Your Grace

"Your Grace, thanks again for saving my life. If you hadn't been there…"

Hikari waved off Saber's thanks. "I have no need of endless praises and thanks. My partner and I just happened to be in the vicinity. Also, don't keep calling me things like 'Your Grace.' My name is Hikari. I am a normal priestess, you know?"

At the proposed question, everyone looked at her oddly. When Hikari's eyes met Kurayami, the dragon also looked at her strangely. At that moment, everyone observing the "normal elf priestess" had the same thought.

Hikari coughed to recapture their wandering minds. Her eyes still refused to meet the gaze of the pervert. Instead, she looked and pointed at the fallen saber-tooth. "First of all, what is this thing? Why did all of you try to take it on?"

Saber scratched his temple awkwardly. "It's a monster called [Striped Fenia]." He looked down, evading Hikari's gaze. "Normally, we would never take on something like this, but if we let it run free, our town would have continued suffering. The beast relentlessly attacked livestock."

Hikari nodded before sticking her hand out towards the fallen monster. With her command, the whole thing was sucked into her inventory. She gazed at the group who still remained kneeling with their mouth's gaping. "Well, don't just sit there. Let's take this conversation elsewhere."

"Y-yes, Your...H-hikari!"

The elf's glare silenced Saber's reverence. Hikari was aware that endless headaches would abound if she started gaining a following. Moreover, she had no information. For her sanity, it was best to take things slowly. They say early birds get worms, but Hikari would prioritize her safety and sanity above all else. Throwing caution to the wind was unwise.

Though, ever since the elf had gained sentience, she felt new sensations. Her eyes that gazed at her surroundings shone bright. It was as if this whole forest could become her playground if she willed it. Her ears already captured the sounds of the town. The power emanating from her staff called to her, as if saying, "you have nothing to fear."

She was able to dismiss these feelings, favoring questions first. Accordingly, Hikari acquired more information.

The elf and the dragon appeared in a forest inside the borders of Amalin Kingdom. The kingdom's name was evasive to Hikari. No such kingdom existed in the [Gensuba].

Even though Saber gave her the information easily, he looked at her strangely. Of course, it would be like an Earthling arriving in France and saying, "what is this place," while looking at the Eiffel Tower. Well, maybe that's a bit extreme.

The [Striped Fenia] was unexpectedly a big catch. The monster core would fetch a high price with mages in the royal capital, totaling no less than 30 gold coins. No one in this small town had the money to buy it, unless a group of them put their savings together.

When they finally reached the town, the elf priestess was surprised. Despite being small, it had a well-fortified stone wall. Still, most of the interior buildings were made of wood.

The light-armored gate guards allowed them passage. Hikari's looks and voice seemed to be a soothing balm in the hearts of people. None of them suspected her of evil, even while the dragon girl glared at everyone in their surroundings.

Once they were inside the gates, the pervert stared into Hikari with piercing eyes. "Since it's getting late outside, does Miss Hikari have anywhere to stay?"

Hikari looked towards the clouds—painted a brilliant orange by the setting sun. It was indeed as the priestess said. She looked towards her dragon who seemed about ready to do something drastic.

Sensing Hikari's hesitation, Kyra continued. "I can provide you free bedding at the church. Even the head priest at the temple would not let you go without the best bed."

Such simple words, but they were accompanied by clear ulterior motives. Before the dragon beside her could explode and before the archer girl bonked her companion, Hikari raised her hand. "First, I need to know something. Who does your church worship?"

The elf girl braced herself for the worst possibility before Kyra answered. "In this country most people—including myself—worship the Goddess of Light and Healing: Amelia."

Hikari's eyes widened. There was definitely no such deity in the game. Even the mythology of this place is different, but that doesn't answer why she looks at me with such a gaze.

The expression on the elf's face didn't change from serene for long, but Levi still gave her a knowing gaze. "Kyra was born with a blessing. She's sensitive to the light element."

"Exactly! When Miss Hikari used that spell, I fell in love. I knew immediately you must have descended from Amelia's realm!"

"Master, please allow me to punish this mortal." Kurayami's voice was laced with venom. In contrast to Hikari, the dragon began leaking a dark and sinister aura, freezing anyone in proximity.

Even though Hikari's face retained its grace, inside she was panicking. She didn't know if she'd be able to stop the dragon if it went on a rampage. She rifled through many thoughts of how to quell Kurayami's anger. The dragon was her contracted summon, and in the game, she would obey all commands. But Hikari knew this was not a game.

Hikari finally sighed and turned towards her angered dragon. The petite elf slowly brought her hand up while everyone watched. She carefully placed her hand on Kurayami's head to the dragon's astonishment. As Hikari began to pet the dragon, Kurayami lowered her head, embracing the pets of her master.

The adventurer's sighed in relief as Kurayami's aura faded. Her tail waved back and forth happily. "Master, I apologize for my impudence."

Even though she says it so seriously, her smile and tail betray her emotions.

Saber coughed and addressed the elf priestess. "Miss Hikari, we must report this incident to the guild. Do you wish to accompany us? Your testimony would be appreciated."

Hikari released a small sigh. Indeed, there were always these. Even in the game, the Adventurer's Guild remained the primary way for people to get miscellaneous quests. However, the elf nodded. She did want to compare them, and she wouldn't pass up an opportunity to learn more.