With the girl's assistance as well as Lirius developing a high level potion, they were soon able to heal all wounded soldiers in the camp. Due to their great assistance, the commander allowed them to share all the potions and resources needed for them to use to help the villagers.
On their way to the village, Ignis along with some healers and soldiers decided to accompany them. All of the soldiers and healers were eager to join them, and they ended up fighting amongst each other who will accompany them. In the end, the commander decided to let the soldiers who had great merits accompany them to give the soldier the chance to work harder in order to be the girl escort in the future. If they do meet in the future again…
Once they arrived at the village, it surprised Athena how terrible the situation has become since she arrived. It has only been a week yet it seems a month or a year has passed seeing they were more sick people everywhere.
"Are you alright?" Lirius asked, noticing how upset the girl was about the situation.
"I'm fine, I just- didn't expect things…"
"It isn't your fault, so do not ever dare blame yourself." He spoke in a serious manner, knowing the girl will blame herself due to her identity as a Saintess.
"I know, I'm sorry."
"Nevermind, let's look for the village chief."
They first headed to the village chief's home and asked for his assistance and all able villagers to help distribute the food. Next, Athena and the healers then started healing those wounded villagers and soldiers whilst Lirius and the rest of the soldiers handed the medicine and potions to those not so badly injured ones.
After a couple of hours, Athena took a quick break and looked for Lirius as they went to check the farmland.
"Don't tell me you plan to restore the land?" Lirius sighed, very annoyed by the idea of the girl restoring the land which can lead to the commander and his son realizing who she is.
Athena went down, touched the ground and checked how bad it was. "The villagers must not rely on the Empire, they need to find means to survive. At the same time, a way for them to make a living for themselves. Once the war is over, who would take care of them…"
Despite how he felt about the situation, he calmed himself down, went over to the girl and assisted her up and replied, "I understand, however, in doing so, you'll be exposing yourself to the world."
The fact there aren't any powerful Elementalist anymore and if she does restore the land, making her a target of the empire and other nations.
"Sooner or later, people will know who I am, and what I can do. I know you are worried for me, but the people needs me. I just- I can't let them suffer because of others' ego." Athena replied gazing into the man's eyes.
"I'll prepare more potions for you then…" He sighs hopeless as he went along to prepare the necessary potion for her.
…
Afterwards, Athena and Lirius returned to the village and looked for the Chief.
"Do you still have some seeds to plant?" Athena asked
"We do, but the war badly damaged the land and there aren't any Elementalist around to bless it." He explained, saddened by the fact they have no means to start a living.
"That's all I need to know…"
Ignis noticed the village Chief brought out some seeds and a few villagers with farming tools with them. He grabbed one of the soldiers and asked, "What's going on?"
"I heard Little Lady asked the Chief to bring out some seeds and people to the farmlands…"
Ignis was shocked and did not wait to hear what the soldier had to say further. He hurriedly followed the villagers to where they were heading, excited to know what the girl was up to next.
…..
Meanwhile, Athena was patiently waiting for everyone whilst Lirius handed her some potion.
"Drink up." He handed the potion in a displeased manner.
"I know…" She smiled as she drank the potion Lirius specially prepared for her, hoping to cheer the man up with her smile.
When everyone arrived, they were all confused as to why they were dragged out there. They whisper amongst each other curious as to what the girl plans to do.
"Isn't the Little Lady a Healer?"
"Don't tell me she's an Elementalist as well…"
"Are you stupid, Elementalist are the rarest gift a magic-user can have. [1]"
They watched as Lirius stepped aside giving the girl some space.
Athena then went down on her knees as she pressed her hand on the ground. She closed her eyes for a moment as she started chanting the incantation. Soon lumineux appeared from her body into the grounds as more bright lights came out of the ground floating in the air.
Ignis was the most surprised of them all and could not believe what he was seeing, "Impossible, sh-she an Elementalist…"
Whilst everyone was amazed by what the girl was doing, one person was not pleased with the situation. He looked at everyone who seems to have taken a liking to the girl in a bad way.
'Those idiots, praising the Empire for sending Athena here. If you know the Empire wished to kill her, would you still praise that stupid kingdom?'
Soon the land became soft and lumineux continued to appear everywhere.
Athena got up and turned to everyone with a serious expression on her face and spoke, "This land is for you to cultivate. For you to stand on your own and not rely on others. This shall be yours, I ask of you all to kindly take care of it and work together for a better future."
Athena's words were inspiring to everyone as they cheered for her.
"Don't waste your time waiting for something that will never come, it's best if you do things on your own. As long as you are willing and determined to see a better future, nothing is impossible as long as you work hard."
"Now that I have given you the first step towards that future, it is still up to you whether you wish to grab hold of that bright future or back to your lifeless life."
The Chief and villagers then went and started plowing the soil without any commands, the soldiers did not hesitate to help as well. It was not long when everyone started working together with smiles on their faces.
Ignis was still in a daze from what he had just witnessed, he recalled what his brother mentioned to him last time.
'She'll just be a tool…'
Ignis felt guilty after seeing how powerful the girl was. To think he thought of using her for the Empire benefit when she acted not for herself but for the people.
Ignis approached Athena who was talking to Lirirus. "Little Lady, I'm sorry…"
Athena and Lirius were both confused as to why the young man suddenly apologized to her.
"I was fool, foolish to think of the idea of you being a part of our Empire.I thought, you-you would be a great benefit to the people, yet…" He paused for a moment ashamed of himself, "Here you are helping people without anything in return."
Athena reached out her hand and raised the man's head, "Young Master Ignis, no matter who I am, or which kingdom I come from does not matter. We are all human beings in the end, and it is our responsibility to help each other in order for all of us to have a better future."
…..
That evening, Ignis told his father, brother and Noct of what happened in the village. They were shocked after hearing Ignis's report.
"Impossible, she is a Divine Healer how can she possibly be an Elementalist"? Roderic ponders on the situation. The fact there hasn't been any reports of any Divine Healer possessing and other abilities.
"But what I said is the truth, I saw so many lumineux coming out from the ground and they were able to plant the seeds on the ground and it sprouted right away." Ignis explained.
"She is indeed a special girl, her powers are just amazing…" Commander Rosenburg said, with worries in his eyes that news of the girl's ability will soon be heard all over the world.
"Father, what should we do?" Ignis inquired worried about the situation.
"It's best we informed everyone to keep the matter of today a secret." Noct said
"Then, I'll go tomorrow and inform the village chief to consider today's event a secret." Ignis replied.