Earth With Dungeon: Saving the World With an Economic Boom

Chapter 190. Healing Magic

I think her name was Yuuki Hijiri. I look at the girl in front of me, searching my memory.

She’s the eldest daughter of the leader of Narashino City. It’s hard to believe that this young girl holds the real power.

Behind her, soldiers, Fuuka, and the guards Karin and Marume follow. Fuuka seems slightly tense, while Marume is at ease.

Karin, hugging a fox plushie, smiles proudly. It’s tear-jerking to see her with a collar and chain to prevent escape. You’ve been tricked.

There’s a possibility that it’s a fox disguised as a plushie, but without sensing mana, it likely escaped.

So, please stop winking at me and saying “Leave the fox to me-nya.” It’s sad.

Remember, a cat can’t win against a fox. I turn my gaze back to Hijiri. She has long, sleek black hair and a face that suggests kindness and compassion. A demure Yamato Nadeshiko, she’d look good in a shrine maiden outfit. The pure white robe makes her seem like a saint.

Karin told me she could use healing magic. That’s surprising. One reason the Yuuki family leads this base. Healing wounded soldiers from battles with monsters naturally boosts popularity.

Dungeon exploration progressed thanks to both spirit machines and healing magic.

“We are deeply grateful for your assistance. We can’t thank you enough for sending the Jester Knights and the holy beast.”

Hijiri bows respectfully. Soldiers hurriedly follow suit. They all express gratitude towards me, but I’m not happy about it.

Fuuka’s expression is bitter. Marume looks indifferent, uninterested in politics. The cat girl… is just being a cat girl, petting the fox plushie.

“Ah, Yuuki-dono? I’m here as a guard soldier this time.”

“Please, call me Hijiri. I wish to be friends with Rikyu-sama… and I know you’re with the Jester Knights.”

She interrupts with a serene smile, making me sigh inwardly. She seems smart. Of course, she controls this military base. I don’t like her methods, though. Treating people like slaves while keeping them content.

Isn’t it? Healing the third-class people occasionally, providing meals, showing concern for the situation, distancing herself from the military leadership?

I get it, I get it. Nightingales are always popular. Saints should stay in games or novels.

“The Jester Knights… impressive intelligence gathering.”

I shrug and respond with a faint smile. Fuuka’s expression grows more bitter. She wants to complain about Hijiri’s special treatment of me but is unsure of my reaction.

What to do? Is this a chance? I could start independent dealings, but I came here with a request from Inner City, which could cause problems later. Maybe I should consult Fuka.

Hijiri notices my hesitation but keeps smiling, nodding sincerely.

“Next time, please notify us before your visit. We’ll provide a permit. By the way, were you injured defeating the Ancient Treant?”

“…No, just minor cuts, nothing serious.”

I reply politely… Wait, something’s off. How does she know about the Ancient Treant?

Feeling uneasy, I squint at Hijiri and glance at Shizuku.

[What do you think, Shizuku-san?]

[…Hmm… Huh?]

I send a telepathic message, but Shizuku tilts her head in confusion. Is something strange?

[Something’s off… this person]

I try to send another thought,

“Is that so? Then let me heal you. As a token of gratitude.”

Hijiri raises her hands, gathering mana dramatically. A white light gradually surrounds her. The soldiers murmur in awe.

Healing magic. Not a unique skill, just a general one. I intended to learn it but didn’t. The drawback is likely disabling offensive magic, a common limitation.

Anyway, it’s my first time receiving healing magic. I’m excited.

I wait anxiously for the healing magic to activate. I’m not injured… My body heals when I switch with Shizuku, so no injuries.

Maybe I feel a bit off, possibly heatstroke. I wait to see if it helps.

Hijiri activates her magic.

[Area Heal]

A white magic circle appears at Hijiri’s feet, expanding outward.

“Oh~”

“My wounds are healing.”

“Long live the saint!”

Hijiri’s magic heals not just me but the surrounding soldiers. My body feels warm.

Hmm… so this is healing magic. I don’t feel any different. Sorry for wasting your mana. Besides…

[It’s hot]

[Pfft]

Shizuku bursts out laughing, holding her stomach.

It feels like having a heat pack against my chest. Definitely not for summer.

“The saint’s healing is amazing.”

“Thank you.”

“You saved us.”

The soldiers cheer enthusiastically, almost exaggeratedly so.

[They still call people saints in modern times. Haha.]

Ignoring my partner laughing and calling this a fantasy, I look at Hijiri. She has a sly smile. It’s a smile, but… it doesn’t seem saintly. It’s a nasty grin.

She probably likes being praised. Well, even if it’s a sleazy smile, it’s fine as long as she’s healing people.

She looks at me expectantly, waiting for my thanks.

“So hot-nya.”

Before I can thank her, the cat girl speaks out of turn. She opens her chest and fans herself. Her chest seems to be developing well, and hugging the fox plushie makes her hotter than others.

“Huh?”

Hijiri glares at Karin with a harsh tone, not like a saint, but like a thug.

“Ahh!”

Karin quickly hides behind me, trembling and meowing in fear, intimidated by the soldiers’ glares. Silly girl.

“It’s hot, so I misspoke-nya.”

“You’re hot because you’re holding that plushie, got it?”

“…”

This saint has a terribly foul mouth.

I’m shocked, but the soldiers don’t seem to notice the thug-like saint. Fuuka and the others are the same. They look bitter but not surprised by her foul mouth.

“Th-thug-nya.”

Only Karin trembles. Hmm?

[It’s a Charm skill! She’s using it mixed with her healing magic, Sakimori-san. It’s a weak skill, lower-tier charm. It makes people like her a bit and overlooks her odd behavior.]

[Karin seems unaffected, right?]

[Probably because Karin’s already under strong mental magic. The girl wonders why Karin’s scared.]

Shizuku hurriedly explains. So, this saint is quite devious. Time to teach her a lesson. Karin wasn’t affected because she was already under another charm.

[Magic Dispel]

I clap my hands, spreading thin mana around. The soldiers stop cheering and some seem to wake up.

“Why are you scared?”

Hijiri’s predictable line comes with a hand on her cheek, then she hastily regains composure.

“You dispelled it easily… you’re skilled.”

Using healing magic together makes it hard to notice. People might think their gratitude turns into admiration. Some healed by her might even start believing the rumors and follow her genuinely.

This could sprout a new religious cult. Healing magic increases her reputation regardless.

Mental control can be dangerous if discovered, but using it sparingly at key moments makes it less noticeable. This girl is smart.

Hijiri smiles and tilts her head again.

“Healing magic is for everyone. I want to use it for everyone.”

“Lies-nya! Just now-nya!”

Karin grins, ready to reveal something, so I tightly squeeze her swaying tail.

“Nya!”

Karin jumps, hair standing on end. Her tail feels nice to the touch. I wonder what happens if I rub it the other way?

“Karin, did you want a tail massage that much?”

“Nya, let go-nya~”

Releasing her tail, I rub her cat ears while smiling faintly at Hijiri. Stay quiet. Many soldiers worship her without mental interference. You might end up a cold cat in an alley.

“Thank you, healing magic is new to me. I’m grateful to Hijiri.”

I bow and thank her. Fuka looks slightly uneasy, noticing something off.

“No, I’m glad if I could help even a little.”

Hijiri creates a cute, innocent smile, clasping her hands. She realizes I won’t expose her now. I won’t waste this for nothing. Her thinking isn’t like the cat girl’s. Cat ears feel good to touch, soft.

“Nyaa~”

Karin makes a slightly erotic sound but I ignore her, while Hijiri extends a cautious hand.

“Could we talk about the future?”

I glance at Fuuka, who nods, indicating it’s fine. I place my hand in hers for a friendly discussion. But then, a purple spark runs through our clasped hands. A status board appears before me.

[Fairy Machine 009: Change Administrator Permissions?]

…What? A status board appeared from a handshake.

Is she a fairy machine?

Hijiri smiles unaware, while I ponder what to do.

“Oh? The fox turned into a plushie-nya!”

Ignoring the surprised cat’s cry seems best for now.