Chapter 17: As a Healer

Of course, Shou didn’t spend all her time with the young apprentices—she was also training as a healer.

In the afternoons, when hunters returned, she actively treated those who came to the church for healing. The church had around ten affiliated healers, with four adult healers stationed there full-time (including the Sage). In addition, there was Rick (17), an apprentice in training, and the two youngest apprentices, Alfie and Shou, making up the seven healers available to treat hunters.

The adult healers, including Rick, also took on the role of mentoring and educating the younger ones. The other three healers had separate professions and lived around town rather than working full-time at the church.

Since a hunter’s body was their most valuable asset, many stopped by the church for a check-up even if they had used potions. This provided excellent training opportunities for the healers while also ensuring that hunters received proper treatment.

And yet, Shou couldn’t help but wonder—

Why didn’t Gaius take better care of himself?

When she had examined him, she saw so many shadows in his body, as if he had been deliberately neglecting himself.

When she brought this up to the Sage, he quietly but firmly expressed his displeasure.

"Yes, I checked after you accidentally healed him. He had completely given up on his body, assuming his knee would never recover. That’s why I summoned him here."

Which led to Gaius’s current predicament—standing before four healers and three apprentices, sweating nervously.

"Uh… Shou. About last time… my knee feels great. Thanks."

Clearly, he thought talking to her was the safest option.

Shou waved it off. It wasn’t a big deal.

But the Sage wasn’t going to let it go.

"Gaius. Do you understand that you disrespected the sacred body given to you by the Goddess?"

"Y-yes."

Even Gaius couldn’t argue against the Sage.

"As punishment, you will serve as our test subject for Shou’s newly developed healing method."

"Her method is actually impressive… how is that a punishment?"

Gaius tilted his head in confusion.

"Until you get used to it, distinguishing left from right can be difficult. There’s a chance you’ll end up with a left hand growing on your right arm."

"W-wait a minute—"

"Gaius. Accept your fate."

Everyone was fascinated by Shou’s copy-and-reverse healing method, and the Northern Town healers agreed that they all needed to master it. Eventually, they planned to introduce it throughout Deep Forest.

However, understanding the concept of copying and mirroring body parts was difficult. But once they grasped the logic, they couldn’t wait to try it.

And so, Gaius, the man who had mistreated his own body, became their test subject.

Of course, the Sage’s dark humor aside, no healer would actually treat someone carelessly.

In the end, Gaius emerged from the ordeal with a body that reflected his true age of 110—free from years of accumulated damage.

Even though he tried to hide it, the truth quickly spread.

The town had already been quietly grateful for Shou healing Leon’s leg—now, they regarded her with an unspoken reverence.

Because 30 years ago, when Falco had just turned 20, the Red-Winged Saurus incident occurred.

Three of these rare dragon-like monsters attacked the town. While most monsters resembled reptiles, some, like the frog-like ones in the marshes, had amphibian traits. The larger the monster, the greater the destruction it caused.

Each Red-Winged Saurus was the size of a small house, with wings that allowed them to fly.

At the time, Gaius had been the leader among the hunters, and alongside Leon and the newly-adult Falco, the town’s hunters fought desperately.

A third of the town was destroyed.

But after a grueling battle, Gaius, Leon, and Falco each took down one of the beasts.

Gaius, however, shattered his knee.

The damage was so severe that even with immediate healing, the healers could only restore the outer shape—the inside remained irreparably damaged.

That was why these three men were considered heroes.

Even with a ruined knee, Gaius continued hunting, becoming both a respected leader and a representative of the town.

And now, his knee was healed.

The town rejoiced even more than Gaius himself.

And so, as summer approached, there were whispers that Gaius should lead this year’s great hunt.

It was around this time, at the end of spring, that Shou was summoned by the Sage.

"Ahem. Shou. Since no one else is around… would you let me hold you?"

…This was why she was summoned?

Shou glanced around—since no one was watching, she supposed it was fine.

For the first time in a while, she let the Sage lift her onto his lap.

As he rested his hands on her head, he let out a deep sigh.

"Have you heard about the Star-Welcoming Festival?"

So that was the real topic.

"Yes. The young apprentices told me about it."

"It’s about time you talked to Aura about getting a festival outfit prepared."

"We’ve already been discussing it."

Unlike the clueless boys, Aura and the girls had immediately realized that Shou was a girl.

"Honestly, how didn’t they figure it out sooner?"

Aura had scoffed.

Shou really liked her bluntness.

(…The Sage, however, probably still hadn’t noticed.)

"Now, about summer—there will be a mass outbreak of Black-Rock Lizards near the border of Deep Forest and Rock Caverns. Since both regions will be affected, hunters from both sides will be deployed. That includes those from Northern Town."

Shou looked up from his lap.

Could it be—?

"You haven’t been told yet, have you? But yes—Falco is expected to participate."

He hadn’t told her.

But he had been troubled lately.

Of course. He was probably debating whether to leave for two months when he had just become her guardian.

"Falco is one of this town’s three heroes. Even when Gaius and Leon were injured, they still participated in past hunts. If Falco refuses, it will seem like Northern Town is neglecting its duty."

"You have Gina, and you’ve already become part of this town. If a parent leaves under these circumstances, no one would question it or worry. But Falco… is still struggling with the decision."

She knew.

"Sain-sama, what do you think Falco will do?"

"He’ll go. He’s not the type to abandon his responsibilities."

"Should I encourage him?"

"No. Let him struggle and decide for himself."

Shou let out a small sigh.

If it was only about Falco leaving, she would have been lonely, but she could accept it.

But the real issue?

"What’s hardest is that he won’t talk to me about it."

The Sage gently patted her head.

"Shou, you really are a good child. Since you’ve been so patient, let me tell you something interesting."

"What is it?"

The Sage grinned mischievously.

Even though they were alone, he leaned in and whispered.

Shou’s face lit up.

"Shall we do it?"

"Let’s!"

If Falco wouldn’t talk to her about it, then…

She and the Sage would just have to teach him a lesson.

They exchanged conspiratorial smiles.