Chapter 91

Without any word from the search party, Reta finished treating her patients with a lingering sense of unease and set off on her way back.

Today, she was unusually alone.

Her daughters were deepening their friendship with Hildegarde, a group of three.

Correction. She was making them deepen their friendship.

Mina and Luna were earning pocket money by helping out at Riggs' inn and doing shopping, and Hildegarde was officially assigned as their bodyguard.

Even if they were attacked by a thug, I'm not worried because Luna is there, but it's even more reassuring to have Hildegarde there too.

(Well, the main goal is for Luna and Hilde to get along.)

The two often argue since they met.

Their relationship isn't hostile, probably due to their personalities.

The cause is Reta, but there's nothing she can do about it.

So, she's trying to get them to become friends.

"But I'm worried."

She hopes Luna, who is easily emotional, doesn't pull out a knife in the middle of town.

Since Hildegarde would also fight back, she can't help but worry that they aren't fighting somewhere.

"Hey, are you Reta Dixon?"

Suddenly, a voice called out to Reta, who was worried about her family.

"Um, yes, but who are you?"

Turning around, she saw a girl there.

She was probably a bit older than Luna.

A short blue-haired girl who looked good with one eye hidden.

"I'm Yuri Temperance. I'm a healer in this town."

"..."

Reta doubted her own eyes.

She was surprised that the girl in front of her was a healer in this town.

(Such a girl is a healer? ...She doesn't look greedy at all, but you can't judge a book by its cover.)

The girl, who seemed a bit absent-minded, didn't look greedy at all.

"Do you need something from me?"

"Yeah. I've heard about you. You successfully treated Lady Valerie, right?"

"...Oh, so you knew about Lady Valerie."

"Yes. I'm a healer too, so I was asked by the lord, but I couldn't treat her. But recently, I heard that someone had cured Lady Valerie. That someone is you, right?"

"Yeah, I did cure Lady Valerie."

"I came to ask you for a favor."

"A favor?"

"Yeah. I want you to take me as your apprentice."

"---Huh? Huh? Huh!?"

Reta, who didn't understand what was said, tilted her head, but then realized what the girl meant and let out a surprised cry.

At the same time, a headache hit her.

There are only two healers in Amrus, the girl in front of her and one other.

She couldn't understand why this healer would want to become her apprentice.

To her, Reta was not a friendly person.

Just yesterday, Reta had a confrontation with Amanda, a recovery guild staff member, and was more of an enemy.

(Is she planning something? Maybe Amanda ordered her to get close to me?)

Trying to gauge her, the girl just stared at her with an unreadable expression.

(No, I don't get it!)

"So, what do you think? Will you take me as your apprentice?"

"Did Amanda order you to get close to me?"

"Amanda? Who's that?"

The girl tilted her head, and she didn't seem to be lying.

"She's a recovery guild staff member. She's in this town, but you didn't know?"

"Yeah, I haven't met her. I'm affiliated with the recovery guild because my parents are healers, but the guild just demands money and doesn't do much else."

"Then let me explain. I'm being targeted by the recovery guild. I don't like the recovery guild either. So, if you're affiliated with the guild, it's better not to get involved with me."

"That would be a problem for me."

"Why?"

"Recently, no patients have been coming. I heard that the whole town is relying on you. If that's the case, I can't use my magic."

"...You can't use your magic?"

Reta tilted her head, not understanding what the girl meant.

"Yeah. I love using magic. It's very exciting to see a patient's injury heal."

"...Ah, this girl is dangerous."

"But recently, no patients have been coming, so I can't use my magic. That's why I decided to become your apprentice."

"I don't get it. What will you become by being my apprentice?"

"I heard that the adventurer's guild is building a clinic for you. I want to work there too."

"Huh? You want to?"

"Yeah. If patients aren't coming to me, I have to go to them."

"Is that the reason?"

"Probably. I want to use magic. Patients get better, and I'm happy. It will be a wonderful workplace."

She wants to use recovery magic. That's the only reason a healer affiliated with the recovery guild wants to work with Reta, who is at odds with the guild.

It was definitely a troublesome matter.