Reinforcing The Village And Setting Off Again

We finished treating the injured and repairing the village.

I thought it was about time to leave, but it seemed there were still problems.

The village chief came before me, knelt, and lowered his head.

“Saintess, please hear our wish.”

“Yes yes, what is it — also I’m not a saintess, etcetera.”

It was already too troublesome to correct anymore. At this rate the real saintess might get angry someday.

Well, it’s not like I’m claiming to be one.

“As you see, this village is poor. We have always lived in fear of monsters from this demonic land…”

“Hm? Then how did you survive until now?”

“An ancient hero once placed a barrier around the village. But with time the barrier weakened, and recently it broke.”

I see… There were a lot of monsters here, so I wondered how they survived — that ancient hero had protected them.

Then the barrier broke, monsters entered, and that disaster happened.

“Please, with your power, restore the barrier.”

“Hmm, a barrier is impossible.”

“Such cruelty…!”

“But I think I can keep monsters away.”

“Oh! Please!”

So we decided to spread monster-repelling potions around the village.

Toka-chan and Cherge split up and circled the village spreading them.

“…Lady Seyi. How effective is the monster-repelling potion?”

Zenith-chan asked a natural question.

“Well, it should last a while.”

“…A while.”

“I don’t know exact numbers, but about 500 years should be fine.”

After all, 500 years ago my potion drove away monsters attacking the Royal Capital.

Even after I entered suspended animation, the effect must have lasted 500 years.

Otherwise I’d have been eaten long ago.

“…Your potions remain astonishing as always, Lady Seyi.”

“Thanks~”

I ruffled Zenith-chan’s head.

She blushed but accepted it. Cute.

Daphne-chan approached and pushed her head forward too. She wanted head pats. Cute.

The two finished spreading the potion.

“With this you’re safe! My lord’s potion kept enemies away on the road — guaranteed!”

“Oh! How wonderful! …But what about that monster?”

The chief spoke gloomily.

“That monster?”

“Yes. The Sandworm, a horrifying worm. It appeared recently and attacked repeatedly…”

Sandworm… sandworm…

Ah.

“That won’t be a problem.”

“N-no problem?”

“Cherge. Show them.”

Cherge nodded and took out the Sandworm’s head from her apron pocket.

Monster parts become potion materials, so I collect them.

“O-oh! That is truly the Sandworm! Then… you defeated it, Saintess!”

“More or less.”

More like I blew it up for interrupting our trip.

The villagers cried and bowed repeatedly.

“Good good. Well then, we stayed long enough, so we’ll leave!”

Problems solved — time to go to the Elf Nation!

“Please wait!”

Sigh… still more?

Honestly I didn’t want to get tied down here.

“Actually, Saintess…”

“Chief, everyone, listen carefully.”

Their attention gathered on me. I coughed and spoke.

“We will leave now. From here on, handle things yourselves.”

“S-Saintess, actually…”

“Never assume a saintess will always be there.”

“!”

“I won’t always pass by. Don’t wait for divine help — protect what matters with your own will and strength. That’s what I think.”

Basically: handle your own problems, don’t rely on me.

But the villagers looked awakened.

“Well then, goodbye. Live strongly.”

“““Yes! Saintess!”””

Good! Trouble avoided!

I boarded the dragon carriage with the slave girls and departed.

“Saintess!”

“Take care!”

“We’ll never forget this!”

The villagers waved behind us. Whew… I really worked hard.

I lay down in the carriage.

“Big sis! Mm!”

Daphne-chan hugged me — perfect pillow.

“Haha, fluffy~”

“Fluffy~♡”

Zenith-chan tilted her head and asked.

“By the way, Lady Seyi. What were the villagers trying to ask at the end?”

She meant the chief’s last request.

“No idea. I ran away because it’d be troublesome. They’ll manage!”

Thus we left the village behind.