-No One's P.O.V-
After a long walk, You, Ricca, and Iris arrived at the entrance to the mines.
Iris: I can feel a massive flow of energy from inside that cave...That demon woman's magic is coming from deep in there, too...
Ricca: Miria...Oww...Ugh...My tummy...
Ricca then holds her lower abdomen because of the lustful crest pulsing again.
Iris: I resealed the succubus' curse, but that woman's energy must be activating it...Stay still, and I'll strengthen the seal.
Ricca: Nnngh...I'm okay. I feel a little feverish, but I can handle it. I can still handle it.
(Y/N): You sure? You don't want Iris to reseal the curse early?
Ricca: I said I'm fine. I'll make it through.
(Y/N): Alright, if you say so. Let us know if that curse is up again, okay?
Ricca: I know.
And just like that, the three of you start venturing down the mines to destroy the Drain Crystal.
-Mini Time Skip-
It took a long while to go down into the mines until the three of you eventually found the Drain Crystal.
Iris: There! It's her!
Iris points as the three of you turned to see the Drain Crystal and Miria as well.
Miria: Oh my, you finally came...Heehee...So I see you haven't abandoned her yet, Miss Fairy...You must be very faithful to your God...And a good friend to Ricca...
Miria then flies up and lands down in front of you three.
Ricca: Miria...!
Iris: Hold on. That woman probably has something up her sleeve, just like she did at the goblin fortress.
Miria: Oh, Miss Fairy! You ruined the surprise! Now I can't use the thing I had planned...So sad...
Iris: Hmph...
Miria: Heehee...Looks like your fairy friend doesn't like me very much...Whatever. Buzzing insects are of little concern to me...
Miria then turns her attention to Ricca and said...
Miria: You know, Ricca...I'm very happy that you came to see me. I thought I would have to go pick you up myself. You're still a spoiled child, I see...*Giggle*
Ricca stays silent until Miria turns to you.
Miria: I must say (Y/N)...I'm quite impressed that you're still sticking around with Ricca after you two have gone through so much.
(Y/N): Thanks, but Ricca still needs to learn how to be independent on her own. She'll manage with our help.
Miria: Is that so? How cute~
Miria giggles until she raises her right hand to show the red gem.
Miria: Look at this ring...Isn't it cute? I made it out of the red gem from that necklace you gave me since the original wirework was broken by the goblins. This light crimson crystal isn't worth very much...but it made me so happy. It was a gift from you, after all. Heehee...Ricca, do you know what humans call this kind of gem?
Ricca: ....?
(Y/N): Care to explain?
Miria: This gem...is called a succubus crystal. The pink hue symbolizes the color of a woman's privates. It's said that succubi love to wear this to tempt human men. Don't you think it's the perfect accessory for me?
Miria chuckles after finishing her sentence.
Iris: How vulgar. Sounds like something a human would come up with.
Ricca: How could...the store merchant...give that to me...?
Miria: Heehee...That's right. That gentleman was the one who gave this gem to you first, wasn't he? But he was killed by the goblins when they attacked our village...
(Y/N): (That idiot should've never stocked it in the first place...)
Miria: Ricca, I wish you could have been how his eyes ran down my whole body every time he visited the dining hall. Actually, he started staring at you in the same crude way recently...
Ricca: Wha...! He would never do that...He was a little naughty sometimes...but he was always nice to me! He bickered with his wife a lot, but they still loved each other! He was a good person!
Miria: Well...if you say so. But I thought he was no different from the other village men, or even the travelers passing by. They would all look at my body with an obscene gaze, wishing they could have me...The same goes for the women. I tried not to stand out in the village by wearing drab clothes, but they still envied my looks...They hated me even after we lost our parents in the epidemic...But when I look back at it now, I don't know why it bothered me so much. When I turned into a monster, I realized that all I ever wanted was to see you become happy with a nice family of your own...However...
Miria turns her attention to you.
Miria: Honestly, I think (Y/N) will be your suitable husband once he'll turns into a monster just like I am, or maybe both of you!
Ricca: W-What...?!
(Y/N): Whoa, woman! I don't want my humanity to be forcefully thrown off just to marry Ricca!
Miria giggles at you and Ricca's flustered faces as she continues to speak up.
Miria: Ricca. You and I both have blue eyes and chestnut-colored hair tied into braids. We even have matching blue ribbons. The village would always tell us how similar we looked...And the necklace with this red gem...The goblins saw me with it and liberated me from my ties to humanity. This was your gift to me...It made me so happy...
Ricca: Shut up!
Miria: Huh...?
(Y/N): Oh?
Ricca: Shut up...Stop talking! You're not my sister!
Ricca tells her and Miria was surprised by Ricca's outburst.
Miria: Why Ricca...? Don't say that...You're making me sad...Can't you see...I'm your sister, Miria. Could it be...You don't like my horns and wings? It's true that they sometimes get in the way when I walk through narrow spaces...but I think look much cuter than before. Heehee...I'm sure the castle wizard will give you these too if we ask. You're just jealous, right? You're acting like a spoiled child like always, trying to get my attention...
Ricca: I'm not...! My sister...Miria would never take the side of monsters...She would never..hurt anyone...!
Miria: Ricca, that's not true...I'm a demon, a monster. It's only natural that I kill humans. I don't see what you're trying to say.
(Y/N): What Ricca is saying is that she has faith in you, Miria.
Miria: Faith...?
(Y/N): Yes. Ricca has faith in you because she believes that you are still a kind-hearted person inside even if you get turned into a demon or anything like that.
Miria: I see...but no matter...I still want to take care of her until you two are together as monsters.
Iris: That woman's been brainwashed...Or rather...her thoughts have completely turned into those of a monster. No words are going to reason her out, you two.
Miria: I think you're the disgraceful one, Ricca. You shouldn't be running around in that knight costume wielding something so dangerous...*sigh* I knew you were always a bit of a tomboy, but this is ridiculous. Are you going through another rebellious phase?
Ricca: Shut up, you...monster! I'm going to cut those horns and wings off and get my real sister back!
Miria: Where did you learn such rudeness, Ricca? *Sigh* I wanted to talk with you a little longer, but I guess you're not willing to...I need to capture you for Master Arch-Lich. Although, if I had my way, I would prefer to keep you by my side...However, I still want to take you as well, (Y/N), so you'll turn into a monster with Ricca. This might hurt a little, but I'll make you feel muuuuch better afterward, okay?
(Y/N): Sorry, but we're not making the same mistake as before back in the goblin fortress. This time, we've come prepared.
Miria: Heh, if you say so!
Miria then charges toward you two as you and Ricca got into your battle stances and begin to fight the demon Miria.
-Mini Time Skip-
The battle was a little tough, but you and Ricca managed to exhaust and weakened Miria.
So right now, Ricca was holding onto Miria's body until Iris begins to explain how to return Miria back to normal.
Iris: Her magic energy's weakened. If you hold her tight and focus your holy power, you can purify her.
Ricca: Okay...!
Ricca then starts to focus on her holy power and slowly purifies the demon Miria. Holy light orbs begin to surround the two sisters as you and Iris watched them in awe.
...
While Ricca was purifying Miria, she then sees a memory and images that belonged to Miria.
Ricca: Huh...? It's Polon when he was little...and me...? Is this...Miria's memory...?
Ricca questions as she sees all of the memories of Miria's past when she was taking care of the young Ricca.
Ricca: It was...all for me...Miria...Please...Come back, Miria...!
Ricca pleaded as the memory fades away into bright light from Ricca's perspective view.
...
Iris: In the body, she is still a monster...but her soul should be back to normal.
(Y/N): Well that's good to hear.
Both you and Iris turned to see Ricca who is crying while demon Miria whose soul is now returned and starts to comfort Ricca.
Ricca: O-Okay...! Miria...! *Sniff* ...Hick...Miria...You...Ugh...You won't leave me behind anymore, right...?
Miria: Heehee...Don't worry, I'll be right by your side...
A happy smile appears on your face until you said...
(Y/N): Welcome back, Miria.
Miria then gives you a gentle smile on her face and replies back...
Miria: Yeah...I'm back...
Iris: You're being so over-dramatic...You can continue your happy reunion after we get out of here, but first, you need to get rid of that Drain Crystal. There are still monsters lurking in this cave.
Ricca: Hick...O-Okay...But...Miria's body is still...
Iris: You can purify that later, too...I just have a bad feeling I can't shake off. I thought it was the Drain Crystal at first, but this wavelength isn't normal...
(Y/N): I'll handle the Drain Crystal, you two rest up for a bit.
Ricca: Th-Thanks (Y/N)...
You nodded. You summoned out Hierophant Green as your Stand was now ready to fire the Emerald Splash until all of you hear Iris screaming out in agony.
Iris: AHHHH!!!!
(Y/N): W-What?! What's wrong!?
Iris: This...this wavelength...!
Ricca: W-Who?!
Iris: H-He's coming...!
Suddenly, everything in the room starts to glow red, blinding everyone's vision until it eventually fades away.
(Y/N): Wha...What the hell happened?!
Ricca: Why...It's suddenly hard to breathe...My tummy...my body feels hot...Ugh...Huff, huff...
Suddenly, in front of you four, we see a purple portal appear out of thin air.
Iris: Ack, it's coming...! A giant, evil wave of power...!
That's when we see a tall black figure appearing out of the portal.
???: ...
(Y/N): Holy...shit...
Ricca: A skull face...Black..armor...?
Iris: Urk...It's him...That is Arch-Lich...! I can't believe...how powerful his energy is...!
(Y/N): Goodness gracious, he looks intimidating!
You said in shock as the Arch-Lich turns his attention to Ricca.
Arch-Lich: So...You are the holy knight of sunlight...
The Arch-Lich says to Ricca.
Ricca: ...!
Arch-Lich: That power...That spirit...That body...What a pathetic existence. You call yourself a holy knight...? What a disappointment...!
Ricca: Ugh...Nngh...! You were the one...who controlled the monsters...and hurt Miria...Who killed everyone...!
Miria: Aaagh...Uugh...! Huff, huff...Urk...(Y/N), Ricca, run...
Arch-Lich: Hmph, that woman would occasionally snap out of my influences even after I turned her into a monster...Her feelings toward you must be very strong...That was what made her an excellent pawn...However, I no longer have any use for her. It is time for you three to take your last breaths in this pit of darkness.
That's when the Arch-Lich extends his right hand and aims at Miria.
Ricca: Miria...! I won't let you...I was finally able to save her...!
Iris: Don't let your guard down...You don't know what's going to do!
Ricca: I don't want to be separated...from my sister anymore! (Y/N), please help me!
(Y/N): I...dammit! I'm not really prepared for this, but I won't know if I try!
Both you and Ricca start to charge towards the Arch-Lich.
...
It was not easy for the both of you, you were easily bodied by the Arch-Lich and Ricca was trying her best to fight, but she couldn't due to how strong the Arch-Lich was.
So now, the Arch-Lich was holding onto Ricca's throat while Ricca was trying to break free from Arch-Lich's grasp.
Ricca: Ghack...Ah...Aah...Agha...Uugh..a...
(Y/N): D...Dammit...(This guy...is like one of those video game bosses you're supposed to lose!)
Iris: (Capture the holy knight...?! Was he going to brainwash her just like the succubus and make her a minion?!)
Ricca: Agh...Ghaack...Miria...
Arch-Lich: Do not worry, little girl...I, too, was originally a human. As a sign of compassion, I will send your succubus and companions to heaven right behind you. Farewell...lowly child!
(Y/N): Ricca...no...!!
The Arch-Lich then uses his dark magic to kill Ricca, but he was struck by a lightning bolt from Miria.
Arch-Lich: Ugh...! This lightning...You bitch...!
Ricca: *Cough*...*Cough*...Huff...Huff...Huh...?
Miria: Ricca...(Y/N)...both of you...run away!
Ricca: Miri...
Arch-Lich: Gruugh...I made you a monster, yet you defy me...? You unfaithful slut...
Arch-Lich then swings his sword down onto Miria which sends her flying back.
Miria: Ahhh!!
Miria screams in pain as You, Ricca, and Iris were shocked upon seeing it.
Ricca: Ah...Aaah...Mi...ria...
Ricca then collapses onto her knees in defeat, but you wouldn't leave her to die in that spot.
(Y/N): Come on...!
You said as you start to carry Miria by wrapping her right arm around your neck and holding her left waist using your left hand.
Iris: Hurry! Get yourselves out of there!
Arch-Lich: Struggle all you want...I'm finishing you both...! Vanish, you sorry excuse for a holy knight!
(Y/N): Bastard...!
That's when more lightning starts to shock the Arch-Lich more as he screamed in pain.
Ricca: Eeeek!
(Y/N): Ngh...!
Iris: Is th-this...Is this the same trap we saw at the tower...? No...The magic energy from the earth is going wild! The cave's going to collapse!
Miria: Heehee...I'm glad...I saved some magic...for this trap...Huff...Huff...
Iris: ...!
(Y/N): Miria...!
Miria: Ack...Ugh...Miss Fairy...(Y/N)...Please take care...of...Ricca...
Iris: Huh?
That's when Miria summons a purple pentagram in her left hand until it disappears. The Arch-Lich then approaches her and grabs her by the waist.
Ricca: Miri...a...?
(Y/N): H-Hey, what the heck did you...
Miria: Ricca...I want you...to help...people...
That's when the Arch-Lich thrusts his sword into Miria's chest and blood was splurting out everywhere and this horrifies everyone.
(Y/N): No!
Ricca: ...Miria!!!!
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck down close in front and the three of you were sent flying back from the shockwave. You, Miri, and Iris fell down deep into the caves until the three of you saw Miria's dead body lifted by the Arch-Lich from above.
Ricca: Ah...Aah...Noooooo!!!!
...
Later, the three of you had gone into hiding because the Arch-Lich's minions were searching for you three.
The Arch-Lich and his minions were now long gone by the sound of their footsteps.
(Y/N): Whew...coast is clear...
Ricca: ...ngh...!
Iris: That was so reckless...She used her lightning magic to blow away the entire rock floor...Even with all the magic bursting from the earth, you two would have died, if Ricca didn't have her holy knight abilities. I wonder...Maybe that female knew you both would survive it too...
Ricca: ...
Iris: *Sigh* Geez...Arch-Lich was right there...For you to sneak around you guys like that...
You turn to Ricca and see that she was close to breaking down.
(Y/N): Ricca...
Ricca: Iris...you feel Miria's life force...right?
Iris then closes her eyes and tries to detect Miria's life energy.
Iris: I don't...The only human life I can sense is you two. That woman's magic and life force...disappeared after that explosion...
(Y/N): Oh no...Ricca...I'm...I'm so sorry...
Ricca: No...That can't be...You're lying..right...? I need to...get back to her...Right now...
Iris: Are you trying to get caught in another trap? Or...do you not believe what I said?
Ricca: Huh...?
Iris: take a look at your stomach. If the caster died, the curse mark should have disappeared, too.
Ricca then takes a look under her skit and the lustful crest was no longer there.
Ricca: I-It's...it's gone!
(Y/N): I guess that means you're okay now...but...
You try to say another word, but you let out a sigh.
Iris: Come on, this is not the time to sulk around. Let's get out of here.
Iris says in rushed-manner as Ricca transforms into her Holy Knight form as the three of you left the mines.
...
Upon finally returning back to the surface of the exit from the mines, the three of you were still walking down in heavy rain.
You looked at Ricca with sympathy until she kneels down on the ground after witnessing Miria die in front of her.
Iris: Get a hold of yourself...! I know you're sad that your sister died, but you're still a holy knight!
Ricca: ...
(Y/N): Iris, I get it that we have to continue the mission, but Ricca is not in the mood to fight right now.
Iris: So what?
You were angry and Iris's insensitive attitude.
(Y/N): You...Do you even know what it feels like to lose a loved one right in front of you?
Iris was surprised at your question.
(Y/N): You told us that you lost your little brother, and now you're telling...a grieving young lady who lost her older sister in that fight just to sacrifice her life to save us! How are you that insensitive, Iris?!
Iris was taken back by this as you continued speaking up.
(Y/N): I mean, I understand you're a servant from God and all, but people like us need time to cope with the feelings that are eating us inside!
Iris: Well I-
Ricca: SHUT UP!!
Ricca yelled at you two, stopping both of you and Iris from arguing.
Ricca: Just...shut up...I...can't do this...
Iris: What...?
Ricca: I can't...It was an impossible task for me from the start...It's just like Arch-Lich said...I'm..a sorry excuse for a holy knight....
Iris: What the...? I...I knew you were stupid, but are you seriously going to listen to what your archenemy said!?
Ricca: It's not just Archlich...I think so too...And you, Iris...Don't you think I'm pathetic as well...?
Iris stays silent from Ricca's question.
Ricca: Haha...I knew it...
Ricca then grabs the brooch from her neck as Ricca transforms back into her normal village self. After that, she grabs your right hand and places the brooch there.
Ricca: Here...take this...(Y/N)...
(Y/N): Wait, why would you give this to me?
Iris: Hey, what are you trying to do...!?
Ricca: ...Ngh...*sniff*...I'm sorry...*sniff*...
Iris: I'm not asking for an apology. Explain yourself.
Ricca: Ugh...*Sniff*...Hick...hick...I'm...sorry...*Sniff*...
(Y/N): Ricca...
Iris: I said, explain yourself! Don't cry...!
Ricca: *Sniff*...Ugh...Hick...I can't...fight anymore...I don't wanna...*sniff*
Ricca says with her voice shaking from sobbing as Iris was silent before speaking up.
Iris: Tell me...why you don't want to...
Ricca: ...Everything...It's all so painful...and scary...I get hurt all the time...If I get defeated by a monster, they might do terrible things to me...I might end up like that lady we saw in the town...Everyone...at the village...even Miria...died...
You and Iris stood silent as Ricca continues to explain.
Ricca: I'm...I'm just a regular girl from a village...All I'm good at is picking herbs from the mountains and playing with Polon...I can't even defeat a goblin in this state...
(Y/N) & Iris: ...
Ricca: I'm stupid and unworthy. I'm always disappointing you. How could someone like me just put on shining armor and call herself God's warrior? I have no right to be a holy knight!
Iris: Ngh...! You're right.
Ricca: ...!
Iris: You're a simple girl with no talent for fighting monsters...I don't understand why God chose you either...and second of all...why would you hand the brooch to (Y/N)?
Iris questions as Ricca turns to you before speaking up.
Ricca: (Y/N) can just do it on his own...he's strong and he did a lot of fighting experiences all the time since he's masculine.
(Y/N): Ricca...
Iris: It's true that (Y/N) is experienced with fighting, but that doesn't mean he's worthy to become a holy knight. Ricca, you still defeated that succubus...! You can become stronger, as long as you keep fighting monsters! Eventually, you can fulfill your duty. Besides, don't you want to avenge your sister?! Are you going to let Arch-Lich off the hook for killing the people important to you!?
Iris tells her, but Ricca got on all fours on the ground and starts crying her eyes out.
Ricca: Miria...! Ah...Ugh...I'm sorry. If only...I hadn't given her that gem necklace...She was kidnapped by the monsters...and killed...all because I was chosen by God. It's all...my fault...If you two stick around me, I'm going to get you both killed, too...Even just a while ago...If Miria hadn't saved us, Arch-Lich would have killed everyone...He was so strong...I can't beat a guy like that...!
(Y/N): It would appear that our fates have been challenging us now, huh...
You muttered under your breath until Ricca gets up.
Ricca: *Sniff*...I'm sorry...Iris...This is where we split ways now...
Iris: Hey...Wait...! Where you....?!
Ricca: I'm sorry...Please...don't follow me...leave me alone...
Iris: Are you serious...?! If you don't fight, more humans are going to be killed by monsters!
Ricca: But that's how Miria got killed...I couldn't even help one family member. How could I help anyone else...? I can't do it...
Iris: ...!
Ricca: I'm too stupid and weak...and dirty...What was God thinking, choosing me...?
Iris: W-Wait...!
Ricca: I don't care if (Y/N) is suitable as Holy Knight or not...Goodbye...
That's when Ricca walks away from you and Iris with her head down in despair as you and Iris watched her walking away.
(Y/N): ...
Iris: ...What are we going to do now...?
You looked at the brooch that was on your right hand until you let out a deep sigh.
(Y/N): You know what? I just can't leave her in the state she's in right now.
Iris: What?
(Y/N): Iris, I understand the situation we're in right now, but our fates are on the line here. I know that I'm going to give Ricca time to process everything, but as a friend of hers, I can't allow her to stay in that state of trauma.
Iris: So, are you suggesting we stay with her?
(Y/N): Yeah, getting her fighting spirit back is the only way we can get through everything.
Iris stays silent for a moment before speaking up.
Iris: Alright. I still have a bit of faith in humans.
(Y/N): That's good. We oughta follow her so she won't be in danger.
Iris nods as you and her followed Ricca to god-knows wherever she's going...
...
(A/N: That's that! Stay tuned for more!)
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