Chapter 33

Happy New Year!

10th in the daily overall ranking! 3rd in the weekly overall ranking!

It's also in the weekly high fantasy ranking!

Thank you very much!

As the bandages came off, the burned and charred skin of the girl was exposed.

But it was only for a moment.

The wounds began to heal as if rewinding, and the skin that had turned red and black and was bleeding began to change back to its original white.

"Oh, Hildegarde's wounds!"

The elf elder exclaimed in amazement.

It was no wonder.

The potion was not expected to heal to this extent.

There was not even a trace of the severe burns on the girl's body.

"…Such nonsense… My burns, healed so easily. Who are you…?"

Hildegarde, whose wounds had healed without a trace, looked at Reta with a look of shock.

"I'll explain as much as I can, but for now, rest your body. I've healed your injuries, but you still have a fever."

"…Don't treat me like a child. I've lived for three hundred years… I'm an adult. To me, you're just a baby."

"Alright, then close your eyes for now. Come on."

Her physical strength, which had been depleted for so long, had not yet been fully restored.

Due to the supernatural healing, her physical strength had also been drained, making it difficult for her to maintain consciousness, and she closed her eyes.

"Later… I will definitely make you explain… okay?"

Hildegarde said this and began to snore.

Reta and the others let out a sigh of relief.

Especially the elder and Klaus were relieved that the village's best warrior had escaped the danger of death.

"Guest… no, Lord Reta Dixon. Thank you for healing Hildegarde. We would like to treat you and your daughter as benefactors… However, this village does not have the means to entertain you at the moment."

"Don't worry about it. We came here to help the village."

"I am grateful."

"By the way, if it's not too much trouble, I still have some magic power left. I can heal other injured people if you like."

"What! Is that alright!?"

"Reta… are you sure it's okay to ask?"

"Of course. Right, Mina?"

"Sure! Go for it, Reta. I'll help a lot too!"

The elf elder and Klaus bowed in gratitude.

From then on, Reta's actions were swift.

She began to cast healing magic on the most severely injured among the injured.

She healed every elf she saw, including those who had not been fully healed by potions and those who had not received any treatment.

Most of the elves in the village were wary of the human Reta and Mina.

It was understandable. It seemed to have been a long time since they had seen a human.

Moreover, the last human to visit the village had been a kidnapper.

Reta smiled wryly, understanding their wariness, and continued to use healing magic to gain their trust.

Her actions were different from when she had hesitantly used her powers without fully understanding them.

As Reta healed more and more people, she came to understand the effects of her healing magic.

At the same time, she gained confidence that even as a low-level adventurer, she could be of help to others.

Before she knew it, Reta had healed over fifty injured people, and she was exhausted from using so much magic.

But thanks to her, there were no more injured people, and everyone was recovering.

Reta was not the only one who had worked hard.

Everyone helped, providing warm, wrung-out towels to clean the blood-soaked bodies of the elves who had been healed by potions or healing magic but were still physically weak.

Among them was Mina, of course.

The sight of the shy girl working hard was deeply moving to Reta as a guardian.

Mina, who was a bit timid, took the initiative to help those in need, and she was a source of pride as a friend, companion, and family member.

"Lord Reta"

The elf elder, Dold, approached Reta, who was sitting on the ground resting, and Mina, who was dozing with her head on Reta's lap.

"I never expected you to heal all the injured. I, Dold, am truly grateful."

"No, no, it's nothing."

"It's late at night. We can't let our benefactors sleep on the ground. Your daughter will recover better if she sleeps in a bed. I've asked Klaus to prepare a room for you."

"…Is that alright?"

"Of course. If we left you and your daughter out at this hour, I would be scolded by everyone."

Dold smiled wryly, and Reta no longer sensed any wariness towards humans from him.

No, it was more like his wariness towards Reta and Mina had disappeared.

This was undoubtedly something they had earned through their actions, and it was invaluable.

"Klaus seems to have finished preparing. Come, rest well tonight."

"Thank you. Good night."

Reta thanked him, and Dold bowed deeply, saying, "No, no, the thanks should be ours."

Reta picked up Mina and followed Klaus to his home.

"Please make yourself at home. We only have one bed, but it's big enough for both of you to sleep comfortably."

"Thank you."

Reta thanked Klaus's wife, Edith, who greeted them, and bowed.

Their son, Keito, seemed to have already fallen asleep.

Apparently, he had been waiting for Mina, but he had succumbed to sleepiness due to his young age.

He had also been working hard for the people of the village.

After laying Mina down on the bed and lying down himself, Reta heard a small voice.

"Hey, Reta."

"…Did I wake you up?"

"No, I was dozing, but I wasn't asleep yet."

Mina, rubbing her sleepy eyes, snuggled up to Reta.

"Today, it was good that we could help so many people."

"Yeah, it really was."

"I made a friend today. I became friends with Keito."

"Sure. I'm happy that Mina made a friend."

Holding Mina in his arms, Reta closed his eyes.

Mina had really changed since they first met, and for the better.

She had become brighter and more confident in interacting with others.

She had made friends and was a good child who could work hard for others without hesitation.

Sometimes, people mistakenly think they are parent and child, but if Mina were his daughter, he would be truly happy.

He was in a guardian role, but he still found her adorable.

He sometimes wondered if their relationship would change in the future.

"Reta today… was really cool?"

"…Haha, that makes me blush. Thanks."

"Uh-huh… Reta is cool and reliable… and…"

"And?"

Mina's breathing became steady, and she fell asleep before she could finish her sentence.

Reta felt a deep sense of joy that she had called him cool and reflected on his actions that day, feeling satisfied.

Reta had gained confidence as a healer, having saved many people.

He was truly grateful to Mina, who had always been by his side, encouraging him.

Holding the small body of the girl, Reta fell asleep.