Chapter 17
Following Ashtar’s advice, I prayed fervently in my heart and called forth the fountain’s water—and an unbelievable thing happened.
The fountain suddenly shot up into the sky like a geyser, forming a massive sphere that rolled all the way to where we stood.
“W-what… in the world!”
“See? The water granted your wish, didn’t it?”
Ashtar ruffled my hair as if praising me, then swung her hand through the air.
The sphere soaring in the sky exploded with a bang! like fireworks.
I watched with my own eyes as rain began to fall from the clear sky, feeling awestruck.
‘If I practice, I could do something like this too…?!’
“If you learn to fully control my power, even more would be possible. Water may seem weaker than fire at first glance, but it has enough destructive force.”
Wow… incredible.
If I could wield such a magical power freely, how amazing would that be? Even if nothing else, I could definitely protect myself from those who mean me harm.
“Not only for protection. Water also has the ability to heal and restore. Those around you will neither fall sick nor suffer pain. That is the blessing of Ashtar.”
“Then… would it also work against curses?”
I asked, thinking of Suleiman.
Ashtar paused for a moment, her expression becoming strange before answering.
“Generally, yes. But if another god’s power comparable to mine interferes, side effects could occur.”
“Then maybe it’s better that I don’t have it.”
“That’s not true. I can’t explain everything right now… wait.”
Suddenly looking up at the sky, Ashtar’s expression turned serious, more than I had ever seen.
“There’s no time left. You must return to reality.”
“But—”
“Soon, danger will come to someone near you. He is destined for you. A connection necessary for both of you.”
Someone near me?
I shivered as Suleiman, sleeping beside me, came to mind.
As Ashtar placed her hand on my forehead, purple light emanated from her touch.
“Ah…!”
I screamed in surprise as I watched my body slowly become transparent.
Ashtar gently brushed my fading cheeks with a sad smile.
“No matter how hard things may get, never give up. I’ve prepared for you, and if you endure all of it, you will finally live the life you desire.”
Seeing her watch me with such a sorrowful gaze, a sudden unease welled up inside me.
“Is… this a prophecy?”
“Perhaps. But it was a promise made even before I became a god. Just as you could not choose to come to this world, I have no power to change this fate.”
“I don’t believe in destiny.”
Hehe, she chuckled softly. “That’s fine too. I wish you luck. My power’s influence on the world has weakened, but… I will give you a small gift.”
Whoosh!
As Ashtar closed her eyes and recited an incantation, blue energy poured into my body.
“Th-this is…”
An indescribable, strange energy surged within me, and at the same time, my body began to fade rapidly.
“Wait! I still have so many questions! Will we meet again?”
I reached out to her desperately, but she did not take my hand.
“We shall meet again, child with a pure soul.”
Finally, my entire body became transparent, scattering into the air like specks of light.
In the peaceful and quiet temple, only one eternally beautiful goddess remained.
Drenched in cold sweat, I woke with heavy blinking eyes.
The dream I had just had replayed vividly in my mind, almost frighteningly so.
And something else was odd.
I was in human form, not a cat this time.
And unlike before, I was fully clothed—wearing the white dress Ashtar had been wearing.
“What… is happening?”
I even managed to speak normally.
Glancing beside the bed, I saw Suleiman sleeping deeply, making soft sounds.
Unsure if I was still dreaming, I pinched my cheek.
“…Ouch.”
So this is real?!
I jumped up cautiously, stepping forward.
Heavens.
Walking felt completely normal, just like being human again.
‘So this is the gift Ashtar gave me…?’
As I stared at my hands, a chilling sensation swept through me.
Outside the window, a thick, malevolent aura shimmered, making my stomach turn.
“Something… is coming this way.”
‘Soon, danger will come to someone near you.’
Ashtar’s warning flashed through my mind.
‘Danger… could it be an assassin?’
Startled, I shook the sleeping Suleiman awake.
“H-hey!! Wake up! This is no time to sleep!”
Despite my shaking, he showed no sign of waking.
‘Something’s wrong.’
Sensing danger, I threw open the door to call for help.
“Oh no…”
The guards and servants outside the room were all collapsed on the floor, their state similar to Suleiman’s.
The sinister aura I had sensed grew closer and closer.
Panicked, I returned to Suleiman, slapping his cheek and shouting.
“Wake up, wake up!”
I grabbed his collar and shook him, but still he did not move.
What should I do? Should I run for help?
But there was no time.
‘Wait… last time he woke up when I kissed him.’
Even when Suleiman was deeply asleep from Aziz’s sleeping potion, a kiss from me had woken him before—though he had been a cat then.
Grabbing his collar, I pulled him toward me and pressed my lips to his.
Soft lips met with a smack sound.
But the sleeping prince stubbornly did not move a muscle.
“Ah, this is driving me crazy.”
Do I have to use my tongue like last time?!
Just as I was about to try again, crash!
Two men in black burst through the window, glass shattering.
They wielded long swords and masked their faces, radiating lethal intent.
Before I could react, one muttered,
“Start with her first.”
Swish!
A dagger flew at me. I twisted instinctively, narrowly avoiding it.
Whoosh! The dagger whizzed past, sending chills down my spine.
“So you dodged that. You must have some martial training.”
No! I’ve never trained in anything!!
“No time. Let’s just kill them both at once.”
The assassins leapt forward.
“No…!!”
I clutched Suleiman tightly and shut my eyes.
Are we both going to die like this?
At that moment, Ashtar’s words came to me:
‘Water may seem weaker than fire, but it has enough destructive force.’
‘Remember the energy flowing inside you. Ask it to come.’
I focused on the water energy within me, praying as in the dream.
“Please, please save us!”
Boom! A blast of air erupted around me.
The assassins, charging with swords, were thrown across the floor by the shockwave.
“W-what… was that?”
Summoning courage, I peeked at the circle of water that had formed around us.
The sight made my eyes widen.
“That woman wields strange power. We must kill her here to avoid consequences.”
They muttered a spell-like incantation and the protective water vanished.
“Ahh!”
Panicking, I tried to focus again, but the water energy scattered.
“Now! Kill her!!”
“Kyah!”
As the blades aimed at my back, clang!
A curved sword swung at lightning speed, deflecting the daggers.
The assassins staggered, and Suleiman stood before me, his voice dark and menacing.
“…What rats are these?”
“You have no obligation to answer!”
Suleiman deftly avoided a masked attacker and blocked a falling sword above him.
Before the sound of metal clashing faded, he used the momentum to kick the attacker in the side, plunging a sword into his back.
“Ugh!”
“You bastard…!!”
Quickly recovering his sword from the fallen man, Suleiman exchanged blows with the remaining assassin.
Clang, clang. Several strikes passed, but the situation did not change.
Hiding in the corner, I covered my ears, terrified.
“Quite skilled. Who sent you?”
“Shut up!!”
The man attacked with full force, but Suleiman moved as if dancing, effortlessly dodging.
Even though the assassin was skilled, he could not match Suleiman.
Shreeee!
Suleiman’s sword slashed through the assassin’s upper body.
Mortally wounded, the man fell. Suleiman pressed his sword to his neck.
“…One is dead. I’ll spare you to find the mastermind.”
“Ha. If you feared death, you wouldn’t have come this far, foolish prince.”
Suddenly, the man convulsed, vomiting blood, his face smashing into the floor.
Suleiman checked his pulse, speaking in a low tone.
“Dead. He had poison in his mouth.”
He sighed sadly and rose.
In the dark room, two corpses lay sprawled.
Suleiman, bloodied sword in hand, slowly turned to face me.
Seeing me trembling, surprise flashed across his bloodstained face.
“You are… the woman from before.”
