I Wanted a Cute Girl to Cast Healing Magic on Me, So I Kept Protecting My Allies—and Ended Up with an Overprotective Party - 40

Chapter 40: Completely Oblivious That the Heal Is Unparalleled

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In front of me right now stood two beautiful girls. One with long silver hair, the other with medium-length light blue hair. The two of them were facing each other.

The silver-haired beauty gently cupped the cheeks of the light-blue-haired girl with both hands and leaned in close. The expression on the blue-haired girl’s face had melted with bliss, and drool dripped from her mouth. Even if I explained that this was actually part of casting a healing spell, there wouldn’t be a single person who’d believe it.

But this was all for Emil’s improvement. Honestly, I wished I could switch places with Miya.

Still, looking at her like this… Miya is really making one hell of a face…

If Miya found out I’d seen her like this, it wouldn’t be surprising if she told me I had to take responsibility. Ahhh… If only I had a handkerchief right now, I’d at least wipe the drool off her face. But all I had on me was a one-handed sword and a flashlight. How powerless I was…! But since I was here, I might as well watch until the end.

Eventually, the pale green glow emanating from Emil’s hands faded, and she stepped away from Miya.

“Treatment complete, Miya-san~!”

Emil beamed with genuine joy. There was no trace of malice in her expression.

“Good work. So, did you feel anything that might indicate a level-up?”

“Hmm, I wonder. As far as I can tell, I didn’t feel anything at all.”

“I see. Well, it can’t be helped. If leveling up were that easy, every adventurer would be S-rank.”

Apparently, the only result this time was the noble (?) sacrifice of Miya. But experience was something you built up. Miya’s sacrifice definitely wasn’t a waste.

“Hey, Miya. You’re all done.”

I approached Miya and called out to her. But she didn’t respond. After repeating myself three times, she finally snapped out of it.

“Huh…!? What was I just doing…?”

“Looks like Emil’s healing just finished.”

“Oh, right, that’s what it was… Wait! Rikuto, what kind of face was I making!?”

“Uh, that’s hard to explain. But I can at least say… You might want to wipe your mouth.”

At that, Miya touched around her mouth with her hand, then she looked startled. Her face turned bright red as she glared at me and said.

“Rikuto, you better not forget this!”

“What did I even do?!”

I never thought a day would come when I’d have to make a retort like that. Anyway, we had defeated the boss dragon and obtained its magic stone. All that was left was to return and report it to the guild.

By the time we returned to the guild from the D-rank dungeon, it was already night. Still, since the guild operated 24 hours a day, it wasn’t a problem.

“Yes, this is indeed the dragon’s magic stone. Great job. Here is your reward.”

I accepted it on behalf of the group, and then the receptionist lady continued speaking.

“Actually, we received a message for Rikuto-san and your party. You’re requested to come to the castle the day after your quest—tomorrow is fine.”

“Huh? Why’s that?”

“I wasn’t told the details, but apparently the message came directly from the Saintess herself to the Guild Master.”

“Now I’m even more confused.”

“You’re heading back to your home base tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, that’s the plan.”

Our original purpose for coming to the royal capital had been to ask the Saintess why Emil could use barrier magic, which supposedly only a saintess was capable of. And we had achieved that goal. Taking on a quest at the royal capital’s guild was kind of a commemorative bonus.

In casual conversation, I had mentioned to the receptionist that we’d head back to our base once the job was done.

“In that case, you should stop by the Saintess’s place before you leave tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

There was no way we could turn that down. After explaining the situation to the others, we decided to visit the castle the next morning.

And so, the next day, we all headed to the castle. The room we were led into was grand and reminiscent of a church. Many people were visiting, just like the day before.

After waiting about an hour, it was finally our turn. We opened the lavishly decorated doors and entered. In front of a large stained-glass window stood the Saint, clad in a pure white robe with a hood and elegant embroidery. At her side were two knight escorts.

The Saintess stood two steps above us, and Karinka-san handled the conversation on our behalf.

“Thank you for coming, even on such short notice.”

“Not at all. We’re honored to have been summoned personally by the Saintess. What may we assist you with today?”

“I heard you’re leaving the royal capital.”

“Yes. Our base isn’t here in the capital.”

“I see. Do you plan on returning to the capital at any point?”

“As of now, it’s undecided. However, we may return to consult about Emil again.”

“Of course. You are welcome anytime.”

A short silence followed. The Saintess seemed lost in thought, saying nothing. So, what exactly was the reason she called us here?

“Thank you for your time today. We’ll take our leave now.”

“Ah…! Please wait!”

As Karinka-san spoke those words, the Saintess quickly stopped us in a flustered voice. Even the Saintess could get flustered, huh?

“I heard you defeated the boss in a D-rank dungeon. Did Emil-san level up?”

“No, we asked Emil, but she said she didn’t feel any change.”

“I see… Leveling up is a matter of accumulated experience. Progress, even bit by bit, is important. However… if it’s alright, may I confirm Emil-san’s power one more time?”

“Of course. Emil, would you mind?”

“Yes!”

Emil responded energetically and stepped up to the Saintess’s side. The Saintess on the left, Emil on the right.

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

“Let’s go with the back. Getting caught from behind is a real possibility, after all.”

This would be Emil’s third time healing the Saintess. The exchange flowed naturally.

-If I remember right, it was the face first, then the chest. This time it’s the back…Which means…

As expected, the Saintess turned her back to Emil, who reached around from behind, embracing her in a position like a back hug. Emil was slightly taller than the Saintess, and with her thick-soled boots, she was at the perfect height.

…Yeah, she’s totally touching her chest again.

“Heal…”

A pale green light emitted from Emil’s hands, enveloping the Saintess. The Saintess’s expression remained composed as she accepted the spell.

She really is something else.

“Thank you, Emil-san. It seems there was no level-up again, but with steady progress, you’re sure to blossom in time.”

“Yes!”

After that, we left the castle and boarded a carriage back to the city where our party was based.

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

After Rikuto and his party exited the room, the Saintess instructed her two knight escorts to leave as well. As they left, one whispered quietly.

“To care even about an unknown party… The Saintess truly is amazing!” 

They praised her from a distance they thought she couldn’t hear. Once they were gone, the Saintess was alone in the spacious room. She staggered slightly and sat in an ordinary chair with a backrest.

Looking up at the ceiling, she recalled the events just now.

I really called them here! But I couldn’t help it, not after hearing they were leaving the capital! Being hugged from behind… It felt so comforting and then she touched my chest again… If I let my guard down even a little, I feel like I’ll lose myself…But why do I already miss it so much? Also, calling that party D-rank? Isn’t that an underestimation?

The Saintess thought once again.

For people who regularly receive Emil’s healing and still keep their composure with ease… There must be some kind of mistake for them to be marked as D-rank adventurers! 

And so, unbeknownst to them, Rikuto and his party had become the hottest topic in the Saintess’s thoughts.

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