Chapter 66

After defeating Gairal, the four of us—Samuel, Carrie, Pio, and I—sat down to discuss our next steps.

We also searched for a house in the underground facility to gather evidence.

Here’s what we decided:

- The materials Samuel collected in Niguru Village seem to be useful.

- There was evidence of Gairal’s misdeeds in the underground facility, so we will use that.

- We will investigate the church in Gairal’s territory regarding the new religious group, "Drops of the Goddess."

- We will also raise awareness and conduct inspections in other territories.

- Since the lord of Gairal’s territory is gone, we will ensure that the area does not fall into disarray or poverty.

Carrie agreed to handle these tasks. She will report and consult with her family, including the king and crown prince.

I think it’s a huge responsibility, but Carrie looked determined.

“I had given up, thinking I lacked the strength. But when I thought it was all over, all I had left was my pride as a royal. I want to protect the people and not be ashamed of myself.”

Carrie nodded proudly, and she looked radiant.

“Carrie, you can do it.”

“Lenny...”

“Carrie, you’re amazing.”

“...Stop it! Lenny always makes me so happy...!!”

Carrie then hugged me tightly.

“Every time Lenny says that, I feel stronger. ...Even though I should be laughed at for my words... Thank you for believing in me.”

“Yeah.”

“W-Well...”

“Yeah.”

“I...!”

“Huh?”

I thought Carrie had gained confidence, but she seemed confused again.

I looked at her curiously, and her face was bright red, staring at me intently.

“I... L-Lenny...”

“Lenny?”

“D-D-Da...”

“Da?”

“Da... I love you, so much!!”

Carrie declared this with determination and hugged me even tighter.

It was a bit painful, but I understood that her strength reflected her feelings, so I gently placed my hands on her back.

“Yeah, I love you too, Carrie.”

I whispered this in her ear.

Carrie’s arms, which had been holding me tightly, suddenly lost their strength.

She then slumped to the ground.

“Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay.”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No, it doesn’t hurt. But my legs feel weak...”

“I see.”

Carrie, who had collapsed, and I crouched down to her level.

I then placed my hands on her back and the back of her knees.

With the power of the "Cat's Hand Gloves," I picked her up in a princess carry.

“Lenny... Lenny...!!!”

Carrie’s eyes were brimming with tears.

Pio, who was watching, chuckled.

“Sorry, Lenny. It seems the princess is still too sensitive.”

“Sensitive?”

I tilted my head in confusion.

Carrie shouted, “Pio, be quiet!”

“Yes, as you wish.”

Pio seemed amused by Carrie’s command and then looked at me.

“Lenny, you must be tired too. Let’s take the princess this way.”

“Okay.”

Pio picked up Carrie. Being taller than me, Pio’s view was higher, which was probably better for her.

“Still, I didn’t know Lenny was an elf. You have many sides, Lenny.”

Pio said this with a newfound admiration.

My seal had been broken, and my ears were now pointed. With the "Cat's Hand Gloves," I had a strange combination of cat ears and elf ears.

Samuel knelt in front of me, looking worried.

“Lenny, is there any unusual sensation in your body now?”

“Unusual sensation?”

“Yes, the magic array changed your appearance. You should feel different. I can sense a massive amount of magic power from you.”

“Yeah, this is magic power.”

Elves, unlike humans, have circulating magic power. They use this to enhance their physical abilities and cast spells.

I had been sealed, but now my body was circulating magic power.

“Lenny, I always thought you would regain your magic power someday. ...But it’s too soon. I thought it would happen after your body had grown more.”

“Samuel, you said I could do it when I grew up.”

When I met Samuel, he told me that I would eventually be able to manipulate magic power. To prepare for that, I focused on physical training without relying on items.

That’s why I often avoided items that enhanced physical abilities, except for the "Hermit’s Robe" and "Perception Bell."

“Lenny, I feel that your current magic power is too much for your body. What you’re doing now seems like a miracle to me.”

Samuel looked like she was about to cry.

“By the way... Lenny’s body felt very hot just now!”

Carrie looked at me worriedly.

“Lenny... Are you holding something back again?”

Pio’s usually sharp eyebrows were now furrowed in concern.

Pio knew that I had stayed awake when I was tired. That’s why he said “again.”

Looking at their worried faces, I finally admitted:

“My body... might be a bit hot.”

...Might be. Just a little?

“Lenny!”

“Lenny!”

“Lenny!!”

The three of them were alarmed by my admission.

“I’ll take care of everything. Lenny needs to rest...!”

“Princess, you should rest too. I’ll arrange the inn and inform the guards waiting at the castle.”

“I’m fine on my own. Please, Pio.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Pio set Carrie down and ran off.

“Lenny, I’m sorry.”

Samuel then picked me up.

“I need to take off my hood. ...But...”

“It’s hot...”

A sensation I had never felt before was coursing through my body. The surging power was overwhelming.

Confessing my discomfort and being picked up made me relax, and I felt the heat intensify.

“Just as I thought...”

Samuel’s worried voice.

“It’s a magic power surge!”

I heard Samuel’s words from a distance and tried to understand their meaning.

A "magic power surge" is something elves occasionally suffer from.

The closest example is my mother. Her life, which should have been consumed by magic power, was saved by a gemstone found by my father and Samuel.

My mother chose to become human, and her magic power was sealed. The gemstone was passed to me, and I was sealed as well, looking human.

However, the magic array broke the seal, and I regained my elf appearance and magic power. But the power was too much for my young body.

The excess magic power was eroding my body. Indeed, it was a "magic power surge."

“What should we do? Lenny looks very uncomfortable.”

Carrie’s anxious voice.

“...First, we need to go to the Elf Forest.”

—Our destination is the birthplace of my mother and Samuel.

“The Elf Forest has methods to suppress a mild magic power surge and extend life. In Lenny’s case, the sudden release of sealed magic power has put a great strain on her young body. ...If her body grows, or if we handle it properly, she might be able to control the surge.”

“I understand. I will prepare what we need to go to the Elf Forest. Please let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

Carrie and Samuel discussed the plan. It seems we need to go to the Elf Forest to help my body.

But...

“Samuel, ...Rivander too.”

"The Wandering Capital Rivander." I want to purify it with this power and help the monsters. I need to go there.

But...

“I’m sleepy...”

I have things to do, but my eyes are closing.

“Lenny, you need to take care of your body first. Leave the capital to us. We will return the kidnapped children to their families. You can go to Rivander after you recover.”

“Okay...”

“Lenny, the Elf Forest has large trees with houses built on them. I want you to see them.”

“...Okay.”

In the game, elves lived in tree houses.

The vast forest of enormous trees must be incredibly beautiful.

“I want to see it...”

Samuel hugged me tightly.

“Lenny, it might be better to remove the items other than the robe. They might be adding to your burden.”

“Okay...”

Following Samuel’s advice, I removed the items.

I heard Carrie gasp, but I couldn’t open my eyes.

“Rest well.”

Samuel’s gentle voice.

I closed my eyes completely and tried to control the heat in my body by breathing slowly.

I can’t let the heat overwhelm me.

I’ve traveled a lot, seen many things, and learned a lot... I still have so much to do. For that!

—I will stop the magic power surge in the Elf Forest!