Chapter 16

Due to the story's requirements, it is a bit shorter.

"Master Jin, that flag!"

We stop the carriage a few hundred meters from the fortress city. Any further, and the swarming monsters would make it too dangerous to proceed by carriage.

The blue lion flag is displayed on the fortress city's walls, and the same flag encircles the fortress city. Soldiers clad in matching armor are fighting the monsters valiantly.

The faces of the soldiers surrounding the monsters show deep fatigue. Although the squad leaders are doing their best to command, the coordination between units is poor, and the soldiers' movements lack vigor.

"That's Brother Alan's flag! The First Knight Regiment!"

Master Jin and Barry draw their swords and rush into the heart of the battle.

The two, enhanced by their Bangles, clearly display superior strength compared to the surrounding soldiers.

Cheers of joy rise from the soldiers who recognize Master Jin.

"Prince Jinclette!"

"Prince Jinclette has come!"

In response to the rising voices, Master Jin replies.

"Brave soldiers of Marita! Show the true strength of our kingdom! Eliminate every last monster!"

At Master Jin's powerful voice, the soldiers let out a roar of approval. The previously disorganized movements of the soldiers become lively and coordinated under Master Jin and Barry's precise instructions. Excellent commanders are truly amazing.

I secretly cast healing magic on the soldiers.

There are many monsters, so they need to try their best.

Inside the carriage heading to the city of Kyrat, we discussed how we would act.

Master Jin and Barry will join the battle at the front lines. As a royal, Master Jin must naturally act as a commander. They will move to join the knight regiments dispatched to Kyrat early.

Kiri will handle the extermination of S-class and A-class monsters at the front lines. Master Jin bowed to Kiri and asked for his help, which was very impressive for a royal.

As for me, I wanted to join the front lines to fight the monsters, but Master Jin firmly refused. Even when I argued that I am stronger than Kiri and equivalent to an S-class adventurer, it didn't work. Neither puppy eyes nor teary eyes had any effect.

I was only allowed to enter the city of Kyrat with the old man as a guard and work as a healer. How oppressive!

But surprisingly, Kiri also agreed. He wanted me to focus on healing rather than extermination.

"Although Lady Shina is strong and doesn't need me to guard her, I can participate in the extermination with more peace of mind if she focuses on healing."

"But Kiri, there are strong monsters like the ones in Glass Forest. No matter how strong Kiri is, it might be dangerous!"

Kiri is strong, but he can only use fire magic. When we were in Glass Forest, I had to exterminate monsters that were weak against fire magic.

"There are soldiers and mages from the kingdom's knight regiments in Kyrat. Although they are not as skilled as Kiri, they can provide assistance."

Master Jin supports this.

"Kiri and I can't fight unless we know Shina is safe. Therefore, we want Shina to enter the city of Kyrat with Zain and focus on setting up the monster repellent and healing the injured soldiers."

I understand that Kiri is overprotective and always thinks of me first. I also know that Master Jin is overprotective of me, despite my appearance as a child.

I don't want to go to the battlefield either. I don't want to work myself to the bone like a healing machine. But this time, it's different from when I was just being used.

"Kiri and Master Jin worry about me, but I also worry about you. I don't want to regret not being able to protect you when I have the power to fight!"

During the five years I worked as a holy maiden, I saw many soldiers off.

No matter how strong my holy magic was, I couldn't bring the dead back to life. I saw many lives slip through my hands because I couldn't heal them in time. It was common to see soldiers who had laughed and joked with me the day before return the next day covered in blood and unable to speak.

There were also soldiers who were injured and mentally scarred, breaking down. I saw large soldiers cry and cling to me, begging for help. They didn't want to return to the battlefield, they wanted to go home, they had children waiting for them, and they didn't want to be eaten alive by monsters. I helplessly watched as they were forcibly taken back to the front lines. The next time I saw him, he was a cold corpse.

If I could have taken their place, I would have. If I had the power to fight back then, how many lives could I have saved? If I had the power to protect the soldiers, not just be used by Prince Lector and the others.

Now I have the power to protect the people I care about. Why should I have the same regrets as back then? Tears overflowed without me noticing.

"I can save them... this time. I won't let anyone die. I'll make sure they return to the people waiting for them..."

Kiri made a pained expression and hugged me.

Master Jin, Barry, and the old man all had stunned faces.

"...Lady Shina. You are indeed a holy maiden. Not just a title, but a true holy maiden."

At Barry's teary smile, I huffed. The title of holy maiden was useless before.

"The title doesn't matter! If there's someone in front of me who needs help and I have the power to help, it's only natural to try! I don't intend to be used, but wanting to help is my freedom!"

Then I pointed at Master Jin.

"Master Jin too! First, think about helping the soldiers who protect the people! That's what royals are for! Don't get the people you're supposed to protect wrong!"

Use what you can! I'll make sure to get my fair share! I won't work for free! I'm not cheap!

Master Jin's eyes widened at the finger pointed at him. Then, his expression softened, and he muttered, "I can't win against you."

After further discussion, I will enter the fortress city with the old man and focus on healing the injured. Once the healing is done, I can join the extermination.

I made Master Jin and Kiri promise to call me through the ear cuff if any dangerous enemies appear. If they don't call, I won't forgive them and won't speak to them again. Both of them were shaken.

Healing is important, and it's what I'm best at, so I'll accept it for now.