She was devastated when she heard you died."
"She knows," Veronica confessed. "I t her in the temple before coming here. I ca to the city to et you but was surprised when I heard about the new blessed child."
"You t her? That's good." The Head Priest looked relieved. "Why did you want to et ?"
Veronica brought up what she wanted to ask for several days, "Do you rember promising the key to the secret chamber of the royal library? I wish you could give that. I've beco a good healer now, just as you wished."
The Head Priest pondered deeply. "Why do you need that all of a sudden?"
"I need so information. I'm working on sothing. I can't do it without enough knowledge. I searched so many libraries around the world but only the ancient library should have it. For so reason, it wasn't there."
The Head Priest interrupted her at this point, "May I ask… what are you looking for?"
Veronica paused. She recalled Arthur forbidding her telling anything about elves to the Head Priest. She wasn't sure if she should tell him.
She rubbed her palms together. She wanted to tell him but hesitated. Disobeying Arthur never gave her any good experience.
The Head Priest observed her reaction and told her, "It's okay if you don't want to tell . I could help you if it's about sothing most people have no knowledge of."
Veronica's tense body relaxed as he didn't pursue the issue anymore. "I think I can handle it. If I can go to the library, I'll get the information I need."
"Most books are written in the ancient language. That language isn't alive anymore. No one knows it. It's forbidden to teach it openly. Can you read it?"
"You have nothing to worry about. I learned it in the temple. I cannot speak properly since I never heard it. But I can guarantee I can read."
The Head Priest looked surprised. "That's impressive. I can't believe Saint Ava taught you that well. She isn't a good teacher."
"She didn't. She also gave a stone that would control my healing power. She prevented from using my power properly. I learned everything myself."
The Head Priest stared at her in disbelief. "What are you saying? Even if she isn't a good teacher, she wouldn't do sothing like that!"
"That's what happened. The past six months, she has made mop the floor, take care of the garden, prepare als, pray with her, and use healing power."
"How could she do that?" The Head Priest didn't know how to react. "I sent you to her so that you could learn from her. I trusted her! I thought you would be better with her. She could guide you who knew nothing.
"When you used your power for the first ti one year ago, she realized it first. She sensed your power. too. And that's when we knew soone other than Saint Ava, a powerful being ca to the world.
"That gave hope. I was happy. I thought I could leave my responsibilities to you."
As he started eating, she touched the spoon as well. "Honestly speaking, I still don't understand why you need . Things are going great without my presence. If power-hungry people knew about my existence, they would seek . Whatever my role is, Saint Ava can fulfill it. That's why I better be left alone. I want to do things my way without people hunting ."
The Head Priest suggested, "Don't you think if you are recognized as the blessed child you can do better? People will be obliged to work for you."
"It'll create more attention. I don't want it. I want to do things without being noticed by others too much. More than anything, I don't want the life I grew up in. I want to be free."
"Then I won't pursue you anymore. I thought you were misguided but it looks to that you hate our way of life."
"Yes… I'm sorry." Veronica lowered her head.
"It's okay. I understand not everyone can handle our way of living. Especially those who have high ambition."
Veronica hesitantly reminded him, "About the key…"
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