Greed Is a Good Thing
The tougher the opponent you succeed against, the more dramatically you grow.
Perdikion was even glancing back now and then to make sure Heungmi didn't stray too far from Amelia.
It meant he was adjusting his own strength for Amelia's sake.
'Even Perdikion said to let Heungmi fight alone rather than teach her teamwork.'
Rune felt satisfied watching Heungmi naturally learning to fight alongside her teammates.
'No problems. Smooth sailing.'
Amelia had been worried, but using only thirty percent of her power wasn't really an issue.
Right now, raw power wasn't the goal.
What mattered was casting purification on as many external lifeforms as possible using just a handful of strength.
'Master small tasks repeatedly, and you'll conquer the big ones too.'
Good. Let's take a break for a bit.
Heungmi was the first to dash in with a bright smile, entering the magic barrier Rune had set up.
"Heck! Wow... Amazing! This is the first time Heungmi's met so many friends like this!"
She hadn't made a ton of actual friends, but encountering all sorts of creatures had left her plenty happy anyway.
Hoo...
Amelia followed, stepping into the barrier free of seawater.
The girl naturally shifted her mermaid tail into legs and sat down.
With a weary expression, Amelia set her spear aside and began to rest.
Dullahan volunteered to stand watch, patrolling near the barrier.
Rune gave him a nod of permission.
'Alright, time for a stamina boost around now.'
Rune pulled a picnic basket from his subspace pocket.
Here. Snacks.
"Wow! I smell sweet apples!"
"Peep!"
Rune marveled at Heungmi and Baekya's enthusiastic welcome.
'Their sense of smell is top-notch.'
Clack.
As he opened the basket, a plate of steaming-hot apple pie—freshly baked and still warm—rose up.
It was Rune's special apple pie, made by stewing apples with nutrient-rich honey.
As expected, Heungmi's eyes sparkled like sunlight on water at the sight.
"Hwang! Looks so yummy!"
Eat up, everyone.
He had infused each apple slice and bit of honey with his Resurrection Authority, crafting it in the freshest, most delicious state possible.
Baked in a fire dragon's kiln, the mana-infused food still radiated cozy warmth.
It was the perfect snack for those who'd been dashing through the chilly deep-sea chill.
"I'll dig in!"
Heungmi, mouth wide for a big bite, noticed Amelia hesitating and glanced her way.
"Sis, you not eating?"
W-Well... I've n-never eaten with my h-hands before...
"Really?"
Their eyes met, and Amelia ducked her head, mumbling shyly.
Heungmi didn't mind and thrust her largest pie slice toward Amelia.
"Umm. Heungmi'll teach you! Here!"
She flashed a beaming smile at the flustered girl.
"Hold it like this with both hands and eat!"
O-Okay...
Amelia carefully took the apple pie, hesitating, but Heungmi expertly sliced off a piece, blew on it with a "Watch closely, sis!" and cooled it down.
"Waaang!"
The little fox beastkin chomped down on half the slice in one go.
The sweet aroma of apples and honey burst out, filling the air instantly.
"It's hot! Huff huff, blow on it and eat in one bite!"
...Pfft.
Amelia couldn't help laughing at the sight of the fox ears perked up, one cheek puffed out like a chipmunk as she chewed and explained.
Amelia blew on her pie with a "hoo" and took a dainty bite.
...! Oh, it's really good. So sweet.
"Heh. Lord Rune's cooking is the best."
Heungmi thumbed her nose proudly, and Rune nodded along appropriately.
Yeah... Th-Thank you, Rune. This... it's so good.
Glad it suits your taste.
Rune savored his own pie with satisfaction.
'Definitely right to focus on mana-restoring, fatigue-relieving magic cooking.'
It primarily restored mana, but mental care was even more vital.
Rune pulled out a milk bottle and offered it.
Try this with it.
Heungmi snatched it eagerly and popped the lid.
Seeing her, Amelia took a bottle too, opened it with a glug, and drank.
...! Amazing. Such a w-warm, cozy taste...
The smooth, nutty milk and sweet pie vanished into their mouths in no time.
As Heungmi finished quick and ran off to greet Dullahan back from patrol, the re-energized Amelia sighed and hesitantly spoke up.
Rune. Um... Actually, I... I thought I'd do b-better than this...
You're doing great already. Why say that?
Her water-blue hair shook side to side.
I c-can't use 'Purification' p-properly... K-Keeps failing... Mistakes h-happen...
'...? That's better than expected.'
But saying so might raise suspicions.
Rune tilted his milk bottle thoughtfully, then set it down.
Amelia, you've purified and saved hundreds of sea monsters and creatures today alone.
H-Huh...? Th-That m-many?
Yeah. First time subjugating monsters, and you did that well. Still want to do better?
The little one's eyes held a serene smile, as if she knew everything, while she set her milk bottle on the ground.
In short, you've got ambition now. The desire to improve.
Rune grinned at the startled Amelia.
A-Ambition...? N-No, I-I...
The flustered girl waved her hands.
Not unreasonable. The ones you purified with your power snapped out of it and swam off fine, right? Pretty fun sight, wasn't it?
She'd kept getting good results from using her power.
A hundred successes and one failure naturally bred regret.
'Even against mad sea monsters immune to the killing intent from a dragon, beastkin demon, and death knight.'
The insane sea monsters charged mindlessly, howling.
Monsters without strategy had predictable ends.
Death or purification and flight.
So the group just had to avoid drawing huge swarms, and victory was easy.
Amelia must be feeling the clearest sense of accomplishment yet.
'Yeah. Not just the strong crave power. Even the weak-hearted can burn for it more than me. She wants to grow enough to wake her parents.'
Rune thought to himself calmly, popping another pie slice into his mouth.
He'd made it, but damn, it was good.
Not showing off or arrogance. You tried, succeeded. Started achieving with your power, now you want more. Totally natural. That kind of ambition is good.
Amelia couldn't deny it anymore and rolled her eyes bashfully, chomping a big bite of pie.
She chewed the sweet fullness, clearly pondering what to say.
Not small at all... Doing well what you think is no big deal—that's something.
...Y-Yeah.
Rune stuffed the rest in his mouth and puffed his cheeks with a munch.
You're doing well. You'll do even better ahead.
Caught out, Amelia bowed her head and swallowed her pie.
The words came casually, tossed out like nothing.
They were exactly what she'd longed to hear most.
'Weird. I heard Rune's just over ten, but he feels way more mature than me.'
It was like receiving wisdom from an adult.
Chewing her warm pie, Amelia peeked at Rune.
'Can I... become like that too?'
She shook her head inwardly after a moment.
This mature child before her was the sole survivor of the darkness clan, without even parents.
A hatchling destined to become their elder representative.
So of course she'd grown up faster than anyone—she could figure that much.
'I'm not Rune. I... don't even know how to help my parents right now.'
Hesitating, Amelia lifted her head carefully.
Th-That ambition... M-Maybe. B-Because...
Her earnest voice trembled but pressed on.
M-Mom and Dad... m-might be c-cursed too... r-right?
"..."
'Here it comes.'
He couldn't deny it.
She'd probably sensed it but feared the answer, so hadn't asked till now.
It was a long-expected moment, and he'd decided to answer honestly if asked, so Rune nodded.
The water mermaid gripped her spear tight and bowed her head.
Y-Yeah... I thought so...
Her shoulders slumped as she mumbled "So that's it" under her breath.
Rune glimpsed tears welling but didn't mention them.
"Ah! Sis Amelia, crying?"
Heungmi, back with Dullahan, panicked but rolled up her sleeve and dabbed Amelia's eyes.
"Something bad happen? Heungmi'll help! So don't cry."
The girl pressed down her bursting tears and shook her head.
It wasn't something Heungmi could fix.
Then Rune spoke calmly.
I can tell you how to solve it.
Amelia froze.
Her faintly trembling shoulders stilled.
You've probably realized by now—this isn't just simple monster hunting. It's training to strengthen your 'Purification' ability.
...
'Silence means yes.'
The deep sea was dark, but with the artificial gloom added, it bordered on a black ocean.
Now, much of that darkness had lifted thanks to Rune.
Plus, the purification training had cleared the curse-overrun field too.
You're doing well now. Raise your 'Purification' proficiency. Strengthen that power to free your parents from the curse.
B-But... P-Parents are p-powerful... E-Even they couldn't...
Amelia trailed off, seeing Rune's confident smile as she started to say How could I?
Right. Alone, it'd be impossible.
"Sis isn't alone! Heungmi's here too. And Lord Rune, Baekya, Dullahan!"
"Pee-yak!"
Amelia's lips twitched awkwardly as Heungmi excitedly listed their companions one by one.
Th-That's... Th-Thank you... B-But with our p-power alone... it's t-too hard...
It'll work. I'll make it so.
Amelia's mouth fell open wide.
Then she shook her head fast.
Im-Impossible!
Rune pondered briefly, then hardened his tone a bit more.