SBTSML

twenty-two.

"Stop!"

The priest hesitated as he was about to put the dagger to the rabbit's neck. I quickly took the rabbit away from the priest and held it in my arms.

The rabbit dug deep into my arms, perhaps because of the relief that it was still alive.

When the warm body was delivered to the fingertips, I was appalled by the fact that it was almost killed.

"Evelyn. What is this? Give it to me right now."

Count Monstera scolded me unnaturally and harshly. He reached out his hand, asking me to return it.

I shook my head vigorously and shouted.

"No! Must I kill it? It was just born and I made a mistake, and I can't kill it because I turned it into a familiar spirit!"

"Huh..."

Count Monstera sighed, not knowing what to do.

Then the priest said, putting the dagger back in his arms.

"In fact, the only way left is a little tricky, but you don't have to kill it."

Explain that in advance! You almost killed it.

I narrowed my eyes when the priest had the impudence to suggest a second method belatedly.

The priest slipped away from my gaze. Count Monstera asked.

"What is the remaining way?"

"After purifying the beast with holy water, the young lady can tame it."

"How do you tame it?”

"You can name it. The current contract is only temporary. If you decide on a name after the purification and complete the contract, the lady will not be deprived of her divine power at will."

"If that's the case, you could've just told me to do this from the beginning."

When I said to him in disbelief and looked at him with distrustful eyes, the priest replied with a nice smile.

"I thought it was easier to kill the beast because of the high cost of success and the cumbersome contract process."

"It's my daughter's problem. What's the big deal about the money? Let's go to the temple right now."

Count Monstera spoke with a sharp look at the priest.

Then the priest said with a very pleased smile.

"I'll keep in touch with the temple. The young lady just woke up today and is in a weak state, so I'll see you again tomorrow. I'll temporarily block the link between the beast and the young lady."

"Thank you."

Count Monstera replied with a slightly emaciated face. The priest bowed his head and left.

Count Monstera also stayed for a while before returning. The only one left was my mother.

I recalled the priest's behavior. It was strange. Trying to kill a beast in front of a child.

No matter how violent it would have been, if I hadn't stopped it, this warm creature would have died.

It was a little cruel to do so in front of a child.

But when I remembered the priest's last smile, I could guess his intentions.

You were after money from the start.

Since holy water is expensive, it was clear that he hit the target in advance because he might choose to kill it.

Count Monstera must not have realized that the priest's behavior was very bad, because he was so speculative after he heard I was in danger.