CH 117

[Visit of the Goddess]

“Hello there… my cute children…”

Arcadia and the others were naturally stunned at the sudden appearance of Phinis, and they immediately went alert.

However, Phinis was immortal and she had control of the Sacred Treasures, hence they mustn’t carelessly make a move against her. Arcadia told everyone with her eyes to stay their hand.

Elma also noticed that there was something strange about Phinis even though this was their first meeting, so she swallowed her saliva as quietly as she could so as not to provoke her.

“…We’re glad to see you’re in good health, Phinis-sama.”

In the meantime, Magmell began speaking to Phinis on everyone’s behalf.

Being the best mannered among everyone in the room, she’d judged that she’d be able to avoid making a poor remark and provoking Phinis.

“May I ask what brings you here today…?”

As Magmell asked cautiously, Phinis slowly took a look at the faces of everyone in the room, until she finally stopped at Elma. Her lips then curled up into a smile, “You there, you are the ‘Sword’ Saintess, aren’t you…?”

“Eh, ah, yes… That is indeed correct…” Elma naturally didn’t dare to talk back against Phinis, and she replied obediently.

At that moment.

――Fwoosh.

“Eek!?”

““““!?””””

Phinis moved in front of Elma in an instant. She then looked into her fear-stricken face and said, “—Say, do you… happen to be acquainted with the ‘Shield’ Saint…?”

“N-no, I-I don—”

“Before, the demi-humans said… they couldn’t find you, the ‘Sword’ Saintess, no matter how hard they tried… Isn’t that strange…? Not to mention, I can clearly sense Olgou’s power from you… You haven’t become my child’s woman, so why do you have her power…?”

“T-that is because I have gone to meet with the Five Goddesses and received their powers directly from them…”

“So, you weren’t hiding somewhere…? Why couldn’t the demi-humans find you, then…? Wasn’t it because the ‘Shield’ Saint had been concealing your presence…?”

After a short pause, “Hey, you…” Phinis opened her eyes wide open and said, “—hadn’t you been accompanied by someone recently…?”

“I-I don’t know who you may be talking about…”

Seeing Elma so scared that she started to tear up, Arcadia couldn’t stop herself from speaking up, “Phinis-sama. It seems that she really doesn’t know anything. Can you please be lenient with her?”

“I see… That’s a shame…”

Listening to Arcadia’s words, Phinis quickly moved away from Elma.

“Haah… haah…” At that moment, Elma’s knees gave out and she fell on her rear. Her face was deathly pale even as she was trying to adjust her breathing.

It appeared that she was terribly shocked.

Her complexion looked so sickly that no trace of her usual assured self could be seen.

“…Can I ask you something?”

“Ask away…”

In the meantime, Tirna asked Phinis.

“Why’re you looking for the ‘Shield’ Saint?”

“““!?”””

Her courage to keep the same tone as usual even in this situation was commendable, but that caused Arcadia and the others to feel like their life-spans had been cut short.

However, Phinis didn’t seem to be minding it in particular, and she said with a smile, “Of course, it’s for that child’s sake… I have to collect the seven Sacred Treasures as soon as possible…”

“…? But isn’t the ‘Shield’ Sacred Treasure currently in your possession?”

“Yes, you’re right… But that’s no good… I have to give him the Sacred Treasures that’s been with the saints, or else it’d be meaningless… So, I can’t hand you the ‘Sword’ Sacred Treasure for now… Sorry…” After giving a smile to Elma, who was still sitting powerlessly on the ground, Phinis sank back into the floor. “That was an enjoyable conversation… See you again… my cute children…”

“““““……”””””

And so, right in front of Arcadia and the others, Phinis quietly disappeared.

◇ ◇

Meanwhile.

“……”

As I was flying in the sky at the speed that the two in my arms could endure, a sudden unspeakable uneasiness appeared in my chest.

I had Shiva-san used her Clairvoyance just in case, but for some unknown reason, she couldn’t see Estona and its surrounding areas as they were covered in black haze, causing my uneasiness to grow stronger.

“Please… be safe you all…”

While muttering that prayer, I increased our flying speed and tore through the sky towards Estona like an arrow.

Only some time later that I learned Phinis-sama had suddenly appeared at the inn where the rest of the girls were staying.