To cut a B-rank monster in one stroke, how strong is she! They say a sword can cut if the edge is properly aligned, but it looked like no force was applied at all. How could she cut so cleanly?
Excited, I approached the two as I was called by Commander Cyril.
The commander, who had been beckoning me, suddenly looked at my arm in alarm.
"Fia! Did you get injured?"
"Huh? Oh, I remember now. I got snagged by the Flowerhorn Dia's horn. It's just a scratch."
"No, that wound is about ten centimeters long and quite deep. It's not just a scratch. Lady Saint... "
The commander, who had been examining the wound on my sleeve, stopped speaking as if he had seen something.
Following his gaze, I saw the holy women yelling at the knights.
... Well, it's fortunate that I can't hear what they're saying.
Priorities change depending on the situation. The moment the Flowerhorn Dia appeared, the top priority became defeating the monster, so the holy women also joined in the monster hunt. If we couldn't defeat the monster, the entire squad could have been wiped out, so it was unavoidable. However, from the holy women's perspective, it must be an unforgivable act. Even from a distance, they look incredibly angry.
... Yeah, this is hopeless. Quite a few people were injured in the battle, but I won't get healed.
I gave up on getting treatment and turned back to the commander.
"It's just a scratch. I have the recovery potion distributed, so I'll take it later."
"No, you should take it now. It takes time for the effects to kick in after you take it, so you should take it early."
Hmm... But, isn't it said that taking a recovery potion causes intense pain? I'm fine. I can heal myself. After all, I'm a former Great Saint (sparkle).
"Fia...? You're not afraid of the temporary pain, are you? That's like avoiding a small problem and ending up with a big one. You're already 15 and an adult, so stop acting like a child!"
Then, the commander grabbed me by the neck and forced my mouth open.
"Commander, please relax! The Rude family has always been strong! Besides, my father said relying on medicine is a sign of weakness. As a daughter of the Rude family, I will properly follow my father's teachings... gah!"
In the middle of speaking, the commander forced the medicine into my mouth without any discussion.
"Ah――, what, this is bitter! Ugh, it's bitter!!"
I instinctively covered my mouth with both hands, trying to escape the bitterness, but it wouldn't leave my mouth.
Looking around for a solution, I met the president's gaze, but he just waved his hand in amusement.
Oh, he's not going to help.
Unable to bear it, I jumped on the spot.
Bitter, bitter, so bitter! My tongue feels like it's on fire! Oh, if only I had gotten used to bitter things regularly. Then, maybe I could have tolerated this bitterness a bit better.
While jumping repeatedly, I had a random thought. But, sometimes, good ideas come when you move your body.
Sweetness! That's it, I can eat something sweet to counteract the taste!
Looking around, I spotted the tree I was aiming for and ran towards it.
"Hey, Fia! Where are you going by yourself?"
The commander called out in a panic from behind, but I couldn't stop.
Finding the tree, I picked the small, red fruits that were hanging heavily and popped one into my mouth.
"Fia! Spit it out!"
The commander ran over in a panic, but I had already eaten it, chewing and swallowing.
... As always, these fruits are incredibly sweet. Why are they so delicious that the forest animals don't eat them?
"Fia!"
The commander, who had caught up, stuck his fingers into my mouth and searched around, but it was too late. I had already eaten them.
"Ugh, did you want to try them too? There are still plenty left. Don't try to take them from my mouth; just pick them yourself."
"... Are you okay? They look delicious, but they are extremely bitter compared to the recovery potion..."
"Huh? They're incredibly sweet?"
Tilting my head in confusion, I continued to pick and eat more fruits.
"Mmm, see, they're sweet."
"... From your reaction to the recovery potion, it doesn't seem like you have a poor sense of taste..."
The commander hesitantly picked a fruit and took a small bite.
"! ... Gah, I was foolish to trust you!"
The commander, who had fallen to one knee, looked in agony. Watching him, I thought, "Even when a handsome face is distorted, it's still handsome."
"Oh, Commander, you drink, right? So, you don't like sweet things?"
"... What are you talking about? These fruits are extremely bitter."
"Come on. Not liking sweet things isn't something to be ashamed of."
While saying this, I picked and ate the fourth and fifth fruits, savoring the sweetness.
Noticing the commander staring at me, I offered him another fruit.
"Here, do you want more? Here you go."
But the commander looked at it as if it were something to be avoided and didn't reach for it.
Confused, I met the president's gaze as he walked over slowly.
"President, please. They're really delicious."
The president looked at me silently for a few seconds before reaching out and picking a fruit from my palm. He then popped it into his mouth.
"President!!"
The commander gasped in shock, but the president, unfazed, chewed the fruit.
"... It's sweet."
He murmured, sounding surprised.
"No way."
The commander, who had gasped in surprise, picked another fruit and bit into it, groaning and crouching to the ground again.
... Well, if it doesn't suit your taste, you could just spit it out. The fact that he tries to eat it properly shows his good manners.
While picking more fruits, I heard the president's voice.
"Fia, give one to Cyril."
"Understood. Commander, here you go."
The commander, looking hesitant, picked a fruit from my hand and popped it into his mouth. He bit into it with determination and opened his eyes wide.
"Sweet..."
... I see, I see. When I offered it, he only took a small bite, but when the president told him to, he ate the whole thing. ... The commander really admires the president. I knew that.
But, it's okay. A direct subordinate won't sulk over something like this. I'll support the commander properly.
"Yes, they're sweet. But, it's actually a good sign if a man doesn't like sweet things."
"... What do you mean by that?"
Ignoring my attempt to comfort him, the commander turned to the president. *Cough*!
"... According to legend, this forest was once inhabited by spirits. They would grant favors to those they favored. ... This must be the spirit's blessing. Fia, you must be 'the one loved by the spirits.' The spirits are helping you so much that they turn bitter fruits sweet. Or, if the spirits have already left the forest, the forest itself is helping you. ... It's a shame. If you had the ability to use healing magic, you could have become an excellent holy woman."
All girls born in the kingdom are tested at the ages of three and ten to see if they can use healing magic. Since I wasn't taken by the church, it means I was determined to have no healing magic ability at both tests.
"... That's enough. I have been given everything I need."
I looked at the president and smiled.
... I've been given a second chance to be born in this country.
That is the greatest blessing of the spirits.
After a moment of silence, the commander spoke up, breaking the silence.
"... Well, Fia. If you've calmed down, I have something I want to ask you..."
Something he wants to ask?
"Yes, what is it?"
And just as I tilted my head in confusion, a sharp pain hit my entire body!