After collecting all the gemstones that the Elf Rabbit had dropped, the Hero and the three Guards rushed back to the campsite at the fastest speed possible.
The Gleaming Scale Serpent was neatly handed over to another Guard for transport. As the Hero marched quickly through the forest, her small chest was still heaving rapidly, but she only adjusted her breathing slightly, took the bag of gemstones from the Guard, and leaped onto the carriage.
Guard Ding, who had stayed behind, saw the bag in the Hero's hand and the relaxed expressions of the Guards behind her. Without needing the Hero to say a word, he beamed with joy and stepped aside.
When she saw the Little Girl behind the Guard, although still looking uncomfortable, she hadn't worsened since their departure, the Hero breathed a sigh of relief.
She opened the bag and shook it on the floor. With a crisp echo, colorful gemstones piled up like a small mountain inside the carriage.
The green was like the first sprouts of spring, the blue like the deep sky of midsummer, the red like the autumn canopy obliterated by leaves, the purple like the aurora of the winter night sky, and pure, spotless silver.
Each of the different colors was no less than the gemstones on the King's crown, but among them, there was one that made everything else seem dull, a brilliance that seemed to gather all the magic in the world.
But the Hero's gaze only lingered on it for a moment before she quickly picked up a Purple Gemstone from beside it and brought it to the Little Girl lying on the seat.
["Healing Purple Gemstone: Panacea for illness, effective from colds to plagues; stone-to-disease removal.
But its efficacy is limited against curses, genetic issues, or physical damage accumulated over the years.]
The coachman, turning his head from the seat to see this scene, his eyeballs nearly bulged out of their sockets, and his jaw hung so low it almost dislocated.
"You, did you drag the Mountain God out to slaughter..."
The light was so dazzlingly captivating it could entrench the soul. Without thinking, he leaned out from the seat, reaching tremulously for the spectacular color, only to be startled by the sound of a Sharp Sword unsheathing.
Guard Ding glared at the coachman with a severe look, and the other three also had cold expressions, with their hands resting on their Short Bows.
His purpose in staying here was not only to protect Miss Hero but also to watch for any untoward schemes from the coachman. In case he drove off with the carriage, it would be troublesome.
"That's Miss Hero's spoils of war, you understand?"
"Of, of course, I just accidentally—ah!"
Two Chocobos, their sparse feathers fluttering in the murderous aura, quickly turned and clamped onto the coachman's clothing, flinging their dazed owner directly outward.
As the coachman flew out from the seat once more, he shrieked and landed on the ground motionless.
Without minding the farce happening to the side, the Hero gently held the purple gemstone, this crystal smaller than her palm, to the Little Girl's lips.
"Good, open your mouth."
[Awakening of the Little Girl (50+Awakening)]
The Little Girl, whose consciousness was blurred from the high fever, barely opened her eyes. The first sight was the slightly disheveled but gently smiling Hero.
"...Mommy?" the Little Girl weakly opened her mouth, her voice soft like a child seeking comfort.
However, a girl her age should indeed be pampered in her mother's arms, not on a long arduous journey outdoors, encumbered by cold winds.
Hearing the Little Girl's call, the Guards could no longer control their expressions and all lowered their heads.
The Hero didn't think much at the time, simply responding with a gentle smile guided by her inner feelings.
She supported the Little Girl, softly patting her back and soothing her with a gentle voice.
"Come, don't be afraid. 'Ah'—"
"Ah—" The Little Girl was a little uncomfortable but still opened her little mouth as wide as possible.
The dark purple gemstone approached her bloodless lips and, with her shallow breaths, began to emit a faint glow.
The hard gemstone, which wasn't damaged even when dropped on the ground, started to melt into an unseen light under the warm breath.
The purple stream of light flowed into the Little Girl's mouth like water, then gradually spread through her entire body.
With the glow circulating, the Little Girl's breathing quickly stabilized, her body temperature returning to normal. Her little face, weak and uncomfortable from the high fever, now appeared serene, like she was dreaming a pleasant dream, falling into a deep sleep.
Watching this scene, the Hero was momentarily lost in thought.
So, she could indeed help her friend.
Several Guards cast caring glances, even the coachman lying in feigned death a distance away secretly lifted his head.
Seeing the peacefully sleeping Little Girl, the Hero regained her senses and raised a silent thumbs-up.
Seeing the Little Girl in her sleep still holding onto her hand, even occasionally sucking on it, the Hero's expression softened.
"Lady Hero, I'm really at a loss for how to thank you this time."
Guard Yi lowered his voice, expressing his gratitude.
The loyalty of these Guards was undeniable, it was obvious at a glance.
Just rank and duty couldn't typically earn such loyalty.
"Her mother...?" Seeing her friend calling for her mother even in her dreams, the Hero hesitantly asked.
"It's okay to tell you, right?" The Guards exchanged looks and nodded.
[The Border Count's wife is—]