The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

Tiel used her ability.

From her tiny hands, a warm light sparkled and soon swelled up, expanding greatly.

It wasn’t as large as the flames usually created by Ferdie or Ludian, but it was still sufficiently big and bright.

The beastkin, who had been in an uproar, quickly shut their mouths and stared at Tiel. Hundreds, even thousands, of pairs of eyes gathered around the light Tiel emitted.

Light had appeared in Arcadia.

It was tiny and unremarkable compared to the morning sun, but it was definitely light.

The bustling plaza grew quiet in an instant. Only after using her ability did Tiel realize that this place was a plaza in the city or village.

“If I do this, it might not reach those in the back...”

Tiel muttered softly.

From her hands, dozens of small fish appeared.

They were much smaller than the fish Tiel usually conjured, but there were many more of them.

“Now then.”

Tiel extended her hands. The small fish, which had gathered together in her palms, immediately swam toward the darkness.

Lights flickered here and there. The tiny fish swam like waves, revealing the beastkin.

The sounds of pain grew quieter. The spots on the bodies of the beastkin that had come into contact with Tiel’s light slowed down.

The problem was that Tiel’s power was still far too weak to illuminate them all.

The light was divided into several streams, and because of that, the effect was not as strong as when the spots on Herod’s body had completely disappeared.

For now, the best she could do was slow the spread of the spots.

Tiel hurriedly moved through the beastkin, strengthening her ability for those who were in worse condition.

“Is there anything we can do to help!?”

Olivia rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward.

The knights they had brought were already handling tasks that required help, but Olivia wanted to do her part as well.

However, there was nothing the children could do. Illum stopped Olivia.

“Your kind offer is appreciated, but the knights are already helping, so no further assistance is needed.”

“Yes, Olivia. We won’t be of any help.”

Clemence also stopped Olivia. Olivia nodded and reluctantly stepped back.

“Hmm, okay. Then let’s... wait here.”

Olivia seemed visibly displeased by the thought of leaving Tiel to work alone. Ferdie, Ludian, and Ianthros felt the same way.

However, since they couldn’t help, the children could only watch as Tiel moved busily among the beastkin, pouring out glowing pieces of light.

***

"This... this won’t end like this!"

Tiel muttered as she sat down. Ianthros, who had been watching her, quickly rushed over.

"Drink some water."

Ianthros tilted the water jug and brought it to Tiel's mouth. Tiel drank quickly, the cold water flowing down her throat.

"Ian-nim..."

"Are you feeling better? If you’re not, let me know. I’ve told the military doctor to prioritize checking your condition."

"I’m fine! But..."

Tiel glanced at the patients.

"There are so many patients, and my power is still weak... I don’t think I can heal everyone like I did with Herod-nim. Right now, all I can do is slow the spread of the spots..."

"Slowing it down is already a great feat, you don’t realize how impressive that is."

"But..."

Her big, round eyes looked at the patients. Her eyes were clear, without a hint of any hesitation. Ianthros occasionally thought that Tiel’s eyes looked like a golden lake.

A very clear and wide lake. A lake where a single stone wouldn’t even cause a ripple...

"But, I don’t think this is going to work. This is a secret, but... actually, I’m a little tired!"

At Tiel’s words, Ianthros stopped thinking and looked at her. He placed his hand gently on her fluffy, white hair.

"If it’s a secret, then I must keep it. Yes, the tired little lady of light."

"Yes, it’s a secret... But anyway, I don’t think this will work, is there any other way?"

"Well... there is one way."

Ianthros’s words made Tiel’s eyes widen in surprise. The ears that had been out the whole time perked up. The girl looked up at Ianthros and asked,

"There’s a way?"

"Yes, Tiel. We confirmed through Herod that your light can heal their disease or curse. You’re already seeing some results."

"Yes."

"Then, all you need to do is shine a stronger light on them, just like you did for Herod. Fairly."

"...Yes, but my power is weak, and I can’t do that yet..."

"Alright, here’s a quiz. What’s the fairest way to shine light on everyone, Tiel?"

"...The fairest way, for everyone? That’s..."

Tiel’s eyes widened as she thought for a moment. She then grabbed Ianthros’s hand excitedly and shouted,

"Do it!"

"Exactly. And, conveniently, we came here to call for the morning."

Ianthros said nonchalantly.

"So, let’s leave these people for now, and let’s go to the legendary place. You’ve slowed things down enough, so being gone for a couple of hours shouldn’t cause a disaster."

He turned his head and looked at the sparkling fragments of light Tiel had scattered, floating around.

Once Tiel could use her ability a bit more efficiently, she’d be able to use it outside her immediate line of sight, but she wasn’t there yet.

That was something he wished for, but since Tiel had already worked hard, their conditions wouldn’t worsen immediately.

‘If they do worsen, then it can’t be helped...’

If others had heard that, they would’ve surely criticized him for being heartless. But Ianthros truly thought, ‘it can’t be helped.’

Tiel’s ability had limits, and the little girl had already pushed herself to her limit for a long time.

If she used any more of her ability here, she might collapse from exhaustion.

In this situation, the condition of the patients wouldn’t improve significantly anyway.

Tiel was putting all her energy into using her ability, yet the patients’ conditions were not improving—they were only being halted. This endless cycle couldn’t go on. They needed to find another way.

Of course, the ‘Legend of Light’ was a gamble. From the start, they came here with the mindset of "if she can do it, great; if not, then that’s it."

But, compared to pouring water into a broken cup, gambling seemed to offer more hope. At least, that’s how Ianthros saw it.

"So, let’s go. We need to do what we came here to do."

Ianthros grabbed Tiel’s hand and helped her up. Tiel grabbed Ianthros’s hand and stood up, shaking off her fatigue.

"Ugh, aah-!"

Her legs gave out, and she almost stumbled while trying to get up, holding Ianthros’s hand.

"Be careful."

Ianthros swiftly picked Tiel up into his arms. Tiel was cradled in Ianthros’s embrace.

Ianthros carried Tiel in his arms and headed toward Illum and the other children.

He reminded them, "Don’t forget why we came here."

The children quickly understood what Ianthros meant.

"Illum."

At Ianthros’s call, Illum, who had been checking the condition of another patient and giving him warm water, looked up.

He handed off the task to the person next to him and approached Ianthros. Illum bowed his head respectfully.

"What’s the matter?"

"Where is the highest point in this land? We’re looking for the place mentioned in the Legend of Light."

Illum alternated his gaze between Ianthros and Tiel. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

They had become bodies that could no longer live under the sunlight. That’s why Illum had asked Tiel to not bring morning to this land.

But if it was the morning brought by this girl... if it was the light summoned by this little girl... maybe.

Illum knew.

This couldn’t go on forever. Herod was lucky to have been healed, but Tiel’s power had limits, and the little girl had reached her limit long ago.

They needed to find another way. And Illum knew exactly what that way was. He nodded and gestured for Karl to come forward.

Karl stood before Illum. Illum placed a hand on Karl’s shoulder.

"All the children living here are raised hearing stories of the Legend of Light."

Illum patted Karl’s head.

"Naturally, they all know about the places mentioned in the Legend of Light. Karl will guide us. Your Highness, follow Karl. He knows the way."

Everyone looked at Karl at Illum’s words. The boy quickly grasped the situation from just a few words. He nodded confidently.

"Yes! I can guide you!"

"Karl, I’m counting on you."

Illum lightly tapped Karl’s cheek. Karl clenched his fists tightly, as if reassuring them.

***

"...Is this the right place?"

Ferdie asked in a weary voice.

"Ah, we should’ve brought another guide..."

Olivia muttered just as tiredly.

"I’m sure this is the right place!"

Karl answered confidently.

The children sighed heavily.