Chapter 30

Deciding to join Elius's party, Rena was introduced to his partner, Faran.

"Hi, I'm Rena. Nice to meet you."

Faran didn’t respond to her greeting and just stared at Rena for a while.

"......Nice to meet you."

He said only that and turned his face away.

His attitude bothered Rena, who was worried. ...

"Sorry, he's usually more friendly... It seems he's just shy around beautiful women."

"Y-You don't need to say that! Elius!"

Faran's face was bright red. Rena thought, probably I am too.

Elius, it seemed, was not just serious but also good at making jokes.

...

Rena joined 'Dragon Fang's Bite' with the resolve to assist in the defeat of the Demon King...

"......Can't you heal this quickly?"

Their first battle after she joined had ended, and Faran, who had been hit by a monster's attack, said this while receiving Rena's healing magic.

"S-Sorry, I can only use basic healing magic..."

"Faran, it can't be helped. It's Rena's first real battle. Her 'Skill' hasn't been honed yet."

"I know, I was just saying..."

Despite his words, Faran clearly looked disappointed. Rena also felt inadequate.

Despite having a grand 'Skill' like 'Holy Maiden,' she was a burden. She needed to master her 'Skill' quickly.

For a month, she spent such days.

During this time, she only watched Elius and Faran's activities from the sidelines, but the party had conquered one dungeon. When the guild paid the reward, Elius gave Rena more than half of the money.

"This is your share and a donation to the church."

"But...?"

If it was a donation from the party, shouldn't it be given by the leader, Elius? Thinking this, Elius explained to Rena.

"The priest must be worried if you can work properly in our party. If you give the donation, he might feel that you are trusted by the party and be a bit more at ease."

Grateful for Elius's consideration, she and Elius went to the church together and completed the donation. As Elius had predicted, the priest was deeply moved by receiving the donation from Rena and thanked her repeatedly.

That day, she stayed at the church. On the way back to their usual lodging the next day, Elius said, "I want to visit a place, would you come with me?"

They went to a gathering of refugees whose homes had been attacked by the Demon King's army.

"We can't help everyone now. But I want to help them as much as I can."

Elius said to Rena and started helping them energetically. Rena was impressed that he did such activities in addition to donating to the church.

After that, they visited the refugees several times. One day, while helping them with Elius,

"Rena, I'm sorry. Someone has been injured by a monster. I know it might be difficult, but could you use your healing magic?"

Elius's gaze showed concern for her. He understood her reluctance to use her 'Skill' in front of others and was asking her with that in mind.

"Of course, Elius. If I can help..."

When Elius led her to the injured person and she cast her healing magic, she noticed a change.

Though slight... the wounds were healing faster.

"What's going on?"

Honestly, she couldn't think of a reason for her 'Skill' to be enhanced. Elius pondered for a while...

"Maybe..."

He explained his theory.

'Skills' can be enhanced by specific actions. If Rena's 'Skill' was enhanced, the reasons could be conquering a dungeon, donating to the church, or helping refugees.

One of these three, he thought.

"My guess is... 'Holy Maiden' is a symbol of hope for people. So, performing 'good deeds' might enhance the 'Skill.'"

Elius's guess seemed to be correct. After that, as she continued to donate, help refugees, and complete quests as an adventurer, the effect of her healing magic improved significantly.

She wanted to help Elius defeat the Demon King as soon as possible. With this resolve, she tried to accumulate as many good deeds as possible.

After about half a year of such a life, a change came to the party 'Dragon Fang's Bite.'

"Let me introduce a new member. This is Elaine, who will handle accounting and support for us."

Elius introduced a black-haired girl with a lively atmosphere and strong-willed eyes.

"I'm Elaine, nice to meet you! My 'Skill' is 'Accounting,' and I'm not good at fighting, but I'll do my best to contribute to the party!"

"Accounting!? Why such a 'Skill' again..."

Faran was surprised, but Rena understood Elius's intention and felt guilty.

Elius probably brought her in to effectively enhance Rena's 'Holy Maiden' 'Skill.'

Through working with Elius and the party, she realized he had been struggling to cover the costs of donations.

Even as an S-class adventurer, money doesn't flow like water.

And now, due to her inexperience and inadequacy, he had to rush to make donations, which were becoming a financial burden. To improve the financial situation, he had to bring in someone with an accounting 'Skill.'

Moreover, she felt guilty towards this girl.

Adventurers are always on the brink of danger. If she could master her 'Skill,' she wouldn't have to put this girl in such a dangerous situation.

She needed to free this girl from such a dangerous job as soon as possible.

And... she couldn't become close to her. If her 'Skill' was enhanced and she had to leave, it would be even harder.

... She didn't want to experience the pain of parting with someone close again.

...

Elaine's skills were excellent. She didn't just keep records; she negotiated request fees, prices for dungeon supplies, and daily necessities, handling all financial matters.

"I sometimes get called greedy for raising request fees. But I believe Elius and this party can save many people. So, making our activities more efficient ultimately saves more people."

Elaine said this without hesitation. Since she joined, the pace of donations to the church increased, and not only did Rena's 'Skill' improve, but the living conditions of orphans also improved significantly.

Seeing her work, Rena felt inferior. More than that, she strongly felt the need to become competent as soon as possible.

Thanks to Elaine's efforts, as Rena's 'Skill' improved, the party took on more dangerous quests.

Now, Elius skillfully supported her, and Elaine managed to survive, but Rena often felt anxious watching her.

She often saw scenes where Elius's almost divine movements saved her from the brink of death.

Three years had passed since Elaine joined the party. It was already the limit.

She needed to free Elaine.