I Wanted a Cute Girl to Cast Healing Magic on Me, So I Kept Protecting My Allies—and Ended Up with an Overprotective Party - 48-49

Chapter 48: Saintess 2

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The two of them sat together at the edge of the bed. The Saintess took a seat to Emil’s left, sneaking a glance at her profile. Large blue-green eyes, long eyelashes, a sharp nose bridge, soft-looking lips. Beautiful. Cute. Both words fit her, but the one that suited her best was “beautiful.” Her features were beautiful. It was a word that applied regardless of gender.

“Um, Saintess-sama. What should I do?” 

Emil turned toward her as she spoke.

“There’s something I’d like to try. Will you listen to me?”

“Of course!”

“This time, I will cast Heal on you, Emil-san. And, well… I plan to use the same method you do.”

“The same method as me? But all I do is cast Heal normally, you know?”

“Normally…?”

The Saintess felt something off about that, but her intuition told her it was best not to think too deeply about it. She decided to gracefully ignore it.

“Well, right now I am in a position of guiding you, Emil-san. So, I’d like to share your perspective, or rather… By taking the same approach, I believe I can become closer to you. That is, in other words, I think I’ll be able to teach you more precisely.”

“Uh, so basically… We will become much closer?”

“Y-yes!”

“All right! So what should I do?”

“Would you hold out your hand?”

When told so, Emil turned her body slightly toward the Saintess while still seated, and held out her left hand. The Saintess also turned toward Emil, then gently enclosed her hand within both of her own.

(What soft, warm hands. I’ve held hands when offering prayers before, but this is the first time I’ve ever felt this way…)

“Heal…”

The Saintess recited the spell. But nothing happened. Naturally so—Heal was a spell meant for injuries. Casting it on someone unhurt had no effect. And yet the fact that she could sense Emil’s Heal proved the Saintess was, indeed, a special being.

“Emil-san, do you feel anything?”

“I’m sorry… I only feel Saintess-sama’s gentle warmth.”

(Why is this child so unbearably cute!?)

At those words, a new emotion surged up inside the Saintess. Desire…! The urge to touch, to feel, to be close. Even a Saintess was still human.

“I see… Well then, let’s take it a step further. Emil-san, would you stand up?”

Emil obediently rose to her feet, and the Saintess followed. They now stood facing each other.

“Then… Pardon me.”

The Saintess moved closer and softly hugged Emil. Emil’s face was serious, but her hands remained at her sides.

(Aah… What a feeling of safety. I sometimes hold small children, but this is the first time I’ve embraced another adult—another girl, at that…)

The bed was right nearby. If she leaned her weight in, she could easily push Emil down. But this was medical practice, and instruction. Training Emil would surely serve the country in the future. The Saint truly wished for the safety of the nation and its people.

“Heal…”

Again, nothing happened. Not even for the Saintess would recovery magic work on someone who needed no healing.

“Um… Emil-san, could you also put your arms around my back?”

“Yes!”

Without a trace of doubt, Emil placed her arms around the Saintess’s back.

(I-I’m being embraced by Emil-san…!)

The Saintess’s hands, resting on Emil’s back, tightened. Her breath grew faintly uneven… Their bodies pressed close… The softness of Emil’s upper body pressed against her…! At that instant, the Saintess’s mind went completely white. Two girls in an embrace by the bedside—the image was complete.

“Um, Saintess-sama?”

“Ah…!? F-forgive me.”

Emil’s voice brought the Saintess back to her senses. They separated and sat once more on the bed.

“Emil-san, lastly I’ll teach you the basics of magic control.”

“Yes! I’ll do my best!”

After that, the Saintess taught her ordinary magic control. Occasionally Emil cast Heal on her as practice. Their lesson continued until evening.

“Let’s stop here for today.”

“Thank you so much, Saintess-sama!”

“Please, think nothing of it.”

“Next time, I’ll come with everyone!”

“Yes. If I recall, I was asked to guide Rikuto-san, since he tends to overdo things.”

And with that, Emil left the room. The Saintess remained, gazing at the door, her thoughts drifting.

(I… I think I like…)

This entire sequence had been a medical act, and procedure known as Heal.

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Chapter 49: Ascension. And Then It Came

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Since Emil had returned from her training with the Saintess at the castle, we decided to talk about it over dinner.

“How was it? From what I saw, she looked like a kind person.”

 “Yes! She was very kind! She really thought about things from my point of view.”

 “I see, that’s great. Were you able to control your magic power better?”

 “Hmm, she taught me how, but… I don’t really feel any difference yet.”

Magic control, huh. If Emil managed to cast heal properly, would that mean the pleasant feeling of her Emil Heal would disappear? According to the Saintess, Emil was currently letting too much magic flow during her Heal. So if she learned to control it, it would probably turn into a normal Heal. That was a good thing, of course… But somehow, I felt a little lonely thinking about it.

“I see. Well, in that case, practice makes perfect.”

“Then how about we take a request from the guild tomorrow? Is everyone fine with that?”

After everyone agreed to Karinka-san’s proposal, Miya spoke up.

“Heh! I definitely won’t get hurt this time!”

“Miya, you’re more fired up than usual.”

 “Of course I am! That’s why, Karinka-san, please watch over Emil’s Heal closely.”

 “Eh, me? W-well, sure. Let’s all help Emil level up together. But avoiding injuries is still the top priority, okay?”

The next day, we accepted a request to subjugate monsters in a D-rank dungeon. Everything was going smoothly. Of course, I didn’t forget to use my 【Damage Adjustment】 skill to take a few light injuries.

“Emil, can I ask you to heal me?”

 “Yes!”

And so it was time for an Emil Heal. Emil hugged me from the front.  At this point, it was basically the same as being held in her arms. And… Yeah, ‘they’ were definitely pressing against me.

I was tempted to wrap my arms around her back, but that was absolutely not allowed. After all, the true bliss of Emil Heal lay in surrendering myself completely.

“Heal…”

My senses sharpened. The parts touching me felt softer, and my strength melted away. It felt as if I had become one with Emil. Thank god I had Heal Resistance.

“All done!”

“Thanks, Emil.”

“Next is Miya-san!”

Miya was, of course, the next target. 

Well, that’s what happens when you tempt fate like that. I didn’t say anything, though.

“I’m fine! Just the thought is enough to make me happy!”

“I see… That’s too bad…”

Emil’s shoulders drooped. Without a doubt, her intentions were 100% pure.

“Ahh, geez! Rikuto! Emil can control her magic better now, right!?”

“I think she’s gotten better than before.”

 “Got it. Emil, please!”

 “Miya-san…! Yes, I’ll do my best!”

And Emil hugged Miya from the front.

“It’ll be fine. I can handle it!”

“Heal…”

A soft green light wrapped around their bodies, making them look even more radiant.

“Ahh…! Ahh… Fweh…”

And thus, Miya ascended. …Even though I really did think Emil’s magic control had improved.

A few days later. The living room was filled with a tense atmosphere—because the Saintess herself had come to visit. Her escorts were apparently waiting outside on her orders, so as not to make us uncomfortable.

“I came today to ask a favor.”

“For the Saintess herself to come here in person… We would be more than happy to visit the castle as many times as needed.”

“No, I’m the one making the request here.”

“What kind of favor might it be?”

However, the Saintess didn’t immediately respond to Karinka-san’s question.

“Saintess-sama, is something the matter with Emil?”

“…N-no, it’s nothing. Anyway, the favor is… I would like to accompany your party on one of your expeditions.”

 “Eh!? You want to join us on an expedition?”

Karinka-san looked genuinely surprised. Understandably so—having the Saintess accompany an ordinary adventurer party was unheard of.

“Yes. I would like to observe your activities firsthand. There are things one can only understand by seeing them directly.”

“Ah, I see. That makes sense…”

Karinka-san nodded, seeming convinced by the explanation.

“But are you really sure about this?”

Again, the Saintess didn’t answer right away.

“Is there something about Emil that concerns you?”

“I-I’m sorry. A-Anyway, I’ve already spoken with His Majesty about it. I can join you on your expedition without incurring any problem.”

 “In that case, very well.”

After that, the conversation lightened. We talked about our party, our past work, and about Emil. She must really care about Emil as her student. A good teacher, indeed. And so, it was decided that the Saintess would accompany us on our next expedition. Both Emil and the Saintess looked genuinely happy about it.

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