“…That might be true. Lady Liria, you are truly more mature than others your age.”

Melissa said while gently stroking Liria’s head.

“Miss, may I hug you once?”

When Liria nodded, Melissa pulled the child into her arms and embraced her fully.

It felt cozy and warm, like being wrapped in cloud fibers. With her cheeks pressed, Liria called out to her.

“You know, perhaps because of the holy power in the chamomile flowers Melissa gave me, Father’s complexion has improved!”

“I’m glad it helped. For Lady Liria, I’ll give you fresh flowers anytime.”

“Great! Ah, and there’s one more thing I want to ask…”

Freed from Melissa’s embrace, Liria picked up the ferret Kiki who had scurried to her feet.

Judging by the way he shook his head with his characteristic indifferent expression, he hadn’t found anything.

“What are you curious about?”

“I want to pray for Father, but there’s no temple in Roberg. Is there a place where I can pray? Preferably somewhere with strong holy power!”

***

The place Melissa guided them to was a spring in the forest near the village chapel.

“This spring is where holy power can be felt most strongly. It’s also called the Sacred Spring.”

“The Sacred Spring?”

“This spring water has the same effect as holy water, supposedly because of a sacred object that has been submerged here for a long time.”

Perhaps because of what she heard, something felt different as they approached.

The clear and mysterious energy surrounding the spring seemed to purify the surroundings, clearing away stray thoughts and making her head feel lighter.

“I really feel like my head is clearer.”

“It’s a place only the village elders secretly know about, to prevent this sacred place from being contaminated. The elders also built a chapel around the spring.”

“I see. It looks quite deep.”

“Oh my! Be careful, miss.”

“I’m fine, Yuphi.”

Liria crouched on a wide rock and peered at the calm water surface.

The jade-colored spring water was clearer and more transparent than any jewel.

Clear enough to see inside.

‘Is there really a sacred object in here?’

It wasn’t immediately visible.

Liria cupped her hands to scoop up some spring water, then turned to Kiki and offered it.

“Want to try it?”

Lap.

Kiki scurried over and tasted the water, then opened his black eyes wide as if to say “This is it,” and perked up his ears.

“Kuk! Kukuk!”

Kiki tapped Liria’s hand and tilted his head.

“You want me to drink it too?”

“Pit!”

Encouraged by Kiki, Liria also took a sip of the water.

Then, a holy and warm energy flowed like waves into her heart, her mana heart.

Instinctively recognizing it as holy power, Liria looked at the two and said.

“Melissa, Yuphi. I’d like to pray alone for a moment.”

“Since this is a secluded place, you should finish quickly.”

“Miss, are you sure you’ll be alright alone?”

“Yes, don’t worry. Kiki is with me.”

After Melissa and Yuphi disappeared into the bushes across the way, Liria instantly released her mana.

Flash.

Light burst from the summoned book and the pages fluttered and turned.

Liria quickly absorbed the newly appearing text.

[A sacred object is nearby. Use the Key of Power to obtain a new key.]

It seemed that Melissa was right about a sacred object being submerged in the spring.

‘Then I need to find it. Should I call an adult back to help retrieve the sacred object?’

But she quickly shook her head.

‘No. Then I wouldn’t be able to touch the sacred object with the magic key. It’s better to solve this while I’m alone.’

While she was contemplating this.

The Key of Power shot a beam of light into the spring.

As if showing her that a new key was inside.

Liria grabbed the Key of Power and dipped her head slightly into the water.

Something sparkled at the bottom of the transparent, deep spring far below.

“It’s really there!”

That’s when it happened.

As soon as the Key of Power touched it, the spring churned and created a whirlpool.

“Wha-?”

Splash!

Before she could react, Liria’s body was caught in the current and fell into the spring.

“Blub, hel…!”

Water filled her mouth, making it difficult to even scream.

‘I’m done for.’

Ump! I can’t swim…!

Flailing her arms and legs wildly, Liria cried out in her heart several times.

‘Someone help me, please save me!’

No way. I can’t die here before the original story even begins.

I have so many things to do.

I need to save Father and our family, and the male protagonist too…!

After struggling, Liria went limp helplessly.

It seemed like she would inevitably die.

“Pit pit!”

It was Kiki who swam urgently toward her. Kiki patted Liria’s cheek as she was about to lose consciousness.

Then Liria suddenly opened her eyes.

‘Huh? I’m alive?’

Opening her eyes, Liria finally came to her senses and looked at the being in front of her.

It was Kiki, the key spirit.

“Pit!”

“Kiki! Huuung! I thought I was going to die…”

Half surprised, half relieved, Liria whimpered, and Kiki patted her shoulder reassuringly as if telling her to trust him.

“But how is this possible? How can I breathe and talk underwater?”

That wasn’t all.

Moving underwater without having to struggle was effortless.

“Pit!”

The creature smiled at Liria, who was chattering with wide eyes.

Then he pointed around with his front paws. His attitude was very relaxed.

Only then did she look around and realize that she and Kiki were inside a large, blue mana bubble.

“Oh my…! Did you make this?”

“Kukuk!”

To think that Kiki, who usually just slept and chewed on beef jerky, had been hiding such amazing power!

“Wow, I’m seeing you in a new light. This is so cool!”

Kiki’s small shoulders looked particularly large today.

“Thanks for saving me. Can I press on this?”

“Sniff sniff! Whoosh!”

As if to say there was nothing to worry about, Kiki nodded and then spun his front paws around.

Then mana burst from his body, making the mana bubble glow even more blue.

“Oh!”

It seemed solid enough that it wouldn’t burst even if Liria touched or pressed it.

With her primal fear gone, Liria now had the leisure to look ahead.

The Key of Power continued to illuminate the inside, pulling her downward as if guiding her.

Finally, at the very bottom of the spring.

There was a sparkling water jar.

The moment she saw it, she was reminded of an object from the imperial mythology in the original story.

「Goddess Eona’s Water Jar」

Goddess Eona was the goddess of dawn and hope who drove away darkness and opened the light.

Inside the goddess’s water jar were thousands of years of collected dawn dew, morning stars, and people’s earnest wishes.

The glass-like transparent water jar emitted rainbow colors like a prism whenever light touched it.

‘This must be the real sacred object!’

Bubble, bubble.

Kiki, who was swimming with Liria, tapped the water jar.

Like spreading water droplets, clear and holy power spread around.

Then a glowing keyhole appeared in the center of the water jar.

T/N: Am I the only one who instantly thought of Kingdom Hearts? xD

Instinctively, Liria inserted the Key of Power into the water jar.

Click.

The sound of two objects interlocking was heard.