-No One's P.O.V-

Time has passed a little after escaping the Goblin Fortress and finding out that Ricca has a love crest on her lower abdomen.

So right now, You, Iris, and Rica arrived at an ominous muddy swamp until Ricca starts to hold her lower abdomen because of the love crest that was pulsing through.

Ricca: Urk...Nngh...Haa...Huff...Nngh...Ugh...(My body...it sometimes starts to throb and yearn for pleasure because of the curse...I occasionally touch myself a little...while Iris and (Y/N) are asleep...But I'm God's servant, his holy knight...I shouldn't be so naughty...So corrupted...if Iris found out...)

Ricca thought to herself as she starts making noises.

(Y/N): Oh dear, it's starting again. Iris, do your thing.

Iris: Fine, fine. Hold still for a sec; I'll re-apply the seal.

Iris then flies down and extends her right hand as she uses her holy power to reduce the love crest's pleasuring magic.

Ricca: Haa...Haa...Iris...Thank you...

Iris: It gets stronger when there are monsters nearby..It must react to evil magic. Ugh, you just had to get cursed, didn't you?

Ricca: Heh...I-I'm sorry...

Ricca says with an awkward smile as Iris turns her back and folds her arms.

Iris: Hmph...

(Y/N): *Sigh* Come on, let's go.

...

Ricca: Um...Iris...? Is there a Drain Crystal around here?

Iris: There is...I can sense being released from the depths of this swamp. We can reduce the number of monsters by destroying the Drain Crystal, right?

Iris: That's right. Drain Crystals absorb the magic from the earth and transfer it elsewhere while emitting waves of evil, attracting monsters and driving them wild.

(Y/N): (Sounds like Turles got his ambitions there...)

Iris: Once the Drain Crystals are destroyed, the number of monsters will decrease. You'll get a load of Magic Stones to strengthen your abilities with, too. Like killing two birds with one stone. Ricca, when you were defeated at the goblin fortress...I realized that you aren't strong enough to beat Arch-Lich or even that demon woman yet...

Ricca:...

Iris: And for you (Y/N)...You're just an average human who's experienced with fighting and an entity that protects you from danger. You can handle yourself just fine as long as you don't get hurt a lot.

(Y/N): Are you worried about me, Iris?

Iris: Whatever. Anyway, the magic I felt from her was on a different level. It seems like she's able to disguise herself as a human, too. We can't just ignore her.

Ricca: ...

Iris: You want to get your sister back from the monsters, don't you? If you keep strengthening your holy knight abilities, even an idiot like you will have a chance to defeat them.

Ricca: ...Idiot...Oww...Alright. Let's keep looking for more Drain Crystals to destroy.

(Y/N): Yeah. I hope there's not a huge green ogre telling us to get off his swamp.

Ricca: I'm hoping for that too...

-Mini Time Skip-

A couple of minutes later after getting through the swamp and defeating an ogre that was covered up with mud.

So right now, Iris felt that another Drain Crystal was nearby as the three of you were heading to another Drain Crystal to destroy it as Ricca begins to thought to herself.

Iris: ...

(Y/N): ...

Ricca: (*Sigh* It's been about a week since we left the goblin fortress, but Iris is still in a bad mood...I guess it only makes sense. I'm always making her angry...She only talks to me to reseal my curse, even when we're walking together...She hasn't found out about the goblins raping me...or what I do while she's asleep...has she? But...Ugh...This is so awkward...I don't want it to be like this forever...I wanna get along with her...)

Iris: ...

Ricca: U-Um...Iris...?

Iris: What is it?

Ricca: Umm, you're God's servant...I mean, God's messenger, right?

Iris: What about it?

Ricca: What kind of person is God...? Oh, I guess he isn't a person, heehee...You've talked to him directly, right?

Iris: Why do you want to know?

Ricca: Huh? Why...? Well...Um, I'm just surprised that God really exists...and I wanted to know more about you...

(Y/N): Oh yeah, you already told us you had a family so we want to know that, too.

Iris: Hmph...Fine. I suppose you two have the right to know. This is going to take a while to explain...

Ricca: Okay...Heehee...

You and Ricca sat down on the log as Iris begins to tell her life story as a fairy.

...

Iris: My fellow fairies and I live in a forest in the mountains far northeast of here.

Ricca: Mountains far northeast...Aren't those mountains super tall...?

Iris: Yes, they are. My ancestors lived quietly in that forest surrounded by mountains. It was a peaceful land very few approached. Yet suddenly, ferocious monsters began to appear...Just like this area. So our ancestors climbed the mountain and prayed. Then God came down from the heavens before them...and drove away the monsters with a dazzling light, shining like the sun. Well, that's the folklore that's been passed in our village through the ages, but God really does periodically come to the forest to put barriers and drive away foreign invaders with magic.

Ricca: Huh...To be honest, it didn't really hit me even after I was chosen to be a holy knight, but...I guess God really does exist.

(Y/N): (I mean, God does exist since he was the one who created all life for over 7 days during the earth's creation.)

Iris: Yes, but unlike what you humans believe. God isn't actually all-powerful...

(Y/N): Why is that?

Iris: Our God is probably more like a high-ranking spirit or something close to a wrath...No, I shouldn't like that - it's disrespectful...

(Y/N): (Wow...)

Iris: In any case, God uses holy light magic to keep the balance between living creatures and protect us, just like that myth says. God wants peace for this world and its inhabitants, and we fairies help our God by collecting information from various places, sometimes becoming God's hands and feet. That's how we return the favor for God protecting us.

Ricca: I see...So what kind of person...What kind of God is he?

Iris: I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I was one of the most outstanding among the young fairies on my village. I wasn't just made God's servant, I was given a name. God always take the form of a woman when she appears in our village. She looks dignified, but she's also very kind.

(Y/N): (Wait, what?)

Ricca: Oh? So she was a Goddess...W-Wait, does that mean the holy sisters at church aren't God's wives, then...?

(Y/N): R-Ricca, you got it all wrong. God can actually change many forms since he is a deity and all. He can disguise himself as a human being like any other angel would do.

Ricca: Oh, I see.

Iris: Wait, you know about your own God, (Y/N)?

(Y/N): Well...it's quite hard for me to explain my God compared to your God in this world.

Iris: I mean, you came from a different world so...

Ricca: Hey (Y/N), does your world also worship God as well?

(Y/N): Well...My world has a lot of countries, but we have different Gods and Goddesses to worship in our life as our nationality.

Iris: Interesting...Anyway, back to my story...One day, God told us that the world would soon be filled with evil power and that monsters would run rampant. She even told us that the seal the previous holy knight put on the Darkfiend Dragon is on the verge of being broken...That's why she gave me the duty to look for the new savior - the one who chose to become a holy knight - and deliver the brooch and accompany her in her quest to fight evil.

Ricca: I see...So that's why you came to me...

...

Iris: If I can accomplish my duty, God will continue to protect my village. I want to protect my friends and family from wild animals, monsters...and humans...

Ricca: Protect them...from humans...? What does that...Oh...The fairies in the freak show at the capital...

(Y/N): Wait, what?

Ricca: I could honestly explain it to you, but...it's quite horrible when you see it, (Y/N)...

You shortly processed the information until you eventually realized what Ricca was saying.

(Y/N): Oh...I see...

Iris: Tsk...It's not just that...We fairies are small and weak...and not all fairies are good at magic like me...It's only natural for other species to target us for magic and food. It's survival of the fittest, after all...I hate them for it...but I understand why humans capture fairies to make a show out of them...but I don't get why and demi-humans...

Ricca: W-What...?

Iris: Why do they break our limbs, strip us of our wings, and stab us with tree branches? How can they treat us like toys...?

Ricca: Wha...?

Iris:: I don't get it...Do they enjoy doing that? What have we ever done to your kind?! I know a fairy who had her stomach ripped by fingers from the inside...And another one who got ejaculated so much she burst! Why can't they simply kill us?! Why do they use us and then throw us away?!

Iris questions in anger and this shocked both you and Ricca.

(Y/N): Jesus...

Ricca: What...Ejaculated...? That's...just cruel...

Iris: Cruel...? Of course, it's cruel! All my brother did was go to this usual spot to pick up some nuts...! To gather...what I asked him to get for me the day before...

Ricca: Iris...I...I didn't know...

Iris: Hmph...and you two are on the side of those cruel humans...aren't you?

Ricca: W-We are not! *Sniff* I'm sure...only evil people do such cruel things...They're evil!

Iris: Evil? So are you saying all the humans that approach my village are evil?

Ricca: Hick...I am...*Sniff*...ngh...The people of my village...would never do something so cruel...

Iris: Are you sure? The other fairies have told me that among those cruel humans they've seen children much younger than you.

Ricca: Ngh...No...I...No one...They don't want to be cruel...Those children...probably didn't know what they were doing...

Ricca then starts to tear up because she thinks about the children destroying the fairies.

Ricca: Hick...They aren't...Hick...ugh...hick...They're not all...Hick...*Sniff*...Oww...Hick...*Sniff*...I'm not...Hick...*sniff*..*sniff* Waaaah...

You let out a deep sigh before speaking up.

(Y/N): Iris.

Iris: What do you want?

(Y/N): If you think humans are cruel, then let me ask you this. Who do you think is cruel? The Humans or the Monsters?

Iris: W-Wha...what kind of-

(Y/N): Just answer the question, Iris.

You said in a stern voice and you can notice that Iris lowered her head down as if she doesn't know how to answer the hard question from you.

(Y/N): You can't think of an answer, can you?

Iris: N...No...I don't know who is crueler...

(Y/N): You want to know the answer?

Iris: What?

You paused for a moment before saying a word...

(Y/N): Humanity.

Both Iris and Ricca looked up at you with a surprised look on their faces.

Ricca: H-Humanity...?

(Y/N): That's right. All of us humans can be cruel whether we are good or bad. Humans aren't the only ones who can be cruel, it's same goes for the other species as well.

Ricca: Even Iris...?

(Y/N): Yeah.

Iris: No, th-that's wrong! We fairies serve God! She protected us! Just because you're correct, doesn't mean that you're right!

(Y/N): True, but I'm not debating right or wrong. I'm simply stating the fact. I'm sure you know of that Iris. Not everything is perfect, no matter who or what you are in this world you're living in. You're just yourself. You only exist on earth just to live until you die, and it goes for the same as any other species. However, not everyone is evil, there can be good people, too. Your moral compass is a concept of whether you are doing the right thing or not once you learn about possible things in life.

Ricca and Iris lowered their heads as they think about what you had said about the morals of this world.

Iris: ...I don't know why you're saying this deep stuff and all it's as if you've experienced a lot of things, but...if what you're saying is true...I'll keep your words in mind.

(Y/N): *Nods* Mm. Both of you will understand one day that this world is just cruel as we're living in. You have to accept the harsh truth and its reality.

Ricca: (Y/N)...

(Y/N): Sorry about that. It's just that people need to learn and grow up sometimes to understand everything...

Iris: Honestly though, I've been training in the magical arts for years to get strong enough to avenge my comrades and get back at the humans who did terrible things to them...But you humans have short lives. If we leave you alone, you'll eventually die, anyway...

Ricca: ...

Iris: Still, this is the decision of the God who protects my village. I'll fulfill the duty she assigned me no matter what. Monsters are another matter, of course, and we fairies are too small and weak to fight. Your kind prays to God as well, so it makes sense she chose a human to save the world. It doesn't sit right with me personally, though...That's the reason I'm helping your kind.

Ricca: I see...

Iris: I know that you two are not the same as the humans who attacked my comrades...Ricca, you're a virtuous and pure person. Still, if you're going to fulfill your destiny as a holy knight, I need you to become stronger.

Ricca: (Pure...huh...)

(Y/N): (Uh...)

Iris: Judging by the way you speak, you must have grown up without struggle or hardship. You mentioned your parents are dead, so is it because of that female?

Ricca: Don't call her that...It's true that Miria took care of me, but I've had struggles in my life, too...

Iris: Like...?

Ricca: Well...Um...I had to walk on dangerous mountain paths and risk tripping, and tending to the general store can get boring...And I'm poor, so I only get hand-me-down clothes, and Miria wouldn't make tomato soup like I asked her to...

Iris: Stop. I've heard enough. *Sigh* Looks like I have to be even stricter with you. Good grief, why did God have to pick you?

Ricca: ...

Iris: You always run blindly ahead without listening to me. That's how you got stuck with that curse...You can't even appreciate the cooking I do for you...I get that you're not used to fighting, but I still see the hesitation in your sword swings. And yet, (Y/N) taught you everything he knows, but you immediately get tired...

Ricca: (Urk...I just wanted to get along with Iris, but I only made her mad at me...I shouldn't have talked to her...)

Ricca thought to herself with an annoyed, yet regretful expression on her face.

Iris: I've taught you how to purify crystals before, but you still can only make simple things, right? We can go over it again, so try to review what you learned yourself.

Ricca: O-Okay...

Iris: And (Y/N)?

(Y/N): Yes?

Iris: Please be sure to be a little strict on Ricca's sword training, got it?

(Y/N): *Sigh* Fine. Looks like I have to do the Piccolo way.

Ricca: The..what now?

(Y/N): Nothing. Let's just move on.

...

(A/N: That's it for this chapter! Stay tuned for more!)