Chapter 49: Blessing

“Hiss… it hurts…”

The black-haired girl in silver armor slumped back in the chair.

She pulled off her long boots, revealing pale skin marred by a deep, crimson gash—so deep the bone was almost visible.

A terrifying dark-purple aura clung to the wound, gnawing at the flesh.

“Lady Sword Princess, does it feel any better?”

A red-haired girl in saintess robes knelt on the floor.

Golden holy light poured from her hands, driving away the abyssal aura while simultaneously healing the injury.

Her name was Sylvia Shirleyford—the Perfect Saintess revered by all humanity.

The wounded girl before her was none other than the renowned Silver Sword Princess, Selina.

“Thank you, Sylvia.”

The pain on Selina’s face eased considerably.

She could clearly feel the abyssal erosion being halted by Sylvia’s holy power.

“Once the abyssal aura is purged, the rest are just flesh wounds. I’ll be fine. I still have to go hunt down those demonkin—”

“Hmm?”

Sylvia noticed Selina trying to stand.

She quickly pressed the Sword Princess back into the chair with both hands.

“Sylvia, what are you—”

“No!”

Sylvia crossed her arms in front of her chest, blocking any argument.

“Lady Sword Princess, you are staying right here for treatment. Until I say otherwise, you are not allowed to leave.”

“I have so many things to do.” Selina tried to reason with her.

“Nothing is more important than your safety.”

Sylvia’s attitude was unshakable.

“If you take even one step outside without my permission, the clerics will drag you straight back.”

“You’re such a pain…”

“So? What’s your answer?”

“…Fine. I’ll accept treatment for now.” Selina sighed.

“That’s more like it!”

Sylvia beamed.

Her smile was like warm sunlight—brimming with life, instantly melting away the exhaustion Selina had accumulated from days of continuous battle against demonkin.

More than that, Selina felt an inexplicable sense of comfort.

She looked up and realized Sylvia was gently stroking her head.

“Sylvia, what are you doing?”

“Lady Sword Princess was very obedient, so this is your reward,” Sylvia answered cheerfully. “You’re probably younger than me, right? That makes me the big sister. Of course I should take care of you.”

“How old are you?”

“Nineteen.”

“Then I’m one year older than you.”

“Eh? Really? But I’m taller!”

“What does height have to do with it?”

“Then I got it wrong~ Teehee, sorry! If you want, you can pat me back, Lady Sword Princess.”

Sylvia leaned forward, offering her head.

“…Has anyone ever told you that you’re a little too full of yourself?”

“Yep, lots of people.”

Sylvia blinked innocently.

Still, Selina didn’t actually dislike Sylvia’s personality.

A saintess who was this proactively warm had a special kind of infectious charm.

Just being near the Perfect Saintess’s side restored Selina’s spirit.

And the most unbelievable part was…

Sylvia hadn’t slept in three whole days, yet she showed not a single trace of fatigue.

War had broken out between demonkin and humanity.

Demon King Ville sought to trample the human world beneath his feet.

Selina fought on the front lines, clashing with abyssal monsters.

After being wounded, she had been sent to the rear.

Sylvia, as the Holy Land’s saintess, was supporting the human side—continuously purifying soldiers corrupted by abyssal aura.

Any ordinary cleric would collapse after healing only a few patients.

Yet Sylvia saved lives day and night without pause.

“Sylvia, aren’t you tired?” Selina asked.

“Very. If I lay down right now, I’d be asleep in ten seconds,” Sylvia answered while still treating the wound, perfectly capable of casual conversation.

“Then go rest.”

“Soon. After I finish this batch of wounded.”

“But you don’t look tired at all.”

“That’s because I smile!”

“…What?”

“My secret is smiling,” Sylvia said brightly. “When treating the injured, it’s not enough to heal the body. Relieving their mental stress is just as important. Besides holy arts, I use the magic of a smile!”

“That’s… impressive.”

Selina sincerely admired her.

No matter what, she herself could never do the same—accept everyone’s negative emotions without a single complaint.

“Lady Sword Princess… will you go slay the Demon King?”

“Of course. I will kill him with my own hands.”

“Is there truly no other way?”

“No. To end the war, the Demon King must die. Besides… he and I…”

Selina recalled old memories; complicated feelings rose in her chest.

“I see… That really is a shame.” Sylvia sounded genuinely regretful—as though she pitied Ville.

That attitude struck Selina as strange.

Shouldn’t a saintess hate demonkin with every fiber of her being?

Yet Sylvia’s tone suggested anything but hatred.

“Lady Sword Princess, do your best. I will pray for your victory!”

“The final battle is coming soon. Sylvia, will you come to the front lines?”

“Probably not. His Holiness ordered me to remain in the rear.”

“You’re not coming at all?”

Selina was surprised.

On the battlefield, a saintess was indeed in danger, but if properly protected, she could provide enormous support against abyssal beasts.

“Mm.”

Sylvia nodded, then dropped a bombshell that left Selina speechless.

“Because I’m pregnant.”

“?”

“Pregnant women really shouldn’t be fighting on the front lines, you know.”

Sylvia twirled a strand of her hair, looking a little helpless.

“I actually wanted to go help everyone, but His Holiness strictly forbade it.”

“You—what did you just say?! Pregnant?!?!”

Selina was stunned.

How could the Perfect Saintess be pregnant?

This was absurd!

“Yep. Though it’s hardly a secret anymore. Quite a few people in the Holy Land already know. I think the announcement will come soon.”

“Who… is the father?”

“That… is a little inconvenient to say.” Sylvia placed a finger to her lips. “Just think of it as my little selfish whim.”

“…”

Selina fell silent.

She had heard that two years ago Sylvia had vanished for a time—no public appearances at all.

The official story was secluded training.

But according to what Selina knew, it had been a disappearance.

She had only reappeared recently, apparently “found” and brought back the Holy Land.

And now she was pregnant?

“This is insane, Sylvia,” Selina said after a pause. “If this gets out, it’ll cause an earthquake across the entire human world.”

“Yes… but I never thought I’d have a child of my own one day.”

Sylvia’s smile was different this time—not the radiant one she showed the world, but a soft, deeply happy smile that came from the heart.

“No matter what, I will give birth to this child. I will protect them with everything I have.”

For some reason, Selina felt a pang of envy toward Sylvia’s unborn child.

As an orphan, she had never known a mother’s love.

If only she and Sylvia were…

No, that thought was far too ridiculous.

“Sylvia.”

“Yes?”

“I hope your child… grows up healthy and strong.”

Selina offered her sincere blessing.