The Grand Duchess Escape

The priestess’s hair turned white due to her old age.

With a careful hand, she undid the bandage that was wrapped around Asella’s arm. Checking the wound that the demonic beast had left on Asella’s arm, the priestess’s face brightened slightly.

“I don’t know who took care of it, but there is no infection and it seems to be healing well. Once you receive the divine treatment, it should heal without leaving any scars.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Asella recalled that day, when Calix Benvito arrived in a critical situation, just before the clutches of the beast got to her.

Thanks to his arrival on time, she and Mariel were both safe.

‘I still don’t understand why.’

He even treated her wounds personally for some reason. He had the same casual look on his face as he carefully observed her injured arm and tended to it.

Judging by the reaction of the old priestess, she was not mistaken when she thought his hand movements seemed skilled.

“The attending physician must have great skills. It is not easy to treat a wound received from a demon as neatly as this.”

“His Excellency treated me.”

“You mean His Excellency, the Grand Duke himself?”

“Yes.”

For a moment, surprise flashed across the priestess’s face. But as she lived long enough, she managed to quickly hide her expression and changed her words with a gentle smile.

“I see, that’s good to hear. Then, Your Highness, I will begin with the treatment. I’ll pour divine power into the wound now. If you find it too hot, just let me know.”

Warm, soft, and fuzzy sensations enveloped Asella’s arms first. The damaged flesh moved up, and the torn area healed completely. Once the scars were gone and her skin smoothed out, the warmth spread thinly over her entire body, every lingering fatigue was instantly gone, and her body felt completely refreshed.

“The treatment went well, but please be careful since it’s a new layer of skin after all.”

“I will be careful.”

“Hmm, let’s see…”

The priestess looked at Asella with a beaming smile. It was a warm gaze, like a loving grandmother looking at her granddaughter.

“May I give you a small gift before I leave, Your Highness?”

“A gift?”

“Because I want to wish you happiness and good fortune in your future. I would very much like you to grant this old faithful’s request.”

Asella’s eyes widened. Those who had been watching the event exclaimed in joy.

“To give me such a precious thing…”

“There has never been a place where I had to use it before, but the moment I met you, Your Highness, I knew it was meant to be given to you. If you will allow me, I would like to offer you my blessing.”

The blessings of the goddesses were so precious that it was very difficult to determine their value.

To begin with, it was rare for a priestess to be able to give a blessing. It was an ability that came only after spending a long religious life, and even then, once a blessing was given, it generally took a year or so before a priest could give a blessing again.

“It would be a great joy for me if you would accept it.”

After pondering for a few moments, Asella accepted.

“Then… I will accept it gratefully.”

Asella raised herself, bent her knees slightly, and bowed her head. The old priestess stood before her and spread her palms over the top of her head.

“I offer you the blessing of the Goddess Hernia, the source of this world, the origin of life, and the beginning of everything…”

A dazzling light blazed out of the old priestess’s body. A brilliant glow of colorful lights quickly engulfed Asella’s entire body, and an indescribable power flowed into her.

A small shudder ran through Asella’s body at the sensation of the power traveling through her bloodstream, awakening each and every cell of her body.

It was a powerful force, but it was not rough or impassive. Rather, it felt stabilizing, as if she was protected and secured. It was as if she had regained something she had longed for and cherished.

“May the blessings of the Goddess Hernia always be with Your Highness.”

When Asella roused again, there was a clear joy on the old priestess’s face that could not be concealed.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ❥ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

The Grand Ducal Castle of Benvito was nothing less than a heavenly fortress. As soon as one passed through the castle, a straight and wide road continued ahead, surrounded on both sides by dense forests.

“Priestess, are you sure you don’t want to take a carriage?”

“I appreciate your concern, but there is no need to worry. When you get old, it will be very nice to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful scenery.”

The old priestess, Roshan, who had turned down the offer, moved away from the castle at a surprisingly quick pace. When she reached a point where the soldiers’ eyes could not see her any further, she quickly changed direction to the deserted forest.

After confirming that no one else was within a certain radius, Roshan stopped.

“Teleportation magic: The Holy City of Hevium, main hall of the Great Temple.”

A white light surged out from the land where Roshan had stepped. When the cylindrical pillar of light completely enveloped her body and disappeared, the landscape around her changed entirely.