BKSL CH 110

Chapter 110

 The Miasma Is Too Strong

Yesterday, I soaked leisurely in the hot springs, got to see Leo-san in his bathrobe, and I feel like I had some really nice dreams.

I don’t remember them very well, but I woke up feeling great.

“Alright, let’s do our best today…!”

After finishing breakfast, I headed toward the lake where miasma had supposedly appeared, guided by Yoti-san, together with Leo-san, Mirko-san, and Rick-san.

We rode in the carriage toward the site, and as we went, I started to feel a little nervous after all.

This would be my first time purifying miasma.

Will I be able to do it properly…?

No—of course I will! I’ll make it work!!

“—This used to be a popular spot, perfect for picnics,” Yoti-san said.

After a while, we arrived at a large lake on the outskirts of town.

If there was such a big lake in a place this quiet and beautiful, it really would have been perfect for picnics, and I could easily understand why it had been so popular—but….

“This is… awful,” I said.

“Yeah,” Leo-san replied.

Sure enough, the water of the entire lake was black and murky.

On top of that, even I could clearly feel how strong the miasma was.

It was strong enough that it wouldn’t be strange for powerful monsters to be lurking inside the lake.

Still, it was hard to believe that monsters were actually being spawned from here.

Up until now, this had just been an ordinary lake, after all.

“For now, I’ll try purifying it,” I said.

There were no monsters in sight nearby.

If any approached, Mirko-san would notice immediately.

However, the miasma pouring out of the lake was so strong that it might dull even Mirko-san’s detection abilities.

Besides, monsters are drawn to strong miasma.

Even with me—a Saint—here, with miasma this intense, there was a very real chance monsters could appear.

So, wanting to purify it as quickly as possible before that happened, I clasped my hands in front of my chest, closed my eyes, and prayed.

“May the miasma of evil monsters be purified—”

Leo-san was beside me. Mirko-san and the others were there too.

So I should have been able to focus calmly on using the Saint’s power—but I felt nothing.

There was no sensation at all of the miasma disappearing.

“…It’s not working,” I said.

“Even though Sibyl-chan’s power has been released…” Leo-san murmured.

“Um, would it be alright if I tried while touching the water directly?” I asked.

“But miasma is harmful to the human body. Even if you’re a Saint, Sibyl-chan, it’s better not to touch it directly,” Leo-san said.

“…Then I’ll move a little closer,” I replied.

“Alright.”

I moved as close as I could, lowered myself to one knee, closed my eyes again, and prayed once more.

“Sibyl-chan, be careful,” Leo-san said.

“Yes,” I answered.

Leo-san and the others came closer as well.

It’s fine. This time, I’ll definitely purify this miasma—.

“Oh…!”

When I prayed the same way as before, this time I felt a response.

Even with my eyes closed, I could tell.

My power was reaching the lake. Little by little, it was purifying the miasma.

Yoti-san let out a voice as if it had slipped from him without thinking.

At this rate… if I keep going like this, surely—!

Just as I thought that and strengthened my power—

“Sibyl-chan—!!”

“—!?”

The loud splash of water—zabaa—and Leo-san calling my name happened at the same time.

The moment I opened my eyes, it felt as if something had yanked me, and my body fell straight into the lake, its waters blackened and clouded with miasma.