CH 7

I Have No Choice but to Go All Out

I wasn’t very confident in the accuracy of my attack, so instead of aiming at the demon, I deployed purification magic over a wide area.

The entire area in front of me glowed brightly, and in an instant, the snake-shaped demon and slime melted away. Of course, the purification magic only worked on demons, and it did no harm to humans.

“What…! This light─”

“Kyaa, it’s so bright…!”

Both Theo and the Saintess squinted their eyes at the dazzling light. After confirming that the demons had completely disappeared, I grabbed the basket and ran from the place while they were still dazed.

This way, I was sure they won’t see me.

I continued running and rushed to my house, closed the door immediately, leaned back, and let out a sigh.

“…. Hahh, I-I’m tired.”

I had no intention of getting involved with two of them at all. That said, it was impossible not to help them in that situation.

They would never know it was me, Nina, and that alone shouldn’t affect the scenario. Anyway, let’s really not get involved in this anymore.

With that decision made, I grabbed the basket of Misium herbs and headed for the kitchen.

◇◇◇

“Good morning! My name is Erica. Thank you for helping me last night!”

The next morning, however, the bell rang to announce the arrival of a visitor, and when I opened the door, for some reason there was the Saintess holding a basket full of fruits and flowers.

Unexpectedly, I doubted my own eyes for a moment, no, for five seconds, wondering if I was still half-asleep.

Behind her was Theo, who was staring at me with a quizzical expression on his face.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you so abruptly.”

“I-It’s okay.”

How did they know it was me who saved them? I was completely caught off guard, and I couldn’t stop sweating.

Last night, I used the Misiam herb and the potion turned out to be a safe and normal-looking potion. I was about to go to a nearby town today to have it appraised to see if there was a problem.

“Oh, this is my superior, Theo-san!”

“Hello.”

“Oh, hi….”

Erica-san, who gave me a dazzling smile, politely introduced me to Theo. She was very cute.

Anyway, I had no choice but to deceive them, so I opened my mouth.

“I’m sorry, but I think you have the wrong person.”

But right away, Erica-san shook her head. Her soft silver hair swayed and her sweet scent tickled my nose.

“Um, I’m stupid, clumsy, and bad at magic, but I’ve got really good eyesight.”

“….”

“I can see a person’s magical attributes in their color. Only this house was covered in a very beautiful silver color. Of course, you yourself too. It is the color of a Holy Wizard, just like me.”

I was surprised that Erica-san had such an ability. 

It seemed I was wrong to have secretly cast a blessing spell around the house, just in case.

I knew I couldn’t get away with it anymore. Then, just as I was wondering how to make an excuse, Erica-san scooped up both my hands in her own.

“You are a descendant of a past saintess, aren’t you?”

“Eh?”

“I read it in a book. I heard that there are descendants of past saintesses from the past in this country and that they can use holy magic!”

“…. Ah.”

I was the 14th saintess, and I heard that there were other saintess summoned from another world even before me.

I heard that some of them suddenly disappeared after fulfilling their roles, while others remained in the country, got married, and lived normal lives. Some of their descendants were said to have been able to use holy magic, which was very rare.

People would never have dreamed that the previous saintesses had inadvertently mixed in with them, and they must have guessed that they were descendants of those saints.

I smiled as I knew I had to do all I could to get on board with the gratifying misunderstanding.

“…. Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. I happened to be in the forest last night to gather medicinal herbs, and I saw a demon approaching the two of you.”

“I knew it! Thank you very much for your help. I hope you don’t mind that I keep saying thank you.”

With that, she offered me the basket she was carrying. It was filled with delicious-looking fruits and lovely flowers.

Rather than being overly reserved, it would be better to accept the basket and be done with it. I thanked her and accepted the basket from Erica-san.

She was so beautiful when seen up close like this, and even just talking to her a little, I could tell that she was a good girl.

As I was thinking that I hope she would continue to do her best, Theo, who had been silent for a long time, said, “Hey,” and looked at me.

“Your name is Nina, right?”

“…. Y-Yes, it is….”

At the same time, I held my head inwardly. I had planned to live in this village for the rest of my life, so I didn’t use a pseudonym and lived under the same name as it was.

I didn’t expect this to happen, but I still didn’t want to live without my name.

As expected, I wondered if I was seen as suspicious.