I Am Sought After by Everyone in a Different World Where the Power and Chastity of Men and Women Are Reversed - 172

Chapter 172: Epilogue ②

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

During the fight against the mutated Cursed Dragon, Elmie, Flora and Ferris had to risk their lives to protect me. That wasn’t the only time they had risked their lives for my sake. They had done so multiple times. Although I was aware of my feelings towards them before this incident, but I became even more sure of my feelings when I realized they had (temporarily) lost their lives. The feelings hidden in my heart overflowed. Raging like a storm. The things that used to serve as a dam to my feelings, such as the possibility of returning to my original world and the weird sense of chastity in this world compared to my previous world… Everything had disappeared. Of course, I was well aware of how easy it was to lose one’s life in this world, unlike in my original world. Danger was always lurking everywhere. This incident was not a surprise and although I was able to save everyone thanks to my job as a male saint, that kind of miracle wouldn’t happen the second time. Besides, I had been reduced to a mere healer now. I highly doubt I could perform the same miracle again. 

“Souma, your face is red. Are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine, Elmie!”

Elmie was peering into me with a worried expression on her face. She was so close to my face. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t think too much of this, but I couldn’t remain oblivious anymore. I felt flustered. I was in a pinch, not sure if I should confess to all three of them or not. After all, confessing to all three of them sounded like a bad idea no matter how I thought about it. On the other hand, I couldn’t just pick one of them. I loved them all equally. Also, what if I confessed and ended up being rejected by them? It would make things incredibly awkward. I wouldn’t be able to stay in the same house as them anymore.

“Maybe the fatigue from the journey is finally catching up to him now that we’ve all returned to Annick.”

“In any case, it’s best if we go home quickly so Souma can rest properly.”

Ferris and Flora were worried about me. For now, I had to remain calm. Flora’s suggestion sounded great though. I was incredibly exhausted and my thoughts were all over the place. I should rest and then I could think things through slowly. There were many people I had to see in Annick. The people at the orphanage, Delgart-san and many others. However, I was dead tired from the journey home to Annick from the royal capital. I should just visit them tomorrow. By the way, Guildmaster Thalia-san, Digiana and the other adventurers who rushed to the capital to help defeat the dragon had already returned to Annick before us.

“Aahhh! We’re finally back! I’m super exhausted!”

“I know, right? I’m so tired. I think I’m going to hit the bed early.”

“Yeah. Let’s go to sleep right away.”

It was still early in the evening when we finally arrived at the Blue Eternity’s party house. It had been two months since we slept in our bed. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this was the most tired I’ve ever been in my whole life. 

“Ah, right. I need to say it. Welcome back, Souma!”

“I will say it too! Welcome back, Souma!”

“Ri-Right. I need to say it too. Welcome back, Souma.”

“…Yeah! I’m home, Ferris, Flora, Elmie!”

Right. We were finally home.

　◆　◇　◆　◇　◆

When we finally arrived at our house in Annick, I dove straight to bed without even taking a shower. I slept like a log. I woke up around noon and I thought everyone must’ve already woken up before me, but it turned out everyone also got up around the same time as me. I see. Even though they were high-ranking adventurers, they were incredibly tired as well. It made sense why they also slept in like me.

After that, I went to visit everyone in Annick. It had been a long while since I last saw them and I had to give them the souvenirs I had brought from the capital too. I was happy to see that Riche, Digiana’s little sister and everyone else at the orphanage were doing well.

Of course, I also went to Yuja-san’s shop to thank him properly for all his help. It was all thanks to Yuja-san’s advice that we were able to find the correct method to imbue holy magic into potions. He had made great contributions during the battle against the dragon without him being physically there. Without those potions, we would’ve been dead by now. 

“…So? You will continue to provide healing treatment in this city, just like usual?”

“Yes. Unfortunately, I’m not a male saint anymore. I’m only a healer now, but I would like to keep treating people here if I could.”

And then, I went to visit Thalia-san at the Adventurers’ Guild. Thalia-san and the other adventurers had returned first before me. When I entered the guild, everyone present immediately surrounded us. It seemed they already heard about what had happened in the royal capital from those who had returned early. 

After talking with the other adventurers, I was guided to Thalia-san’s office. This was the only room in the guild where we could remain discreet.  Here, I could finally talk about my future with Thalia-san. Although I had lost my original job, but I still wanted to work as a healer at the treatment center. 

“Of course! The adventurers will be very pleased to know Souma-dono will keep on working as a healer! To be honest, I’m the one who’s feeling bad for having to ask someone like Souma-dono to keep on serving the town as a healer. Everyone already know about Souma-dono’s heroic deed after all.”

“No, no. I want to do it. However, I believe my healing effect will not be as strong as before.”

I couldn’t use high-level healing magic now that I had become a mere healer. I wouldn’t be able to heal people with serious injuries like missing limbs or anything like that. They had to go to the royal capital to get treated by Deva-san.

“What are you talking about, Souma-dono?! Your service will always be greatly appreciated!”

“That’s right. You’re not ‘only’ a healer. You are a healer. Any healer is precious in this world.”

“Yes. Having an active healer in the city is good to make the adventurers more confident in doing their jobs.”

“Yeah. We’re really grateful to have you here, Souma.”

I wasn’t a male saint anymore, but it seemed the adventurers were always starving for a healer. Having a healer in town was always a great thing. 

“Ah, but I have bad news for you all.”

“Hm? What is it?”

Bad news? I couldn’t help but to wonder if something had happened. The timing couldn’t be any worse, really. 

“It’s not set in stone yet, but we will be relieving the A-rank adventurer party, Blue Eternity, from their duty in escorting Souma-dono.”

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー