Chapter 118
The field hospital is located a little away from the eastern encampment.
After crossing the border and arriving at the eastern camp, I pondered what to do next.
Should I head for Lindblum, even though I hadn’t originally intended to go there yet?
Passing through that city would be the easiest way to reach the field hospital, but I wonder if there are still carriages running.
“I don’t really like running on my own, you know.” (Still)
The most efficient way would be to cut straight through the forest and run directly to the field hospital myself. But I don’t want to do that.
Better to obediently board a carriage bound for Lindblum, then transfer from there and make my way to the field hospital.
This camp, already functioning as a kind of forward base, was bustling with wagons coming and going.
I managed to ride one of them, taking the spot of goods being offloaded, and was given a lift as far as Lindblum.
They let me on surprisingly easily when I introduced myself as a dispatched healer. That alone tells me the miserable state of that field hospital must already be common knowledge. “Coachman-san. Would it be possible to pass through Lindblum without stopping?” (Still)
“Hah, no way, priest! I’ve got to head straight to the General Guild, load up, and then make for the northern camp. Your destination is further north from there, near the border. You want to ride along anyway?”
“I see… In that case, please do.” (Still)
It couldn’t be helped. In these times, a wagon carrying only people long-distance…would only be those tied to military logistics.
Rocked by the wagon, I made my way toward Lindblum…the crucible of faith.
—————-
By the time I arrived, the sky was beginning to glow red.
As soon as I hopped off the wagon, young adventurers waiting behind the guild hurried over, efficiently loading up crates they likely packed themselves.
The war is practically over at this point. By now, word of the capital’s devastation must have reached even the frontlines at Golda.
By my estimate, around the time I reach the field hospital…the tide of battle will begin to shift.
Once the army of this country reaches Golda’s capital, the end of the war will be sealed.
And when that woman, Lemia, returns here to Lindblum alongside Golda’s upper echelons…that will be the moment My Lord’s and my scheme comes to fruition.
…If possible, I’d very much like to witness that moment up close…
“Oi, rookie! Don’t overload the cart, the priest’s riding along too!”
“Geh! Seriously?! Hey, unload a bit, Grant.”
…Another familiar name. Ah, so it’s that rookie trio.
But I had more pressing concerns than these newcomers.
My eyes, [Divine Guidance], had caught something strange flowing within this guild.
Power… Some kind of remotely controlled spell…? Was this a defense mechanism set up by the guild itself, or perhaps…
“Excuse me. If there’s still time before departure, may I look around a little?” (Still)
“Sure, no problem. Is this your first time in Lindblum?”
“Yes, it is. For now, my priority is relief work at the field hospital, but eventually, I would like to spread the faith in this city as well.” (Still)
Curiosity. I don’t consider this guild to be pure good.
Perhaps…it’s run by someone more hideous, self-righteous, and closer in nature to myself.
Betting on that small possibility, I followed the flow of power moving through the guild.
—————-
“Oh…even the Elkood Church’s consultation desk is inside this guild?” (Still)
I observed the different guild counters, studying what kinds of organizations were represented.
…What a prosperous nation. I wonder if Golda’s higher-ups had ever even checked for themselves just how far Lendia and Lindblum had developed.
No…maybe they did, and prepared schemes to overturn such differences.
I see? I thought them merely foolish, but perhaps Fus-san made far more arrangements than I gave credit for. That would explain it.
After all…this country is propped up by the General Guild.
“Ah, excuse me! The courtyard is off-limits to outsiders!”
“Oh, pardon me. Forgive me, I’m a healer, and I happened to see people training in the courtyard. I thought, if anyone needed healing…” (Still)
I was about to follow the flow of power into the courtyard when a staff member stopped me.
But apparently, the title of healer is more versatile than I expected…
“Really!? Then…please wait a moment. I’ll check if I can get permission.”
With that complete change of tone, he rushed off, and soon enough, I was let into the courtyard without fuss.
Adventurers and mercenaries seemed to be training inside.
I recall this place was used for entrance trials, but under current conditions, it looked like veterans were simply warming up their bodies.
Among them were familiar faces. Names… I can’t remember well, but they should have been members of the subjugation force that acted with My Lord as Shilent.
“Everyone, we have a healer here. If you’re still feeling unwell or carrying injuries, please step forward. Ah, right.”
The guild staff turned back to me and whispered:
“About the payment…things are so hectic right now that we can’t compensate you immediately. Could you possibly return another time, when things have settled down?”
“I don’t mind doing it free of charge. Being able to support warriors who rise to protect others and march to the battlefield…that alone is reward enough.” (Still)
“W-What generosity…! You said your name was Still-sama, right? I believe you’re traveling to spread your faith… I’ll be sure to inform the upper management about you.”
“Well well, I’m honored.” (Still)
How convenient. The upper echelons here are directly under Lemia.
If word spreads of some suspicious figure making himself known to them, their caution will heighten.
…That suits me perfectly.
“Alright, those who are injured, line up. I’ll treat you in order.” (Still)
Now, time to fulfill my role as a priest. To extend a hand of salvation to the suffering.
With hands imbued with [Holy Evil Reversal], I traced lightly over each patient’s wounds, sometimes flicking with a finger, sometimes pressing with my palm.
No mass-healing magic this time. This wasn’t a performance, but service.
Each patient must be faced one by one.
“Next, please.” (Still)
“Yes, thank you!”
The next to appear was a familiar young woman.
…She uses a bow… Her name was…
“And your name?” (Still)
“Nemuri!”
Yes, Nemuri. My Lord thought her a lively one, contrary to her sleepy name.
“Hmm… Damage accumulated in both shoulders is making them prone to inflammation. I won’t deny your constant effort, but you must also dedicate time for recovery. And you’ve built up some fatigue as well. I’ll treat you thoroughly.” (Still)
Pressing my fingers into the borders between shoulders and collarbones, I searched for the points where they sank in deepest…and struck there.
An attack, reversed into healing through [Holy Evil Reversal], delivered as acupressure.
“Nh! Hhuh… ah!”
“Please don’t make such suggestive sounds. Even a devout priest is still a man of age.” (Still)
“Ah! S-Sorry!” (Nemuri)
“Just kidding. Remember there are people waiting behind you.” (Still)
It made me want to tease her. Girls like this are always amusing.
But in truth, healers and doctors must be precious in this world.
Perhaps because of the war…or maybe they were always rare.
Something worth investigating later.
“A-Amazing! My shoulders feel so much better! Even the fatigue is gone!” (Nemuri)
“Good. Next, please.” (Still)
And so, I treated the patients one after another. Eventually, I finished them all…
“Um… There’s actually one more patient I’d like you to see. But…they’re a criminal.”
“Oh? No problem. As long as the guild permits it, I don’t distinguish when giving healing. Everyone commits sins, large or small, simply by living.” (Still)
“Such compassion…! Then please, follow me.”
Of all the outcomes I expected, this was the most convenient.
Because the flow of power throughout this guild…was all leading to the underground cells.
We descended from a corner of the courtyard. The same place My Lord once went as Shilent.
And that attacker is likely…tied to the mastermind.
What was her name again? It feels like such an old memory now.
“How badly injured is this prisoner?” (Still)
“To be honest, so much that with just medicine and the other healers’ efforts, they can barely move. The thing is…most healers and apothecaries refuse to treat them. But giving only medicine results in negligible recovery.”
“I see… Quite the serious criminal.” (Still)
“Yes. Normally, they would’ve been executed already, but they’re being kept alive to extract information.”
So, the attacker is barely able to speak.
My Lord must have gone too far back when he was still unaccustomed to Shilent’s power.
Or rather…did he not give her medicine that time?
Only enough healing to barely keep her alive.
As expected of My Lord. To so well understand how to break a person’s spirit. Swift judgment…that is what makes him worthy of reverence.
“This door here. You’ll have to go inside but…”
“Understood. From here, the treatment will be somewhat special. Please step back. It’s a secret technique. Seeing or hearing it could jeopardize my position.” (Still)
“Y-Yes! Incredible, even a secret art… Still-sama, you’re amazing!”
I had some questions for this prisoner after all. I have to make this person dance properly.
Once inside, I saw instantly the dire state of the woman within.
Tossed aside like trash in the midst of filth, stinking horribly.
I immediately decided to purify the whole place.
[The Day the Land was Corroded]
Transforms a wide forward area into a swamp of deadly poison, inflicting poison and curse on enemies within.
The toxic swamp remains on the field, affecting anyone who touches it.
Duration depends on the user’s level (max 5m).
Honestly, I didn’t want to use such a draining skill again.
But this environment was intolerable. I didn’t want to be here.
Activated together with [Holy Evil Reversal], the skill completely purified the space.
The stench, the filth, everything disappeared. Even the woman’s grime was gone, and her body was suffused with ongoing healing.
I hurriedly consumed the concoction known as [Demon Lord’s Hybrid] while maintaining [Holy Evil Reversal].
[Demon Lord’s Hybrid]
A dangerous drug mixed with the blood of the Demon King.
Boosts all stats by 70% for certain classes, but acts as poison for others.
Deals 5% HP/MP damage per second, duration 10h.
For me, it yields the best effect. A rare item, but fortunately one I can produce myself.
Someday, My Lord will also need an apothecary’s skills. I should arrange for him to gain more abilities.
As expected, the crushing fatigue was reduced.
A useful discovery…but I wonder, will my abilities also be inherited by My Lord?
Frankly, the powers of the Three Strongest are impractical.
After all, we’re stuck in a state where every attack we make kills.
Without [Holy Evil Reversal], even daily life would be impossible.
In this real world…my power is simply too dangerous.
“Uhh… ahh…”
“Oh? So you can speak now?” (Still)
“Who…are you…?”
“Just a passing healer. Couldn’t bear to leave you in such a state.” (Still)
“…No way… You really…”
“You were in dreadful condition. Almost as if nobody ever intended to truly heal you.” (Still)
“…!”
“You’ll soon make a full recovery. And when you do, you’ll escape from here, won’t you? You were to be helped from the outside, weren’t you? They refused to treat you so you wouldn’t reveal anything. But now you’re healed.” (Still)
This room was under remote control. Even the heavy iron door had a mechanism for its lock to be released remotely.
I could clearly see the effect with my eyes.
At some point, someone intended to heal her and let her escape.
And that someone…lurks within the guild.
“Who…are you really?”
“Hm… maybe a friend of Fus-san?” (Still)
“!? What, you’re an ally!?”
Well now, I only meant to probe, but I was right.
Though she’s likely just one pawn.
“Who knows. Anyway, treatment’s finished, so I’ll take my leave. Ah yes…a parting gift.” (Still)
I produced a freshly opened tin of candy.
This batch had something a little special inside, so please bring it back.
I popped one into her mouth myself to prove it wasn’t poison.
“Candy…?”
“It’s delicious, my favorite. Please pass some along to Fus-san as well.” (Still)
“…Fine. Thanks for the healing.”
“Not at all.” (Still)
“Crunch… it’s really good.”
So, the mastermind’s faction had infiltrated even the guild itself.
Well then…who will it be that lets this girl escape? That should be interesting.
Not that I’ll be around to watch. I must go to the field hospital.
And so I left Lindblum behind.
What a delight this world is.
It almost makes me reluctant to return this body to My Lord…
…Also, do people of this world always crunch their candy instead of sucking it…?
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