The three moved toward the temple, led by High Priest Edgar with confident steps, his hands in his pockets, while Marin gazed at the ecclesiastical scenes around her before turning to them.
Marin: Wait, you said you know Edgar... Were you childhood friends or something?
The Priest: Just acquaintances.
Edgar (in a sarcastic tone): Unfortunately.
The Priest looked at him with clear annoyance.
Marin (speaking while chewing a piece of candy): Oh, so what's your name?
The Priest: I am Ronak, the High Priest of this temple. And what about you, Saintess?
Marin (tilting her head calmly): I'm Marin.
She glanced at Edgar for a moment, then whispered in his ear: Should I tell him my story?
Edgar: I think he knows. The prophecy mentions that the Saintess came from another world.
Marin quietly hummed, then turned back to address Ronak: So, if you know I came from another world... do you know a way to send me back?
Ronak (with surprise): Send you back? The Saintess's place is here, in our world. Why would you want to leave?
Marin (with confusion/agitation): No... I have to go back to Korea... I must find my friend. I think I arrived in this world by mistake, and I didn't come alone... my friend came with me!
Ronak (with curiosity): Your friend? And how did that happen?
Marin (with tension): When I woke up here, there was another girl from my world with me.
Ronak approached her and placed his finger on her forehead, and a glowing celestial mark appeared.
Ronak: This mark confirms that you are the chosen Saintess for our kingdom... So who is the other one?
His expression changed to a worrying look; his eyes narrowed with clear suspicion.
Ronak: That girl who was with you... Tell me, where is she now?
(Marin) hid behind Edgar.
Marin: I don't know yet... one day she suddenly vanished without a trace.
Edgar: (Agreeing) Yes, the other girl really disappeared. Anyway, she might have come by mistake—I don't think that's what you are plotting.
Marin: (With a look of curiosity) What do you mean he's "thinking"?
Ronak: (With frustration) The Saintess of the Cenas Kingdom... That was our chance to hide her from their eyes.
Marin: (Agitated, angry) If you think about hurting my friend, I will kill you!
Ronak: (Pinching the bridge of his nose) We don't mean harm, but to keep her away from them... And maybe all of this is just a hypothesis. So let's focus now on your education and your duty.
Marin: (Raising an eyebrow in question) My duty??
Ronak: You will know when you follow me.
He continues walking, and Edgar and Marin follow him until they reach a huge inner hall, in the center of which stands a giant polar bear statue carved with shimmering crystals on its body.
Marin: (In amazement) Wow... What is this?!
Ronak: This is "Roc" — the legendary beast of our kingdom.
Edgar calmly looks at her astonished expressions, while admiration mixed with fear fills Marin's chest as she stares at the statue; then she returns to ask Ronak in a quiet voice:
Marin: What exactly is my duty towards this legendary beast?
Ronak: (Calmly) To utilize its power for the benefit of the kingdom and to defend us if a war breaks out between the kingdoms and their sacred beasts.
Marin reached out and touched the cold surface of the statue.
Marin: And what exactly is its power?
Ronak: (Folding his arms across his chest) Healing and attack. "Roc" is extremely powerful, but it does not recognize all saintesses as its masters; it grants them a portion of its power. And this portion is enough to cure the royal family's curse and secure the peace of our kingdom.
Marin: (Simply) And what benefit will I gain?
Ronak: (Raising his eyebrow) Aren't these reasons enough?
Marin: (Coldly, rebelliously) No. I don't care about your affairs or the affairs of the royal family — go to hell.
Before she could utter another word, Edgar's hand clamped over her mouth, preventing her from speaking.
Edgar: (Whispering) Don't mind her, she's half-crazy.
Marin looks at Edgar in silent disapproval.
Marin: Half what?
Edgar: (In a strict whisper) Be silent, unless you want to be charged with "insulting the King" and have your head cut off for it.