Chapter 40.1
“Nooooo!!! Leonora…! Leonora…!”
Bianca began to panic as soon as she saw Leonora’s body sinking back into the lake . Gustav even had to hold her, otherwise, the little princess would’ve already jumped into the lake to save her friend .
“What are you doing!? You won’t be able to help her if you’re dead! So get a hold of yourself! I don’t need a dead weight!”
When she heard that, Bianca came back to her senses . She still wanted to jump into the lake to save Leonora… but Gustav was right . Bianca would probably end up dying if she did that, so instead, she joined her hands and started praying to the spirits .
(Spirits, please, protect Leonora…! I don’t want to lose her again…!)
Bianca was really worried about Leonora . So worried, in fact, that she didn’t even notice that her body was trembling because of her wet clothes . However, Gustav noticed her distressed face, so he placed a hand on her shoulder, and said–
“–It’s alright . She was just dragged to bottom of the lake . That pace is a divine realm, so she won’t die . That said though, I want to know what happened . Can you explain to me why the Lady of the Lake decided to baptize you two?”
Seeing that Gustav was also trying to find a way to save Leonora, Bianca sighed and calmed down a bit, before explaining what happened .
“During our free time, one of the students used a fire spell near the forest… then, for some reason, the spirits got angry . They were talking about using me to appease their lady’s mood, but Leonora intervened… she said she’d go in my place . I obviously tried to stop her, but I was too late . And before I noticed it, we were already deep inside the forest . After that, we searched for the Lady of the Lake, and we even managed to find her, however, when I begged for her forgiveness, she decided to baptize us . ” – Said Bianca, in a regretful tone .
“Idiot! Why didn’t you two run away when you had the chance!?”
“I-I tried to persuade Leonora, okay!? But she wouldn’t budge! She said she had to speak with the Lady of the Lake, so how could I ever let her do that alone!? She’s like a little sister to me! I couldn’t just abandon her and go back on my own! Besides, I still had to apologize for what the other students did!”
Bianca had a point . If it were him, Gustav would certainly go with his sister . Besides, there’s no way Bianca could’ve stopped Leonora, after all, that little girl was the perfect depiction of selflessness .
Without a doubt, Leonora wanted to speak with Carnelian because that was the fastest way to solve the water problem–
(So she’s at it again, huh? Natalia was right, Leonora truly is an Altruistic Saintess . )
–However, the same dedication that she showed towards the people of the empire, wasn’t applied to herself… and that was her only flaw .
“She’s always like that . Even though she is scared of nearly everything, she doesn’t mind sacrificing herself to save others . I don’t even know how many time she saved me . But it’s my fault, this time… if I hadn’t begged the Lady of the Lake to forgive us, then none of this would’ve happened . ”
Actually, it wasn’t Bianca’s fault . However, the only one who could refute her was, unfortunately, inside the lake right now .
“But that’s weird . We both know that Leonora is anything but greedy, so why would the Lady of the Lake drag her to the bottom of the lake?”
Although Gustav was clueless in regards to what happened, Bianca knew exactly why she was dragged to the bottom of the lake .
“Because Leonora misses her mother… that’s why she only wears black clothes! I’m sure she didn’t do anything wrong! She probably just wanted to see her again! But the Lady of the Lake saw that as her being greedy! Why else would she punish such a child for such a simple wish!?” – Said Bianca, in an angry tone, as she stared at the lake with tears in her eyes .
Convinced by the little princess’ explanation, Gustav closed his eyes and nodded with a painful expression on his face .
“Maybe you’re right… but if a great spirit drags someone to their divine realm, it can also mean that they like that person… which is probably the case . So our only option is to call the Lady of the Lake again and beg her to release Leonora . ” – Said Gustav, as he turned to look at the lake as well .
He then switched to Elandic and started calling Carnelian’s name .
Every time Gustav did that, the surface of the lake would shake violently, which was a clear sign that the Lady of the Lake heard him… however, there was no response from the other side .
(Why isn’t she answering him…?) – Thought Bianca, as she listened to Gustav’s imposing voice .
There was something weird going on . The Lady of the Lake should’ve already answered Gustav, but, contrary to when they* called her, nothing happened this time . Bianca even wondered if the holy knight was saying the right words . However, since she didn’t know much about Elandic, it was a bit hard for her to point out something .
(*Tl/n: Leo and Bianca . )
(Kuh…! If only I knew how to speak in Elandic, then I would be able to–no, wait, I don’t really need to know Elandic, right? I can just repeat what Gustav-sensei is saying!)
As she realized that she could be of help, Bianca decided to focus on the words that Gustav was saying .
[Please, Carnelian, the Great Spirit of the Lake, release that innocent girl!]
(Carnel, the Grat Sprit of the Lak*… no, that’s not it… that’s probably a name, so I have to pronounce it right…) (*Tl/n: That’s in Elandic . )
[Please, I beg you, Carnelian, the Great Spirit of the Lake, show yourself to me and release that innocent girl!]
(I see… so it was, Carnelian… well, I don’t think I’ll be able to understand the rest, so I’ll have to make do with just that…) – Thought Bianca, as she clenched her fists; there was a powerful flame of determination dwelling in her eyes .
Bianca wasn’t fluent in Elandic, and she certainly didn’t have a lot of magic power, but she could, at least, help her best friend .
She was tired of only being helped all the time .
Now it was her turn to help someone .
“…*Whisper*…Listen carefully, you half fish Goddess, because I’ll only say it once… . ”
Bianca then closed her eyes and took a deep breath… when she opened them, she yelled–
[–Carnelian, return my best friend!!!]
There was a brief moment of silence right after she said that… but then–
*Booooom!!!*
–A giant water pillar suddenly emerged from the center of the lake .
“Kyaaaa…!”
Bianca involuntarily shielded her face with her arms because of the loud sound, however, as she turned back to look at the water pillar, she saw the figure of a familiar little girl being thrown out of the lake .
“Leonora…!”
There was a hint of surprise on the little girl’s face, when she realized that she had been thrown out of the lake, which soon turned into fright, after all, she was free falling towards the shore .
“Aaaaaaaaah…!”
“Watch out!” – Yelled Gustav, as he jumped to grab Leonora out of the air, before she could hit the ground .
The two of them managed to land safely on the shore . However, even though Leonora was shaking from head to toe because of her near death experience, her amethyst eyes kept wandering around restlessly, like she was searching for something . But when her gaze landed on Bianca, her whole face lit up .
“Neh-sama…!”
“Leonora–!”
Bianca was so happy to see her little sister again, that she didn’t even care that Gustav was holding her . She just sprinted up to the priest and hugged Leonora .
“–Thank god you’re safe……!”
It was a moving reunion . Even Gustav thought so . However, that moment of happiness didn’t last long . As soon as the holy knight released Leonora, a beautiful woman with pale hair emerged from the lake .
Without a doubt, that woman was Carnelian . She exuded an aura so majestic, and so overwhelming, that Gustav and Bianca couldn’t even look at her . They even kneeled to not incur her wrath .
However, that wasn’t the case for the little girl with amethyst eyes . She wasn’t fazed at all . She just stood there, as if waiting for something .
—You are a really lucky human, you know that?
Carnelian’s voice echoed throughout the clearing, but there was no response from the girl with amethyst eyes . She just stood there, staring straight into Carnelian’s eyes .
—I see…… but you know what I want in exchange, right? – Said Carnelian, as she glanced at Bianca with a smile .
When Leonora heard that, she nodded, then she turned around, and said–
“–Neh-sama, I need, your help! You have to, repeat exactly, what I say!” – Said Leonora, as she grabbed Bianca’s hand; her eyes were shining with determination .
“Huh…? I-I have to do what…?”
Bianca didn’t understand what was going on . To her, the Lady of the Lake was having a one way conversation with herself . But, for some reason, that turned into her little sister asking for her help, so she became even more confused .
“Please! Everything depends, on this! Without, her blessing, the magic crest, won’t work!”
Everything depends on this .
When she heard that, Bianca finally realized what Leonora was trying to do . She was probably–no, without a doubt, trying to help everyone… again . And as her big sister, it was Bianca’s job to help lessen her burden .
“Okay… I’ll help you . But you have to promise me that this isn’t going to put you in danger . ” – Said Bianca, in a serious tone, as she gazed directly into her little sister’s amethyst eyes .
“This won’t, put me, in danger . Rather, it’ll help me, a lot . ”
Leonora then approached Bianca and whispered something in her ear . Those words were, definitively, in Elandic . But, surprisingly enough, the little princess managed to memorize everything, even though she didn’t understand their meaning .
Now that she knew what she had to do, Bianca found her job rather simple . She just had to repeat some words . However, since she didn’t want to embarrass her little sister, she stood up and stared directly into Carnelian’s blue eyes with a confident look on her face, before shouting–
[–Be honored, Carnelian, because I will let you make a contract with me!]
No sane person would shout those cocky words to a god-like being, however, the same thing didn’t apply to Carnelian, after all, when she heard that–
—///////////////////////////////!!!!!!
–She blushed furiously .
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