Chapter 17

After getting off the carriage, I lit the incense to ward off monsters and handed it to the old man.

"Grandpa, don't stray too far from me. Let's head into the fortress city first."

"O-Okay."

The old man, surrounded by fearsome monsters, looked pale. Don't worry, it's fine. To me, they just look like delicious prey. I'll gladly take care of them!

"Miss Shina, may I have your permission?"

Kiri drew her sword, her magic power surging. Kiri seems ready to go full throttle. Her sword, infused with her magic power, turned into a flaming sword. It's so beautiful.

"Sure. But don't overdo it. Take a break if you get tired."

As soon as I gave permission, Kiri's bracelets and anklets glowed. The wind, imbued with her magic power, blew through her hair. The corners of her mouth turned up.

"Understood!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Kiri dashed into the crowd of monsters. Flames erupted around her, and the monsters burned and fell one by one. Go get 'em!

Kiri is strong, so she'll be fine. It seems she was restless because the journey was too peaceful. It'll be good for her to get some exercise.

While thinking about that, I used wind magic to swat a four-legged monster. No incantation needed. I don't want to say things like "Gather my magic power and form a blade of wind!" like those mages do! It's embarrassing! Swatting is enough.

Monsters were swatted in a circle around me. Ha ha, big hunt! Big hunt!

"Shina... you're really strong, aren't you?"

The old man, seeing me use magic for the first time, widened his eyes. Yeah, I'm strong.

We approached the fortress city at a pace that wouldn't tire the old man. If I were alone, I'd use my bracelet to enhance my body and dash there. As we got closer to the fortress city, the ratio of human soldiers to monsters increased. I carefully swatted the monsters and healed the injured people I saw.

Before long, the surrounding soldiers started to buzz. Of course, it would be noticeable if the monsters were swatted and the injured people healed wherever the old man and I went. But I don't care.

While healing the soldiers and swatting the monsters, we finally reached the fortress city. I heard a familiar voice.

"Miss Shina!"

It was Barry, whom I had just parted with. Didn't he go with Jin to hunt? It's amazing we met in such a crowded place!

"No, the soldiers were talking about a miraculous old man and a girl! You were quite a sight. Hurry inside! Lord Alan is severely injured!"

Lord Alan is Jin's brother? That's bad! We need to hurry!

◇◇◇

After entering the fortress city, I temporarily parted ways with the old man.

Fortunately, there were no monsters inside the fortress city. Civilians who couldn't fight had already evacuated to designated shelters. That's good.

I asked the old man to set up all the monster-repelling incense I had in the city. The guild promised to send people to help, which is very kind of them.

Barry and I were led by a soldier who had somehow become our guide to the infirmary where the severely injured were being treated. Since my steps are small, Barry carried me. It's an emergency, so it can't be helped. Barry asked me to keep it a secret from Lord Jin that he carried me. Why?

"Someone! More potions!"

"Magician! Can't you do something!"

When we rushed into the infirmary where Lord Jin's brother was, there were shouts everywhere.

Many injured people were lying on the floor, and people were running around to take care of them. The smell of blood and the noise. It seemed that the more severely injured people were being treated here.

At the back of the infirmary, a crowd had gathered around someone. Everyone was desperately calling out to that person.

"Hey! Let me through!"

Barry, still carrying me, approached the crowd and gasped. There lay a person in magnificent armor. The armor was dyed red with blood, and half of his body was burned. Half of his face was also burned and disfigured, and his breathing was labored. He was in such a state that it was a wonder he was still alive. His breath seemed about to fade away at any moment.

"Prince Alan! Hold on! Someone! Healing magic!"

The attendant, crying, called out. With such injuries, ordinary healing magic would be like pouring water on a stone. It wouldn't work.

"Jin!"

Barry called out to the attendant.

"Barry! Why are you here? Is Prince Jinklett with you? Where is he?! Prince Alan is...! Quickly bring Prince Jinklett here! He protected us, and Prince Alan...!"

Barry frowned at the attendant's words. I was put down by Barry and approached Prince Alan. Up close, his injuries were really severe.

"Miss Shina, can you do it?"

In response to Barry's pleading voice, I nodded firmly. Of course I can!

"Great healing power of the goddess! Grant your drops to him—"

The severity of the injuries made me a bit anxious, so I started the incantation I used during my time as a saint. Incantations are embarrassing, but they improve the efficiency of magic power and enhance the power of the spell.

However, halfway through the incantation, Prince Alan's breathing became weaker! He was only letting out weak, thin breaths. This is bad! The incantation is long! It might not be in time!

"Healing light—wait, this is too much trouble! Heal!"

Panicked, I poured all the holy magic power I had refined through the incantation into Prince Alan with all my might. It's brute force!

The magic power that overflowed from me enveloped Prince Alan's entire body. The light that covered his entire body filled the infirmary. The bright light violently took away my vision.

By the time my vision returned, Prince Alan was completely healed and looking bewildered, as were the other severely injured soldiers in the infirmary.

Yeah, I messed up the magic power adjustment. I healed everyone at once.

Oh, Prince Alan, you have similar eyes to Jin. You're brothers, right?

◇◇◇

"Eh? Eh? What? What?"

The attendant, still holding Prince Alan's hand, was shouting.

"Wow. That's beyond the norm."

Barry, on the other hand, seemed to have given up. He was looking at me with a glare. It's fine, right? Everyone is healed, so the result is good. It's just a difference between healing everyone at once or in several sessions. Isn't it cruel to be amazed and then be disappointed?

"Jin? What happened? I remember being engulfed by the red flame bull's fire..."

Ah, that bull did it. That guy has a bit of firepower, but the meat is delicious. It's like wagyu beef!

"Prince Alan! Thank goodness! You're healed! It's a miracle! I thought you were done for."

The attendant was crying by Prince Alan's side. I'm glad I made it in time.

"Huh? Barry? If you're here, does that mean Jinklett is here too?"

"Ha! Prince Jinklett is commanding the troops outside the fortress city!"

Barry, who was suddenly respectful, surprised me. His attitude towards Jin is so different. He can do it.

"I see, Jinklett is here! That's a relief. Ah, I should go back outside too."

Prince Alan stood up strongly. Yes, it seems I healed both his injuries and his strength. That's good.

Suddenly, Prince Alan noticed me and exclaimed in surprise.

"You...? Children should evacuate! Did you get separated from your parents?"

A 12-year-old non-combatant on the battlefield. It's understandable that he would be concerned.

"Prince Alan, this is Miss Shina. She is the former saint from a neighboring country."

Barry introduced me to Prince Alan, but wasn't the former saint from a neighboring country known for having a bad reputation?

As expected, Prince Alan's eyes turned suspicious.

"Miss Shina healed Prince Alan. She got a bit carried away and healed all the severely injured soldiers..."

Barry looked around in exasperation. The formerly severely injured soldiers were now in high spirits and ready to fight the monsters.

Prince Alan quickly looked around and understood that Barry's words were true. I did my best, right?

Prince Alan's demeanor softened. He took my hand and looked at me with his beautiful blue eyes.

"Saint, please forgive my rudeness. I am deeply grateful for saving the lives of my soldiers."

Prince Alan's eyes were slightly moist with joy, and I thought, "Ah, he's similar to Jin in this way too."

"Please don't worry about it! Excuse me for a moment."

I received a communication through my ear cuff. It was Kiri!

"Miss Shina, is it convenient now?"

"Sure, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"

I continued the conversation, covering my ear. Prince Alan's eyes widened when he heard Kiri's voice.

"There's a monster I can't handle... The soldiers here are also being pushed back. Could you come and help?"

Kiri's hesitant voice. She kept her promise to contact me in dangerous situations. Good job!

"Sure! I just finished healing the injured, so I'll come right away! What's the monster?"

"It's a red flame bull. My fire doesn't work well against it."

The one that injured Prince Alan, I guess?

"Ah, it's fire against fire. Got it, where are you?"

"Near the east gate. Prince Jinklett is also here."