Chapter 57

Carries is in danger.

Upon receiving the information, Samyue and I decided to leave the village immediately.

The villagers were happy that the children were freed and could spend time with their families. They tried to hold us back, but Carries is the priority right now.

"Samyue, do you know where Carries is?"

"Yes. I heard her travel plans when we parted. She should be around this town."

Samyue opened the map and showed me. I couldn't tell the scale clearly, but it felt quite far.

"Is it far?"

"Yes, I heard she has traveled quite a distance today. However, with Lady Renny's item and my [Magic Manipulation] enhanced body, I think we can catch up."

"Okay, let's go."

"First, we need to go straight down this road."

Guided by Samyue, we headed towards Carries.

It's a crescent moon tonight, so there isn't much light. But with cat eyes, it's fine.

I hopped along, and Samyue moved forward in quick strides.

"Lady Renny, I think we're almost there. Are you feeling well?"

"Yes."

Sure enough, the [Cat's Hand Gloves] and [Hare Boots] are amazing.

I've been hopping for about two hours, but I'm not tired at all.

However, there is one issue...

I'll think about it after we meet Carries.

Suddenly, a horse came galloping towards us at high speed. The rider was—

"Pio"

"...!? Renny!?"

Pio is Carries' knight.

He was supposed to be protecting Carries with many guards.

However, Pio was alone.

Feeling curious, I stopped.

Pio, recognizing me, rode up to me.

"Sorry...!! The princess...!!"

Pio stopped the horse close to me and fell to his knees in front of me.

His red eyes looked very desperate—

"Renny, please help. I know it's shameful to ask such a young person for help, but you're the only one...!!"

"Okay, let's talk first."

From his anxious appearance and desperate eyes, I could tell something terrible had happened to Carries.

I encouraged him to calm down and talk, and Pio gave me the gist of the situation.

- They were about to reach the town where they were to stay when they were attacked.

- The enemy was a large number of [Crawling Armors].

- Pio tried his best, but was outnumbered and fell halfway through.

- When he came to, Carries was gone, and Pio was the only one unharmed.

"Everyone else was wiped out. I should have been severely injured, but for some reason, I had no wounds and my strength had returned. There were marks of attacks on my armor and clothes, so I was definitely attacked and fell. And I had this in my chest."

Pio showed me an empty vial of healing potion.

"Pio, did you drink it?"

"No, I was unconscious and couldn't drink it. But... my clothes were wet."

"I see. Carries must have used it on you."

Carries had seen me use a healing potion to heal the soldiers after fighting the dragon.

So, she must have done the same for Pio.

"The princess..."

"Renny's healing potion works even if you don't drink it."

"Really...? It's that powerful?"

"Yes. Normally, you wouldn't know. Carries knew."

Pio's eyes twisted with regret at my words.

"...I was the only one saved."

His voice was filled with pain.

I know Pio cares deeply for Carries.

It must be very hard for him.

"The enemy was a large number of Living Armors. Even if we gather people here, we can't match them. But if we return to the capital to call for reinforcements, it will take too long, and the princess will be in danger."

The reason Pio came alone this far—

It was because—

"You were the only one I could think of."

—To find me.

"I'm sorry... I really feel bad. Asking a young person like you for help is unforgivable. But I can't think of anyone else who can save the princess."

After saying that, Pio carefully chose his words.

"The light that destroyed the Living Armors at Mayor Thomas' mansion, was it you, Renny?"

...Yeah, it's me.

"..."

The 'Become Light!' was me, and it's pretty obvious.

I might as well admit it, but Samyue seemed to want to keep it a secret. What should I do?

Unable to answer, I looked up at Samyue.

Samyue spoke for me.

"Why do you think it was Lady Renny?"

"…The princess is a fine person. She works hard as the princess of this country, not because of the power mentioned in rumors."

"Then?"

"That's why I know the light didn't come from the princess. And you said you don't have the magic to destroy monsters. After saying that, you wouldn't use your power, right?"

That's true. The timing... It was after Samyue denied it...

"While fighting the Living Armors, I always felt like something was protecting me. I couldn't see it, but I heard your voice and saw your appearance. I thought it was you. The princess must have noticed too, but she wouldn't say it."

It seems Carries also thought the light was me.

And they didn't talk about it.

"I won't tell anyone either. If Renny wishes, I won't tell anyone, now or in the future."

Pio's straight red eyes.

I looked into those eyes—

"I understand. I trust you."

—I nodded.

"Lady Renny..."

Samyue frowned, worried.

"Samyue, it's okay."

To reassure Samyue, I smiled.

"Pio, you're a good knight. You don't lie."

I knew Pio was a serious knight from the beginning.

When he was trying to protect Carries, when he apologized to me, and now. His words are always straight.

"That light, I did it."

Sometimes, my chest feels warm.

When I gather that warmth, it comes out.

"...Actually, I can't use it perfectly yet."

It's not always successful.

I can't tell when I can use it and when I can't. But I think I can manage in a critical moment.

Even if I can't use that light, I have maxed-out items!

"It's okay."

No matter how many people have fallen.

"I'll save her."

Because I'm the strongest four-year-old!

"Leave it to me!"