Chapter 111
The Saintess’s Light — Leo’s Perspective
“Cibel-chan…!!”
Just as Cibel-chan offered her prayer as a saintess, and the black, murky miasma of the lake began to purify little by little, I let out a relieved breath.
Then, suddenly, a monster emerged from the lake and dragged Cibel-chan’s body into the water.
The creature’s true form was terrifying: a monstrous being with a serpent-like lower body and a human-like upper body.
Its long, moss-colored green hair clung wetly to its body, its purple eyes glimmered, and it bared its fangs.
“Guaaaaah――!!”
It let out a voice more beast than human and stretched its long, clawed, webbed hands toward me.
I could tell it was extremely agitated.
“Leo…!!”
By the time I felt Mirco, Yoti, and Rick draw their swords and strike at the monster, I had already jumped into the lake.
I have to save Cibel-chan!!
Cibel-chan…! Where are you…!!
The water was black and murky; I couldn’t see anything around me.
But I would absolutely save Cibel-chan――!!
As I desperately struggled with that thought, a faint light shone from my chest.
It was the magic stone pendant Cibel-chan had given me――.
The light stretched through the water, pointing toward her, and caught sight of her figure.
…Cibel-chan――!!
I called her name in my mind and reached out my hand.
She couldn’t possibly hear my thoughts, yet it felt like she briefly looked at me and smiled faintly. And then, suddenly—
“…!?”
Just as my hand reached Cibel-chan, a blinding light erupted around us.
Could this be… the Saintess’s Light of Cibel-chan――!?
Even so, I held her firmly and began to surface.
“Cibel-chan…!”
“……”
“Leo, are you alright!?”
Above the water, it seemed that Mirco and the others had already defeated the monster.
It would have taken the mercenary group longer to handle it, but for the First Knight Squad—especially these three—it was not such a troublesome opponent.
But more importantly, right now I had to focus on Cibel-chan…!
“Perhaps she swallowed some water.”
“Yeah…”
We pulled her out of the lake and laid her on her side, but she didn’t open her eyes.
Thanks to the intense light from earlier, the miasma over the lake had already vanished.
To purify the miasma spreading across such a vast lake in an instant… Cibel-chan’s power was truly beyond measure.
However, perhaps because it was the first time, she overexerted herself.
There was a time before when she had fainted after defeating a wolf.
“Leo, give her artificial respiration.”
“Huh…?”
“Is this the time to be shy?”
“It’s not that…!”
I blurted out in response to Mirco’s serious words, despite my own thoughts.
“Didn’t Cibel-chan use too much power?”
“Hurry, she might not be breathing.”
“…You’re right.”
Indeed, if something happened to Cibel-chan, it would be terrible.
Now was not the time to care about their gazes.
So, with Mirco urging me on, I quickly pressed my lips to hers.
…But then.
“…!”
“…!?”
Just as our lips were about to touch, Cibel-chan’s eyes snapped open.
“…Ah… Cibel-chan.”
“Well… Leo-san, right now…”
“N-No, it’s not like that! I thought you might have swallowed water, so that’s why――”
At this rate, she would think I was a man trying to kiss her while she was unconscious…!
“Cibel is always welcome! …Though in front of everyone it’s a bit embarrassing. But if it’s Leo-san――”
“See, that’s not what happened! I’m just glad you’re safe!!”
Cibel-chan blushed, laughing softly with a little “ufufufu,” but at least she seemed fine.
“That’s right, the monster… the miasma…!”
“Yeah, the monster was defeated by Mirco and the others, and you purified the miasma in an instant.”
“Really…?”
Cibel-chan sat up and looked toward the lake, but she didn’t seem to remember using such immense power just now. Like with the wolf, she must have unconsciously released her magic.
“Can you stand?”
“Yes… thank you.”
I reached out to support her and helped her stand.
She wobbled slightly on her feet. She must have used up all her magic just now.
“Are you okay?”
“…Ah, yes, um…”
“?”
I noticed her gaze fixed intently on me and tilted my head, wondering why.
“Leo-san, your hair and clothes are soaked… Your shirt clings to your muscles and looks very… sexy… I mean, you jumped in to save me, right?”
“Ah… Cibel-chan, you’re wet too.”
She mumbled something strange, then immediately lowered her eyebrows apologetically.
We could use basic life magic or wind magic, but not strong enough magic to instantly dry clothes or hair.
We could take time to dry, but it would be faster to just head home.
I hadn’t brought a change of clothes anyway.
“I can create fire, though.”
“Yours is too strong; it’ll burn everything, don’t.”
“I know.”
Rick demonstrated a large flame in his palm, but as Yoti said, his fire magic was too strong.
I’d heard that some wind magic users could instantly dry wet things.
“Anyway, let’s hurry home.”
“Yes…!?”
For now, I took off my wet top and wrung it out as much as possible.
Cibel-chan seemed to perk up at that, but I spoke to her as well.
“You can’t take off your clothes, but you should at least wring your skirt’s hem.”
“Y-Yes… I will.”
She quickly wrung the hem of her skirt, and I silently hoped she wouldn’t catch a cold.
“That’s right. Everyone, are you all uninjured?”
“We’re fine. You must be the most exhausted.”
“Rick-san.”
Before boarding the carriage, Cibel-chan spoke to Rick, who sighed and approached her.
“Just in case, I’ll give you a little magic. Put out your hand.”
“Thank you.”
Rick placed his hand over hers and shared some magic, then draped his cloak over her.
With that, we rode the carriage toward Count Mücke’s mansion.
