Chapter 21: Do you still want it now?

“Then… Darlian-sama, can you swear the oath?”

“Why is that?”

Although she really didn’t want to bother with such a trivial oath, when she saw Finihiya’s delicate, lovely face reveal a hint of unease,

something soft deep within her heart was gently stirred.

Being so beautiful really lets her do whatever she wants.

With a helpless slump of her shoulders and a sigh from within, she raised her right hand, palm up.

“I, Darlian Sasha Lissti, swear by the ancient god Sonia Straina that if the words I, Darlian Sasha Lissti, have spoken before are not true, then my soul after death shall fall into the Deep Abyssal Purgatory to suffer…”

“That’s enough, I believe you.”

Before she could finish the lengthy oath, Finihiya hastily interrupted her.

Seeing this, she cleverly raised one eyebrow.

“So now Miss Saintess—or rather, Lady Saintess—believes my words?”

Pigāo

Finihiya nodded gently, then that exquisite little face broke into a soft smile as gentle as summer grass.

“Speaking of which, those strange attitudes by the lake deep in the Tirnano Forest and the previous two times when I gave you cookies were all because I believed those boring rumors, right?”

“…Heh heh.”

The gentle smile suddenly stiffened a little; Finihiya just gave a silly laugh to brush it off.

She obviously knew, but had no desire to tease.

Her gaze lightly glanced at the wooden basket holding the puffs beside her, then she picked one up and offered.

“Do you still want to eat this cheese tart now?”

“May I?”

***

The wind slightly lifted the curtain hanging freely in the carriage.

Under the blazing sun, the hot midsummer breeze blew into the carriage, caressing Finihiya’s golden veil-like long hair.

Propping her chin with her left hand, Finihiya gazed into the distance as usual, killing boredom.

It had been three days since they left that town.

Now, the Demon Army was heading toward the journey’s endpoint, the Demon King City of Yabadawi.

Perhaps because the arduous trip was nearing its end, the demon soldiers’ spirits were considerably lifted, completely contrasting with their previous sullen state.

Her eyes withdrew from the distant trees resembling beech trees, silently watching the heavy book resting on her lap.

Her delicate, pale fingers lightly stroked the rough texture of the book’s cover.

Her moving gaze inadvertently caught the plate placed on the opposite seat.

The white porcelain plate still held a dozen small pumpkin cakes.

Because Darlian had seriously dealt with Luna and the others’ matters, her living conditions had greatly improved.

The bread porridge, vegetable and meat soup, or bread sent over were no longer hard to swallow.

Just as her mind wandered on these thoughts, the carriage door suddenly opened, causing her to jump slightly.

As expected…

The one who opened the carriage door was Darlian, muttering something strange under her breath.

“Darlian-sama… what are you doing?”

“A few knights reported that your carriage feels cold all around, so I came to check.”

Magic?

“Indeed, it feels cold and comfortable after entering.” Darlian’s eyes scanned the inside of the carriage from side to side. “Could it be that Miss Saintess used—”

Upon hearing this, Finihiya’s clear eyes instantly showed a subtle expression.

“No, if I did, I’d be dead, because I’m still wearing the Magic Collar.”

“That should be fine.”

“Hm?”

“The collar around your neck is specially made. It doesn’t have the kind of countermeasures that trigger when you use magic.”

“…I wish Darlian-sama had told me this earlier. I’ve been startled several times, almost using magic.” Finihiya sighed helplessly. “If it doesn’t have critical countermeasures, then what’s the collar for?”

“To conveniently lock down your location.”

“I can already use magic. If I really wanted, couldn’t I just nullify the magic inside the collar?”

“This is specially made. It’s much harder to nullify than ordinary ones.” Darlian was indifferent, then a faint, teasing smile curved her perfectly shaped lips.

“Besides, Miss Saintess’s magic level isn’t enough to handle that, unless that little pope comes and figures something out.”

What Darlian said was true.

Her magic level was quite low. Although she possessed the extremely rare holy attribute, lacking relevant spellbooks meant she was stuck in this awkward situation.

Others learned quickly because they stood on the shoulders of giants.

She had to become the foundation for the giants.

“May I sit here?”

Darlian’s sudden question brought Finihiya’s wandering thoughts back, and she tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

“Do you really need to ask for my permission? I’m just a prisoner of a defeated nation.”

“Hehe~” Darlian’s cherry lips curved into a faint smile at the seemingly resentful words. “Don’t say that. I never treated Miss Saintess as a prisoner. I have few friends, so let’s get along well, shall we?”

Guilt.

Darlian’s words were tactful, and the gentle smile on her face made Finihiya suddenly feel a little guilty.

Darlian elegantly sat on the opposite seat, then picked up a pumpkin cake from the plate and took a bite.

“The cool air isn’t caused by your magic, so does that mean you’re using some kind of magical item?”

gulp

Perhaps noticing the embarrassment on Finihiya’s face, the smile on Darlian’s eyes deepened.

“Relax, I’m not going to steal Miss Saintess’s little toys.”

“Hm? This book is…”

Just as Finihiya’s emotions were getting a little mixed up, Darlian abruptly changed the subject.

Upon hearing this, Finihiya lowered her head, staring at the heavy, ancient book resting on her lap.

“Where did you get this book? It doesn’t seem to be a human book.”

“This one…” Finihiya lightly brushed the cover with her fingers and explained, “It was given to me by the librarian.”

Library?

Hearing this, Darlian was briefly taken aback.

“Such a precious book, the librarian actually gave it to you?”

Hearing this, Finihiya tilted her head. Her lips, fresh and cherry-like, curled into a playful smile.

“I just asked a little, and he gave it to me.”

“A little…” Darlian’s eyes flickered with a subtle meaning. “The librarian is male, isn’t he?”

At Darlian’s odd words, Finihiya made a questioning “Hm?” sound, then lightly nodded.

“Yes! He seems quite old too.”