We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Miko’s Sorcery
“Laira!!”
I shouted, and used a Spatial Jump to pull Laira out of the pillar of light.
I was in a frenzy. I had never flown with anyone else using my own Spatial Jump before. But if I didn’t rescue Laira from the pillar of light, she would die along with the magic sword wielder.
Without thinking about the consequences, I acted solely on impulse. But it was for the best.
It was a close call. Laira, whom I had rescued, was in a condition like she had been burned all over her body. And the magic sword was still buried in her abdomen.
I laid Laira down at my destination after the Spatial Jump.
Kafuh, Laira let out a breath.
“Laira, hang in there.”
In response to my call, Laira moved her fingertips, reacting faintly.
“What a reckless thing for you to do. To unleash a technique powerful enough to involve yourself, it was too much.”
“Was I able to be of use?”
Laira opened her eyes slightly and looked at me.
“It was an amazing technique. I defeated the magic sword wielder.”
In the place where the pillar of light had been, only shattered iron fragments and a small amount of flesh remained.
It would be absurd to say now that it wasn’t necessary to defeat him. For now, honestly praising Laira’s efforts would be the best thing for her.
“Well done.”
Mistral also ran to my side and took Laira’s hand.
“Ah. Being praised makes me very happy.”
Laira smiled through tears. But her smile was far too weak, and I could see the light of her life fading away.
“Elnea, give her some Dragon Energy.”
As Mistral instructed, I placed my hand on Laira’s chest and channeled Dragon Energy into her. At first, I didn’t understand what this meant, but gradually I grasped Mistral’s intention, and I cradled Laira, continuing to channel Dragon Energy.
Laira’s life force was draining away through the magic sword embedded in her abdomen. The Dragon Energy was instead taking on the role of replenishing the fire of her life that was being lost.
While I was sending Dragon Energy, Mistral applied the universal medicine from the small pots we both possessed onto Laira’s entire body.
The universal medicine’s effects were immediate, healing Laira’s wounds, but the amount in the small pots was not nearly enough.
Mistral also showed signs of panic. Her trembling hands dropped the small pot several times, and her movements in applying the medicine became rough.
Mistral’s panic spoke volumes about Laira’s precarious state.
“Nimia!”
I asked Nimia, who was watching the situation with concern.
“Take Laira. And take us to Ruiseine quickly!”
If Ruiseine… if Ruiseine, the Miko, could use healing magic.
With Nimia’s flight speed, she had arrived just in time for our battle with the demon race, and it shouldn’t take long to reach Ruiseine’s location.
“Nyaa.”
Nimia read my thoughts and grew enormous.
I jumped onto Nimia’s back, still holding Laira. Mistral followed.
Once Nimia confirmed we were on her back, she took flight towards the depths of the Dragon Peak mountain range at full speed.
Nimia flew through the sky at a speed far surpassing even a tyrant. On her back, I continued to channel Dragon Energy into Laira. Mistral also touched Laira, sending Dragon Energy in the same way.
Only then was Laira barely able to sustain her life.
“Honestly. You want to be Elnea’s bride too, don’t you? Then try to hold on a little better.”
Mistral gently stroked Laira’s head.
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
Laira’s valiant smile made my heart ache.
Both Mistral and I should have understood her hidden darkness better.
I don’t know what sort of past she had, but Laira was always trying to be useful to someone. She would always try to help with even the smallest things, and she was constantly paying attention to those around her.
And this time. Her desire to be useful had gone too far.
Retreating from an opponent she had faced once. For Laira, it might have seemed like a defeat. So when a knight appeared before her again, she challenged them with all the strength she possessed.
If only I had discussed things more with Laira. If only I had connected with Laira more deeply. If I had known her inner darkness, perhaps this outcome could have been prevented.
It was irresponsible of me after all to not press her about things she didn’t want to say. When you live with someone and support each other’s lives, you need to understand each other completely.
This time, Laira is not solely responsible. It is our responsibility for turning our backs on her darkness.
Therefore, I want to atone. Please give us a chance to dispel Laira’s darkness together.
Please don’t die. I embraced Laira and prayed to the Goddess.
“Nyaaaah.”
Nimia was flying at full speed.
The scenery flowed by at a speed I couldn’t follow with my eyes.
And in an instant, Nimia arrived at a village located on the mid-slope of the mountain range.
Nimia landed roughly, unlike her usual self. Mistral and I, carrying Laira, immediately disembarked.
There was no time to think about what kind of place this village was, or to greet the Dragon Race people.
“Ruiseine!”
In response to my shout, a girl came running in a hurry.
It was, of course, Ruiseine.
“What in the world has happened?”
Seeing our frantic state, Mistral’s urgency, and Laira’s seemingly burned body, Ruiseine was surprised.
“We’ll explain later. Can your magic help?”
At Mistral’s words, Ruiseine instantly assessed Laira’s condition.
“Full-body injuries, the magic sword, and that curse.”
Ruiseine touched Laira in my arms.
“Her life is fading.”
She said, then looked up at me and Mistral, shielding her eyes.
“Is her Dragon Energy still holding?”
In response to Ruiseine’s question, both Mistral and I nodded.
“If so, we will proceed in order. Please continue to send Dragon Energy to Laira.”
Then Ruiseine quickly composed herself, began reciting an incantation, and simultaneously moved her right hand. Her fingertips glowed faintly, and mysterious symbols and patterns appeared in the air as she traced them.
Priscilla-chan, who had arrived late, held Laira’s hand to encourage her, while Ruiseine activated the first spell.
Ruiseine’s hands, enveloped in light, appeared before her; a cylindrical pillar of light materialized.
“First, I will seal the magic sword.”
We couldn’t deal with the magic sword and its curse, which were draining Laira’s life, because anyone other than a demon would be cursed if they touched it.
Ruiseine was the only one among us who could handle the magic sword.
Grasping the magic sword with her light-clad hands, Ruiseine slowly drew the blade from Laira’s abdomen.
Laira convulsed in extreme pain and gripped me tightly. But she didn’t scream. Laira bit her lip, desperately suppressing her screams.
Once the blade was fully drawn, Ruiseine inserted the magic sword into the pillar of light. The pillar of light then wrapped around the magic sword, flashed intensely, and exploded.
“It’s temporarily sealed, but please don’t touch it.”
Ruiseine warned the villagers, who were gradually gathering, and moved on to the next spell.
Chanting a different incantation from before, she touched Laira’s abdomen, where the magic sword had been. Then, with her left hand, she drew glowing symbols and patterns in the air.
Magic is performed by chanting incantations and drawing complex symbols and patterns in the air.
It is a sacred ritual to praise the Goddess and perform miracles with the magic power bestowed by her.
As Ruiseine’s chanting continued, the dark discoloration of the curse around the wound where the magic sword had been gradually faded.
Simultaneously, Laira’s life force, which had been continuously draining, began to stabilize.
However, the danger to her life had not entirely passed.
Although the curse faded, blood still flowed from the wound, and the excruciating pain from her full-body injuries threatened to steal Laira’s consciousness.
Mistral and I continued to channel Dragon Energy even after the curse had vanished.
And when the curse disappeared, and the dark discoloration on her abdomen was gone, Ruiseine immediately transitioned to the next spell.
I was pushing Ruiseine too hard.
Large beads of sweat dripped from her forehead, and Ruiseine’s complexion was poor.
However, Ruiseine did not stop the spell.
She began healing Laira’s wounds with all her might.
Very slowly, the wound on her abdomen began to close, and the burn-like injuries all over her body receded.
Amazing. This is the power of healing magic.
Among the many techniques possessed by each race, it is the only miraculous art that can heal the wounds of the living.
The Miko’s healing magic is the supreme miracle bestowed by the Goddess.
Mistral and I continued to channel Dragon Energy to keep Laira’s life force burning, while Ruiseine healed her wounds. Priscilla-chan and Nimia were there to cheer Laira up.
It was a long, long time.
Ruiseine continued to chant incantations without rest, healing the wounds.
Her complexion grew paler and paler, but her left hand did not stop moving.
Perhaps Ruiseine’s desperation was felt. The Dragon Race villagers approached us from all directions, wiping the sweat from Ruiseine’s forehead. And many of them sent Dragon Energy to Laira, breathing life into her.
Laira, who had barely remained conscious, shed tears, enveloped by everyone’s warm Dragon Energy.
And then. When the wound on her abdomen had completely closed.
Ruiseine, having exhausted her strength, collapsed.
“I’m sorry. This is the limit of my power.”
“No, you did well. Leave the rest to us.”
Mistral gently laid Ruiseine down.
“Ruiseine, thank you so much.”
“Ruiseine-sama, I don’t know how to thank you…”
Before Mistral and I could finish speaking, Ruiseine lost consciousness, as if falling asleep.
Thanks to Ruiseine’s desperate magic, Laira’s life was saved.
Now, it’s up to us to do our best.
“I’m going to Master Sleigsta’s to get some universal medicine.”
Saying this, Mistral got on Nimia’s back and left the village.
Although Laira’s abdominal wound had closed, her full-body injuries were not completely healed. However, now that Laira’s life was stable, albeit weakly, her injuries could be healed with universal medicine.
Mistral headed to Old Man Sleigsta’s to retrieve the necessary amount of universal medicine.
After Mistral left, I borrowed a room from one of the villagers and carried Laira and Ruiseine inside. As I carried Laira, a villager helped me carry Ruiseine.
I laid Laira and Ruiseine on the beds in the room, and I continued to send Dragon Energy to Laira.
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