(Heartfelt thanks to 'Youyouzi's Lament,' 'Yan Ai Ai,' 'Xiaoyao x You,' 'This Guy Actually,' 'Love Anime Girls,' 'Q Yongjiang Yiku Q,' 'Bing Yue Ying,' and 'Ming Qi Zi Fang Yuan' for their rewards!)
An indescribable silence filled the room.
Claire, Linse Laurenhrost, Fianna, and Alice sat around a table, yet none of them spoke. They all wore conflicted expressions, as though they wanted to say something but had no idea what to say.
Across from the girls, Noah sat quietly.
Beside Noah sat the girl whose true name was Isalia Siva, the Water Spirit King who governed the water element of this world. Her gaze swept over the gathered girls.
"Brave Shrine Maidens, thank you for helping me. Unfortunately, I cannot grant you my blessing right now. I can only hope that you will be understanding."
Upon hearing Isalia's words, the girls hurriedly waved their hands and shook their heads in alarm.
"W-We didn't do anything," Claire said awkwardly.
"The ones who helped Lady Isalia escape were Noah and Linse. Fianna was the one who broke your seal. Alice and I didn't help at all."
"R-Right." Alice lowered her head sheepishly.
"So, we are not qualified to accept the Spirit King's thanks or blessing. Please do not say such things."
"I-I didn't help either," Linse said dejectedly.
"Noah was the one who brought Miss Spirit... Lady Isalia out of the underground labyrinth. I was only watching from the side."
"W-What I did was just as insignificant," Fianna quickly added.
"I was merely responsible for carrying out the unsealing ritual. There are quite a few people in the Sacred Ritual Institute who can perform it. I only happened to lend a small hand."
Clearly, the girls were still extremely nervous in Isalia's presence.
It could not be helped. The one sitting