Chapter 14: The Passing Healer

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

Night.

After finishing the cleanup of the medical tents the health committee used during the Magic Tournament.

I was about to head to the royal castle to return the golden ball and treat the king's illness while I was at it, when Nee-san stopped me.

“Ask, where are you going?”

“Well, actually, long story short—”

I explained the situation to Nee-san.

“So that's why I was thinking I'd go raid the castle, cure the king's illness, and return the treasure while I'm at it.”

“The castle's security is extremely tight right now because a barrier stone was stolen from the treasure vault. Don't go.”

“It's fine, no problem.”

I've been modifying my body so I can break through anything that gets in the way of treatment.

I can handle it somehow.

“No. Not happening. You need to wait until things calm down. I'll make an official request to treat His Majesty's illness. It'll have to be done another day.”

“But Nee-san, when will that be?”

“…Examining the king requires annoying procedures. It would also damage the reputation of the court healers. Considering all that, it'll take about a week.”

“Yeah, I figured. But what if his condition gets worse during that time?”

“Well, that's… true…”

The court healers working in the castle are talented.

But their actual skills as healing mages are far below Nee-san's.

Not because they're bad—Nee-san is just a genius.

If the king is suffering from something they can't cure, then Nee-san should examine him immediately.

But most court healers are high-ranking nobles, and because of all the political and territorial interests tangled around them, it's not easy for Nee-san to step in right away.

So I'll go.

“I want the people close to me to stay healthy even one second longer. So shouldn't I just go raid the castle and heal him?”

“…Why is this happening…? What you're saying is absolutely wrong, and yet it's starting to sound correct to me.”

“As expected of Nee-san!! Okay, I'm off.”

“No, wait—The Sword Saint heard rumors and is guarding the castle right now, so—ah, he already left.”

I sprinted full speed toward the royal castle.

---

I stood proudly in front of the castle's main gate.

“You there!! Civilians are forbidden to pass this point!! Leave immed—wait, that mask!?”

“Hyahhaaahhhh!! I'm here to treat the sick!!”

“You fiend!! You're the mysterious ‘Healing Man' who's been attacking the adventurers' guild, clinics, and soldier barracks just to heal all the injured and sick!?”

“Hyahahahahahaha!! That's right!! And today's target is the king!! Hyahahahahaha!!”

The gate guards blew their whistles.

A bunch of soldiers came out, so I knocked them all out without hesitation.

Since I cast Heal at the same moment I punch them, they take zero damage. It's totally safe.

“It's the Heal Man!! After him!!”

“His target is His Majesty!! Do not let him pass!!”

“Wait, but if he's curing His Majesty, shouldn't we let him through…?”

Knocking out soldiers who rushed at me, I invaded the castle.

Whenever I saw someone who looked sick, I treated them along the way while searching for the king.

Then suddenly—

A loud clang rang out and sparks flew from my neck.

Someone had tried to slash my neck with a sword.

“Hm?”

“Kukuku… kuhahahahaha!! Incredible!! I didn't think my sword would bounce off your skin!!”

I turned around.

A young man holding two swords stood there, smiling like he was having the time of his life.

“You're strong!! Fight me!! Leave your head behind as a souvenir!! Don't worry, I'll chop it clean off this time!!”

“Uh, scary.”

What is he even talking about? Leave my head? Definitely a dangerous person.

Let's ignore dangerous people. Yes, that's the best idea.

Except he instantly moved right in front of me and struck again.

Clang!!

“Guh!? You're seriously tough!! I put quite a bit of power into that slash and it still bounced off!! So frustrating!!”

“Heeyaa!!”

“Hebuh!?”

I knocked out the dangerous guy in one hit, healed him, and left him on the ground.

Then I continued my search for the king.

But I couldn't find him anywhere, so I wandered around until I came across a suspiciously large door.

Totally the kind of place a king would be.

“Hyahhaaa!! Excuse meee!! Any sick people in here!?”

“““Restraint magic: Bind!!”””

The moment I opened the door, countless wriggling chains shot out and wrapped me up tight.

“W-We did it!! We captured the Heal Man!!”

“Princess Christina's ambush plan worked!!”

“Prepare yourself!! You are guilty of illegally trespassing into the royal castle and… uh, what else? Healing too many people?? Wait, is that even a crime?”

Damn, I let my guard down for a second.

But restraints like these—fine, I'll just break them with brute force!!

“Hrrrngh!! Nnnrrgh!! Uoooohhh—nope!! They're not budging!! What is this chain!?”

“It's made of magic, so physical strength won't break it, Heal Man.”

“!?”

“Nice to meet you. I am Christina Astia Kishirika, First Princess of the Kishirika Kingdom, and one of the people saved by your master, No-Face-sama.”

Princess Christina looked down at me with a strangely delighted expression. Oh, Victoria is behind her too.

This is bad… what do I do?

“There are many things I want to ask you. Specifically, the true identity and whereabouts of No-Face-sama!!”

“No idea.”

“…So you're staying silent to protect your master. Admirable resolve. However, I absolutely must meet him and thank him directly!! And if possible, start dating him and eventually marry him!!”

Where did her calm student-council-president persona from the academy go?

Christina leaned in, full of enthusiasm.

“I don't know him. I'm just an ordinary passerby, Heal Man.”

“Mm. Christina Onee-sama, in situations like this, we should torture him until he spills.”

“H-Hey, Victoria? He's a subordinate of No-Face-sama, so I think using violence is…”

“It's fine. I'll interrogate him with this.”

Victoria pulled out a jiggly, wobbly creature.

That was…

“A slime?”

“Yes. I'm going to splash you with it. You'll get all slippery and your clothes will melt.”

“Wha—n-no, stop!! Don't!! This black coat is my favorite!!”

“Then tell us where No-Face-sama is.”

“I don't know. I'm just a traveling healer.”

“Mm. Then it can't be helped. I'll pour it.”

NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

“Wait, hang on!! What's the point of turning a guy into a slime-soaked mess!? Look, even the soldiers in the back are shaking their heads!!”

“It's fine. I was told some groups are into this.”

“Who told you about those groups!?”

“My maid.”

That maid in the uniform! Of course!!

Damn it, what do I do!! If this keeps up, my black coat will melt!!

Should I confess? No, Nee-san will kill me. Not an option!!

Fine.

I'll have to give up the coat and protect the plague mask at all costs—

“That's far enough, Princess Christina. Do not bully my subordinate.”

“““Eh.”””

I froze.

Someone wearing a black coat and a plague mask walked into the room, footsteps echoing.

No-Face…? Another me…?

No, the voice—like someone forcing their naturally high voice to sound lower…

There's no doubt.

“N-No-Face-sama!?”

“You seem to be in good health.”

Nee-san, what are you doing!?