Chapter 21

"Hey, Reta. Why didn't the healer help everyone?"

As the receptionist was regaining her composure, Reta was at a loss for words in response to Mina's innocent question. He himself didn't have a clear answer. He had only recently learned that healers charge exorbitant fees. Looking at the receptionist with a troubled expression, she explained on his behalf.

"Well, Mina-chan, it's not that healers don't treat people. It's just that a lot of money is needed to receive treatment."

"But Reta said money isn't necessary, right?"

"That's... true. I wonder why healers talk about money so much."

The receptionist said this with a sad look. The fact that her brother was here meant he couldn't afford the high treatment fees. She must have felt even more than Mina.

"Actually, I'm not very familiar with healers," Reta admitted.

"Is that so?"

"I've never relied on them because I can use recovery magic."

"Ah, right. I forgot. If you don't mind, I can explain about healers. It might be a bit harsh, though."

"Please do. What do you think, Mina?"

"Sure. I want to know too."

Accepting Reta and Mina's request, the receptionist nodded and began her explanation.

"Originally, to call oneself a healer, a magic user capable of using recovery magic must be affiliated with the Recovery Guild. The Recovery Guild was once a noble organization, but it has become obsessed with money over time."

Reta thought it was a common story.

"The same goes for healers. In the past, many aimed to serve people, but now they are mostly money-obsessed, finding reasons to charge exorbitant treatment fees. What's worse, some healers who can use recovery magic believe they are chosen, which makes the situation even more difficult to handle."

Recovery magic, after all, is just a matter of having a talent for recovery. In terms of helping people, even offensive magic can be useful in protecting from enemies. However, people react to what is easy to understand. It's not hard to imagine how healing magic is perceived by people.

"We, the guild, are also reaching our limit. We are truly fed up with the increasingly arrogant healers. However, healers are necessary."

"Indeed."

"More importantly, if we clash with healers and become enemies of the Recovery Guild, there might be adventurers who can afford treatment but can't receive it. We can't afford to do anything rash. In the past, we've even faced similar threats."

"Terrible."

Even young Mina reacted this way. The Adventurer's Guild is also at its wits' end with healers. However, as a profession that deals with danger, adventurers can't help but rely on healers. This is why they are hesitant to take a firm stance against them.

"Actually, the lord is in a similar situation."

"Even the lord has to cater to the healers?"

"Unfortunately, even if the treatment fees are exorbitant, the town needs healers. There are many situations where healers can heal injuries that doctors can't treat immediately. Therefore, even the lord can't speak strongly against the healers who do as they please."

Some lords might keep healers on retainer by paying them, but the lord of Amrus is not such a person. He always strives to walk alongside his people and is trying to get healers to lower their fees and help more people, but there are no healers willing to do so.

(Healers are supposed to be citizens too. It's amazing they can defy the nobles. I'm beyond being amazed; I almost respect them.)

Healers also live in the town and need to buy food. Adventurers protect them from monsters. The lord works hard to ensure a good life for everyone. So, healers should have a role to play. Reta can't help but think that someone who can't even consider this is a problem before being a healer.

"Even if we complain, it won't change anything, but we can't help but speak out. That's the current situation with healers."

Reta could understand the receptionist's frustration as she concluded.