And so, having (reluctantly) agreed to help the pig, I set out with Nazarie.
Though we first stopped by the prison to see how was the pig doing.
Perhaps because I was a saintess, I was granted permission to visit fairly easily, but the crime of violating the village's taboo seemed to be a heavy one, as the security of his cell was tighter than I'd expected.
Then.
"S-Saintess-sama~?!"
—Clang.
The pig immediately clung to the iron bars and cried when he saw me.
He looked emaciated, but then again, I guessed it was only natural being in prison. "Geez, I was really surprised to hear you got arrested. You seem to have lost some weight, don't they give you food here?"
"…They do. But the meals are all balanced and don't have too many calories… they probably only have just enough nutrients for an adult man in a day…"
Isn't that enough, then?
They're paying meticulous attention to your health.
It's your usual eating habit that needs to be fixed.
"It may be better to leave this fatty here until he gets slimmer." Nazarie looked at the languid-looking pig with half-closed eyes.
Mm, I thought so too, honestly.
But of course, that would be no different from hell for the pig, he cried, "T-that's too cruel?!" and appealed to me with tears pouring out of his eyes like a waterfall, "S-Saintess-samaaaa, please, anything but thaaaat?!"
"W-well, we will try to persuade the chief to release you, so hang in there."
"Uu, I'm sorry for causing you trouble…"
"Don't worry about it. See you later."
"Yes…"
We turned our backs on the sobbing pig and decided to head back to the workshop.
◇
After making our preparations, we went to the village's assembly hall.
Other than the chief, there were several other dwarves there.
Alongside Nazarie, I bowed before thanking them for accepting our invitation. "Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedules to gather here."
"Please, it's not a problem. We owe you a very great debt of gratitude. So, I heard from Nazarie next to you that you would like Pangu to be pardoned. Is that correct?"
As a reminder, 'Pangu' was the pig's real name.
In response to the chief's question, I worked my Saintess Move in full throttle and nodded, "Yes," performing the act as we had planned in advance. "I know that he has committed a great offense by violating the village's taboo. However, the pig—I mean, Pangu-dono did that under my request after I came to learn about the existence of the potion."
『—?!』The chief and the rest of the dwarves had shocked looks on their faces, seemingly unable to comprehend the meaning of my words.
I continued with a solemn tone, "A forbidden potion that can force any woman into a state of extreme sexual arousal—such a thing cannot be allowed to exist. Hence, I asked Pangu-dono to bring out a battle for me, despite his great reluctance. Because being a saintess, I am able to purify the potion without being affected by its effects."
"I-is that true…?!"
"Yes, it is true." I nodded.
Though I'd actually transformed into an extremely perverted woman that shocked even Magmell after drinking it…
That was the darkest history of my life…
"After I proved my words in front of Pangu-dono, I promised him that I would purify the remaining potions after the battle with Saint Elysium was over. Therefore, if you have to punish someone, please punish me for acting selfishly without your permission even though I am a saintess. And please show mercy to Pangu-dono."
As I bowed my head deeply, the chief let out a small sigh, "So that's how it is…" and said, "Please raise your head, Elma-sama. It is true that Pangu violated the taboo, but it was our fault for creating such a thing in the first place. In addition, how can we punish you when you have taken it upon yourself the great task of purifying them?"
"Chief…"
"—That's that. As for Pangu, let us release him immediately. That is fine with you, I presume?"
"Yes, thank you."
I deeply bowed my head again and clenched my fists.
As expected of me!
It's been a long time since I've performed my Saintess Move, but that was a perfect performance, I'd say.
With this, the pig will be freed, and if I ask Exa to do something about the rest of the potions, everything will be settled.
So I thought, but…
"Incidentally, it is not that we doubt you, but as the ones in charge of the village, may we perhaps watch as you perform your miraculous technique to purify the potions?"
"…Huh?" I blinked my eyes at the chief's words.
Hold on a second.
Does that mean I have to take that depraved aphrodisiac here and now?
H-huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh?!
T-that's not in the scriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipt?!
I looked at Nazarie as if begging for help, but…
"..."
—Swp.
"~~?!"
…she averted her eyes without saying a word. Ahh, I felt like I was going to faint.
W-w-w-w-w-w-what do I dooooooooooooooo?!