I Wanted a Cute Girl to Cast Healing Magic on Me, So I Kept Protecting My Allies—and Ended Up with an Overprotective Party - 32

Chapter 32: Saintess

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Miya’s noble sacrifice (?), her ascension, had resulted in Emil leveling up. And ever since then, we stopped encountering monsters altogether.

I felt like I had seen this kind of situation somewhere before—or rather, it would be more accurate to say I had experienced it myself.

Before the joint expedition, a young woman known as a Saintess-sama had taken a prayer pose. At the time, I thought it was just for show. But it turned out I was wrong. That Saintess-sama had cast barrier magic over about fifty people at once. And she had done it casually, without even chanting.

Then I remembered something Karinka-san had said.

“There’s magic that only the Saintess can use, and barrier magic is one of them.”

If this was the result of Emil’s barrier magic, then… Could it be that Emil was actually a Saintess?

“Um, Karinka-san. Could this be barrier magic?”

“Well, if we just go by the situation, that’s what it seems like… But that can’t be it, right?”

“You said barrier magic can only be used by a Saintess-sama, didn’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right. All people have magic power, you see, but the amount of magic power varies from person to person. Just like athletic ability differs between individuals, it’s the same with magic power. And among them, the Saintess is said to possess extraordinary magical power.”

“So what’s the possibility that Emil is a Saintess-sama?”

“Hmm…Iit’s hard to believe, but if she weren’t, this situation wouldn’t make sense either.”

“See? I told you so! Emil really is a Saintess!”

“I’m a Saintess!?”

This kind of ridiculous conversation was only possible because no monsters were approaching us.

“Oh yeah, I just remembered. When we went to the dragon’s nest with Karinka-san’s party before, Mint-san said Emil had incredible potential as a healer.”

If Mint-san, an A-Rank healer, said so, then it was probably true.

“Mint said that, huh. She is really good at sensing magic power, so she must’ve felt something from Emil.”

For the time being, we decided to discuss this matter after returning home and focused on exiting the dungeon. And even on the way back, we didn’t run into a single monster, so we made it to the guild earlier than planned—by 7 PM.

As usual, I went up to the reception desk to report on behalf of the party. There were a few counters, but of course, I headed to the one with Kasumi-san. Carrying the guild-issued bag stuffed full of harvested herbs, I walked up to the beautiful black-haired lady.

“We’ve completed the request. Here’s the request form and the collected herbs as proof.”

“Alright, I’ll check them over.”

“Kasumi-san, you’re always here. Are you getting enough rest?”

“Oh? You’re worried about me? Thank you. Don’t worry—I’m going home properly.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Fufu, Rikuto-san, you really are kind. Maybe that’s why you’re so popular with the girls?”

“No, no, not at all. It’s just a coincidence that my party members happen to be women.”

“Or maybe… There’s someone in your party who likes you?”

“Haha, no way.”

So I said that, but even I had a few guesses. Like the girl who kept calling me her boyfriend without asking, or the one whose sense of personal space suddenly glitched out one day.

Am I in danger?

“Okay, with this, the request is officially complete. Here’s your reward. Also, I’ll go ahead and file the application to have you promoted to D-Rank. Please come back in three days.”

After that, I headed back to where the others were waiting in the entrance hall. On the way, I overheard the title Light Armor Tank again. Apparently, the nickname had caught on, which gave me mixed feelings.

After we returned home, I went to take a bath first. I was last in line today, but surprisingly, the three girls had bathed together to save time.

That kind of thing really fires up the imagination. …No, no, I shouldn’t be thinking about my own party members like that.

Still, while I was soaking in the tub afterward, I couldn’t help but be conscious of them.

Once we’d all gotten clean, we sat around the table for dinner—me, the gentle and dependable older sister type, the girl who was excited in entirely the wrong ways, and the girl whose sense of personal space was completely broken.

“Rikuto, how long is Emil planning to stay like that, I wonder?”

“Why are you asking me?”

Today as well, Emil had scooted her chair flush up against mine and was interfering with my meal, entirely without ill intent.

“Hey, Emil, isn’t it hard for you to eat like that?”

“I’m totally fine!”

“And how do you think I feel?”

“This meat is melting in my mouth~!”

Yeah, my question got completely ignored again. After dinner, Karinka-san addressed all of us.

“Everyone, can I have your attention? It’s about Emil. We didn’t encounter a single monster on the way back from the dungeon, right? That might’ve been due to barrier magic. And if so, it means Emil was the one who activated it.”

“Then… Does that mean Emil might really be a Saintess?”

“If that really was barrier magic, yes. So, I’m thinking we should go to the royal capital and meet with the Saintess there.”

“I’m in favor for that!”

Miya agreed instantly.

“What about you, Emil?”

“I’m a Saintess-sama…? I can’t believe it. But… If there’s anything I can do, I want to help as many people as I can.”

“And you, Rikuto?”

“Well, I became an adventurer because I wanted to help Emil. So if that’s what Emil wants, I’ll support her however I can.”

“Alright, sounds like everyone’s in agreement. Then let’s head for the royal capital.”

And just like that, our party’s first long-distance expedition was decided—along with the two girls who each came with their own special kind of concern.

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