“Wh-What’s that, Lord Lichtenberger?!”
“It must be the great hero’s instant death spell. I had no idea anyone in this day and age could use such a thing. It gives off an intense light, so it’s best to close your eyes.”
I did as the marquess told me.
Sir Aiskoletta activated his light spell—the kind of magic the Dark Dragon hated most. “Brilliance of life, ignite!”
The light was still incredibly bright, even through my closed eyelids. I heard the Dark Dragon let out one final cry.
“ROOOOOAAAAAAAR!”
It sounded like it was being consumed by Sir Aiskoletta’s light.
Once the light seemed dimmer, I opened my eyes again. The Dark Dragon was gone. All that was left was Sir Aiskoletta, who’d fallen down to his knees.
“Sir Aiskoletta!” I jumped off Lord Lichtenberger’s back, raced toward him, and put my arm around his shoulders. “Are you all right?!”
“Yes, I’m fine. I merely used too much magical energy.”
Magical energy couldn’t be recovered with a spell. But Lord Lichtenberger cast a restoration spell on Sir Aiskoletta anyway, saying it would bring him some comfort.
“You have my thanks. It’s a most warming, pleasant spell.”
Despite those words, Sir Aiskoletta still couldn’t get back on his feet. I didn’t know how to help him. Komerv couldn’t feed him one of his leaves to heal him either, so he slumped sadly from his seat on Sir Aiskoletta’s shoulder.
“Right, you can’t restore magical energy with magic…”
“Restoration… That’s right. Hey, Risurisu!”
“Wh-What is it?!”
Startled, I stood at attention when Lord Lichtenberger called my name.
“Give him one of those candies.”
“Ah, you mean…the same one I gave you?”
“What other candy would I mean?! Just hurry up!”
Lord Lichtenberger explained that, as soon as he ate the honey candy, he lost the sense of fatigue that came with overuse of magical energy. I never would have thought my candies had such a power…
“U-Um…”
I stuck my hand in my leather pouch, but it was empty. I never even gave the other members candies since it had been a failed batch.
“I’m sorry, but…I’m out of candy. I just gave the last one to Album.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Album.
“Huh?!”
Album was clutching the wrapped candy against his chest. But all the attention seemed to be too much for him, because he scampered up to Sir Aiskoletta and offered him the candy.
“H-Here…”
Sir Aiskoletta was too weak to pick it up, so I took it and brought it to his mouth.
“I thank thee.”
“Of course.”
As soon as he took the candy in his mouth, his dry, purple lips started to grow red again.
“Why, I can hardly believe it.” Sir Aiskoletta got right back on his feet. It seemed the magical energy had returned to his body. “Pray tell, where did you obtain this candy? It instantly restores magical energy, but such a thing should be impossible.”
“Oh, I actually made them…” I said.
“You what? You really made these, Miss Mell?”
“Yes.”
That was when Lord Lichtenberger explained my power.
“I once visited a sorcerer’s village and had them investigate the nature of Risurisu’s magical energy. They found that she’s able to enchant her cooking with ‘the power to make people healthy.’”
“The power to make people healthy…you say?”
“But that conclusion could be mistaken. Perhaps each food she cooks has a different effect.”
“I see. What a splendid form of magic.” Sir Aiskoletta took my hand and bowed his head. “Thank you, Miss Mell. I owe you for this gift of health.”
“Y-You’re welcome…”
Lord Lichtenberger warned me that it was best to stay quiet about this. “This country would use your power for their own gain if it came to light, just as they used mine.”
The words of Lord Lichtenberger, who was once known as the most skilled user of restoration magic in the country, carried much weight. Sir Aiskoletta agreed with him.
“I once met with a similar fate. While my country exalted me as a great hero, I was forced to take on whichever odd jobs they needed done.”
“O-Oh no…!”
How could they treat such a wonderful man that way? I was lost for words.
“But I get to enjoy my own life now, and that’s why I choose to protect only the ones I care about most. Miss Mell, I ask that you use that power of yours in the same way.”
I nodded vigorously at Sir Aiskoletta’s words.
That was how the Dark Dragon came to be vanquished after its long reign of terror over Doc and the Fore Elves.
Even now that the dragon was gone, they were going to continue their prayers.
“I don’t think we should hide the fact that there was a Dark Dragon here,” Lance murmured to himself in front of the stone mausoleum. “We’re only alive today because of this history and the sacrifices that were made, so we should keep praying to honor their memory and thank them.”
“Yes…that’s true.”
The breeze that blew past us felt strangely warm.
Spring would soon arrive in the Fore Elf woods.
Surrounded by flowers, I prayed that those who had passed would be able to rest in peace.
🥞🥞🥞
✦ ✦ ✦
THE mayor’s family moved quickly after that. They gathered the villagers and discussed the Dark Dragon’s history with them.
“It wasn’t the Dark Dragon that was evil, but our own hearts. Please carry that knowledge with you for the rest of your lives.”
The system of arranged marriages was abolished. From now on, the mayor told them they’d be able to marry the person they loved.
I wondered how the Fore Elves would fare after that. Though it was impossible to know for sure, I got the sense that they weren’t heading in a negative direction.
After all, there was no Dark Dragon left to fear.