ASDP Chapter 50

There was a bit of distance between the north gate and where the wagon was parked. So they split up and carried the injured, and my father called me when they were almost done.
I took my luggage and headed to the wagon. On the way, a black bird-like monster like a crow came towards me, so I shot it down with a flaming arrow. When I first came here, there were no monsters outside, just insects or rats inside the building, but the bird that just flew in was a little bigger than those. I wonder if it was originally a crow or a pigeon?

“Maybe it could smell the blood.”
“Let’s get out of here quickly.”
In the wagon, the men were looking up at the sky and fidgeting at the monster’s shadow.
As expected, I couldn’t ride in the wagon because there were seriously injured people and the parent and child I had met at first, so I followed along using my physical strengthening.
“Wouldn’t it be hard to walk all the time? Shall I take your place?”
“No. I’ve strengthened my body so don’t worry.”
He called out to me, feeling sorry that I was a woman, even though he was the one who was injured. However, the people here were seriously injured and could not be left behind in the town. Since I was not injured, it was natural that I would have to walk, so I flatly refused.

I had been paying close attention to whether the monsters were chasing us out of the town, but once I left the town, I could no longer hear their cries. I felt a little relieved, too, and took off my goggles and mask.
I was worried that they might react to the smell of blood, but there are other places that smell more of blood than here, so they might not be chasing us. Also, I’ve spread spores around the north gate, so there’s a good chance that there are many monsters wandering around infected with mushroom disease. It would be more efficient for them to eat them than chase us, who are attacking them. Of course, any monsters that eat those monsters will also become infected with the mushrooms.
There was no fighting whatsoever, and we somehow made it to the village before the sun went down, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Amelia has to go to town again tomorrow, so you should go home and rest first.”
“What about Dad?”
“I have a meeting and some preparations to make for tomorrow, so I’ll go back after I’ve had a little chat with the old man about the injured people.”
My father was the only one who had experience in extermination and rescue in the town where the maga occurred. We were just following his orders. I’m sure my father was the one who was most tired, having to be careful about everything.
Is it okay for my father not to take a break?
My anxiety must have shown on my face, because he placed a hand on my head.
“I am a former royal magician, so I am used to this sort of thing. Normally, when a person is sent out to a field like this for the first time, they should be accompanied one-on-one by someone with experience, no matter how talented they are. But Amelia has had to work hard on her own, so I would like you to take some time off while you can.”
“….Okay. I get it.”
Even though I say I understand, I don’t know if I can really take a break.
I’m feeling emotional and I need to do something, but I’d be in the way and I’m exhausted both mentally and physically.
Not knowing how to calm myself down, I head towards my house.
On the way home, I realized that I no longer needed to strengthen my body, so I stopped before I reached home. Then, as if I had suddenly remembered all the fatigue I had felt up until then, my body became heavy and I felt like sitting down.
I failed. If I was this tired, I should have waited until I got home.
Having said that, I don’t feel like mustering up my lost concentration and strengthening my body again.

“Amelia!!”
As I was thinking about what to do, someone suddenly called my name, and I looked up from where I had been looking down. At the end of the voice, I saw Alice and Sylphia running towards me.
Just as I was wondering what was going on, Don and Alice tackled me, causing me to stumble and sit on the ground.
“Lady Alice?! What are you doing?!”
“But, but!! I’m so glad Amelia came back safe and sound!”
Despite being scolded by Sylphia, Alice didn’t leave, instead she just sat down and began crying loudly.
Surprised by the suddenness of it all, I froze.

“Hey, Alice? What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
The younger girl was crying so hard that her face was almost falling apart, and my tiredness disappeared. I hurriedly checked to make sure she was okay. Sylphia was there too, so I thought she was okay, but maybe the refugees had said or done something to her.
I was also scared when I was yelled at during treatment. Of course, a 12-year-old girl who is not used to violent situations would be scared if an adult yelled at her or threatened her.
“I thought, what would I do if Amelia hadn’t come back?… hiccup. I’m useless, hiccup. If I thought that Amelia had died… waaaah.”
“Um, did someone say I was useless? That’s not true so it’s fine. It was because of Alice that I was able to go and rescue them with the holy water.”
If it weren’t for the holy water, it would have been even more dangerous.
Having or not having medicine to treat an emergency makes an enormous difference in the sense of security.

“No. No one has said anything. Everyone has been so kind… hiccup.”
“Um?”
I was glad that they hadn’t said anything harsh to her, but then why was she crying so much? Confused, I looked at Sylphia for an explanation.
“Lady Alice performed her duties as a saint and prepared holy water for tomorrow. However, although it was inevitable, she was very worried when Lady Amelia and Royal Magician Clark went to rescue them. She must be crying tears of relief now that you have returned safely.”
She was so worried about me and waiting for me.
Even though Alice had only just come to the village recently, I thought she was a very innocent and kind girl, and at the same time, I felt like my tension had eased.
Ah. I feel like I’m back.

“Alice is truly a saint.”
“Huh? Saint! I am a Saint!! But if I had more power, I could have purified it. But I couldn’t!! Amelia is far more of a Saint than I am. She protected everyone… but… it was scary. Waaaah.”
I wasn’t the only one who was frustrated.
I see.
Even the Saint couldn’t purify it all by herself, which was frustrating.
Does Alice feel the same way as I do?

“Thank you for crying for me. I’m back.”
“Uuuuuh… Welcome back.”
I stood up and took Alice’s hand.
Even though no magic was used on me, I felt purified and my body felt lighter than before.
“I’m hungry. Shall we go back and get something to eat?”
When I wiped her face with my handkerchief, Alice looked embarrassed.
“In that case, Sylphia and I went and bought something that can be eaten quickly.”
Alice puffed out her chest like a child who had just completed her first errand, and it made me chuckle.
“Thanks. It’s great that you didn’t try to make it yourself.”
“Hmm. You’re being a bit arrogant. Sylphia is tired, so she said it would be better if it was easy to clean up.”
“That’s right. I’m exhausted today, so I want to eat, take a bath, and go to bed quickly.”
Alice’s cooking skills are still not perfect, so I’m worried about letting her do it alone. That’s why Sylphia’s advice is nice. Please spare me the trouble of having to wash burnt pots and pans when I’m tired.

Just thinking about food made my stomach growl. Hearing this, Alice laughed.
“If you like, I can give you a soothing massage when we get back.”
“Is it okay? Alice must be tired too.”
I’m sure I would be tired if I mass-produced so many bottles of holy water. However, Alice glared at me furiously in response to my hesitation.
“I-I’m telling you, I’m going to do it! You’re going back tomorrow, right?! So you need to be fully prepared, right?”
“The Saints sometimes heal the weary guards on their journey to purify the maga. So, Amelia, please accept it. Even Alice’s powers should be able to handle that much.”
The journey to protect the Saint is a harsh one.
The guards put their bodies on the line to protect the Saint. There are times when it’s not possible to reach a place in a day, so I’m sure the guards are provided healing so they can always be perfectly prepared to protect the Saint.

“In that case, since you’re here, I’ll ask you.”
“Yes. Leave it to me.”
Seeing Alice smiling brightly made me feel better.
“So you absolutely must not die tomorrow, okay?”
“I know. That’s right. Could I please have Alice treat the people we brought back today as much as possible tomorrow? My magic can only provide first aid.”
My grandfather is watching over them, but if we can use the Saint’s powers, they should be able to heal faster.
“Yes. I’ll do whatever I can.”
Alice readily agreed to my request.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for reading!