Chapter 45

"This is a curse, isn't it?"

We hurried back to the village and had the healer examine Raphatalia, who had been burned by a black curse.

"Moreover, it's a very powerful type. A curse this strong on a dragon's corpse?"

"Uh... well... that..."

Should I honestly admit that I was the one who did it? I couldn't find the words.

"Yes. When I accidentally bathed in the dragon's rotten flesh, I got this burn..."

Raphatalia smiled at me, sending a glance that seemed to say it was a secret.

"Can't you do something about it? I'll pay whatever it takes."

Raphatalia is a girl. With such a black mark, it would be noticeable and troublesome.

"It's not impossible, but..."

The healer returned to the room where he was mixing potions and brought back a bottle of clear liquid.

"It's quite powerful. Can it be cured immediately...?"

"What is that?"

"It's holy water. The best way to remove a curse is with holy power..."

"I see."

The wounds caused by the Shield of Wrath not only heal poorly but also carry a curse.

That shield is very dangerous.

It doesn't distinguish between friend and foe and can even affect allies.

It needs to be used carefully.

Moreover, when I looked at the shield's skill tree, the progress towards unlocking it hadn't advanced at all.

Even though it was only for a short time, I had a premonition that that shield couldn't be unlocked.

"Moisten the bandages with the holy water..."

The healer wrapped the bandages, soaked in holy water, around the black mark on Raphatalia's body.

"For now, this is a temporary measure. If possible, use the powerful holy water made by the church in a larger town."

"How long will it take to heal?"

"To be honest... it's a very strong curse. Whether it can be completely eradicated... especially if it was cast by a dragon..."

Actually, I was the one who did it... but is it really as powerful as a curse cast by a dragon?

"Right. How much longer will it take to make the medicine?"

"I managed to make a little. Holy Sir, please use it for those suffering from illness."

"Ah."

I left Raphatalia in the healer's room and went to the building where the sick were housed, carrying the medicine.

The medicine made by a professional really worked.

The patients' breathing became calm, and I felt relieved.

...I want to be strong enough that I don't need to rely on such a shield.

I also want to save people from illness, and I find my own weakness hateful.

Filo was fine, but there might come a time when she isn't.

I became blank when I saw a life lost before my eyes.

I often think about it. This isn't a game world.

If you die, no one comes back to life.

I looked at the cemetery behind the quarantine facility.

Because I was betrayed and deceived— I want to protect those who believe in me.

I returned to the healer's room and spoke to Raphatalia, who was wrapped in bandages.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"But..."

"I was more afraid of you going somewhere far away."

"Huh?"

"That power... I felt it would take you somewhere far away. If I could stop you, then this mark is a small price to pay."

Raphatalia's smile pierced my heart.

I firmly resolved that I must protect her and not lose to such a shield.

"Is Raphatalia okay with diseases?"

"For now... she should be fine."

"When the next medicine is ready, stay close by. For preventive purposes."

"Okay."

That day, we slept in the village.

The next day, we worked hard to eradicate the epidemic.

I asked if I could help with the healer's work, mixed the ingredients for the medicine, and finished the task earlier than planned. I thought about learning, but I felt I would only get in the way with my current skills.

I wished for the village to return to peace without any more sick people.

"Where should we go next? Maybe we should ask the healer about making medicine."

Raphatalia's holy water is the priority, but I also want to learn how to make higher-level medicine.

"Hey, Sir Naofumi? Isn't it time for the wave?"

Huh!?

I came to my senses when Raphatalia spoke.

That's right.

I hurriedly opened the wave prediction.

There are only three and a half days left!

"Trouble! We only have three days and a little more left!"

We need to prepare more.

"Filo, let's hurry to the town below the castle!"

"Roger that!"

"Sir Holy... here..."

The village chief handed me a bag of gold.

"Sir Holy, here is the money you requested. Please accept it."

I hadn't realized my true identity hadn't been revealed this time.

"Ah..."

I took the bag of gold and counted how much was inside.

...Then I put about half of it back into another bag.

"Huh?"

"It's not just my work. The healer in this village also deserves credit. Give it to him."

"Y-Yes..."

That's right. If it weren't for that healer, it would have been dangerous. I alone couldn't have stopped the disease's progression.

In that sense, he is the one who deserves the credit.

"See you."

"Thank you very much!"

The villagers all came out to see us off.

If they find out my true identity later, will they make a sour face?

It's a complicated feeling.

But for now, I need to hurry and prepare. I can't even worry about the condition of the carriage!

We rushed to the town below the castle.

It was said that a rumor spread about a carriage speeding through the area that day...

On the way.

"Master, there's something there!"

"Huh?"

I stuck my head out of the carriage.

A wild Filo Real A appeared!

A wild Filo Real B appeared!

A wild Filo Real C appeared!

"Guah!?"

The Filo Reals were shocked to see Filo!

Filo Real A, B, and C fled in shock!

"What was that?"

They fled as soon as they encountered us...

It's like the behavior pattern of a rare monster that gives good experience and money.

Well, even if I caught and defeated the Filo Reals here, I wouldn't expect such high experience.

Maybe they were shocked to see the Filo Queen and fled. Or maybe there are more around here.

"That bird looks delicious, doesn't it? I always think that when I see one being raised by people."

"That's your kin."

I warned Filo, who was licking her lips. Does everything look like food to her?

It's scary how easily she might resort to cannibalism.

"I could catch and kill them now, Master."

"...Don't."

Is it too late?

She really lacks a sense of tension.

By the way, I hadn't checked our levels after the battle with the Dragon Zombie.

Me: Level 38

Raphatalia: Level 40★

Filo: Level 40★

★... Star?

"Hey, do you know what the star next to your level means?"

I have a bad feeling. What could it be?

"Um..."

"Filo doesn't know."

Ugh... Let me check the help.

...I don't understand.

Maybe it's listed, but I can't find it with ★.

We finally arrived in the town below the castle that day.

"Old man, sell us weapons and armor to prepare for the wave."

The old man, whom I hadn't seen in a while, put his hand to his forehead and thought.

"An, you always come suddenly."

"Business is a series of sudden events, don't you think?"

"Well, that's true. How much do you have to spend?"

"Let's see."

I slammed the income from the past month or so onto the counter where the old man stood. About four large bags of gold, each heavy with coins.

"How many silver coins are there? This much."

"An, count them properly! How much did you make, An?"

"Haha, the results of my peddling."

"Really... Does An have a hobby of surprising people?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"Well, let's count how much you have."

"Okay."

The old man, I, and Raphatalia counted the contents of the gold bags.

"By the way, did the girl get hurt?"

The old man pointed at Raphatalia, who was wrapped in bandages, while counting the gold.

"Yes, I was hit by a powerful monster's attack and received a strong curse."

I couldn't help but stop counting and turn to Raphatalia.

"Ah, a curse... That's troublesome. Is she still being treated?"

"Yes, I plan to buy holy water from the church later."

"I see."

Did I manage to cover it up...? No, he wouldn't think I cast the curse.

Phew.

"Can you also make a metal carriage for us after we buy the equipment?"

"An, you really ask me for everything."

"Is it impossible?"

"Well... I'm used to handling metal, but..."

It looked like a lot, but there were many copper coins, and when converted to silver, it wasn't as much as it seemed.

"Equivalent to 70 gold coins! You've made a fortune, An."

"I have a knack for business."

I'm somewhat proud of my business skills.

I might have been a bit of a merchant of death, though.

"Also, there's the equipment we took from the thieves."

I instructed Filo, who was looking around the store, to bring various items from the dilapidated carriage parked outside.

"I'll trade these in too."

"An, you're doing a lot of things."

"So, how much equipment can you sell me with this?"

"Let's see... The girl's weapon and armor, and An's armor..."

The old man thought deeply, as if reminiscing.

"I appreciate your loyalty to my store, but you might want to try other stores too?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the other heroes haven't been showing up lately, so I thought there might be a better store somewhere."

"Hmm..."

It's not an impossible scenario. Those guys have game information, so they might know of a store with better equipment than the old man's.

Assuming the old man's store has the best equipment in the town... maybe in another country?

"If you have any ideas?"

"If you go to a neighboring country, you might find better equipment than what I have."

"I'd rather stick with the old man's store than take a chance on a vague possibility."

"An..."

"In the worst case, I can have the old man make the weapons and armor. From what I can see... he's skilled, right?"

"Sure! I was an apprentice to a famous craftsman in the East when I was young."

"That's why I'm asking you. Considering efficiency and everything, I'm relying on you, old man."

"An. I understand. I'll live up to your expectations."

The old man leaned over the counter and looked at his store's inventory.

"Let's see... A high-level silver sword would be appropriate for the girl. Of course, with Blood Clean Coating."

I instructed him to set aside the equivalent of 10 gold coins. Of course, it included the trade-in value, making it 10 coins in total.

"Next, a magic silver armor with a magic defense coating would be appropriate."

"Magic defense coating?"

"A coating that absorbs the wearer's magic to enhance defense."

"I see."

Considering the possibility that I might not be able to protect her, I want to focus on Raphatalia's equipment.

The old man moved another 10 gold coins' worth. It's quite expensive.

But...

"Should we spend more on better equipment?"

"What about the metal carriage and the girl's treatment, An? Also, mismatched equipment can lead to reckless actions."

"That's true."

"Also, the best equipment I have in stock is limited to this."

"I see."

The old man's store offers the best equipment that is easy to handle, so it makes sense.

"From here on, it will be custom-made, which will take some time."

"That's a problem. The wave is coming in three days. Can it be ready in time?"

"Considering the procurement of materials, it won't be ready in time."

...That's true.

"I have a lot of various materials, but none of them are enough."

"Right... I thought the dragon's skin might be useful..."

"That's the problem, An. What will you do?"

"What do you mean?"

"In your case, I can make the equipment lighter with the Air Wake process, but I can also make new equipment with the materials you brought."

"Which one is better?"

"About the same. I recommend making new equipment because it has higher expandability."

"Hmm... By the way, if I add bones to the barbarian armor, the performance improves, right?"

"Ah, that's what I was going to suggest. Chimera and dragon bones are great materials. Then, replace the dragon's skin and decorate the center of the armor with the dragon's core, and it will be perfect."

The dragon's core is the souvenir Filo brought... It should make for good equipment.

"Wow... Then I'll go with that."

"Sure! I'll add the bone attachment for free, and charge for the processing and materials."

The old man moved 5 gold coins and took the materials to the back of the counter.

"An, leave the barbarian armor you're wearing here."

"Got it."

I went to the changing room, changed, and placed the barbarian armor on the counter.

"Master, I look like a villager."

"Shut up."

This bird has a sharp tongue.

"Hey, what about Filo?"

"You have the carriage."

I discussed with the old man and ordered a metal carriage, which was quite expensive.

It cost 10 gold coins, but I got a good deal.

"Hey, I want something like what Master and Raphatalia have."

"No."

"I want it, I want it, I want it!"

I was getting quite irritated by the bird's tantrum.

"Well, An. Why don't you buy some equipment for the bird girl?"

"But..."

This bird, with her hands or rather feet, can exceed Raphatalia's attack power.

It's more than enough.

"Is there something specific?"

"Hmm. The bird girl usually fights in her monster form, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then it's out of my jurisdiction. I can prepare something, but it's better to buy from a monster merchant."

"Monster merchant..."

That annoying smile comes to mind. In my imagination, that gentleman is saying "Welcome."

"Should I introduce you?"

"No, I have a place in mind."

I might as well go and see.

"Then, come back in two days. Your equipment should be ready by then."

"Got it. ...Hey, old man."

"What?"

"The level next to the star, do you know what it means?"

"Oh, have you reached the class-up level?"

"Class-up?"

"An, don't you know? Class-up means breaking the growth limit. By surpassing it, you can level up further, and when you class-up, you get a significant power boost."

What!?

So, it's like a job change or a rite of passage in games?

You can't get stronger without classing up.

"Normally, only knights and mages recognized by the country, and a few contracted adventurers, can class-up. But as a hero, An, you have the trust to do it, right?"

Thinking about it the other way, it makes sense why the thief group was unexpectedly weak. Their highest level was 40. The country puts a restriction on classing up for untrustworthy adventurers and villagers, managing them by power.

In other words, the country doesn't allow untrustworthy people to class-up...

"When you class-up, you decide your direction. I struggled with that decision... With the star, all possibilities are open, so it's even more challenging."

"...Where can you class-up?"

"An, haven't you been there before? You can do it at the Dragon-Carved Hourglass."

Can you do it there? Thinking about it, it does seem like a high-class, strictly managed facility.

...Maybe that's why I met the other heroes there... for classing up?

What levels are they at?

I'm getting quite frustrated.

"Then I'll go."

If it's possible, I should do it as soon as possible.

We left the weapon shop and hurried to the Dragon-Carved Hourglass...

The carriage had reached its limit, so we left it behind at the back of the weapon shop.

As a result, Filo was in human form.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

I see her every day at the inn, but it feels like a rare setup.

It's probably because she's been in bird form more often lately.

"By the way, classing up is said to broaden possibilities. What does that mean?"

"I want to class-up as you wish, Naofumi."

"...Don't. Raphatalia, you decide your own possibilities."

In the games I played before, there were light and dark routes for class changes, but the person should decide for themselves.

"Think about what you can become to survive even if I return to my world after the wave ends and I'm gone."

"Wait... Are you leaving