Here is the priest's room. I would appreciate it if you would keep your hands free.

　Lasse and the others were led to the priest's room, and Tatomi nailed them.
　And that's when.

"Hey, hey, don't scare our guest, Tatomi!

　From inside the priest's room comes someone's admonition to Tatomi.

......?

　The sudden voice causes Lasse to stiffen involuntarily.

(The door isn't even open yet, but you heard our conversation?　Is it some kind of information magic?

　Ex-military instincts to sort out the situation and speculate on the capabilities of the person inside.

"There is no need to be alarmed. I'm only an old woman. Now let's see the face that saved my life.

　When Lasse looked at Tatomi without letting up her guard, she bowed her head in a look of horror.

I'm very sorry. The priest is waiting for you, please come in.

　Then Tatomi immediately opened the door.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them. But it's quite a bit more than that: ......)

Please.

　Feeling an impatient air from Tatomi, Lasse and Soid walked in obediently.
　Only Lasse, while performing some caution.

　◇

　The priest's room was quite simple.
　The minimal amount of furniture, a few books on the shelves, and characteristic religious patterns carved on the walls. That's about the extent of what's noteworthy.
　In the middle of the room was a rather large bed in which Kara, who had already gone to the priest earlier, and several women dressed in white, who appeared to be the priest's caretakers, were standing on either side of the bed.

　And on the bed lay a young girl who would have been around ten years old at the time of her death.
　With the help of the attendant women, the girl raises her upper body and greets Lasse and the others.

Welcome to my room. I am the chief of this sealed village and a priestess, and my name is Mitic. Excuse my humble appearance.

"What?

　Lasse and Soid are baffled.
　It was the priest who told them they were sick.
　And yet, out comes a young girl.
　Is this girl really our priestess?

"What's up?　You seem surprised at how young I look. But I am a real priest. Aye, well, you can tell the dog, who waits in the shadows, to come outside and relax.

　And the girl who called herself Mitic pointed to the shadow of Lasse.

?

　Lasse was perturbed. Indeed, he was in the shadow of his shadow, a member of the shadow army of guards, the demon Kuro Dog with the power to lurk in the shadows.

(Noticed!　That's a covert ability that even the court wizard didn't notice!

Haha!　I have surprisingly good instincts.

　Mittick laughed at him, but Lasse was astonished by his even greater detection ability.

(I see...) Is it clairvoyance or excessive magic detection, or at any rate, some kind of power that transcends even space and sees places that are not here? This is a real priest.

"...... Come on out, Kuro Dog

　Having been detected by Mittick, he decided that it would be suspicious to go through with it, so he honestly called Kuro Dog.
　Then out of Rise's shadow, a large black dog emerges.
　Its entire body is covered in black fur, and only its eyes glow red as if they were on fire.
　Seeing his majesty, the attendant women stepped back.

This is a good boy.

　But Mitic smiles at Kuro Dog unabashedly.
　The girl who also shows Kurodog a friendly reaction to him?　You'll see a puzzled look on his face.
　But without the command of your master, Lise, he does not bark or threaten you unnecessarily.

Now, where was I?　Oh, you're right, I am young!

　You can't help but feel that only the word 'young' was emphasized a little.

"Master Mitic, in order to fulfill his divine duties, he uses magic to maintain his youthful appearance!

　And then Kara gave me an additional explanation about Mitic's youth.

This is Kara!　Don't spoil my fun!

"Gee, I'm sorry!

　Mitic scolds Kara for taking the opportunity to spoil the story.
　But Lasse and his friends are just stunned by the scene.

The magic of rejuvenation?　Or is it magic that stops physical growth?　Either way, that's quite a feat. (You said you were a priest, and is it a secret art of the Church or a private, well-kept divine magic?

(Rejuvenation or slowing down the aging rate, either way, this is golden!　(Sell this technology and you'll get paid handsomely by aristocratic women all over the world!

　Both sides were curious about the secrets of Mitic's technology, even though the content was different.



Now, I would like to thank you for bringing me the cure for my illness. In either of you, I would have died.

　Mitic bows deeply.

'Mr. Mitic!　Why do you need to bow?

　The white-clad women, who were being used by Mittick, panicked and asked to raise their heads.

Tada!　I've never been so ungrateful as to not thank you for saving my life!　And these gentlemen even brought that a**h*le's son Kara with them. As a grandmother, it was only right to thank them.

"Yes, that's true, but ......

"I mean, I think the stupid kids are terrible: ......

　The women in white flinch when scolded by Mitic.
　But our subject, Lasse and his friends, had no time for that.

" ...... grandmother?

"Yes, I am Tatomi's mother and Kara's grandmother!　You've got a grandson to take care of.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?

　Probably the most surprising thing that happened to them when they received this request .

　◇

Now that we've seen some good surprises, I'll have to reward you both for your hard work. And the money for the pills. It'll take a while to get the gold for this. And it was hard to come to this village, wasn't it?　I'm tired after a long absence. You should stay in the village and have a good night's rest.

　As Lasse and the others froze in surprise, Mitic quickly arranged for them to stay the night.

"Come on, I'll show you around.

　Then Lasse and the others, who were urged to be pursued by the attendants, were quickly locked out of Mitic's room.

　.

"Hmm, that young man, I think his name is Lasse?

　Lying on the bed, Mitic asks, patting the head of Kara, who is standing by.

Yes!　I'm an amazing wizard who follows a lot of demons!

"Ho, not so much?

Yes, we're going to have to do to some huge castle-like squid or dragon!

　Mittick gestures with his arms and gestures at an excited Kara, gloating over her.

'My God!　A dragon!

That's right!　It's a dragon!　Well, the dragon couldn't ride it because of the strong wind over the village.

That's a shame. But a dragon: ......

　Mitic ponders, gently stroking Kara's disappointed hair, "What is it, grandmother?

"What is it, grandmother?

Hmm. I thought that if you're good enough to use a dragon, you might be able to do me a favor.　

　When Mittick opened his eyes, he muttered as if he had decided to do something.

This isn't going to end well either way: ...... I'm going to ask you to do one thing for me.

　◇

　The next day, after having breakfast and relaxing, Lasse was told by an attendant that Mitic was calling for him and he was going to her room again.

Oh, I'm sorry you had to come.

　Upon entering the room, Mitic welcomes Lasse, who is still lying down.

"I'm too old for this kind of rudeness.

"No, I just got off the medication, so it's no wonder I can't push myself yet.

　Lasse responds gently to Mitic's apology.

(No one there. Not even one of the attendants.

"My free time has been paid off.

　As if reading Lasse's mind, Mitic told him.

"I have a task for you, Mister Lasse," he said.

"Is it work?

Hmm, I'd like to ask you to help me protect my village.

　Lasse is convinced that this is a request for battle when he hears that he is going to protect it.
　Lasse, who had a hunch that something was awry, had sensed this in an earlier conversation with Kara.

"What is the request?

　Mitic turns to Lasse with a look he's never seen before.
　It's a serious expression that perhaps even Kara hasn't seen before.

"A certain demon is sealed, or destroyed.