A Maiden's Smile

Success retrieving it. The hundred percent acquisition rate remained intact. 

Lurking under the floor, I stole the God Stone amidst the chaos.

While attention was on the sinking town, I used the remaining magic to transport the stone up the mountain.

No need climbing as high as the Lake of Spirits. Just somewhere out of sight.

Reaching a flattened part of the slope, I unceremoniously dumped the God Stone and caught my breath.

Alright, now to have them carry it as planned. 

"Yo, Engy~"

Right on time, Phoenix appeared. 

—Is that your boss's boss?

—Looks capable.

"Idiot! Damn bird! I'm Engy's master! Oh crap. Spoke in human tongue. ***! ****!"

—Wow! As expected of Boss! 

—Even controlling humans!

No clue what the non-Phoenix ones are chirping.

Victorious over the forest boss during their nonsense squabble, Phoenix had become the new boss of this region. 

Sure he spouts nonsense to his new monster bird underlings, but they really helped out this time. 

Since he got the remaining townspeople transported, I'll keep my mouth shut.

"Yeah yeah. Please take care of it as discussed, Mr. Phoenix." 

"Got it. Oi you guys!"

At Phoenix's shout, several bird monsters carried off the God Stone together. 

Seeing them depart safely, I stood to leave when a voice called out from below the slope.

"Engy!"

An expression I'd never seen, anxious. It was Claire.

"Failed, huh?"

I figured she'd collapse like before after triggering the miracle, but... Of course. 

She managed without overexerting herself this time.

"Wait! Don't move from there!"

"Hey, take it easy."

Had she come to reproach me? Claire began climbing the slope.

Watching nervously, she somehow made it close to me.

"Haah, haah... Why?"

"Oh, cause I'm a thief. Came to steal from this town. No sightseeing or anything." 

No point hiding it after coming this far.

"That's not what I asked. I asked why. Why leave me behind?"

"You—"

Lost for words. No reason or promise to take her in the first place.

Claire shouldn't be with a thief like me.

Now free of her duties as miracle maiden, she could live freely.

"That's right, our deal! What about your promise with me?"

"Going out together, huh... Sorry 'bout that."

Realizing the promise wouldn't be kept, Claire sadly lowered her head.

I apologized in my heart, unable to voice it.

Desperate to say something to silent me, Claire spoke up.

"Um, you know... At first, I thought what a meanie, awful mouth, who's this? 

Mean? Maybe she saw me that way. 

I smiled wryly.

"I still think that! Mean and sly! But... it was fun! Even just killing time, I was happy you'd visit me!"

"I see."

I thought you were weird too. 

But it was relatively fun, same for me.

"I'm glad I met you."

"...Engy, time to go soon." 

"Yeah."

Phoenix whispered in my ear. This is it, huh?

Grabbing Phoenix's talons, I began rising.

"Ah! Wait...! Take me too, take m- Kyaa!"

The wind made Claire lose her balance. Crap!

"Claire! Fly this way!" 

I caught her midair as she jumped off the cliff.

Phoenix's bloodshot eyes bulged trying to flap his wings under the double weight.

Despite looking ready to pop out, he somehow gently carried Claire to the rocky flat part of the slope.

As I tried leaving, Claire clasped my chest, about to say something. 

"I... I lo—"

Then she stopped.

What kind of expression was on my face before her?

Tears welled up in Claire's eyes, but forcing an awkward smile, she spoke.

"...See you again?"

The world's vast. Bumping into each other again would be unlikely.

Seeing my silence, Claire's lips quivered as her head drooped.

"Catch me then."

"Huh?"

"I'm a thief. Bad guy. Catch me."

Somehow I felt this wasn't right.

"A deal. If I ever get caught by the likes of you, I'll do whatever you say." 

Not quite a promise, but we exchanged a vow of sorts. No clue if it was right.

Claire was no longer crying. 

"Don't ever forget that promise!"

"Ah... And you practice smiling more beautifully. Your expressions are hideous." 

"Geez!"

Claire puffed her cheeks.

Or so I thought, but she suddenly hugged me, burying her face in my chest. 

Yet that only lasted a moment before she pulled back and said,

"See you, Engy..."

I couldn't say anything. 

Because nothing felt off about the maiden's smile she last showed me.