Chapter 50

Tart and I exchanged glances and nodded to each other.

"‘Guard of the Goddess,’ ‘Body Strengthening,’ ‘Regeneration,’ ‘Mana Regeneration,’ and Tart, you also have ‘One Strike of the Goddess.’”

“Thank you, nya.”

Suppressing the urge to start running immediately, I recast the support spells. We are not strong. It’s more important to properly prepare ourselves than to rush out at the sound of a voice.

After recasting the support spells, we ran cautiously. If we were spotted by multiple witches along the way, we might not be able to save anyone.

“Nya, ah...!”

“‘Cure’! Tart, are you okay!?”

“I’m fine, nya! Please look ahead, Master!”

“...Stay close!”

“Yes, nya!”

After detoxifying Tart, who had stepped into the swamp, I started running again. I focused on hearing the sounds around me. ——Yeah, Tart is keeping up.

After running for a while, I heard the heavy breathing of a girl and the ‘Gyu Gyu’ sound of witches. Good, she seems to be safe!

——There she is!

The moment I spotted her, I almost gasped, but I held it in and raised my voice.

“Tart, throw it! ‘Guard of the Goddess,’ ‘Heal,’ ‘Cure!!’”

“!? ——‘Throw Potion!!’”

The moment my skill activated, the faint light surrounding her disappeared, and Tart’s ‘Fire Flask’ flew over. It erupted in flames, taking down the three witches that were surrounding her. It was a close call...!

“Phew, that’s a relief.”

“We made it, nya.”

Weaving a deep breath, Tart and I relaxed our faces.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m holding up, nya.”

I hurriedly picked her up. If she had collapsed on the poison swamp, she would have been in a perpetual state of poisoning. I cast ‘Cure’ again and checked on her.

“...It’s a bit easier to breathe. Thank you for saving me.”

“You’re welcome. For now... we need to get out of here.”

I entrusted her to Tart and took the lead toward the exit.

I couldn’t help but think that someone should praise me for being able to act so calmly. The reason is the girl we just saved—a cute girl around seven years old.

Her pale silver hair was long, reaching down to her hips, and it was smooth and beautiful. Although it was dirty from the poison swamp, she was wearing a white robe with blue accents and a hat. The long sleeves were now heavy with moisture. And the pièce de résistance—her staff, which was longer than her height.

—I know her.

“Ah, there are two witches, nya...!”

“‘Guard of the Goddess’! I’ve gotten used to combat, so even two—”

I was about to say it was okay, but before I could, a clear, high voice reached my ears. Of course, it was her.

“O Goddess Flodia, please lend me your power. ‘Sanctuary of the Goddess.’”

Suddenly, a gentle, soft light overflowed from her.

“...!”

“Nyaah!”

The mystical scene took my breath away. The poison swamp was purified, revealing its original lush, green appearance. The range of the effect was about a five-meter radius, including us. The witches were blocked by the holy light and couldn’t get close to us.

“Gyu...!”

“Not good, ‘One Strike of the Goddess’!”

“Thank you, nya! ‘Throw Potion!!’”

When I used my skill, Tart immediately understood and attacked the witches. Both were taken down in one hit, and to my delight, they dropped ‘Protective Masks.’ Lucky.

The girl who used the holy skill—Pope Titiya.

She is the beloved child of Goddess Flodia and an NPC in the Crystal Cathedral of Tsire. There were several scenarios related to her, and I had even completed some quests. She is a brave and wonderful girl who wishes for world peace. However, because of that, she often gets involved in various incidents.

...But why is she here?

I’m pretty sure Titiya had many guardian knights. It’s hard to believe they would leave her alone, and why would she be in a dangerous place like the ‘Wilted Spring’?

“Phew, we made it back safely!”

“Nya!”

“Wow!”

Celebrating our safe return from the ‘Wilted Spring,’ not only Tart but also Titiya joined in with a blank expression. Her calm speaking style made her sound a bit monotone, but the lack of inflection was charming.

I took out the ‘Pure White Ring’ and told them, “I’m going to use it.”

“? What is it, nya?”

“I’ve never seen it before.”

Tart and Titiya tilted their heads in unison.

“Come to think of it, this is a rare item... I’ll use it, so watch.”

“Okay, nya.”

“Okay.”

Tart and Titiya nodded in unison. It was cute how they were in sync.

I threw the ring over my head, and it grew to about the size of a hula hoop, passing through my body. To my surprise, the dirt from the poison swamp was completely cleaned off!

“Amazing, nya!!”

“Wow!”

Tart and Titiya clapped, their eyes sparkling. They must have been eager to use it.

I used the ring on Tart and Titiya, and their dirt was quickly cleaned off as well. The sight of two clean, beautiful girls standing side by side was a feast for the eyes.

“—Well, let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Sharon, the ‘Healer.’”

“I’m a disciple, the ‘Alchemist’ Tart, nya.”

“...Thank you for saving me. I’m Titiya, the ‘Pope.’”

“Nya!?”

Hearing Titiya’s introduction, Tart jumped up in surprise.