A fortune-telling princess Chapter 169

‘Is this some kind of promotion?’

Camilla clicked her tongue inwardly as she remembered the defective necklace she had received. Can the temple even produce defective goods?

‘Ah, whatever. It was free after all.’

Noticing that quite a few people around were wearing the necklace, she figured they must have invited those who donated generously.

The ghost priestess kept frowning as she looked at the pope wearing the red stone. Did she not like that relic?

[Stupid bastard.]

Gasp! Did she just curse?

[The X guy. Pathetic bastard. Sitting on the pope’s throne, all he thinks about is money, so his divine power is that weak. Pity the fools who hold up a guy like you as pope.]

Camilla doubted her ears. She rubbed her eyes to check again if what the ghost was wearing was indeed priestly robes. Is that really a priest’s robe?

‘No, it is, isn’t it?’

Even if she’s dead, how can she speak so roughly? Is that even allowed?

[…]

Gasp!

Did she feel the gaze? The ghost priestess turned her head sharply. Camilla tried to look away as naturally as possible.

Right, let’s not care. What does it matter to me if a ghost sticks to the pope’s side? Even priests are human; they can swear a bit.

As Camilla was thinking about other things, the ceremony proceeded quickly. She too focused solely on the ceremony, putting aside all other distractions.

The choir’s song, praying for abundance, filled the garden, followed by the long, boring sermons from the high priests and the pope.

“The Supreme Deity said…”

Wow… I’m really sleepy. Why do all sermons in the world have such a close friendship with lullabies?

Camilla had to keep biting her tongue to stay awake.

When will this end? Will it ever end?

[Yawn…]

…So, ghosts yawn too.

The ghost priestess from earlier was squatting in front of the pope, yawning widely as he preached. It was somewhat refreshing to see a priest behave like that.

[This is disgustingly boring. Why do both of them make their sermons so long? Who listens to this intently? Just get to the point, don’t you know? Repeating the same old stuff is like having wax in your ears, idiots!]

That’s what I’m saying.

“Now we will proceed to the blessing.”

Should I pretend to collapse to escape?

Just as she was seriously considering this, the sermon finally ended, and they moved on to the next part.

Following the host’s instructions, the pope slowly walked towards the Tree of the Supreme Deity. Amidst everyone’s expectant gazes, he bowed his head in prayer. Then, a soft light emanated from his hands – divine power.

[Oh my, that’s called divine power?]

At that moment, a sarcastic voice pierced through her ears. Meanwhile, the divine power from the pope’s hands seeped into the tree.

“Wow!”

Then, small leaves sprouted from the previously barren branches, eliciting a loud cheer from the crowd.

“This year seems to promise abundance.”

“Doesn’t it look like more leaves than last year?”

“Indeed, the pope.”

Camilla couldn’t hide her bewilderment at people genuinely rejoicing over just a few leaves sprouting.

It’s interesting, but is it really that surprising?

‘The tree is still bare as ever, though?’

Chris, seeing her baffled expression, explained the situation.

“Once, a pope couldn’t awaken a single leaf, and that year’s harvest was a disaster.”

“What? Are they doing divination with this?”

Isn’t that just a difference in divine power among individuals?

‘Why are they predicting the harvest with this? And they are temple priests?’

Camilla shook her head slightly. It seems that regardless of the era, people always attribute their own meanings to things.

“What are they doing now?”

Following the pope, others at the ceremony began to come forward one by one, praying towards the tree.

“It’s the last part of the ceremony. Everyone attending prays to the Tree of the Supreme Deity for abundance.”

“Everyone? So, I have to do it too?”

“Yes.”

At Chris’s explanation, Camilla let out another short sigh. I didn’t want to come for a reason, and now I have to pray?

‘How long will it take for all these people to pray?’

Can’t they all just do it together at once?

[These talentless ones sure know how to put on a show.]

I agree with that too!

“Huh?”

While internally agreeing with the ghost priestess’s words, Camilla looked up at the tree without thinking and her eyes widened.

Something very familiar was fluttering above the tree.

A small, faint, red dragon.

‘Hero Draggy?’

The one from the Gracia Empire’s royal greenhouse!

[It’s that human!]

Draggy, spotting Camilla, flapped his tiny wings vigorously to fly quickly towards her, blinking his eyes in apparent joy.

[You were here! I thought you weren’t on that side anymore.]

Well, this is my usual haunt, but why are you here?

As if reading her eyes, the red dragon spoke again.

[It’s natural for the King of Autumn to be where autumn begins.]

The red Draggy, who had been circling around, suddenly perched on Camilla’s head.

‘Hey! What are you doing?’

Why are you sitting on my head?

She wanted to shake her head to knock him off, but she had to restrain herself because of the people watching.

‘Gasp!’

Moreover, the ghost priestess who had been beside the pope was now staring at her intently. She must have noticed Draggy and now was looking at Camilla too.

Did we just make eye contact? I tried to look away quickly…

[Humans are funny.]

‘What’s funny?’

Meanwhile, the King of Autumn Spirits shook his head at the people earnestly praying to the Tree of the Supreme Deity.

[They always interpret things however they want. It’s the spirits who govern harvests! This isn’t something you can predict with that!]

‘Humans are like that.’

They always want to give meaning to everything. Even a random stray dog, they’d try to elevate to a god if they could.

[And that tree, it’s very old, right? It’s just resting because its body isn’t what it used to be, but they’re making wishes for abundance to it? The young ones these days don’t know how to respect their elders.]

The King of Autumn Spirits kept glaring at the pope, seemingly upset by how he had forced leaves out with divine power earlier.

[We rule nature! It’s not something you can measure with divine power, you fools!]

…Looks like this guy came here to mock the ceremony, right? I’d like to join in the mockery, but what can I do? I’m human, after all.

“Camilla.”

“Yeah.”

Chris called her. It was her turn.

The eyes of the pope and others were now all focused on her.

The one blessed by the gods. Given the rumors about her, everyone seemed to have high expectations.

Of course, there were also those who looked at her with disdain, thinking the rumors were exaggerated.

‘It’s only natural.’

I told you, those rumors are all nonsense! What am I supposed to do here?

[Should I help?]

‘What are you talking about?’

What’s there to help with here? I just need to go out, pray, and come back.

Ignoring Draggy’s words, Camilla stepped forward to offer her prayer.

Feeling awkward just closing her eyes, she thought she should at least wish for something. Please let me live long.

“Huh!”

“Look at that!”

“Wow!”

…What’s that noise?

As Camilla was trying to focus on her prayer, she slowly raised her head to the murmurs around her.

“Gasp!”

After assessing the situation, she sharply inhaled. Her wide eyes shook. Why is this happening all of a sudden?

The tree, which had been bare moments ago, was no longer there. Instead, a lush, leafy Tree of the Supreme Deity stood in its place.

[How about that?]

“…”

Then, Draggy’s voice came through again.

[This is the power of a spirit who rules nature. It’s on a different level than divine power. Ahem!]

You did this? Was this your doing?!

Camilla was speechless for a moment as the red Draggy fluttered back to her side, boasting proudly.

“Did you see that?”

“I saw it! The moment Lady Camilla prayed, the tree lit up!”

“I’ve never seen the Tree of the Supreme Deity so lush before.”

“Blessed by the gods, they say…”

“The rumors weren’t just rumors!”

This is driving me insane.

Camilla’s head throbbed under the gazes filled with awe. Even the pope was staring at her with wide eyes. What a ridiculous misunderstanding this is!

“You…”

[Why? Everyone says you’re amazing. Isn’t that good?]

“Not at all.”

Camilla growled quietly. Why do things I didn’t ask for? Do you want to die by my hand today?

[Humans are funny. Don’t they usually like getting attention?]

I’m already getting enough attention without you. It’s giving me a headache, actually!

[Hmph, you complain even when I help. No gratitude.]

“…Do you need help with something?”

[What? What could you possibly do to help me?]

“How about calling Aisla to freeze this place?”

[What, what?!]

“Autumn could disappear in an instant. Wouldn’t that make you less busy?”

[I, I’m pretty busy, so, bye!]

The moment the name of the Winter Spirit King Aisla was mentioned, Draggy’s expression stiffened, and he quickly vanished.

“Haah.”

Alright, I should escape too.

Camilla hurried away from the crowd’s focused stares. Many wanted to talk to her, but she ignored them.

“…”

There was someone watching her intently – High Priest Daniel.

He kept his eyes on her until she disappeared completely, then a deep smile formed on his lips.

“Really tempting.”

He muttered to himself quietly before resuming his conversation with others, back to his usual benevolent demeanor.