Let's Train Heroine

"~~~~~♪"

Inside the intermittently shaking carriage, Maris cheerfully hummed a tune. Her soft voice blended with the gentle rocking of the carriage, creating an atmosphere of peace that seemed to make time slow down.

Maris sat opposite Lucan, her bright eyes filled with joy as she looked at him. She wore a simple, yet elegant dress, the fabric catching the light in a way that made her seem to glow from within. The subtle floral pattern of the dress seemed to mirror the gentle energy she exuded.

"You're in a good mood, Maris," Lucan observed, He leaned back against the plush seat, the cushions offering a soft respite from the hard travel. He wore his usual traveling attire—a well-fitted tunic and trousers, made of durable material that still managed to look refined.

"Yes! I'm very happy!" Maris replied, her smile blooming like the very flowers that had begun to miraculously appear inside the carriage. The petals, a vivid red, floated gently down, filling the carriage with a sweet, natural fragrance. It was as if her emotions had become tangible, turning into a small miracle that painted the space around them with beauty.

Lucan couldn't help but smile back at her.

Although the two inside the carriage couldn't see it, the path they traveled was being transformed. On both sides of the road, flowers of various colors bloomed as if bowing in respect to the Saintess. The vibrant colors created a mesmerizing corridor of nature, leading them forward like a royal procession.

These flowers, brought into existence by Maris's unconscious miracles.

"Lucan-sama," Maris continued, her voice filled with excitement, "I know a shop I went to with my friends. They had incredibly sweet and delicious crepes. Shall we go there together once we arrive?"

Lucan nodded, "That sounds good."

Maris's eyes sparkled with even more enthusiasm. "Yes, I know. I also found a café with delicious tea. It has a great atmosphere, is quiet, and not crowded, like a hidden gem. There's also an antiquarian bookstore that only handles old and rare books. And, there's a flower field where many fairies gather, just a bit away from the royal capital.

It would be so much fun to have a picnic there with a packed lunch."

As she spoke, her voice carried a rhythm of excitement, her words tumbling out in quick succession as if she couldn't contain her joy. Lucan couldn't help but chuckle softly, watching her as she painted a picture of their future adventures in the royal capital.

Maris's excitement was palpable, and Lucan could see the dreams forming in her mind, each plan more elaborate and filled with joy than the last. She was imagining a life of simple pleasures, sharing moments with him, discovering new places, and enjoying the peace that came with their companionship.

"We should visit as many places as we can," Maris continued, her tone now more thoughtful as she mapped out their time together. "The first, we'll go to the café, and the next, we'll visit that shop, and the following, we can have a picnic on the hill... Oh, and I want to go bookstore-hopping too. Let's plan that for next month's break…"

Lucan felt a slight headache coming on as he realized just how many plans Maris was making. He knew she was excited, but her enthusiasm seemed boundless.

"Maris... let's calm down a bit," he suggested gently, hoping to temper her excitement without dimming her joy. He leaned forward slightly.

Maris blinked, her excitement momentarily paused. "Oh... I'm sorry, I got carried away," she admitted, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She raised her hands to cover her face, peeking through her fingers at Lucan as if unsure how he would react.

Lucan smiled softly, shaking his head. "It's okay. I'm just thinking that if we're together every break, you won't have time to spend with your friends, you know?"

Maris's eyes widened as the realization hit her. "Oh... that's right," she murmured, lowering her hands. She bit her lip, clearly thinking over the implications of her plans. "Interacting with friends is important too... then, let's have one weekend a month for friends and the rest for Lucan-sama."

"..."

Lucan could see the determination in her eyes, the way she was already recalculating her schedule to fit everything in. It was both endearing and a little overwhelming.

Just then, a voice came from the carriage driver's box, interrupting their conversation. "Um... Excuse me, but may I have a moment?"

Lucan and Maris both looked toward the front of the carriage as the driver peeked apologetically through the window. His expression was one of mild concern.

"Sorry. It seems there's a roadblock up ahead," the driver explained, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.

"A roadblock... Did something happen?" Lucan asked, his brow furrowing as he looked out the window. The carriage had come to a stop, and outside, other carriages and travelers were also stalled, forming a small crowd on the road.

The driver nodded. "Well... it seems the bridge over the river up ahead has collapsed due to flooding. Everyone seems to be in quite a bind."

"Flooding... Was there heavy rain?" Lucan wondered aloud, his gaze turning toward the horizon where the river lay hidden beyond the hills.

In this area, typhoons during summer were rare, and it was unusual for the river to flood enough to wash away a bridge. The bridge had stood for years without incident, a testament to its sturdy construction.

Maris, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up. "It might be the work of monsters."

Her voice, though calm, carried a weight that made Lucan turn to her with a questioning look. "Can you tell, Maris?"

Maris nodded, her expression serious. "Yes. I sense an evil presence upstream."

Without another word, Maris moved to the window and leaned out, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the distant river. She extended her right hand, her fingers delicate yet strong, as if they held the power to command the world.

"Take this," she murmured, her voice soft yet filled with authority. With a slight gesture, she waved her finger, and immediately, a white light shot from her hand, streaking across the sky like a shooting star. It was a beam of pure energy, imbued with her will and her power.

Lucan watched in awe as the light disappeared into the distance, the air around them humming with the residual energy of her spell.

"This should do... Now, shall we continue?" Maris asked, turning back to Lucan with a smile that belied the power she had just displayed.

"Continue... even if the monsters are gone, we can't move forward without the bridge..." Driver pointed out.

"It's okay," Maris said, her voice filled with quiet confidence.

As if in response to her words, the carriage began to move again, the wheels rolling smoothly over the road. Lucan looked out the window again, only to see that the once-collapsed bridge had been replaced by an archway made of vines and flowers. The intricate weaving of nature had formed a perfect bridge, sturdy enough to support the weight of the carriage and the other travelers.

The other carriages and travelers, who had been stranded just moments before, were now crossing the river, their faces filled with awe and gratitude as they passed over the miraculous bridge.

"How should I put it... As expected of the Saintess..." the driver muttered under his breath, his voice filled with admiration.

Lucan couldn't help but agree. The display of power, the effortless creation of life, and the protection of those around her—all of it spoke to Maris's incredible abilities. She was a force of nature, a living miracle in human form.

As the carriage continued on its way, crossing the river on the bridge of vines and flowers, Lucan glanced back at Maris. She was smiling to herself, her hands folded neatly in her lap as if she hadn't just performed a feat of incredible magic.

"Now we can reach the royal capital. I'm looking forward to the crepes in the royal capital!" she said, her voice filled with excitement once again.

Lucan couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "..."

He knew that Maris's miracles knew no bounds, and while they often left him in awe, they also reminded him of the vast gulf between her powers and his own. He possessed incredible strength, magic, and divine abilities, yet Maris's power was something else entirely. It was as if the world itself bent to her will, creating beauty and life wherever she went.