The Fake Saintess and the Elf Warrior

She had lost her father and her mother, who had been missing for many years. In her dream, she lay in the raging flames of hell, feeling the agony of her body being burned to ashes. No matter how much she cried out and begged for help, no one answered her pleas.

Just as she was about to despair, a gentle voice suddenly descended from the sky, dispelling the demons and monsters around her and the tormenting flames of hell. It seemed to be leading her to a world of happiness.

This voice appeared in Tasia's world at just the right time—when she was confused, tired, wanted to give up, and when her father and mother left her—adding color back to her nearly collapsing world. Now, this voice has rescued her from her nightmares once again.

When a ray of light, representing hope, shone into Tatia's eyes, she saw the owner of that voice.

She saw Naka sitting beside her with a concerned expression, holding her hand tightly.

Seeing that Tatia responded to her voice, Naka quickly asked...

"Takia, if you can't sleep, don't force yourself. Is there anything you want to eat? I'll go get it for you."

".....I have no idea"

Tatya, who had been lying in bed since last night, was naturally starving. But she really didn't have the appetite for any proper meal.

"Okay, I'll go get you a bowl of porridge. You should eat something that helps with digestion to help your body regain some energy... Wait for me a moment."

Having decided on the most suitable food for Tatya, Naka got up and left the room. But Tatya, whose brain was too hot to process anything, could only see Naka's receding figure. She struggled to sit up and reached out her hand towards Naka's retreating back.

"No, no... Sister Naka, don't go..."

"Oh? Kid, you're up?"

Naka had just left when Jasmine returned to her room. But just like when she left, she came back empty-handed. She sat back down in her chair and began to grumble.

"Ugh, this hotel's emergency measures are terrible. They only prepared medicine for the owner's own use and wouldn't lend it to me. I'm definitely not staying here again. Sorry, young man, I couldn't get you any medicine."

Tatia didn't care at all whether Jasmine got the medicine or not. She only cared about Naka's departure.

"Sister Jasmine, Sister Naka, where...where did she go?"

"Naka? I ran into her in the hallway just now. She said she'd go to the cafeteria to get you a bowl of porridge."

"No... I don't want to! I don't want to eat anything... I don't want Sister Naka to leave..."

"Since your sister Naka isn't here, there's still your sister Jasmine, right? I can take care of you for a while."

"No! No! Sister Naka! Sister Naka, where are you!"

The usually well-behaved Tatya suddenly became unruly. She not only sat up, but even struggled to climb out of bed to find Naka. Of course, she was completely powerless. The moment one foot touched the ground, she couldn't support her weight and collapsed to the floor.

"Oh dear, look at you, you're so sick, how dare you get out of bed... Did you fall and hurt yourself?"

Jasmine quickly helped her up and back onto the bed. She gently patted her back to comfort her.

"Don't worry, don't worry. Your sister Naka likes you very much. She would never abandon you. She's gone to find you some food now, it's for your own good. She'll be back soon, so you should stay here and wait for her patiently, don't make her worry, okay?"

".........good"

After much patient persuasion, Tatya finally calmed down a bit and sat obediently on the bed waiting for Naka.

Jasmine let out a deep breath. She had heard that people are more vulnerable when they're sick, but she hadn't expected to have to treat her like a four-year-old. This left Jasmine feeling utterly exhausted.

A short while later, Naka returned to the room carrying a bowl of steaming hot rice porridge.

"Takia, get up and have some porridge..."

"Sister Naka!"

Tatsia started crying just from hearing her voice, before even seeing her. When Naka finally reached the bedside, she suddenly hugged her tightly, her arms wrapped tightly around Naka's waist, refusing to let go.

"Wow! What's wrong, Tatia?"

Her sudden embrace caught Naka off guard, nearly causing her to drop the porridge in her hands. But no matter how she asked, Tatia didn't answer. She simply held her. On the other side of the room, Jasmine answered Naka's questions for Tatia, though her tone was tinged with a hint of annoyance.

"That boy said he needed you to take care of him. He wouldn't accept it unless you did. He even ran to look for you when you left. Naka, I'm a little hurt."

"Looking for me?"

"Yes. I tried to stop him from going, and he got angry at me. He said he didn't want Sister Jasmine, he only wanted Sister Naka."

"..."

The victim, who had destroyed everything herself, regarded the murderer who ruined everything as a pillar of support for her. Naka, already heartbroken by Tatsia's suffering, was now overwhelmed with mixed emotions. Tatsia was in physical pain, but her dependence on and trust in Naka only intensified Naka's emotional anguish.

The murderer gently stroked the victim's head and said calmly.

"If you keep holding me like this, you won't be able to drink your porridge. I went to all the time to make this porridge for you, do you want it to get cold?"

"No..."

Anything Naka prepared for her, Tatsia would accept without hesitation. She obediently released Naka's hands. Naka, now free, didn't scold her, but instead sat down and scooped up a spoonful of porridge, feeding it to Tatsia. Now, she could feed her without any reservations in front of Jasmine.

Before Naka could say "open your mouth," Tatya obediently opened her mouth and swallowed the bowl of porridge in one gulp. Then Naka scooped up another spoonful, which Tatya quietly ate. Jasmine watched Naka feeding Tatya spoonful by spoonful, a hint of loneliness in her eyes. But she gritted her teeth, not wanting to disturb them.

The three people in the room each harbored their own different side, and spent a peaceful and tranquil time in the quiet environment.

A Morning in a Downpour (Part 2)

After finishing her bowl of porridge, Naka helped Tatya lie back down on the bed. Perhaps because she was full, Tatya quickly fell asleep, breathing steadily. She didn't seem to be having nightmares again.

So as not to disturb her, Naka quietly gathered up the leftover dishes and tiptoed out of the room, returning them to the shopkeeper.

"Naka, wait a minute."

Just as Naka stepped out of the room, Jasmine followed behind her. When they reached a spot where they wouldn't disturb Tatsia, Jasmine called out to Naka.

"Did you make this porridge? I don't remember it being on the menu."

"Yes"

Naka nodded. She borrowed their kitchen and rice and cooked the hot porridge for Tatsia herself.

"I knew it... Naka, not to be rude, but you've been spoiling that boy a little too much."

"Is there?"

"Do you know? You haven't rested since last night. You've been staying by the boy's side the whole time. Changing his ice packs, wiping his sweat, and making him food... Naka, I'm afraid you'll get sick from exhaustion."

As an observer, Jasmine could see everything clearly. In her mind, Naka and Tatsia were lovers, and there was nothing wrong with taking care of a sick lover. However, Naka's concern for Tatsia seemed to exceed the boundaries that lovers should have. Besides a little jealousy, Jasmine was more afraid that Naka would also fall ill because of this.

"...I'm fine."

Naka responded calmly. But this was merely a show of bravado to reassure Jasmine. After a night of running around, it was impossible not to be exhausted. However, the task of caring for Tatya was hers alone, and she wanted to shoulder the responsibility herself. This was both to protect Tatya's secret and to alleviate some of the pain in Naka's heart.

Jasmine knew she couldn't persuade Naka. All she could do was offer suggestions, unsure if Naka would even listen.

"Sigh, please take good care of yourself. And... what about the trip to Sunflower Town?"

While advising Naka to take care of her health was one reason, the most important reason Jasmine spoke with Naka alone was their immediate priority: going to the Adventurer's School in Sunflower Town. There were only a few days left until the registration deadline.

"The boy is so sick, I don't know how many days he'll need to recover. And the rain outside is so heavy, I don't know how long it'll last. This is wasting so much time... What should we do? If this continues, he'll miss registration."

"Let me think..."

If they missed this registration, they would have to wait another six months for the next round of admissions. Naka could wait. But Tatsia was different. Naka's special training for her had reached its limit. Naka herself didn't know how to make her stronger further. If she didn't go to the Adventurers' School, these six months would be a waste for Tatsia. If possible, Naka would prefer to use those six months for something more meaningful.

However, Tatsia's current physical condition and the weather outside are far from optimistic. If they do nothing, they can only watch an opportunity slip away right under their noses.

After much thought and internal struggle, Naka made a decision.

"Jasmine, could you please return the bowl to the shop owner for me?"

"Let me do it? What do you want to do?"

Naka looked out the window at the rainy scene in the corridor. It was indeed a torrential downpour, and the howling wind was making the windowpanes rattle and bang. Even with an umbrella or raincoat, it would be useless to be caught in it. But this didn't stop Naka.

"I'll go buy some medicine for Tatya."

"Wh...what! Are you crazy?!"

Jasmine could hardly believe her ears. Even the strongest adventurers dared not venture out on this day, yet Naka spoke such astonishing words with complete disbelief.

"You saw how heavy the rain and wind are outside... Even the trees can't withstand it, how can your small frame possibly endure it?"

"It's alright, I'll be careful."

Being blown away or getting soaked are minor matters. Jasmine's real worry is that Naka might get injured by fallen trees or signs, or even step into a bottomless pit and drown. This truly is a life-threatening situation.

"It's not a matter of being careful or not... Besides, with such heavy rain, how could any pharmacies possibly be open? I know you want to cure that boy quickly, but you can't panic and try anything in desperation."

"Mari"

Jasmine had made her reasoning very clear. But Naka's resolve remained unwavering.

"I'm fine. Trust me."

"It's not a matter of whether I believe you or not..."

Having dealt with Naka for two years, Jasmine knew her well. Once Naka made up her mind, no matter how difficult it was, she would definitely do it. That was just how stubborn she was. Jasmine saw how seriously ill Tatsia was and felt terrible. She didn't want to delay the registration either. But more than anything, she didn't want anything to happen to Naka. "Okay, go ahead," she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

But just then, Naka saw Jasmine's hesitation, suddenly shoved the bowl into Jasmine's hands, and ran downstairs. If Jasmine didn't agree, she was determined to go buy medicine, even if it meant force. Jasmine couldn't keep up, so she had to crouch at the top of the stairs and shout at the top of her lungs.

"Naka! You come back here!"

"Don't worry! I'll be right back after I get the medicine!"

"Didn't I say no pharmacies would be open!"

"I won't leave empty-handed, even if I search every single pharmacy in town!"

"What nonsense are you talking about! Things are like this outside, and you still...come back! Naka! Naka!"

For the first two sentences, Naka's response could be heard from downstairs. But from the third sentence onwards, only Jasmine's echo reverberated in the hallway. This was followed by the boss's loud shouts, the sound of the door being opened, and the sound of Naka closing the door after disobeying her and the boss and running out on her own.

"What an idiot..."

Jasmine slumped down in the corridor, tears streaming down her face. She was furious. Angry at Naka for disobeying her, and angry at herself for failing to stop her. Even more furious was Naka for risking her life and defying her to help Tatya.

Naka has already given so much for Tatya. Now, she's even braving the worst rain in decades to buy her medicine. Jasmine wonders what Naka must have owed Tatya in her past life to be so desperate for her, especially since she's the one who's spent the most time with her. Jasmine always believed that no outsider could interfere in her relationship with Naka. But for Tatya's sake, Naka has revealed a side Jasmine didn't know. Jasmine, who should be drawn to mature men, is filled with resentment and unease about Naka's excessive concern for Tatya.

It was too late to say anything now. Naka had already rushed into the torrential rain. All Jasmine could do was clasp her hands together and offer her a prayer of blessing.

"May the gods protect Naka and ensure her safe return..."

When Naka went out, she didn't wear any rain gear. Those things were utterly ineffective against such torrential rain. She had barely taken three steps from the hotel when she was completely soaked from head to toe.

Despite Jasmine's and the hotel owner's vehement urging her not to go out, she resolutely persisted in her stubbornness. She was willing to take such a huge risk to cure Tatya.

But she ultimately underestimated the unprecedented downpour. Forget finding a pharmacy; even taking a single step forward was a pipe dream. The suffocating winds forced her to retreat repeatedly. The knee-deep water further increased the resistance. With the Saintess's strength alone, facing this natural disaster would indeed mean certain death.

"There's no other way..."

Naka really didn't want to use this trick unless absolutely necessary. Even with few people around, there was still a risk of revealing her identity. But right now, the streets were deserted, and as a saintess, she was in dire straits herself. She had no choice but to resort to her last resort: to dispel the "Demon King's Power - Disguise" and revert to being the Demon King with endless power, invincible over all things in the world.

"Phew...that feels much better."

The gale, which had seemed like an ever-approaching wall, and the puddles, so thick they made it impossible to even lift a foot, now appeared as still as air to the Demon King, offering no resistance whatsoever. Naka strode effortlessly through the downpour, as if walking on a sunny street on a regular day, completely at ease.

Naka quickly understood why no one would go out to run errands in this torrential rain. This downpour was indeed more dangerous than a regular mission. All sorts of things were being whipped up and ravaged mercilessly by the strong winds. But for Naka, it was completely negligible.

Branches blown by the storm, strong enough to cut an ordinary person's skin, shattered upon contact with Naka's face. Uprooted trees fell straight towards her, but Naka remained unfazed. The thick trunks snapped in two upon impact with her frail body, yet Naka didn't even flinch. Signboards, stones, bricks... even as they hurtled towards her along with the whirlwind, they couldn't inflict the slightest harm. Before the Demon King's boundless power, even the energy of this torrential rain was as insignificant as a drop in the ocean.

Even so... Naka's clothes were completely soaked, and the damp fabric clinging to her skin still made her very uncomfortable. Rainwater stung her eyes, obstructing her vision, but she couldn't wipe it away. Even now, as the Demon Queen, walking in such terrible weather only filled Naka with displeasure.

What upset her even more was that, just as Jasmine had said, all the pharmacies she found were closed. No matter how much Naka knocked or called, there was no response.

"Hey! Is anyone there?...Tch, is this place the same...?"

This was the fifth pharmacy she'd visited, starting with the one closest to the hotel. Naka had walked through several streets. Not just pharmacies, but all sorts of shops, usually bustling with activity, were closed today. This wasn't surprising. The strangest people would come to help their businesses in this weather. Unfortunately, Naka was one of those people.

The repeated setbacks pushed Naka's frustration to its peak. In a fit of anger, she raised her arm and clenched her fist at the pharmacy door.

"Let's just... break down the door. Anyway, those guys will just think it's the rain's fault."

Naka then realized that all those visits to different stores had been completely unnecessary. She had no reason to actually go and buy the medicine.

In a storm where anything can be stirred up, it wouldn't seem strange if the front door was smashed down. With the door broken, the absence of something from inside wouldn't attract anyone's attention. Even if the pharmacy owner came to check after the rain stopped, he wouldn't discover that Naka was responsible.

It wasn't that Naka wanted to take advantage of the situation. Tatya was waiting for her to return, and Jasmine was probably very worried about her and hoping for her early return. Naka didn't have time to go door-to-door looking for a pharmacy with staff. Although this would cause the shopkeeper a loss, Naka had no other choice.

"I'm sorry, owner of this shop."

After silently apologizing to the stranger in her heart, Naka swung her fist forcefully at the pharmacy door...

"Who is it? Why are they knocking on the door in this heavy rain?"

「!?」

Just before her fist was about to mercilessly destroy the wooden door, a small window, about the size of a face, suddenly opened from the inside, and the voice of an elderly person could be heard coming from within. Naka quickly withdrew her punch, thus averting a tragedy where both she and the door would be smashed to pieces. Fortunately, the shopkeeper didn't notice her action.

Seemingly to ease her own embarrassment, Naka feigned a complaint.

"...If someone is inside, could you please open the door quickly?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry... This old man's legs and hearing aren't very good. I'm so sorry, young lady, for letting you get soaked in the rain for so long."