Hilcaly: Oh my. You’re Seventh Ju—the noteworthy one from before the labor crew departed…

Seventh Ju: …Why are you here of all places?

Hilcaly: Haven’t the faintest. Half an hour ago, we couldn’t even glimpse Xiv’s light.

Ink River: …“We”?

Hilcaly: Save the trivial chatter, followers of Xiv.

Hilcaly placed one hand on my shoulder, the other on Ink River’s forearm. The viscous slime coating my body—from the giant insect’s toothy maw—and the residue on Ink River’s arms from carrying me out, gathered together into a single clump. Once fully coalesced, Divine Officer Hilcaly spun around and flung the slime ball onto the insect’s corpse with two sharp *pats*, as if discarding trash.

Seventh Ju: Uh… What was that?

Hilcaly: Blood toxin. A mere scratch letting it seep into your veins means lying down to die within an hour.

Hilcaly: But you’re safe now.

Ink River: ……………

Ink River: Thank you, Divine Officer. Thank Xiv’s power for saving our lives.

Hilcaly: Spare me the formalities reserved for temple outskirts, out here in the wilds.

Hilcaly: Though… the way you felled that insect is rather intriguing…

Hilcaly: No—*you*, Seventh Ju.

Seventh Ju: …!?

Memories flashed back: Aiton mentioning Hilcaly’s Wish Power before the Pioneer Team’s departure. She could see others’ memories tied to blood, weapons, and medicine. Did “others” include outsiders’ biology? Did “blood” cover insect fluids too?

*So… she already knows everything that just happened??*

Seventh Ju: ……………

Ink River: It’s alright now, Ju. No need to fear.

Hilcaly: He’s not afraid of the toxin.

Hilcaly: What *is* it then? Let me guess…

Hilcaly: Fear… of others discovering his strength?

Seventh Ju: ……………

Hilcaly: That expression—about 62 percent accuracy.

Seventh Ju: How do you pinpoint it so precisely…

Hilcaly: However—

Divine Officer Hilcaly suddenly turned, studying the giant insect’s corpse nearby. The gruesome sight didn’t faze her, yet her posture grew grave, as if troubled by something deeper.

Hilcaly: I don’t know why you hide your power. It’s the opposite of every nation near the Divine Temple…

Hilcaly: —But *this*… this is far more terrifying.

Ink River: What *is* this insect?

Hilcaly: No mystery. It has no true name—only the collective term “gu.”

Hilcaly: When countless venomous insects are trapped together under rare circumstances, they devour each other to survive. The last one standing absorbs all their potency, becoming a singular “gu.”

Hilcaly: A gu this size… this land is no gentle place.

Seventh Ju: Gu…

*Gu*—I’d heard the term before. But that was from classical fantasy in my old world. Unrelated here.

Hilcaly: Ah, prattling on. Let’s find cleaner ground to rest.

Hilcaly: Ahead lies a proper spot. Far better than this.

Seventh Ju: Mm. Alright.

Guided by Hilcaly and supported by Ink River, I trudged slowly through the dense forest. After nearly a kilometer, the suffocating foliage abruptly opened. Breaking through the final thicket, a serene lake sprawled before us.

A small lake, dozens of meters wide, lay nestled in the wilderness like a sleeping beauty. Its calm surface gleamed smooth as polished jade. I recalled the lake I’d walked beside with Poppy—this one lacked that grandeur, yet held its own delicate charm.

At the shore, three figures dressed identically to Hilcaly tended to their robes. Spotting us, they pulled their hoods low, cloaking themselves completely.

Hilcaly: Fellow Divine Officers. Temple rules forbid unapproved communication during missions. Forgive their silence.

Hilcaly joined them. Eyes and gestures exchanged words; not a sound reached us. Perhaps they shared secrets only Divine Officers knew. Two soon departed, vanishing into the forest from whence we came.

Seventh Ju: What are they…?

Hilcaly: We heard the insect’s roar. I was the safest choice to investigate. Now, with no immediate threat, I’ve sent those better suited to examine the gu.

*Safest?* She who reads memories and drains toxins—their most reliable member.

*How many Wish Powers does she truly have…?*

Hilcaly: This place should suffice for rest.

Seventh Ju: Is it truly safe?

Ink River: With multiple Divine Officers present, such worries are needless, Ju.

Ink River eased me down to sit. Hilcaly and the remaining officer settled beside us. Facing the lake, the distant, painted vista soothed our frayed spirits. Without the earlier horrors, simply sitting here would’ve been bliss.

*What of my companions on the bridge? How did they fare against the adventurers?*

Hilcaly: Xiv, Your followers have triumphed once more against the ignorant wilderness.

Hilcaly: All life receives Your blessings, yet some fail to wield or cherish them.

Hilcaly: The unenlightened squander their gifts—let death return them to Your embrace.

Hilcaly: We are Your messengers, enacting Your will, revealing Your generosity to the world.

Hilcaly: Guide and shield us. All glory and faith are Yours.

Seventh Ju: ……………

Hilcaly: ……………

Hilcaly: What? Never seen a Divine Officer pray?

Seventh Ju: Ah—sorry. I drifted off…

Hilcaly: You’ve just fought a brutal battle. Lie down and rest.

Hilcaly: Ah. Or is it because your clothes are reduced to rags?

I glanced down at my shredded shirt, torn by the insect’s fangs.

Seventh Ju: Oh… that’s part of it, yes.

Hilcaly: Hoping to borrow my undergarments?

Seventh Ju: No! Never crossed my mind—

Hilcaly: Then lie still—

Her hands suddenly cupped my head, pressing it down firmly. I braced for a hard impact—but instead, my head sank into a soft, pillowy warmth.

Blinking in confusion, my vision caught the edge of Hilcaly’s outer robe.

*Wait… is this…?*

*A lap pillow??*

Hilcaly lowered her head, gazing down with benevolent amusement.

Hilcaly: Rest well now?

Seventh Ju: …

Seventh Ju: ……………

Seventh Ju: In a way… it’s harder to rest like this.

Hilcaly: Why?

Seventh Ju: I’d like to ask *you* why… Do Divine Officers usually do this for commoners?

Hilcaly: Normally, we’d send you to a hospital. Modern followers rarely seek healing from Divine Officers anymore.

Seventh Ju: …How practical. And ordinary.

Hilcaly: But circumstances are exceptional. This is all we can offer.

Hilcaly: Besides—my apologies to you. Your build would be rather taxing for me to support.

Ink River: I require neither rest nor a pillow.

Seventh Ju: Ink River…

*Should I beg him to rescue me from this frozen awkwardness?*

*No… what if he says, “Then rest on my lap”? Worse than this.*

*Better to endure.*

*And… it’s not entirely unpleasant.*

*Ah—don’t nuzzle with the back of your head! She’ll smite you for sacrilege!*

*Stay calm. Stay still…*

???: ……………

Hilcaly: Hmm?

The remaining Divine Officer leaned in, exchanging silent words with Hilcaly. When she turned back to me, her eyes held a new glint.

Hilcaly: Mmm—↗

Seventh Ju: Huh? What is it?

Hilcaly didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she cradled my face again, her head slowly lowering.

Ink River: …?

Seventh Ju: …???

Hilcaly: …Is it true?

A whisper, almost to herself. Up close, I saw it clearly now—a trace of exploration in her gaze.

Hilcaly: I need to confirm…

*Confirm what? What did that officer tell her?*

Her face drew nearer. I could see the moist red lines of her lips parting slightly, a sweet floral breath drifting over my skin.

My mind froze. I could only watch, stunned.

*Hey… is she going to—*

??: —Over here?

Hilcaly’s movement halted at the sudden voice—just a finger’s breadth from my lips. I seized the chance, rolling swiftly off her lap and scrambling upright.

From the forest emerged the two returning Divine Officers. But they weren’t alone.

A squad of ten soldiers stood rigid at the lakeshore, their postures hardened by years of duty. At their lead was a familiar face I’d met several times these past days: Aiton.

His eyes lit with relief at the sight of Ink River and me.

Aiton: —Target located. Proceed.

Hilcaly: ……………

Aiton and a medic rushed to us, kneeling to assess my condition.

Aiton: Injuries?

Seventh Ju: Sir, I’m unharmed. The clothes are just…

Aiton: Examine him.

Medic: Yes, sir.

Aiton: Check Seasonal Wolf too.

Medic: Yes!

Ink River: Impressive speed, sir. Barely any time has passed since the incident.

Aiton: Forgotten where you are? This is the military.

Aiton: Securing the scene, reporting, mobilizing—each step takes under five minutes.

Seventh Ju: What of my team members!?

Aiton: The other four are at the infirmary. Minor injuries. They’re awake by now.

Aiton: The four adventurers are detained. They’ll face judgment.

Seventh Ju: I see…

Another weight lifted from my chest.

Hilcaly: Whatever occurred, your efficiency is remarkable, renowned Honesty Kingdom Pioneering Squad.

Aiton: Divine Officer Hilcaly…

Hilcaly: Since your team has taken charge, we’ll take our leave.

The four Divine Officers gathered instantly. Without another word, they turned to depart.

Aiton: Wait a moment, Priestess Hilcaly.

Hilcarrie: ?

Aiton: This is the Pioneer Team’s exploration zone. Your presence here requires you to accompany me to the army immediately.

Hilcarrie: Ah, no need to worry. We’re just passing through and will leave right away.

Aiton: Wait! Without your explanation…

???: — Please stay, Hilcarrie.

Hilcarrie: ...

From behind Aiton’s entourage, a soldier in the supreme commander’s uniform suddenly emerged.

Preman appeared before the crowd with only one guard, walking composedly straight toward Hilcarrie.

It might be my imagination, but Preman’s blonde hair seemed less meticulously groomed than in past encounters.

Though a subtle change, the former Preman resembled a gentleman in the army; now, he was unmistakably a warrior.

A true officer radiating raw authority.

Aiton: Sir! How did you—

Preman: Hmm, I said to leave it entirely to you, so I came for a private inspection.

Preman: But as it happens— Priestess Hilcaly won’t heed your words without a request from an equal.

Hilcarrie: ...

Preman: A brief talk, if I may, Priestess Hilcaly?

Preman: About everything so far—the causes and consequences.