Epilogue

“Cough… How… is this possible?”

Clutching the bloody hole in his chest, Vladimir had a look of utter disbelief.

“How… could I be wounded by a little girl?”

He looked at Sofina, as if he had understood something.

“…I see, so you’re the one…!”

‘…It seems he’s figured it out, that Sofina is the Saintess of Light.’

‘Just how much information does this guy have?

It feels like he knows more than I do… If I couldn’t “predict the future,” I’m afraid I would have been completely played by him.’

“…I’ll let you go for today.”

Perhaps knowing he was no match for the protagonist, Vladimir’s body gradually sank into the shadows.

“Trying to run!”

I shot an icicle, and the Young Miss, at some point, had circled behind Vladimir and was stabbing a knife down at his head.

…But without exception, both of our attacks missed.

“The next time we meet, I won’t be so merciful.”

After leaving this threat, Vladimir’s figure vanished completely.

“…Thank goodness!”

After confirming that Vladimir’s magical signature had completely disappeared, I eagerly rushed to the pink-haired girl and hugged her.

“I knew I was right about you, Sofina!

That was truly incredible!”

“I just cast a random spell… I didn’t think I could actually wound him so badly.”

“But you saved His Grace the Duke!

Thank you!”

“You’re welcome… Eek!”

Sofina, who had been smiling, suddenly flinched like a startled little animal, as if she had seen something terrifying.

I also felt a strange pressure.

‘Is there another enemy nearby?’

“…Hmm?”

Turning around, the only thing I saw was the smiling Young Miss.

‘…But why is she chewing on the corner of her hair?

That’s so unhygienic!’

While I was pondering these random things, the Young Miss approached us.

Though she was taking elegant little steps, she seemed to teleport right in front of us.

“Just how long are you two going to hug?”

“…Oh, right.

We need to hurry and treat His Grace the Duke and the other knights.”

I let go of the pink-haired girl, who was the same age as me.

“Can I ask this of you, Sofina?”

“…I’ve only ever treated small wild animals.

I don’t know if I can heal humans.”

‘This child, she’s even saved wild animals?

She’s too kind!’

“I believe in you, Sofina.”

‘After all, you’sre the protagonist with cheat-level powers!’

“Okay, I’ll try.”

Coming before His Grace the Duke, Sofina, disregarding the filth, placed her hand on the gushing stump of his wound.

“Pain, pain, go away.”

A warm light enveloped the Duke.

The wound, which had been bleeding, soon grew new flesh, and the bleeding naturally stopped.

‘To be honest, I thought she might be able to reattach the severed limbs, but that’s probably too difficult for a protagonist of her age.’

“Young lady… you can use light magic at such a young age?”

Perhaps because the pain had tormented his nerves for so long, His Grace the Duke still looked a little weak.

“Yes.”

Sofina nodded.

“What is your name?”

“My name is Sofina, Your Grace the Duke.”

“Sofina?

I will remember it.”

After treating the Duke, Sofina ran off to check on the other knights.

Meanwhile, the Young Miss and I went to His Grace the Duke and supported him, one on each side.

“…How did you know I was being attacked by Vladimir?”

“Because Ailena discovered the spy Vladimir had planted in the estate and unraveled his plot.”

Seeing the minor wounds on our bodies, His Grace the Duke first looked shocked, but then, for some reason, his expression softened with relief.

“To think you could find a spy that even I couldn’t uncover… You truly are remarkable.”

‘…It was just part of the game’s plot.

It wasn’t my accomplishment at all.’

But the Young Miss put her hands on her hips, looking very proud.

“That’s right.

You should thank Ailena, Father.”

“Foolish daughter, foolish maid.”

“Oof.”

His Grace the Duke used his remaining left hand to give both me and the Young Miss a light tap on the head.

The force was very gentle, so it didn’t hurt at all.

“How could a few children like you dare to come into such a dangerous situation?

If something had happened, you would have just died along with me.

In times like these, you should have gone to the royal capital for the magic troops…”

Despite his scolding, His Grace the Duke also smiled.

“But still, thank you.

If it weren’t for you, I doubt I would have seen tomorrow’s sun.”

At this point, His Grace the Duke turned his gaze toward Sofina, who was busy with her healing.

“That child named Sofina possesses incredible talent… She just lacks polish and needs more formal training.”

“Her family just runs an ordinary sweet shop, after all.

They don’t have the resources for that kind of education.”

“Is that so?

Such a fine piece of uncut jade cannot be left to waste.

I’ll arrange for her to enroll in the National Academy.”

‘…In the game, it was an Earl who discovered Sofina’s talent and gave her the opportunity to enroll, but now that guide has become the Duke.’

‘And the Duke, who was supposed to die, has survived.

The wicked maid who was supposed to corrupt the Young Miss has been eliminated by me… I wonder how this will affect the future plot.’

“It’s just a pity we couldn’t finish off Vladimir.”

The Young Miss’s words pulled me back to reality.

‘…Yes, that was also within my expectations.’

‘Vladimir plays a significant role in the main story of the upcoming academy arc… There’s no way he would be so easily defeated by us at this stage.’

‘And besides, letting him die like this would be getting off too easy.’

“Right now… more important than the escaped Vladimir… are the villages that were attacked by the monsters…”

His Grace the Duke, supported by us, suddenly started to struggle, looking anxious.

“We’ve already wasted too much time… We can’t waste any more…”

‘…Huh?

The monster army wasn’t a lie from Senior Aina?’

“You’re still going to go in your condition?”

The Young Miss narrowed her eyes, voicing her opposition.

“…Protecting the people of my domain… is the Duke’s responsibility.”

“Going in this state, you’d just be a hindrance, wouldn’t you?”

“But this matter cannot be ignored…”

“Sigh…”

The Young Miss let out a deep sigh.

After helping the Duke over to a tree and letting him rest his back against it, the Young Miss looked down at her father.

“Since this is the duty of the ducal family, then it is my duty as well!

Don’t forget, I am also a member of this family!”

“…It’s too dangerous!”

“Isn’t it more dangerous for you to go in your current condition?

Besides, Ailena will be with me… and if we have to, we’ll bring that pink-haired girl along too!”

“…”

Surprisingly, after glancing at me, the Duke actually relented.

“Alright.

You must be careful.

And, take the knights who still have strength with you.”

‘…Does His Grace the Duke trust me that much?’

“Then it’s settled.

Let’s go, Ailena, there’s no time to lose!”

At some point, the Young Miss had led her horse over and was now extending her hand to me.

‘…Does this mean… I have to ride the Young Miss’s incredibly bumpy horse again?’

‘Oh no!

My butt!’