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IBP 47
“Huh?!”
The splendid Border Collie, Cherry, gave Ryan a firm push with her paw.
“How can you say it so scary-like!”
Seeing my crestfallen expression, Cherry stood proudly on her hind legs.
Then, she tapped my arm with her front paw and spoke.
“So, listen, Coco. Originally, this is a secret of heaven and I’m not supposed to tell you, but you’re in great danger right now.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the puppies, including Cherry, began to move busily.
Then, they projected a small, round screen before my eyes.
The future unfolded like a visual magic tool.
It was all well and good up to the part where the holy stigma appeared on the back of my hand and it was revealed to the whole world that I was a blessed child!
But then, it was revealed that the ‘light ability’ I possessed was a healing power so potent that people claimed I was the reincarnation of the Saintess.
‘So that’s why just being by Sister’s side was gradually soothing her berserk state!’
But here was the problem.
The next scene was.......
Not only the Imperial Concubine, who was the current power player of the Empire, but the Temple and other noble families were all coveting my ability.
I was almost kidnapped by a stranger, and I was even dragged to the Imperial Palace to undergo bizarre experiments.
In the process, Duke Ardos, Ruth, and my sister were all gravely injured while trying to protect me.
Especially Sister.......
She died because she used excessive dark magic in an attempt to get me out of the Imperial Palace.
......It was only after Sister died that the intimacy between us finally became complete.
But in the end, I couldn't tell her that I was the puppy Coco.
Because she died before I could!
I glared at the image sphere with teary eyes.
‘I don’t know exactly who kidnaps me or who kills Sister.’
However, there was one hint.
I pointed angrily at a man with a thick beard who was snickering near my sister’s corpse.
“That guy is my sister’s ex-fiancé! The jerk who cheated and dumped her a year ago because she was struggling after I died!”
“That’s right.”
“And next to him is that evil woman who used to be Sister’s best friend but cheated with that man!”
“Yes, that’s correct. Until now, they haven't played a big part in your life. But Coco, as your range of activity increases, you will encounter them.”
“Fine. I don’t know everything, but it means those bastards are collaborating to kill my sister.”
I’m going to bite them all with my front teeth!
Cherry tapped my shoulder with her paw as I revealed my fangs wickedly.
“You know, there is a silver lining, Coco.”
“Huh? What is it?”
I tilted my head as the images flickered past.
“The light ability you possess is divided into five stages. Right now, by becoming close to your sister, you’ve awakened up to the second stage!”
“Wow. Why does becoming close to Sister awaken the light ability?”
“......We don’t know that either!”
Still!
Even so, there was hope!
“They say the level that can be awakened through intimacy is up to the second stage. However, once you awaken to the third stage, you can save your sister from the danger of going berserk.”
“Huh, then how do I awaken the third stage ability?”
“T-that is.......”
The puppies looked at each other like silly dogs.
It seemed they had no clever solution for that part, but.......
Recalling the numerous fragments of the future the puppies had shown me, I felt like I could find a way.
‘Then my task from now on is decided.’
Awaken the light ability to the third stage to save Sister.
And eliminate the numerous danger factors around her, while surviving myself!
The moment I made that resolution.
A brilliant light appeared before my eyes.
I raised my hand and dropped the holy grail.
I was told that if the holy stigma appeared or an ability awakened within the mana stream, I should drop the holy grail to the floor.
Apparently, that would release the blessing of the mental-type ability placed on the grail, breaking the interior of the mana stream.
By the time the holy grail clattered to the floor.
A magic circle consisting of circles, triangles, ancient language, and complex formulas was slowly drawn on the back of my hand.
It was the holy stigma.
The moment the holy stigma, the proof of receiving God's blessing, surged grandly on the back of my hand.
“Coco, there’s still something good. I think we can help you out for a little bit.”
I hugged the other puppies who had gathered around me one by one.
“So, Coco, unlike you, we are puppies who cannot reincarnate....... Instead, please look after our owners well.”
“My sister is very lonely. She keeps buying and collecting my clothes even though I’m gone, and her older brother hits her on the back really hard because of it.”
“My sister says she thinks of me and doesn't even do her hobbies anymore, which makes me sad.......”
They whispered in my ear.
I heard their owners' names and their characteristics.
“Some are nobles, some are commoners, and some are just ordinary people. But to us, they are the most special beings in the world, so can you give them our regards?”
“Of course! I definitely will! As soon as I meet them!”
I nodded vigorously and whispered softly to the puppies.
“So, can you help me with just one last thing?”
“What is it?”
The puppies crowded around me upon hearing my words.
And.
As I requested, the paws of the other puppies tapped and rubbed the back of my hand.
Then, the holy stigma on the back of my hand blurred into a pure white.
* * *
How much time had passed?
After all the rituals ended and I emerged from the mana stream.
My head throbbed as if it were going to split.
“She has been in pain for too long. It seems someone tampered with the holy grail.”
“T-that cannot be!”
The priest jumped in fright at Duke Ardos's roar.
And right then.
I snapped my eyes open.
“I’m awake!”
I shouted, energetically pushing myself up.
“There’s something engraved on the back of my hand!”
“I shall check it.”
I slowly held out the back of my hand toward the approaching priest.
The priest looked bewildered upon seeing my hand.
“This is.......”
“What is it?”
“There is a holy stigma. But......!”
“......But?”
He lifted my hand into the air and shouted.
“It is a scar-mark!”
Thus, the back of my hand was revealed to everyone.
It was said that a holy stigma is originally a circle with a complex magic circle pattern.
However, what was on the back of my hand was a round half-moon.
‘I asked my puppy friends to erase the holy stigma a little.’
The puppy friends worried that the erased stigma would reappear before long, but.......
‘For now, hiding my power and healing Sister is the most important thing.’
Perhaps my intention had worked.
The atmosphere became somewhat bewildered.
In particular, upon hearing the word ‘scar-mark,’ all the kinsmen rushed forward with shocked expressions.
They looked as if they might faint upon seeing the half-moon pattern on the back of my hand.
* * *
“Has there ever been a case where only half of the holy stigma appeared until now?”
“That is impossible. We thought she was a blessed child, but.......”
“But regardless, half of the holy stigma did appear, didn't it? Then doesn't that mean she is both a blessed child and not a blessed child?”
The atmosphere became very strange.
The priest seemed unable to say anything, as this was a first for him.
“I-if Lady Coco is truly a <blessed child> who received God's blessing.”
“.......”
“This might have been the trigger for awakening an ability. By any chance, did you gain a new ability?”
Coco only blinked.
She seemed to be choosing her answer.
“My ability is animal affinity.”
“Animal affinity....... Isn't that a Sidian-class ability? It's not bad, but it's just ordinary.......”
It was certainly an ambiguous ability.
“Shouldn't we test to see the extent of the ability?”
“......Honestly, how great of an ability is animal affinity anyway.”
Sarcastic remarks flew about.
Around that time, Duke Ardos, who had to mediate the situation, shouted loudly.
“Silence!”
By the time the vassals became silent, not daring to make a sound.
As if deep in thought, he closed his eyes and then opened them again.
Just then, the door opened with a loud noise.
Just as people's gazes sharpened, wondering who dared to interrupt the sacred ritual.
Two high priests, wearing pure white priestly robes and hats embroidered with gold thread, walked in.
And in their center.......
Lucrezia Ardos.
She, who had stayed at the Temple and increased her influence by aggressively recruiting priests, had returned.
Though she was nearing fifty, she still possessed a beautiful appearance.
“Oh dear. Did I happen to interfere with the sacred ritual?”
Entering with the light into the dark space, she looked incredibly holy.
Half overwhelmed and half probing her, no one answered for a while.
The beautiful woman walked forward as if she were the protagonist and spoke.
“If I wasn't a hindrance, would you explain the situation? I do have that much right in this family, don't I?”
The silence was broken at those words.
A high priest spoke with a look of dismay.
“Greetings, Lady Lucrezia. It is nothing else but that a scar-mark has appeared on the baby's hand. Opinions are divided on whether she is a proper blessed child.”
“Ah.......”
She walked leisurely toward Coco, who was standing still before the holy grail.
“So this is the baby.”
The corners of her eyes curved upward.
“If it is a scar-mark, the decision is already made.”
It was then that Coco glared provocatively at Lucrezia.
“Unfortunately, I believe we must put her up for adoption.”
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