Volume 3, Chapter 38 – The Demon Belood and the Flower Maiden

What am I? Even I have trouble answering that question.

“As I have told you many times, I am Fiene Argentata. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“And yet, you cannot be human.”

“That is true. I am not human.”

“Then why is someone like you acting as a Saint—a symbol of hope for humanity!”

“It was simply a matter of circumstances. Before I knew it, I found myself in this situation. Besides, ‘Saint’ is just what the people around me call me.”

“I see. So you are not yet a Saint, then.”

I’m not sure how he interpreted that, but Belood-san seemed to relax his guard slightly.

Judging by this reaction, I wonder if a Saint is indeed considered an enemy of the Demon Race?

No, this isn’t the time to be pondering that. I feel it would be safer to finish what I need to do and get out of here as quickly as possible.

“We have come to purify this poisonous swamp, which is exerting a negative influence on this forest. Once the purification is complete, we will leave immediately. Will you grant us permission, Belood-sama?”

I began the negotiation with my professional smile.

“…Can you truly do such a thing?”

“Yes. I am a contractor of the Flower Spirit. If the Flower Spirit and I combine our strengths, it is possible to purify the poison eroding this land.”

“…Very well. But if you fail, I will behead every last one of you. Understood?”

“Yes.”

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Phew. Negotiation successful. I’d better wrap this up quickly before this man changes his mind.

“Chris-san, Shizuku-san, Lu-chan, let’s get this over with quickly.”

“Fiene-sama, that man…”

“Chris-san, absolutely not, okay? He hasn’t done anything to us. Even if we’re dealing with a member of the Demon Race, it’s wrong to point a sword at someone who has helped us. Got it?”

“…As you wish.”

“Shizuku-san, please don’t think about asking for a sparring match, either.”

“…It cannot be helped.”

“Lu-chan… you’re fine, right?”

“Eh? What’s that supposed to mean…?”

“No, I just figured Lu-chan wouldn’t go around picking fights indiscriminately.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“I would never—!”

“I would not—!”

Ignoring the two of them as they complained, I approached the poisonous pond and drew the Flower Maiden’s Staff.

“What do you intend to do?”

“Just watch.”

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I swung the staff and summoned Riche.

“What? She can actually use Spirit Summoning? Does that mean she is an Elf after all?”

Ignoring the astonished Belood-san, I proceeded with the purification.

I channeled Holy Attribute Mana into Riche. Receiving it, she soared high into the sky and rained down flower petals.

A storm of flower petals danced across a vast area, covering not only the poisonous pond but also the abandoned village, the surrounding forest, and the mountains on the opposite bank.

“Th-this is…”

Perhaps because I was raining petals over a far wider area than usual, the MP consumption was more intense than normal.

I temporarily stopped the supply of Mana to Riche and downed two MP Recovery Medicines in one go. The terrible taste brought back memories of the Royal Capital.

Glancing up, I saw Riche looking down at me with a worried expression. I gave her a smile and a nod, then resumed the supply of mana, and Riche began raining petals once more.

After repeating this two more times, Riche returned to my side.

I took a seed from Riche and gently tossed it into the pond. Then, after drinking another two MP Recovery Medicines, I passed Holy Attribute Mana to Riche.

Suddenly, the petals drifting on the water’s surface—and those that had fallen upon the village, the forest, and the mountains—all emitted a dazzling light simultaneously.

“Th-this is—!?”

Belood-san seemed to cry out, but I didn’t have the luxury to worry about him.

After a while, the light faded, the petals vanished, and a single, lovely flower bloomed in the pond.

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“Haa… haa… haa…”

Having exhausted my MP, all strength left my body, and Chris-san caught me.

Riche patted my head affectionately, as if telling me I was a good girl, before vanishing back into the tip of the staff. The tip of the Flower Maiden’s Staff returned to its original bud state.

“Fiene-sama, you did well.”

“Thank you. But I really am a bit exhausted.”

“Please lie down and rest for a while.”

With that, Chris-san carried me in a princess carry to the edge of the plaza.

I took a cloth from my Storage, spread it on the ground, and lay down.

“Fiene Argentata, was it? I too have been troubled by that poison. I shall offer my sincere thanks.”

Belood-san approached me and suddenly thanked me.

I was surprised, as I hadn’t expected a thank-you, but it occurred to me that he might be connected to this abandoned village.

“Not at all. I have simply fulfilled my duty.”

“…I see. You there. I wish to speak with Lady Fiene alone. Could you step aside?”

“What! Alone with Fiene-sama!?”

“Chris-san. I’ll be fine, and I don’t sense any ill intent toward me from him.”

“But…”

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“Chris-san! Please.”

“…Very well.”

When I spoke firmly, she reluctantly agreed. With worried expressions, the three of them moved away from us.

Now, the time for the stomach-churning tension begins again.

I must avoid choosing the wrong words and triggering a “everyone dies” ending.

“A wise decision.”

“If it were you, Belood-sama, beheading us would be an easy task, wouldn’t it?”

“You understand well, don’t you? And to keep that stubborn knight from getting angry and doing something to me, you move the others as well. Hmph, a good judgment.”

“Thank you, Belood-sama. And I apologize for being in such a state.”

“No, do not let it trouble you. Moreover, while keeping your identity hidden just to accomplish your goal, even knowing the risks… Hmph, I like it. I’m impressed, Fiene. I shall permit you to address me without honorifics. You could never be one of my subordinates, anyway.”

Wait, is that okay? Suddenly dropping the honorifics? Well, he’s already doing it.

I stared intently into Belood-san’s sharp eyes.

He stared back. I felt as though I saw a faint warmth deep within his eyes, so I decided to trust it.

“I understand. Then, ‘Belood,’ it is. So, what is it that you wish to discuss with me alone?”

“Ah, right. Now then, Fiene. You have not answered my question. I ask you once more. Who are you?”