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Chapter 7
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AS the Duke and Jerus reached the underground dungeon, they saw the priests gathering together, with the high priest extending his hand toward the sky, his eyes gently closed. The surrounding priests eagerly spoke in unison.

“Please release us, for High Priest Julius received a divine revelation last night.”

“That’s correct. We must go and decipher the words of God Riott.”

Upon hearing their demands, the Duke lazily lifted his lips before giving a command to the guard standing behind him.

“Release only the High Priest.”

The guard approached, linking arms with the High Priest, and led him out. The High Priest remained focused, seemingly connected to the divine, with closed eyes and a concentrated demeanor.

“Why?!”

“The High Priest must be carried by us.”

“We should go as well!”

“To receive the revelation, a ceremony must be performed. It is fitting for you to show the proper revelation in the temple.”

When the priests, intending to accompany them, grabbed the prison bars and protested, the Duke frowned.

“Your tongues are too loose.”

While the ceremony they spoke of sounded grand, involving ritual tools and a lavish banquet to entertain them, it held no sway over the Duke. He already made yearly offerings to the temple, more than enough to please them, and anyone could see their attempt to use this incident as an excuse to demand money. It might had worked for the former Duke, but it wouldn’t work for him.

However, the new priests continued to prattle on, heedless of the situation.

“We are merely stating the proper formalities.”

“Indeed, please prepare it as a gesture of respect for the priests.”

The Duke, who felt no emotions, coldly retorted with actions.

Whoosh.

As the duke gave out an icy energy, the temperature of the underground prison plummeted. Before they knew it, the prison was filled with snow, and even icicles were seen from the ceiling. When their whole body was freezing due to the temperature, the priests trembled and hugged each other.

“S-save us!”

“Perhaps experiencing coldness for another day wouldn’t hurt you. Endure it with your powers.”

The Duke looked down coldly at them before turning away. Jerus followed his master while gazing at the priests coldly.

Upon their arrival at the reception room, the High Priest received support from Jerus and took his seat without uttering a word. Soon, Jerus left too, leaving only the two of them, and the High Priest’s closed eyes blinked open.

With gray eyes infused with power, he spoke.

“The God Riott has informed me of the direction in which the young lady resides.”

The Duke’s violet eyes, which had been icy, widened significantly. It meant the child was alive. Furthermore, to provide the exact location—was the god finally bestowing His guidance that had been withheld until now?

Without revealing such thoughts, Khalid asked, “Where is she?”

“She is in the rural village of Aibach, located in the Eastern region with a warm climate.”

Upon receiving the answer, the Duke immediately organized a search party, with a priest leading the way as a guide. They used a teleportation portal and departed for the small rural village of Aibach in the Eastern region.

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PUDDING had been diligently chasing after Theo and the herbalist, who had been visible in the distance, but suddenly, they disappeared.

Sniff, sniff.

As Pudding energetically scampered through the forest path, she suddenly halted, enticed by a sweet aroma.

‘Sniff sniff. I’ve never smelled such a sweet fragrance before…’

As Pudding looked around anxiously, a large honeybee, about the size of a walnut, flew close by, buzzing. Worried that it might sting and turn her face into a balloon, Pudding froze in place.

Buzz, buzz.

The bee stopped flying and bobbed its head as if it had something to communicate. Then, with another buzz, it flew off to the other side. Following the bee’s flight path, a stream of golden light glides.

‘What’s this?’

Where the bee flew, there was a small rock cave from which dazzling sunlight seeped. The bee flew right into it. Pudding was about to pass by it, but the bee returned, buzzing again, flying closer. It seemed to be signaling her to follow. Despite the urgency of the situation, she unknowingly followed the bee into the cave.

The cave was small, just enough for Pudding’s small size. If she was slightly larger, she wouldn’t have been able to enter. Nonetheless, there was nothing inside. Disappointed, Pudding passed through the cave, only to be guided by a woman’s voice.

“Here, come here.”

‘What’s that?’

After passing through the cave, it was an entirely different space. A gentle breeze blew, and sunlight poured down from all directions. In front of Pudding, the bee, now larger than before, sat down with folded transparent wings.

And right in front of the bee was a tempting sunflower in bloom.

The dancing sunflower seemed larger than an ordinary flower. It had a large, round center surrounded by densely packed yellow petals, and green heart-shaped leaves were attached to the stem.

While Pudding was gazing at the bright yellow and gorgeous flower, a voice once again flowed from the sunflower.

“You’ve come.”

‘What’s this? Is the flower talking?’

Seeing a talking flower was an unprecedented experience for Pudding. It was a memory that didn’t exist even in her past live. Of course, she couldn’t be sure since she didn’t remember all of her dreams.

“I’m not an ordinary flower, just like you’re not an ordinary puppy.”

The sunflower said kindly. Each time it spoke, it seemed to rustle and dance, as if it were whispering.

‘What are you then?’

“You won’t understand even if I tell you now. Just think of me as an existence that will help you.”

Pudding tilted her head in suspicion.

‘Why would a talking sunflower help me?’

With an eye full of doubt, Pudding looked up at the sunflower, and only then did she reveal her identity.

“I am Lioferranda, the spirit of the sun.”

‘…?’

Pudding blinked, as if to ask, ‘What are you?’ Seeing her bewildered expression, Lioferranda sighed and continued.

“See, I knew you wouldn’t know even if I told you. Anyway, I know that you possess the power of the sun. I will help you awaken that power faster.”

“Woof? (What? A talking flower will help me?)”

Pudding’s eyes blinked rapidly, unable to comprehend what was happening.

“Wait! If you want to rescue your friend, it would be better to have power, wouldn’t it? What can you do if you go now?”

At those words, Pudding was left speechless. The only things he could do right now were to bite and scratch her opponents with her small jaws and bark fervently.

“Woof. (That’s right.)”

Realizing her powerlessness, Pudding’s ears drooped, but even so, she couldn’t just stand still.

‘But I can’t just leave Theo behind. I have to protect him.’

“Woof! (I’ll help him!)”

After being attacked by the monster, Theo was left with a large wound on his back. Seeing the lingering scars that didn’t disappear even as he became an adult, it pained Pudding’s heart.

When Pudding expressed her determination to protect Theo even if she had to leave his side, Lioferranda nodded approvingly.

“That’s a good attitude. I will help you awaken your power of the sun to some extent. With that, you should be able to use it immediately.”

“Woof! (Tell me how)!”

“Alright. Come closer to me. Closer.”

Pudding moved closer as instructed by Lioferranda.

“Place your paw, no, your front paw, on the stem.”

Pudding pressed her hindlegs firmly to the ground and placed one white front paw on the stem. Suddenly, a radiant golden light emanated from Lioferranda, and a few petals fell from the flower.

The petals circled around Pudding’s body, wrapping her tightly. In an instant, the pattern on her paw shone brightly with golden light, becoming more intense, and her heart throbbed, growing larger and pulsating.

Thump, thump, thump.

At the same time, it felt as if warm golden sunlight was gathering toward Pudding.

“I’ll say it again, this is not a complete awakening. You will only be able to use about half of your power. To achieve a complete awakening with your own strength, you will need a stronger will.”

“Woof? (Will?)”

“An earnest desire to save him.”

“Woof! (I’m earnest!)”

“But it’s still not enough. For now, try using that power.”

‘How do I do it?’