Chapter 7

"Ah... You look just like the Holy Maiden."

I was startled by the words of Elna's mother.

I can pray with my hands clasped.

Indeed, it is me, but I can't reveal it.

I am a criminal now and have no right to show myself.

Most importantly, the Holy Maiden Soaris, who will appear 20 years from now, will be over 30 years old, so even if I were to come forward now, no one would believe me.

"Do you know the Holy Maiden Soaris?"

"Yes, a long time ago. She visited this town once. I only saw her face once... but I can never forget her beautiful appearance."

Was I really that beautiful? I've never really been conscious of my appearance, so I don't know.

As I touched my face, Elna's eyes sparkled.

"Soaris, where did you learn such magic?"

"Well, during my travels. I just picked it up like that."

"Hmm..."

Does she believe me? Her eyes are a bit skeptical.

Well, the next problem is—

"Hey! Come out here!"

A loud voice came from outside.

Checking with spatial awareness, there were about a dozen people.

I know it's the self-proclaimed vigilante group seeking revenge.

Now that they've found Elna's house, there's no choice but to settle this.

"Please stay here. Both of you, Elna too."

"Me too!"

"No, you can't."

"But I know Soaris' strength, and I have to protect my own town!"

"Elna, you're serious and kind. But there's something I need you to do, so please leave this to me."

It's not because you're weak or a burden.

I don't want you to get your hands dirty here.

You have to protect your mother and the town from now on.

I don't want you to soil your hands for these lowlifes before such an important task.

A stuffed animal may be cute on the outside, but it's dirty on the inside.

The same goes for the Holy Maiden. While comforting everyone, there are also things that aren't pretty to do.

That's the path I chose.

"I understand. I'm sorry for being useless."

"It's okay, Elna is strong."

After smiling at Elna, I walked out confidently, and the vigilantes were waiting with stern faces.

The man in the center, with his arms crossed, seemed to be the leader.

His long red hair gave him a radical image.

"Hey, we're the vigilante group. We're here to maintain the town's security."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Soaris, a traveling healer. I'm here to help normalize the town."

First, let's check the strength of the members. Three random ones should be fine.

Name: Vigilante A

Attack: 156

Defense: 140

Speed: 138

Magic: 5

Name: Vigilante B

Attack: 143

Defense: 129

Speed: 130

Magic: 1

Name: Vigilante C

Attack: 145

Defense: 128

Speed: 141

Magic: 2

"Hmm!"

Their strength is about the level of a high-ranking 5th-class adventurer.

Just by the numbers, they're no match for Elna, but there are too many of them.

With a sick mother, facing these people is too risky.

Given Elna's character, she would be too busy earning money to fight them.

I think this is the standard for outlaws.

Most people who become outlaws stay at this level.

For various reasons, whether they can overcome this barrier determines if they can graduate from being a beginner.

If they fight, they get stronger; if they quit, they stop here. Or they die.

"Are you not planning to join the Adventurer's Guild and work honestly?"

"Huh? The Adventurer's Guild?"

"Pfft, who would join that place these days?"

"The times are for Hunters. I heard some of my acquaintances made a lot of money there."

Just as the guild guy said.

These are outlaws who hope to join the Hunters at any opportunity.

While I was thinking this, the red-haired man, who seemed to be the leader, was grabbing a man's hair.

The man being grabbed was one of the vigilantes I hit with spatial magic at the guild.

A few others were also there, all from that group, and they were all severely injured.

"Good to know you found this place."

"We just beat up a guy and he spilled the beans. Get it?"

"Hmm..."

"Elna has been in our way for a while. We finally decided to do something about it. Get it?"

Despite my analysis, they confronted me.

And they've finally come this far.

They're typical villains, but maybe they're not the worst.

Real villains don't just set fire to houses or take hostages.

They pretend to heal Elna's mother and follow her home.

If left alone, they would definitely do something.

"These guys apparently had a rough time. We should thank them, right? Get it?"

"Didn't you hear about my strength from them?"

"You use magic, right? I know a few who are into that. The kid from that house is one of them. But I can actually use it too."

"That's impressive."

A bit surprising. This man's strength is—

Name: Vigilante Boss

Attack: 405 + 200

Defense: 395 + 200

Speed: 312 + 200

Magic: 124

"Hmm..."

"Huh?"

"Probably you're the only one in the vigilante group who can use magic. If so, you should specialize more in magical attacks."

"Why?"

"Some monsters and even human enemies are hard to hit physically. With magic, it can be easier depending on the enemy's strength and tactics."

"Huh...?"

I ended up explaining to the enemy. An old habit, maybe.

But fortunately, he has a blank look and doesn't seem to take it seriously.

By my standards, Elna's distribution is a bit wasteful, but that's a different story.

"So what if the leader is strong?"

"I'm not asking you to listen, just don't be offended."

"You're a frustrating woman. Can I kill her?"

"No, you can't."

Shrugging, the leader turned to his subordinates.

The next moment, he nodded, and they all attacked at once.

I'll teach them a lesson.

I'll fight with my bare hands to intimidate them.

"Ugh...!"

"Ugh!"

I knocked out the first two with one hit each, and the rest immediately cowered.

"Still want to fight?"

"...I like women who fight with their bare hands."

Actually, I have a special staff, but it's probably stored somewhere in the capital.

It can't be destroyed, so that's the only option.

"What are you doing? Attack her all at once!"

"Yes!"

"I'll do it! I'll do it!"

Two weren't enough, and the rest resumed their attack. Intimidation didn't work.

"Ugh...!"

"Power, is, too, different...!"

As the members fell one by one, the leader's face changed.

When only a few were left, he took a step back, ready to flee.

"Boss! As we heard, this woman is a monster!"

"What the hell are you? This is ridiculous..."

"Boss, we should surrender... Ahh!"

The subordinate who suggested surrendering was cut down by the leader's sword.

It was a warning, and the leader nodded, reinvigorating his subordinates.

"Ughh!"

"Damn!"

I mercilessly punched their faces, knocking them out.

Finally, I approached the lone leader, who glared at me with his sword still in hand.

"What the hell are you? This was my paradise... Damn, if I joined the Hunters, you'd be nothing..."

"Do you know anything about the Hunters?"

"I want to know! What the hell are you doing?!"

The leader attacked with all his might, but to me, he's not much different from his subordinates.

I easily dodged, and the leader, breathing heavily, readied his sword again.

"Good job. But these guys can't even use magic, they're trash."

"I don't approve of that kind of discrimination."

"Can't help it. I've never lost to someone without magic or magical abilities. They're trash! Wind-element low-level magic!"

As he swung his sword, an invisible blade like a vacuum wave was released.

I did nothing. I thought it would be pointless.

And it was. The wind blade hit me and disappeared.

"Huh? What...?"

"The stronger the mage, the more resistant they are to magic. You were lucky not to meet someone like me."

"Damn! One more time!"

The result was the same. It didn't even cut my robe.

It just created a small, futile wind before disappearing.

"Ugh... Ughh!"

He kept attacking over and over.

The leader's face changed as I approached without flinching.

"It's over."

I punched through his armor and hit his chest, making him spit blood.

"Ugh...!"

"To people like you, I'm back. Your criminal activities will be harder from now on."

"What... the... hell... are... you...?"

After the leader fell, I looked around. The area was filled with vigilantes.

I smiled at Elna and her mother, who were watching from the window.

"First, I'll take their equipment..."

This is a scene where a Holy Maiden might be criticized.

But I'm not a saint.

If I can save those who should be saved, I'll make choices.

This equipment can be sold or used to benefit the town.