“Hmm, what’s wrong?”
“What are you planning to do next?”
“I’m not sure…”
Aimoer bit her finger and thought for a moment.
Seeing that Senteli seemed a bit down, she changed the subject and said, “Are you heading back to the City of Purification? If you’re not in a hurry, come wander around with me.”
She directly invited Senteli, pulled at her gloves, and without waiting for a reply, pulled her toward the market.
“Eh… El…”
Senteli hesitated, letting Aimoer drag her forward.
She pursed her lips as if conflicted, but soon broke into a smile and actively followed Aimoer’s steps.
“Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever given you a gift. This is a rare chance—is there anything you want?”
Aimoer held Senteli’s hand tightly as they walked into the lively market.
She turned her head and smiled at Senteli.
“For me? I’d like anything you give me.”
Senteli answered without a moment’s hesitation, looking up at Aimoer with a bright smile, her eyes full of anticipation for the gift she was about to receive.
‘I want to protect this smile forever.’
Aimoer suddenly thought, ‘Maybe I should go back to the City of Purification with her.’
But unfortunately, if she did that, Ouluola would probably come and crush her in no time.
“I see. Then…”
Aimoer thought for a moment, walked into a stall selling charms, picked out a silver four-leaf clover charm, bought it, and personally put it on Senteli.
“It looks nice. Beautiful.”
Aimoer smiled and rubbed Senteli’s head, earning a satisfied smile in return.
“Thank you, El. I really like it.”
Senteli’s eyes were filled with delight at the gift.
They sparkled as she held the charm in her hands, her smile as sweet as a little pudding.
‘I can’t take it. She’s so cute.’
Aimoer felt like an arrow had struck her heart.
The true Saintess really had unparalleled charm—even Aimoer, a succubus, felt a little inferior.
“I’m glad you like it. From now on, when I’m not around, make sure to protect yourself.”
“Mm! I definitely will.”
Senteli nodded firmly, then, as if remembering something, she scurried away from Aimoer’s sight for a moment, wandered through the market, and when she came back, she was smiling with her hands behind her back, looking expectantly into Aimoer’s eyes.
“Heehee, I prepared a gift too. Guess what it is, El?”
‘Probably a heart-shaped ring.’
Aimoer had seen her little act clearly, but she pretended not to know and went along.
“Eh, I don’t know. But whatever it is, I’ll like it.”
“Hehe, then hold out your hand.”
Aimoer obediently extended her hand.
Seeing Senteli run over, take her hand, and then smile as she pulled out a ring, shouting, Ding-ding——.
“Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Then let me put it on for you.”
Senteli happily grabbed Aimoer’s hand, gently caressing it.
Her eyes went hollow for a moment, but quickly turned into a look of care as she softly slid the ring onto Aimoer’s ring finger.
The size fit perfectly.
How did she know the size of my finger?
And…
On the ring finger?
It felt like a marriage proposal.
Aimoer glanced at Senteli’s face.
Senteli was still staring intently at her hand, her eyes showing nothing but pure joy.
‘Maybe I’m overthinking. She’s a Saintess—how could I soil her with such thoughts!’
Aimoer mentally slapped herself a few times, then withdrew her hand and carefully examined the ring.
“It’s really nice. I like it. Thank you.”
“Heehee, I’m glad you like it, El.”
Senteli wriggled happily and smiled contentedly, then asked expectantly, “Where to next?”
“Hmm… How about going to the flower field in the east to appreciate the flowers?”
‘I remember she loves gardening. Back at the academy, whenever she had free time, she’d grab a big pair of shears and prune the potted plants.’
After making her suggestion, Aimoer watched Senteli’s reaction.
As expected, she grinned happily, hopping as if about to throw herself into Aimoer’s arms, but for some reason stopped right in front of her.
“Let’s go.”
Senteli took her hand proactively and walked toward the flower field.
Early spring, the flowers were in full bloom.
This field was said to be the resting place of the Grand Mage from the Human Hero Squad during the Doomsday Era.
According to her wish, the place where she was buried had to be covered with all the world’s flowers, so she used magic to create this flower field that never wilted through the seasons.
In the center of the field stood statues of the Hero Squad, and beneath them lay the remains of the glory-laden squad.
At that moment, Aimoer was kneeling at the edge of the field, watching Senteli curiously roam through the sea of flowers, an involuntary smile spreading across her face.
Who would have thought that beneath the statues of these world-saving heroes, a succubas in a Saintess’s skin was running rampant?
If the heroes underground were still alive, they’d probably jump right out and purify this menace.
Thinking this, Aimoer silently traced a cross on her chest toward the statues.
‘Ancestors, I’m just doing my job. If you want someone to blame, blame the fools you protected.’
Aimoer looked at the flower sea around her and suddenly became curious about how the magic circle worked.
She reached out, plucked a swaying orchid, and curiously tore it off.
Then, where the orchid had been rooted, a tiny sprout quietly emerged.
Under Aimoer’s gaze, it bloomed into a small new flower in an instant.
It looked like a large white Banksia rose?
She remembered another name for it, but couldn’t recall it at the moment.
Aimoer saw Senteli crouching nearby with her back to her, doing something.
She slowly set the orchid down.
The moment it touched the soil, the pure white orchid instantly dissolved into glowing particles that seeped into the ground.
“What amazing magic.”
While Aimoer was marveling, a shadow suddenly fell over her.
She looked up to see Senteli smiling down at her.
“What’s up?”
“Heehee, look at this.”
Senteli spun around beside Aimoer, then slowly crouched, gently opening her hand to reveal a small badge embroidered with a bright violet flower.
“What’s this?”
“A charm. The dean at the orphanage gave one to each of us. It’s protected me a lot, and it holds a lot of luck. Plus, I just embroidered this flower on it. It should bring El plenty of good fortune! I’ve added my blessing on it just now.”
‘Is this a treasure personally consecrated by a master?’
Aimoer accepted the gift with gratitude, thanked her, and gently rubbed her head.
‘She gave me a precious personal charm like this. I’d love to see her affection level. If it weren’t for that damn Holy Light, I’d have won her over already.’
“By the way…”
Senteli looked at the sun slowly setting in the distance.
As if remembering something, her mood turned gloomy again.
“It’s setting…”
Aimoer quietly watched her downcast expression, already having some guesses about her sudden change in mood.
“El… Can I ask you one last favor?”
With her back against the setting sun, Senteli looked on the verge of tears, twisting her fingers and staring intently at Aimoer.