"Where the dawn shines, faith will ultimately burn!"

——"Words of the Dawn God" / Chapter on Gods and Believers

……

Knock, knock, knock.

A few knocks on the door, and Aunt Mima's voice came through: "Miss Geling, the water downstairs is ready. I've found some clothes for you, though I'm not sure if they'll fit."

Ogre closed the Words of the Dawn God, stood up, and opened the door.

Who knows where Aunt Mima found those clothes, but when held up next to Ogre, they seemed to fit quite well.

After comparing the clothes, Mima rolled them up and took Ogre's hand: "Such beautiful hands, clearly never suffered much. Come, dear, let me take you for a bath and wash away the unpleasantness of the journey."

"I... I..."

The sudden warmth made Ogre's eyes widen slightly. He quickly shook his head and then pointed to himself.

To indicate that he could manage on his own.

Seeing the slightly panicked Ogre, Mima felt a twinge of pity. She had just learned about Geling's 'past' from Macal.

"Are you shy?" Mima asked tentatively.

Ogre shook his head, pointed to himself, and held up one finger.

What a joke, who lets someone help them bathe?

That would ruin everything.

"Alright, strong girl."

Mima glanced at Ogre's flat chest and then at 'her' youthful face.

In an instant, she imagined a story of a relative's death, a collapsed support, and a forced strength.

'Poor child... not even as old as Maggie (her daughter).' Mima sighed inwardly and took Ogre's hand.

Then carefully led her down the stairs.

"Dear, let me help you wash your hair."

After placing the clothes aside, Mima offered to help. Washing the hair first would make it easier to clean the body afterward.

Besides, washing the hair of a nun from the Church of Dawn was considered an honor for believers—in the Doctrine, all missionary nuns were daughters of God, sacred.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Only when they married would this identity be automatically lifted.

Therefore, knights of the church took pride in marrying a nun.

"Hmm..."

Looking at the eager Aunt Mima, Ogre thought for a moment and decided not to refuse.

He felt that refusing again would be unreasonable.

But in doing so...

It seemed inconvenient to reapply his facial disguise.

'Forget it... I didn't use much makeup this time anyway.'

Ogre was quite confident in his appearance.

Although he didn't particularly like his girlish face, it could be useful at times.

After weighing the pros and cons, Ogre decided to remove his disguise. Otherwise, the hot water might melt the carefully crafted 'mask.'

Better to take it off early and have an explanation.

"Sit down, child." Mima brought over a bucket and took a wooden basin from the shelf.

Her voice was filled with the hearty spirit unique to frontier people.

"Hmm..." Ogre gestured to his face and waved his hand.

"What's wrong... oh, my goodness!"

As Ogre removed the disguise from his face, Mima understood why the 'girl' before her wore a false mask.

Even as a woman with children, she couldn't help but gasp at the sight of this face.

For a moment, her limited vocabulary left her at a loss for words to describe such beauty.

It was a face that could captivate any woman.

'No wonder... if those noble young masters saw this, they'd go crazy.'

Mima didn't ask Ogre why he wore a disguise.

Because beauty had already provided the answer.

"Hmm..."

Ogre made a soft sound and then obediently sat on the stool, removing his hairband and lowering his head.

Ogre felt no threat from Mima, so he was comfortable letting her help.

Speaking of which, Ogre had never let anyone help wash his hair.

From childhood, Ogre's hair was never too long, and he would cut it when it grew a bit.

Later, to blend into human society without standing out, he let his hair grow.

Ogre's hair grew quickly.

Recently, he had been busy, and in just half a month, it had grown about ten centimeters. Now, with the hairband removed, the longest strands reached his chest.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

Mima gently touched Ogre's hair, scooping water to wash it.

'Such a girl, if only she could stay... it's just a pity she's half-mute.'

Ogre's long hair was soft and fine, pleasant to touch, making Mima silently sigh at the difference between commoners and pampered flowers.

"If only I had a daughter like you." Mima smiled wistfully.

Ogre blinked, feeling that Mima talked a bit too much...

But he didn't mind.

After losing his father, he rarely experienced such homely chatter.

Yard, though a good teacher in Ogre's eyes, was too strict to provide a sense of belonging.

'Unfortunately, there's no if...'

Ogre wouldn't stop moving forward, at least not until he achieved his goals.

"All done." After drying Ogre's hair, Mima gently patted his shoulder.

"Tha..."

Ogre adjusted his voice to express gratitude.

"Go bathe, dear. If the water cools, it'll harm your body." Mima checked the water temperature and added some hot water.

Ogre pretended to be shy, waiting quietly for Mima to leave before heaving a sigh of relief.

After ensuring the door was securely locked.

Ogre confidently changed out of his clothes—the ones from the Goblin's lair, which felt unclean even after washing...

Soaking his body in the water, Ogre began to contemplate his next plan.

Considering the agreed time, he had about seventeen days before he could visit the bell tower to meet the mysterious priest teacher...

Should he go then?

Ogre felt uncertain. Initially, he believed Yard wouldn't harm him—after all, if he wanted to, he could have done so long ago.

Why bother teaching him?

Not to mention, he couldn't defeat Yard.

But... Thrandic's words made Ogre hesitate.

'Vampire... Mutant.'

Ogre suddenly thought of the witch who was burned not long ago and her crimes.

'Although I just happened to witness that... does it mean there's a mutant organization here?'

The word 'harboring' isn't used lightly.

At least two or more mutants must be involved for it to be mentioned in the crimes.

'Perhaps I can start by investigating the mutants.'

Ogre decided to explore tonight. He felt this village wasn't simple—having a priest of that level come for judgment suggested something significant.

After all, Ogre hadn't expected to be brought to a small village. He thought that after showing his badge, he would at least be taken to a town-level area.

Maybe even directly into a city.

'It's not a bad idea to contact a wizard in advance.' Ogre thought to himself.

It didn't take long for Ogre to quickly and skillfully wash his body.

Ogre usually paid attention to hygiene, washing more frequently than those nobles who only appeared clean on the surface.

It was a habit formed since childhood.

Bathing was one of the best ways to remove scent and hide one's trail.

Whenever preparing to change hiding places, Ogre's father would have him clean his body in advance, emphasizing efficiency and speed.

There were a few hot springs in the caves on the mountain.

Those were places Ogre often stayed in his childhood, very safe, though obtaining food was troublesome...

Unless he stole Demon Claw Eagle eggs.

Otherwise, much time would be wasted going up and down the mountain.

Back then, to protect young Ogre, his father placed him in the mountain caves.

It wasn't until he grew up that Ogre understood why 'home' was on the mountain.