Volume 3, Chapter 34 – A Request for the Flower Maiden

“A rabbit-type spirit… actually… eats food…”

“Their appetite is quite similar to Lumia-dono’s, it seems…”

Shizuku-san was the one who responded to my mutterings.

Right now, we are having a celebratory lunch with Sigrisia-san for Lu-chan’s contract with Mashiro-chan.

Sitting across from me, Lu-chan looks delighted as she feeds vegetables to Mashiro-chan.

And surprisingly, even Chris-san—who would normally be the one to stop such behavior—is also helping feed Mashiro-chan.

Maybe she actually likes small animals.

“I wonder if it’s because they take after their owner—I mean, contractor…”

“That may be the case, it seems…”

“Ah! Lu-chan, not meat for the rabbit!”

“Eh?”

I hurriedly stop Lu-chan just as she’s about to give Mashiro-chan some meat.

“Fiene-sama, there is no problem. Spirits are different from animals; it is perfectly fine to give them whatever they wish to eat.”

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“Really? Sigrisia-sama! Here, Mashiro, some Big Boar meat!”

The rabbit happily munches away on a piece of Big Boar steak. I wonder where in that tiny body all that food actually goes.

“Um, Sigrisia-san, should I be feeding my Riche something too?”

“No, spirits do not require meals.”

“Then why is Mashiro-chan eating so much?”

“Well, it is because the contractor is Lumia-sama.”

Hmm? What does that mean?

“It is said that a contracted spirit inherits the Fundamental Trait of their contractor. In Lumia-sama’s case, that trait is likely… eating.”

Ah, I see. When you think of Lu-chan, food is the first thing that comes to mind, so the image fits, but is that really okay?

“Riche-sama should also have inherited Fiene-sama’s Fundamental Trait.”

“Riche too?”

“Yes. While Riche-sama shares physical characteristics with Fiene-sama, that cannot be called a Fundamental Trait. Therefore, I believe she has inherited the essence of what makes Fiene-sama who she is—some kind of trait like that.”

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I wonder what my Fundamental Trait is. I feel like I’ve just been dragged into various events along the way, and that I’m not actually that special on the inside.

“I am sure you will understand in time, so there is no need to think about it so seriously. You are the Maiden of Blossoming Grace and a Saint; you are fulfilling two difficult roles at the same time. Whatever that trait is, it must be something wonderful.”

“I hope so…”

If that’s the case, it sounds like I’ll just keep getting swept along by whatever happens.

“By the way, I would like to request a miracle for our forest soon. Could I ask you to do that?”

“Of course. That’s why I came here. So, specifically, what should I do?”

“Eh?”

“Eh?”

Sigrisia-san wears a look of surprise.

“Um, by any chance, are you not well-acquainted with the mission of the Maiden of Blossoming Grace?”

“Well, all I was told in the Silver Village was that my mission is to purify miasma and Impurity, and that Shiltsa Village needs me.”

“That is correct. Therefore, I would like you to purify the areas around our village. The forests surrounding this village are currently infested with poison, and the forest is gradually losing its strength, transforming into Monster Territory. If this continues, the Spirit Tree and the Shiltsa Lakes will be swallowed by poisonous marshes, and if that flows into the rivers, the downstream areas will also be contaminated. Please, save this forest.”

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“Ah, I see. I understand. Leave it to me.”

“I humbly request your help.”

Apparently, being the Maiden of Blossoming Grace is a job involving nature conservation.

I don’t mind doing this work.

However… is there something we can do about this embarrassing name?

If it were something normal, like “Nature Conservation Officer,” I could introduce myself with pride…

“There were five locations that required purification, but since you purified one on your way here, there are four remaining. Please use this.”

With that, Sigrisia-san hands me a map.

I take the map and check the locations.

Including the place I purified on the way, four of the spots are near the village, so I can get to them quickly, but the final location is quite far.

It’s about a day and a half’s walk southeast from the village, or about a day’s journey west-southwest from the town of Jinsha.

“This distant location is a bit of a pain.”

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“With this layout, it would be best to use the village as a base to finish the three nearby spots, and then stop by the distant location on the way back to Jinsha, it seems. Looking at the map, the terrain doesn’t seem too treacherous.”

“I see.”

“However, before leaving the village, it would be wise to replenish Lumia-dono’s arrows and confirm how much of a combat asset Mashiro is, it seems.”

“You’re right. I’m counting on you, Shizuku-san.”

“We are comrades, after all. There is no need to worry about it, it seems.”

Shizuku-san gave a gentle smile.

“As for the Wind Spirit, Sierra, who serves by my side, can instruct you. Please feel free to seek her help. Also, as for arrows, we have those used by the village Hunters. If those will suffice, I shall provide them to you.”

Sigrisia-san added from the side.

“Are you sure? Thank you so much.”

Elves are great. Unlike humans, I don’t feel any of that messy hidden agenda from them.

I don’t know when it might happen, but living a slow life in an Elf village might be nice.

Across the table, Lu-chan and Mashiro-chan both wore expressions of pure bliss, their bellies full.