Chapter 171 (2/2)

「I, uhh… I don't know.」

「Anyone will do, then! Can you use healing magic?! My daughter's not feeling well!」

The man barged into the building. As he got closer, Paula could see the girl's horrible state. Her breathing was wild, accompanied by wheezing.

Healing magic could be used for a wide range of conditions—injuries, illnesses, poisoning, and even curses.

At first, Paula could only cast basic healing that mended injuries. She didn't know any other incantations, either. But during the monster outbreak in Un el Portan, she was able to heal people with grave injuries. She restored a lost arm and even cured petrifaction, a form of a curse. Ever since then, she studied other spells as well. She should be able to heal illnesses now.

「I'm sorry, I can't use healing magic.」She forced the words out of her mouth.

The man looked devastated.「What do I do? Oh, Fran…」

「Um, what about the hospital? I don't work in this church…」

She'd lived her life as a nun, and she wore the appropriate attire too.

「The hospital is full of soldiers because of the civil war. They told me to go to the church instead. The b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!」

「Then what about a different church?」

「They won't take a look at her because we're not from their territory or something.」

Paula was flabbergasted. Territory? Since when do people serving G.o.d cared about that? She then realized. Because of the civil war and the Church's way of thinking, this kind of problem must be happening all over the royal capital, not just here.

「Is the priest always here?」she asked.

The man shook his head weakly.「That b.a.s.t.a.r.d's out most of the time G.o.d knows where.」

「B-b.a.s.t.a.r.d?」

「The priest is pure sc.u.m.」

His words shocked Paula.

「To be honest, I didn't want to bring Fran here. That guy always tells me to give my daughter to him and he'll give me money… I refused every time. Fran didn't want to either. I thought she'd get better right away. I didn't expect her condition to get this worse. d.a.m.n it…」

Dumbfounded, Paula couldn't say a word. The priest wants his daughter as a lover? Upon closer look, the girl had beautiful features. But like her father, she was lightly dressed in clothes full of patches. They probably didn't have money to buy clothes that could keep them warm.

「Wh-What happens if the priest heals your daughter?」

「He'll probably ask for an absurd amount. But I don't mind, as long as she gets better! I don't care if I'm buried in debt!」

「Dad…」

「Fran! You're awake!」

The girl moved a little.「No… Don't do it… You can finally provide for your own as a carpenter…」

「There's no point in working if you're not around!」

The man cried his eyes out. Tears fell on the girl, but she didn't mind.

I can solve their problem if I used my healing magic… It was an extremely easy answer. As long as I tell them to keep quiet, Hikaru-sama wouldn't know. It was hard to resist the temptation.

「I'll, uhh…」

Hikaru's face flashed through her mind—the boy who saved her when they were attacked by Goblins. Paula recalled how he looked at Pia with eyes so cold when she broke her promise. He could've given up on them right then and there. With the kind of ability he had, it was a natural course of action.

Paula now understood why Hikaru did that. He held great secrets, so he didn't make friends. He couldn't. Yet, he still saved them. Even using his abilities to boost her healing magic.

Lavia was just as unselfish as well. She could've ditched her and escaped, but she got herself kidnapped to save Paula.

For all that, Hikaru only asked for one thing: to live for him.

You will devote the rest of your life to me, and only me. Are you okay with that?

Yes. If you can save them, then I don't mind.

From now on, you will be one of this world's most powerful Healers. Your mana capacity will increase as well. People will want you. So much, in fact, that many will die. So I suggest that you keep a low profile as much as possible.

In other words, Paula couldn't use healing magic unless Hikaru gave her permission, or Lavia deemed it necessary.

「You'll what? Can you use healing magic?」the man asked, his eyes read from crying.

Paula glanced at the girl whose lips had turned purple. She seemed to be afflicted by a serious illness. It could be her lungs. She was in critical condition.

Paula grasped her hands tight.

「I'll… find the priest!」

She left without another word.

463'>

<script>