CH 81

I bet he felt dissatisfied with me treating him like some personal therapist. But the holy power he used would recover in no time anyway, so why the reluctance? Still, despite my inner grumbling, I knew how much of a privilege it was to receive his healing whenever I wanted.

In this world, you had to look for a priest to get treatment, not a doctor. But there weren’t many priests capable of using holy power; you had to go to their monasteries to meet them. Even nobles weren’t exempt from this rule. The only priests that would act independently were those belonging to an expedition corps. Hence why whenever a corps went around looking for a dungeon, all the villagers they came across would swarm over, asking for treatment. As a consequence, the priests began to act high and mighty.

Even back in the first playthrough, it was hard to ask April for some healing when I got hurt… It wasn’t like she would say anything to me. In fact, the woman would tend to my wounds kindly. The problem lay with the other people. They would criticize me, questioning what injuries I had to show as a support mage. And when the wound was serious and I showed them, they would look at me with even more contempt, wondering how a supporter like me ended up hurt. The same happened when my left arm was amputated.

In comparison, August was a veritable angel. He always healed me, although not without giving me a hard time for ‘falling off the bed’. Not to mention, the man was a rare high priest. After my trip down memory lane, I realized I was taking him for granted. Now I felt like I could bear with all of August’s lectures. I quietly braced myself for him to begin… but today was different from usual. Normally, he would have started his sermon while fixing me up. Today, though, he was quiet as he focused on the healing, which didn’t take long. The holy power from his hand passed through my body, and I felt as if an iron bar was removed from my shoulders. “All done,” he said.

“I knew I could count on you, Reverend August. Thank you!” I praised the priest with a broad smile. It was a tad exaggerated, but I was trying to improve his mood, even in the slightest… Somehow, it didn’t have much effect. August stared at me wordlessly, which I found quite uncomfortable. Since the treatment was over, I smiled awkwardly as I got up to leave. “Mm… Then I’ll be going to help with the special unit’s training now. You rest for today, August.”

“…Sister.”

“Yes?”

After calling me to a stop, he paused for a long while, as if hesitating. It was unlike the man’s usual self; he would always speak his thoughts without reserve. A minute later, August asked, “Does His Excellency… treat you violently?”

“…Excuse me?!” I jumped with surprise at his sudden question as my mind was flooded with chaotic thoughts.

“I am aware of the rumors of you being His Excellency’s lover, Sister. He shows exceptional care for you, after all.”

“H-hang on now.” What bull was he talking!? Before giving my reply, I hastily looked around. To my relief, I found that the prayer room was empty save for me and August.

But, unlike me, he wasn’t afraid of other people hearing. “I was worried along with the others at first, but Sister, you work hard as a mage and as a vice-captain. I deemed the matter was not my business, and thus turned a blind eye until now.”

“Tha-thank you?”

“But regardless of reason, violence against a lover to the degree of leaving such injuries? This is one thing I cannot look past, not even for His Excellency.” August looked solemn. The priest was clearly misunderstanding something. Putting aside the mistaken fact of me being Mayer’s lover, he seemed to think my injuries were caused by the captain. Well yes, they were caused by him, but…

“You must tell him yourself that this is not right, Sister. If you are unable to speak out of fear for his retaliation, then I—”

“Stop, hold up a bit. Why in the world do you think that? Why me, with the captain…?” I managed to come to my senses and interrupt.

Perhaps thinking I was bewildered by his insight, August answered with a benevolent, priestly face that was rare of him. “As I was setting out after giving prayer this morning, I witnessed you coming out of His Excellency’s bedroom, Sister.”

“Oh… Frick.”