Chapter 13: Inspection and Purification.

The day after arriving in the town.

After breakfast, Cedric and I began the inspection.

Breakfast was prepared at the mansion—bread, soup, fruit.
Seeing Cedric eat heartily reassured me.

He used to eat sparingly, but now he eats well.
I’m a bit proud, thinking it’s thanks to my nagging.

Yesterday, we visited the bustling stalls, and today we went to see the townsfolk again.

It was early morning, preparation time.
Everyone was busy—washing vegetables, cutting meat, baking bread.

The town seemed lively but somehow hurried.
Among them, I noticed a man with an unhealthy pallor.

A middle-aged man, sweating as he carried goods.
Concerned, I decided Tweed to ask him about it.

“Excuse me, are you alright?”

He looked up, surprised.

“Oh… I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

His voice was tired.
But I wanted to hear more.

“If you don’t mind, could you tell me about the town?”

He thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Well… the crops haven’t been growing lately, so prices are rising.”
“Crops aren’t growing?”
“Yes. Food’s getting expensive… business is tough.”

I frowned.

There was indeed a problem.
Talking to others, I heard similar stories—a baker woman complained about costly wheat, an elderly grocer lamented poor vegetable yields.

The cause: a grain shortage.
The town’s vibrancy had waned.
It used to be livelier, but now people looked weary.

We needed to address the grain shortage.

I glanced at Cedric.
He nodded seriously.

“Let’s go to the fields.”
“Yes.”

We headed to the grain fields.

Beyond the town, vast fields stretched out.
But they looked wilted, the soil dry.

We asked a farmer working there.

“Sorry, could we talk for a moment?”

The man looked up.

“Sure.”
“Why aren’t the crops growing?”

He frowned, troubled.

“Well… a monster settled upstream in the river.”
“A monster…?”
“Yes. It’s polluted the water, making it hard to use.”

I caught my breath.

Monster pollution.
My purification magic might help.

Perhaps Duke Gilbert sent me here knowing that.

“Where’s the river?”
“Over there, about ten minutes’ walk.”

He pointed, and Cedric nodded.

“Let’s go, Amelia.”
“Yes.”

Hearing about the polluted river, we headed there.
Through the fields, down a small path.

Trees grew thickly, birds chirped.
Soon, the river’s babble reached us.

The water looked clear, sparkling in the sunlight.

But something foul lingered—a dark aura, perhaps the monster’s miasma.

Farmers nearby discussed their troubles.

“We can’t use the tainted water as is.”
“Magic tools purify it, but they’re inefficient.”
“They’re costly and slow.”
“This year’s harvest is doomed.”

Their voices carried resignation.
I approached the river, touching the water.

Crouching, I dipped my fingers.
It should’ve felt cool, but a chill ran through me.

Unpleasant.

“Don’t touch it!” the farmers shouted.

“The monster’s miasma is harmful!”
“Are you okay?”

They called out in worry.

“Amelia, it’s dangerous,” Cedric said, his voice low with concern.

I pulled my hand back.

“S-Sorry.”

But I added,

“I need to touch it to use my magic properly.”

I reached for the water again.
Taking a deep breath, I began the purification.

Focusing inward, I drew out my magic.
Feeling the water’s essence, sensing the miasma.

I infused purification power.
The water started glowing faintly where I touched it.

A pale blue-white light spread slowly.
The miasma washed away.

The water regained its clarity.

The farmers watched, amazed.

“What’s that…?”
“It’s glowing…”
“Magic?”

Murmurs rose.
I kept focusing, continuing the purification.

Soon, the water was clear.
The miasma’s presence vanished.

I stood, letting go.

“The water’s usable now.”

I smiled.
The farmers approached, checking the water.

Touching it, smelling it, they looked up, astonished.

“It’s true… the miasma’s gone!”
“Unbelievable…”
“Thank you…!”

They thanked and praised me, some bowing deeply, others clasping hands.

I smiled back.

“I’m glad I could help.”

A farmer approached.

“Thank you so much! You’ve saved us!”

He came close.
Too close—I stepped back, startled.

Then Cedric pulled me into his arms from behind.

“…!”

His chest pressed against my back, his arms around my shoulders.

My heart leapt.

“She’s my wife,” he said, his voice low but commanding.

My face burned.

The man backed off quickly.

“S-Sorry! My apologies!”
“It’s fine.”

Cedric smiled, but kept holding me.

“You two make a lovely couple,” the man said, smiling shyly.

Cedric nodded warmly.

“Thank you.”

I looked away, embarrassed.

So embarrassing.
In front of everyone…!

“Please… let go, it’s embarrassing…”

I whispered.
Cedric chuckled, releasing me.

“My apologies.”

His voice held a laugh.

I couldn’t look up.
My face was too hot, melting.

Being held like that, I realized how much he’s grown.

He used to be my height, or shorter.
Now he’s a head taller.

His arms thicker, his chest broader.
The boy is becoming a young man.

It’s thrilling to see my favorite grow, but bad for my heart.

It wouldn’t stop pounding.
My chest tightened.

(Oh, come on…!)

I screamed internally.

My favorite is too cool.
It’s unfair.

With mixed feelings, I took a deep breath.