Chapter 3: The Miracle and the Man

The method that came to mind when I found the Parfait Flower was from the Healer and the Witch episode, which followed the Villain and the Saint arc. It was a technique used by Hera Nemesis, the genius witch who sought the Hero’s love.

The Parfait Flower had the amazing ability to restore magic and heal magic-induced injuries. Its only drawback was its difficulty to process without specialized magical knowledge… which the genius witch, after three days of intense effort, overcame for her beloved Hero.

“Thank you, genius witch Hera!”

Oh, and for the record, she lost too. The Hero preferred the Healer. 

Anyway, focus.

“I have the Parfait Flower. Next ingredient…?”

“Squeak?”

“Hey, slime-chans? Wanna go somewhere nice with your onii-chan?”

“Squeak?”

“Just kidding. I won’t eat you. Can I have some of your slime, though?”

“Squeak…”

“Come on, cooperate. This is for your own good.”

The recipe for Parfait Flower ointment, or “Magic Ointment,” is simple: crush the Parfait Flower and mix the golden juice with the slime of a slime that has eaten Star Soufflé flowers. Then, add a bit of Star Soufflé fruit.

“Done!”

Now, to apply it to Vega’s arms.

Inside the cabin, Vega still stared blankly into space.

‘The soup’s cold.’

I set aside the cold cream soup and carefully unwrapped her bandages. Her wounds were still aggravated by the unstable black magic.

“Will this really work? Please…”

Hoping to ease her pain, even a little, I gently applied the ointment. The sparking, destructive magic began to settle, flowing normally again.

“Yes! It’s working!”

With this, her physical pain should be gone. I haven’t healed her emotional wounds yet… and I might never be able to… but still…

“Thank goodness. You don’t have to be in pain anymore.”

“…”

I could be imagining it, but Vega’s eyes seemed to regain a bit of life.

This is a good start. Phase one of Operation Comfort is complete. But I can’t stop here.

‘She isn’t fully healed yet. I need to continue with phases two and three for mental care…’

“You.”

“…?”

“What’s your name?”

At first, I thought I’d misheard. Since arriving, she’d only spoken those words of despair. But…

“Tell me your name.”

It wasn’t my wishful thinking. It was really her voice.

“J-Jin Jaehan.”

“Unusual name.”

Vega studied me for a moment, then glanced at the ointment on her arm.

“Thank you for healing me. I will repay you someday. Now…”

“W-wait! Hold on!”

I stopped her as she turned to leave.

“Is there something else?”

“No, well… the thing is…”

I have no good excuse. I can’t just blurt out, “Hey, Vega Spica! I read a novel you’re in, and you seemed so miserable that I wanted to comfort you for a few days. Wanna live with me?”

‘She’d think I’m crazy… or worse.’

Think, Jaehan, think! If I hesitate any longer, she’ll definitely find me suspicious.

“…If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

“Wait! You said you’d repay me.”

Her eyes turned cold at the mention of repayment. There’s no time to waste. So, I just…

“As repayment… could you stay here a little longer?”

“What…?”

I said it.

Three days have passed since I convinced Vega Spica to stay.

“Stop eating that! I fed you this morning!”

“Squeak! Squeak squeak!”

“Nooo! My crops! My money!”

I battle the slimes destroying my fields, while Vega…

“…”

sits quietly on a bench, watching me. She occasionally cuddles a slime or inspects my crops, but mostly just observes me.

I asked her to stay until her injuries fully healed. She looked suspicious, but I played it cool. For three days, I’ve diligently applied ointment to her arms. The treatment is effective, her wounds healing rapidly… but…

‘Operation Comfort is a complete failure…’

The main reason for her stay hasn’t even begun. My plan was simple: heal Vega’s broken heart so she can find a better man.

“Squeak roar!!”

“No! Not that! Those are the only Star Soufflé fruits left! Don’t eat them!”

“Squeak?”

“Yes, I know you helped me make the ointment, but this is too much…”

Thanks to these slimes, my crops are ruined…

“…”

…and Vega, still suspicious of my request, barely speaks to me. Everything is going wrong. I sigh in despair.

Tap

“Huh? Vega? When did you…?”

“…”

Vega, having silently approached, looks at the ravaged crops and slowly extends her hand.

Crackle… sizzle!! Snap!!

Jet-black magic envelops the entire farm.

‘Is this…?!!’

I can’t believe my eyes. The dying crops spring back to life. The healthy ones sprout fruits and flowers months ahead of schedule. Life blossoms under her dark magic.

“…Hmm.”

My crops are saved, so I don’t have to worry about Mr. Kim…

“Ha… ha…”

…but seeing Vega’s exhausted state, clutching her arm, dampens my excitement. Perhaps that’s why I do something I normally wouldn’t.

“Oof?!”

Life in the small cabin was peaceful for Vega.

“Nooo! My crops!”

‘…Jin Jaehan.’

An unusual name, even for her, having met countless people in Horizon. But his behavior is even more unusual. He’s just an ordinary villager, yet he works harder than anyone she’s ever met. He suffers because of the slimes, yet he doesn’t hate them. And he has… peculiar tastes, asking her to stay longer as “repayment.”

While she reluctantly stays, he tends to her wounds with no ulterior motives, only occasionally glancing at her before quickly looking away.

‘…Strange man.’

“Squeak?”

“Hello, little slime.”

Green slimes, the bane of any farmer’s existence, follow her without fear.

Squeeze, squeeze.

‘So soft.’

“Squeak…”

Vega observes Jaehan as she plays with the slime.

“It’s almost delivery time…”

‘…He collapsed.’

Perhaps because the slimes ate too much, Jaehan collapses from exhaustion. Vega finds herself increasingly curious about him. What was that look in his eyes when he saw her injured and vulnerable? Did he really see her, Vega Spica, and not her magic or status?

‘…Let’s test it.’

Driven by curiosity, she stands and walks towards Jaehan.

Crackle… sizzle…!! Snap!!

‘Ugh! It hurts…’

Her arm still aches. It’s stable, but not fully healed. Using her magic was too much.

“Ha… ha…”

‘…Now that you’ve seen my miracle, reveal your true intentions.’

As she catches her breath, Jaehan approaches. His first response isn’t words of gratitude. It’s an action.

“Oof?!”

He scoops her up and carries her to the bench without a word, leaving her no time to react. He sits her down and begins applying ointment to her arm.

“Why? Aren’t you happy about the miracle I performed?”

She’s genuinely curious. No noble, no wealthy merchant, not even the First Prince reacted like this. Why does this man only see her in his eyes?

“Of course, I’m amazed.”

“But why…”

“Because you’re in pain.”

“…!!”

“I don’t need miracles born from pain. And…”

“…”

“…I don’t want those pretty arms to be scarred.”

Something strikes Vega, hard. A warmth she never felt in that cold, painful prison spreads across her face, a warmth she never felt with the First Prince, a warmth she feels every time she meets Jaehan’s gaze.

“Are you feeling unwell? Your face is red…”

“Mmm…”

Vega wants to feel this warmth a little longer.