Chapter 64

By midday, the surroundings were naturally bright. Even though Ist was a region colder than the capital, it was still comfortable to spend time in the ample sunlight.

The magical city of Ist had a very high flow of people, and not all of them were researchers. After all, this was a magical city, a place where those skilled in magic gathered.

"Look, look over there! Look over there!"

"Please put your donations here!"

When Ein first saw this, he was taken aback, but after walking around for a while, he got used to it.

According to Chris, this was a scene rarely seen in the capital but quite common in other cities. In the field of magic, where everything costs money, people use every means to earn it. Therefore, it's not unusual for them to perform like street performers.

"… Wouldn't it be more profitable to be an adventurer?"

"As you say, my lord, being an adventurer is more profitable. However, the difference is whether one can continue risking their life or not. Everyone has different ways of earning money."

"I see."

Since coming to the town of Ist, Ein had asked Chris many questions. This was the first time Ein had seen so much magic up close, and it was a continuous surprise.

Men waving their hands to release flames, women creating and freezing water to form ice statues... many people were displaying their magic.

"I learned this in class, but isn't magic stronger in terms of attack? Then why are knights the main force in the capital?"

"Correctly speaking, it's an attack using magical power. Even ordinary sword techniques become stronger when imbued with magical power. You know this, don't you, my lord?"

"Ah, that's right... indeed."

"Perhaps it's also a matter of suitability. In terms of the types of magic, there's no one who can't use them. However, there are types that one is suited for and types that one is not. ...Ultimately, this makes it difficult to use them in actual combat."

For example, even if there are five attributes, there is no attribute that one fundamentally cannot use. However, due to the issue of suitability, it can become meaningless in many situations.

"Also, ... magical power is difficult to grow, which is another reason why it's hard to cultivate people who can fight purely with magic."

Listening to Chris's explanation, several questions came to mind. ...Come to think of it, Ein had a question he had been wondering about for a while.

"What about people who can use healing magic?"

"Do you mean people other than healers who provide emergency treatment and enhance the body's recovery ability?"

"Yes. Aren't healers just using healing magic?"

Healers are the people who helped Ein a lot during the sea dragon incident. Thanks to them, his arm recovered quickly. However, what they did was more like a form of massage rather than magic. They also used special magical tools, making them more like doctors.

"Are there people who can perform amazing healing, like regenerating an arm?"

But what Ein was curious about was something more advanced. Since coming to Ishtalika, Ein had never seen magic that could regenerate an arm or revive the dead. He was actually wondering if such magic even existed.

"There are probably a handful of people who can... However, they don't settle in one place, so it's hard to meet them."

"Maybe they're adventurers?"

"Sharp observation. That's right. In Ishtalika, those who can use famous healing magic are all adventurers. So it's difficult to summon them, and they don't always respond."

"As a state, Ishtalika doesn't employ anyone."

"It would be ideal if we could, but it's not easy..."

The users of healing magic that Chris mentioned. How wonderful it would be if there were such people in the capital. ...But due to their rarity, it's a difficult matter.

"I'd like to meet them someday. People who can use such magic."

Although he didn't want to experience pain again, he was curious to see how wounds healed with his own eyes.

"By the way, where do you think Katima and the others have gone?"

"Dil has become a sacrifice. Isn't that great?"

When Dil said he had become a sacrifice, it wasn't a lie... There was a reason behind it. When everyone woke up and gathered today, Katima said she wanted to see a store and asked for Dil. It made no sense to Ein; why not go together? But Katima insisted on going separately, and in the end, she didn't change her mind.

Dil is probably acting more as a porter than a guard right now.

"Is he a sacrifice...?"

"Yes, a sacrifice. Although I opposed Katima's separate action, it's a relief not to be dragged around. This is thanks to Dil, the sacrifice, so we should be grateful, Chris."

"Well... as a guard, I'm still worried about letting Katima go separately..."

—Although Katima didn't say it, her separate action was actually for Chris's sake. Chris liked Ein, and this had been evident since the sea dragon incident. Katima and Olivia also noticed the change in Chris's behavior.

However, the current situation between Ein and Crowne was causing anxiety.

What the parties thought was unknown to Katima and Olivia. But as the future king, Ein should ideally have more than two wives. In that sense, Silverwood was a failure. He refused to take any wife other than Lalarua, and it couldn't be said that this was a good decision for a king.

The future is unknown. Ein might make a similar declaration like Silverwood.

Considering various possibilities, Katima still wanted to support Chris.

"...Well, liking a mother's boy who eats magic stones is not a good taste, though."

This was Katima's monologue when the separate action was decided, which no one else heard.

From Katima's perspective, Chris had been by her side since she was born. Seeing Chris show affection for someone for the first time made her want to support her.

"But, don't you think those two are actually a good match? What do you think?"

"Katima and Dil, you mean?"

"Yes, exactly. I think they make a good team, both in personality and compatibility."

"Come to think of it... Yes, not bad."

In simple terms, Dil is considerate and likes to take care of others, while Katima, though often the one being taken care of, can lead others. Their compatibility doesn't seem bad at all, not just as a romantic relationship but also as a guard and the one being guarded.

"Thinking about it, I can imagine Dil being led around by Katima."

Chris put her hand to her mouth and smiled softly. Ein also smiled.

"Katima's good at making things easy to imagine. ...Ah! I found something interesting. Let's go, Chris!"

"Eh... Wait, Lord Ein!?"

Chris chasing after Ein, who suddenly started walking quickly. While thinking that Dil might be being dragged around by Katima, she had forgotten that Ein had a similar trait.

*

"That was fun. You're great, Chris."

"Already! ...I've never seen such a spectacle before!"

"Sorry. But you looked cool."

What Ein found interesting was a large ice wall. The challenge was to break the ice wall created by magic, and the prize was a reward. The participation fee was 1000G, which he paid.

Then, Ein challenged Chris.

"Even if you praise me, it's not easy...!"

Chris skillfully split the ice wall into two with a perfect cut. Although the wind magic was invisible, it was a remarkable technique.

By the way, the prize was declined. It felt a bit unfair for a marshal to take it, even if his identity was hidden. So, they left quickly afterward...

"By the way, where are we now?"

While aimlessly walking, they had taken narrow streets and crossed sloping roads. They should have thought more carefully about their route. Without much thought, they ended up in a completely unfamiliar place.

"If I have to make an excuse, the streets of Ist are confusing, right?"

"...It's a unique layout, but why the narrow streets...?"

"Since it's like an exploration, it's fine, right?"

Chris decided to check the answers tonight. The content was about who was more dragged around, herself or Dil.

They were in a back alley, with a slightly slum-like atmosphere. A faint smell of garbage began to waft through the air, creating a heavy atmosphere.

Thinking about what to do, Ein heard voices.

"I can hear people talking. Let's ask for directions and go back."

"Understood. That would be better."

It wasn't a place they wanted to stay long. They decided to ask for directions and return to a more open area. As they moved toward the voices, the voices grew louder.

"—...No, it's not okay!"

"Just do it...!"

A little girl's voice and a man's voice could be heard. The atmosphere didn't seem calm.

"No, it's not okay! This is my and my sister's food!"

"Shut up! Just give it!"

The little girl was desperately trying to protect her belongings. As Ein had imagined, this was a slum area. From the girl's words, it seemed the man was trying to take their food.

"Hey, over there. ...Take this and leave the girl alone."

Ein threw a small bag of coins at the man. He thought it would be easier to resolve the situation this way rather than using force, which would cause a commotion.

"Who are you?"

"Check the contents quickly."

"Arrogant... Oh, oh! Hey, young master... Is this okay!?"

"Just go."

The man, after checking the contents, left with a satisfied look. There were about 5000G in small coins, which was probably a large sum for him, given that he was trying to take food from a little girl.

"...Are you okay?"

"Um... Thank you... very much..."

The sudden appearance of Ein and the others confused the little girl. She was a small child with dirty clothes and brown hair, probably around five years old.

"I don't like solving things with money, but it's good that it worked, Chris."

"Better than showing unnecessary force. If they had demanded more, I would have drawn my sword."

"If that happened, there would be no choice... Well, are you alone?"

Ein squatted down to be at eye level with the girl. Seeing this, the girl seemed to relax a bit and spoke more fluently.

"My sister told me to wait here because she has work... She went into the house next door."

"Work... What kind of work does your sister do?"

Ein tried to be gentle to help the girl relax. Although his questions were probing, the girl didn't seem to mind and started explaining about her sister.

"Hey, hey! My sister is amazing!"

She was proud of her sister. When talking about her, she showed even more joy.

"We can't get proper food here, and there are many injuries... So, my sister heals people who are hurt!"

Chris reacted, and Ein also became very interested but decided to listen further.

"That's amazing! ...Does your sister heal injuries quickly?"

"Yes! She heals people who have broken their legs from dangerous jobs!"

I see, it might be a different skill or magic from a regular healer. Ein and Chris felt this way.

"I've never heard of such amazing things! ...Yeah, you never know what you'll find when you get lost."

"Huh? ...Yeah! My sister is amazing!"

Although she didn't understand Ein's words, she understood that he was praising her sister. Ein glanced at Chris.

"Maybe we should meet her."

"I'll wait with you until your sister comes. Don't worry, you're safe now!"

"Really!? Thank you, big brother!"

The girl, who was saved, became attached to Ein. He listened to her stories and occasionally patted her head.

Behind them, Chris had a slightly pouty expression, but Ein didn't notice.

To understand the extent of the girl's sister's work, they would have to meet her. For a while, the three of them waited for the girl's sister.

Thank you for reading today.