Chapter 23

In a place like this, it's not appropriate to stand and talk, so let's continue the conversation in the village.

Led by Reifa, who spoke these words with a blank expression, Helian and the others stepped into the village.

The situation inside the village was dire.

As they had mentioned, the village had been attacked, and the scars of the assault were visible everywhere.

Most of the tents had been destroyed, and nearly half of the original houses were in ruins.

The fresh scars were not limited to buildings.

Looking around, the injured were lying on the ground, covered only by simple cloths, as if there wasn't enough space indoors. Even with a brief glance, Helian could see people with broken bones and others with blood-soaked bandages wrapped around their heads.

But even they were among the better-off among the injured.

As if to confirm this, groans of pain could be heard from a few remaining tents.

"There was a major offensive by the Noblewood."

While walking towards the center of the village, Reifa spoke in a low, intermittent voice.

For some reason, she looked like someone confessing a sin.

"It happened last night. The Hunter Leader of Noblewood led an army to attack the village. There was no room for negotiation, and the defensive barriers were broken by a barrage of magic from a distance... We resisted with all our might, but it was not enough, and this is the result you see."

"Hunter Leader?"

"Like a general in a human army. It's a position of leadership among the Elven warriors. There are higher positions such as 'Elders' and 'Grand Elders,' but in wartime, the Hunter Leaders lead the warriors. There are multiple Hunter Leaders, but their influence is considered equal."

"...What is the scale of the damage?"

"We lost half of the remaining military forces in our country. Even among the remaining half, there are many injured."

It was a complete defeat.

Losing half of the military force, in modern terms, means 'annihilation.'

It means almost a complete loss of combat capability as an organization.

From a modern strategic perspective, if the military can be replenished and reorganized, there might still be room for resistance... But Lateswood is a small country formed by Half-Elves and other minor races. It was a country created by those who had no one to rely on, who had to make do on their own.

There was no hope of replenishing the military forces.

"...What happened to Lady Lilifa?"

"Some, including Lilifa, were taken captive. About forty people, I think. The exact number of casualties is still unknown."

The situation was the worst possible.

The more he heard, the more the tragic reality became apparent.

But he couldn't just block his ears.

He shook his head to dispel the image of the girl that threatened to surface in his mind.

What was required of him now was a calm response.

"...Lord Reifa."

"Yes."

Reifa's face showed no emotion as she responded.

Her expressionless face gave him a chill.

There were many questions he wanted to ask.

But he couldn't ask them rudely while being surrounded by suspicious eyes.

What he should do first, before asking questions, was...

"My Elven companion, Eltina, can use healing magic. If there are not enough healers, I would like her to treat the injured. Of course, this is only if you are willing to be treated by an Elf like Eltina."

"That's... Yes, I appreciate your offer. Given the situation, I would like to accept your kindness. Please, I would be grateful if you could help."

"I thank you for accepting. Then... "

"The severely injured are gathered in that tent. Please heal as many as you can, within the limits of your magic."

It seemed that those lying outside were still among the better-off.

He had suspected as much, but it still made him tense.

"...Eltina, as you heard, please treat the injured. I will accompany you."

He offered to accompany her because he was uneasy about letting Eltina act alone in the village.

During the previous food distribution, the villagers had been somewhat friendly to Eltina, even though she was an Elf, and to him, even though he was a human.

However, the looks the villagers were giving them now were far from friendly.

Most of them were not outright hostile, but they were filled with strong suspicion.

Acting alone in such a situation could lead to unfortunate consequences for both sides.

Indeed, Wenli's gaze, following behind Reifa, was still hostile.

The other soldiers had similar expressions.

If not for Reifa's restraining command, or if they were out of her sight, something unfortunate might happen.

Reifa led them to a tent near the center of the village.

Inside, the situation was as expected, no, even worse than expected.

"...Ah."

He had braced himself.

He had tried to imagine the situation from the groans of pain he could hear.

—It was too optimistic.

The injured were packed into the small space of the tent.

There were about ten people lying on the ground, probably because there weren't enough beds. The tent was crowded, and the nurses moved around with grim faces.

The first person he saw was an injured person lying near the entrance.

It was... no, it was a woman, groaning in pain. Her gender was hard to determine because her face was almost entirely covered in bandages.

Perhaps the bandages were wrapped this way to hide her face.

It might be a gesture of consideration to avoid exposing the face of a woman with severe injuries.

He could only guess, but seeing how deeply her right ear was cut, he thought his guess was probably correct.

But she was still among the better-off.

The further back in the tent, the worse the injuries.

There were people missing limbs, still bleeding from their abdomens, and those who had lost their sight. Some looked like broken dolls.

They wouldn't last much longer if left untreated.

"Lord Reifa? ...What about these people?"

A small woman standing near the entrance spoke in a low voice, out of concern for the injured.

She was quite small, not a Half-Elf, but perhaps a Dwarf.

"They have offered to help with the treatment, Lord Helian and his companions. Lady Eltina is skilled in healing magic."

"...But, who is that person?"

"I understand your concern. But do we have any more options for treatment? Are there any healers with enough magic left?"

Reifa's question made the woman bite her lip in frustration and look down.

She stepped aside to make way.

That was her answer.

"...Eltina, please treat them."

"Understood."

Eltina was about to move towards the back of the tent, where the most severely injured were lying.

"Please wait. The further back, the more severe the injuries. I would like you to start with those lying near the entrance."

"Isn't that the opposite? The ones in the back need treatment first. The sooner, the better."

"But with so many injured, I must make a choice as a leader."

Reifa spoke in a volume that the injured couldn't hear, in a tone befitting a queen.

She remained expressionless.

It seemed she had given up on treating everyone.

She could only treat a few of them.

She had to start with those who could be saved for sure.

And it was her duty to choose who to save.

That's what she was saying.

In other words, she was indicating that it was impossible for a single healer to treat everyone in the tent.

But in reality, Eltina could treat everyone.

If he instructed her to treat everyone, she would do it.

But the result would reveal her extraordinary abilities, which would be beyond the norm for Reifa and her people.

—So what?

There was no problem.

This country no longer had the strength to fight against Alkymaira.

There was no need to hide their strength from Lateswood.

So, this was an opportunity to do a favor.

They needed to reduce the hostility to gather information.

This wasn't out of sympathy or a cheap sense of justice.

It was for Alkymaira.

It had to be.

"...Eltina, is it possible to save everyone in this tent?"

Eltina's blue eyes met Helian's, asking, "Is it okay?"

Helian nodded silently.

"It's possible."

"Then, please—"

"Stop joking...!"

Wenli's voice was filled with hatred.

Though she spoke softly, considering the injured, the emotion in her voice was the same as before.

"How do you plan to treat so many people? Even the most skilled healer would need at least fifty people. You want to treat them all alone? Go to sleep and talk in your dreams. Don't give them false hope with your lies...!"

"Wenli—"

"It's fine, Lord Reifa."

Helian gestured to Reifa, who was giving Wenli a stern look.

He didn't want to waste time on pointless arguments.

"Wenli, we are not lying. Whatever I say won't make a difference to you now. We will prove it with our actions. —Eltina."

"Understood."

Eltina stepped forward and clasped her hands as if in prayer.

"O rain from the heavens, if you have mercy, become healing light and fill these people—'Healing Rain of Mercy.'"

A range healing spell cast with a complete incantation.

The deep green light enveloped the entire tent.

The healing light quickly surrounded all the injured, filling their wounds with green light.

When the light faded, what remained was flawless skin without a single scar.

The injured, who had been groaning in pain, now looked at their healed bodies in surprise.

"What...!?"

Wenli's eyes widened in shock.

The scene before her was too unbelievable.

An unknown incantation was whispered, and the tent was instantly enveloped in light. So far, so good. As foreigners, they might have learned magic unknown to the villagers.

But the Elven woman, Eltina, had nothing in her hands... meaning she had cast magic without a catalyst.

Using magic without a catalyst was a universal common sense.

Even the magic-skilled Elves couldn't escape this rule, and those with valuable catalysts held a certain level of power. Reifa, who had tried to cast magic earlier, wore a bracelet with embedded catalyst crystals.

Yet, the Elven woman had cast magic without a catalyst.

This alone was an impossible phenomenon by Wenli's standards.

And she had witnessed with her own eyes the simultaneous and instant healing of everyone in the tent.

"Such nonsense..."

Healing magic generally involved using a large amount of magic to enhance the patient's natural healing ability. Since the effect was an extension of natural healing, some scars would always remain.

Mastering healing magic could allow one to heal without relying on the patient's natural healing ability, and a few exceptional healers could even heal old scars. But to do so for multiple people would be beyond even their capabilities.

Therefore, the scene before her was abnormal.

If it had been just one of these factors, she might have accepted it. She might have believed Eltina was an exceptional healer.

But the Elven woman, who claimed to be a traveler, had healed 'so many people' 'instantly' 'without a catalyst' 'without leaving scars.'

Wenli's common sense was shattered, and she could only stand frozen.

"It... It doesn't hurt...? Why?"

The people lying in bed were also in shock.

Their bodies, which had been in severe pain just moments ago, were now completely healed, and they could sit up without any discomfort.

While the lost limbs were not restored, the cut surfaces, when the bandages were removed, showed no signs of the red and black flesh or white bones that had been there moments ago.

Instead, they bore only the marks of healing, as if they had been treated over several months.

It was understandable that they were more stunned than relieved.

The nurses were no exception.

In fact, as users of healing magic, their shock was even greater. The injured, whom they had barely managed to keep alive by using all their magic, were now able to sit up on their own.

Unable to accept this impossible reality, some of them collapsed on the spot.

"Remarkable skills. I am deeply grateful for your kindness."

Therefore, when Reifa calmly thanked the travelers, no one in Lateswood could understand her.

How could she remain calm after witnessing such an impossible phenomenon?

Why could she accept the reality that defied their common sense?

"No, it's nothing."

Eltina responded calmly, as if it were nothing, or perhaps she truly believed it was nothing.

"Their lives are safe, but I cannot restore lost limbs. Please forgive me."

"Saving their lives is enough. I am truly grateful."

"Also, the blood-soaked bandages should be changed. While there is no immediate risk of infection, poor hygiene can lead to problems. I could only heal the current injuries and illnesses."

"I understand. —Lady, did you hear that? Please do as instructed."

The Dwarf woman, who had been standing in shock, finally came to her senses and started moving about.

With her as the catalyst, the frozen people gradually resumed their tasks. Some who had collapsed in shock were encouraged by the older nurses to get back to work.

"...Lord Reifa, I would like to continue our conversation outside. Is that alright?"

"Of course."

They stepped outside the tent and walked through the village, guided by Reifa.

Reifa stopped at the center of the village, saying, "This place is fine."

Suddenly, Camilla's gaze met Wenli's.

Recalling that Camilla possessed several magical abilities, Helian sent a mental command to refrain from any rash actions.

After a moment, Camilla frowned slightly.

Whatever she had been about to do, it was not a good idea in this situation. While drastic measures might be necessary in an emergency, it was not the right time yet.

Looking around, Helian could see the villagers gathered at a distance, as if surrounding them, creating a heavy atmosphere.

He decided to start the conversation.

"Lord Reifa. We understand that there was a major offensive by Noblewood and the extent of the damage. However, we have nothing to do with it. We are not related to Noblewood. I want to make that clear, even at this late stage."

They had provided treatment.

They had done a favor.

They had proven their innocence through their actions.

He thought Reifa would accept this, but his knees still trembled slightly.

"Yes, I understand. I have no doubt that you are not related to Noblewood."

"...Lord Reifa, isn't that premature?"

As expected, Wenli interjected.

"Indeed, the injured were treated, and it was remarkable. Many lives were saved. I acknowledge that. However, that doesn't clear their suspicions. The loss of many lives is also a fact."

"What are you trying to say, Wenli?"

"I am suggesting that it might be a setup. They might have fed information to Noblewood beforehand, then appeared as if they were uninvolved, and treated the injured to win our favor... It's a possibility that cannot be ruled out."

To say such things in front of the people.

While he couldn't deny the feeling that rose in him, it was understandable from Wenli's position as Reifa's advisor. But,

"You are speaking quite the nonsense, Wenli."

Reifa directly rejected the advice.

She called it nonsense.

A hint of negative emotion was visible in her green eyes as she looked at Wenli.

"Nonsense... Lord Reifa, I am thinking of the country—"

"Then let me ask you. If Helian and his companions are related to Noblewood and are trying to deceive us, what is the point?"

"What do you mean...?"

"Would Helian and his companions gain anything? What benefit would there be in deceiving us, who are already at a disadvantage? They could just overpower us with their overwhelming force. Noblewood can do that."

"...! Lord Reifa, that...!"

"What do you hope to achieve by being vague now?"

"The people are listening...!"

"I am well aware of that, without you pointing it out."

Wenli tried to dissuade her, beads of sweat on her forehead.

But Reifa would not listen.

"Fine, let's not rule out the possibility. Let's assume, as you suggest, that the treatment Eltina provided was a publicity stunt to win our favor."

"...Lord Reifa?"

"But what would be the point of winning our favor? This village, the last stronghold, has suffered a major blow, and our forces are almost annihilated. The already scarce resources have been depleted by the attack. What could Helian and his companions want from us? What could they take from us?"

"...That, is—"

"Let's make another assumption. If Helian and his companions are our enemies, as you fear—so what?"

Asked with a sneer, Wenli froze in shock.

Reifa spoke calmly, her expressionless face showing no emotion.

"Can you defeat them?"

It was a piercing question.

"I was pursued by the Hunter Leader, Sarawin Welt Nobleleaf, during the retreat from the rescue mission. But Helian and his companions easily repelled the Hunter Leader, who I witnessed with my own eyes."

Reifa had seen Eltina use an unknown high-level magic to easily defend against the Hunter Leader's attack.

And what Reifa had not seen was Rieve closing in on the Hunter Leader at an incredible speed, about to strike.

"If Helian hadn't stopped him, Rieve's punch would have killed the Hunter Leader. And I met your companion for the first time today, but I'm sure he has equal strength."

Reifa looked at Camilla.

Camilla, who ignored the gaze and continued to be on guard, understood that the "lost or weak companion