There’s No Way I Can Raise a Dragon Daughter

It was that guy.

The ninja priestess who hid a blade inside her sleeve.

The moment I saw that face, my teeth clenched.

The day after that bastard saw Tia’s horn, the Heretic Examiner came.

It was obvious without seeing who told the Heretic Examiner.

“On this precious Sunday, as you have granted to the church, let us come to our church in faith.”

“Excuse me. I have a matter to discuss for a moment…”

“Oh dear. I will finish up quickly, Priestess. Please wait a bit longer.”

“…”

An awkward standoff followed.

As I kept glaring at him, he attempted to flee once but was captured and had to awkwardly stand in the back for the entire service.

Occasionally our gazes met, but he quickly turned away and pretended not to know me.

“Irina. Can you watch over Tia for a bit after the service?”

“Hmm? Why?”

“I have something to talk about with the priestess…”

I let go of Tia’s hand, who was looking at me with a puzzled expression.

Seeing the ninja priest fidgeting and looking toward the back exit, it seemed that the service was about to end soon.

“…Let us pray.”

And finally, the sound signaling the end of the service rang out.

As everyone clasped their hands and bowed their heads, the ninja priestess turned around and tried to escape without making a sound.

I quietly slipped out of my seat and immediately chased after him.

As I opened the door, there was no one in the hallway except for the ninja priestess.

“Excuse me.”

“…”

“Excuse me, Priestess!”

“…”

I had to run just to keep up with the priestess, who was walking briskly.

Finally, as I caught up and grabbed his shoulder, the ninja priestess clicked his tongue and stopped.

“I’m sorry. I’m just visiting here, so if you have inquiries, please ask that priestess with glasses over there…”

“Don’t play dumb. You’re the one who stabbed Tia and the Heretic Examiner, right?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m talking about the night we met. I pretended not to see you running around with her, and this is how you repay me?”

“…”

The ninja priestess took a step closer to me, subtly revealing the blade in his sleeve.

Of course, it was an empty threat.

If he could kill me, he would have done it the night I witnessed his murder.

Since he couldn’t kill me, he quietly acted as if he didn’t see anything and sent me back.

Normally, dogs that don’t bite are the loudest barkers.

If you could kill me, go ahead.

When I met his gaze firmly, he seemed quite flustered.

“Is it okay for a priest to be like this? My faith in the church is waning…”

“…”

Pushing too hard wasn’t a good tactic.

Though the promise was broken on his side, I was still in a disadvantageous position in this relationship.

A subordinate couldn’t corner a superior.

So it was wise to leave room for agreement right now.

“Is it true that someone like you can become a priest? It’s ridiculous. What kind of place is the Papal Office to appoint someone who changes their words so easily as a priest?”

“…What do you want?”

Moreover, if he was willing to do dirty work like murder, he would likely be quite loyal to the church.

Such a person could endure insults to himself but couldn’t tolerate insults to the church.

Sure enough, the ninja priestess soon lowered his tail and expressed a willingness to negotiate.

“I’m currently undergoing citizenship review, you see? Just pass on a word to the immigration office. That Julia person is very pious, diligent, and kind.”

“That’s not just one word.”

“Ah, then just say something like four words.”

“I will do that. It’s a promise. I’m truly sorry.”

“Ah. It seems my faith in the church is returning.”

The deal was made.

It was a relief that the incident of Tia being exposed as a demon was resolved without major issues; otherwise, I would have been ready to leap at him the moment I saw him.

This would likely expedite the issuance of the citizenship certificate a bit more.

My grudge was completely lifted.

Although our relationship started on deceit, as long as it would help me, I could throw away old feelings right away.

I smiled widely and extended my right hand, but he just stared blankly at my hand, looking perplexed.

What are you looking at, huh?

Don’t you know how to shake hands?

“Did you say you were Alexander, Priest?”

“Yes. That’s right, Julia…”

He awkwardly took my hand and slowly shook it, looking flustered.

“You came from afar, but aren’t you returning yet? You seem to be staying here while watching the other priests. Isn’t it inconvenient?”

“It is inconvenient. I want to leave soon, but my employer has no intention of leaving…”

“Employer?”

“Yes. I mentioned before that I was looking for the Holy Maiden, right? But since we don’t know her face or name, we had to find an employer separately.”

“Then can’t you just leave?”

“Well, you see… While he is my employer, he’s not someone we can treat carelessly.”

“Aha.”

I was trying to be vague, but I immediately figured out who that employer was.

Someone who knows the face of the Holy Maiden.

And someone the church cannot treat carelessly.

The only one who fits both criteria is the Hero, Leopard.

So he was hired to find the Holy Maiden and has been loafing around since then.

‘Can I squeeze a bit more out of this?’

The ninja priestess would desperately want to leave with the hero to continue the search for the Holy Maiden, while I hoped this troublesome hero would just disappear.

We both shared the same goal.

If I could subtly seduce that “employer” into leaving, I could put the ninja priestess into debt again.

‘How should I bring this up?’

However, to make this suggestion, I would have to reveal that I knew the identity of that “employer.”

How can I propose this without raising suspicion?

Could I assert by intuition that the “employer” is some wealthy person supported by Dragania?

Thud…!

Just as I was thinking this, the door swung open with a loud bang.

“Ugh.”

It was none other than a dandy wearing an eye patch.

It was the hero, Leopard.

Speak of the devil.

I felt goosebumps.

Leopard approached us, his expression twisted in anger.

“Alexander. What are you doing?”

“I was just having a chat with a parishioner. Ah, this is the employer I just mentioned, Julia.”

“Julia?”

Leopard’s face became even more frightening.

Yet, surprisingly, he still looked handsome.

That’s the buff of the protagonist’s appearance.

“Oh my. What a coincidence. He is a regular customer who comes to our shop often.”

“I’ve only been once—”

“You’re supposed to come often. Isn’t that right, Leopard?”

“…That is true.”

“Oh. So you two are already acquainted.”

“Of course. It’s hard to forget someone sharing the same name as the hero. By the way, how about this? I’ll persuade Leopard to have him leave this town and resume the search for the Holy Maiden.”

“Oh. If you could do that, I would be truly grateful.”

Got it.

Thanks to Leopard’s abrupt appearance, I was able to set up the deal.

Now, what should I ask for in return?

Since I’m a low-ranking priest who tends to take on dirty jobs, it wouldn’t make sense to demand anything too big.

Should I propose a bridge role for linking him with noble families?

It was a delightful dilemma.

However, Leopard’s discomfort, watching us the whole time, was very unsettling.

Just as I wondered if he had stepped in some dog poop on the way, he suddenly tightened his grip on my wrist.

“Julia. Let’s go.”

“Eh? Huh? Suddenly? Where to?”

“Just follow me.”

“I-it was nice to meet you, Priest!”

“Yes. Same here…”

Before I knew it, I was being led away by Leopard.

What a brute.

He thinks I’m his property.

I was getting tired of being treated like an object.

After walking for a while and arriving at a secluded place, I shook off his hand.

As I rubbed my numb wrist and glared at him, he didn’t even try to hide his displeasure.

It was annoying that I was the one feeling irritated.

“Why are you hanging around the church? I warned you that I’m looking for the Holy Maiden at the church. It won’t end nicely if you get caught! But the Holy Maiden just walks into the tiger’s den? Are you stupid?”

“You’re the stupid one, you fool. If you’re searching for the Holy Maiden while loafing around like a bum, don’t you think the church will eventually notice there’s a Holy Maiden in this town? And it’s even more suspicious if someone has never attended church in their entire life.”

What an idiot.

As I shot back, Leopard shut his mouth like a stunned fish.

But his sulky expression remained.

“Don’t talk to that priest anymore. Don’t even look at him. He’s a shady guy who is different inside and out.”

“I don’t care about that. As long as it helps me. Compared to that guy barging into someone else’s business and causing trouble, this priest seems far more helpful to me.”

“Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind? You’re being hunted by assassins sent by the Papal Office, and you’re not scared?”

“What’s there to be afraid of when my life is already ruined? Besides, did you hear what I said earlier? I would really appreciate it if you would act like you were persuaded by me and leave this town. I’ve made a deal with that priest.”

“I won’t leave.”

“I’ll be your boyfriend again. Would that make you leave?”

“…”

Leopard’s jaw nearly dropped.

Men are such creatures.

Just a little wiggle from the girl they like and they can’t think straight.

Though my face felt slightly hot, I decided to use it actively since I was already a woman.

“How would that even mean anything? If I become your girlfriend but we never meet.”

“We can meet later. When the church gives up on finding the Holy Maiden, and when I can start living decently.”

Of course, that was a lie.

Once I have financial stability, I was planning to disappear so that Leopard wouldn’t be able to find me.

Leopard probably considered that possibility as well.

But a man wouldn’t have the time to think about such intricate things when the girl he likes says she wants to date him.

That’s just how men are.

Sure enough, I could see Leopard’s pupils darting back and forth as he looked down at me.

It looked like a dog that needs to poop desperately.

I could sense I was almost there.

“Well? You don’t really want me to get caught by the church, right? So… Ugh?!”

At that moment, he suddenly grabbed my waist and hugged me close.

Caught off guard by the unexpected hug, I struggled to escape, but he was so strong that I didn’t budge an inch.

However, at the sound of Leopard’s voice, my body relaxed and I stopped resisting.

“I won’t leave. Absolutely not. I won’t let you leave either. Never. I’ll never leave you alone again. Never, absolutely. Aerial, Aerial. Aerial…”

“…”

Leopard was crying like a girl.

His voice was almost empty.

Listening to the tremors of his heart in his embrace made me feel pity, and before I knew it, my arms were rising to comfort him.

‘What am I doing right now…’

I found myself briefly embracing Leopard, patting his back.

I had no clue why.

He had a surprisingly small back for a man.

It was a sudden thought.

---