Chapter 62 – Lily Caused All Kinds of Trouble, So We’re Heading Out
Chapter 62 – Lily Caused All Kinds of Trouble, So We're Heading Out
Today, I dragged myself to Mina’s house—reluctantly—to learn how to cook.
Dad had absolutely insisted I come, but honestly, I just wanna go home.
Lately, with her marriage to Worth all set, Mina’s been such a meanie. I hate it.
“Hey, Mina. What’re we making today?”
“A hearty veggie-packed soup.”
The spotless kitchen was all set up with pots and knives at the ready, and the ingredients were neatly laid out on the table.
“Lily, for starters, try peeling those.”
Mina’s gaze flicked to a colander overflowing with a mountain of potatoes.
Peel all these?
I’m all thumbs—Mom’s told me a million times not to touch knives.
“I can’t. I’ve never done it before.”
“Doesn’t matter if you’re bad at it. Just give it a shot.”
Sighing, I gingerly gripped the knife and tried mimicking what I’d seen, fumbling to peel the skin.
Was this how Mom did it…?
“Whoa! That’s dangerous! Here, like this. Gimme.”
Mina suddenly yelled, snatching the knife from me, then peeled away with swift, expert shush-shush-shush motions.
I jumped.
I thought I was doing the same thing. What was the difference?
All I can manage is stirring the pot or setting plates on the table—nothing more.
Even that gets me an earful from Dad about being clumsy.
“Okay, your turn. Once you get the knack, it’s easy.”
Mina plopped a potato and the knife into my hands.
Like this? Or maybe…
What’s the trick, anyway?
The blade hacked unevenly into the potato, going nowhere fast, and frustration started bubbling up.
Kirika had drilled it into me: Never lose your temper.
“I can’t do it all of a sudden!”
“Ugh! Fine, then just toss the chopped stuff into the pot! Peeling’s for next time.”
Ah, crap. I didn’t mean to snap. I hate this.
To calm my nerves, I took a deep breath.
These the ingredients?
I stared at the veggies and meat in the colander, totally grossed out.
This sucks.
“I have to touch them with my hands?”
“Duh. They’re washed, so it’s fine.”
No way. Touching meat is disgusting.
Tears welling up, I somehow powered through, pinching the ingredients between my fingers and chucking them into the pot.
“I can’t do this anymore. I told you, this stuff’s impossible for me. Gimme something simpler.”
“There is no simpler dish. You never even try—that’s why you can’t do it. Suck it up and learn.”
Mina gave an exasperated look as she poured water into the pot and lit the fire with practiced ease.
I’m trying my best! It’s all new to me!
Mina used to cry all the time herself!
“Don’t act all high and mighty! I’m a saintess—don’t make fun of me!”
“You’re such a liar, Lily! Even kids don’t pull that excuse anymore!”
“It’s not a lie!”
Fuming, I triggered full status open and shoved the proof in Mina’s face.
“See? Right here! I’ve got the Light Spirit’s blessing!!”
“No way! What the—? She’s a demon spawn! Eek, somebody help!!”
When I jabbed at the “Light Blessing” in my status, Mina screamed and bolted out of the house.
Why? Why run away?
What do I do? This feels bad.
They told me never to show anyone…
I’ll head home and talk to Dad.
I turned off the stove to avoid a fire, tidied up haphazardly, and left Mina’s house.
That’s when Mina came back—with someone from the town hall in tow.
“That’s her! She has a status that steals blessings! I saw it!”
“Little miss, we’ll need to check. Show us your status.”
Terror froze me in place. I couldn’t move or speak.
What now?
I never knew it’d turn out like this.
“If you don’t show it, we’ll have to restrain you. Just do it quick—that’s all.”
The official sighed irritably and extended a hand toward me.
Terrified, I stepped back.
What do I do?
I need to ask Dad…
“Sigh. Fine, we’ll restrain you for now. We’ll check with the church, so behave.”
The official grabbed my arm. I had no idea what to do—fear overwhelmed me, tears spilling over.
Silent, I let them drag me into a simple cell inside the town hall, where I huddled, trembling, and sat quietly.
What’s gonna happen to me? Help, Kirika.
“…And that’s the situation. I’d like you to keep the villagers quiet and safely escort Marie’s family to relocate.”
Oh, come on.
What the heck did Marie’s sister get up to?
A few days after the parade, I got a secret summons from His Holiness the Pope—and this is what he drops on me.
With saintess fever still running hot, if word got out now, it’d be chaos.
We don’t need a repeat of the ancient demon hunts.
His Holiness tasked me with three things: “Contain the incident,” “Escort to the village at the mountain base,” and “Educate Lily.”
“For Marie’s family? Happy to help. But even rushing, it’ll take a month and a half to arrive…”
“I’ve got it covered. Sent a letter to the priest in the nearest town—Lily’s on home confinement under watch. Heh heh. No problem, all good.”
Yeah, right, “all good.” You sure about that?
“How do you plan to silence the villagers?”
“Ye’ve got that status-forging pendant, aye? Don’t forget to cover for the girl who saw it.”
Hmph. This old fox.
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thanks for the chapter