Chapter 50

This is a story that takes place after the regeneration magic.

Upon receiving the news that Prince Zinklett had brought the former saintess from the neighboring country to Marita Kingdom, I clicked my tongue in exasperation.

"That monster lover! What is he thinking!"

The former saintess from the neighboring country was rumored to be the ex-fiancée of the third prince of the neighboring Daido Kingdom, a greedy woman who had envied and tried to harm the new saintess. She was of commoner origin, had no significant healing power, and although she had joined the Glass Forest extermination team, she had oppressed and lorded over the soldiers.

I had heard that she had been exiled to the Glass Forest along with her accomplice maid, but for some reason, she had come to Marita Kingdom with Prince Alan, who had gone to rescue Kailat Street, and the monster-loving Prince Zinklett.

The country is now in turmoil due to the increasing attacks by monsters. At a time when the royal family and nobles need to unite to face this crisis, why did they bring in such an unstable element?

Moreover, under the names of Prince Lute and Prince Zinklett, a sudden summons order was issued to my beloved disciple, Ethan. Despite his excellent skills, the timid Ethan trembled at the mere mention of it. Could they be planning to nitpick at him as a fellow recovery mage? Accompanied by the pale Ethan, I stormed to the princes with a heavy heart.

She was a witch who had bewitched the prince of the neighboring country. No matter how beautiful her face, I was determined not to be deceived. However, I was completely taken aback. The person there was more of a child, and she was so malnourished that she was skin and bones. The child looked at me with shining eyes, asking, "Santa Claus?" No, I'm Sand, not Santa.

Then, the regeneration magic began, and I was utterly astonished. What is this incredible magic! Is my disciple a genius? The arm of Prince Lute, which had not moved at all, was healed?

Amidst my shock and commotion, the child scolded me, "Don't shout, it raises my blood pressure!" Ah, is that why my heart is racing? I need to calm down.

I managed to calm my excitement. Ethan was still in a daze at what he had accomplished. Prince Lute was stretching, bending, and rotating his arm. It was no wonder. Prince Zinklett was being hit by one of Prince Lute's attendants. Why?

Despite achieving such a great feat, the child looked troubled... or rather, she seemed to be afraid of something. What's wrong?

A woman stood beside the child, her silver hair and brown skin also thin, but her eyes were full of compassion as she held the child's anxious hand. Is this the accomplice maid?

Their appearance was completely different from the rumors, and I was perplexed. However, my doubts were soon resolved.

When the king and queen gathered and gently asked the child about the miraculous magic, the child said something incredible.

"I was able to use regeneration magic because... I healed many soldiers. When I healed soldiers who had lost their arms or legs to monsters, I thought... I need to connect the inside properly, not just the surface. I need to connect the blood vessels and muscles so that the blood flows to the fingertips and the leg can move again."

The queen gasped, tears streaming down her face. I was also shocked. I had heard that she was an adult, but why was such a child, who looked so young, in such a harsh environment? The kingdom's common law prohibits children from holding important positions, doesn't it?

The child looked troubled, concerned for the queen. No, you are the one who should be worried about and protected!

"But using regeneration magic wasn't all good. If the soldiers didn't have their arms or legs, they could have returned home as wounded soldiers. But because I healed them, they were sent back to the extermination and some died. If I hadn't healed them, they wouldn't have died."

The child shed silent tears, as if blaming herself.

Why aren't you crying out! You're a child! You shouldn't be crying quietly as if you've accepted all the blame!

"Different!"

A loud voice rose, as if speaking for everyone's hearts.

"Shina must have created the magic to help the wounded soldiers! She must have tried hard to save as many soldiers as possible in the terrible extermination! Shina is not at fault! Absolutely not! If anyone says Shina is at fault, I'll beat them up!"

That's right. Prince Zinklett is right. I nodded vigorously. Everyone else did too.

"I'm happy! Shina healed my brother Lute! I was so happy! I was saved by Shina! I was helped by Shina's magic! Everyone was! There will be many more people like that in the future! So, so, Shina, please don't cry..."

Seeing the child cling to Prince Zinklett's neck and start crying loudly, I felt relieved.

If the child had broken down, I would never have forgiven myself.

As a senior magician and an adult, if I couldn't save that child, I would have no right to live.

◇◇◇

Thus, my encounter with Shina was a series of shocks.

After that, I became Shina's attending physician and was further stunned by what Lady Kirihime, Shina's maid, told me.

Shina's small size for her age is undoubtedly due to the harsh environment in the Glass Forest, chronic malnutrition, lack of sleep, and overwork. She had been using recovery magic to sustain her life, but it was clear that this was not desirable. Her body had not grown. According to Lady Kirihime, Shina's height and weight had barely increased while she was in the Glass Forest.

You, Daido Kingdom, what have you done to this innocent child? I will not forgive you.

While I was compounding medicine for Shina and discussing a diet suitable for her body with the maid, Lady Kirihime bowed deeply.

"Thank you. Thank you for Shina-sama... Thank you!"

Tears streamed from Lady Kirihime's relieved eyes. The other maids gently patted her back in turn. She had been protecting the child alone. Watching the child who wasn't growing must have been a source of great worry. Shina has good maids.

But Lady Kirihime, you're too thin too. You need dietary guidance as well.

A few days later, Shina was able to sit up. However, I did not allow her to get out of bed or use regeneration magic. She needs to sleep, eat, and exercise to grow.

But why is Prince Zinklett always there?

That monster-loving ice prince is clinging to Shina like a cat in the sun, bringing her books, flowers, and sweets.

Shina is also clinging to Prince Zinklett like a kitten... She doesn't seem to realize she's being affectionate. How naturally she plays with him... Is she a natural flirt?

I, too, am aware that I have been charmed by Shina. Her actions are adorable. For her to drink bitter medicine, I prepare three cups of water and a mountain of candies as palate cleansers... The amount of medicine is just the size of a pinky nail. She doesn't need that much.

When she swallows the medicine and looks proud of herself... The maids are all smiling. Indeed, I could watch her all day.

"Hmm, Shina, you're doing a great job drinking the bitter medicine every day. How about it, Grandpa Sand will buy you anything you want."

"Eh?"

Shina's eyes widened in surprise.

"Grandpa Sand, I'm not a child. I can drink medicine without a present!"

Shina puffed out her cheeks. That's still a childlike reaction.

"Anything? Don't you want anything?"

She might have already received everything she wanted from Prince Zinklett, who asks her the same question every day. Shina was about to shake her head... but then she stopped.

"Hmm? Do you want something?"

Shina's eyes darted around. Prince Zinklett's eyes gleamed. He seems determined to know everything Shina wants. What a narrow-minded man.

"Um... well, if Grandpa Sand doesn't mind..."

It's rare to see Shina hesitate. She usually speaks clearly and firmly.

Fidgeting and glancing at me shyly, Shina said,

"Um, well, ... I want to touch Grandpa Sand's beard."

She said it in such a small, almost inaudible voice that I couldn't help but tremble.

What a cute request!!

It made me dizzy with cuteness!

Look, the maids around her are swooning!

"Is that all? Anything you want!"

I picked up Shina and sat her on my lap. Hmm, she's still so light.

The look on Prince Zinklett's face when I picked up Shina was fierce.

To be jealous of an old man like me, what a tense man.

"Wow...! It's so fluffy!"

Shina exclaimed in amazement as she touched my proud, curly white beard. Her eyes sparkled, her cheeks turned slightly red, and she looked truly happy.

Beside her, Prince Zinklett was shouting, "I'll grow a beard too! Shina, touch mine!" How disgusting.

However, Shina often mispronounces my name.

She muttered, "Santa Claus," but I'm Sand, not Santa!

I wrote this, thinking of the scene in foreign movies where children tell Santa Claus what presents they want while sitting on his lap. I wonder if that beard gets dirty during meals.

Christmas is coming soon. I hope Santa visits all of you.