A Little Push

Sein was still weighing the pitifully small "washbasin" in his hand, looking both amused and exasperated. The priest had already spoken first, interrupting his hesitation.

"Sein, let's look at him first, instead of the washbasin." The priest pointed to a pale-faced villager standing to the side.

Sein then snapped out of his daze, looked at the villagers, and smiled at Lowell and the other two, "Oh, right, brother, these three are the ones who saved me just now." As he spoke, he walked over to the villager and checked his wound. "That was really careless of you. These insects are very poisonous. If I hadn't been there, you would probably have been in danger in about an hour."

As he spoke, he took out the Holy Scripture he always carried with him and gently placed his palm on the villager's shoulder. A soft green light flashed, and the bluish-black complexion on the villager's face faded away at a visible speed.

"Alright." Sein put away the Holy Scripture and clapped his hands. "Then I'll go help out in the square. Lowell, do you guys want to come along? Even though it's just for the Harvest Festival, it still has a festive atmosphere. Plus, there are lots of delicious wild fruits, which are a local specialty."

Lowell nodded. "Oh, you go ahead, we'll be there shortly."

The villager stretched his limbs, feeling much better, and asked incredulously, "Father? I... I'm alright?"

The priest confirmed, "Yes, you are healed."

The villager was immediately full of gratitude, took out a few copper coins from his pocket, placed them on the bench, and left with unsteady steps.

Fern looked at the meager few copper coins and asked softly with a hint of doubt, "Mr. Sein saved his life, and you're only taking this as payment?"

The priest chuckled helplessly. "Haha... In a small place like this, everyone's income is meager. If we asked for more money, I'm afraid no one would dare to come to us."

Lowell chimed in, "Yes, the Balassa-Samuelson effect. If a region has a low overall income level, its purchasing power is naturally limited. To get rich, it needs to find ways to sell its local specialties to more distant places."

Fern blinked. "I haven't heard of this effect you mentioned, but it sounds quite plausible."

The priest waved his hand, steer the conversation back on track, adjusted his glasses, and glanced at Frieren and Lowell, his tone becoming serious. "Let's not talk about that now. What... do you think of Sein?"

Frieren's emerald eyes calmly met his gaze, her tone even yet certain. "The mark around your neck is the holy seal bestowed upon the most outstanding priests in the region by the central Royal Capital of the capital. Even an injury that you, as a specialist in monastic discipline, were powerless to heal, was instantly cured by that fellow. This can only be an innate talent."

A knowing glint flashed in the priest's eyes. "As expected, Lady Frieren understands."

"You know me?" Frieren tilted her head slightly.

"Not only you, but Lord Lowell as well." The priest nodded. "I've heard of both of them from Bishop Heiter. This holy seal was bestowed upon me by Lord Heiter during his visit. But in the end, I'm just a country monk. This is the only thing I can be proud of. My abilities are limited, and I'm content with my current life."

His gaze fell on the church entrance, as if he could see Sein bustling about in the square. His tone was tinged with complexity. "But Sein's talent is something I can't compare to. Our parents died when we were very young, and I, a grown man, raised him from childhood. When he was little, he always clamored to become an adventurer... Back then, his eyes were filled with the light of hope and dreams, and that light told me that he never wanted to become a country monk like me."

The priest sighed. "But now he's exactly like me, living a life of utter boredom. I don't know why." He looked at Frieren and Lowell, his tone pleading. "So, Lady Frieren, Lady Lowell, could you... take that child away? He must be waiting for someone to give him a push from behind..."

Frieren didn't answer immediately, but turned to look at Lowell.

Lowell stroked his chin, his tone languid yet insightful. "Taking him along is no problem. But since he once wanted to become an adventurer but didn't act on it, there must be something on his mind. It's not like I can simply say, 'Come with me, we'll leave tomorrow,' and he'll obediently follow along."

Frieren immediately chimed in, her face clearly showing her aversion to trouble. "I think so too. Let's give up, it's too much trouble."

Fern stood to the side and whispered, "Perhaps... we can think of a way?"

Upon hearing this, the priest adjusted his glasses, and a faint light reflected from the lenses.

He lowered his voice, as if talking to himself. "I remember... I have an ancient book here that describes a magic trick that makes pancakes flip automatically without me watching them. Where is it? Maybe I'll remember..."

"Let's go, quickly recruit him." Frieren flashed and grabbed Lowell's sleeve, her previous look of annoyance vanishing instantly.

Even the usually composed Fern couldn't help but widen her eyes slightly, her hands clenching into fists in front of her chest, her tone carrying a rare hint of excitement. "Oh! This magic is so useful! Lady Frieren!"

The priest, seeing the two men's attitudes suddenly change 180 degrees, gave a peace sign (^-^)V, seemingly pointing to something.

Lowell let Frieren pull him along, chuckled softly, and shook his head.

"Really..."