Chapter 33 'Brightness' and 'Original Sin' VIII - 'Price'
The next day, when the sun was just rising, this was usually the time when everyone was just getting up, but now, there were already bustling people everywhere, with tools in their hands and construction materials on their shoulders, working hard.
"Magnolia", which was dominated by the tyranny of the Dark Guild, was finally completely liberated today and began the work of reconstruction.
Presumably in the near future, those who were forced to leave will slowly return, and this place will once again return to the atmosphere that a commercial city should have.
The heroes who saved this city are now in a hotel here, enjoying the peace after the war.
…
(...Strange, why there is no change at all...)
Sitting on the bed and looking at her hands, a girl with unnaturally gray hair murmured in a low voice and was thinking about something seriously.
(...At that time, my magic was indeed blocked by 'someone'.)
In the previous battle, she was almost able to completely eliminate the demon, but when the magic was about to be fully activated, she was hindered by the 'mysterious will' and ultimately failed to have the desired effect.
If that source is as expected...
(God Anxeram...? Does he really exist...)
The confusion on her face is getting deeper and deeper. If she was really cursed by the 'Black Magic of Anxelam' at that time, she should not be trapped in a 'conflict' like a certain black magician now. Her body will spread death.
Got energy?
Zeira doesn't think he is a saint who can love the world, but he still has a minimum respect for life.
Or is she suffering from some other unknown ancient curse, so the impact is still not visible?
That would be troublesome...
(Ahhh...there is so little information...I can't figure it out...)
Zella scratched her hair in distress. She didn't want to live with a time bomb all the time. What was even more troublesome was that she didn't even know where the bomb was installed. This was the most deadly thing.
There was just one change, but she didn't notice it as she hadn't thought about it yet.
That is the crystallization of evil that is completely opposite to "life", and the black stained by it is even deeper...
"well……"
Frustrated, the girl put down her hands and complained to herself secretly.
If she had known earlier, she wouldn't have done random research. She thought it would be okay if she didn't touch things like life and death, but in the end, she still got it inexplicably.
Sure enough, curiosity killed the cat...
"...What's wrong, Zella? Your face is so ugly...ah! Is there an injury somewhere that's still hurting?"
The voice came from the left. The feather-eared girl who had been sleeping just now woke up at some point and asked anxiously after seeing the change on Zella's face.
Both of them used incredible magic when they dealt with the devil yesterday. Her friend's health was not good to begin with, so it's no wonder Mavis was worried.
"You're awake, Mavis... My injury is fine, but it's yours. Is there really nothing wrong with you?"
Shaking her head to suppress her worries, Zera looked at the feather-eared girl next to her.
Now that I know what Mavis did to use "Light", I'm really thankful that nothing happened at that time.
She didn't believe that after absorbing magic power that exceeded her capacity limit, this little guy's body would have no side effects at all.
It's just that when asked about this matter, Mabius never answered directly. He either looked around or smiled softly, leaving Zella not knowing what to say.
Even if nothing happens at the moment, it still doesn't make people feel reassured at all...
Both of them kept silent about their 'injury', obviously not wanting to worry the other, so Zella had no choice but to take the initiative to talk about other things and put this sensitive topic aside for the time being.
Because they were told that their bodies needed to rest, the two girls did not rush to get up, but chatted about lighter topics.
The room was gradually surrounded by warm laughter until the visitors who cared about them arrived.
"Hey! Looks like our little heroes are all awake."
After getting permission, he opened the door. The blond young man with bandaged hands smiled boldly and said hello to the two people who were resting.
"...Oh, it's you."
The originally good atmosphere was interrupted, and Zella acted very 'calm' towards someone's arrival.
"What's your attitude! It's really not cute at all! We went all the way to-!"
"You're so cute but you can't feed me, so why are you here?"
"...You!"
Yuri, who was interrupted, could no longer understand Zeira's way of thinking, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer the question to refute.
"Okay Yuri, you're blocking the road."
"Yes, she is injured, and I think you should give in a little bit."
The two people following behind held the blond young man to the left and right and moved him to the side, still scolding him.
A grown man is always competitive with a little girl, so he doesn't have to choose who to help.
"Huh? Why do you have to give in to this bad-tempered guy?! And I'm also injured!"
He yelled and made a fuss, apparently unwilling to accept his companion's 'betrayal' so easily.
However, he finally did not forget the purpose of several people, and became quiet after an old woman walked in.
"Which one...let me see..."
"Both, please."
"Well……"
Following Precht's guidance, the old woman holding a cane slowly walked towards Mavis first.
"This is the doctor recommended by the townspeople to us from a neighboring town who specializes in treating magicians. Let her take a look at it for you."
Seeing the doubtful looks in their eyes, the stern young man immediately explained.
"Really...Thank you! Precht! Yuri! Volod!"
Mabius smiled slightly and did not refuse the kindness, and sent his most sincere thanks to the three of them.
Although she had vaguely guessed something, if there was still hope...
…
"...um...is that what happened..."
Putting his hand on Mavis's forehead, the weak magic light kept flashing, and the old doctor seemed to be checking Mavis's physical condition.
Everyone, including Zeira, waited with bated breath.
"Grandma, is there anything wrong with her health?"
Still couldn't help but ask, after all, times like this are always the most difficult for those who care about the situation.
The girl wanted to know quickly what it was that Mavis had been unwilling to explain...
"Alas...this child...should be the one who used that super powerful magic before...the dazzling light that can be seen even in the neighboring town..."
"Yes……"
The corners of her eyes turned into a look of regret, and the old lady sighed helplessly after receiving the confirmation.
"According to what I have seen, although the huge concentrated magic power forcibly expanded the child's magic capacity... but this unreasonable way of using it also greatly damaged her body..."
"If this child still wants to continue to be a wizard, I'm afraid..."
"——!?"
In an instant, a silent and gloomy atmosphere enveloped the room.
If it is true, then this "price" is too heavy... (To be continued)