Volume 1, Chapter 73 – A Brief Respite

With the Moon Dragon, their greatest enemy, defeated, the situation progressed smoothly thereafter.

The paladins in the square seemed to ignore the Moon Dragon and Fia nearby, rushing instead into the ruined temple to rescue survivors. Anastasia reunited with the imperial guards who had arrived upon hearing the news, while Claire sheathed her weapons and stood quietly behind Fia.

As for Fia herself, she focused her attention on the unconscious gray-haired girl.

“This should do it.”

Retrieving the silver dagger she had obtained from the desert cabin from her spatial backpack, Fia carefully separated the chaos from the gray-haired girl’s chest. She then healed the wound caused by the dagger with Basic Water Healing and finally covered the girl’s chest with a handkerchief.

“Thank you, Princess of the Elves.” The Moon Dragon, standing behind Fia, bowed its head. Due to the immense force of Fia’s final punch, even after healing itself, the dragon’s speech remained slightly slurred. “I apologize for today’s events. Were it not for you, both I and Tilulu would have perished here.”

“It’s fine. None of my people were hurt. The ones who should apologize are the paladins over there.” Fia waved her hand dismissively. “Besides, you were under the control of chaos. Harming others wasn’t your intention.”

“The weak do not deserve my respect. Mere humans—if they die, so be it. Originally, we intended to delve underground to rescue the Third Princess of the Elf Kingdom, to earn your favor. At the same time, we planned to plant the seed given to us by the Absolute Evil. However, that seed turned out to be chaos, and before we realized it, the Seed of Chaos had taken over our minds. Once we return, we will settle the score with the Absolute Evil. Once again, thank you, Princess of the Elves.”

As the Moon Dragon spoke, it extended a single claw toward Fia.

Was this a gesture for a handshake?

Fia wasn’t entirely familiar with the customs of the World Tree Continent, but standing there awkwardly was unbearable. After a moment’s thought, she reached out and grasped the dragon’s sharp talon with her right hand.

The dragon made a satisfied sound, retracting its claw before picking up the unconscious gray-haired girl from the ground.

“With this, our contract is sealed. We—Radric the Moon Dragon and Tilulu of the Cold Moon—owe you a debt. Should you ever need us, do not hesitate to call upon us. Also,” the Moon Dragon tilted its head slightly, its wise blue eyes fixed on the dagger in Fia’s hand, “if I recall correctly, this belonged to the previous Miracle Witch, the Witch of Hope. Are you a member of the Witch’s Hall?”

Witch’s Hall?

The Secret History of Witches contained extensive information about the Witch’s Hall. It was a loosely organized yet mutually supportive group. Only a witch of the Ninth Tier could be called a Miracle Witch, and only a Miracle Witch could command other witches single-handedly.

Was the corpse she had cremated in the desert a Miracle Witch?

Lost in thought, Fia shrugged.

“I came across this by chance. If you know its owner, you can return it for me.”

“The Witch of Hope was last seen a century ago. Who knows if she even left any descendants? For her relic to end up in your hands is fate. Keep it as your own.” The Moon Dragon nudged its broken horn toward Fia. “Take this as a token of my apology. I must now take Tilulu back to the Cold Moon to recuperate.”

With a gentle flap of its wings, the Moon Dragon named Radric stirred up a gust of wind that forced everyone to squint. Just before leaving, it suddenly lowered its head again, as if remembering something.

“By the way, the magic and strength you displayed were no weaker than mine, far surpassing the world’s description of you as a ‘Seventh-Tier’ mage. Especially [Mental Shock], which you cast without incantation repeatedly—even a Miracle Witch pales in comparison. I have a question, if the Princess of the Elves would indulge me.”

Rеаԁ on КаtRеαԁiոgСafе

Fia nodded slightly, indicating she would answer.

The Moon Dragon pondered briefly.

“Was the magical disaster in the Dry Desert your doing?”

Fia couldn’t help but smile.

“If you’re referring to that massive explosion a few days ago, then yes.”

The Moon Dragon fell silent for a moment before throwing its head back and letting out an earth-shaking laugh.

“Hahahaha! Fascinating! In that case, I have no regrets. Losing to someone who surpasses even a Miracle Witch is no disgrace—no, it is an honor to have crossed blades with a divine emissary like yourself. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to face a true powerhouse. I shall cherish it. We will surely visit the Elf Kingdom one day to express our gratitude. Until we meet again!”

“Ah, we can sit down and have a proper chat then.”

Preferably about dragon magic, especially that purple barrier that weakens spell damage.

With that thought in mind, Fia waved lightly as she watched Radric the Moon Dragon disappear.

The ruined square was now left with only Fia’s group and the busy paladins. Due to the terrifying power Fia had displayed, the paladins chose to ignore her, prioritizing rescue efforts.

Their tactful behavior, combined with her earlier encounter with the commanding paladin underground, softened Fia’s negative perception of the Church. While the Church had its flaws, many of them stemmed from the limitations of the era.

On one hand, the Church executed those afflicted with the Darkborn disease to consolidate its rule. On the other, it protected the poor and refugees, offering them fair treatment. It was difficult to label it as purely good or evil.

Of course, as an elf, she would always remain wary of the Church.

Since Liti had learned from the paladins that the Church wished to negotiate, Fia decided to stay in Aurora City for another day to engage in talks. The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. If dialogue could resolve the issue, violence—the last resort of the incompetent—should be avoided.

Moreover, she had done the Church a great favor, and her overwhelming strength put her in a dominant position during negotiations. It was the Church who needed her, not the other way around.

In a way, she had done something positive for the Elf Kingdom as its princess.

“Your Highness, you just… let him go?”

Seeing the Moon Dragon depart, Count Alvin, who had been standing at a distance, finally approached, pointing in the direction the dragon had vanished with an incredulous expression.

Fia turned to him—her gaze lingering unintentionally on Claire’s beautiful face for a second before shifting awkwardly yet politely to Count Alvin.

Reаԁ оո ΚatReaԁіոɡСafе

“He was under the control of chaos and meant no harm. His original intention was to rescue Liti and you, Count Alvin, to earn my favor.”

“But dragons are treasure troves, especially a Moon Dragon! Just its high-tier magic core alone is an invaluable treasure, not to mention its hide, bones, claws…”

Count Alvin spoke with absolute seriousness, counting off the potential benefits on his fingers.

So you just want to skin him alive?

Fia couldn’t agree with Count Alvin’s perspective.

Of course, she didn’t judge him for it either. Maintaining the dignity befitting an elf princess, Fia gestured toward the ground where the Moon Dragon’s horns lay. Each curved, ram-like horn was four to five meters long, exuding an intimidating aura.

Count Alvin’s eyes immediately lit up as if beholding a lover, and he hurried over to examine them closely.

“I-I see. Leaving his horns as compensation is acceptable. Such intact dragon horns, whether crafted into staves or melee weapons, would be priceless treasures. And given they came from a Moon Dragon, even if someone offered to buy them, no one would sell.”

“Count, we should be thanking Her Highness for saving our lives.”

Alfred, who had stepped forward later, corrected him. Though his eyes also occasionally strayed toward the horns, he was far more restrained than Count Alvin.

“Her Highness defeated the Moon Dragon in single combat. Once this news spreads back home, those who covet your throne will have no choice but to curry your favor. Combined with your achievements in destroying the Unsinkable Moon, you will undoubtedly be welcomed back with the respect and adoration of all our people.”

Prompted by Alfred, Count Alvin quickly composed himself and turned back to Fia.

“Your Highness, now that the Unsinkable Moon is gone, shouldn’t we return? Negotiations can wait. There’s no need to rush.”

“Hmm…” Fia couldn’t help but glance subtly at Claire beside her. Claire still bore her demonic form, with curved horns and a tail, her deep red eyes unreadable. “I have some personal matters to attend to in Aurora City. Count Alvin and Alfred, you may return first to inform His Majesty of my safety. I’ll order the imperial guards to ensure your safe passage. As for Liti—”

“I want to stay with Big Sister!”

When Fia mentioned Liti, the young girl interjected with unusual determination, her adorable face brimming with resolve.

She was so afraid of me at first, but now she’s clinging to me like this.

Truly unpredictable.

“Your Highness, returning with Count Alvin is the safest option.”

Anastasia, her cheeks slightly flushed, knelt to coax Liti like a child.

But Liti stubbornly refused.

Rеаԁ оn KаtReαԁіոɡСafе

“Are you saying it’s unsafe to stay with Big Sister? You’ll be staying with her too, right?”

“Well… yes. As her attendant, I should remain by her side at all times.”

“Then as Big Sister’s little sister, I have even more reason to stay with her. Besides, Big Sister isn’t even afraid of the Moon Dragon—nothing dangerous will happen if I’m with her. It’s fine if we return to Father a few days late.”

With childlike insistence, Liti shook her purple hair and clung tightly to Fia’s arm.

If Liti were an adult woman, her chest would probably make a “squish” sound right now.

For some reason, Fia felt a faint sense of dissonance from Liti. Earlier, she had been extracting information from paladins and nuns, but now she was acting like a naive child. The contrast was puzzling.

Still, it was hard for Fia—who had never had a younger sister before—to refuse such an affectionate and adorable sibling. Especially since Liti wasn’t a stepsister but a blood-related one.

Perhaps this was an opportunity to bond with Liti, to bridge the gap between them. If she could earn Liti’s approval, that would be ideal.

Fia couldn’t help but envision the heartwarming scenes of familial love often depicted in comics.

How nice.

“This is unacceptable, Your Highness Liti! This is no trivial matter. Her Highness is acting on behalf of Silvar—this cannot be treated as child’s play!”

Alfred reprimanded sternly.

According to Anastasia, Alfred was the Second Prince’s tutor, which might suggest palace factionalism. But in reality, Fia’s overwhelming prowess had long extinguished any sense of rivalry among her peers. Thus, neither Liti nor the Second Prince competed with Fia, and by extension, there was no conflict between Liti and the Second Prince either.

This was also why Alfred, despite being the Second Prince’s tutor, had joined the rescue mission for Liti.

Instead of arguing, Liti widened her eyes pitifully, looking up at Fia with pleading eyes and a trembling voice.

“Big Sister… can’t I stay with you? I missed you so much.”

Her large, amethyst eyes glistened with unshed tears, and her pleading expression made Fia hesitate.

This is… impossible to refuse.

Fia patted Liti’s head soothingly before clearing her throat and regaining her composure.

“Ahem. Let Liti stay with me. I won’t be away for long and will return to Silvar soon. You two should depart immediately to prevent His Majesty from escalating the war due to your disappearance. I’ll keep one of the dragon horns for emergencies—the other can be taken back to His Majesty.”

Upon hearing that they could take the horn back, Alfred’s face briefly lit up with joy. Though he couldn’t claim credit for the feat, merely delivering such a treasure would earn him the king’s rewards. As a tutor without a fief like Count Alvin, he needed the funds.

Reαⅾ оո KαtRеаԁіոɡСαfе

“If even Her Highness says so… Very well, Count Alvin and I shall depart at once. But from the sound of it, does Your Highness intend to negotiate peace with the Church? Without His Majesty’s approval, this may provoke discontent among the nobility, and His Majesty may reprimand you.”

“I’ll handle it carefully and have the Church send an envoy to His Majesty. I’ll also ensure they offer reasonable reparations. Please relay this to His Majesty on my behalf.”

Alfred’s eyes gleamed with approval as he stepped back and bowed deeply.

“Understood. Then, Count Alvin and I shall return first. May Your Highness and Princess Liti stay safe.”

“May both Your Highnesses stay safe.”

“Mm. Take care.”

With a slight nod, Fia turned to Anastasia, whose face was still flushed.

Ever since Fia had set her down from her shoulder, Anastasia had been fidgeting awkwardly. Though Fia understood her embarrassment—being carried publicly by someone younger must have been mortifying—it had been a necessary move at the time. She couldn’t very well have used Torrent to wash Anastasia away.

In a less formal tone, Fia issued her orders.

“Anastasia, have the others escort Count Alvin and Alfred back. I only need you by my side.”

“J-Just me…?”

“Do you want to return home instead?”

“N-No!” The question snapped Anastasia out of her daze, and she straightened up, resuming her usual professional demeanor. “Understood. In my absence, you will follow Kirill’s orders and act as Her Highness commanded. We will return to Silvar soon.”

“Yes!”

Following the Moon Dragon’s departure, Count Alvin and the imperial guards also left the ruins. Notably, Kirill stored the dragon horns in a spatial artifact rather than carrying them conspicuously.

Aside from the occasional cautious glances from the paladins in the distance, only Fia, Anastasia, Claire, and Liti remained in the ruins.

Liti clung to Fia’s arm, while Anastasia stood in silence.

Fia subtly lifted her gaze to Claire, whose silver-tinged skin and demonic features—curved horns and a slender tail peeking from her skirt—gave her the appearance of a moonlit demon.

Noticing Fia’s hesitant look, Claire turned to her. Her stern expression gradually softened into the familiar wry smile Fia knew so well, though now adorned with black horns and a tail.

“Can we talk about this later? It seems the paladins won’t bother us for a while. I might have… acted rashly in my haste earlier.”