I Wanted a Cute Girl to Cast Healing Magic on Me, So I Kept Protecting My Allies—and Ended Up with an Overprotective Party - 35

Chapter 35: Can’t You Do It Without Touching?

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When Emil cast Heal on Saintess-sama, she told us, “Please come again tomorrow.”

And so, we headed to the castle again today. All of us gathered around a table in the inn’s dining hall to have breakfast. I decided this was the perfect moment to ask Karinka-san about something fundamental.

“What exactly is a Saintess?”

When I said that, Karinka-san tilted her head slightly. Emil and Miya had similar reactions.

Ah, right.

There were no Saintess in Japan, but apparently in this world, it was common knowledge. Which meant, for someone born and raised here, not knowing about the Saintess would seem odd.

“No, I mean, it’s just… It feels like the existence of a Saintess suddenly became a lot closer than I thought. Like, if Emil might be one, I figured I’d want to review what it means, and thought I’d like to hear it from you, Karinka-san.”

“I see. Yeah, I was really surprised too. I never imagined Emil could possibly become the Saintess.”

Just like in stories about other worlds, it was probably a role reserved only for a select few.

“A Saintess is someone you could say is essential to the stability of the world. For example, I think I mentioned this before, but the reason monsters don’t appear in or around the city is thanks to Saintess-sama’s barrier magic.”

“Right, there’s no way monsters would be that considerate and just stay away on their own. So if there were no Saintess, monsters could just waltz into the city?”

“Hmm, rather than that, I’d say it’s more of a precaution. Most monsters share a trait where they don’t leave their habitats, but that’s not true for all of them. Besides that, the Saintess also helps people by listening to their troubles, offering guidance, hearing confessions… I hear it’s an incredibly busy role. All the people waiting yesterday, just like us, were there to request an audience with Saintess-sama.”

“That’s insanely busy. So what kind of person can become a Saintess? Is it based on bloodline?”

“That’s part of it, but I think it’s more about aptitude. It’s said that once in a great while, a girl will appear with magic power of the same quality and ability as the current Saintess. Whether they volunteer or are discovered by the country varies case by case.”

“So Emil might be one of those rare people.”

“That’s what we’re going to find out today.”

Emil might be a Saintess. That would be an incredible honor, but from what I’d heard, it also sounded like an overwhelmingly demanding responsibility. If it were me, I’d absolutely turn it down—but this was Emil’s decision to make. If Emil didn’t want it, then we could just keep working together as adventurers and aim for S-Rank.

“What would you do, Emil, if they told you you really could become the Saintess?”

“The reason I’ve been working as an adventurer like this is because I want to use my powers to help people. So if I could become the Saintess, I think that would be wonderful… Though, all I can do is Heal.”

When the word “Heal” came out of Emil’s mouth, I felt my heart skip a beat. Apparently, Karinka-san and Miya felt the same—they both flinched in reaction.

When we arrived at the castle, we waited in the same room as yesterday, and about an hour later, we were called in again. In front of a towering stained-glass window stood Saintess-sama, hands held in front of her.

The atmosphere around her was so mystical, I felt like I could actually see the mysterious aura surrounding her. She hadn’t even flinched at Emil’s Heal. She must have a power that sets her apart from others.

“Welcome. Shall we continue from where we left off yesterday?”

Karinka-san handled the conversation with Saintess-sama.

“Yes. You mentioned yesterday that Emil may have the aptitude of a healer, and that you sensed something different in her. We came today to hear your thoughts.”

“To be direct, I believe Emil-san has the potential to become the Saintess. She cast Heal on me yesterday, and based on the quality, flow, and quantity of her magical power, she has reached a level far beyond what others can achieve. So I can understand why she might be able to use barrier magic.”

Seriously? Emil might be the Saintess? If that’s true… Does that mean this is the end of our time adventuring together…?

“However, it seems that Emil-san has difficulty controlling her magical power.”

“Controlling magic…?”

“Yes. When Emil-san casts Heal, an excessive amount of magic pours into the recipient—far more than necessary. To give an example, it’s like needing only a drop of water, but unleashing an entire waterfall.”

“What can she do to fix that?”

“That will have to come from Emil-san’s own sense and experience. The quickest path is by leveling up. She’ll also need to get used to using her power too.”

“So basically, she needs to use Heal a lot to improve, right?”

“Yes. However, healing magic like Heal only works on those who are injured. So compared to other job classes, it’s much harder to level up as a healer.”

I see. So Saintess-sama thinks so too, but this is not really a problem for me. After all, I’m the only one with the cheat skill like 【Damage Adjustment】.

“Thank you, Saintess-sama. Then our goal will be to help Emil level up.”

“I’m glad I could help. That said… I’d like to confirm it once more, just to be sure. Emil-san, could you cast Heal on me again?”

Is she serious? She volunteered herself? So it’s not just me. Well, she looked totally fine yesterday, so I guess it’s nothing to her.

Just like yesterday, Emil stood to the right of Saintess-sama, who stood on the left. The distance between them was just as close as before.

“Um, where should I pretend you’re injured today?”

“Let’s go with just above the chest. It’s close to the heart, so you could imagine this as an emergency situation where I need to be healed there.”

“Understood.”

Emil said this and placed her hands gently over Saintess-sama’s chest.

“Heal…”

A faint green glow, characteristic of healing magic, spread across Saintess-sama’s chest. If a male healer did this, he’d probably be arrested. But as expected of Saintess-sama, her expression remained composed and dignified.

After the spell, Emil stepped back and stood with us again.

“Just as I thought, Emil-san has the qualities necessary to become a Saintess. From here on, it’s up to Emil-san herself. Your future is in your hands, Emil-san.”

“Thank you very much.” 

Karinka-san said on our behalf. Then Saintess-sama asked us a question.

“I believe I asked this yesterday as well, but you all regularly recover using Emil-san’s Heal, correct?”

“Yes. It’s impossible to avoid injuries as adventurers after all.” 

Karinka-san replied.

“I see. That’s truly amazing. If anything comes up, please don’t hesitate to return here.”

With that, the audience with Saintess-sama ended. Since we were already out, we decided to have lunch at a restaurant.

“Karinka-san, Miya. It seems like Emil needs to use Heal more in order to level up. So if you get injured, please let her heal you.”

I suggested that, but the two of them just fidgeted, not responding particularly well to that suggestion. 

Emil’s growth is important, but I should probably focus on leveling myself up seriously soon, too.

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[Just after Rikuto and the others left the room (Saintess-sama’s POV)]

After Rikuto and the others left, just like yesterday, Saintess-sama asked the two knights guarding her to leave the room. They did so obediently, and soon the large chamber was left with only Saintess-sama herself.

She looked a little flustered as she made her way to her usual chair with a backrest. No—barely made her way there might be more accurate. Seated, Saintess-sama leaned back, looked to the heavens, and cradled her head as she recalled what had just happened.

Just as I thought, that was dangerous after all! What was that feeling!? I could barely keep my expression in check…! And I blurted out “chest” without thinking… I nearly had my first time… with a girl…! Does that girl have to touch in order to cast it…? Still, Emil-san’s magical power is the real thing. If she can just learn to control it, I’m sure she’ll…!

The truth was, Saintess-sama hadn’t been fine at all. But she couldn’t risk giving them false information, even by mistake. That was why she had insisted Emil cast Heal on her once more.

And the other three too… They receive Emil-san’s Heal regularly. They must be something extraordinary then.

Saintess-sama believed that the entire party possessed incredible potential.

Ahh… I wonder if Emil-san will keep coming back?

And just like that, even though they hadn’t done anything yet, Rikuto’s party had earned Saintess-sama’s high praise. Of course, Saintess-sama’s opinion of Emil also skyrocketed.

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