Show Me Your Stats!-Chapter 176

“This tea is made from safflowers picked and dried just as winter begins. If you drink a cup before leaving the mountain, you won’t be attacked by ma-beasts...”

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As she listened to the explanation about the drying temperature, duration, and which parts to remove, Ayra opened the Favorability log.

Normally, Ayra’s Favorability notifications were set to only trigger for individuals she deemed important. Ever since public approval began to rise, she’d been getting multiple alerts per second. Naturally, Act wasn’t even remotely near the category of someone she considered important.

Looking at Act’s Favorability log, the moments when his score had increased were very clear. Once, during the Morunka Temple festival when she delivered a bulk supply of Skit silk; and again, when Bloom had singlehandedly defeated Sobletz’s army.

Come to think of it, during Hera’s marriage blessing event as well...

[Attera te Act’s Favorability has increased by 3! Current Favorability: –41]

[Attera te Act’s Favorability has decreased by 4! Current Favorability: –45]

...Huh? Did I see that wrong? Wasn’t there just a message that his Favorability had gone up?

There definitely had been a moment where it increased before immediately dropping. Thinking back, just before that, she had offered a detailed theological interpretation of Zamravia Chapter 9, Verse 3 during his meditation. If that was the reason—then, really, raising his Favorability was absurdly simple. Act, if this were a game, was an NPC with one of the most transparent strategies imaginable.

Only now did Ayra understand why Pebble had instructed her to have a conversation with Solar’s High Priest on the topic of religion during the quest . She nodded as if paying close attention to Act’s explanation and said:

“Indeed, it sounds like the most fitting tea for sensing the grace of Morunka.”

“...That is correct.”

Though he still sent her a dubious look, the cold aura that had lingered on Act’s face softened slightly. Normally, flower teas were expected to have a fragrance, but this safflower tea had none—only a faint sweetness. Ayra nonetheless took a slow sip, pretending to appreciate its nonexistent aroma, then got to the point.

“As High Priest, you must be deeply knowledgeable in doctrine. I’ve come because there’s something I’d like to discuss.”

“As a child of God, I do understand the basic doctrines. What is it that brings you here?”

His frosty stare conveyed that if she asked some foolish question, he’d drop her Favorability by 30 on the spot.

Well, I guess I used to get annoyed, too, when juniors asked obvious questions they could answer just by reading. The tougher the question, the more impressive I found them. Is it the same feeling? Alright, I get it.

Drawing on her own past experience to form a strategy, Ayra gave a serene smile. She set down her teacup and began.

“As you know, the earthquake recently damaged the city walls, and we had to hastily reinforce them with wooden barriers.”

“Yes, I remember that incident greatly increased the number of fearful prayers among the faithful.”

“Since it’s hard to find usable timber in Solar, I had to cut down some trees behind the lord’s estate—at a place called the Dragon’s Rest. But while clearing the area, we uncovered a dragon statue. So I’m thinking of designating the site as a sanctuary.”

As expected, Act’s face froze at those words. His voice turned cold as he replied:

“Solar is a land that worships God, not dragons.”

“Yes, Solar is Morunka’s land. Are not all the mountains and rocks His bones, the land and soil His flesh?”

Act gave no response, simply listening with a frosty expression. His face clearly said, Why am I wasting my time with this conversation? It was only out of respect for Ayra’s title as lord that he was tolerating the discussion at all. Ayra, unconcerned, continued speaking.

“‘Genesis, Chapter 5, Verse 7—The Lord pressed His finger to the mountain, and it crumbled into the earth. When He pressed again, flowers sprouted from the shallow soil; at a second press, four-legged creatures crawled forth; and at the third, humans rose up. Finally, when He pressed a fourth time, beasts emerged and howled thrice.’”

As Ayra recited the scripture without hesitation, a flicker of interest appeared in Act’s previously indifferent eyes. ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) Even while being overworked since arriving in Solar, Ayra had never neglected her religious studies. She believed that as lord, it was essential to deeply understand the religion that shaped her people’s lives. Now, that knowledge was paying off in her conversation with Act.

“According to this, all things that arise from the earth are Morunka’s creations.”

“That is correct.”

“But did you know this? That ma-beasts are born from within the earth.”

For the first time, Act’s expression wavered, his eyebrows twitching.

In this world, little was known about ma-beasts. Most were hostile to humans, and upon death, they left behind no corpses—not even bones. As a result, people generally assumed ma-beasts either reproduced like animals or emerged from the air.

Even for Ayra, a ma-beast researcher, their origins and deaths had always been a mystery. But unlike before, she now had a dragon lover.

One night, Ayra had pried information out of Janus using a “strip show” system—one article of clothing per question. The results were astonishing, even to her as a researcher. What Janus revealed was this:

“Ma-beasts are born deep underground, near where lava flows.”

“That deep? So how exactly are they born?”

“One piece of clothing per question. Take something off. Damn... you’re wearing a lot. Well, that’s fun in its own way.”

While admiring her undressing with great satisfaction, Janus shared the rest:

“When you heat a magic stone enough, it melts. It flows with the lava and forms a crystal. Around that crystal, a ma-beast is born... Come closer, Ayra.”

“One step equals one question. Then—how are magic stones created?”

“Expensive question. I like it. Let’s continue. Think of it as a cycle.”

“A cycle?”

“When humans use magic stones, the steam seeps into the earth. So in areas where humans live, the steam concentration is too high, and ma-beasts rarely form.”

“So using magic stones makes the earth absorb steam...”

“Ma-beasts that aren’t caught by humans get eaten by dragons. And dragons that fail to find a mate burrow deep into the earth and throw themselves into lava. Their magic stones melt and flow again... Anyway, don’t you have more questions? I’d like to see your back now.”

Ayra still had gloves, a scarf, and socks left. After satisfying her academic curiosity, she’d gone on to enjoy a fun night with Janus. Now, recalling that memory, she realized she could use this information in her conversation with Act.

“I’ve done extensive research on ma-beasts in the labyrinth. So of course I know about their ecology. Ask any seasoned ma-beast hunter—they’ve all seen them emerge from underground.”

Act remained silent, not out of denial, but confusion. As the scriptures did not mention such things, even a High Priest had no rebuttal.

“And the magic stones extracted from ma-beasts are immensely useful to humans. Isn’t that similar to safflowers? A grace of Morunka that can only be obtained through hardship. Even in this very room, a fire fueled by magic stones is keeping us warm.”

Now, deep furrows formed between Act’s brows. Lost in thought, his gaze turned to the brazier where the magic stone blazed. Then, turning back to Ayra with a chilling expression, he asked:

“So what exactly is the relationship between ma-beasts and dragons?”

“Dragons are ma-beasts. They’re born deep underground and have magic stones in their bodies, too.”

Like most people, Act had never connected dragons and ma-beasts. He stared in shock.

“...Dragons are ma-beasts? My lord, how would you know such a thing?”

“I met a dragon in person. Observed and questioned him myself. What, do I sound like I’m lying? Maybe you’ve lived your whole life in Solar, but I’m a mage who’s traveled all over this world.”

Upon hearing Ayra had personally met a dragon, Act once again fell silent, confusion clouding his face. Half-believing, half-doubting, he finally protested:

“But ma-beasts and dragons are wicked creatures who kill and massacre humans. How could they be creations of Morunka?”

“I won’t deny that dragons kill humans. But isn’t that also part of Morunka’s trials? Parables, Chapter 12, Verse 4—Let no man dare question the deeds of God. What about when dragons bind themselves to humans and become their guardians? Besides, animals that give us meat and hide also sometimes kill humans.”

Taking advantage of Act’s disoriented state, Ayra pressed on, citing more scripture.

“Safflowers are both trials and blessings given by God. Then why should it be impossible that He gave us other forms of trial and grace as well? Don’t doubt.”

Then, smiling softly, Ayra said gently:

“You too will meet a dragon someday.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, who knows how things will unfold? There might be a dragon closer than you think.”

Ayra smiled meaningfully. There was a reason she kept bringing up dragons. If Act were to become her retainer, he needed to be prepared. If he viewed dragons as evil or demonic, things could get very complicated later.