A young girl in a village without protection - Chapter 48

Translator: NovelMultiverse| Editor: NovelMultiverse

The great tree of the great shrine was planted in the center of the circular building that was the great shrine. The great tree was actually in the so-called courtyard but that area was off-limits for the normal public and it could only be accessed by the staircase on the 4th and 5th floors.

Moreover, it was difficult to see the great tree.

As they walked down the corridor, Selesina remembered that there was a skill that she could acquire by touching the tree.

‘The skill that you acquire by touching the great tree is an increase in the growth rate of your great tree.’

She definitely wanted that skill so the events that just took place were surprisingly very lucky.

The chief was also not too formal and he even confirmed that she was indeed blessed.

“These windows are placed on the 4th and 5th floor that overlooks the great tree. Can you see the tree?”

“Uwahhh…………..”

When Selesina looked out of the window that Lucaria pointed at, she saw the great tree that was situated at the center of this world. The tree had deep green leaves on a thick trunk. The florets in bloom were scattered all over in gentle shades of peach, yellow, and orange.

While Selesina and the others were busy appreciating the tree, Lucaria laughed happily.

“The priests and the shrine maiden have raised it with tremendous care. Of course me too.”

“I never expected to see the great tree of the great shrine so I’m deeply moved. The tree is more than double the size of the great tree of Albard……”

The great tree of Albard grew within the premises of the royal castle and it was raised by the royal family. Each country grew its own great tree and that would be the biggest great tree in that country.

Selesina had seen it before and she could only term it as a masterpiece.

‘But this tree is even bigger.’

She had seen it in the game before but it was truly amazing to see it in real life.

“Come this way.”

They accompanied Lucaria to the spiral staircase that would take them to the courtyard. Unless you took this staircase, you couldn’t reach the base of the great tree.

“Please be careful since a long stairway.”

“Yes.”

Watching Lucaria carefully move forward, the others followed along.

Selesina felt a slight sting on her skin when she crossed the doorway. It was probably some kind of a barrier or something that had been erected to protect the great tree.

The went down the spiral staircase from the 4th floor and reached the great tree.

“……………..”

If she were to touch the great tree here then she would acquire the skill! But they had to verify the power of Selesina’s blessings before that. They were going to see whether her power would get triggered by coming here.

Lucaria was full of expectation but Selesina internally felt that it would probably be impossible……….

‘Because my power is the power to change my fate…………’

Right now there was no situation that called for her to change her fate. Therefore there was no reason for her to use her power.

Moreover, Selesina didn’t know how to use her power.

Of course, she would be happy if there was some kind of progress that could take place………..

“Lady Selesina, did you feel something change after you saw the great tree? For example, the feeling of your power within you or any strange sensations in the eye where the seal emerges?”

“………….Unfortunately no”

Even though Lucaria had asked her, Selesina couldn’t feel any change.

“Then let’s go closer to the tree. Please be careful of your feet.”

The flooring of the courtyard was not paved at all. It was lined with soft vegetation. It had lovely flowers growing with beautiful butterflies fluttering around it. It surrounded the great tree and the sunlight filtered in from directly above. The rays of light filtering in made the great tree look even more mysterious.

Selesina folded her hands in a prayer position in order to pay her respects to the great tree.

“Thank you for always protecting all of us.”

Slowly, Selesina touched the great tree. Gently and compassionate she placed her hand on the thick trunk of the tree. At that moment, her eye suddenly turned baby pink from her original rose pink.

“——!?”

‘No way, what’s the meaning of this…………..!?’

It was a completely unexpected development. Selesina looked back in surprise at the shocked Soratek and Hisui and the smiling Lucaria.

Hisui quickly came rushing to her.

“Lady Sele, are you alright!? The color of your eye has changed.”

“Eh, yes…………. My body seems to be fine.”

Hisui came forward to support Selesina who was slightly staggering.

“What exactly are you planning to do here?”

“Please calm down valet. I didn’t expect Lady Selesina to have such strong blessings either.”

“……………..?”

Lucaria asked them to watch as he touched the great tree himself. The moment he touched the tree, the seal on his forehead, and his entire body softly began to glow.

“………….!”

“Lady Selesina, you do know that the great tree grows by the power of the blessings of the spirits and Gods right? This great tree holds the most power amongst all the great trees out there. Therefore, if a person who is blessed by the Gods or the spirits were to touch the tree, you will be able to see that power with your naked eye.”

The condition of the light shows the degree to which the person is loved by the Gods, said Lucaria.

The light that Selesina’s body produced was about the same as the light that Lucaria’s body produced after touching the great tree.

“………….Can I also touch the great tree?”

“Of course, your highness Soratek.”

“Thank you for your permission.”

Soratek swallowed hard and then came to the great tree. He wanted to know whether he would be able to produce the same kind of light that he had just witnessed. 

He touched the great tree and the seal on the back of his right hand began to glow with a strong light.

“…………………!”

He gulped and squinted. His entire body didn’t glow like the bodies of Selesina and Lucaria.

“Do I not have strong blessings…………?”

It wasn’t strange for Soratek to wonder that.

But Lucaria immediately corrected him.

“Your highness Soratek, your blessings would fall into the strong category. Please think of me and Lady Selesina as an exception………Let’s ask someone else to touch the great tree.”

Lucaria beckoned to the priest waiting behind to come forward and touch the great tree.

As soon as he touched the tree, the seal of blessings on the nape of his neck began to glow. He was blessed by the Moon God Marni but his seal was glowing even fainter than that of Soratek. What Lucaria had explained just before was certainly true.

Soratek possessed strong blessings. He was the main character of the game so it was no surprise.

‘Then, what about me?’

She just couldn’t understand the reason for her to possess such strong powers.

‘Is it because I’m in a poor position as a villainess so they felt guilt towards me?’

Or something like that.

Even if she didn’t think of all this she still couldn’t understand the reason for her to be loved by a Goddess.

The reception room-

After drinking the tea that Lucaria asked the priest serving him to serve, he expressed his thanks to Selesina and the others.

“I had an extremely meaningful time today. If I figure something out regarding your blessings then I will contact you Lady Selesina. I’m thinking of investigating about the person responsible for Lady Selesina’s blessings ceremony and serving some form of punishment to him/her………..but I think that it will take some time since this is a special case.”

It had been about 10 years since Selesina had her ceremony of blessings so it wasn’t like they could immediately call out to the said person to ask about the circumstances.

It was an extremely unusual judgment to say that someone wasn’t blessed and Selesina was the 1st one to be told that. Therefore there was no way that the person responsible could say that………..they had forgotten about it.

Soratek nodded yes and to Lucaria’s judgment.

“For us just finding out that Selesina is blessed by a Goddess is good enough. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the person responsible for making the judgment that Selesina is not blessed cannot be free of blame either.”

“Yes, of course.”

It would have been the same for a regular civilian but Selesina was not only the daughter of a Marquis but she was also the fiancé of the crown prince.

They couldn’t just let it go even though they received an apology from the chief.

Not only for the sake of Selesina but also for the sake of the kingdom of Albard they had to take some action.

Soratek would be informed about this so Selesina could check with him later.

Once that conversation ended, the priest came to inform the Lucaria that it was already time.

“Ahh, it’s already this late. I’m sorry but I still have some commitments after this.”

Since he was the chief of the great shrine, his schedule was pretty packed. He got up from his seat and the others followed behind.

“Thank you for giving us your precious time.”

“Thank you, Lord Lucaria.”

“No. I had a very meaningful time today. To think that Lady Selesina who was always known as the one without blessings was actually blessed by a Goddess………………We have to quickly send a reconfirmation proposal from our side.”

The pleasant face of Lucaria became cloudy.

“No. Since I don’t have a visible seal, it would be natural for anyone to misunderstand. The fact that you’ve given us your time this time is already enough.”

“Thank you Lady Selesina. Since you put it like that, it makes me feel a little better.”

Before heading to the door Lucaria turned and came to Selesina.

“Please do come to the great shrine again. You’ll always be welcome here.”

“Thank you.”

This is how Selesina’s discussion with Lucaria regarding her blessings ended.