Chapter 13 - Chapter 12: The Former Adventurer
In front of the main entrance to the Meeting Hall.
Many villagers had gathered in the Central Plaza, frantically preparing the soup kitchen and treating the injured.
The village Vigilance Committee had felled a bear-like beast, but Mika and the others remained inside the Meeting Hall.
It seemed the South Gate had been destroyed, and they were checking to see if other beasts or monsters had entered the village.
Emergency repairs to the South Gate were being carried out at a frantic pace.
Right now, the area in front of the Meeting Hall had become like a field hospital or a refugee camp.
The Vigilance Committee members, covered in wounds, went to Kifrod standing in front of the hall or were carried inside.
Inside the Meeting Hall, Radi was performing treatment using [Heal] via [God's Miracle].
The felled beast lay near the center of the plaza.
The beast, which had received a fatal blow from Diego, attempted to flee, but it seemed to have been finished off there.
I had watched from a distance earlier, but I could only make out something large, black, and shaggy.
As I started to walk closer to get a better look, an adult beside me stopped me.
They had defeated it, but likely out of concern for the unexpected.
From the glimpse seen through the window and the size of that black, shaggy thing now, the beast must have easily exceeded two meters when standing upright.
It might have even reached three meters.
Its form resembled a bear, but that roar was extraordinary.
A roar that shook the entire building to its core would be impossible for a normal bear.
With family nearby, I could rally myself and shout, "I'll give it a taste!" but if I had encountered it alone, I think I would have broken my spirit early on, thinking, "Ah, I'm dead."
It was such a roar.
"Priest-sama, may I have a Recovery Potion?"
A Vigilance Committee member came to receive the Recovery Potion that Kifrod had brought from the church.
Kifrod, looking like a kindly old man, spoke words of comfort and blessing to the member before handing over the Recovery Potion.
"Hmm, use it as you please. It's also in that box over there. Even a scratch or anything, heal it up quickly. There might be more coming, after all."
"Please don't say scary things."
Kifrod laughed off the dejected Vigilance Committee member with a "Kakkakka."
"I understand that feeling, but it's too early to relax. I'll tell the others too. There are plenty of Recovery Potions, so don't hesitate to use them."
The Vigilance Committee member thanked Kifrod and pulled the cork from the Recovery Potion.
He applied about half of it to his arm, which had scratches, and drank the rest.
Then, the wounds closed before his eyes and healed in the blink of an eye.
(Recovery Potions are amazing! What is that!? It's as effective as [Heal]!)
Once Kifrod stacked a box in a corner in front of the Meeting Hall, the Vigilance Committee members kept coming and going, receiving something and returning.
Seeing that, I didn't know what was happening at first, so I got curious and came closer.
I couldn't hide my surprise at the mysterious medicine closing wounds right before my eyes.
Moreover, many bottles of such medicine were packed in the box.
It seemed all this medicine had been brought from the church.
(This is amazing on its own, but isn't it unnecessary if Radi has [Heal]?)
I thought that, but it might simply be a matter of effort.
For injuries like these that can be healed with medicine, they use medicine, and Radi is concentrating on injuries only she can heal.
It seems six Vigilance Committee members suffered severe injuries during this beast extermination.
One of them was in a critical condition.
From earlier, Radi had been desperately praying to God to save that critically injured member, giving [Heal] via [God's Miracle].
It seemed to have paid off; after several [Heals], the critically injured member regained consciousness and could converse.
That critically injured member seemed to be a man named Yaskeri.
When the beast charged into the front entrance of the Meeting Hall, he pushed an empty cart left there and collided head-on with the beast.
At that time, he was slammed against the front door with tremendous force, suffering a critical injury that nearly killed him.
If Yaskeri hadn't cleverly used his wits to kill the beast's momentum, the front door would likely have been breached then.
If that had happened, one couldn't even imagine the tragedy that would have ensued.
(He really risked his life.)
Rish Village was protected by a death struggle that Mika, who had only watched, or rather, only heard, could not even imagine.
Truly, a life-risking battle beyond imagination.
As Mika watched Radi, Radi immediately began giving [Heal] to another Vigilance Committee member.
Others were also severely injured, but perhaps one [Heal] was enough for full recovery, so they moved on to the next immediately.
Even on Radi's face, as she gave [Heal] one after another, the color of fatigue was clearly visible.
Her mana must have decreased significantly.
She encouraged the villagers while they were evacuating, and even after the beast extermination, she gave [Heal] to the Vigilance Committee members like this.
Even so, Radi smiled gently and faced the villagers sincerely.
This is not something one can do with ordinary resolve.
As Mika watched the scene in the Meeting Hall, the surroundings became noisy.
Everyone was smiling and offering words of comfort, and cheers rose up.
Coming from beyond that crowd was Diego.
Walking confidently through the cheers, Diego truly exuded the aura of a village hero.
Diego wore seasoned iron chest armor and gauntlets, but the parts not protected by them had torn clothes and blood seeping through.
Even without major wounds, he looked like he was covered in scratches all over.
Walking while slightly protecting his right leg, he came straight to Kifrod.
"Oh, Diego. It's a relief you're safe. Here, you'll use it."
"Yes, sorry. I'll use it."
When Kifrod handed over two Recovery Potions, Diego accepted them obediently.
He applied the Recovery Potion to the larger wound on his left shoulder and the wound on his left foot, then downed the remaining bottle in one go.
He let out a breath, "Phew...", and put the empty bottle into an empty box.
"This time, was that an Agu Bear?"
"Yes, it was a bit big."
Saying that, Diego lightly rotated his shoulders and twisted his neck left and right.
A terrible sound of cracking bones could be heard.
"The Vigilance Committee finds that class a bit tough. Some almost died. What would have happened if Priest-sama or Sister weren't here?"
"Kakkakka. I did nothing. Well, the fact that Radi is in this village is like a miracle itself. Normally, a healer of that caliber wouldn't be moved from the Great Cathedral."
"Really... Why is that person in this village? And she uses [God's Miracle] for free."
Diego said with a look of disbelief and looked toward Radi.
It seemed he had just finished treating everyone who had been carried in with severe injuries.
Kifrod replied with a "Kakkakka" laugh.
"She must have thought about various things on her own. If she isn't doing anything wrong, let her do as she pleases. An old man like me can only silently watch."
"............Is that really okay?"
Diego looked even more incredulous, but it seemed he would stop investigating further.
It wasn't a conversation to have behind someone's back, and more importantly, he probably judged that Kifrod wouldn't talk anyway.
"So, how is the village? What about the damage?"
"Along the path the Agu Bear [that thing] took, some windows were broken in a few houses, but that's about it. The biggest damage is the South Gate. For now, seal it off temporarily, then search inside the village. Once safety is confirmed, disperse. That's the plan. But it's night, so confirmation might take some time."
"You don't need me to tell you, but prioritize safety above all. It doesn't matter how long confirmation takes. You can stay here until morning. Please confirm thoroughly."
"Yes, I understand."
Saying that, Diego turned to leave, but noticed Mika, who had been listening to their conversation right next to him.
"Oh, kid. Were you scared?"
Grinning, he grabbed Mika's head with one hand and rubbed it vigorously.
It was hard to believe this old man had felled that monster-like beast.
He had a somewhat stern expression, but he looked like just an ordinary old man no matter how you looked at him.
"Diego-san is scarier. I was about to cry."
"What, you brat!"
Grabbing Mika's head firmly with the hand that had been petting him, he shook it left and right.
Mika laughed loudly, "Ahahaha," and Diego laughed wildly, "Wah-ha-ha," shaking Mika left and right.
The fact that we can joke and laugh like this is thanks to Diego felling that beast.
"Thank you, Diego-san. Thanks to you, we were saved."
Suddenly Mika offered his thanks, and Diego turned away shyly, replying only, "Oh."
"You're amazing. You took down something like that."
"Oh, well. But you know, I didn't do it alone, you know? I've gotten weak too."
Diego muttered with a sigh.
"......Gotten weak? After that?"
Diego had said something outrageous.
(He took down that monster and says he's gotten weak? What does that mean?)
He said "Ah..." with difficulty, hesitated, and sighed as if giving up.
"My old wounds, I can't move like I used to. ...Before, I could handle something like that alone."
Diego tapped his right foot with a bitter smile, dropping another outrageous bomb.
(He's seriously saying he took that down alone!? Doesn't that mean he's a monster even bigger than that beast!?)
As Mika stood in shock, Radi came over.
Perhaps due to fatigue, a slight shadow appeared on her usual saintly aura.
Even so, Radi, with a smile on her face, gently stroked Mika's messy hair.
"Diego-san was originally an adventurer. I've heard that those who are good at fighting have that much power. Thanks to him, the village was saved. Thank you very much."
Smiling brightly, Radi thanked Diego.
"Please, Sister. We were saved too. Thanks to Sister, they all managed to survive. I'm grateful."
Saying that, Diego bowed his head.
It seemed almost everyone who had been carried in with severe injuries was already moving normally.
Yaskeri, who had been critically injured, was still resting, but even he was chatting normally with people who seemed like his family.
Without [Heal], in this world with low medical standards and the worst hygiene conditions, it wouldn't be strange if all the severely injured had died.
Furthermore, among those considered to have minor injuries, people might have died from infections.
Recovery Potions and [Heal].
It would be an exaggeration to say that these two, given generously by the church, likely saved the lives of over ten people.
"It is all the will of the Gods, Diego-san. ...We give thanks for the mercy of the Great Six Pillars watching over us from far above."
Radi offered thanks to the Gods with a brief prayer.
Usually, Diego would smile bitterly when Radi said that, but today seemed different.
He joined in the brief prayer, said, "Well then, I'm heading back," and returned to the Vigilance Committee members.
"You worked hard, Radi. How are they?"
Once Diego was gone, Kifrod spoke to Radi.
Presumably about the severely injured.
"Everyone is fine now. However, I would like to use [Heal] on Yaskeri-san once more tomorrow."
"I see, that's good."
Kifrod looked at Radi with the demeanor of a kindly old man.
"So, how many more times can you use [Heal]?"
"............Two times."
"Pushing yourself until you collapse isn't 'usable'. How many times?"
"............I apologize."
Radi voiced words of apology.
She must have used up all her mana.
"What happens if another beast comes after this? Or even if not a beast, if someone with a severe injury is brought in? I've told you this before."
"That is... yes..."
Contrary to the scene earlier, Kifrod's tone was restrained, but the content was severe.
Radi faltered for words.
With no reserve left, Radi could not respond to injured people.
So, what would happen to those injured people?
There was no need to think about it.
(.........It feels like my heart is being torn out.)
Mika, who had been listening in on his own and getting shocked on his own.
Kifrod was telling them to always keep reserves in case of an emergency.
Kifrod's words urging reflection on not keeping reserves pierced even Mika, who had no intention of doing so, and he was agonizing inside his heart.
When the beast came to the Meeting Hall, I half-heartedly decided not to care about what happened later, but originally, that was a bad strategy.
Putting oneself in a tight spot due to one's own failure, then making a reckless attempt to clean it up, and finally abandoning the aftermath is an irresponsible act.
One must not only look at what is in front of one's eyes but view things more broadly and choose actions accordingly.
Recently, Mika had been so engrossed in practicing magic that he had completely lacked that perspective.
He would have to seriously consider future policies.
Mika understood both Kifrod's words and Radi's thoughts well.
Kifrod likely believed in saving those who could be saved, ensuring as many as possible.
That group of saveable people included those who might or might not get injured in the future.
To do that, one could consider methods like limiting the treatment of those who can be fully cured to a certain extent and administering [Heal] over several days.
I don't know much about [God's Miracle], so this is just a guess, but perhaps it was possible to conserve mana using such methods.
Thus, keeping a margin in mana to prepare for unexpected situations.
On the other hand, Radi wanted to save everyone no matter what.
Not fully curing injuries even for a few days was a risk.
Even if one thought it was fine, conditions could suddenly worsen.
She probably wanted to cure them all at once to a state where there was no worry.
And to reach that state, there were many people this time.
There were even those with critical injuries.
So, her mana ran out.
It must be painful for Radi not to treat those she has the reserve to heal.
Neither is right, nor is either wrong.
Realism and idealism.
As long as it doesn't exceed Radi's limits, the result is the same either way.
What Kifrod wants to say is that the day exceeding that limit will surely come, so prepare for it.
Among the severely injured, everyone except Yaskeri has already resumed activities as Vigilance Committee members.
If they hadn't recovered that quickly but instead healed over several days, they could handle anything that happened afterwards.
That is what Kifrod is saying.
Emotionally, I can understand Radi's thoughts and feelings, but intellectually, I am rather on Kifrod's side.
(Using up all mana is a huge risk in itself.)
Due to this beast incident, Mika reflected greatly.
I thought it was bad to leave mana and have it explode, so every evening I had been in a gas-out state.
But recently, the "conditioning" had taken some shape.
Maybe I shouldn't use up all my mana.
During "Limiter On," the movement of mana is quite heavy without conscious effort.
Even if I speak the "Magic Name," I can stop the slow movement of mana with my own will.
Ideally, the mana wouldn't move at all, but for now, I think I can consider the danger of explosion to be almost non-existent.
As I was thinking that, Kifrod handed a Recovery Potion to Radi.
"You should drink it. Leave the rest to me and rest. Is that okay?"
But... Radi hesitated, bowed to Kifrod, asked him to take care of things, and then went inside the Meeting Hall.
Her back was clearly dejected.
As I watched Radi leave, a hand was placed on Mika's head.
It was Kifrod.
"Well, if I don't say that, she'll push herself until she collapses. What a nuisance."
While watching Radi leave, Kifrod muttered with a sigh.
Then he looked at Mika and smiled brightly.
"You seem to be doing something strange lately, don't you? I was worried you might be overdoing it?"
Mika's face twitched.
(He found out~.)
Cold sweat ran down my back, but probably he didn't find out completely.
Unintentionally, a dry laugh leaked out, "Ahaha..."
(What do I do!? Run away? No, running won't help!?)
If I'm investigated further, I might slip up.
It's a somewhat blatant method, but I decided to change the subject.
"Ah... um... Speaking of which, what is an adventurer?"
Mika decided to ask about the wonderful word Radi had said earlier.
Isn't that a thrilling sound, "Adventurer."
Contrary to Mika's thoughts, Kifrod looked a bit troubled.
"Are you interested in adventurers?"
"Yes. Diego-san was a former adventurer. It's amazing he could take down such a beast."
Hearing that, Kifrod made a clear bitter face.
"That may be so, but it's better you don't. Adventurers, of all things."
Against Mika's shining eyes, Kifrod denied it decisively.
"Indeed, experience as an adventurer was useful for protecting the village. But? Such experience isn't something only adventurers can gain. They are no different from bandits. They rampage as they please, eat as they please. They are like beasts."
Saying that, Kifrod looked straight at Mika and patted his head.
"There are no adventurers in this village, so it's no wonder you don't understand. But seeing Diego now, it's better you don't get interested in adventurers. Diego seems to have reformed now, but in the past, he was untamable. He once left the village."
It seems the old Diego was quite a ruffian.
And he left the village.
I couldn't judge based solely on Kifrod's one-sided story, but in Kifrod's mind, the current Diego had "reformed."
I wanted to hear more details, but several Vigilance Committee members came to get Recovery Potions.
And Mika was called by Loretta, so I couldn't hear any more of the story.
Held by the hand by Loretta, Mika came to the soup kitchen.
Near the well close to the Meeting Hall.
About ten village ladies were making meals using a stove simply built with stones.
Among them were several people who had been preparing meals at the textile factory's cafeteria.
It seems they were in charge of the soup kitchen, as they were used to making large quantities at once.
Already, ten or so men who seemed like Vigilance Committee members were eating at tables and chairs brought out from the Meeting Hall.
It seemed they were taking turns for meal breaks.
"Wait a moment."
Saying that, Loretta seated Mika on two chairs lined up and went to get food.
Looking around, I could see mother and child pairs already starting to eat here and there.
"Here you go, sorry for the wait. Eat up."
Loretta brought the food.
"Where is Mother?"
I asked Loretta.
After felling the beast, there seemed to be tasks divided among everyone, but I hadn't seen Amalia at all.
"Mother? She's gone to the factory with everyone?"
Amalia seemed to have gone to the textile factory.
Now that I think about it, she was quite late in evacuating to the Meeting Hall.
It seems there are things to do in an emergency at the textile factory.
Well, since Rish Village runs on the textile factory, they might be doing something to minimize damage.
"Come on, let's eat quickly."
Prompted by Loretta, Mika took a spoon.
Beans and bacon stewed in a yellow paste, something that looked like stir-fried vegetables of several kinds, vegetable soup, and bread.
To be honest, it was more lavish than our usual Noisheim family meals.
Mika immediately started eating.
(Are we saving our household budget? I don't know about other families' meals, but isn't it strange for the soup kitchen to be more luxurious?)
I don't know how much the textile factory pays, but two people from the Noisheim family, Amalia and Loretta, go to work.
If the household budget is tight because of that, they must be working for extremely low wages.
(....Still, working in Rish Village is a no-go. That means going out to work elsewhere.)
Thinking a bit into the future.
My impression from briefly looking around the village was that the village's living base and economic base were too fragile.
Simply thinking about it, if Mika worked at the textile factory, if anything happened to the factory, the whole family of three would end up on the streets.
In that case, it would be better to secure other income sources through work elsewhere to avoid risks in case of an emergency.
(Thinking about it, adventurers are still attractive.)
Kifrod was negative, but seeing the current Diego, it doesn't feel like such a terrible choice.
I need to investigate more, but I don't need to eliminate it as an option just by hearing a one-sided story.
While thinking such things and biting into the bread, I noticed Loretta's hand had stopped.
It seems she hadn't touched her food much.
"Big Sister?"
When Mika called out, Loretta clearly forced a smile.
"....No. It's nothing."
Saying that, she brought the spoon to her mouth, but it was obvious she was forcing herself to eat.
There was a bonfire, but it was too dim to notice, but Loretta's complexion didn't seem very good.
Looking closely, the mothers and children around weren't eating much either.
The Vigilance Committee men were eating normally, but for women and children not used to fighting, the beast attack must have been such a shocking event that they couldn't swallow food at all.
(....Well, that's normal.)
Rather, Mika, who was acting normally after experiencing that, was the strange one.
(I can't say I'm not shocked either...)
More than that, there was something welling up in my chest.
(He took down that monster, and even so, he says he's gotten weak. What is going on, seriously.)
Mika felt his "bad illness" throbbing.