Chapter 16

……Now I'm in the capital.

On my right is a guy in armor, on my left is a guy in armor, and behind me is also a guy in armor.

"Annoying!!"

"Um, I'm sorry, but please bear with it. It's by royal order..."

The armored guy bowed his head apologetically in response to my heartfelt cry.

"By the way, why was I called here?"

"Well, the king ordered us to find an excellent healer, and after asking around town, your name came up."

It's because of everyone in town, aaaaahh!!

"The guild receptionist also praised you highly?"

Asuka, aaaaaahh!!

I dropped my shoulders in disappointment at the unexpected betrayal.

"So, that's why we brought you here. I know it's sudden, but..."

"N-no, it's okay..."

"Is that so! Then, since the king wants to talk to you, shall we go?"

"Wait a minuteeeeee!!!!"

I just heard the king mentioned!?

"Wh-what's wrong?"

"It's not just wrong, aaaaahh!! What, we're going to the king now!? I haven't prepared anything at all!?"

The armored guy says it as if it's the most natural thing, but suddenly meeting the king is too much for a regular citizen like me!

"If you're that energetic, you'll be fine," he says with a smile (or so it seems).

"No, in what way am I fine!? Explain that properly! Hey!?"

Despite my resistance, I'm eventually brought to a large door.

This door definitely has the king inside... because there are scary-looking people lined up in front of it!!

"Please come in."

The voice from inside the door makes the people around it react and open the large door.

Inside, there are a few people who look like regular citizens like me, and at the back, there's someone who, at first glance, is clearly the king.

It seems that not just me, but everyone in the room was called here.

"I called you here. I apologize for the suddenness, but the situation is urgent..."

There, the king explains to us.

To put it simply, "My wife and daughter have been afflicted with a mysterious illness. That's why I brought you here, as you might be able to treat them."

At that, I ask a question that suddenly comes to mind.

"Um, Your Majesty. I understand why you brought us, but wouldn't it be more likely for the Holy Maiden to be able to do it?"

Generally, the most skilled healer is the Holy Maiden. Yet, she's not here.

My question seems to have been inappropriate, as the king's face twists.

"Actually... the Holy Maiden is my daughter."

"Wh-what?"

At this sudden bombshell, everyone, including me, is stunned.

"But, you just said your daughter was sick..."

"That's right. In reality, only my wife was sick, and my daughter, the Holy Maiden, tried to treat her, but the illness spread to her as well."

Everyone freezes at his words. In other words, the best healer, the Holy Maiden, failed to treat the illness.

It seems unlikely that a slightly skilled healer could treat such an illness.

"I know I'm asking for a lot... but if you think it's impossible, I understand if you decline..."

At the king's words, we, who were initially frozen, start to leave one by one.

Maybe I could cure them... but I have no proof, and no real motivation to try.

Before I know it, the room is empty except for the king and me. Even the guards have left the room, sensing the awkward atmosphere.

In that moment, I ask the king one last question.

"Your Majesty, if someone were to successfully treat the two of them... what did you plan to do?"

The king, who thought the room was empty, shows a slight surprise when he notices me.

"Oh, ah. If someone with such remarkable healing skills, even surpassing my daughter the Holy Maiden, were to treat the illness, I would like to arrange a betrothal with my daughter. Of course, respecting their wishes..."

"H-huh, I see..."

For a moment, I almost said, "I'll do it!" but thinking about it, there's no way a super beautiful Holy Maiden would consider someone like me.

If that happens, I'd just end up revealing my healing skills and losing out.

"I don't think I can do it, so I'll have to decline."

I'm sorry to the king, but my own safety is more important. I'm not a saint who would risk my life for a stranger.

So, I can't do it.

If anyone can do it, it would be...

The "Savior in Black."