Chapter 6: Will You Become a Pitiful Lamb?
The air around Ange’s feet shimmered.
It was a precursor to a massive flame.
A deafening roar—fire engulfed her.
By forcibly channeling a tremendous amount of Mana, I activated the Out Strider del Sole once more—just barely in time. I steeled myself and dove into the flames, cradling Ange and gently lowering her beside Sensei.
She was unconscious, but she was still breathing.
I let out a sigh of relief.
—Then, perhaps we can manage.
However, her burns were severe, especially on her legs. I recalled hearing that if burns covered more than ten percent of the body, it could be life-threatening. Furthermore, burns to the lungs or esophagus could affect breathing and be fatal.
I wasn’t sure how accurate my memories were, but it felt like time was running out.
What I could do now—uncertain if she could even swallow the Potion—was to pour it all over Ange’s body, making sure not a single drop was wasted. I took out another bottle and drenched myself from head to toe, ensuring the effects would reach every part of me.
And now—there was no room for error in my next steps.
I pulled a certain item from my Magic Bag.
I never thought I’d have to use this so soon.
The lantern-shaped object—Absolute Freeze—in my hand, I quickly designated the area of effect around the source of Hinokagutsuchi and threw it. I aimed to collide the ice with the flames, hoping for annihilation. Namusan.
Saintess Mika was protected by a strong Barrier.
I left the healing of Eris and Ange to Sensei.
Ash would serve as their guardian.
I needed to convey this to Sensei and Ash, so I deactivated the Out Strider del Sole once more. Just as I was about to speak,
—BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!
The ice that spilled from the lantern began to spread explosively, devouring the flames. However, the flames also started to supply—no, over-supply—Mana from the surrounding area, expanding their influence. They clashed without yielding an inch, creating a cacophony of sounds that screamed danger, as the very space around us cried out. This was no mere annihilation; it was hell on earth.
“WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
I let out a scream as well.
This is bad! This is really bad!
I might have made things worse!
“Son-in-law!”
Sensei looked at me with a slightly exasperated expression.
“What are you doing…?”
Perhaps it was my panicked state that made Sensei let out a light sigh.
“Well, fine. Leave this to me. I’ll handle the aftermath for you… Just look forward to our discussion once this is all over.”
Sorry, future me! I’m counting on you!
I was transferring all my guilt onto my future self. And then—
“By the way, Ash! I’m leaving the protection of this area to you! And Sensei—Sensei, I—”
I was about to ask Sensei to take care of the healing, but he was now focused, his serious expression set on dealing with the disaster of ice and flames.
Healing role… what should I do…?
In that fleeting moment, I was troubled—when suddenly,
“Sanctuary Genesis!”
With Ash’s voice, the Skill activated. Perhaps sensing something, Sensei, with his hands full, let out a voice of astonishment.
“What… I never expected it to go this far.”
What do you mean, “never expected it to go this far”?
If you’re going to explain, please do it all the way!!
Reluctantly, I analyzed the situation before me—but there was only one optimal solution.
So, as always, I steeled myself and let out a sigh.
“Saintess Mika, I want to entrust the healing of the two to you.”
If it were her, she should be able to handle burns like this (as long as they weren’t fatal).
Or so I thought—but how was it really?
Saintess Mika had a pale face, her eyelashes lowered. Her frail shoulders trembled, even through her armor, and she looked as if she might collapse at any moment.
“I’m… sorry…”
Her response was vague, but it was understandable given her state.
“I… can’t…”
This could be what they call psychological trauma. I had heard that sometimes, even if you forget, the fear resurfaces the moment you see the object of your terror.
Once, when she and I—Saintess Mika—had delved into the Mirror Labyrinth, I had executed a zombie attack against the Crystal Humanoid.
It was only possible because of her healing, which exceeded a hundred times. After all, it was a battle fought by just the two of us.
She had healed me countless times.
But I, on the other hand, had been exposed to dismemberment, with guts splattered everywhere, bones protruding from twisted limbs, and being cleaved in half. It was beyond words.
She must have endured all the horrific sights, smells, and sounds in silence.
And above all, if I fell, she wouldn’t have made it back alive. There was no way she wasn’t feeling fear.
That’s right.
It wasn’t surprising that Mika bore some kind of scar in her heart.
And right before her stood the embodiment of that fear—the Crystal Humanoid.
But still, I—
“Pull yourself together, Mika!”
I couldn’t help but wish for it.
“Who else can heal the two of them but you?!”
I might be doing something cruel.
But I wanted to believe that Mika, despite the burden of being a healer—an incredibly heavy and painful responsibility—could still fulfill that role.
I was just a fool who couldn’t help but long for the brilliance she once had.
“Mika. Choose one.”
No need for thought.
“Will you remain a trembling, pitiful lamb? Or—”
What was needed was a genuine feeling that overflowed from the depths of her heart.
“Will you stand before God not as Saintess Mika, but as Healer Mika, a solitary individual?”
Not because she was a Saintess, but because she was Mika—she was someone who could heal.
“It’s okay. No matter which you choose, I’ll manage somehow.”
I should be able to handle it… I hope.
“I am—”
Yet she still declared,
“Who’s the trembling, pitiful lamb?!”
That was a cry from her very soul.
The situation was set.
All that remained was the Crystal Humanoid.
This time, it would be a complete one-on-one showdown.
“Oh, oh! You’re fired up, huh? This time, we’re going to beat you to a pulp, so just wait!”
I readied the Demon Sword Gram, fully transitioning into a combat stance.