CH 77.2

Collen soon arrived home. He congratulated Marianne on her birthday and handed her an envelope politely.

‘Ah, is it true that adults’ gifts are always money?’

Marianne received Collen’s gift with a mixed expression of accepting and refusing.

“I got a present from the baby!” She boasted proudly.

“Is that so? It suits you well.”

“Really?”

She showed off the brooch she had put on and then smiled at me.

“I’m going to give Leticia a prophecy for next year.”

At her words, Collen froze.

Zion widened his eyes.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’m going to give her one.”

“Do you have to?”

“Why? Everyone is going crazy wanting it.”

I perked up my ears.

“What’s the prophecy?”

“The most expensive service you can receive at the temple.”

“Collen, why does your explanation sound snobbish?”

“Isn’t it accurate?”

“Well, I guess so.”

Marianne explained with an expression of disbelief.

“Someone like me, the Saintess of the Great Temple, can make a prophecy only once a year. After the New Year, to be precise. Since this year is already over, I have to give a prophecy for next year.”

Hehe. I opened my mouth wide.

“So, I’m giving you the most expensive prophecy of that year. Kings and wealthy people from several villages come and beg for the first prophecy, bringing with them the value of two or three villages each.”

She’s giving me something that extraordinary? I’m grateful, but…

“But I’ve already received a lot of presents from Marianne. I’m really…”

“A cute child is never satisfied even if they have all the good things in the world. Isn’t that right?”

“Ah, well, that’s true,” Collen nodded.

Honestly, I’m really curious.

A prophecy. On the other hand, it was a little scary.

‘What if it turns out to be a bad outcome? What do I do?’

But I didn’t really expect anything in return for the gift I gave.

“Will you accept it? It’s your aunt’s gift.”

I couldn’t refuse and nodded my head.

“Are you sure it’s okay? It involves a tremendous amount of money.”

“That much is fine. Those temple folks sometimes need to be appeased by showing a bit of temper.”

She chuckled with her chin in hand.

After all, the situation of adults is really complicated.

“Got it? Then come to the main temple early next year to pray.”

“I will.”

I nodded my head. Marianne patted my head once and headed to her room, saying she would unpack.

Only Collen and I were left. I asked cautiously.

“Can I really receive the prophecy?”

“If she says she’ll give it to you, then it doesn’t matter.”

“But…”

Collen folded the newspaper upon seeing my expression.

“Are you worried that you’ll hear something bad?”

“A little,” I replied.

“Don’t worry about it. Prophecies only show the future of the present. There is no unchanging future.”

“Has Dad ever received a prophecy?”

“Yeah.”

Collen nodded.

“What kind of prophecy did you hear?”

“I heard various ones, but the most memorable one was this: ‘You will live within the darkness you embrace for a lifetime, merely existing.'”

It was difficult, but I seemed to understand what it meant.

A prophecy with a dark content.

But because I knew Collen, I couldn’t say anything. The dark hero who kills villains. That’s who Collen is. A person who has to kill in order to survive.

“But things have changed, haven’t they? Nowadays, I’m happy because of your presence.”

Ah, I see. Prophecies aren’t absolute either. But for something that serves as an experience, it seems too expensive.

Feeling awkward for no reason, I fidgeted with my collar.

“Every day is enjoyable, so my life has changed. So, prophecies might only speak of a future that can change. It wouldn’t hurt to listen to them as an experience.”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

“And if it’s the main temple, it’s in the southern region. We can stop by the main residence of our family as well. There will be a gathering of southern lords around that time. It will be a long journey. It’s about time we visited there too.”

I nodded.

“Is Dad also a southern lord?”

“No.”

Collen replied shortly, then smirked.

“All the southern lords are mine.”

…So, it’s like a High Lord, right?

“It’ll be a chance to introduce my daughter.”

I widened my eyes and nodded. That will be my first event next year.