Volume 4 - CH 9

Despite all that.

After the bathing began, there was no particular trouble, and Mist’s dirt was washed off thoroughly.

After the bath, the servants put on the clothes prepared by Cruz to Mist, and Cyclo also put on the clothes prepared by the servants.

After taking a bath, Cyclo was very pleased with the comfort of the clothes, which he could tell were of high quality from the way they felt on his skin.

Mist, too, seemed to have relaxed somewhat, perhaps thanks to the clothes.

“Now, Mist. Next, we need to solve the problem of your physical condition.”

“Physical condition?”

“Yeah. Well, if all goes well, that is.”

With that, Cyclo activates the [Clock Storage].

He takes out an energy cube from inside the storage space.

“Master, what is this?”

“I named it ‘energy cube’. Simply put, it is a mass of life energy. Moreover, it is endorsed by the Elder Wraith.”

""

“E-Elder Wraith?”

Wraiths are known as monsters.

The Elder Wraith, which is a higher level of it, were monsters that Mist could never imagine.

So, Mist thought Cyclo’s words were a joke.

“…… pfff!”

“Hmm?”

Cyclo did not understand why Mist laughed, but now was not the time to pursue that point.

The first step is to get Mist to ingest the energy cubes.

“Anyway, the energy cube is an amazing thing. It can even repel the Elder Wraith.”

“Yes, it is, Master.”

Mist smiles, thinking it is a joke.

I don’t know why, but if she’s smiling, I’m fine with it, and Cyclo ignored it.

""

They are not engaging in the oddest parts of the conversation, but there is no problem in progressing, so the conversation continues smoothly.

“So, I want Mist to eat this energy cube.”

“…… eh?”

Here, Mist’s expression becomes tense.

“…… Master. I’m going to eat this?”

“Yeah. It’s an amazing thing, after all.”

“…… It doesn’t look like food, no matter how I look at it. Even so, Master?”

“Yeah. It’s an amazing thing, after all.”

Despair flashed through Mist’s mind.

She was told to eat a cube-shaped mysterious object that was not food in any way.

It was abuse. From Mist’s point of view, that is.

But here, Cyclo finally realizes that Mist is scared.

He doesn’t know why, but for now, he thinks it’s time to relieve her fears.

“Mist. It’s all right. Don’t worry.”

Cyclo says and hugs Mist.

Unlike when he hugged her in the slave dealer’s store, this time there is no strange smell. The scent was fresh and girlish, just like a girl after a bath.

“This energy cubes are really good for Mist. I don’t know how much better you’ll feel, but ….. it won’t be bad. I promise.”

“M-Master ……”

Mist’s face turns red as Cyclo hugs her and gently persuades her, whispering in her ear.

And …… if you say that much, it must be all right, and she decided to believe Cyclo.

Mist reaches for the energy cube, which appears to be nothing more than a square object.

Cyclo cheers up Mist, who is nervous, by patting her on the head.

“Don’t worry. Trust me, Mist.”

Mist felt a strange and unprecedented emotion in those words.

She sensed that the words “trust me” were laced with some sad, almost crying tones.

Then, she was ready.

Mist took the energy cube and chewed on it with all her might!

“–!?”

Instantly, the energy cube burst in her mouth.

It becomes light and disappears as if it were melting.

A sweet taste like sugar or honey spreads in her mouth–and is instantly absorbed and gone.

At the same time, something strange happens to Mist’s body.

“I-It’s hot, Master ……!”

Mist’s body begins to heat up.

And, although Mist didn’t notice it, a faint light was also generated at the same time.

“This is …… there’s no doubt. It’s a sign of recovery.”

Cyclo is convinced when he sees Mist enveloped in the light.

The energy cube is, if the Elder Wraith’s words are to be believed, it’s a mass of life energy.

It is also an energy strong enough to drive out the Elder Wraith that was trying to take over his body.

If that much life energy is taken in …… Even Cyclo with a higher status can have a mild healing effect.

What would happen if Mist took it in now?

“Wow …… my body …… feels so lighter!”

Mist’s body — her skinny arms and legs grow in size as if by some miracle.

Her bony body regains the soft flesh of a young girl of her age.

And when the light subsided, Mist’s appearance had completely changed.

From a ragged, emaciated girl, she became a small but beautiful girl.

Her hair, which had been dull and shaggy, had regained its luster and become shiny blonde.

She had changed to be as beautiful as the fine clothes she had been given.

“–Here, Mist. Look in the mirror.”

Cyclo urges Mist to look in the mirror.

Mist turns toward the mirror, her consciousness a little hazy, partly due to the effects of the heat.

Then — she was surprised to see her reflection in the mirror.

“This is ……!?”

“See, as I told you, right? I told you the energy cube was an amazing thing.”

Mist is told, and immediately turns back to Cyclo.

“Master–really, thank you so much!”

Thus, with the biggest smile of the day, Mist thanked Cyclo.