Chapter 30

In any city, as is often the case,


Larpentia also had inns where one could stay and dine.

Among them, the most famous was Brown Inn, run by a man named Camel Brown. It was a prestigious establishment with a long tradition, passed down from his great-grandfather.

One day, a woman entered the inn. She had dazzling golden hair, as if dipped in molten gold, and beautiful emerald-like eyes. She was the kind of woman who would draw attention wherever she went.

“Welcome. Would you like a meal or a room?”


“I’ll try what you’re best at. I couldn’t last time.”


“Our specialty is roasted thrush with a special sauce. It’s sweet yet harmonious, absolutely perfect.”


“Then I’ll have that, and whatever else is good. Also, bring me your best wine.”

The princess placed a few silver coins on the table. The employee smiled broadly and took the order.

This time, no one stopped her, and Camel Brown was too busy managing the inn to pay her any attention.

No one connected the leper from a few days ago to the woman before them. Soon, the wine and food arrived, and the employee served her with a welcoming smile.

“Please enjoy!”

The princess slowly tore off a leg of the thrush and took a bite.


She chewed thoughtfully. It was good, but not as delicious as she had hoped.

She would never forget the taste of that potato soup she had eaten before, and she doubted she would ever taste anything comparable again.


Even though this was the most famous dish in this small town’s inn, to the princess, it was just passable.

‘It’s not as good as I imagined.’

Of course, regardless of the taste, she was hungry,


and above all, she was starved for a proper meal.


Naturally, her fork movements were anything but ordinary. The speed caught Camel Brown’s attention.

“Who is that guest?”


“I don’t know. Wherever she’s from, she’s truly beautiful, isn’t she?”

Camel and the employee didn’t realize the princess was the leper from a few days ago. So, their gazes toward her were nothing but favorable.


If the employee’s gaze held a bit of personal interest, Camel was simply pleased. He was happy just to see someone enjoying his inn’s food. He instructed the employee:

“She’s a picture just eating. This will help promote the inn. Go to the kitchen and bring out some donkey meat as a service.”


“Huh? Boss, that expensive stuff?”


“Just do it.”

If the most famous dish at this inn was roasted thrush, the most expensive was donkey meat.


Donkeys aren’t raised for meat, so it’s rare and pricey. Yet, regulars often order it because it’s that delicious.

“What’s this? I didn’t order it.”


“Please try it. It’s our inn’s pride, the best menu. Have it on the house, and just leave us a review.”


“Thank you.”

The princess accepted without hesitation.


She had no intention of seeking revenge on this inn, but this plate of donkey meat extinguished her last ember of anger. She gazed at the large piece of meat with longing, took a bite, and tore into it.

Being able to chew meat was a privilege of the healthy,


something she hadn’t realized before.

Now, in this inn, without being chased away or humiliated, and able to eat such delicious food without worry,


she felt a renewed sense of joy in life. Life had suddenly become enjoyable.


She had learned something only through loss, but it was a lesson she never wanted to learn again.

‘Ah, was donkey meat always this delicious?’

With each bite, she felt the chewy texture of the meat, and the juices and sauce danced in her mouth. The princess wasn’t a carnivore like Roka, but she had been forced to live like a herbivore until now. For her health and her circumstances, she had no choice.

The taste of the meat was something she could sell her soul for.


She understood once again why people couldn’t give up meat. Even deer occasionally catch birds to eat, so how could humans resist? Her body was cheering at the taste of meat.

‘Though it’s the saint’s money, I’ll repay it tenfold when I return to the capital.’

Even if the treasury was empty and the royal family was broke, they could still repay a few dozen silver coins.


Now that she had regained her former standing, even more so.

“Told you to prepare, and here you are eating.”

An irritated voice broke her thoughts. The princess, enjoying her meal, frowned. The wolf who had growled at her from their first meeting was now reflected in her eyes.

They say not to bother a dog while it’s eating, but this one was truly a bitch.

“And with the Lord’s money, no less.”

But since what came out of her mouth wasn’t nonsense but the truth, there was nothing to argue.


The princess wiped her mouth with a napkin and chuckled. If she got into a scuffle with that kid, she’d lose. That’s the privilege of being a child. There’s nothing more embarrassing than an adult seriously fighting a child. Even winning would just earn her scorn.

“If you’re going to eat, come and eat. It’s too much for me alone.”


“No thanks. I only eat what the Lord gives me.”

The princess was speechless at the proud declaration.


It didn’t seem like something to boast about.

‘Thinking about it, the saint doesn’t seem like the type to keep slaves.’

There was no collar, no slave documents, and no signs of abuse. The wounds from her past owners had healed naturally after being exposed to the sanctuary’s flames multiple times.

If she was clinging to the saint and calling herself a slave, then this brat was truly out of her mind.


Even if she were a human child, she’s still just a human, not an angel. The princess had no reason to look kindly on a beastman child.


She merely endured, recalling the old saying that even when hitting a dog, one should consider its owner.

‘With a brat like that clinging to him, it’s the saint who’ll suffer in the end.’

If someone gets on your nerves, everything they do becomes hateful.


Even a footprint on the ground becomes an eyesore. Suddenly, the memory of her first meeting with Roka came to mind. Back then, the brat had confidently declared, “I’ll take out this trash myself.”

Why is that beast so detestable?


Her appetite vanished. The princess, having eaten only half, stood up.

“What’s this? You order so much food and leave it? Greedy but with a small stomach, huh? Didn’t your parents teach you not to waste food?”

Her fists clenched, but she held back. She thought of Kyle’s face and endured.


Compared to the humiliations she had suffered, this was nothing. She pretended nothing was wrong and gently patted Roka’s head, ignoring the girl’s fierce glare.

“Good girl. Leaving some food for a pet is just good manners, right?”


“P-pet? Are you done talking?”


“Yep.”

The princess chuckled.


Truly, a child is a child. Falling for such a simple provocation.

Roka’s eyes flashed with the power of the sun and moon, but the princess suppressed it with her own magic.


She was still far from matching the princess. The princess had also used the Phylogenetic Seedling, lived longer, and had more experience. Roka’s energy was effortlessly subdued.

“Enough, kid. Even if you wag your tail like a good dog, I know you’re a wolf at heart. Before the saint gets devoured by someone like you, we humans should help each other.”

But inwardly, she was startled.


Even with the Phylogenetic Seedling, Roka’s magical power was extraordinary. Considering how young Roka was, she could become a monster of unimaginable strength in the future.

Perhaps even surpassing the rumored hero, Yurinel Larkponsia. It was just speculation, but the possibility was there.

“I don’t know why the saint dotes on you and raises you like this…”

The princess finally removed her hand from Roka’s head. The girl trembled with humiliation.


The truth that she still couldn’t beat this woman was bitterly frustrating.

“I’ll be watching. Until I’m sure you won’t harm the saint.”


“Grrr!”


“All bark and no bite, huh? No courage to actually bite me.”

A moment later, Roka glared at the princess with a chilling gaze.

“I hate you.”


“That’s wonderful to hear.”

The princess laughed.


Her beautiful green eyes stared back at Roka.

“I hate you too.”

Even if she wagged her tail and rubbed against her master, this one was a dangerous dog. A reckless beast.

Roka was intimidated by the princess’s aura but sneered. Now, there was only one person she feared.

That person, the one who loved her and whom she loved, was the only one who could scold her.


The rest didn’t matter.

*****

In what would soon no longer be my home, I placed a candle on the candlestick and prayed for a moment.


The candle’s flame grew stronger, and the five flames above the five candles merged into one, glowing brightly.

Every sanctuary candle holds the potential to become the Beacon of the Sanctuary. The Lord granted this miracle with that possibility.

The Beacon of the Sanctuary.


It will become a lighthouse illuminating the darkness.


It will deliver messages across the poles.


Wherever the beacon rises, it can reach.

“I’ve grown quite fond of this place.”

Beyond the burning flame, I saw my homeland.


It wasn’t an illusion born of longing. There was also a Beacon of the Sanctuary there.


By the Lord’s grace, the two beacons were connected, allowing travel from here to there. Though it consumed much power, so beacons couldn’t be placed anywhere.

A spent beacon would return to being a candle,


but until then, it would illuminate the entire city.

“Lord, watch over my journey to the Arctic.”

I simply prayed as I gazed at the beacon.

“I am here, and You are here. And countless unbelievers are here as well. Though they do not serve You, please do not forsake them. Let them help each other and open the future, simply by Your watchful care.”

May this sacred flame warm everyone’s hearts. And may Your grace reach beyond me to all.

“Whatever I learn on this journey, I will not worry.”

For You are behind me,


and with Your great power, You protect me,


so everything will be fine.


Just as You will it.