I got tired. Who would have thought? I have been spewing mana and flying around for some time now, so of course I would be tired at the end of it, and feel a bit dizzy. Yeeaah, I have been holding off using mana, but that is a small price to pay for salvation.

No regrets! Don’t live your life full of regrets, people! Otherwise you’ll regret it in ten years or so. Maybe as early as five, depending on how you fucked up your life. But heeeey, never back down!

“See? Now you feel sick.”

“Don’t want to hear that right now, personal knight!”

Currently, I was sitting down on the grass, like having a picnic. In fact, I even have some sandwiches in a basket. Mizia gave it to me. I opened the basket and pulled out a sandwich. This should be the one with the berry jam, something something. Anyways, it looked delicious.

So I took a bite.

“Hmm.”

Yeah, as what you would expect from my dear cousin, it’s delicious. She would make a great wife!

“... Would you like water, milady? I’m afraid that’s what we only have.”

Oh yes, Mera and Vernon were along with me. I lowered the sandwich for a moment. Mera sounded strange. Her voice was a bit deeper, sounds like someone tired… She has been like this lately, I told her to cheer up, but nothing has changed. Don’t know what’s up with her.

Now that I have a closer look at her, she’s forming a little bit of eye bags.

“Let Vernon bring it.” I glanced at him and he nodded before leaving to grab a pouch of water. “As for you Mera, is something wrong?”

“... Nothing is wrong… milady.”

“You haven’t been sleeping right, aren’t you?”

She lowered her head. “... I’m not used to sleeping under a different roof, that’s all.”

“I see.”

Nah, she lying.

Someone broke your heart or something?

I stared at her while biting on my sandwich, then shifted my eyes to Rogan. I felt some weird atmosphere oozing out. The knight had no problem at all, it was Mera mostly, almost like she was keeping her distance.

Damn, even Mera’s starting to dislike Rogan. Hey man, you have anti-ladies repelling thing or something? Don’t even remember you doing anything mean to the maid.

He’s supposed to be a good-looking man too, but why does it seem like ladies always have something against him? He’s also a good guy…

What a mystery.

Vernon returned, and I immediately asked for the water to relieve my drying throat. I drank from the pouch before saying, “Let’s have another hour before moving out.”

Once I had consumed the entire sandwich and drank some more water, I asked no one in particular. “So, how is Sir Alzen holding up?” I asked about the one handed knight.

Vernon was the one to answer. “He’s doing quite well, surprisingly. Although, his battle potential I have yet to see.”

“That’s good.” As long as he could stand, he will be useful somewhat. But that’s where he would only be for now, guarding duties along with many others. Can’t have him join in on the operation against the bandits, he might become a burden. “Please call Sir Elson here.”

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“Elson? That guy? Why?” Rogan asked.

“I have something to discuss.”

“He has piqued your interest ever since we fought along with him.”

“You could say I was impressed by his abilities.”

“Huh... I’ll bring him.”

He left momentarily to bring Elson to me. The knights looked on with curiosity, and they listened in. Heh, how cute. Elson looked pretty surprised, and he looked a bit wary as he walked towards me with Rogan beside him.

“Princess, you need me?”

“Sir Elson, how are you?”

“... I’m alright.”

“Good. You use daggers, right? I like the part where slashes go around once it stabs something.”

“Uh-huh.”

“How do you do it?”

Even Rogan mentioned he couldn’t do what Elson could do. A different kind of training and discipline, one could say.

“... Armament Magic, princess, why do you ask?”

“It’s different from how that magic is usually done, yes?”

“In other aspects, yes.”

“I want you to teach me.”

He shook his head, as if he was uncertain he heard me right. “Teach you?”

“Yes.”

“Princess, you can already cast powerful magic spells. I don’t see how my dagger techniques could help any further.”

“I just want to learn how you do it.”

“Why daggers? Why me?”

“Firstly, I don’t like swords or spears.”

“Ouch.”

I ignored Rogan. “Daggers are easier and better fit for me. And your technique is amazing.”

“I see…”

“So?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Of course, we always have a choice.” I adorably smiled. “But I would be happy if you agreed to help me.”

He looked away for a moment to ponder “... Very well… I can teach you, but I’m afraid you will have to get permission from his majesty.”

“I can do that, no problem.”

“And I don’t think blade training is the same as spellcasting. You will have to understand the way of the swords and blades. There will be struggles, physical ones.”

“If it’s only daggers, I will be fine, I think?” I giggled.

“Alright. Once you receive permission, then I will begin teaching you Armament Magic. And when you have learned the basics, my dagger techniques.”

“Thank you, Sir Elson. Looking forward to your teachings.”

And with that, our business was done, for now at least. Convincing my father and mother shouldn’t be an issue at all… Oh no, I’m getting spoiled. Oh my…

“You have yet to complete your Physical Enhancement training, and you’re learning another technique?” Vernon asked.

“I can do them simultaneously. Besides, time is short. I have to load my own armaments.”

Get it? ‘Armaments.’ Haha!

Rogan asked as well. “And here I thought you were resting your mana?”

“The time for rest is over. Time to work again when I go back home.”

***

The next day after the princess left the field of green, at night, something changed. No, to be precise, a lot began to change. The once small flowers that bloomed just yesterday grew taller, and its color brightened even more. As though it was filled with life.

The grass grew taller and thicker. Trees grew a little faster than usual, their trunks became bigger and their branches and leaves multiplied overnight. Fruits had begun to sprout, along with them were young saplings from the scattered seeds from the wind to the soil.

The waking of the goddess blessed the land. The River of Life giveth nourishment, a fraction of her essence turned the landscape lustrous, more than it had ever been. And this was just one day. What will it become after two? Or three?

It was a day of celebration, for after so many long years, nature has once again felt the touch of the Deity of Blood. One who begins life. And nature cheered. The trees sang, and the grasses danced.

But none could hear them but themselves, and its beings.

One such being appeared amidst the blessed ground, green light shining as stem ascended from the soil. It quickly grew into a person, a woman. She was beautiful, with beautiful green skin, eyes of gold glowing softly, green hair twice as long as she was, her completely naked body showed her inhuman perfection.

Insects like fireflies flew around her, greeting her presence. The animals nearby, small or big, emerged from where they hid to see and gather around her.

The woman smiled softly, caressing the animals and touching the blades of grass. The land that was starting to die was given life.

“My goddess, we thank you for the blessing you bestowed upon us.” She kneeled on both knees and clasped her hands together, looking up at the sky in prayer. “On behalf of all my sisters and all living beings, I thank you with all my heart.”

This woman was among the myths in many nations. A myth yet true. A dryad. Keepers of the world. But whose powers had been dwindling, as was nature losing its strength and beauty.

“I beg of you, O goddess. Please return to us as you have before. For even the Ruler of Mystic cannot take your place.”

All have their roles, as did the River of Life once had. And all must adhere to their roles, for the world requires it.

“Hear my prayer. I, Irdisia, call for your blessing to touch the entire world once again. Do you hear me, my goddess?”

Her prayer echoed in the air and carried by the wind. But who shall receive it? Will its intended recipient hear her prayer? No one truly knows. But one may have an idea, for Irdisia received no answer.

She lowered her hands with a heavy heart.

Her goddess did not hear.