For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 102

‘The water hasn’t become polluted yet, has it?’

Thinking that I really must visit soon, I shared that fact with Feyden and Ariel, who couldn’t understand Okhee’s explanation.

At that, Ariel’s eyes widened like lanterns. I was about to ask why, when I suddenly remembered that he was a devout priest.

Anyone who becomes a priest wants to visit the Holy Kingdom at least once. There’s an enormous tree there, like a world tree, in which Angel Natasia resides, and sometimes her voice is heard through that tree.

That’s why everyone wants to go to that tree, where they can be closest to the god they serve.

And the largest, thickest stream that reaches that great tree starts right here, from Seonui Lake. The sacred water known as the ‘Lifewater of the Holy Tree.’

It would not be an exaggeration to say that this water is what sustains the tree itself, so there was no need to ask how excited Ariel was to be standing before its source.

Though his feet moved forward, Ariel’s gaze and thoughts seemed already fixed on Seonui Lake, and he kept bumping into me, unable to walk in a straight line.

「 Um… rather than that, Priest, what do you think about visiting Seonui Lake? 」

“Ariel, Ms. Okhee is asking if you’d like to go to Seonui Lake.”

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who felt impatient. Unable to stand it any longer, Okhee herself asked Ariel the question.

Feyden and I both nodded vigorously.

“Just say you want to go. Why make things complicated?”

“He’s right, Ariel. Just say ‘Let’s go up together’.”

‘Should I really just say that…?’

Ariel repeated blankly, his eyes sparkling more than ever.

“Yes. I was just feeling uncomfortable with all the people staring at me anyway. And I do want to see Seonui Lake too.”

「 Really? Are you sure it’s all right? 」

Known as the handsome foreigner who could use divine power, Ariel attracted the stares of Dongguk’s people all along the road. Some even quietly offered up prayers, while others, calling him a precious guest, pressed things like scorched rice or dried persimmons into his hands.

It’s true that those who can wield holy power are rare, but were they always welcomed this much?

‘Was the female lead of the original work received so warmly when she came to Dongguk too?’

Unable to get used to the excessive hospitality, I asked Okhee for directions to Seonui Lake.

「 You have to go up the mountain path behind the house. It’s not dangerous, but I’m worried about you climbing it in your condition! 」

「 It’s all right. If it gets too hard, I’ll just ask Feyden to carry me. 」

Okhee narrowed her eyes and looked Feyden up and down.

「 He’s not as strong as my son, but I think he could carry you just fine! 」

Feyden, not understanding the words, instinctively scowled.

“What’s with that look? It’s irritating.”

***

Thanks to the footsteps of many people, the path to Seonui Lake was well worn. Still, with rocks jutting out here and there and the slippery path, the way to the lake was not easy.

「 We’re almost there, Miss! Just a little more! 」

Was it really just me who found this so exhausting?

Okhee and Nari had already gone on ahead, and Ariel and Feyden, following behind me, made no sound at all.

“Get some exercise, Potato.”

“I agree with him.”

Do they not think that maybe it’s not that I’m out of shape, but that their stamina is monstrous?

I simply ignored their words and struggled on, finally catching up to where Okhee was waiting.

We’d only walked for about thirty minutes, but it felt like at least two hours to me.

“Haah!”

Stepping onto the last rock, a cool mountain breeze swept through my hair. Once we reached the low hilltop, I could truly appreciate how enormous Seonui Lake was.

To exaggerate only a little, it was maybe as wide as Mount Baekdu. A vast, deep lake whose depth was unfathomable. The waters of Seonui Lake were still a clear, brilliant blue.

The moment I saw it, my heart felt wide open, like the first time I saw the sea on a trip to the East Sea long ago.

Is this the grandeur that only nature can give?

Following behind me, Feyden and Ariel fell silent, simply taking in the view of the lake.

True to its reputation among the villagers and priests of the Holy Kingdom, the lake was extremely well protected. In this area, not only was hunting forbidden, but even approaching the lake required permission from the village chief.

「 It really is a huge and beautiful lake. 」

At my words of admiration, Okhee and Nari nodded gently. But their reaction was lukewarm. Wondering if I’d said something wrong, I tilted my head, and Okhee’s face darkened.

「 But the lake is gradually drying up. 」

「 Drying up? 」

「 You wouldn’t notice if it’s your first time here. Every year, the water level used to be so high it covered that rock over there… 」

The water is gradually receding.

It’s not as if there hasn’t been any rain, and this is the mysterious lake where holy power is supposed to bubble up endlessly as sacred water, right?

‘Isn’t this a storyline I’ve seen somewhere before?’