Translator: ノンぶりyuu
Unedited
Nearly 9k words! Wow ~.
Time to search for my next project ~
Feel free to point out any of my mistakes or awkward sentences ^^
Enjoy ~
Seven months have passed since I've been summoned.
The sunlight that blazed down during the daytime is still the same but it feels like the day is getting shorter.
Every morning while I'm watering the medicinal herbs I feel that the sun is rising later. I think that it's almost autumn soon.
"Good morning, Sei."
Jude who woke up and was adjusting his outfit, came while I'm watering the medicinal herbs with a watering can.
Although I'm watering the medicinal herbs, it didn't mean that I'm watering all of them.
To begin with, the medicinal herb garden had recently expanded so it was impossible for me to manage the whole place just by myself.
I'm only taking care of the herbs I personally use, in a corner of the research institute's medicinal herb garden.
There were many other researchers who have their own personal fields as well. They were all managed individually.
"If you had asked me, I would have helped out."
Jude looks at the watering can I'm holding and lowers his eyebrows.
Because Jude can use water attribute magic, he could water all the herbs without having to use a watering can.
When he knew that I was watering the herbs every morning, Jude told me that he could water the herbs using his water magic and has been helping me out.
But he doesn't help out every day. I feel guilty about asking him to do it every day so I only ask him to help out if I meet him before watering the herbs.
"Thanks. I'll just accept your feelings."
I smile and say my thanks. Jude laughs with a feeling of resignation.
I have just finished watering the herbs so Jude accompanies me back to have research institute.
Jude doesn't have his own field so it seems that he came out just to help me water my herbs.
"By the way, were the medicinal herbs arriving from the shop today?"
"Yeah. There's more herbs than usual so the Director said that the researchers also have to help move it to the warehouse."
I confirm today's schedule with Jude on our way back home.
Since we sell the potions to the 3rd Knight Order at wholesale price now, the medicinal herbs were not enough to cover the amount of potions sold so we started to stock herbs from the shop.
By the way, the shop we stock from is Jude's home because of that we were able to purchase the herbs at a cheaper price so the Director's happy.
According to Jude, his home was the biggest store in the capital and he handles varies things at the shop. He's always the first to know what ingredients are being purchased for the dining hall.
I thought that I asked for various unreasonable ingredients for the dining hall so I'm feeling a little apologetic.
"What time will the goods arrive?"
"Around the 3rd morning bell, right?"
"Then, I wonder if it's alright for me to arrive around that time?"
There are clocks in this world but they were very expensive. There are only a limited number of people who have it.
Therefore commoners knew the time from the bell chimes ringing from places like the church. The bell at the royal palace also rang at pre-set times.
The 3rd morning bell was about 9 A.M.
Even if I leave when I hear the bell ring, I'd still make it in time since the warehouse was next to the research institute.
I went to the warehouse when I heard the 3rd morning bell but there was nothing for me to do.
The large number of boxes containing medicinal herbs piled up in the wagon is being carried into the warehouse by the other researchers and assistants.
The majority of the herbs are used by me so I told them that I would help out but everyone declined.
No, well, I got to see everyone's strong point which I usually don't see and it was good eye candy for me. I wonder if it's okay if I'm the only one who thinks it's good?
I'm feeling somewhat guilty so I decide to stop watching them and instead go to deliver the potions to the 3rd Knight Order in place of the assigned person.
The potions are delivered on a wagon pulled by a donkey so it's not hard work.
The assistants will do the loading and unloading.
Oh yeah, we have coachman for the wagon now.
I was worried about whether I could control the donkey well at the beginning but it's pretty easy.
This is probably a really excellent donkey.
The donkey was a good boy who obediently listened to what I said.
This is probably something I wouldn't experience in Japan just like making potions.
"Huh? Sei?"
I encounter the Knights who have just finished training while the assistants were unloading the potions from the wagon at the side entrance.
Since they were training they weren't wearing their usual knight uniforms. Their clothing is slightly rough.
I sometimes went on subjugations with them and they would sometimes help me investigate food effects so I'm on good terms with the 3rd Knight Order.
To the extent that they would call out to me like this.
The Knights who called out to me, were heading my way. They see that the wagon next to me is piled up with potions so they could guess that I brought it here.
"Did you bring the potions here?"
"Yes."
"The research institute's potions are really effective. They really help us out during subjugations."
"Thank you."
After training the Knights shuffled in a circle around me.
Most of the Knights are taller than me and they have good physique so it feels like I'm being surrounded by walls.
This is a real meat wall, just kidding!
"You're always making a fair amount, isn't it hard? Next time would be double this amount, right?"
"Eh? Is it increasing?"
"Huh? Haven't you heard anything?"
I heard from a Knight that the amount of potions would double next time but I still haven't heard anything from the Director.
To be honest, I can make triple this amount by myself so there's no problem if it's doubled.
When I ask about it in detail, he told me that the next scheduled subjugation will be conducted by the 2nd and 3rd Knight Order. So it wasn't just the 3rd Knight Order that was ordering the potions but also the 2nd Knight Order.
The Director and Captain decided to do so because it would cause problems if only one party had effective potions.
Indeed, the amount of medicinal herbs delivered today was larger than usual.
"Are the Knight Orders joining up because a powerful monster had appeared?"
"It's not like that. We're going to the Ghosh Forest next so just to be safe, the two Knight Orders are joining hands."
"Ah."
The Ghosh Forest is where the Salamander appeared and although time has passed since it had appeared, there could still be another one out there so this time they're going on a massive subjugation mission.
"Is the 1st Knight Order not going?"
Since the 2nd and 3rd Knight Orders were going I thought that the 1st Knight order would also join in so I innocently asked but as soon as I did, the expression of the Knights around me grimed.
I might have asked something bad so I tilt my head and the Knights around me begin talking bitterly.
"The 1st Knight Order will be protecting His Highness."
"His Highness?"
"Ah, His Highness Kyle and his associates will be going to the East Forest to level up so the 1st Knight Order will be guarding them. They won't be joining the subjugation this time."
Kyle, Kyle…… Ah, that red-haired Prince?
I didn't know who he was for a moment there when they told me his name, I certainly remember that the 1st Prince had that kind of name.
"His Highness and his associates have already passed level 15. So even if they go to the East Forest, it'll be pretty hard for them to level up……"
"Yeah. If they're going then it'd probably be better for them to head to the South Forest."
"If they have guards escorting them, it's probably better for them to go to the South Forest, huh."
What the Knights are trying to say is that the East Forest is for beginnings so students up until level 12 will level up well there.
Therefore the First Prince and his associates who are already at level 15 would find it hard to level up at the East Forest.
The South Forest has stronger monsters than the East Forest and it's easier for people to level up from level 12 ~ 20.
After that I ask about it and I heard that the First Prince used to go to the South Forest. I wonder why he's going to the East Forest now.
"It's because of her right? The Saint-sama"
"Well, it's mostly because of her."
"Saint-sama?"
"A girl being protected by His Highness. They call her that."
When I inadvertently respond to the word【Saint】, the Knights tell me various things about the Saint-sama.
I could guess who it was when they told me she was being protected by the First Prince and yup, it was about Aira-chan.
To summarise the Knight's stories, Aira-chan is attending the Royal Academy and the First Prince and his close associates are looking after her.
The First Prince reasoned that because she was the 【Saint】it was better for the country if she levelled up faster.
She had entered the Royal Academy later than her classmates so in order for her to level up faster it was better for them to head to the forest with the 1st Knight Order, who're higher level than her. This way they could level her up faster than usual.
Of course, the First Prince is royalty and his close associates are all sons of aristocrats so the 1st Knight Order are accompany them for safety reasons.
Since they were power-levelling her it was better for them to do so at the South Forest but the First Prince strongly opposed saying that it was dangerous so they're heading to the East Forest instead.
The other reason was that there was no longer a need for Aira-chan to level up and catch up to her classmates.
"He is really treating her like she's glass."
As a person summoned together with Aira-chan, I'm a little relieved that she didn't met with any bad experiences.
She is younger than me I'm a little worried after all.
I think I looked relieved but the Knights who are looking at me have a strange expression on their faces.
Eh? What is it?
"Sei feels more like a Saint-sama than that Saint-sama."
"His Highness doesn't have a discerning eye."
"If something happens tell us. If it's something we can do then we'll do it!"
They were trying to comfort me while looking at me with eyes of pity. Even if you don't worry so much I'm okay, you know?
I do what I want. I'm having fun living my ordinary peaceful life, you know?
"Ahaha, Thank you. I will let you know if anything happens."
Everyone says that I'm like a 【Saint】. When something bad happens I'm really like a 【Saint】, huh?
According to my Status anyway.
But I will not positively affirm it nor do I intend to publicise it.
I don't intend to deny is either because it might be found out one day.
I'm still a little bit peeved at what had happened on the day I was summoned so I'm not going to obediently admit it.
So I want to spend my life as an ordinary person until the day someone finds out.
I recall the story I heard from the 3rd Knight Order the other day.
Yeah, it's about the girl who was summoned together with me.
She was taken by the first Prince and now attends the Royal Academy.
I think she's still around the age to be a student so that in itself doesn't matter.
What I'm concerned about is that her level was lower than her classmates at the time of admittance.
After parting with the Knights, I returned to the research institute and confirmed it with Jude. I talked to him about whether there are a lot of people around level 7 or 8 in their first year at school.
The Knights said that there were many third graders who were level 12 ~16; the Prince and his associates were excellent students so they exceeded that and was at level 15.
Because she's being accompanied by her classmates, Aira-chan's highest level would be the same as the Prince and his associates, level 15.
I remember my level.
Or rather, I just checked it a while back. I didn't raise my level and my level hasn't risen since I've been summoned.
It remains at level 55.
Yes, level 55.
Comparing it now, Aira-chan is level 15 and I'm level 55……
Even if Aira-chan level is higher than 15, it's probably lower than mine, right?
I was somewhat concerned and asked. Jude is level 20 and even most of the Knights were around level 30.
I don't think her level is higher than theirs.
What on earth is with this level difference?
I have a really unpleasant idea but I don't want to think about it much.
I don't want to think that it's because of our age difference but I'll hate it even more if I was the 【Saint】and Aira-chan wasn't.
If it was like that then I wouldn't be able to live my normal peaceful life.
Aira-chan would also hate it, right?
She was summoned by the 【Saint Summoning Ceremony】but she's not the【Saint】……
"Hey, you put a lot of energy into making it, huh."
When I turn around at the voice that called out to me, I see the Director looking stunned.
I silently made potions while in deep thought so I made more than planned.
The research institute recently started selling potions to the 3rd Knight Order at wholesale price so I aimed to increase the efficiency by making a lot of potions at once. On the desk next to the kettle I'm mixing right now is 1 ~ 5 times more potions than what a normal pharmacist would make.
"I am sorry. I made too much while in deep thought."
"It still looks like you have some room for more so could you double this amount by the end of today?"
"Well, if it is just that much then I can make some room for it."
I said to the Director with a bitter smile and his cheeks twitch.
When I first came to the research institute and he saw that I was making a lot of low HP potions, he was worried about my MP getting depleted but recently, he doesn't worry.
Instead he worries about the herbs in the medicinal herb garden decreasing day by day.
Since they are used in advanced HP potions, he couldn't allow it to decrease any further so there's a current use ban on it.
It doesn't seem like my pharmacy skill level would rise any further so recently, whenever I need to make advanced HP potions for the 3rd Knight Order, the materials are purchased from the store so I only make a small amount.
Advanced HP potions is both effective and very expensive so in the recent subjugations to the East and South Forest, the Knight Order doesn't use it unless they have to. So even if I make a lot of it, it'll just accumulate.
This time, however, they're going to the West Forest for the first time in a long time so it's better for them to use the advanced HP potions that they normally don't use. Therefore I've increased the production rate by a little.
The only thing I could do as an ordinary person was to make potions so I made them enthusiastically but the look on the Director's face told me that I overdid it a little.
I had planned on using the whole day to finish my work but I inadvertently finished everything in the morning so I decided to go to the royal palace library.
I want to search for books on medicinal herbs that could be made into potions which are more effective than advanced HP potions.
I've been researching medicinal plants for a long time but I still haven't found anything yet.
When I previously asked Liz, she told me that there might be books containing that information in the prohibited book warehouse but ordinary people can't enter that warehouse.
Since there's no choice, I'm reading all the books related to medicinal herbs.
There's still a long way to go.
Even now to kill time, I'm searching for a book that seems like it would be related to medicinal herbs but then I find a book that interests me so I take it.
The title of the book included the words 「Holy Magic Attribute」.
My level is odd but what's weirder is the level of my holy magic in my status.
What is ∞?
Levels that aren't even represented by numbers might be related to the 【Saint】.
Since I came across the subject by chance I was able to ask about basic levels, but I haven't heard anything about attribute magic levels so I don't know what the average is.
If I'm too persistent then they'll ask questions so I couldn't ask any more than that.
I had timidly asked about basic levels but thankfully no one asked me about my level.
Now let's return to the main subject.
Although the book is about holy magic, I don't think that my level would raise higher than this so I don't have anything in particular I want to study.
Also, my pharmacy and cooking skills are still levelling up so it was way more fun.
But after coming here I though a little about what I'd heard about Aira-chan.
She was summoned at the same time as me but her level was lower than mine.
Because of this, the possibility of her holy attribute magic being lower than mine is also high.
Of course, it's fine if she was the same level as me or rather I hope that she's the same level as me.
That way I can remain an ordinary person forever.
Because as soon as I become a 【Saint】, the chances where I'll have to be together with that Prince will increase, you know.
I really want to avoid that.
Ah, I strayed again.
Hearing about Aira-chan and the subjugation to the East Forest made me think that it's better for me to learn a little magic.
The subjugation will commence where that Salamander appeared.
I heard from the Knights that the monsters had decreased recently but I'm still a little worried after all.
A lot of people may get injured like that time. There may even be cases where potions just weren't enough and magic was needed.
I remember someone saying at that time that potions might not be enough and that they would need magic to heal the wounds.
If something like that were to happen then I feel that it'd be better to have some knowledge of magic rather than have none at all.
That's why I was interested in the book about holy attribute magic.
"Are you interested in magic?"
I turn to face the voice that abruptly called out to me and is surprise to see a man standing close to me.
The book I took was certainly about holy attribute magic so it's quite difficult.
In other words, my eyes were gliding from left to right. I was so immersed in reading that I didn't notice that someone had approached me until they had called out.
"That book is extremely difficult……"
"Yes. I was just thinking that it would be nice if I had something simpler."
"Then how about this one?"
He took a book from the opposite bookshelf and handed it to me.
I flip through the pages. It was much simpler than the book I was reading earlier.
Even a beginner like me could understand something like this.
"Thank you."
"No problem."
We only talked to that extent but he's staring at me.
Yup, it feels uncomfortable.
Because he is very similar to him.
The man looks a bit older than me and I have a feeling that he didn't suddenly just age.
The man is also a lot taller than me but he's probably shorter than the Captain.
When I look up a little, I can see bright copper hair on his head.
His lips are drawn in an arc, he had gentle narrow eyes and a straight nose.
His features are well-balanced and really resembles that person.
Although their features are similar, his face deviation value is also very high.
Since he was older, I feel that he has more destructive powers than him.
What can I say, there's a wide difference.
"It's a bit late but I am Seigfried Slantania."
I'm sure I look doubtful.
His face changed from a laughing one to a serious one as he introduced himself and he bowed beautifully.
From his sophisticated graceful movements and his name, he's definitely one of this country's loyalties, right?
Or rather, he is royalty right?
"Can I call you Sei?"
"Y-yes."
Dammit, I was supposed to give my greetings.
I forgot to introduce myself probably because I was so surprised and dumbfounded. By the time I'd noticed he'd already introduced himself and confirmed my name.
I should return his greeting now, right?
"My name is Sei."
I pinch my skirt like an aristocrat woman, bend my knees and bow.
It's called courtesy.
The other person seems to be from royalty, so I think that politeness is important.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
There are times I might meet aristocrats without knowing anything since I'm in the royal palace so it was good that I learnt a bit from Liz.
"You don't have to be that formal. I'm the one who should be apologising to you."
Seigfield-sama touched my arm, flustered and snapped me out of my thoughts.
Even if he said so, I don't think there's anything that he should be apologising for.
"I heard that my son has been very disrespectful to you. I apologise for his foolishness."
"Your son?"
"Yes."
"Mhm ~, your son is Kyle…… Is it about His Highness?"
"Yes."
When the man in front of me said son, it reminded me of the first Prince.
I'm sure his name was Kyle. Looks like I was right.
"Ah, please raise your head!"
"But……"
"I did not mind."
It was a lie when I said I didn't mind but I think that having a King lower his head is a problem.
I want him to stop, it's really bad for my heart.
"I originally wanted to apologise much faster in a proper place but…… I apologise that I'm doing it in such a place."
"No, please do not worry about it. I would rather it be here."
According to the King, there were various political problems and an official apology would take place later.
I, however, think that doing nothing would also be a problem. The King heard that I often come to the library alone so he often visited the library to meet me.
It seems that we kept missing each other so he wasn't able to meet me.
But well I don't need such an overwhelming apology in an official or informal place.
He politely told me in a roundabout way……
"I wanted to apologise. You've also made various achievements since coming to this Kingdom. I would like to award you, is there anything you want? For example, territory or rank……"
"No, thank you."
"I see. Then how about a mansion in the capital……"
"I would also like to refuse that. I would not be able to manage it."
"Then how about I prepare some servants there as well?"
"Servants!?"
After that, he offered me various things as reward but each and every one of them were too much for me so I earnestly refused.
He also offered me dresses and accessories.
I'm interested in it but I politely refuse because I can't maintain them.
Then he said, "It's just like Johan said", while smiling bitterly.
I heard that conversations about giving me a reward have been brought up before but the Director put an end to those conversations.
He said I'll probably refused.
Good job, Director.
"Oh well. I'll give up for today, but if you can think of anything you want please let me know. If it's within my powers then I'll prepare it for you."
The King smiles bitterly and ends the conversation there. It was time for him to return and my sudden audience with the King was over.
Yup, it was bad for my heart in various ways.
"Ouch."
Today isn't my usual cooking class day but I feel somewhat humoured so I'm helping out at the dining hall.
The menu has already been decided so I'm just cutting up the ingredients.
I carelessly cut my fingers while cutting up the vegetables.
It doesn't look like I cut it too deeply but blood is oozing out bit by bit.
I secretly glance around and the chefs are all busy preparing for lunch so no one's looking my way.
"『Heal』."
I cast recovery magic in a small voice so that no one else can hear me. The cut on my finger healed in no time.
Magic is amazing.
I read the books I borrowed from the royal palace library the other day and learnt how to use magic.
Should it become necessary, classroom learning just wasn't enough so I'm actively using it when the opportunity arises.
It's called practicing.
It seems that I made the right decision to practice magic. At first, I couldn't invoke it very well.
I tried different things with a book in hand and now I'm able to use magic so I decided that it was good to practice.
Now it'll be no problem if magic was needed for treatment when the Knight Orders returned from the Ghosh Forest.
The potion deliveries were finished and the 2nd and 3rd Knight Orders headed to the Ghosh Forest in the West just as planned.
After the Knights departed, I prayed for their safe return.
Then the subjugation mission at Ghosh Forest to the West of the capital finished and the 2nd and 3rd Knight Orders returned to the capital.
It's further away from the capital than the East and South Forest and it took them about two weeks to get back after they'd left.
The potions seemed to be useful. When I heard that no one had died in this subjugation, I sighed in relief. That was a week ago.
Although no one died, there are people who were injured. There are also people who will be hospitalised in a hospital like place once they returned to the capital.
Immediately after coming home from the subjugation, there were various proceedings. I heard from the Captain that he was busy so after a few days had passed, I decided to visit the hospital.
Because I heard that some of the Knights from the 3rd Knight Order who I've become friends with, were hospitalised.
I brought the cookies I always baked when I went to visit them in the hospital.
"Hello ~."
"Oh ~, isn't that Sei?"
"How are you feeling?"
"Just fine, I'm fine."
"What're you saying? You looked like you were at death's door when you came back."
"Shut up ~."
The building that I entered to visit everyone certainly feels like a hospital. The room that the Knights are in is big enough to fit 10 people.
There are many people still suffering from lacerations and puncture wounds in the first room I find the Knights in.
I listen to their story. It seems that a lot of monsters had accumulated in the West Forest because no one had subjugated there for a while so there are a lot of causalities this time.
They used potions as much as they could so somehow no one died.
The people in this room used the potions to stop the bleeding and returned to the capital.
It's been a week and they look healthy but as a matter of fact, there are still a lot of people who need to rest.
They are taking a break from subjugation since a reasonable amount of people are hospitalised but the people who could work have already left the hospital and returned to the Knight Order.
They said that it took them twice as long to catch up on training if they skipped.
It was normal for me but I have a hunch that the Knights are also workaholics.
"It must have been tough."
"Even so, I'm glad I could return alive."
"Yeah, it's all thanks to Sei's potions."
"I'm glad the potions were useful."
I feel a little shy since everyone's thanking me.
I'm glad that no one died.
We talk about various things and I find out that there are Knights from the 3rd Knight Order in other rooms as well so I say my goodbyes to the people in this room and move onto the next one.
All the rooms I go to feel the same. Everyone was thanking me so I'm glad I worked hard on producing potions.
I wonder how many rooms I visited carefreely like this.
I found a Knight I knew in the room and lost my voice.
"Oh, did you come to visit me?"
He greeted me with his usual grin but his left arm isn't there.
I want to nod in reply but when he saw how different my attitude was from normal, he put his right hand on his head.
I never thought that I'd be so shock to not see something that is always there.
What can I say? My words aren't coming out.
"That arm……"
"Oh, I made a blunder."
He smiled hearty and told me it was taken by a monster.
When I asked him if he couldn't heal it with potions he told me that the most potions can do is heal lost fingertips. Healing a lost arm was impossible.
He laughed and said that the Captain got lucky that time with the Salamander.
"If you couldn't heal it with potions, then what's left is healing it with recovery magic?"
"Yup, well yeah but."
I've heard before that recovery magic was more effective than potions before but when I talked about, he has a strange expression on his face as he hesitated.
"Is something wrong?"
"It's hard to heal the loss of limbs even with recovery magic."
According to him, level 8 holy magic attribute was needed to cast recovery magic that could heal lost limbs.
The problem was that no one at the royal palace had higher than level 6 holy attribute magic so no one could heal lost limbs.
"Is there no one?"
"There are only a few people who could use holy attribute magic within the Mage Division."
There were few mages in the Mage Division in the first place and their magic attributes varied. Recovery magic couldn't be used with most magic attributes so only those who had an aptitude for holy attribute magic could cast recovery magic high enough to heal lost limbs.
If magic attributes were equality distributed amongst the mages, then just how few of them can use recovery magic?
"I'm just glad that I could use the potions to stop the bleeding. If not, then I probably wouldn't have made it."
It's painful to listen.
"Thanks for coming today. I'm glad I could see you in the end."
"Eh? In the end?"
"When I'm able to move, I decided that I would quit the Knight Order and go back to my hometown. It's hard to be a knight with this arm."
I agree with what he's saying.
But I don't want to agree with it.
I stare at his arm that disappears half way down his upper arm.
Is it because the potion stopped his bleeding? Flesh beautifully covered over the opening and I can't see his bones.
Just because it's gone, I can't agree with what he said.
He must be a former commoner who entered the Knight Order after he graduated from the Royal Academy.
If he quits the Knight Order then he'll be a commoner once again, and won't be able to come to the royal palace anymore.
When I think like that, I get really lonely.
I softly touch his arm and his body shakes in surprise.
"If…… If you can heal your arm, would you?"
"That……"
His smiling face up until now scrunched up at my question.
Well yeah.
No one likes to lose their arm.
Level 8 holy attribute magic was needed to heal a lost limb.
I fulfil that condition perfectly.
But if I heal him here, then I think it'd be difficult to keep insisting that I'm an ordinary person.
If he was a stranger then I could pretend that I didn't see anything and walk away.
No…………
Perhaps even if he was a strange, I'll end up healing him anyway because I've already seen him.
Even if I pretend that I didn't see anything and leave, I'd probably worry about it so much that I'd return.
I'd feel gloomy.
I'm quite the coward.
I concentrate magic power into the palm that's touching him.
Depending on how much magic power I concentrate, I can adjust how well he heals.
This time I will heal his lost arm so I concentrate more magic power than usual.
Please heal.
I pray as I cast my magic.
"『Heal』."
I chant my magic and a pale white light covers the Knight's body.
Something that looked like a white dense mist gathers around his missing left arm and gradually shapes into an arm.
The haze dimly radiated white. It's the same light that's covering his body although the shades is different.
Gold particles intertwined like a lameI)cloth made from silver and gold thread inside of the white haze and it's sparkling.
The Knight shone for just a few minutes and when the light settled down, he had a left arm.
The Knight looked at his left arm for a while, dumbfounded and then gradually opened and closed his fist.
"Is there any discomfort?"
"………… None."
He continued to open and close his fist so I got a little worried and asked but there doesn't seem to be any problems.
I'm glad. I did it properly.
That somewhat makes me happy and I smile.
The Knight stopped gripping his fist and stared at it, absent-mindedly.
"Sei."
"What's wrong?"
He called out to me in a quiet voice so I tilt my head wondering what was wrong. He grabbed my hands which I had placed on my lap.
It happened so suddenly that I inadvertently cried out in surprise but the Knight doesn't let go of my hand.
"…… Thank you."
His usual light hearted personality was nowhere to be found. His brows were creased and he cried while thanking me.
"Mhm, you're welcome?"
"Why are you saying it like a question?"
"No, nothing……"
It was somewhat embarrassing being thanked so I inadvertently phrased it like a question. The Knight dropped his shoulders, crestfallen and returned to his usual self.
I'm a bit relieved.
It was sort of nerve wrecking to not see him act like his normal self.
People usually touch other people with a light feeling but when it's done with a serious feeling, it's too much.
It was the same for the Knight. When we smile wryly at each other, I unexpectedly feel eyes on me.
I'm bothered by it so I look around. All the patients in this room are staring at me.
Ah, yup, that's right.
I suddenly grew back his arms.
I felt it when I first entered the room too but all the patients in this room are suffering from the same type of injuries; they have all lost some part of their body, whether it be arms or legs.
It depends what they've lost but the people occupying this room will probably quit the Knight Order after they leave the hospital.
They're probably thinking that I'd heal them as well since I've already healed someone in the same room as them.
Well, the ship's already sailed so why don't I heal them all?
I exhale and ask the Knight to bring me MP potions from the research institute regardless of rank.
Even though he's injured, his arm is healed so it's fine if I ask him to run an errand for me, right?
Although I have a lot of MP, if I heal everyone then I might run out half-way through.
He happily undertook the errand and I send him off with, "Well then, see you". When the Knight got off the bed and took a few steps he raised his voice, "Ah?"
"What's wrong?"
I thought something was wrong and called out to him but the Knight doesn't reply. For some reason he's stomping and stretching on the spot.
"It even healed my old wounds."
"What?"
What the Knight was saying was, that it wasn't just his arm, but also his previous injured knee that was healed.
He said that the discomfort was completely gone.
When I said that magic was awesome because it could even heal old wounds, he told me that magic didn't normally heal old wounds.
Eh? Is this also because of my accursed 50% increase?
Or did I just use too much magic?
But I'd hate it if people didn't recover because I used my magic powers half-heartily, so I didn't think too deeply about it.
Let's think about the fact that I healed old wounds later. For now, I decide to concentrate on treating these people.
I heal everyone in the room, one by one.
Regardless of the wound being big or small, external or internal, magic healed everything.
If that's the case then magic's really handy, huh?
All the people who were treated were all surprised at what had healed and they were all tearing up while saying thanks.
No, some people were actually crying.
It's the first time I've seen a man cry so I'm pretty impatient.
I finish healing everyone and turn around to go home when I see a crowd of people by the entrance of the room.
They must have noticed that I was finished because they started entering the room. They were listening to the people in the room.
I call out to one of them and talk to them. He said he'd heard a racket and came to check it out.
Well yeah. Some people who were healed were screaming loudly with joy.
The people who'd entered this room all knew the people in this room so of course, they also knew how serious their injuries were.
Well, most of the people who were hospitalised were all injured from the subjugation so they're all colleagues.
Anyone would be happy to see that their colleagues have recovered and shouts of joy were coming from here and there.
They tangled with the people who I treated and thanked me.
Well ~, "Ah, I did some good", I thought in self-satisfaction. I leave the hospital room thinking that I should head back to the research institute and encounter the Knight carrying the MP potions.
Oh yeah, I asked him to go fetch me some potions just in case I ran out of MP half-way through.
I surprisingly had enough MP to heal everyone in that room.
I'd intended on using a lot of magic power to heal the people with lost limbs but it seems that 『Heal』didn't use that much MP.
However I feel bad if I don't use it because he went to fetch it for me.
Well, I've already practiced so should I heal the other people as well?
Yup, let's do that.
At any rate, I feel that I'm at a level where I can't keep insisting that I'm an ordinary person anyways.
I became defiant and decide to the treat the patients in the other rooms.
I tried to carry the MP potions by myself but the Knight and the other people around me stopped me and carried it for me.
I head to the next room. Behind the Knight carrying the MP potions, there's a line of curious onlookers.
I feel like a doctor making her rounds in certain dramas.
It's extremely embarrassing to be observed but it's not like I can do anything about it, so I gave up.
Thus, I treat each person one by one while drinking MP potions. But there's a lot of people in this hospital.
I got tired of just using 『Heal』and then I remember that I read about range recovery magic before in a book.
I want to try it out.
I've already finished healing the people with lost limbs and the only patients with relatively lighter wound remains.
I could always use 『Heal』again even if it only partially healed people or doesn't activate.
In the next room, I walk all the way to the middle and stop. This time, instead of concentrating it into my palm, I release my magic so that it fills the entire room.
Even if I said I released it, I've never done it before so I concentrate and just imagine that the magic is being pushed out of my body.
"『Area Heal』"
While casting the magic, I feel magic power coming out of my body. With me at the centre, something that looked like a magic circle is drawn on the floor.
The lines of the magic circle were drawn in a white light. The area enclosed by the magic circle is covered in a white haze filled with golden lame, just like when 『Heal』was casted.
It was very magical. The scene that I thought was indeed fantasy, disappeared within seconds.
I look around to see if it'd worked and everyone who was in the magic circle, all seem to have healed.
Everyone checked the conditions of their injuries and smiled, when they saw that it'd all healed.
Alright! I decide to make a triumphant pose in my mind when a voice calls out to me from behind.
"Today you're casting…… Ranged recovery?"
When I turn around to face the familiar voice, I saw the Director and Captain.
"Yes. Why are you here, Director?"
"For crying out loud! You were late in returning and the guy from the 3rd Knight Order came to take the MP potions. I was worried so I came."
"I'm sorry……"
He told me seemingly shocked. I didn't want to receive punishment so I apologised and he smiled, wryly.
"Even so, you've really gone wild."
"No, I didn't……"
"Ah, I saw people who'd lost their arms and legs regain them a while ago. I was surprised."
The Captain said after the Director, pressing for answers.
Yup, even I think I overdid it a bit, but it couldn't be helped, you know!
They were expecting it.
I had to respond to their expectations.
I'm sorry.
I also wanted to try out magic.
"Well, but you did well."
The Captain said that when I hung my head down in shame while reflecting on my actions.
The Director and Captain both tap me on the shoulders in appreciation.
"Sei."
A voice called out to me while I'm walking through the royal palace.
I turn to face the voice and it was a Knight from the 3rd Knight Order that I knew.
I see that he's smiling and waving so I also wave back.
Since we're both working, we pass each other with only a simple greeting.
Since I was summoned only the researchers who worked at the same place as me called out to me like this, but recently the Knights have started to call out to me too.
I know more Knights now because of what happened at the hospital the other day so lately, people have been calling out to me while I'm walking around the royal palace like this.
Despite the fact that I only walk back and forth from the research institute and the royal palace library, like today.
I think my world suddenly got wider because of that incident even though I confide myself in the research institute.
I enter the library and return the book I borrowed back to the librarian and this time, I heard a small, "Ah".
The person who had said that was a person wearing a robe. When I turned around, I accidently met his eyes.
Judging by his appearance, he looked like a Court Mage but I don't know him.
I smile ambiguously while tilting my head and he returns it with a similar smile.
The librarian had just finished confirming the book that I'd returned so I could finally leave.
I'd noticed his voice this time but I have a feeling that the random times when I raise my face and meet the gaze of the person near me have increased.
I just feel that way for some reason.
I felt that I was being too self-conscious so I quietly kept it in my mind without telling anyone.
After returning the book, I walk over to the bookshelf to find another book to borrow.
Since I've been to the library numerous times, I generally know where the books I want are.
I take the books I wanted one after another and when I find the last book I want in the top row of the bookshelf, I stretch out my hand but a stretched hand next to mine took the book first.
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
Was the person who was smiling while handing me the book, a civil official?
He probably is one since he's not wearing the knight's armour nor is he wearing robes.
It's not like I couldn't reach it or anything but the book was a little bulky so he really helped me out by getting the book for me.
I say my thanks and once again return to where the librarian is.
Come to think of it, more people have been coming here recently.
The image I had when I was by myself was that there were only a few people here. The only people I met in the library were Liz and the civil officers but lately people I've never seen before are coming here. No matter when I come, there's always someone here.
It's nice that people are making use of the library but I also like to read books in peace.
That part is just a little too bad.
"Sei-sama!"
When I stepped out of the library with the new books I borrowed, someone called out to me again.
This time it's a Knight from the 2nd Knight Order.
I don't have to see his face to know that.
Only people from that Knight Order call me with -sama.
There were times where I've been called that by shop assistants in Japan but it's always been my surname, never my first.
That's why being called that by people from the 2nd Knight Order was embarrassing. I've asked them to stop attaching -sama to my name but they don't show any signs of stopping.
"I will carry your books for you."
"Thank you."
"No, no. Please leave this much to me."
A pleasant smile appeared on his face and he easily took the books that I was barely able to carry.
This is also a recent event.
At the beginning, I felt really bad and tried my hardest to refuse them but they wouldn't back down so I gave up and just let them carry it.
The people from the 2nd Knight Order seemed to really worship me a lot. They add -sama to my name and when I'm heading home from the library, they walk with me and help me carry my books.
It was certainly helpful since it was hard to walk from the royal palace to the research institute while carrying heavy books but every time I go to the library there's always someone there.
It's always a different Knight so it's not like they're stalkers but it's really unnatural for me to meet people from the 2nd Knight Order every time I go to the library.
They can't be on standby duty near the library, right?
I want to believe that it's not like that.
I chat with the Knight while walking and before I knew it, we'd reached the research institute.
Like always, I say my thanks and enter the research institute.
One of the books I borrowed today was something that the Director wanted. I hand the other books to one of the researchers and head to the Director's office.
"Director, I have brought the book you wanted."
"Thanks, just put it over there."
I knocked on the Director's office door and waited for a reply before entering.
The Director is in the middle of writing up documents so I put the book I brought with me onto the place he'd pointed at.
"Did they escort you again today?"
"Yes."
Did he finish writing the documents? The Director raised his face and grinned. I return it with a completely exhausted look.
The Director once saw a Knight from the 2nd Knight Order at the entrance, escorting me back to the research institute while carrying my books.
He asked me what had happened and I told him that they escorted me like this every time.
"I refused at the beginning but they wouldn't give up so I gave up instead."
"I see. Well, it's no use."
"It's no use?"
"The other day you did various things, right? It seems that you're already the 【Saint】to the guys at the 2nd Knight Order because of that incident. Well it seems that they're not the only ones who think so."
I smile wryly, reply in my head with, "Ah! I thought so" and sigh.
It seems that from the public's point of view, I'm far from being a commoner.
That's how much I overdid it.
Rumours are called rumours for a reason. It wasn't just the 2nd and 3rd Knight Orders but also other people from the royal palace that talked so it couldn't be helped.
I expected this to happen but I thought that it was inevitable at that time. I want to sigh.
If possible, I wanted to live a quiet and peaceful life.
Well whatever, it's fine.
Everyone was really happy.
I remember the Knights crying, shouting and hugging each other in joy I'm glad I healed them.
I convince myself and calm myself down. I'm once again shocked by what the Director says next.
"It'll probably be clear soon whether you're a 【Saint】or not."
"Eh?"
"There was a message from the Court Mage Division a while ago. They want to check your status."
The bomb that the Director dropped was that the Court Mage Division's Head Magician would finally perform status appraisal on me. To me, that was an extra-large bomb.