My body was so hot it could boil water, yet the core of my head felt ice-cold, and my body felt lighter than usual.
All I had to do was stare, and I could see the High Priest, who had been standing proudly by the door, drain of color until his face was ashen blue.
If you were going to make that kind of face, maybe you shouldn't have done something so awful in the first place. What an idiot.
"Mine, your Magic Power is leaking. Control your emotions!"
The Chief Priest had apparently been watching the High Priest's face change by the second. He shot to his feet in a panic, slamming his chair back, and shouted.
The unexpected voice drew my gaze away from the High Priest toward the Chief Priest.
The moment the High Priest vanished from my field of vision, I heard a heavy thud behind me, like a sack of goods dropping to the floor.
Once he left my sight, everything seemed to unfreeze. The priests who had been stuck in place rushed to the High Priest's side, their voices reaching me one after another. As I faintly heard them asking after his well-being, I turned to the Chief Priest.
"How am I supposed to control it?"
I tilted my head, glaring at the Chief Priest with all the fury I could muster. He clutched his chest and let out a low groan.
"Guh… you do it all the time, don't you?"
"You called me out saying you wanted to negotiate, then hit me with a sudden order, tried to strong-arm me, and threatened me with execution if I fought back. How exactly am I supposed to suppress my anger toward someone like that? I don't know."
I turned away from the Chief Priest and brought the High Priest back into my line of sight. He had collapsed onto the floor in a sitting position, and unlike before, his face was now level with mine without needing to look up.
He let out a thin, strained sound. His face was painted with terror, and his entire body was shaking uncontrollably as he tried to put even a little distance between us.
What a strange face.
It wasn't the kindly grandfather expression anymore, nor the arrogant sneer. Facing a frail little girl like me, he looked as though he had seen some kind of monster or demon.
Watching him change expressions one after another filled me with an indescribable irritation. I took a step forward.
"S-stay away! Stay away! Don't come over here!"
Gasping for breath like he couldn't breathe, the High Priest repeated the same words over and over, trapped in full panic.
From somewhere behind my right shoulder, the Chief Priest's panicked voice rang out.
"Wait! If you let your emotions run wild and release Magic Power like this, the High Priest's heart won't survive!"
"Mm-hmm," I hummed in acknowledgment as I took one step, then another, toward the High Priest.
"Then he should just die. If he keeps living, he's going to kill my father and mother, isn't he? Then he should die first. You're the one trying to kill someone, so surely you're prepared to be killed yourself, right? If you die, the people gunning for your position will probably be thrilled, you know?"
Four steps in, the High Priest foamed at the mouth, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted on the spot.
In the next instant, the Chief Priest planted himself between me and the High Priest, blocking my view, and dropped to his knees before me. His brow furrowed in pain, sweat beading on his face, he looked at me with desperate earnestness.
"Let's talk this out."
"Talk? With body language? Or maybe with Magic Power?"
My question made the Chief Priest's eyes go wide. He doubled over in a cough, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. My eyes were drawn to the red droplets trailing down.
"You must not kill him. If you kill the High Priest, your family will become relatives of a noble-murderer. That can't be what you want."
The Chief Priest's words struck me like a slap. In my rush to protect my family, I couldn't very well turn them into the kin of a criminal.
I blinked several times, and the Chief Priest let out a long, exhausted sigh.
"It seems your reason has returned?"
"…Probably."
Relief visible on his face, the Chief Priest relaxed his posture, pulled a handkerchief from his breast, wiped his mouth, and straightened his disheveled hair. Just like that, his expression returned to its usual calm, as if nothing had happened.
"Let's negotiate. Just as you wished."
"You'll accept all of our conditions?"
The Chief Priest's face twisted with a brief grimace, but after a light shake of his head, he placed a hand on my shoulder.
"…To do that, you need to rein in your Magic Power first. Can you manage it?"
Taking slow, deep breaths, I gathered the heat that had spread throughout my body and pushed it back toward the center. It was the same familiar exercise, but the heat of Self-Eating felt worse than I'd realized.
Wait, was this Self-Eating heat, or Magic Power?
Idly wondering about something that didn't matter, I squeezed everything neatly into place and sealed the lid tight. The instant I did, all strength drained from my body, and I crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut.
"Whoa—"
I fell forward, but the Chief Priest caught me before I hit the floor.
"Mine!"
"Are you alright?!"
My parents rushed over, and the Chief Priest gently lifted me into their arms.
Mother bent her knees slightly to receive me, holding me tight in a fierce hug. Father gazed down at me with worry, watching my limp body.
"I'm fine. My body just couldn't keep up with the sudden spike and drop in temperature when the heat of Self-Eating goes out of control. It happens all the time, and I'm completely conscious."
"It happens all the time? That?"
I let out a small laugh at my father's anxious tone.
"It's rare for me to get that emotional and lose control, but about six months ago, when I was being consumed, the heat went out of control pretty frequently."
"Is that so…"
While I chatted with my parents, the Chief Priest had risen to his feet and was giving orders to the other priests to restore order. He asked them to tend to the High Priest and prepare a room for our discussion.
"As for you lot, once you've dumped the High Priest onto a bed, go back to your rooms and rest. Taking that much Magic Power head-on should have you fairly exhausted."
"But, Chief Priest, you yourself…"
Just as the concerned priest pointed out, the Chief Priest was probably the most exhausted person here—more so than any of the surrounding priests. He had inserted himself between the High Priest and me, facing my Magic Power at point-blank range.
"Chief Priest… are you alright?"
Just now remembering the blood trailing from his lips, I couldn't help but ask. The Chief Priest looked at me with surprise, then let out a bitter smile.
"This is my punishment. I watched the High Priest antagonize you without intervening, even though I had no idea how much Magic Power a Self-Eating who had survived until the
Having finished issuing his orders, the Chief Priest walked slowly toward me. Up close, his ragged breathing and exhausted expression made it clear he was pushing himself far beyond his limits.
"Chief Priest, why didn't you step in sooner?"
"I thought that if I could get you into the
He murmured something about it being beyond his calculations. Father's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Mine is a precious daughter. I've told you that several times, haven't I?"
At Father's words, the Chief Priest looked at me. A complicated expression crossed his face—as though he were mocking himself, or as though he had seen something dazzlingly painful. He gently patted my head while I sat in Mother's arms.
"…Mine, I'll be honest. I envy you, being so treasured and loved by your parents. Everyone in the Temple—whether orphans or nobles—is someone who was never needed by their parents."
Coming from the Chief Priest, who lived in such a magnificent, opulent room, those words were deeply sorrowful. They remained in my heart for a long time afterward, throughout all my future dealings with the Temple.
Once the High Priest had been put to bed, we moved to the Chief Priest's room to continue our negotiation.
The basic layout and the quality of the furniture were the same as in the High Priest's room, but instead of display shelves, his desk was buried under wooden tablets and papers. It seemed the Chief Priest handled all of the Temple's practical day-to-day operations single-handedly.
This time we were properly offered seats, and a long sofa was even prepared for my limp body. The negotiation began.
"That thing earlier—the intimidation, I think you called it? Could you tell me exactly what that was? Mine's eyes were glowing rainbow colors, and something like a pale yellow haze was coming off her body…"
What the heck!? I had no idea some kind of bizarre phenomenon had been happening! Rainbow-colored eyes and something coming out of my body—what was that!?
Father's words left me stunned.
Since no one else could see it either, no one noticed my surprise, and the conversation moved right along.
"It's a phenomenon that manifests when intense emotions can no longer be contained. Magic Power surges throughout the body, activating it, and intimidates the target recognized as an enemy using Magic Power directly. It's more common in children who are poor at controlling their emotions, but has this never happened before?"
My parents exchanged glances and began searching their memories.
"Her eyes changing color—I've seen that a few times. It happens when she's being stubborn. But it was never to the point of intimidation. If we gave her a reason to back down, she'd usually calm down eventually."
"Now that you mention it, the first time I saw it was in the forest, when Mine had made something and Frieda's group broke it and she threw a huge fit. That was quite intimidating."
My parents were having a lovely trip down memory lane, but hearing it described from a third party's perspective really highlighted how strange I was. A child whose eyes changed color when she was being stubborn and who radiated intimidation—honestly, that's pretty unsettling.
No wonder I could've been abandoned. They really did raise me with love all this way…
"The degree of influence depends on the difference in Magic Power, so the fact that it's grown stronger means Mine's Magic Power has been gradually increasing. Going forward, be careful not to let it run away again."
"Something pretty extreme would have to happen for her emotions to get that out of hand," I grumbled pointedly at the High Priest's fault. The Chief Priest watched me carefully, narrowing his eyes.
"I'd heard that Self-Eating have relatively high Magic Power, but I never imagined you'd have enough to send the High Priest into shock like that. …Pardon me for saying it, but why are you alive?"
"Huh?"
What kind of question was that? I tilted my head, not understanding. The Chief Priest explained.
"The stronger the Magic Power, the more spiritual energy it takes to suppress it. A child's fragile spirit—which is emotional and doesn't know how to contain it—can only endure so much. The stronger your Magic Power at birth, the sooner you die. Since Magic Power grows along with the body, a Self-Eating who survived until the Baptism Ceremony shouldn't pose that much of a threat. Someone with your level of Magic Power being alive is what's strange."
"I was supposed to have died already. A kind person gave me a Magical Tool that was about to break, and that extended my life."
The original Mine had died nearly two years ago. And if Frieda hadn't helped, I would have died six months ago too. Just as the Chief Priest said, it wasn't easy for a Self-Eating to survive until the Baptism Ceremony.
"I see. But through that kind person, did you not wish to form a Contract with a noble? Without a Contract, you can't survive. The fact that you didn't Contract is the reason we can welcome you here—but I find it rather puzzling."
Asked with such genuine curiosity, I tilted my head in the same way.
"Being Contracted and kept alive by a noble—what would be the point of living? I wanted to be with my family. I wanted to make books. If I can't live the way I want to live, there's no meaning."
"…To live the way you want to live," the Chief Priest murmured. "That's a way of thinking I truly don't understand."
He gave a slight shake of his head, regulated his breathing, and looked at me, then Mother, then Father, one by one before speaking.
"Mine, I want you to join the Temple. This is not an order—it is a request."
"I heard from a merchant that the number of nobles has decreased and there isn't enough Magic Power. Is it true that it affects harvests?"
"…Quite the well-informed merchant. But very well."
So the information
"Can't you get other nobles to help?"
"Each of them has Magical Tools they must maintain and operate. The foundations of the city are almost entirely sustained by Magical Tools."
So the nobles did have their own duties after all—I'd been thinking they ought to pitch in a bit more.
"The High Priest may be what he is, but I am the one handling actual operations. A Magic Power holder of your caliber is rare even among the Self-Eating. As promised, I will extend every possible accommodation."
"Father, I'll leave the rest to you."
The terms had been thoroughly discussed. I'd leave the further negotiations to Father, as the head of the household.
Mother gently stroked my head and said, "You must be tired. You can rest," but if I didn't listen carefully to the negotiations concerning me, I'd end up getting another earful from Benno. I leaned back against the sofa and watched Father and the Chief Priest continue talking.
"Then, here are our conditions. If Mine's Magic Power is truly needed, we demand treatment roughly equivalent to that of nobility. We absolutely do not want Mine doing the kind of work the Gray Priestess does."
The Chief Priest agreed to Father's demand almost without hesitation.
"I will prepare Blue Robes specifically for Mine. Her main duties will be the maintenance of Magical Tools, just as for noble children—since that was my original intention before the High Priest's outburst, there's no problem. Would it be acceptable if her duties were Magical Tool maintenance and, as she greatly desires, work in the Library?"
The Chief Priest granted access to the Library without adding a single condition, and my regard for him skyrocketed.
He seemed cold, but he had physically stopped my rampage. He handled all the practical operations single-handedly. He had read the Holy Book to me. He would let me into the Library! He would let me into the Library!
"Chief Priest, you're a wonderful person!"
"…Huh?"
My awe and joy apparently didn't translate to anyone. He merely glanced at me briefly before Father returned to their discussion.
"Also, we're worried sick about Mine living in the Temple where our parental oversight can't reach her. We'd like her to commute from home. We have no intention of letting her go."
"…That's true. Mine is not an orphan, so there's no reason she can't come from home. In fact, many nobles who have homes commute regularly, so there shouldn't be a problem."
"Um, Mine is very frail, so she won't be able to work every day. What about that?"
While Mother gently pressed a hand over my mouth, silencing me, the conversation briskly moved forward without me.
"There's no need to push herself when she's feeling unwell. She told me about going to the forest when she felt fine, so she's not completely immobile, correct?"
I bit my tongue for having blabbed to the Chief Priest about the forest and shook my head at his gaze.
"Even when I feel fine, it's impossible without
"Lutz? The boy who came to pick you up the other day?"
"Yes. He's been managing my condition the whole time. Without Lutz, I might suddenly collapse or spike a fever. I need someone who can manage my health."
So before I could explain that it had to be someone Lutz was available and I was feeling well, the Chief Priest nodded as though it made perfect sense. He scribbled something on a wooden tablet without comment.
"Ah, you mean she requires an Attendant. It's standard for Blue Robe priests and priestesses to have several assigned to them, so there's no issue."
"Huh?"
Attendant? If you assign a whole bunch of people to me, that's going to be a problem!
The Chief Priest looked away from me, confused as I was, and turned to my parents.
"Do you still object? Any other conditions?"
We had been given considerable concessions—that much was certain. Benno's words about the Temple wanting me no matter what had been right.
"Oh, Chief Priest. I'm registered with the commercial guild. May I continue running my workshop?"
"…The High Priest would probably say something like 'that is unnecessary for one who serves the gods.'"
For the first time, the Chief Priest looked troubled. He furrowed his brows and sank into thought. Following Benno's instructions, I pressed forward with the negotiation.
"But I've been running the workshop for a while now. It's an important source of income for me. There's an orphanage here, isn't there? Could we find some kind of compromise—maybe hiring orphans and paying them wages, or turning over a portion of profits to the Temple?"
Unlike the High Priest, who would have shut me down flat, the Chief Priest handled all the practical matters and surely understood the books. Benno had told me that with nobles decreasing, the Temple's donations had dried up and they needed revenue.
As I waited for the Chief Priest's answer, he pressed his temples and muttered with visible annoyance.
"…How much do you know? Fine. The profit split and the share turned over to the Temple will be discussed at length another day before I decide whether to approve it. Today I have absolutely no information to work with, so there's no point negotiating."
"Understood. Then let's save all money-related discussions—including donations—for another day."
The topic of Donations wasn't something I particularly wanted to discuss in front of my parents. The Chief Priest raised one eyebrow slightly, as if sensing something, but said nothing and turned his gaze back to my parents.
"Any other conditions?"
"No. If Mine will be given Blue Robes and allowed to commute from home while we monitor her health, then as her parents, we cannot object. We're in your care."
When the discussion concluded, we were invited to lunch. However, we left the Temple immediately. Mother said it would be better to let the Chief Priest rest as soon as possible.
Stepping out through the high gates of the Temple, I was greeted by a bright blue sky stretching above us in the clear late-morning light. It was refreshing and amplified the sense of relief that everything was finally over.
Father carried me home as we walked in silence for a while. When the Central Plaza came into view and we had returned to our familiar neighborhood, Father murmured softly.
"It's over…"
"Yeah."
"We won, didn't we?"
He spoke as though he couldn't quite believe it. I broke into a wide grin and nodded firmly.
"A total victory. Father, Mother—thank you for protecting me."
I slowly unclenched the fists that were finally starting to feel strong again, bending my elbows, and Father returned to his usual warm smile. With one arm he held me close, and with the other he made a fist.
"You're the one who protected us, Mine. With that intimidation thing."
"Mm, the truth is, it was just anger and heat going out of control. I honestly don't remember much of it."
Chuckling, I lightly bumped fists with my Father.
All of the conditions we had laid out had been accepted. As for the money, that would come down to my own negotiations. I would consult with Benno, work out a strategy, and absolutely make it happen.
"I'm feeling a lot more at ease. With the Chief Priest there, it seems like things will be fine," Mother said.
I tilted my head. The Chief Priest was certainly capable, but I wasn't sure what Mother had seen to feel reassured.
"The Chief Priest stopped you properly, didn't he? You have a bad habit of charging ahead on your own, and the problem is that nobody can stop you. Having someone who will properly hold you back and scold you when your Magic Power goes out of control is invaluable."
That was a reason only a mother who knew her daughter well could give.
I could already foresee it: once I entered the Temple, I'd be getting scolded by the Chief Priest with Mother's blessing.
"…I feel like I'm going to get scolded a lot."
Both Father and Mother laughed at my prediction.
I let out a breath, thinking that if I hadn't been able to stop the High Priest, I never would have seen this scene.
Thank goodness. I lost control, but I wasn't wrong.
Relieved that we had all come home together, I turned down the main road and entered the narrow alley leading to our house. And there, at the well plaza, was Turi.
She was wandering back and forth, and I could tell immediately from her restless pacing that she had been waiting for us. My cheeks relaxed into a smile.
"Turi!"
"Mine! Thank goodness! You came back safe!"
Turi spotted us and came running over, her feet trampling the slightly overgrown weeds.
Father set me down and supported me so that my back leaned against him, catching me along with the incoming Turi.
"Welcome home, Mine! I was waiting for you!"
Turi's face was so relieved that tears were forming in her eyes. I smiled back at her.
"I'm home, Turi."
With that, Part One: Soldier's Daughter — Complete.
Future updates will be provided in the activity report.
Next time: Part Two: Shrine Maiden Apprentice of the Temple.