Night fell over the courtyard.
Bright moonlight filtered through the window lattice, spilling into the room and bringing a sense of quiet peace.
The green-haired, brown-eyed mother sat by the bed, opened a book, and gently read a bedtime story to her daughter in pajamas.
The white-haired little girl leaned against the headboard, blinking her pure eyes as she listened quietly. Gone was the ferocity she had shown during the day; the room was filled with warmth and harmony.
However, upon reaching the climax of the story, the overly excited Little Jack suddenly sat up and clenched her fists. She immediately frowned and sucked in a breath, letting out a muffled whimper.
Seeing this, Rokudo Reika hurriedly tossed aside the storybook, supported her daughter, and asked with concern.
"Does it hurt again?"
"Mm..."
Little Jack nodded through the pain. Faint traces of flame burns flickered in and out across her skin, and her expression dimmed.
During the battle at Thousand Tree Castle, Joan of Arc's Holy Flame had inflicted tremendous damage on Little Jack. Though she had been urgently recalled and most of her wounds had been healed, some residual power had still seeped into her body and needed to be purged by Little Jack herself.
Of course, if her Master had been a proper magus capable of supplying sufficient magical energy, suitable Magic Potions, and proper spells, a Servant's recovery would naturally have been easy.
"Sorry, Mommy is useless..."
Rokudo Reika pressed her lips together, her expression darkening with both heartache and shame.
If she had been strong enough as a Master, Little Jack naturally would not have had to suffer such pain. She might not even have been hurt.
"Not at all!"
Hearing that, Little Jack immediately shook her adorable head like a rattle drum, repeatedly objecting as