Handshake Event, Or Rather, Healing Gathering (2)

In the darkness, a human-shaped light emerged. It looked like a bone image seen in an X-ray. Touching the unnaturally bent part in that state, Cordelia began pouring in Holy Magic. Gradually, the distorted shape of light corrected itself, and by the time she opened her eyes it had completely returned to normal.

“Amazing…! Thank you. Now I can work like before!”

Cordelia smiled and saw the delighted man off.

Next came a young woman. Shyly, she held out her hand. Looking closer, there was a small cut beside the nail of her index finger.

“Um… is it okay even for a tiny wound like this?”

“Yes, of course. A wound is a wound.”

After quickly healing it, the woman’s cheeks reddened.

“Um… the Holy Maiden is as beautiful as the newspaper said… and kind too… I’m cheering for you.”

Saying only that, she hurried away in embarrassment. Cordelia sent her off with a smile and continued treatment one after another.

“Yes, this should be fine. But please don’t overexert yourself.”

“Thank you kindly, the pain vanished like a lie.”

She treated the lower back of an elderly woman troubled by back pain, and poured Holy Magic into the wrist of a man lamenting persistent tendonitis. She could feel damaged cells and nerves regenerating through magic.

“Um… thank you for healing me. …By the way, you’re not going to tell me to buy a vase or anything, right?”

“Oh my, the vase person!”

“Vase person?”

“Ahem, pardon me. Just talking to myself, hehe.”

Though surprised by the unexpected reunion, the wide variety of treatments proceeded smoothly. Starting from lighter cases like stubborn colds, injuries, and chronic neuralgia, to heavier ones such as regenerating severed fingers and even restoring lost eyesight.

“Whew, this truly is exhausting…”

While Lily wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief, Cordelia took a sip of water and steadied her breath. Just moments ago, she had healed the neural pathways of a man paralyzed from the waist down due to an accident and made him walk again.

“Incredible! Holy Magic truly is a miracle!”

Lily said emotionally.

“It really is a miracle.”

Cordelia answered while rubbing her body.

Holy Magic could perform feats impossible for water magic, such as regenerating lost body parts—nothing short of miraculous. Completely unlike destructive dark magic. However, the heavier the treatment, the more recoil-like pain and suffering struck Cordelia.

The man earlier must have severely injured his back in the accident. During treatment, the pain he experienced flowed back into Cordelia’s body through her hands. Holy Magic already consumed tremendous magical power, and the pain was intense as well. Honestly, she wanted praise just for not groaning.

(But… that man and his family looked truly happy)

The man standing again on his own feet and his wife’s joyful expressions—watching the couple embrace and sob nearly brought her to tears. Several people waiting in line seemed to cry along as well.

The heavier the illness or injury, the more magical power and skill were required. Making a paralyzed person walk would normally require enormous payment to a Sage-class water mage, if treatment was even possible. The amount was said to equal a lifetime’s earnings for commoners, forcing many to give up.

Though the healing gathering had begun as publicity, Cordelia was genuinely happy to help such people.

(The pain disappears if I endure a little, and I’m glad the magical power I uselessly accumulated finally has purpose)

Her magical power, which she had steadily increased without finding a use, could apparently also be used for Holy Magic since becoming the Holy Maiden. And since Holy Magic consumed far more than dark magic, it was extremely fortunate.

“Holy Maiden! I brought my mom!”

At the boy’s loud voice, Cordelia raised her face.

The boy who had gone to fetch his pregnant mother—Jack—was running toward her. Behind him were knights carrying the pregnant woman with a large belly on a stretcher.

Lily quickly organized the line and seated Jack’s mother.

“Good day. I am Cordelia. I heard about you from Jack.”

When Cordelia smiled, the mother—plump from pregnancy yet pale—spoke apologetically.

“I’m sorry… I had no idea Jack was standing in line here… It’s embarrassing, but it’s really nothing serious. I’m just not used to being pregnant again, so my strength can’t keep up. It’s not something worthy of the Holy Maiden’s attention…”

“Please don’t worry. Did you know? People say pregnancy isn’t an illness, but it means you should take care because there is no medicine to cure the discomfort.”

It was a phrase someone once said when seeing off a woman going on maternity leave in her previous life.

“But with Holy Magic, I may be able to ease your suffering somewhat. Please allow me to help.”

Saying that, Cordelia took her hand and searched for the flow of magical power as usual—then suddenly widened her eyes.

The fetus in her womb had a beating heart, yet Cordelia instinctively sensed that something was wrong.