Volume 2, Chapter 4 – The Elf Misunderstands Too

“Saint-sama, Holy Knight-sama. Thank you.”

“All is As God wills it.”

This is a convenient phrase I’ve recently learned.

If I try to be modest, it can lead to exchanges like “Oh, it was nothing” and devolve into pointless conversation, but this way, it doesn’t sound cold and avoids unnecessary complications.

After handing the ruffians over to the guards, the three of us—myself, the Elf girl, and Chris—are now sitting in chairs in a room at the guard station.

“Let me introduce myself properly. I am Fiene Argentata. This is Christina, the Holy Knight.”

“I’m Lumia. Um, I’m an Elf.”

Her name seems to be Lumia.

Apparently, the rule that Elves are beautiful applies in this world too.

She’s shorter than me, and her features look youthful.

She might even be younger than me.

Lumia-san then asks me a question, looking rather hesitant.

“Um, Fiene-sama, you’re a Saint-sama, right?”

“Well, technically, I’m a Saint Candidate. I don’t consider myself someone as impressive as a Saint, but Chris-san, the Holy Knight, chose me. It’s more like a matter of circumstance.”

“I see… Um, those ears… does Saint-sama have Elf blood?”

“No, I don’t. People often mistake me for having Elf blood, but I’m a Vampire.”

“Huh? But you were walking outside earlier, and also—”

“I am a Vampire, but I enjoy sunbathing and can use Holy Magic and Healing Magic.”

“…Huh.”

Lumia-san looks deeply skeptical.

Rеαⅾ οո ΚаtRеαⅾіոɡСαfе

Ah, she definitely doesn’t believe me. This exchange feels oddly nostalgic.

“Lumia-dono, may I have a word? Actually, Fiene-sama is…”

With that, Chris-san tries to whisper something into Lumia-san’s ear.

I can hear every word, you know!

And then Lumia-san’s expression visibly darkens, turns tearful, and then becomes one of pity.

Yeah, yeah, I bet she’s thinking ‘Chuunibyou,’ right?

“Saint-sama, you’re heading to the Silver Village, um, the High Elf village in what humans call the Far North, right?”

“Yes, that’s the plan. But before that, if it’s alright, could you tell me about Spirit Summoning?”

“…I’m sorry. I… I haven’t made a contract with a spirit yet. So, I can’t show you Spirit Summoning.”

“Do you need a contract with a spirit to use Spirit Summoning?”

“Yes. Spirit Summoning is a Unique Skill of the Elf race that summons a contracted spirit. If Saint-sama possesses Spirit Summoning, I think you can form a contract with a spirit by visiting an Elf village.”

I see. So I can form a contract if I go to a village. That’s good to know.

If I can contract with a spirit that can dish out some serious damage, grinding EXP should become much easier.

“Is that so? Thank you. Um, if you’d like, shall we escort you to the Elf village you’re from? With Chris-san here, we’ll be safe even if bandits appear.”

“…Actually, I’m not from a village. My family—my parents, my little sister, and I—lived alone in the forest. We were living happily together, but then humans suddenly came, and my father…”

Lumia-san, forcing the words out as if vomiting them, began to sob.

I was hoping I might be able to form a spirit contract, but it seems I’ve made her recall something she’d rather forget.

She was kidnapped to be a slave, so bringing up such topics was inconsiderate.

I must reflect.

Rеаd оո ΚаtReаⅾіոgСafe

“…I’m sorry for making you remember something painful.”

I wait quietly for the sobbing Lumia-san to calm down.

“I’m sorry. It’s okay. Um, Saint-sama. If it’s alright… could I come with you to the Silver Village? I think I’d be safe from humans there. But… traveling alone is a bit scary…”

I see. Our destination is the same, and taking along an Elf we rescued to an Elf village would probably leave a good impression.

Besides, if we left her in this town, she might get kidnapped again.

“That’s fine. Let’s go together, Lumia-san. Since you’ll have a chance to speak with important people, we can ask them to help search for your family’s whereabouts.”

“Ah, thank you!”

“Chris-san, is that alright with you?”

“Of course. I was certain you would say that, Fiene-sama.”

It’s not like I’m doing this out of pure altruism. It’s just convenient for me this time. I don’t intend to go around helping everyone and everything, you know.

After that, Lumia-san, Chris-san, and I boarded the carriage sent from the Count’s estate and left the guard station.

By the way, the other women will apparently stay at an inn arranged by the guards. The basic plan is to return them to their parents, but if contact can’t be made or they refuse, the Temple will take them in.

They were very grateful to us. I never imagined there was a slave trader’s base in a place like that, but it all worked out in the end.

“Still, I never thought I’d live to see an Enslavement Curse Mark dispelled with my own eyes.”

Chris-san, sitting across from me in the carriage, says this with a hint of excitement.

“Is that… really such an amazing thing?”

“It’s beyond amazing. Dispelling an Enslavement Curse Mark… I’ve only heard of the legendary Great Saint doing such a thing.”

“Huh?”

“In other words, what you accomplished, Fiene-sama, is a feat achieved by no one but the legendary Great Saint.”

Wh-What did you say?!

Reаԁ oո ΚаtRеаⅾіոɡСαfе

“Really?”

“Of course. Even the Temple in the Royal Capital cannot dispel that. That’s precisely why the Enslavement Curse Mark is considered a forbidden curse worldwide.”

“Saint-sama really is amazing!”

“That’s right. Fiene-sama is amazing. I even believe she may be the return of the legendary Great Saint.”

“Amazing…”

“And that’s not all. Fiene-sama has been accomplishing incredible things this whole time. For example…”

Chris-san gleefully begins to recount my past deeds, heavily embellished.

Oh no. I can practically feel the image of me in Lumia-san’s head getting more and more idealized by the second.

“U-Um, Lumia-san. We’re going to be traveling together and all, so… could you maybe lower the bar a little? I’d really appreciate it…”

“This too is Fiene-sama’s virtue. No matter how magnificent her deeds, she would never boast of her achievements to others.”

“Saint-sama! As expected of you!”

Ah, screw it. Whatever happens, happens~

…

…

Wait. It’s too early to give up. I have to do something about this stiff atmosphere at least.

“So, you see, there’s no need to be so formal. Our journey will be long.”

“I see. In that case, Fiene-sama, how about trying to call Lumia by a nickname? That might help close the distance.”

“That might actually work. Lumia-san, would it be alright if I called you by a nickname?”

“Of course! Saint-sama!”

Rеaⅾ оո КatRеaԁіnɡСаfе

Hmm, her name is Lumia… Let’s see… Should I go with ‘-chan’?

Lu, Lu, Lu… Lu… Hmm. Got it.

“How about ‘Lu-chan’?”

“Yes, I’d love that! Saint-sama!”

That changed absolutely nothing!

“Alright then, Lu-chan, please stop calling me ‘Saint-sama.’ Something less formal, please.”

“Eeeeeeh?”

Why does she look so dissatisfied?

“Lumia, there’s no need to be so overly respectful. Fiene-sama is a kind person. For instance, why not try treating her like an older sister?”

“An older sister? Hmm… I never had an older sister…”

“Then, for the duration of the journey, you could think of Fiene-sama as your real sister and treat her accordingly. That would be alright with you too, Fiene-sama, wouldn’t it?”

“Eh? Ah, yes… Wait, what? Yes?”

“Lumia, isn’t that wonderful?”

The moment she heard that, Lu-chan’s face lit up.

“Yes, Onee-sama!”

Seeing Lu-chan’s smiling face as she says things like “I always wanted an older sister!”… I didn’t have the courage to say, “Actually, that’s embarrassing, please stop.”

By the way, Lu-chan’s actual age is 13, just as she looks. I’ve set my age as 14, so I’m the older one.

Huh? What do you mean I’m only 1 year old in this world?

Seriously, what are you even talking about? Men who get hung up on little details aren’t popular with women, you know?