Arthur And Elaine’s Surprisingly Harmonious Joint Operation

Groans echoed from the hut they were guided to. Peeking in through the window, Arthur saw six villagers lying down—those who were first attacked—and four brawny men who looked like knights injured in battle with the monsters.

“The ones here have been in such pain since yesterday that they haven’t been able to eat.”

Just as the Village Chief said, bread and water sat untouched beside them. Seeing their anguished expressions, even Elaine frowned with concern.

“Why is no one nursing them?”

“Well… the poison might be contagious through touch… At first, only two were afflicted, but the two who carried them also fell ill…”

“I see… So it’s a contagious type of poison. That’s troublesome…”

Monsters often carried poisons unique to their kind. The potency varied, but any poison capable of infecting others was guaranteed to be dangerous.

That must be why they first reached out to Saintess Elaine. Since it would be a major issue if a foreign prince got infected, Elaine turned to Arthur with concern.

“Lord Arthur, what shall we do? The poison seems worse than we expected…”

“What are you saying? I came here to heal them!! Of course I won’t run away!”

“Oh… thank you so much…”

“As expected of you, Lord Arthur.”

Without hesitation, Arthur threw open the door and stepped inside.

“Wha… Prince Arthur!? Oh come on, stop acting on your own!!”

Elaine shouted something, but Arthur paid her no mind. Of course, it wasn’t out of noble intent like refusing to abandon the suffering even if the poison was contagious.

‘This woman… she tried to spook me with the whole contagious poison thing, didn’t she? Hah! I’ll show you what I’m made of!!’

Indeed, it was all to compete with the Saintess.

As he entered the hut, a tingling sensation passed through him. Arthur’s body sensed even the faintest toxins—and immediately neutralized them before they could enter.

Yes, to someone with Arthur’s special constitution, poison meant nothing. Flashing a grin that would make anyone want to punch him, he looked at the stunned Elaine outside before turning to begin treatment on the nearest man.

“Alright, you’re the worst off. Let those wounds heal!!”

A warm light flowed from Arthur’s hands, wrapping around the man’s body and slowly improving his complexion. But just before he finished, Arthur felt something off.

‘Damn it, even if I heal them, the surrounding poison infects them again!!’

Should he move them outside? He looked up and met Elaine’s gaze. As she nodded, the entire hut was suddenly enveloped in light.

“I’m called a Saintess for a reason!!”

“What the—!? This girl can heal an entire room at once!?”

Indeed, Elaine wasn’t treating them one by one—she cast a healing spell over the entire hut. Arthur’s individual healing ability was superior, but he could only treat one person at a time.

“Don’t underestimate meee!! I’m the strongest!!”

After finishing with one patient, Arthur instantly moved to the next. At this point, he’d completely forgotten about proving anything to the Saintess or even earning Good Deed Points.

He continued healing out of sheer stubborn pride—he couldn’t allow himself to lose to anyone when it came to his one true identity: his healing power.

And so, after three straight hours of healing without rest, Arthur finally collapsed inside the hut.

“I’m doooone!! Everyone’s healed!!”

“Well done, Lord Arthur. But lying down here will give you a cold. The Village Chief has prepared a room for us. Let’s rest there.”

“Thanks… wait, Kei, this place was full of poison just moments ago…”

“And you were the one who purified it, weren’t you? Then it’s fine. I trust you.”

Smiling warmly, she helped him up and lent him her shoulder. The soft warmth and sweet scent made Arthur flustered.

“I’m fine on my own, really.”

“No, you’re more exhausted than you realize. And taking care of you in times like this is part of a personal maid’s—no, an older sister’s job.”

“Is… is that so…?”

Though unsure, Arthur found comfort in Kei’s touch and decided to go along with it. As they left the hut, he met eyes with Elaine.

For some reason, her face was red and she stared at him with a sharp look—but the words that came out of her mouth were of gratitude.

“Well… thanks. You’re amazing too.”

That must’ve been her true self speaking. Elaine said it with a slightly prickly tone.

‘Hah! I clearly healed more people than her. She must be acknowledging my victory. How honest of her.’

Feeling smug, Arthur offered Elaine some praise.

“Mm, yeah, don’t mention it. I mean… you were amazing too.”

“Oh my, Lord Arthur, you’re blushing!”

“I am NOT!!”

Yes, Arthur had only pushed himself to defeat Saintess Elaine. Sure, he did want to help the suffering villagers—but just a little.

He only saw Elaine as a rival. That said… her words of gratitude did make him happy. Realizing how pleased he was by Kei’s compliment embarrassed him slightly, and he hurried Kei along to leave the hut.

And so, Arthur had Kei carry him to their room—but there was one more ordeal to come.

“The villagers are hosting a feast tonight, so let’s rest until then. Lord Arthur, here you go.”

“Isn’t that… a bit much?”

Kei patted her lap invitingly as she sat on the bed, and Arthur’s face turned bright red.

“It’s okay. You told me you feel calm when I’m around, didn’t you? Besides, I heard from Marianne that a lap pillow works wonders for tired men… Or do you not like mine?”

“N-no… it’s not that…”

And so, Arthur gave in and rested on Kei’s lap. Perhaps because of her warmth, he didn’t suffer from any nightmares that night. Kei, watching him sleep peacefully, smiled with quiet joy.