[Imperial Year 331, January 16th]

Sera headed to the market street of Letren early in the morning.

She went to a shop that often bought herbs from her when she lived with her mother.

“Hello, sir! It’s been a while. Do you remember me?”

The shop owner just stared at Sera, not recognizing her. She smiled gently and said,

“It’s me, Sera! I used to come here often with my mom to sell herbs.”

Upon hearing her name, he seemed to remember and greeted her warmly.

“Ah! So that little kid has grown up like this? You rascal. It’s been a long time.”

The shop owner was a kind person who helped with her mother’s funeral after she passed away.

“I’m sorry I haven’t visited in so long…”

After finishing some small talk about recent events, she got to the main point.

“I need to return to the capital, but I don’t have travel expenses. These are herbs I picked in the mountains on my way back to Letren. They’re quite useful… Could you sell them for me?”

“These days, herbs aren’t used much, but there was a man who asked about herbs just earlier. Since it’s your request, Sera, I’ll try to sell them. Let’s see…”

Sera had studied herbology at the mansion and, with the skills she honed collecting with her mother, she picked only the most useful herbs without any excess.

“Hmm. These are quite good materials. It’s been a while since I’ve seen herbs because they’re not used much. But these are of very high quality. If they sell, they should fetch a good price.”

“Wow, really? I’ve sold herbs in several villages I’ve passed through, but I didn’t get much for them… just enough for lodging. How much do you think they’ll be worth?”

Sera looked at him with hopeful eyes.

“Well, I think they could be worth about 2 silver.”

Sera couldn’t hide her disappointment.

‘Ah. So I was getting my worth all along.’

Of course, 2 silvers wasn’t a small amount in Letren, but Sera, who had gotten used to city life, had been hopeful due to the owner’s words that it would be worth quite a bit.

“Ah… haha! I see. Please send the amount to Seren Orphanage once it’s appraised! I owe the director some money… and I have to return to the capital.”

“Is that so? Hahaha! You’re always on the move. Got it. Take care of yourself.”

After Sera left, the owner thought.

‘The man who came earlier seemed like a noble… maybe I could get a better price if I sell it to him…’

Sera left the shop and went to find a carriage to the capital.

“To Pianta capital, right? When are you leaving?”

“I’d like to leave as soon as possible!”

“Is it that urgent? Not long ago, some young man was also in a hurry, making quite a fuss.”

‘No way…’

“Was he a tall, handsome guy with brown hair?”

“Yes. He was quite a striking young man. Do you know him? He was so insistent on leaving immediately, but once on the road, he didn’t say a word, not even a response. Quite a peculiar fellow.”

‘It must be Kyle.’

Thinking about how anxious Kyle must have been made Sera equally restless.

“It’s a bit difficult today. Do you see that carriage over there? It’s also going to the capital, and I’ve already arranged for some goods to be transported. The price I got from them is quite good. If you can match their schedule, I can let you go for 10 silvers.”

‘10 silvers! That’s half of what I found in the capital.’

“Oh, when are you departing?”

The coachman replied with a hearty laugh.

“It’ll be tomorrow morning at the earliest.”

“Great! I’ll do that! I’ll be here tomorrow morning then!”

Sera felt a lightness in her heart.

‘Now, the remaining schedule is…’

Periel Temple.

“Ah, Priest Emil!”

“Oh… it’s been a while. Uh… you are Sera, right?”

“Yes! It’s really been a long time.”

Emil greeted Sera with his unchanged, gaunt appearance.

“The gift you gave me, Priest… I’m really grateful for it. You’re practically my savior.”

Emil smiled, saying it was nothing.

“Actually, I’ve come to see Priest Sherburn. Is Priest Sherburn here?”

“Oh… yes… Ah, um, perhaps… the rumors…”

“I know about them.”

“I see… yes… I’ll guide you.”

‘It seems like more people are coming despite the rumors about the priest… Huh…? By the way, wasn’t Sera unable to have a pheromone manifestation? Oh well… it’s none of my business… someone like me…’

Emil led her to Sherburn.

Sherburn didn’t seem particularly pleased to see Sera.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“I want to confirm something. About my pheromone.”

As Sera spoke sharply, Emil tactfully left the room.

Sherburn’s gaze, which seemed to look down on her, landed on Sera’s ring.

“Where did you get that relic?”

“Ah, you recognize it. I think this is why I’ve had a pheromone manifestation. I’ve come to confirm if it’s true. I can’t tell any difference. My mother has a brown pheromone, and I should have a brown pheromone too, but the letter sealed with her pheromone won’t open. What’s going on…?”

Sherburn’s face changed to one of slight interest.

“Someone with a relic can’t see the color of their pheromone? When you pray to the gods and close your eyes, you can see it.”

‘Ah, I see. Instead of touching the statue, I’m wearing the relic…’

Sera immediately closed her eyes and prayed.

‘God, it’s me, Sera. I’m curious about the color of my pheromone… Is this how I can see it?’

The world that was dark with her eyes closed suddenly lit up in white. Sera opened her eyes in surprise.

“White… color?”

“It seems there’s a possibility of blooming. A white pheromone…”

Sherburn smacked his lips.

“How… can I help you with the blooming?”

“Not really. I’ve heard rumors about you, Priest.”

Sherburn smiled faintly.

“Didn’t you know more people are seeking me out despite knowing? That means the satisfaction is high. You might even manifest at once.”

‘This guy… reminds me of that Billy. It’s annoying…’

“It might be too much for you to handle, Priest. My pheromone is going to be incredibly strong.”

Sherburn laughed out loud.

“Hahaha. That sounds really tempting.”

“Well, I have no intention of doing anything with you, Priest. I just came to ask how to control my pheromone.”

“Couldn’t you have asked Priest Emil about that? Be a bit more honest, Sera.”

Sherburn stood up and approached Sera.

“I’ll be honest too. Actually, I’ve really missed you, Sera. I’m thrilled that your pheromone has manifested. Let me smell that scent.”

Standing behind Sera, Sherburn brushed her hair aside and blew on her nape.

“It smells sweet.”

Swoosh.

When he licked her nape with his tongue, Sherburn felt a thrilling sensation as if all his senses were paralyzed.

“Ha, haha. It definitely feels different from last time. Come on… release the pheromone.”

As the tickling breath touched her, Sera felt a peculiar sensation.

“I-I told you, I don’t know how to release the pheromone…”

“Simply put… think of something erotic. When you feel aroused, it naturally comes out. You’ll know what it feels like once you try it. Now, go on…”

Sera recalled the tingling sensation between her legs as Sherburn had instructed.

Feeling as if something was about to flow out of her body, she exhaled softly and relaxed, causing a white light to shimmer around her.

Sherburn, sensing Sera’s pheromone scent, felt his heart pound and his face flush.

“W-wait a minute… I didn’t expect it to be this intense…”

Covering his mouth and stepping back, Sherburn continued with his head lowered.

“P-please… stop it. Sera!”

Sera stopped emitting the pheromone. Sherburn’s pants were noticeably stiff. Struggling to sit down, Sherburn spoke.

“Ha… indeed. You’re remarkable. I didn’t think I’d end up like this…”

“Is there… a problem?”

Sherburn grimaced in discomfort and tried to steady his breathing.

“Ha… ha…”

‘Different. It’s not an unpleasant disgust, but a feeling that I shouldn’t get any closer… What is this feeling…?’

Sera felt uneasy, sensing something was amiss.

“Are you… okay?”

‘Damn… showing such a pathetic side…’

After some time had passed and Sherburn had calmed down, he lifted his head slightly, trying to show a relaxed smile.

“Yes… I’m fine. It doesn’t seem to be a problem… Well, Sera, you seem to have a somewhat special aura…”

“A special… aura?”

When Sera placed her hand on the table, Sherburn noticed the shining ring and asked.

“May I take a closer look at the sacred object for a moment?”

As Sera tried to remove the ring to give it to him, it wouldn’t come off.

‘Did my hand get fatter…?’

“Wh-why won’t this come off…?”

Sherburn simply extended his hand as if asking Sera to place hers on it.

Blushing, Sera extended her hand.

When Sherburn grasped Sera’s hand and touched the relic, he flinched with an indescribable feeling.

As he closed his eyes and prayed to God, the divine voice echoed in Sherburn’s ear.

‘Arthur. This is not a child you should covet…’

‘Could it be… because it’s a pheromone directly received from meeting God? Is it because he’s a priest that he can feel such things?’

After quite some time had passed, Sherburn opened his eyes and carefully released Sera’s hand.

“I was severely scolded by God.”

Seeing Sherburn smile brightly, Sera was very surprised.

“What?! What do you mean…? Oh, is it about that god…?”

As if he didn’t need to say more, Sherburn nodded and spoke mysteriously.

“Everything is Sera’s destiny, and everything will be fine. It’s God’s will.”

“Wh-what do you mean by that…?”

“This is where our connection ends… No one will regret it more than I will, Sera. Please, go back now.”

Sherburn said no more.

By the time evening approached and Sera returned to Seren, the director greeted her warmly.

“Sera! Did you have a good trip? What on earth happened?!”

“What? What do you mean…?”

“The herbs you sold. They gave us a whole gold coin for them!”

“What?! Not 2 silver?”

Sera was dumbfounded.

“Apparently, a noble who urgently needed those herbs bought them all up.”

‘A gold mine!! It was a gold mine… I need to go gather more herbs… Oh, right, I’m supposed to leave for the capital tomorrow. Ah, what should I do…?’

“Sera? Are you okay?”

“Ah, yes! I’m perfectly fine. I’ll have to gather a lot more herbs next time. For now… I’m leaving first thing in the morning.”

“Oh my… you’re leaving right away. That’s unfortunate…”

Sera didn’t mention what she heard at the temple.

‘It’s not entirely good news, and telling them would only make them worry.’

Lying in bed, Sera thought.

‘Sigh. What on earth is going on? It’s all so mysterious… It seems like the pheromone manifestation happened… but a white pheromone… Am I really okay…? Whew… I don’t know. Let’s just have a good dream. Hopefully, I can continue the dream from last night. If I go to the capital… I hope I can meet Viscount Benjamin. I wonder if it’ll be hard to see Raon. As for Marquis Lafjehill… I should apologize first when I meet him. Ugh, scary. Oh, right. The knight from the festival was impressive too. I wonder if I’ll see him again? Somehow, having these strange dreams might be related to what Priest Sherburn mentioned… God’s will…? It shouldn’t be bad… Ah… Will I be able to find Jake? I hope Kyle is safe too… Hmm… If everything that happened in the dream were real, how wonderful would that be? Haha… Mmm…’

Sera quickly shook off her anxiety and fell asleep, indulging in happy thoughts.

[Imperial Year 331, January 17th]

As the day broke, Sera bid farewell to the children and the director once more and left Seren.

She headed to the station and approached the carriage and coachman preparing for departure.

“Oh, miss, you’re here. There’s quite a bit of luggage, so it might be uncomfortable, but it’s cheap, so you don’t mind, right?”

Peeking inside the carriage, she saw it was packed with luggage.

There was barely a spot to sit in one corner.

‘Ugh… I have to endure that hell again in this…’

“Even if I pay more, this is still the fastest option, right?”

“Yeah. There’s no other choice. This is the best we could manage, but it’s ready. Once you get on, we’ll leave immediately. The client for the wagon has already left. We need to catch up quickly. Hurry and get on.”

“Y-yes! I don’t have much luggage, so I think I can just carry it.”