Volume 3, Chapter 8 – The Aftermath of the Vampire Incident

“There really is no one here.”

We walked through the town of Tukat as the sun rose. Not a single soul walked the streets that had been so bustling the night before.

The young master who was Safiya-san’s husband, the person who had pointed us toward the inn, the guards we spoke with upon entering the town—not one of them remained.

Yes, not a single person. The area was wrapped in silence; all that could be heard was the sound of the wind blowing sand and the noise of our own footsteps.

After a night’s sleep, I realized the gravity of the situation. Or rather, I was forced to realize it.

“I… I killed innocent people…”

Even if they had become Vampire thralls, I had purified them without question and taken their lives.

“Fiene-sama, that is not the case. The moment one becomes a Vampire thrall, their life as a human ends. All that remains is a fate of being used and discarded as a convenient pawn for a Vampire. Since you were able to return them to peace before they could commit further sins as a Vampire’s pawn, I am sure they are thanking you in heaven.”

“But, wasn’t there some way to save them?”

“I have heard that even the legendary Great Saint could not achieve that. Those turned into thralls have become a different race entirely. It is not a curse or a status ailment. Even if the progenitor Vampire is defeated, they do not return to being human; they continue to wander as Lesser Vampires, accumulating sin. If there is anyone who could return them to normal, it would surely be God alone.”

“…”

Chris-san spoke those words, but I hadn’t actually seen them rampaging, and it wasn’t something I could simply rationalize away.

“That is correct. It was because of Fiene-dono’s light of purification that we were all able to remain unscathed.”

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“Shizuku-san…”

“Onee-sama, why don’t you plant some of Riche-chan’s seeds?”

Ah, I see. That might actually be a good idea.

I waved the Flower Maiden’s Staff and summoned Riche.

“Riche, may I have some seeds?”

Riche gave a beaming smile and produced small seeds. These were seeds of flowers that purify miasma, created by the Flower Spirit. I decided to plant them in the town as a modest offering.

With a prayer that people might one day return to this town and make it vibrant once more, I planted the seeds near the center of the lawn in the middle of the Central Plaza.

Then, I prayed for the repose of the souls of the townspeople.

…

…

…

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go.”

Reαԁ oո ΚαtRеαdіոgСαfе

Having finished my prayer, I called out to the three of them. Chris-san reached out her hand without a word. I grasped her warm hand, and we left the town of Tukat behind.

Only the wind-swept plants and the empty houses saw us off.

◇ ◇ ◇

“I see, so that is what happened.”

Upon returning to Yurgu, we reported the details to the old man who ran the inn. I told him that we couldn’t find her, explained that based on the situation, I had likely purified everyone together, and apologized.

“No, please do not let it trouble you. I do not believe Safiya wished to keep living even as a Vampire’s toy. Thank you for saving my daughter and my son-in-law.”

With those words, the old man forgave me. While I hadn’t fully convinced myself, I felt the weight on my heart lighten slightly.

“Now then, as a thank you for checking on my daughter—”

“No, I cannot accept. We were unable to confirm your daughter’s safety, after all.”

“I see. Is that so? Well, let’s see… if I recall, you all are heading toward the Red Sky Empire? In that case, let me ask a merchant caravan scheduled to stay here starting tomorrow if you can accompany them. How does that sound?”

“Really? Oh, but Shizuku-san is…”

“Nay, I wish to go with you as well. This incident has made me keenly aware of my own immaturity. Besides, I have taken a liking to Fiene-dono. The hope of humanity, was it? Chris-dono.”

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As Shizuku-san directed a pleasant smile toward Chris-san, Chris-san replied that it was indeed so. It was a beautiful exchange, but for me, the fact that she’s the “hope of humanity” while being an “enemy of humanity” in terms of race made my heart race a little.

“It’s settled then. I’ll treat you all to lunch, so please sit and wait. I’ll put my heart and soul into the cooking, so look forward to it!”

“Yay! I can’t wait!”

Lu-chan let out a cry of joy.

“Whoops, I forgot the Elf girl eats a lot. I’ll prepare plenty, so get ready!”

The old man gave a wide, hearty grin and gave a thumbs-up.

“Thank you very much!”

Accompanied by Lu-chan’s smile, the old man disappeared into the back.

“By the way, Onee-sama! My level went up a lot this time!”

“Ah, Lumia’s arrows were a huge help. It was impressive how you took down fourteen Lesser Vampires, if I recall.”

“Heh. Lu-chan worked hard, didn’t she?”

“I did! It’s kind of strange, though—whenever my arrow hit, smoke would go shuu-shuu from the wound, and the Lesser Vampires would turn to ash!”

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Hmm? Smoke going shuu-shuu from the wound… I’ve seen that somewhere.

Ah, could it be?

“Lu-chan, by any chance, were those the arrows I used for my Enchantment practice?”

“Yes! I let Onee-sama use all my arrows for practice.”

“That’s probably because I had enchanted Purification Magic onto Lu-chan’s arrows. I think the Purification Magic I enchanted triggered the moment they hit.”

“Ohhh, I see! Thank you, Onee-sama!”

“You’re welcome. I’m just glad they were useful, even unintentionally.”

As expected, since the holy attribute is a fatal weakness, even low-level Purification Magic seems to be highly effective.

Come to think of it, I wonder what my Status is now?

Just as I thought about checking it, the food was brought out, so I switched my train of thought.

“Now then, this is Shizuku-san’s welcome lunch. Let’s eat!”

We celebrated the addition of a new traveling companion and feasted on the old man’s proud cooking.