Chapter 34

7th place in the daily overall ranking! 3rd place in the weekly overall ranking!

It's also ranked in the high fantasy category!

Thank you very much!

As the morning arrived, Reta and the others decided to go see Hildegarde, who had apparently woken up after being given fruit for breakfast.

"Is the big sister feeling better?"

"I hope so. But..."

"What's wrong? Reta?"

Thinking of the frail, white elf, Reta's expression darkened.

Hildegarde, who was older than Reta but looked like a child, had undoubtedly been healed.

However, the thought of fighting the dragon again filled her with worry.

(We didn't heal her just to have her get hurt again, right?)

The memory of the burns before her recovery made her shudder.

It was almost a miracle that she had survived.

Even Reta, who knew nothing about medicine but could use healing magic, understood that much.

If she fought the dragon again, there was no guarantee that it would only result in burns.

"No, I was just worried."

"Reta doesn't want the big sister to fight, does she?"

"---Yeah, you're right. You figured it out."

"Of course, you look so worried."

When she said this, Reta touched her face, but she couldn't understand. Even if she looked in a mirror, Reta probably wouldn't have noticed Mina's observation.

"I'm worried. Mina, you saw those burns, right? If the dragon attacks again, I'm sure she'll fight. She's the village's best warrior, after all. But I..."

"Don't want her to fight?"

"That's right. It's not because she looks young or anything... I just don't want a girl to get hurt, you know?"

Reta, unable to express her feelings in words, smiled. Even if his kindness couldn't be put into words, it was more than enough to be felt just by being by his side.

Reta Dixon was kind.

Mina was saved by his kindness.

That's why she believed, without a doubt, that Reta could help Hildegarde, who had been suffering, and that if he was worried about her, he would take action.

Mina wanted to help such a Reta.

"Don't worry, Reta. I'll help you."

With those few words, Mina smiled, trying to encourage her benefactor, filled with many feelings.

*

"Here you are... I remember, you were Reta and Mina, right? I was tormented by the pain of burning, but I remember what you did for me. So, I'll say thanks, just in case."

Hildegarde, who had fully recovered and looked much better, greeted Reta and Mina in the same place as yesterday.

Sitting cross-legged on a blanket, she was wearing only the minimum of her elf's traditional clothing, but her visible skin showed no signs of burns.

(...It's good that the girl's skin is beautiful again.)

Reta, who couldn't afford to send an impolite gaze, tried not to look at the elf girl as much as possible, but he was relieved to confirm that her skin had healed beautifully.

It was only Reta's personal feeling, but even if she was a warrior, he didn't want those terrible burn scars to remain on her body.

"Still... I'm truly grateful for healing everyone in the village. Thank you."

"It's nothing, we just did what we could."

"Hey, that's not right. I was supposed to protect the village as a warrior, but I couldn't. You cleaned up after me. What else can I do but thank you?"

And the girl continued.

"Most importantly, no one died. I'm grateful to Claus and the others for buying potions, but I'm even more grateful to you for saving so many people."

"That's not necessary..."

"Reta, the big sister is thanking you!"

Mina, pouting, scolded Reta for not accepting the thanks.

"Mina... I understand. I'll accept your thanks. But really, I didn't do anything special. I just wanted to help because I could. That's all."

"Hmph. It's fine to be thanked like that. I'm also grateful to your daughter, Mina. I remember how hard she worked to help the elves, and the elves in the village praised her for being a good child despite her young age."

"Hehe... thank you."

"Indeed. It's good to be honest."

Reta couldn't help but smile at Mina, who blushed at Hildegarde's praise.

Being honest was indeed the best.

Of course, an old man being honest wouldn't be cute, but a young child was adorable.

"I don't like humans because of past events, but you two are special. I'll allow you to call me Hilde, just for you two."

"Hilde big sister?"

"Umm... how cute. The way you tilt your head like that is irresistible. I don't have any sisters or children, and with this appearance, I'm treated like a child... I feel like a big sister. Alright, I've decided. I'll allow Mina to call me big sister!"

Hildegarde, who had been completely charmed by Mina's cuteness, made Reta, who was also trembling at Mina's cuteness, chuckle.