Published: August 25, 2025
After consulting with Hartmut and Leonore, I decided to head to the gathering site to perform healing. Since three of us were too few for adequate escort, I brought along the knight apprentices who had low contribution points from the Tarnis Befaren subjugation and had finished gathering materials quickly, leaving them with nothing to do.
As we entered the gathering site emitting a faint yellow light, from above I could distinctly see the vibrant patches of grass and plants contrasted sharply with areas splattered with black sludge caused by the rampage of Tarnis Befaren. About a quarter of the area had been ravaged, covering quite a large range.
“This is terrible,”
“This will definitely interfere with the lectures,”
I nodded at the accompanying guards’ remarks and scrutinized the site to see if I could perform the healing ritual. Unlike the healing done after the Trombe subjugation, this time it was necessary for plants to grow to a certain extent; otherwise, it would cause trouble during the lectures immediately.
“To ensure the lectures proceed smoothly, I will provide the healing. Please be ready if any demonic beasts appear,” I said.
“Understood!”
Upon reaching the ground, I called back to Filine, who was seated in the back of the mini bus.
“Filine, you must not get off. Please wait here.”
“Understood,”
Leaving Filine waiting inside the mini bus, I stepped down but avoided stepping onto the black sludge and stood just before it.
“Lady Rosemine’s close aides will accompany her. You all please keep watch around the perimeter,” Leonore ordered.
Following her instructions, the knight apprentices mounted on their mounts spread out to secure the perimeter. Leonore and Hartmut flanked me on either side, while Judith positioned herself behind to guard my back. Since Tarnis Befaren had just wreaked havoc and scattered black sludge around, no demonic beasts were currently in sight. Still, it was better to be cautious.
I summoned the stave and closed my eyes lightly, focusing as I firmly envisioned Flutlene’s Staff. The finely decorated long handle studded with small mana stones, the large green mana stone about the size of an adult’s palm cradled by gold filigree—it was the divine relic I first used.
“Straight Corben.”
Satisfied that the staff in my hands was indeed Flutlene’s Staff, I tapped it on the ground and gripped it tightly with both hands. Then I began channeling mana.
“O goddess of water, Flutlene who brings healing and transformation, the twelve retainers who serve by your side, hear my prayer and grant your holy power. By the hand of those who belong to darkness, the wounded sister, the goddess of earth Gedrurihi, grant me the power to heal. I dedicate to you the sacred melody, casting supreme ripples, bestowing pure blessings, fill yourself with noble color as I desire.”
I could feel the mana flowing steadily. The large green mana stone embedded in the staff blazed with intense light. The mana swirled, and a wind arose around me. My hair was tousled by the wind, and the edges of my outfit fluttered. I nodded to myself, confident that the healing ritual was succeeding.
The next instant, the ground beneath my feet glowed.
Flutlene’s Staff’s mana stone shone as a stream of green light began flowing across the ground like a water channel. From where I planted the staff, the light flowed steadily.
“Whoa!?”
“What is that!?”
I heard the surprised voices around me and hesitated, wondering whether to interrupt the ritual as I watched the green line spread. This was different from the ritual after Trombe; back then, mana quickly permeated as black soil, and small sprouts appeared immediately.
…What should I do?
While I was troubled, the green light extended further and formed a magic circle glowing green on the ground. It appeared to be something originally present at the gathering site. Its size matched that of the gathering area.
“Lady Rosemine, I will record the details of this magic circle. A report is necessary,” said Hartmut, the only civilian free to move, clearly excited. He swiftly rode his mount into the sky.