Chapter 24
A Fraud of a Lover
So according to what was just said, normally neither Alua nor the priests can understand each other’s language.
‘Then why can I?’
I thought all I gained after transmigrating was money, beauty, and a bad reputation—
but it seemed I had also acquired an unexpected ability.
‘Right… I also had that affinity with fish.’
After going through all that trouble, how could I forget?
Maybe this half-baked “translator” ability is tied to that artifact.
Technically dolphins are mammals, but broadly speaking, they are creatures that live in water.
[Anyway, get along well with little Aquilus. I’d like to give you more blessings, but I’m a bit busy right now.]
As if that “busy” remark were true, Alua quickly swam off toward where the priests were gathered.
When Alua, who had seemed to be conversing with me, suddenly left, the priests’ expressions—once filled with anticipation and amazement—turned into disappointed looks, as if to say “of course.”
No, some didn’t stop at disappointment. They frowned and clicked their tongues, whispering among themselves.
“She really does have that personality—needing all attention on herself to feel satisfied….”
“To dare involve Lord Alua in her lies—she’s gone too far.”
I can hear everything, you know.
Just earlier I thought my bad reputation hadn’t spread much here since it was a temple.
But it seems they’d just been holding themselves back because I came with Admiral Aquilus.
No, but this is unfair. It’s not like I lied just to get attention.
“Excuse me? Lord Alua said he’s busy right now.”
“Enough already.”
The young priest called Baden snapped at me harshly.
“Stop dragging the divine beast into your nonsense.”
“….”
I was about to argue, but stopped.
Even if I grabbed him by the collar and fought here, I’d gain nothing—only damage Richard’s reputation.
“Lord Alua….”
“Is the divine power already insufficient?”
“Could the contamination from demonic energy be accelerating…?”
Meanwhile, on one side, the priests spoke seriously as they poured divine power toward Alua.
[No, no, not divine power. Didn’t that one come today? This is bad…]
“[No, no, not divine power… did that one come…]”
“[No, not that… today…]”
And they were also mindlessly mimicking the divine language.
‘Understanding it just makes things more chaotic.’
As I stood there watching with my arms crossed, Alua suddenly slammed its head against the cave wall.
“Lord Alua!”
“Lord Alua!!”
The priests shouted in shock.
Startled, I looked too—but surprisingly, Alua calmly swam closer to them and said:
[Stop shouting and bring that one here. Hurry.]
Was hitting the wall some kind of signal?
“Is it suffering from demonic energy?”
“Give it more divine power!”
[I’m going crazy. I told you I don’t need divine power!]
Alua shouted in frustration.
[Bring me a healing priest, you idiots…]
“…A healing priest?”
[Ugh… at this rate, I’m definitely going to die.]
I could understand Alua’s anxious tone.
I stepped closer to the priests pouring divine power and spoke firmly.
“We need a healing priest.”
Of course, they ignored me.
Baden even extended his arm to push me away from Alua.
“Stop interfering and step back. Can’t you see this is an emergency? Right now, Lord Alua is—”
“Stop pouring divine power and bring a healing priest—that’s what he said.”
I cut him off and spoke clearly.
His expression turned hostile, as if he might grab my collar.
“Do you think this situation is a joke?”
“If it were, I’d just be watching. I’m only relaying what Lord Alua said.”
I spoke calmly, but not just Baden—the other priests were also cynical.
A middle-aged priest with a pointed goatee snapped sharply.
“I hear your behavior has been excessive. A healing priest is not someone you can summon at will, my lady.”
“It’s not me. Lord Alua called for them.”
“Unless you wish to add ‘fraud’ to your already infamous reputation, I suggest you stop—”
“Enough.”
The one who cut him off wasn’t me.
It was Richard.
“Kalia.”
Is he going to tell me to stop too?
“Richard, how does it feel to have a fraud for a lover?”
I asked casually.
His ocean-blue eyes quietly met mine.
“…I wouldn’t know. My lover isn’t a fraud.”
For a moment, I blinked, wondering if I misheard.
But he continued, looking straight at me.
“I believe I’m owed an apology.”
Then he stepped in front of me, shielding me from the priests’ gazes.
“Ahem, I’m glad you understand the severity of the situation, Admiral. Even if she is a lady, what she just did went too far—”
“I wasn’t speaking to you loose-tongued lot.”
His broad back filled my view.
His blunt voice continued.
“I was speaking to my lover, who has been unfairly criticized.”
I felt a little dazed.
I couldn’t understand why Richard was going this far to defend me.
Given that he still had doubts about me, I thought it was already generous enough that he didn’t side with the priests.
At his words, the atmosphere of Lacuna Mare froze cold.
The silence was broken by Alua.
[Kids… what’s going on all of a sudden…? Whatever it is, deal with it later. For now, just bring me a healing priest…]
“…He’s asking why you’re acting like this and says to bring a healing priest.”
Most of the priests ignored me.
But at least one person listened.
“Where is the healing priest?”
“Admiral Aquilus!”
The priests, still confused, looked at Richard.
“Now.”
He simply urged them again.
I steadied myself and spoke calmly.
“He said, ‘At this rate, I’ll definitely die.’”
“That’s impossible. A divine beast wouldn’t be harmed just from hitting a wall—”
“I never said Lord Alua was injured.”
“…What?”
Baden frowned, confused—but Richard seemed to understand immediately.
“Marcelo. Could you call a healing priest? Tell them there’s somewhere they need to check outside.”
Marcelo, who had remained silent until now, nodded.
“Very well. Once the healing priest arrives, we’ll know whether the lady’s words are true.”
Some priests looked like they wanted to protest, but most quieted down.
“…To summon a healing priest based on the uncertain words of a noble from the capital…”
The goateed priest muttered.
Richard looked at him quietly.
“If Kalia is lying, I will take responsibility.”
“…Very well.”
“I trust you’re prepared to take responsibility as well.”
“F-for what…?”
“For slandering my lover based on uncertain rumors.”
Not long after, Marcelo returned with the healing priest.
“This old priest greets Admiral Aquilus. And this must be Lady Lavius beside you.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Hello. I’m Kalia Lavius.”
The healing priest was an elderly man with snow-white hair down to his eyebrows and a beard reaching his waist.
Judging by how even Richard spoke respectfully, his status was clearly high.
[You call yourself a healing priest, yet your joints are perfectly fine—why did you come so late?]
Alua didn’t seem impressed, though.
[Still, it’s good you came. Now how do I get you to the eastern cape beneath the temple… For now, follow me.]
As Alua turned its head as if gesturing, I was about to translate—
but the healing priest began taking off his shoes.
“I suppose I should follow it first.”
“…You understood what it said just now?”
“I’ve watched it for over 80 years. I can at least tell when it’s asking me to follow. I just need to swim until it stops… tsk, this is elder abuse.”
As the old man quietly prepared to dive, I called out to him.
“…Sir. It says we need to go to the eastern cape.”
