Chapter 61

Accompanied by Eluru, I came to the church.

"I don't like it here; it's dusty."

"Um, Eluru... would you like to wait outside? Or perhaps go back to the guild?"

"No way! The guard doesn't leave! Come on, come on, let's go in!"

As we approached the church, Eluru's cat ears drooped, and her tail hung limp, clearly showing her reluctance to enter, but she followed along.

I don't think she needs to push herself... I just cleaned the place, so it should be fine.

"Is the priest here~?"

"Whoa, young lady! What's with that face? It ruins your cuteness!!"

I opened the door, went inside, and called for the priest.

His face was red... he must have been drinking. Whether it's a habit or not, I don't mind. I won't comment on it.

He approached hurriedly, touched my face, and then examined my broken arm. Hmm? It feels like he's appraising something, or is it just a strange sensation? He's touching the exact spots of the bruises through my clothes... does he know even without me telling him?

Even with appraisal or analysis... he can't pinpoint the injuries. Does he have some method?

"I got treated at the Adventurer's Guild, so it doesn't hurt anymore... but I don't want any scars, so please treat me."

"Ah, sit here... relax, close your eyes... Great Light Healing <Extra Heal>."

Huh?

Wait... not Medium Light Healing <Hi Heal>, but Great Light Healing <Extra Heal>?

Overhealing!!

Medium Light Healing <Hi Heal>... I know it too; it heals 50% of HP. And now, an even higher healing spell!? No, no... why would you do that! Money!! The donation will be higher!!

"Wow! It's healed! That's great, you're so cute!"

Eluru, who was standing beside me, started playing around and petting my head... but that's not the issue right now. What do I do with this overkill!

You already said it was healed with the healing spell, right? A simple Light Healing <Heal> would have been enough, and the physical wounds would have disappeared!

"Overhealing..."

"That's what I'm saying, young lady. You need to apply proper healing. If the previous spell isn't strong enough, there's a chance the wound will remain."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Apparently, when treating the same wound multiple times, you need to apply a stronger spell to overwrite the previous one. Since I've already been healed with potions and water magic, he used Great Light Healing <Extra Heal> to ensure complete recovery...

No, is that really true?

Is he doing this just to get a higher donation?

I thought Light Healing <Heal> would have been enough...

I glanced at Eluru, and she nodded, indicating that this is the norm in this world. I can't question it with Eluru here, so I'll check later.

"So, what happened, young lady?"

"Well, I'm not sure myself, but I got beaten up by a group."

"What about you?"

"I'm her guard! The Adventurer's Guild takes it seriously... they think there's a possibility of another attack."

"I got beaten up because I was careless... so I'm just being protected now."

It's not that Eluru is unhappy about being my guard... but I'm unhappy. I can't do alchemy or potion-making at home. I know I'll be idle, so I want to go back for my books... but Eluru told me not to go home.

It's better to stay out since the house is already locked. If I stay at home, it might be easier to attack me? Because the shop part can be accessed, and they can get in.

"Actually, we can protect you here at the church too?"

"I'd rather not... I don't know their purpose, so I can't move."

"The group targeting you... first, it's the Alchemist's Guild, right?"

"Yes, apparently, they put out a hit on me."

Normally, a hit is a crime, but apparently, there's an Assassin's Guild. In big cities... not in this town, right?

Anyway, the Alchemist's Guild wants me out of the way and dead. The reasons are the research materials left by Master Pamela and the damage caused by my drug deliveries to the Adventurer's Guild.

Both issues would be resolved if I were gone. Apparently, many people heard the declaration to kill me... that's not good. If something happens to me, they'll be the first to be suspected, so they shouldn't have declared it.

But that's why it's strange. They could have killed me but didn't...

"That's a strange story, but next, it's the nobles... specifically, the baron's family from the neighboring territory. If the royal family were to act, it would be too early for them to move from the capital."

"Complicated..."

"Speaking of Master Pamela, the nobles can't touch her. But if they can secure her disciple, they might want her, even if it's not peaceful."

"If I get a bad impression, I won't make their potions, right?"

I won't make potions for someone who tried to harm me... no way.

If I'm really in danger of being killed... I might make it, but I'll pretend I can't.

Anyway, for dealing with nobles... I'll consult with Fol. Lord Laz seemed busy. But if I talk to either of them, they'll help me, I think.

"Next, the Holy Kingdom... but it's too early for that. Even if it's known that you can use light magic, the homeland hasn't grasped it yet, so they won't target you."

"That... so, the Alchemist's Guild... or rather, the nobles, pretending to be the Alchemist's Guild, right?"

"If that's the case, it will be hard to act... there won't be any clear evidence."

It's true that the Alchemist's Guild wants me dead. They're the ones acting on the statement, but they don't really want to kill me. I'm concerned about the blood oath... how effective is it without the person's consent?

"Here."

"What is it?"

"A protective stone. Keep it hidden. It has an effect to block suggestions."

"...Thank you. But why?"

"Your voice is coming out."

"Huh?"

Apparently, my voice was coming out... since I mentioned the blood oath, he gave me this to prevent its misuse. When I appraised it, it showed "Weak Resistance to Suggestions, Weak Resistance to Fear." This is a valuable item, right?

"For now, the cost... how much will it be?"

"Sure... the treatment is free this time. ...And come back sometime, not just when you're injured."

"Okay. I'll come by when I'm settled."

...The fact that it's not just the Alchemist's Guild targeting me is troublesome.

Nobles... well, there are factions, so not all of them, but... I have a lot of enemies.

Well... aside from the nobles... what will I do when I face that clan again?

Since I was attacked once, I might be justified in attacking them next time... it was quite painful, and I want to retaliate.