Boom here's a new chapter. We'll be seeing things from Polly's Past, Natalia's Past, and through Polly's eyes. I will probably do this frequently in order to help show my characters' personalities more. It also helps me show their past without just writing a long conversation with the main character. That just sounds dull. Hope you enjoy.

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Polly’s Flashback

My name is Polly Dreamstone. When I was 9 years old, my parents and I rode a carriage to visit the Classica Kingdom, and I was extremely excited. My parents said that they wanted to visit the Great Classica Library to understand more about me. They told me a bright light enveloped me when I was born, as though I was blessed by the gods.

However, our carriage was assaulted by bandits. The mercenaries my parents hired were quickly killed, and they came for my family next. My father and mother smothered me in clothes and told me not to make a sound. I heard their pleas for mercy before being killed. I was so afraid…I could hear the bandits making their way to me. Closer and closer their footsteps moved. My tears flowed endlessly from grief over my parents’ deaths and fear of my own.

All of a sudden, I heard a horse neighing loudly and the bandits crying for help. After a while, someone pulled the clothes off of me. It was a beautiful woman with long blonde hair carrying a bloody sword in her hand. She found me and helped me to mourn my parents’ deaths. I cried non-stop for a whole hour, yet she only continued to rub my back and gently tell me it’s alright.

I later learned that her name was Natalia Ernst. She told me that she was tired of days full of fighting and death. Thus, she was giving up her mercenary lifestyle and relocating to the Renaissance kingdom. She asked me if I wished to live with her, and I readily agreed. I had no other family to rely on, and something inside me told me she was a good person. When Natalia suddenly joined the Temple of Artemis and was appointed Head Priestess, I decided to follow her path as well. In a way, she is my idol and the embodiment of who I wish to become. For 13 years, Natalia has raised me as her own child, and I am truly thankful to her.

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Natalia Flashback

It’s already been 13 years since I’ve adopted Polly and become a Head Priestess. Who would have thought that I, once known as the Crimson Lily due to always being covered in my enemy’s blood, would end up a temple woman? It’s a laughable thought. However, I still remember the events that led up to my arrival in this kingdom. When I was planning to retire from my mercenary life in search of peace 13 years ago, I heard a voice call out to me. The voice gave me a message that shocked me. “Head to the Renaissance Kingdom to find the life you seek.”

I, with nothing left to lose, decided to follow the mysterious voice’s message. On my way to the kingdom, a group of bandits attacked a carriage, and I ran out to slaughter them. After slicing the neck of the last bandit, I heard sniffling coming from the carriage and found a young girl. Most likely, her parents were just killed. What should I do? Can I really care for a young girl like this? Am I even allowed to with my dirty hands? As I sat down comforting the child, I made my resolve to adopt and care for her.

When we arrived in the kingdom, I rented a room at the Grest’s Rest. Polly was exhausted after the ordeal and immediately passed out on the bed. I too prepared to rest until that mysterious voice reappeared, calling me to the Temple of Artemis. Obediently, I arrived at the temple and began to pray. It was the goddess Artemis who was speaking to me! She said she felt the goodness in my heart and appointed me the Head Priestess of the Temple. This is insane! The Head of the Temple is in essence the highest power of the kingdom! I can’t handle this! True, this kingdom is not that large, but it’s still a scary position! However, the goddess assured me that I was the most qualified and presented me a golden necklace to symbolize my position to the populace. If I wore this, no one will object to my appointment. Her final words to me were “Peace will remain in this kingdom depending on your efforts, but peace of the world is intertwined with the fate of your child. That is what the Moirai have told me.”

I was flabbergasted as I returned to the inn. The goddess talked to me, my efforts can bring peace to this kingdom, and Polly is a key to returning peace to the world? I pinch myself several times in order to confirm if this was a dream or not. However, I only feel pain and wake up to reality. Bruno saw my necklace and understood what it signified. Excitedly, he cheered that a beautiful woman was taking control of the kingdom! That earned him a punch in the head by his wife. Haha he’s such a character.

The next day, I was officially introduced as the Head Priestess by Bruno to the citizens of the kingdom, and I feared their resentment. However, to my surprise, they cheered for me once they saw my necklace. I guess it's the symbol of the leader chosen by Artemis, so no one has any qualms about it. Many of the men asked me to marry them, but I kindly refused. Polly resolutely decided to join me as a Priestess in training, and together, we have spent the past 13 years protecting the peace of the kingdom. With all my heart, I always ask the citizens to not fight anymore and instead get along. There were a few spats in the beginning, but there is now a tacit understanding to avoid conflict.

Now, I truly feel that the peace I was searching for is here. I spend much of my time mediating affairs and conversing with the citizens. It is quite funny that I still have suitors despite my age. However, the number of suitors aiming for Polly increases every day. Thus, I decided to teach Polly how to defend herself from them if need be. It is quite sad, but I am a failure as a priestess. I am incapable of any sacred arts, so my appointment as the Head Priestess honestly makes no sense. I can’t teach Polly anything in regards to that. Instead, she should teach me! When she was 15, she learned to use healing and barrier magic by herself! When I asked her how she learned to do it, she told me she could use it when she woke up. I was both extremely proud and jealous of her that day.

Polly’s destiny, however, has me worried for her safety. What kind of dangers would she run into if trying to restore the peace of the world? I must resolve myself to the fact that she will be leaving one day to do great things. Until that day comes, I will do everything in my power to prepare her for those hardships.

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Present day, Polly POV

Today is another great morning. Natalia is currently meditating on how to best protect the citizens from the surge in monster attacks. She’s so admirable. Thus, I must welcome all the citizens coming to pray at the temple today. Despite being so early, a crowd of people arrived. It’s the suitors again…

Man A: “Please marry me!”

Man B: “No you dolt. Why would she marry you if she has me?”

I groan inside. I’ve spent most of my life as a priestess in training, and I rarely interact with men. Usually, Natalia deals with these guys. Oh what do I do, what do I do…

Polly: “Please um…stop fighting…Fighting isn’t a good thing at all…”

Ah, it’s no good. No one can hear me. I don’t know how I became an idol to these people. I’m extremely shy unlike Natalia, yet she tells me the number of suitors climb by the day… Dealing with all of these men at once is so scary…Ah! It’s Bruno! I’m saved. Since I met Bruno at his inn 13 years ago, his family has taken care of both Natalia and me. They are really good people.

This crowd has already gotten me exhausted, causing me to fall on my knees. Hm? A young man is offering me his hand to pull me up. Before I grab it, I see his face…and oh my god he’s so handsome! His green eyes look right back at me, and I get this warm gentle feeling from him. Oh no…if I touch him, I will probably think of something indecent…but I want to touch him…Ah! Stop thinking dirty thoughts!!!

I was pulled up by this young man, but just his touch has caused me to become extremely hot inside. My blood feels like its boiling, and I almost faint from it. A voice immediately rings out in my head.

“Your destiny has begun, maiden of the sacred arts. The Conductor has arrived to begin his perilous journey. I, Polyhymnia, have officially accomplished my duty per the wish of my master, Apollo.”

Ehhhhhhh?!! I am so confused right now…what destiny? What conductor? Oh, it’s no good. I should ask Bruno what he needs so that I can run to Natalia and ask her what to do.

After stumbling through my lines, I dash into Natalia’s room.

Natalia: “Polly, is something wrong? Normally, you would knock before entering.”

Polly: “N-Natalia…I feel weird. A young guy outside touched me, and my body got hot…”

Natalia: “Oh my, was there a suitor that struck your fancy? Oh look at you, all grown up now haha!”

Polly: “No no no! He wasn’t a suitor. Bruno brought a man over to the temple because of his special destiny or something. Once I touched him, Polyhymnia spoke to me and told me that my destiny has begun. What does that mean?”

Natalia shot upwards and became serious.

Natalia: “Your destiny has begun?!! I see…I was told that the Fates informed Artemis of your destiny being intertwined with the peace of the world. Perhaps it has finally begun.”

Polly: “Wh-what?? Peace of the world? I already have my hands full with helping you!”

Natalia: “Polly, I have seen you do many many incredible things. Your healing and barrier magic qualify you for such an ordeal. You do realize that in this world, healing and barrier magic is usually granted by the gods themselves? To awaken with it is unheard of. I resolved myself of your fate long ago, which is partially why I chose to train you to defend yourself. If I could increase your chance of living by just 1%, then my effort was worth it.”

Polly: “Natalia…I understand. It seems I might have something crazy in store for me huh?”

Natalia: “Indeed. Probably not as crazy as a blood-thirsty mercenary becoming a priestess right?”

The two of them began to laugh.

Natalia: “Now then, is there anything you can tell me about that young man?”

Polly: “Well…he was really good looking? I got this warm gentle feeling from him. Oh! Polyhymnia said something about the Conductor arriving when he touched me.”

Natalia: “What?!! That young man is a conductor? Ok, now I really need to see him. Handsome and a conductor. Ha! You sure got mixed up with one incredible guy. Take me to him.”

With her face completely beet red, Polly led Natasha to the statue of Artemis. Despite her apparent embarrassment, she was definitely interested in seeing that young man again. Hopefully, she won't do anything too strange to him...

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I hope you enjoyed learning about Polly's past. I also hope you love her character. I find that characters who deviate from their projected role are extremely endearing. Now, that won't always be the case with my characters, but it is here. As already stated, her healing and barrier magic are incredible innate talents granted by the Muse Polyhymnia. If you are confused at the difference between her barrier magic and Itsuki's Barrier Symphony, I can explain it here. Her barrier magic is relatively easy for her to cast, and it affects a small radius of her choosing. Barrier Symphony is an intensive skill requiring the use of many people, so it can't be used easily. In fact, he might use it soon...Thank you for reading!