Chapter 77

"I am sorry."

In the garden of the governor's residence.

In a place slightly away from the guards, Rize said to Eifa,

"It seems I have misunderstood you."

"Misunderstood...?"

"According to what that slave trader said... I thought your feelings for your master were something you reluctantly held. People, to some extent, fear new situations. They try to believe that the present is the best. But... your heart seems to be different."

Rize spoke earnestly.

"You love that boy, don't you?"

"A, ah!?"

"If that's the case, I have nothing more to say... Try it."

Eifa, her face turning bright red, extended her right hand as she was told.

Rize took it and, with her index finger, which was somehow bleeding, drew a pattern resembling a magic array on the back of her hand.

A small incantation was murmured.

Then, the blood magic array disappeared as if it were being absorbed into her hand.

"I will lend you a bit of my spirit."

Eifa noticed that a part of the vast spirit that Rize possessed had moved to her side.

It seemed to be gathered in the magic array that had disappeared from her hand, rather than in a magic stone or ring.

"Especially, the Children of Light... the Light Spirits are rare. If you get used to handling them, you can do such things too."

Eifa followed Rize's gaze and looked at her left hand.

The cut on her thumb, made by the wind blade, had healed without a trace.

Rize said suddenly,

"Looking at you, for some reason, I am reminded of a princess from a fairy tale."

"Eh...?"

"A princess of a fallen kingdom who used the magic of the forest people. A compassionate girl who was part of the hero's party and even pitied the demon king... You will be fine. Your feelings will surely reach him."

"R-really...?"

"I still have my doubts about the boy being different. But... didn't the boy himself say it? Even different beings can become family. Dragons and humans have lived together, and it will be even easier than that."

Rize concluded,

"May you be fortunate. My kin."