Chapter 212
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[Birthplace]
And so, we flew all over the world, visiting many different places, from large countries like Lastall to small villages in the mountains.
Of course, for places we had connections with, we sent the ones who were most familiar with them—for example, Zana to Berqua, and Sinus-sama to Norg—so that the explanation of the situation and request for cooperation could go smoothly.
Iris and the others apparently had been working really hard. Unlike their usual selves, they had jumped into Zana’s chest while crying, I heard.
I guessed that just went to show how desperate the situation had been.
I was really glad that we made it in time.
It also affirmed me that my choice wasn’t wrong.
Even if I had to divide out the majority of my purification power to deploy and maintain the barriers, I couldn’t possibly leave them in the lurch.
Naturally, that applied not only to them, but also to other people, be they humans or demi-humans.
Incidentally, Porco-san, Nazarie-san, and the minotaurs at Labyrinth apparently had escaped danger by holing up underground. Porco-san had tried to jump into Ophir’s chest when she had come to explain the situation, so she had sent him flying with a punch. Maybe I really should burn him once to cure him of his bad habits…
Even as that idea lingered in my mind, we proceeded to our next destination, but…
“……”
When we arrived in the sky above a certain village, I suddenly stopped.
It was a small, remote, poor village—’Topia’.
Yes, it was my and Elma’s birthplace.
It seemed that the monsters had attacked it too, given there were claw marks here and there.
I saw my house was broken in some parts, I wondered if my dad and mom were safe…
Well, I’d cast《All Revival》, so even if they had met an unfortunate accident, they would come back to life, but…
Right then.
“Leave this place to me. I’ll also check how uncle and aunt are doing for you, so you go on to the next place.”
Elma suddenly said so as she materialized herself.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I know you don’t have many fond memories here.”
Well, it’s mostly because of me, though… Elma awkwardly averted her gaze, and I said to her with a smile, “Thanks. Then I’ll be counting on you, Elma.”
“Yeah, got it.”
◇
After seeing off Exa, Elma descended to the center of the village, flapping her wings of flame.
The villagers, seemingly noticing her, shouted in surprise one after another.
“Oh, it’s Elma!”
“Elma is back!”
“Our Saintess saved the village!”
“Welcome back, Elma!”
They all ran toward her, and in no time Elma was surrounded by the villagers.
““Elma!””
Of course, her parents were also among them, they pushed through the crowd of villagers and stood in front of her.
Actually, they wanted to go on to hug her, but they hesitated seeing the wings of flame growing out of her back, so Elma called them, “I’m back, Papa, Mama. I’m really glad both of you are safe.”
“Y-yeah, it’s all thanks to you. I thought I was going to die for sure protecting your mom, but thanks to your healing art, my wounds completely healed.”
“Thank you very much, Elma…”
As her mother thanked her with tears in her eyes while her father gently held her mother’s shoulders, Elma shook her head and said, “No, you’ve got it wrong. I’m not the one who—”
“—Oh, you are back, Saintess Elma!”
“!”
But at that time, the village chief appeared pushing his way through the villager with Exa’s parents following behind him.
Perhaps it was thanks to 《All Revival》, both of them seemed to be fine.
“Long time no see, Village Chief.”
“Hm, it appears that you have been doing well. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving everyone. To think that you have grown to the point where you can create such a miracle… I expect no less from our village’s hope Saintess Elma!”
『Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhh!!』
Everyone cheered at the village chief’s words.
If it had been the past Elma, she would have reveled in the cheers of the villagers.
She would have been ecstatic, thinking that it was all because she was special, because she was a Saintess, forgetting the one who had been supporting her.
She was sure that she would have reacted that way now that she was back.
Because none of the villagers had asked about Exa, who should have been always by Elma’s side.
“…Everyone, there’s something I’d like you all to know.”
『?』
So Elma began to speak in a quiet voice, “It’s true that I’ve grown so much. I’ve received the blessings of the goddesses, and my Holy Sword has evolved into Hallowed Sacred Treasure. At the moment, I’m fighting a war against a really, really strong guy who has stolen the goddesses’ powers. But the one playing a central role in this is not me. The one who saved your lives and is protecting the village by erecting that barrier surrounding the village is—”
Elma paused her words before looking at Exa’s parents and continuing, “—your son, Uncle, Aunt.”
『—?!』
As everyone was startled by her words, Elma shrugged her shoulders and said, “It’s a long story, but I had been abandoned by him at one point. Well, it’s only natural. I always mocked him, calling him useless and other horrible things, even though he had always been supporting me.”
『……』
“After parting with me, not only did he become comrades with other saintesses, he even moved the hearts of the goddesses, and now he has become the world’s strongest hero, even heroes of the past aren’t a match for him, his power rivals even that of the Goddesses of Genesis. Rather, calling him ‘Savior’ would be more fitting, I think? Everyone calls him that.”
“Savior… B-bit isn’t Exa’s skill far inferior to your《Sword Saint》?!”
“Yes… I also thought that his skill was inferior to mine, that its only use was so that he could take over the damage I received…”
“T-then…”
“But I came to understand that I was completely wrong.” Elma shook her head and said, “The reason he was blessed with《Substitute》was not just to protect me. It is because he is the type of person who can’t see people suffering and will bear their pain in their places that he is blessed with that skill. I mean, otherwise, he wouldn’t have tried to protect everyone by creating that kind of barrier all over the world at the risk of putting himself at a disadvantage.”
『……』
Elma said so as she pointed up at the barrier, and an air of awkwardness drifted among the villagers.
It was only natural, as in the past they all had basically ordered Exa to devote himself, his everything, to the Saintess Elma without regard for his feelings.
Exa parents were also looking apologetic, hugging each other by their shoulders.
In the midst of that, Elma released a small sigh, once again shrugging her shoulders before saying, “Well, that’s why, when this is all over, please thank him and apologize to him. I’m sure he’ll forgive you with a smile. After all, he has become a really good man, even if I do say so myself.”
“…Right. Looking back, we probably had been a little too hard on him.”
“Yes, so I had been. Still, he forgave me, and now we are entrusting our backs to each other as comrades. So, if you apologize sincerely, I’m sure he will forgive you. He is kind, after all.”
“Hmm, I understand. Then would you please tell him this in advance? From everyone in the village of Topia, ‘we’re sorry’ and ‘thank you’.”
“Yes, I’ll make sure to tell him. Then, I’ll have to go now, so everyone, please don’t leave the barrier. If anyone is still outside, quickly bring them back in here. I’m really glad to see you all after so long.” Smiling, Elma disappeared into the thin air with a *blaze*.
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[Birthplace]
And so, we flew all over the world, visiting many different places, from large countries like Lastall to small villages in the mountains.
Of course, for places we had connections with, we sent the ones who were most familiar with them—for example, Zana to Berqua, and Sinus-sama to Norg—so that the explanation of the situation and request for cooperation could go smoothly.
Iris and the others apparently had been working really hard. Unlike their usual selves, they had jumped into Zana’s chest while crying, I heard.
I guessed that just went to show how desperate the situation had been.
I was really glad that we made it in time.
It also affirmed me that my choice wasn’t wrong.
Even if I had to divide out the majority of my purification power to deploy and maintain the barriers, I couldn’t possibly leave them in the lurch.
Naturally, that applied not only to them, but also to other people, be they humans or demi-humans.
Incidentally, Porco-san, Nazarie-san, and the minotaurs at Labyrinth apparently had escaped danger by holing up underground. Porco-san had tried to jump into Ophir’s chest when she had come to explain the situation, so she had sent him flying with a punch. Maybe I really should burn him once to cure him of his bad habits…
Even as that idea lingered in my mind, we proceeded to our next destination, but…
“……”
When we arrived in the sky above a certain village, I suddenly stopped.
It was a small, remote, poor village—’Topia’.
Yes, it was my and Elma’s birthplace.
It seemed that the monsters had attacked it too, given there were claw marks here and there.
I saw my house was broken in some parts, I wondered if my dad and mom were safe…
Well, I’d cast《All Revival》, so even if they had met an unfortunate accident, they would come back to life, but…
Right then.
“Leave this place to me. I’ll also check how uncle and aunt are doing for you, so you go on to the next place.”
Elma suddenly said so as she materialized herself.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I know you don’t have many fond memories here.”
Well, it’s mostly because of me, though… Elma awkwardly averted her gaze, and I said to her with a smile, “Thanks. Then I’ll be counting on you, Elma.”
“Yeah, got it.”
◇
After seeing off Exa, Elma descended to the center of the village, flapping her wings of flame.
The villagers, seemingly noticing her, shouted in surprise one after another.
“Oh, it’s Elma!”
“Elma is back!”
“Our Saintess saved the village!”
“Welcome back, Elma!”
They all ran toward her, and in no time Elma was surrounded by the villagers.
““Elma!””
Of course, her parents were also among them, they pushed through the crowd of villagers and stood in front of her.
Actually, they wanted to go on to hug her, but they hesitated seeing the wings of flame growing out of her back, so Elma called them, “I’m back, Papa, Mama. I’m really glad both of you are safe.”
“Y-yeah, it’s all thanks to you. I thought I was going to die for sure protecting your mom, but thanks to your healing art, my wounds completely healed.”
“Thank you very much, Elma…”
As her mother thanked her with tears in her eyes while her father gently held her mother’s shoulders, Elma shook her head and said, “No, you’ve got it wrong. I’m not the one who—”
“—Oh, you are back, Saintess Elma!”
“!”
But at that time, the village chief appeared pushing his way through the villager with Exa’s parents following behind him.
Perhaps it was thanks to 《All Revival》, both of them seemed to be fine.
“Long time no see, Village Chief.”
“Hm, it appears that you have been doing well. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving everyone. To think that you have grown to the point where you can create such a miracle… I expect no less from our village’s hope Saintess Elma!”
『Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhh!!』
Everyone cheered at the village chief’s words.
If it had been the past Elma, she would have reveled in the cheers of the villagers.
She would have been ecstatic, thinking that it was all because she was special, because she was a Saintess, forgetting the one who had been supporting her.
She was sure that she would have reacted that way now that she was back.
Because none of the villagers had asked about Exa, who should have been always by Elma’s side.
“…Everyone, there’s something I’d like you all to know.”
『?』
So Elma began to speak in a quiet voice, “It’s true that I’ve grown so much. I’ve received the blessings of the goddesses, and my Holy Sword has evolved into Hallowed Sacred Treasure. At the moment, I’m fighting a war against a really, really strong guy who has stolen the goddesses’ powers. But the one playing a central role in this is not me. The one who saved your lives and is protecting the village by erecting that barrier surrounding the village is—”
Elma paused her words before looking at Exa’s parents and continuing, “—your son, Uncle, Aunt.”
『—?!』
As everyone was startled by her words, Elma shrugged her shoulders and said, “It’s a long story, but I had been abandoned by him at one point. Well, it’s only natural. I always mocked him, calling him useless and other horrible things, even though he had always been supporting me.”
『……』
“After parting with me, not only did he become comrades with other saintesses, he even moved the hearts of the goddesses, and now he has become the world’s strongest hero, even heroes of the past aren’t a match for him, his power rivals even that of the Goddesses of Genesis. Rather, calling him ‘Savior’ would be more fitting, I think? Everyone calls him that.”
“Savior… B-bit isn’t Exa’s skill far inferior to your《Sword Saint》?!”
“Yes… I also thought that his skill was inferior to mine, that its only use was so that he could take over the damage I received…”
“T-then…”
“But I came to understand that I was completely wrong.” Elma shook her head and said, “The reason he was blessed with《Substitute》was not just to protect me. It is because he is the type of person who can’t see people suffering and will bear their pain in their places that he is blessed with that skill. I mean, otherwise, he wouldn’t have tried to protect everyone by creating that kind of barrier all over the world at the risk of putting himself at a disadvantage.”
『……』
Elma said so as she pointed up at the barrier, and an air of awkwardness drifted among the villagers.
It was only natural, as in the past they all had basically ordered Exa to devote himself, his everything, to the Saintess Elma without regard for his feelings.
Exa parents were also looking apologetic, hugging each other by their shoulders.
In the midst of that, Elma released a small sigh, once again shrugging her shoulders before saying, “Well, that’s why, when this is all over, please thank him and apologize to him. I’m sure he’ll forgive you with a smile. After all, he has become a really good man, even if I do say so myself.”
“…Right. Looking back, we probably had been a little too hard on him.”
“Yes, so I had been. Still, he forgave me, and now we are entrusting our backs to each other as comrades. So, if you apologize sincerely, I’m sure he will forgive you. He is kind, after all.”
“Hmm, I understand. Then would you please tell him this in advance? From everyone in the village of Topia, ‘we’re sorry’ and ‘thank you’.”
“Yes, I’ll make sure to tell him. Then, I’ll have to go now, so everyone, please don’t leave the barrier. If anyone is still outside, quickly bring them back in here. I’m really glad to see you all after so long.” Smiling, Elma disappeared into the thin air with a *blaze*.
BirthplaceAnd so, we flew all over the world, visiting many different places, from large countries like Lastall to small villages in the mountains.Of course, for places we had connections with, we sent the ones who were most familiar with themfor example, Zana to Berqua, and Sinus-sama to Norgso that the explanation of the situation and request for cooperation could go smoothly.Iris and the others apparently had been working really hard. Unlike their usual selves, they had jumped into Zana's chest while crying, I heard.I guessed that just went to show how desperate the situation had been.I was really glad that we made it in time.It also affirmed me that my choice wasn't wrong.Even if I had to divide out the majority of my purification power to deploy and maintain the barriers, I couldn't possibly leave them in the lurch.Naturally, that applied not only to them, but also to other people, be they humans or demi-humans.Incidentally, Porco-san, Nazarie-san, and the minotaurs at Labyrinth apparently had escaped danger by holing up underground. Porco-san had tried to jump into Ophir's chest when she had come to explain the situation, so she had sent him flying with a punch. Maybe I really should burn him once to cure him of his bad habitsEven as that idea lingered in my mind, we proceeded to our next destination, butWhen we arrived in the sky above a certain village, I suddenly stopped.It was a small, remote, poor village'Topia'.Yes, it was my and Elma's birthplace.It seemed that the monsters had attacked it too, given there were claw marks here and there.I saw my house was broken in some parts, I wondered if my dad and mom were safeWell, I'd castAll Revival, so even if they had met an unfortunate accident, they would come back to life, butRight then.Leave this place to me. I'll also check how uncle and aunt are doing for you, so you go on to the next place.Elma suddenly said so as she materialized herself.Are you sure?Yeah. I know you don't have many fond memories here.Well, it's mostly because of me, thoughElma awkwardly averted her gaze, and I said to her with a smile, Thanks. Then I'll be counting on you, Elma.Yeah, got it.After seeing off Exa, Elma descended to the center of the village, flapping her wings of flame.The villagers, seemingly noticing her, shouted in surprise one after another.Oh, it's Elma!Elma is back!Our Saintess saved the village!Welcome back, Elma!They all ran toward her, and in no time Elma was surrounded by the villagers.Elma!Of course, her parents were also among them, they pushed through the crowd of villagers and stood in front of her.Actually, they wanted to go on to hug her, but they hesitated seeing the wings of flame growing out of her back, so Elma called them, I'm back, Papa, Mama. I'm really glad both of you are safe.Y-yeah, it's all thanks to you. I thought I was going to die for sure protecting your mom, but thanks to your healing art, my wounds completely healed.Thank you very much, ElmaAs her mother thanked her with tears in her eyes while her father gently held her mother's shoulders, Elma shook her head and said, No, you've got it wrong. I'm not the one whoOh, you are back, Saintess Elma!!But at that time, the village chief appeared pushing his way through the villager with Exa's parents following behind him.Perhaps it was thanks to All Revival, both of them seemed to be fine.Long time no see, Village Chief.Hm, it appears that you have been doing well. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving everyone. To think that you have grown to the point where you can create such a miracle I expect no less from our village's hope Saintess Elma!Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhh!!Everyone cheered at the village chief's words.If it had been the past Elma, she would have reveled in the cheers of the villagers.She would have been ecstatic, thinking that it was all because she was special, because she was a Saintess, forgetting the one who had been supporting her.She was sure that she would have reacted that way now that she was back.Because none of the villagers had asked about Exa, who should have been always by Elma's side.Everyone, there's something I'd like you all to know.?So Elma began to speak in a quiet voice, It's true that I've grown so much. I've received the blessings of the goddesses, and my Holy Sword has evolved into Hallowed Sacred Treasure. At the moment, I'm fighting a war against a really, really strong guy who has stolen the goddesses' powers. But the one playing a central role in this is not me. The one who saved your lives and is protecting the village by erecting that barrier surrounding the village isElma paused her words before looking at Exa's parents and continuing, your son, Uncle, Aunt.?!As everyone was startled by her words, Elma shrugged her shoulders and said, It's a long story, but I had been abandoned by him at one point. Well, it's only natural. I always mocked him, calling him useless and other horrible things, even though he had always been supporting me.After parting with me, not only did he become comrades with other saintesses, he even moved the hearts of the goddesses, and now he has become the world's strongest hero, even heroes of the past aren't a match for him, his power rivals even that of the Goddesses of Genesis. Rather, calling him Savior' would be more fitting, I think? Everyone calls him that.Savior B-bit isn't Exa's skill far inferior to yourSword Saint?!Yes I also thought that his skill was inferior to mine, that its only use was so that he could take over the damage I receivedT-thenBut I came to understand that I was completely wrong. Elma shook her head and said, The reason he was blessed withSubstitutewas not just to protect me. It is because he is the type of person who can't see people suffering and will bear their pain in their places that he is blessed with that skill. I mean, otherwise, he wouldn't have tried to protect everyone by creating that kind of barrier all over the world at the risk of putting himself at a disadvantage.Elma said so as she pointed up at the barrier, and an air of awkwardness drifted among the villagers.It was only natural, as in the past they all had basically ordered Exa to devote himself, his everything, to the Saintess Elma without regard for his feelings.Exa parents were also looking apologetic, hugging each other by their shoulders.In the midst of that, Elma released a small sigh, once again shrugging her shoulders before saying, Well, that's why, when this is all over, please thank him and apologize to him. I'm sure he'll forgive you with a smile. After all, he has become a really good man, even if I do say so myself.Right. Looking back, we probably had been a little too hard on him.Yes, so I had been. Still, he forgave me, and now we are entrusting our backs to each other as comrades. So, if you apologize sincerely, I'm sure he will forgive you. He is kind, after all.Hmm, I understand. Then would you please tell him this in advance? From everyone in the village of Topia, we're sorry' and thank you'.Yes, I'll make sure to tell him. Then, I'll have to go now, so everyone, please don't leave the barrier. If anyone is still outside, quickly bring them back in here. I'm really glad to see you all after so long. Smiling, Elma disappeared into the thin air with a *blaze*.
