Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends - V 2.2 Chapter 8.2

Even after Leah disappeared, I stood there absentmindedly, gazing out at the city.
At some point, without me noticing, Simon had come to stand beside me.

“So then, what should we do from here, I wonder.”

His gentle gray eyes looked straight at me.

“When you first came here, you really were like a tiny little chick. But now, you’ve grown wings of your own and are about to take flight. You feel a little distant to me.”

“…That’s not true at all. I haven’t gone anywhere far. I’m right here, beside Simon.”

When I said that, Simon smiled.

“True enough. Still, it’s a bit lonely, watching you leave the nest.”

The way he said it—like a parent—made me laugh without meaning to.

But I understood what he meant. It wasn’t just about social standing; Simon was thinking of another possibility as well.

As the two of us quietly watched the city, Simon spoke as casually as if commenting on the weather.

“Have you decided on your answer to my question?”

“…”

At that, I slowly closed my eyes.

The answer had been decided for some time now, but saying it aloud still made me just a little nervous.

—A few days ago.
In Simon’s office, I underwent yet another appraisal.
And there, we finally discovered the other skill of mine that had been locked away.

Both Simon and I had already suspected what it might be.

“I think you already realize… your other skill is ‘The Power to Dispel Miasma,’ isn’t it.”

Even hearing that, I wasn’t surprised.
After all, I had already dispelled the miasma that clung to Agnès right there in that moment.
What mattered wasn’t whether I had the ability—but what it meant for me to possess it.

—The only ones who can wield the power to purge miasma are the Saints blessed with divine power.

“Kuna. You might be…”

For once, Simon hesitated with his words. But I already understood.

That day in Aluda, when I was banished to the Forest of Monsters… the wounded carbuncle had come to me.
According to Agnès, carbuncles appear before the one destined to become a Saint, bearing a divine message.

Lulu’s sudden appearance before me.
The unending damage Aluda continues to suffer.
And the power to dispel miasma that had awakened within me.

Taken together, those facts suggested one thing—
That Meltia… might not truly be the Saint.

“It’s not confirmed yet,” Simon said at last.
“But… it may be that you are the real Saint.”

When Agnès was possessed by miasma, I had used my power as though I had always known how. There hadn’t been a single trace of hesitation in my heart. Even now, I feel certain that if someone else were to be consumed by miasma, I would know exactly how to save them.

“…But it’s such a tiny power. Without Lulu’s strength, I wouldn’t have been able to manage at all.”

“Even so, the possibility remains that you are the Saint.”

As I faltered in confusion, Simon gave me a question that felt almost cruel.

“What will you do? Will you save the very nation that cast you aside?”

It wasn’t something I could accept right away, so I’d asked Simon to give me some time.
And now, he was finally asking for my answer.

But in truth, I hadn’t needed that much time. I had wavered a little, but from the very beginning, my answer had already been decided.

Looking straight into Simon’s eyes, I spoke.

“If there’s something I can do… then all I can do is cooperate.”

When I said that, Simon’s expression took on a faintly amused look.

“Why? You have no obligation to help them.”

He was right. I didn’t like Aluda.
The king, the crown prince, all those who tormented me—I hated them all.
But that was that. This was this.

“There are other races living in that country besides humans. And people like the crown prince aren’t everything. There must be kindhearted people too. Maybe in the end, I’ll wind up saving those I dislike as well… but it’s still far better than abandoning the innocent.”

Sometimes, rather than lumping everything together as “hateful,” it’s important to step back, separate personal feelings from reality, and look at things from a higher view.

That’s what I realized through Agnès. I had always lumped her together with the others, thinking only of how cruel and frightening she was. But she had her reasons too.
Just understanding that had lifted a heavy weight from my heart. Not that it meant I could forgive her, of course.

Still… within that “hated” bundle I had shoved everything into, there might be treasures worth keeping.
And if that’s the case, then I don’t want to abandon them.

“Besides… if I let people die right in front of me, the guilt would eat away at me. And then I probably wouldn’t even be able to enjoy the meals at our café anymore.”

At that, Simon let out a small chuckle.

“…Yes. That’s just the sort of girl you are.”

He gave a firm nod.

“I understand your resolve. In that case, I’ll lend you my aid as well.”

“! Really?”

“Of course. I can’t have you leaving the nest just yet. It would be far too lonely for this parent bird.”

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Besides, at this rate, even Grantania might suffer damage. To be honest, I’m more concerned about that than about Aluda itself.”

I nodded firmly.
That was true as well. It was one of the reasons I wanted to do something about Aluda.

“The path you’ve chosen may be a harsh one. Will you walk it all the same?”

“Yes. I can’t promise the outcome… but I’ll do everything I can.”

As I said that, the fluffy ones, who had been chasing butterflies around, came scampering back to me.

“If it comes to that… you’ll come with me too, won’t you?”

“Ruu~!”

“Pyurii!”

Lulu licked my cheek with a quick flick of her tongue. With that, all hesitation vanished. As long as everyone was with me, I knew I would be fine. Slime-chan, perched atop Lulu’s head, gave a cheerful ploon! of agreement.

“I see.”

Simon smiled softly, murmuring.

“So that’s why Lulu chose you.”

Together, we turned our gaze toward the bustling city below.

“You are the one who surely—”

A gentle breeze passed through, carrying with it the warmth of midday sunlight.
When I closed my eyes, I could hear the lively voices of the townsfolk carried all the way here.

I will protect it. This precious everyday life.

Of course—together with everyone.