I took a shower, dried myself off with a towel, and caught my reflection in the mirror.
My hair had returned to its original silver.
I’d used hair dye to turn it gold, but the color must have washed out in the shower. I wondered if Sierotia would lend me more tomorrow. Hair dye was likely a precious commodity; if she was out of stock, I didn't know what I’d do.
"High Priest Sierotia, I have something to ask you."
I dressed in my nightwear and called out to her to confirm the situation.
"Kiska, please don't use formal speech when it's just the two of us."
"Huh?"
"I want to become friends with you. I think a good first step would be for you to drop the formalities."
"But I’m just a hired guard."
"In that case, I believe it only stands to reason that you listen to your employer's requests."
When she put it like that, I couldn't really argue, though suddenly switching to a casual tone felt awkward.
"But you’re still using formal speech with me, High Priest. Wouldn't it be strange if only I stopped?"
"This is just how I speak to everyone, so it’s fine."
That felt like a bit of a reach. Still, I had no reason to keep defying her, so I figured I should just follow her lead.
"Alright. Is this okay?"
"Yes. I feel as though the distance between us has closed just a little bit."
Sierotia's eyes seemed to crinkle with a faint smile.
"Now then, what was it you wanted to ask?"
"Oh, right. I was wondering if you had enough hair dye for tomorrow. As you can see, I’m back to my original color."
"Don't worry about that. I have plenty left, so please rest easy."
"Good to know. Sorry, I know it's expensive stuff."
"It is, but it isn't something you need to concern yourself with."
With that answer, Sierotia stood up. She was likely heading for the shower herself.
While she was gone, I sat there staring blankly into space. I stayed alert because of the prophecy, of course, but I couldn't help but feel a little relaxed.
It felt like she trusted me far too much.
Not just hiring me as a guard, but inviting a man into her private room like this. She’d claimed it was because she could tell if someone was lying just by looking at them, but I wondered if that was really all there was to it.
I decided I’d try to dig a little deeper once she finished her shower.
"Kiska, there is something I want you to see."
Twenty minutes later, Sierotia’s voice came from directly behind me.
I turned around casually.
In an instant, my breath caught.
First of all, she wasn't properly dressed. She was wrapped in a single towel that covered the essentials, but seeing her so close to naked was more than a little distracting.
However, her appearance was a secondary concern compared to what I saw next. My eyes were glued to her. Specifically, her hair.
I stared at every single strand from root to tip, my gaze practically devouring the sight.
Her hair was a dull, muted silver.
The brilliant gold that had shone until moments ago was completely gone.
"I am an Alcusian, just like you," she said softly.
"I apologize for keeping it from you until now. I was afraid you wouldn't believe me if I just told you."
High Priest Sierotia sat across from me, now properly changed into her nightwear.
"I don't really mind, but..."
Even as I spoke, I was reeling. Including myself, I’d only ever met one other Alcusian—Assassin Noc, back in the past. I never dreamed a fellow countryman would be this close.
"Wait, so the reason you trusted me was because I'm an Alcusian?"
"Yes. I know the unique suffering our people endure. I simply couldn't abandon you."
"Then the thing about being able to tell when people are lying...?"
"That was just a lie to satisfy Eliese."
"I see... That makes sense. Thank you. For everything."
Every doubt I’d been harboring suddenly vanished.
"Sierotia, have you told anyone else?"
"No. Not a single person in the priesthood knows my true heritage. It pains me to ask this of you, but if you could keep this secret..."
"Yeah, of course. I won't tell a soul."
"Thank you."
Sierotia bowed her head slightly. If it were exposed that a high-ranking official of the Association was an Alcusian, it would cause an uproar. I would definitely help her keep it quiet.
"So, do you dye your hair because of the persecution?"
"Precisely. If I had lived openly as an Alcusian, I never would have risen to this rank."
"Right. I guess the fact that an Alcusian betrayed the Hero a hundred years ago still has that much of an impact."
I thought of Assassin Noc. I’d seen the moment of his betrayal with my own eyes.
"That certainly plays a large part, but it isn't the only reason our people are oppressed."
"What?"
I hadn't known there was more to it.
"Long ago, there was a period when Alcusians were classified as members of the Demon Race. That is likely the root of it."
"The Demon Race? Us?"
"You didn't know?"
"No, it's news to me. I mean... can humans even become demons?"
When I thought of the Demon Race, the first thing that came to mind was Demon King Zoga, whom I’d fought a century in the past. He was a variant of an Ogre. Then there were Vampires, another branch of the Demon Race. I’d always assumed they were beings fundamentally different from humans.
"They can. I believe even humans can transform into the Demon Race if they worship the Demon God."
"Is that so? Then even if our ancestor hadn't betrayed the Hero a hundred years ago, we still would’ve been persecuted?"
"In all likelihood, yes."
Hearing that made me feel a hollow sense of helplessness. When I’d traveled to the past, I’d struggled so hard to stop Noc’s betrayal, only to fail. But it turned out the effort itself might have been futile in the long run anyway.
"Kiska... would you tell me about yourself? Looking at you, you seem to be carrying so much pain. Since we're both Alcusians, I thought we could share that burden. Besides, a priest's job is to guide the Lost Sheep."
"I guess I can."
I began to tell her my story.
I told her about being bullied since childhood because of my hair. I told her about Namia, my fiancée and childhood friend, and how she was murdered. I told her how I was framed for the crime and exiled to the Dungeon Depths.
I omitted details about Save & Reset, Vampire Eudite, the Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer, the time travel, and my missing memories, since I didn't think she’d believe those parts. Even with the cuts, it was a long story. But through it all, Sierotia listened with rapt attention.
"Kiska, come here."
The moment I finished, she spoke with a serious look in her eyes.
"Uh, okay..."
Feeling confused, I did as I was told and sat down beside her. Without warning, she pulled me down, resting my head on her thighs.
"What's this for...?"
"It’s a lap pillow. Hearing your story made me want to do this."
She began to gently stroke my hair.
"You've suffered so much. But you worked harder than anyone. I recognize your efforts."
Her fingers continued their rhythmic stroking. Her methods might have been a bit clumsy, but I could tell she was trying her absolute best to comfort me.
"Do you... really believe me?" I asked.
"What do you mean?"
"The whole village... not a single person there believed a word I said."
"I see. Well, I looked at the Trial Records, and I found traces where the testimony had been tampered with. Besides, I'm an Alcusian too; I can't help but be biased toward one of my own. Are those enough reasons for you to trust me?"
I gave a wry smile at her overly earnest explanation. At the same time, her kindness hit me all at once, and I felt a lump in my throat.
"Hey... can I stay like this a bit longer?"
"Yes. For as long as you like."
I decided to let myself be pampered by her, just for a little while.