-No One's P.O.V-

After Miria tragically sacrificed herself to save You, Iris, and Ricca in the mines.

So right now, Ricca quits being a holy knight, and we see her slowly walking with her head down in despair.

Ricca: (I can't do it...I just can't...I even...ran away from my duty...What...should I do now...?)

Ricca thought to herself as she looks up at the dark clouds above her with rain pouring down on her.

Ricca: (I should go back to the cave...and take shelter...No...Iris and (Y/N) are still at the cave...I can't go back...) The village...The mountains in the west...I should go back...to where Donny and the others are...

That's when Ricca starts to feel a sudden pain under her lower abdomen.

Ricca: (The curse disappeared, but my body's still hot...My tummy hurts too...Do I have a cold...? If I keep walking in this cold rain...it's only going to get worse...Whatever...I don't care...)

Ricca thought to herself in sadness as she continues walking down the road with rain pouring down.

-Mini Time Skip-

Throughout Ricca's walk, she encounters monsters along the way. Ricca somehow managed to defeat some of the monsters on the way using a big stick in her hands.

Once she got through to them, she then hears a deep voice behind her.

???: It's a human female! Oink!

Ricca turns around to see a tall green-skinned monster.

Ricca: Huh...? Green skin...A goblin...?!

???: Oink! I overslept and couldn't make it to the raid. I didn't find anything valuable left...But look at this young, delicious female! She must have left behind...She looks slow and easy to catch, too! I'm so lucky! Oink!

Ricca: It's not a goblin...That face looks like a pig...An orc...?!

Orc: Oink, oink! You better not run...! I'm going to make you mine...and use you all day, every day!

Ricca: N-No...I need to...I need to get away...I can't beat that giant monster...I'm...I'm too weak...

Suddenly, Ricca felt her lower abdomen in pain again.

Ricca: Ack...Haa...Haa...The curse on my tummy...It's throbbing...?! But I thought it was gone...?! Huff...Huff...I need to run away...

Orc: Why are you squatting down? Is your womanhood getting wet by me?! Hahaha! It's my lucky day!

Ricca: (I thought it disappeared when Miria died...So why...?)

Ricca thought to herself as she tries to get away from the Orc, but she wasn't fast enough as the Orc manages to catch up to her and whacked her down with his club.

Ricca: Ngh...gosh darn it...!

Orc: Whew, that was easy! Now then...time to-

As the Orc was about to finish his sentence, an arrow shot through his skull and it shocked Ricca upon seeing it.

Ricca then watches the Orc collapses from the ground, lifeless, as she looked at her savior and it was none other than you and Iris.

You had your bow out after firing the arrow until you wore the bow around your chest.

(Y/N): Hey there.

Ricca: Iris...? (Y/N)...?

A gentle smile appears on your face as you and Iris approached the weakened Ricca.

Ricca: I thought I told you two to leave me alone...

Iris: You did, but we're not going to.

Ricca: Just give it up...

(Y/N): Hey, if you wandered out all alone without your holy knight form, then who's going to protect you?

You questioned as Ricca stays silent.

(Y/N): Look, we're really sorry for your loss, Ricca.

Ricca: Just leave me alone...

Ricca then starts walking off. You then let out a sigh as you and Iris continued following her.

Ricca: Why can't you just go back and continue your mission?

Iris: It's hard and it'll take too long for me to find one. Even if I did, the Arch-Lich will still take over the world and it will be too late.

Ricca: ...

(Y/N): Ricca, I know you need some time to process everything...

Ricca: Then why aren't you leaving...?!

(Y/N): *Sigh* We just wanted to talk, not just insisting on coming back as a holy knight...yet.

That's when Ricca turns to you and pushes you away from her. You almost lost your balance, but you easily regained it.

Ricca: I quit being a holy knight! I don't care anymore...!

Ricca yells at you and Iris until Ricca quickly runs away from you two.

Iris: Ricca, wait!

You and Iris start to chase after her. However, unknown to the three of you, someone was watching from afar.

???: Who...were those three?

The person who was watching decided to follow you three.

...

While Ricca was running away from you and Iris, she then trips down and faceplanted on the puddle.

Ricca: ..Ngh...

Ricca pulls herself away from the puddle until she sees her own reflection with tears coming out of her eyelids.

Ricca: Why...just...why...?!

Ricca says with her voice shaking until she starts sobbing her eyes out. Suddenly, a familiar right hand grabs onto Ricca's left shoulder.

Ricca knew who it was as she tries to get up and run away, but the person stopped her and gives her a warm hug.

Ricca: (Y/N)...please...just let me go already...!

(Y/N): I can't.

Ricca: Why?! Can't you see that I've suffered enough?!

(Y/N): I know.

Ricca: Huh?

Ricca was confused by your response as you begin to say some words to her.

(Y/N): I know that you've been through a lot. Please...just calm down and breathe...

You said in a gentle voice. Ricca, with tears in her eyes, then slowly calms herself down and takes a couple of deep breaths...

(Y/N): Shhh...easy now...

Ricca: But why...why do you two persist making me to come back...? I'm just a fool for being chosen as a holy knight...I'm nothing but just an ordinary village girl!

Iris: Ricca...it's not that...*sigh* It's just that we want you to take a break for a bit.

Ricca: Huh?

Iris: I understand the loss of your sister and need a bit of time in peace. I lost my little brother a long time ago as well. And...I just want to say that I'm sorry...

Ricca was surprised to hear coming from Iris's words.

Iris: I wasn't thinking straight because of the situation we're in right now. I'm sorry, Ricca...

Iris says apologetically as Ricca begins to think about what she said until you spoke up.

(Y/N): We've been going on a mission for over a month now, and it pains me to see you like this. I'm your friend, and friends must always stick out with each other like partners.

Ricca: (Y/N)...Iris...thank you...

Ricca says with a grateful smile on her face as she returned the hug back.

You and Iris were smiling at this that Ricca is feeling a little better until...

???: Um...excuse me...!

(Y/N): Huh?

You and Ricca broke the hug as the three of you turned around and see a young lady wearing an ordinary mage outfit, a black witch hat with a pink bow around it, and a wooden staff with a small red ball on the hook.

(Y/N): (Huh, she looks like one of those characters from the Touhou franchise.)

???: Umm...I heard a girl yelling at something so I thought she needed help until I followed you guys and heard everything.

Iris: Who are you?

Claret: I'm Claret. A young mage around these parts. So um...as much as I would like to chat around, but we're getting wet from this rain. I have a house nearby if you guys want to come in.

You, Iris, and Ricca looked at each other before speaking up.

(Y/N): Well...I guess we could take that offer. Come on, let's get outta here before we get a cold.

Ricca: Yeah. Lead the way, Claret.

Claret nodded her head in confirmation as she leads the way back to her house while You, Ricca, and Iris followed her behind.

-One Week Later-

A week has passed since Claret was kind to give you, Iris, and Ricca a bit of hospitality by staying in her parent's house. The three of you began to explain what had happened for over a month of your journey at the dining table.

Claret: You've traveled through so many places...The mountains in the west and ruined towns...The quarry and the mining caves...Those hills were a great place to gather medical herbs. It's too bad what happened to them...

Ricca: Yeah...I wanted to get to my uncle's place since I had nowhere else to go, but the place had become a nest for monsters...My uncle was dead, too...

Claret: And so you wandered through the village to get away from the monsters, and you were almost assaulted by an orc until your friend killed him.

(Y/N): Yup.

Claret: And I'm also shocked that you're from the 21st century in the future and arrived here and it's quite bizarre to hear your explanation. Say, if you three have no place to go. I'd like you guys to stay here for a while longer.

You, Ricca, and Iris looked at each other for a moment before talking back to Claret.

Ricca: What...? We appreciate the generosity, but (Y/N), Iris, and I are planning to head out tomorrow...

(Y/N): Yeah. It's been a week since you let us stay in your house after all the crap we've been through.

Claret: No, it's fine. You see, as a mage, I live here in the forest all alone...I don't get many opportunities to talk with young people my age.

Iris: Huh?

Claret: My parents traveled to the royal capital to fight the monsters with the soldiers, so they won't be coming home for a while...I was so lonely...

(Y/N): Oof...that's just sad. I hope your parents are doing well.

You said in a reassuring tone.

Claret: I hope so.

Ricca: Thanks, but...we can't. We can't do anything in return...

Claret: That's not true. I'm so happy I get to talk to you three...To hear what life is like for regular young people. It's so fun...!

Ricca: Claret...

Ricca paused for a moment before speaking up.

Ricca: I think I need a bit of group discussion with (Y/N) and Iris for a bit.

Claret: O-Oh, sure thing.

You, Iris, and Ricca got out of your seats and headed outside to talk in private.

Iris: So, what do you all think?

You and Ricca think for a moment before speaking up.

(Y/N): Honestly, it's been a week since Ricca quit being a holy knight, and needs a bit of peace. Maybe we should stay around for a while.

Iris: What about you, Ricca?

Ricca: Well...I guess we could stay for a bit. Claret does need a bit of company since she's alone all by herself.

Iris: Does that mean you've made up your minds by staying with Claret for a while?

Ricca & (Y/N): *Nods* Mm.

Iris: *Sigh* Fine, we're going to relax for a while, but don't forget our main objective. Ricca, you've gotten a lot better with (Y/N)'s sword and archery training for over a week now. Both of you still need to train a little more, got it?

Ricca & (Y/N): Understood.

However, unknown to the three of you, Claret eavesdropped and heard the whole thing. She really couldn't believe what she had just heard from your conversation.

Claret: (A mission? Ricca is...a holy knight...? It's been a week and they've never told me about it?!)

Claret thought to herself as she quickly returned back to her house and pretend nothing has ever happened.

-Several Days Later-

It's been days since you, Iris, and Ricca have been staying in Claret's house. You and Ricca have been training every day so you two could fight the Arch-Lich again one day. Ricca has been improving a lot after the loss of Miria and her fighting spirit came back to her.

So right now, You, Iris, and Ricca were watching Claret brewing something on the big cauldron.

Claret: Sulfur, mandrake, wyvern tongue, and Arachne thread...Heehee, make sure you hang onto them, (Y/N)!

(Y/N): Y-Yeah, I got it.

Claret: Okay, here I go...Hyaaah!

Suddenly, an explosion happened after Claret was finished brewing it.

Iris: O-Ow...

(Y/N): Ough...that freakin' hurts...

Ricca: Oww...*Cough* *Cough*...Did you do it, Claret?

Claret: Ugh...Another failure...But it should've worked this time...

Ricca: Ahaha...Smoke's coming from your hat! Heehee, I guess even you make mistakes sometimes...

Ricca says playfully while pointing her finger at Claret's hat with purple smoke coming out.

Claret: Of course I do! I still have long ways to go compared to my mother and father...

(Y/N): I'm sure you'll manage.

Claret: Thanks...*Sigh*...Hmm...What did I do wrong...?

Iris: Perhaps it's not enough?

Claret: No, I'm sure that I've got the ingredients on making this. Oh wait, I'm missing nightshade! It completely slipped my mind. I was missing an ingredient...Ah, but I don't have that plant ready today...I didn't notice that the peddler yesterday didn't have any on him...

(Y/N): Ahahaha, that freakin' sucks!

You said with a light-hearted smile as Claret awkwardly laughed a little.

Ricca: Nightshade...?

Iris: Isn't that a poison herb? I heard that you'll get a rash if you touch its leaves...

Claret: Yes, that's it...Oh, what do I do? This was a commission from one of my parents' valuable clients...

Ricca: (Claret must really love her parents. She's always talking about them...She has a family...And her customers trust her...I'm a little jealous...)

Ricca thought to herself and silence fills the room until you spoke up.

(Y/N): Hey Ricca, you're a herb expert, right? There might probably be a nightshade herb out there.

Ricca: Yeah, but I'm not a herb expert.

Claret: Wha...No, I can do that myself, Ricca. You can...

Ricca: Heehee! But I'm pretty good gathering herbs and wild vegetables, you know? Actually, that's the only thing I'm good at...

Iris: Consider yourself a botanist, Ricca...

Ricca: You could say that again.

Claret: But...

(Y/N): Let Ricca be, Iris will company her and find herbs, isn't that right?

You said with a raised eyebrow towards Iris.

Iris: I'm a...ugh...fine...I'll go.

Claret pauses for a moment before speaking up.

Claret: Okay then. Well...could you get me ten stalks with big leaves?

Ricca: Sure can, Iris and I'll be back before lunch.

Claret: I have some tomatoes I bought along with my medical ingredients yesterday, so we can have vegetable soup when you get back.

(Y/N): Good luck, you two.

Ricca nodded in response as she and Iris went off to pick up the nightshade herb that Claret needs.

(Y/N): Alright, I'll clean the place, you should go make lunch, is that okay with you?

Claret: Sure, I'll do that.

(Y/N): Thanks.

And just like that, you went to clean Claret's home while she was busy making lunch for you, Ricca, Iris, and herself.

-Mini Time Skip-

After cleaning the place and cooking food, you and Claret heard something outside.

???: Hey! Come out of there!

It was a deep voice that no human would speak.

Claret: W-Who was that?!

Claret asks in a shocked, yet quiet voice.

(Y/N): I'll check it out.

You slowly make your way to the door and opened it a little. To your surprise, there a bunch of goblins, wolves, undead, and an orc wearing a helmet and leather armor showed up at the front porch of Claret's home.

Goblin A: Hey! I see you behind that door! Come on out! I know you were the one who killed our orcs!

One of the goblins yelled as you immediately closed the door.

(Y/N): Claret, get your staff. We've got uninvited guests outside.

Claret nods as she went off to get her staff while you also grabbed your sword, bow, and arrows.

(Y/N): Stay behind me.

Claret nodded as you slowly opened the door with your sword out.

Goblin B: There you are!

(Y/N): Hello there, fine gentlemen! How can I help you?

Orc's Older Brother: *Snoort!* I found my little bro's dead body on the road with an arrow on his head! We want to know who did it!

(Y/N): Oh...that would be me since I'm the one who's holding the bow and arrow.

Orc's Older Brother: Why you...!

Claret: Ugh...Don't get any closer to us...!

While this was going on, Iris and Ricca were seeing this from afar.

Ricca: An orc...He's with a bunch of other monsters, too!

Iris: This doesn't look good. We need to help them!

Ricca: Right! Claret! (Y/N)!

Ricca calls out both of your names as you and Claret turned to see her.

Claret: Ah...Ricca!

Orc's Older Brother: Huh...? *Snooort!* Are you their friend? That must mean that you're involved in killing one my little bro!

Ricca: Huh...? That orc...it's not the same orc I encountered since (Y/N) killed one. Plus, did he say "little bro", then that must've meant that orc is his big brother!

Orc's Older Brother: Tch...I've had my patience! Time to destroy, you three!

(Y/N): Ricca, catch this!

You said as you throw the brooch toward Ricca. Ricca sees it until she manages to catch it in her hands.

Ricca: Thanks!

Iris: You idiot! Be careful on throwing it!

(Y/N): Hurry and wear it! We can't talk right now!

Ricca: Right!

Ricca then quickly wears the brooch and begin to transform back into her Holy Knight form.

(Y/N): Heh, about time!

You said with a smirk while Clar was in awe upon seeing Ricca's holy knight form, despite hearing the conversation several days ago when You, Ricca, and Iris had a private discussion.

Claret: Wow! That form... looks cool!

Ricca: Heehee! Of course, it's cool!

Orc's Older Brother: What?! The curvy one's appearance has changed! She even has a weapon! Wait...that appearance, that fairy, and that boy...So you three are the ones who's been fighting against Arch-Lich. The one we were told about...

Iris: Oh dear, it appears that our reputation has been found out...

Ricca: So you're Arch-Lich's minions, too...In that case, we're not showing any mercy!

Orc's Older Brother: *Snooort* I'm not scared of you! If we capture you and hand you off to Arch-Lich, we can all have the money and the bitches we want!

(Y/N): Wow, you really are that desperate to get women. Sometimes, you just gotta learn how to live a life being single in peace!

Ricca: Claret...Leave them to me and (Y/N)! You go hide somewhere!

Claret: No, I have to protect my home...! I'll fight with you three!

(Y/N): Heh, I like your confidence.

Orc's Older Brother: *Snooort!* A sumptuous feast awaits us! Once I'm done with this, I'll avenge my little bro!

(Y/N): More like he'd be disappointed in you once your ass gets beaten up!

Orc's Older Brother: Shut up! I'll defeat you three!

Iris: *Sigh* Thou art the sword of God, blessed by sunlight...! Vanquish the evil creatures and bring back glory to this earth...!

Iris commences the fight and disappears out of sight as the Orc's Older Brother and his minions start to gang up on you three as You, Ricca, and Claret begin to fight.

-Mini Time Skip-

(Y/N): Emerald...Splash!!!

You fired off the Emerald Splash and defeated all of the minions that surrounded you three while Iris and Ricca finally finished off the Orc's Older Brother.

Ricca: Whew, I think that's all of them.

Iris: Yup. I can't sense any more monsters out here again.

(Y/N): Hehe, that was fun!

Suddenly, Claret then gets closer to Ricca and starts admiring her Holy Knight form.

Claret: Wow! You look really amazing! I knew you'd look perfect in that form!

Ricca: Ahaha...Claret, you're too close...

(Y/N): And how did she know that Ricca is a holy knight?

Iris: Wait...don't tell me she eavesdropped on our conversation several days ago, didn't she?

Claret: Yeah...I just couldn't help it...

Iris: Jeez...

Ricca: Hee...sorry about that...hee...he...he...

All of you noticed that Ricca starts getting dizzy.

(Y/N): Whoa, you okay?

Ricca: I'm...fine...

Ricca says until she starts to pass out, but you managed to catch her in your arms.

(Y/N): Hey, you okay?!

Claret: Ah...! Ricca...! She suddenly collapsed...What's going on?!

(Y/N): I...I don't know...

Iris: Oh no...This magic wavelength...Could it be...?!

Iris then looks under Ricca's skirt and to her shock, she sees the return of the lustful crust on Ricca's lower abdomen.

Iris: What!? I thought it was gone!

(Y/N): The crest is back!? How is that possible?!

Iris: That's what I'm questioning...this is not good...We need to put her inside the house and lay her on the bed.

(Y/N): On it. Come on...!

You then start to carry Ricca in a bridal style and carried her inside with Iris and Claret following you behind.

...

Upon entering Claret's house, you placed Ricca on the bed and she was still feeling hot as if she had a fever.

Claret: Alright, now what?

Iris: The love crest is getting a little worse.

Claret: Then...how do we get rid of it...?

Claret asks as Iris looks away for a moment before speaking up.

Iris: I can't reseal the same way I did before. The only way to get rid of the love crest is to...have a male lift the curse by doing sexual intercourse.

A small silence occurred until Claret screamed out...

Claret: Huh?!?!

Iris: You heard me. And that person is going to be you, (Y/N).

(Y/N): Wait, you want me to do it?!

You asked out of shock.

Iris: Yes! If you don't do it, Ricca's going to be in that state forever.

You looked at Iris and then back to Ricca. You clenched your fist at the sudden option.

(Y/N): I know I've seen a lot and I came unprepared for this, but I'm doing this for Ricca's sake.

Iris: I'll leave you two be. So there won't be any interruptions. Come on, Claret.

Claret: O-Okay.

Both Claret and Iris left the house, leaving you and Ricca all alone.

You looked back to Ricca who is heavily breathing and nodded her head in agreement.

(Y/N): Alright...

You took off Ricca's clothes before you take off yours. After that, you climbed on top of Ricca as you give her a look of regret.

(Y/N): This is my first time doing this, but...I gotta do what I gotta do.

Ricca: Haa...Haa...Please be gentle...

(Y/N): I'll...I'll do my best...please forgive me...!

And just like that, you and Ricca start having sexual intercourse together despite being of the same age.

-A couple of minutes later-

(Y/N): Ugh...damn...

You said with an angry regretful look on your face as you lost your virginity by lifting the love crest out from Ricca's abdomen.

You were covered in a mixture of sweat and guilt as you lay next to Ricca while she was hugging onto your left arm and had a euphoric look on her face.

No, you didn't come inside her. You came outside of her and Ricca had white liquid on her body.

Ricca: Haa...Haa...Thanks...that was amazing...haa...haa...

(Y/N): I'm...I'm just gonna start changing my clothes...

...

In the aftermath, Ricca's love crest was finally lifted out from her lower abdomen thanks to your help. You were embarrassed during the intercourse since it was your first time doing it. Ricca, on the other hand, well...she became a little loving towards you as if you were her boyfriend, despite not having a relationship between you two.

-Several Days Ago-

Going back in time, to a day before Claret's house was attacked by Orcs...

Ricca: What!? You've read all the books in here, Claret!?

Claret: Yes, most of them. You're welcome to read whatever tickles your fancy!

(Y/N): Aww thanks a lot. Looks like we'll be getting a lot of...knawledge.

You said jokingly with your fingers bending down and this earned a chuckle from Ricca and Claret.

Iris: A horrible joke, but I don't know why you make it sound amusing...

Iris says with a slightly annoyed look on her face.

(Y/N): (Perhaps my humor is just broken...)

Ricca then grabs one of the books and looks at the pages in awe.

Ricca: Wow, this book...The text is so dense, and it's filled with strange patterns...I don't think I can read these characters...

(Y/N): More like the font is unreadable until you get a translator.

Claret: The books around there are my father's collection of healing spells. Piled over here are my mother's combat magic books.

Ricca: Wow...That's amazing...I fall asleep reading books if they aren't filled with pictures. I can't read anything too difficult, either...

(Y/N): What kind of books do you read, Ricca?

Ricca: I like stuff like encyclopedias on animals and plants.

Claret: I think most people are like that. I only read these because I'm a mage living in the middle of nowhere, I have nothing else to do when I'm bored.

(Y/N): That sounds amazing. You're pretty good!

Claret: Heehee! I bet I know more about magic than the mages in the royal capital! I know a lot of things you three don't!

Iris: Oh, don't get cocky now, little one. There are a lot of smart people better than you.

Claret: Ahaha...I-I know...

Claret says as she awkwardly scratches the back of her head.

Ricca: Say, do you know about succubus crystals...?

Claret: Succubus crystals...? That's a common name for a kind of light-red gem. What about them?

Ricca: One time...I gave one to someone as a present. Oh, I didn't buy for them, though. I gave what I received from someone else as a gift...I was just wondering if that person who gave it to me knew what it was...He said that a mage that visited the village dropped it off, but...I wonder if he knew...about the color...You know?

Claret: "You know"...? About what? You're still talking about that rock that's made of powered life crystal and a magic stone, right?

(Y/N): Care to elaborate?

Claret: The light-red color comes from the mixture of pink life crystal and deep-red magic stone.

Ricca: I see...But this isn't what I was asking about. I heard that the crystal's color represents a girl's...A-Actually, never mind. Heehee...I think they're pretty, but I guess they're not that popular, huh?

You and Iris looked at each other in confusion until Claret spoke up.

Claret: Umm...? I suppose due to their lack of clarity, they aren't often worn as gemstones...They're not completely worthless, though. Because refining magic stones can be difficult, and they can be used as little good-luck charms, they're relatively expensive. They're good substitutes for carrying around money.

Iris: I mean, gems can be sold at a high price, if you didn't know.

Ricca: Okay...

Claret: I also know that some regions think that the succubus crystal signifies a woman's genitalia. They're typically just called pink crystals around here, though...

(Y/N): Bruh...

Ricca: So you did know, Claret?!

Claret: Heehee, you were trying to get me flustered, weren't you? Hehe! Too bad it didn't work. I may be younger than you, but I'm pretty knowledgeable!

Ricca: I see...

Claret: Yup! Heehee! Would you like me to teach you two what I know?

Ricca: (Whoa, Claret's eyes are glittering...She must love teaching people. She's been letting us stay at her place for a while, so now I don't want to hurt her feelings...)

Ricca: S-Sure...Maybe you could teach us a little...

(Y/N): Oh please do teach us, young mage!

You said playfully as Claret let out a small laugh.

Claret: Alrighty then! I'm a little surprised by how childish you two can be, though. Did you really think you two could embarrass me with that little tidbit?

(Y/N): Bruh, are you saying that we're stupid?

Claret: N-No, that's not what I mean...But anyway, If you guys going to travel back to your village, I'll teach you how to make rare crystals. They'll come in handy for your trip.

Iris: Sounds interesting...I'll participate.

Ricca: You'll do it?

Iris: Yeah, and I can't remember the last time I had been taught or had fun with anyone.

(Y/N): Hahaha, looks like the wise fairy needs a bit of teaching~!

Iris: *Sigh* Shut up...

...

(A/N: That's that! Stay tuned for more!)