The Pope’s Resistance Army suddenly gained powerful reinforcements. Christina and her entire personal guard had defected.
“My daughter, welcome home. May you forever uphold the knight’s justice. The Pope’s selfish desires will ultimately bring destruction.”
“I’m back, Dad.”
The freed Knight Princess and Marcus embraced after their long separation, enveloped by the overwhelming happiness of the moment. Beside them, Elliris also offered applause of blessing.
Congratulations, congratulations~
When Marcus’s old subordinates saw that the Knight Princess had also joined the resistance, they were overjoyed.
Another noteworthy point was that Catherine, who had defected early, naturally had ulterior motives. Twice, in corners Elliris didn’t notice, she gazed at the Saintess with an “Oh hoh hoh hoh” to herself. Others didn’t notice, but the vigilant Nino did!
Nino naturally had her own little schemes, so she kept a wary eye on Catherine. In public, Nino was always inseparable from Elliris—just to keep Catherine from getting close to Elliris.
Oh, no, that situation shouldn’t be called “getting close”; it should be called “sending signals.”
The resistance’s main base had recently been in a peaceful rest and reorganization atmosphere, time flowing quietly. After all, the knights and clergy who had been on constant high alert needed proper rest too.
Soon, it was almost Nino’s birthday. Eleonora decided to use alchemy to craft a powerful elemental staff for Nino as a birthday gift.
“Oh, right, Nino, come back to my place with me, okay?”
“Eh~ Sister Ell, no need to be so polite! I’m your guard now! Just tell me where you want to go; you don’t need people like Catherine.”
(Well… Nino, I appreciate your kindness, but I have a rough idea what you mean by ‘guard’…)
The alchemical materials needed to make an ice-element staff were only available near the Arden Forest, so they had no choice but to go back.
Time to tease her a little and give Nino a surprise~
“Nino, come with me to fetch some things. I also need to tidy up the house—it’s been a long time since I’ve been back. I’ll use the spatial ring granted by the Goddess to carry some convenient travel and combat items.”
“Okay, Sister Ell, let’s go together then~”
There shouldn’t be a need for anyone else to follow. Uncle Marcus and Aunt Rachel seemed to be preparing for the final battle with the Pope. Lately, they’d been spending more time in the meeting room, and they’d even brought the Knight Princess along…
Ah~ It’s just going back to my own home, what’s the big deal!
No problem! There were still the powerful barriers left by Sister Ann and Mother. They’d hold for now. Even back when the old world boundary appeared, it took two years for the barrier to break.
That fortress is as solid as iron!!!
With the natural defense of the Yangtze River, I shall surely make you all retreat in defeat!!!
After briefly explaining and getting Rachel’s approval, the two of them left the resistance base together.
Thus, they returned to Elliris’s witch’s cottage in the Arden Forest.
…
“Nino, hurry up and check upstairs for me! How are those potted plants Sophia asked me to look after?!” As soon as she got home, Elliris suddenly remembered something important and panicked, calling out to Nino, who was walking ahead.
“Huh?! Sister Ell, are you an idiot? Not coming home for half a year to take care of the little plants—do you even know how to garden?” Nino couldn’t help teasing. She didn’t need to go upstairs to know the outcome.
Of course, Elliris knew the reason—she had been having too much fun with Nino lately and had completely forgotten the favor Sophia had asked before she left, all of it!
Hah, women.
Sure enough, when Nino went upstairs and saw the large number of withered, dead flowers on the windowsill, she walked to the attic staircase and said with a meaningful expression to Elliris downstairs: “Sister Ell, come up and see your masterpiece~”
The flowers and plants in the pots, without care or watering, had naturally all kicked the bucket!
Heh, it’s over. Sophia is going to kill her.
Would she turn into a yandere? When she finds out that Elliris had been having too much fun with Nino and forgot about her old commitments, would she chug a Monster energy drink and stab her? …
(Ellie… why is this happening? Didn’t you say you loved me most? Didn’t you say it to me yourself? Why can’t you even protect the fruit of our love? Oh, I see. Ohoho, hahahahaha! …)
“Aaaah!!” Elliris clutched her head as she imagined Sophia’s yandere transformation. Her imagination was so vivid that her brain was trembling!
Elliris looked pitifully at Nino and shook her little hand, saying: “Ugh… Little Nino, think of something, save me~”
“Ehh~ Too troublesome~ It’s all your fault, big dummy Sister Ell. Why don’t you just tell Sister Sophia the truth?” Nino’s lips curled slightly, her eyes looking away, putting on a superior, mean expression.
“Nino, I’m begging you… If Sophia finds out the truth, she won’t let me off…”
Knowing Sophia’s clingy nature all too well, Elliris was fully aware of the consequences if she told the whole truth.
“Sister Ell~ You don’t want Sister Sophia to know that you’ve been spending every day with Nino and forgot all about her requests, right?”
Nino had finally gotten something on Elliris; of course, she wouldn’t let go easily. She wanted Elliris to promise her something in the future.
“Fine! Nino, please help me~ How about this: I can promise you one thing, anything, as long as it’s within my power!”
“Ehh~ Okay, deal! Nino hasn’t thought of anything yet, I’ll make my wish another day!” With her scheme successful, Nino’s eyes lit up with joy. She agreed to find the same kind of flowers and plants as the dead ones and swap them out like a sneaky replacement. Hopefully, Sophia wouldn’t discover it later…
The potted plant incident settled for now. After putting necessary books and useful spare clothes and shoes into the spatial ring, Elliris got down to the real reason for coming home.
Using the abundant magic crystals from the nearby Treant King’s cave, plus the large amount of ice crystal magic ore from the Northern Snowfield, and the high-quality golem life essence from the Black Flame Mountain nearby, she could make an 【Ice Frost Staff】 suitable for Nino!
“Sister Ell, you came back just to make an Ice Frost Staff…” Nino’s eyes shimmered, shy and moved. Looking at the material list, she immediately understood Elliris’s intent.
“Yes~ Nino, you sure have good alchemy knowledge too—you know what I’m doing at a glance! Hmph! Though it’s still a week until the actual date, let me say it in advance: Happy birthday, Nino~” Elliris said with a gaze full of tenderness and a smile, offering her birthday wishes to Nino, then threw herself into the serious and tense alchemy process.
“Sister Ell, let me assist you. The ice crystal magic ore needs proper ratios and magic infusion, or it’s easy to fail.”
“Okay, Nino, let’s work together and create the most satisfying piece possible!”
Carefully controlling her magic, with Nino continuously injecting ice magic on the side, the long alchemical brew finally came to an end. A flash of blue light flickered in the cauldron, and Nino’s birthday gift was successfully made!
(Ding! Acquired top-grade紫色 quality 【Grandmaster Ice Frost Staff】. When the user reaches Level 70, this weapon can evolve further!)
The 【Ice Frost Staff】 was imbued with dense ice magic. When Elliris picked it up, she could feel waves of chilling cold—too bad she wasn’t compatible with ice magic.
Perfect! It was a weapon of the same grade as her own 【Grandmaster Staff of Life】, also capable of evolving when the user met the level condition.
“Here, Nino. This masterpiece is the result of our joint effort. Please accept it with peace of mind. I hope that when you’re not by my side someday, you’ll see it and think of me.”
Nino’s eyes sparkled, tears welling up. She said emotionally: “Thank you~ Sister Ell. This is the best birthday gift I’ve received in all these years!!”
“Also, Nino will get mad! What do you mean ‘when you’re not by my side’? Nino will always be by your side~” Realizing the implication, Nino pouted angrily.
“Pfft~ What are you crying about now?”
“Ah!! Don’t laugh, Sister Ell!”
“I’ll laugh if I want to, nee~”
“Nino is mad! Don’t run!”
“Then chase me if you can, Lit-tle Ni-no~”
The two girls chased each other around the house, laughing and playing, filling the witch’s cottage with a joyful atmosphere.