The news that Liriel would attempt to purify the entire region spread much faster than I had expected.
When I woke up that morning and left my room, it was already possible to notice a different atmosphere throughout the estate. Staff members walked back and forth talking about it. Some administrators reviewed reports while others organized information about the areas most affected by the lingering miasma.
Apparently, everyone had placed great expectations on that day.
After breakfast, we headed to the main meeting room.
The royal general was already waiting for us.
Some representatives from the villages had also arrived.
Maps of the region were spread across the table.
As soon as we sat down, we began the preparations.
"We've already confirmed the areas most affected."
One of the administrators said.
He pointed to several markings on the maps.
"These regions show the strongest signs of residual contamination."
Liriel observed everything carefully.
She didn't seem worried.
In fact, she radiated a calmness that made everyone else feel more confident.
After a few minutes of studying the maps, she finally nodded.
"It will be enough."
The general tilted his head.
"Can you reach all of these areas?"
"Yes."
She replied.
"The residual traces are weak."
That brought a sense of relief to everyone present.
Shortly afterward, we left the main building.
Our destination was a hill located near the center of the territory.
According to the administrators, it was possible to see most of the region from that point.
It was the ideal place to attempt the purification.
As we walked, I noticed that many residents had gathered around the area.
Farmers.
Merchants.
Workers.
Entire families.
Many simply wanted to watch.
Others seemed to be hoping for a miracle.
When we reached the top of the hill, the view was breathtaking.
Fields stretched out in almost every direction.
Small villages could be seen in the distance.
Forests covered part of the horizon.
Mountains surrounded the region.
It truly was a beautiful landscape.
Liriel walked to the highest point of the hill.
The wind gently swayed her hair.
She looked over the entire region for several moments.
She seemed to be assessing the scale of the task.
Her assistant approached her.
"Will it work?"
Liriel smiled.
"It will."
The confidence in her voice was absolute.
I walked over.
"Do you need anything?"
"No."
She replied.
"But it would probably be better if everyone stepped back a little."
That was enough to convince everyone.
We quickly cleared the area around her.
The residents watched in silence.
Even Scarlett and Rai'kanna, who normally showed little patience for anything related to agriculture, seemed curious.
Liriel closed her eyes.
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
Then I felt the mana around us begin to move.
It was a familiar sensation.
But it was still impressive.
The energy began to spread slowly.
First across the hill.
Then through the nearby fields.
Then across increasingly distant regions.
A gentle light appeared around her.
It wasn't intense.
It wasn't overwhelming.
It conveyed a feeling of peace.
As if nature itself were breathing.
The residents watched without saying a word.
The energy continued to expand.
I could clearly feel the difference.
The traces of miasma scattered throughout the region began to react.
Tiny remnants of negative energy gradually disappeared.
It was like watching a mist being carried away by the wind.
Liriel maintained her concentration.
The light continued advancing.
It crossed fields.
Forests.
Hills.
Villages.
For several minutes, the purification continued spreading throughout the entire region.
Until the energy finally began to fade.
The light slowly disappeared.
The wind returned to normal.
And silence settled over the area.
Liriel opened her eyes.
For a few seconds, no one said anything.
Then she smiled.
"It's finished."
It was a simple word.
But the effect was immediate.
The administrators began exchanging glances.
The farmers looked hopeful.
The general stepped forward.
"Did it work?"
Liriel nodded.
"Yes."
Her answer was met with obvious excitement.
Even so, I wanted to confirm it myself.
I walked down the hill with her, and we headed to one of the areas we had inspected the previous day.
When we arrived, I immediately noticed the difference.
The traces of miasma had disappeared.
Completely.
I focused my magical perception several times.
I found nothing.
Not even the slightest residue.
Liriel had truly succeeded in purifying the entire region.
The farmers also began noticing changes.
Some plants looked more vigorous.
The energy of the surroundings felt more balanced.
Even the air itself seemed lighter.
Perhaps some of that was just my imagination.
Perhaps it wasn't.
But it was obvious that something had changed.
The farmer who had spoken with us the day before approached.
He looked over the field for a few moments.
Then turned back toward us.
"Is it over?"
"It's over."
I replied.
The man remained silent.
Then he smiled.
A simple smile.
But an incredibly sincere one.
Soon other farmers began arriving.
The news was spreading.
Their reactions were all similar.
Relief.
Hope.
Happiness.
Some thanked Liriel directly.
Others simply expressed their gratitude through their eyes.
She seemed a little embarrassed by so much attention.
Which was rather amusing for someone who was literally a goddess.
During the rest of the morning, we visited several other areas.
The results were always the same.
The miasma had disappeared.
The land was clean.
The administrators immediately began making new calculations.
According to them, agricultural production should increase significantly in the coming harvests.
Perhaps not instantly.
But it would certainly improve.
That meant more food.
More trade.
More stability.
More prosperity.
As I watched everything unfold, I began to better understand the importance of that region.
Before, I had seen it simply as territory granted to me by the king.
Now it was different.
I was beginning to form a connection with those lands.
I knew the residents.
I understood their problems.
And now I was helping solve them.
After lunch, we continued visiting other communities.
This time, however, the atmosphere was completely different.
People were excited.
The farmers were already talking about future harvests.
The merchants discussed economic growth.
Even the children seemed to realize that something good had happened.
In one of the villages, a group of residents insisted on organizing a small celebration.
Nothing extravagant.
Just a simple gathering.
Food.
Drinks.
Conversations.
Music.
At first, I tried to decline.
But they insisted so much that I eventually accepted.
We spent a few hours there.
Talking with the residents.
Listening to local stories.
Getting to know the people better.
Liriel's assistant seemed especially happy.
She watched everything with curiosity.
At one point, she commented:
"Mortals really enjoy celebrating."
Lyannis laughed.
"They really do."
"Even over small things."
"Especially over the small things."
That answer made the assistant thoughtful.
Perhaps she was beginning to understand the world of mortals a little better.
As the day went on, the sense of optimism continued to grow.
Even the general seemed satisfied.
Which wasn't common.
He usually maintained a serious demeanor.
But that day, it was obvious he was pleased.
By late afternoon, we returned to the main estate.
The administrators had already begun updating several reports.
Some figures were still estimates.
But the projections were extremely positive.
When everyone gathered once again in the main hall, the atmosphere was completely different from the previous day.
There was no worry.
No uncertainty.
Only anticipation.
One of the administrators stood up.
"If the projections are correct, the next harvest will be one of the best in recent years."
The others agreed.
The general crossed his arms.
"It seems we've made an excellent investment."
I looked at Liriel.
She simply smiled.
"I only did my part."
But we all knew that none of it would have been possible without her.
When the meeting ended, I went for a walk before dinner.
The sky was taking on shades of orange.
The fields stretched as far as the eye could see.
The wind blew gently.
In the distance, I could see workers returning home.
For the first time since we had arrived, the region seemed completely free from the shadow left behind by the demons.
Perhaps it was only a small victory.
Compared to the war that still awaited us.
Compared to the Demon King.
Compared to the battles yet to come.
But it was still a victory.
And at that moment, as I looked over those lands that had finally been purified, I had the feeling that we were building something important.
Something worth protecting.
Something worth continuing to fight for.