Chapter 147

The magical girl was lying in wait.

“I’ve been waiting for you. I heard there were various issues, but are you alright?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

“Is that so? By the way, where is that child?”

After finishing treatment in Miguria, it’s now China’s turn.

It was just past 5 PM, but it seemed the end was still far off.

The person waiting was a man who appeared to be the Director and a woman who seemed to be the guide.

And there was a magical girl who looked like she was serving as a guard… why is Fleur here?

I understand using a magical girl as a guard, but why is Fleur, a Japanese magical girl, here?

To be honest, I’m not good at dealing with Fleur, but surely she won’t follow us around, right?

“She’s my disciple. So, why is Fleur here?”

“Because there were some issues in Miguria, she came as a guard~. Even Kaede said we should have a guard during work, so why are you alone?”

“No, she’s clearly here.”

Jeanne said this somewhat anxiously.

Isn’t it tough insisting on guarding me? Normally, it would be fine, but given the current situation…

It seems Jeanne isn’t good with Fleur either.

“Hem! Let’s put family matters aside for now, shall we?”

“That’s true. We should prioritize work. So, introductions please.”

“…Yes. I am Ice Water, responsible for guiding you today. I’m an active magical girl, but please take care of me today.”

Despite the rather messy start, the task remains unchanged.

Ice Water appears to be in her mid-20s, doesn’t she?

She probably works at the Magic Bureau while continuing her activities as a magical girl.

(“binsui…”)

“Ice and water make binsui.”

(“Got it.”)

With her blue hair and eyes, her name and appearance are easy to remember.

She gives off a slightly cold impression, but since we’ll only be together for today, it doesn’t bother me.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Please consult with Ice Water for anything else.”

The man who seemed to be the Director bowed his head lightly and left.

Honestly, I wonder if this meeting had any meaning, but I suppose it’s just a social formality.

It’s like having an important person present only at the beginning of an interrogation.

After that, it’s just about discussing with the person in charge, so their face will likely fade from memory soon.

“Is there anything unusual other than the meeting?”

“There has been a slight increase in the number of patients, but will Jeanne be okay alone? If it’s too much, I’ll consider adjustments.”

“It’s fine with Lily here. Even if the number increases by a few hundred, we’ll manage.”

When Jeanne mentioned me, Ice Water tilted her head.

Implicitly, she seemed to be saying something like “such a little one,” but that can’t be helped.

“Don’t look at her like that. This child is… well, they did various things in Miguria. That’s right.”

Jeanne lifted me up and placed me on Fleur’s shoulder.

Ice Water and Fleur looked confused, but Fleur soon nodded as if understanding the reason.

“Since her legs are slow, please carry her. Then, Ice Water, please give us a tour while telling us about the patients.”

“Understood.”

We started walking following Ice Water.

“There are five critically injured patients here, along with a few who have been poisoned with substances the magic girls stationed here can’t treat. There’s no immediate danger to their lives.”

Now that I think about it, the abilities listed on the official website for Jeanne must be fake, right…?

She’s already treating several times more people than what’s listed.

Her ability is definitely not limited to healing a few limbs.

Or perhaps there’s a twist like she hasn’t updated her registration since the beginning?

(I wonder how strong Ice Water is in China?)

“Ranking 50th. In Japan, that’d be around 20th place. She uses a sword and water-based magic. Kind of like Marin’s subtype.”

(I see.)

Since she uses a sword, she can also serve as a guard, and with water-based magic like ice, she can use it for binding or walls.

Though Fleur is here, Ice Water could be good backup as a guard.

Still, I think she should be a bit friendlier.

“Alright. Are the rooms properly separated?”

“Yes. They’re divided based on injuries and illnesses.”

“Good. Lily.”

“Same as in Miguria?”

“Exactly.”

Entering and quickly healing before leaving immediately.

While it’s unavoidable to consume magical power, the more magic you use, the more proficient you become.

For me, who only gets opportunities to use recovery magic, today is a great day for practice.

Let me keep to myself the suspicion I felt when I first met Jeanne.

“Do you really think it’s okay to trust that child, Jeanne-san?”

“It’ll be fine even if you worry less. If Lily fails, I’ll transfer to China.”

“—I’ll hold you to that word.”

What kind of strange agreement is this? Is it really okay?

I’m not omnipotent, you know?

“Is it really okay?”

“If… if Lily tries hard, it’ll be fine. She wouldn’t intentionally fail, right?”

When I quietly asked Fleur, she said something like that.

There’s no enmity towards Jeanne, only gratitude.

I don’t even entertain thoughts of deliberately failing.

Does Jeanne read my mind somehow?

Also, it seems Fleur knows about me.

Probably thanks to Arongante sharing information.

“First, we have the critically injured individuals. One is isolated, but the remaining four are in this room.”

This group of critically injured patients is quite impressive.

Some are petrified, others missing parts of their bodies, and there’s someone with bandages over their eyes.

Fighting so hard to this extent deserves praise.

But getting injured like this negates all that effort.

Especially eyes—they can’t be replaced.

Internal organs are fundamentally untreatable.

Perhaps Jeanne and I are exceptions, but normally, they can’t be healed.

“Injuring the eyes is unlucky, huh.”

“The patient themselves has accepted it, so it’s fine not to heal the eyes. Just proceed as discussed during the briefing.”

Ice Water says “that’ll do,” but the magic girls seem dissatisfied.

Even Jeanne must find healing eyes difficult.

Additionally, there are probably financial and political considerations in large countries like these.

After examining everyone, Jeanne gave me a suspicious smile.

I can guess what Jeanne wants to say.

In the world of magical girls, strength is everything.

Things unimaginable from a name—those without power aren’t trusted.

I think it’s tougher than working for a shady company.

“Lily, those two are yours. And full recovery isn’t necessary.”

“Understood. Fleur-san.”

“Yes, yes.”

Ice Water and the injured magic girl tried to say something, but before they could, I took out my staff and began chanting spells.

Incidentally, the injured magic girl not only had eye injuries but also had her left arm missing from the elbow down, and some internal organs had been stitched up.

They must have used recovery magic to clean up after stitching, but they couldn’t fix the inside.

Moreover, there was a crack in her skull.

There was no immediate threat to life, but if luck turned bad, it could worsen into a bedridden state.

“Such… is this really…?”

The manner of healing might look crude, but it doesn’t affect the result.

The light disappeared in seconds, revealing a completely healed magic girl.

“I’ve healed everything, including the crack in your skull and the stitched internal organs. Please remove the bandage over your eyes.”

Tentatively, she removed the bandage, but halfway through, she noticed her regrown arm and expressed gratitude.

I wanted to tell her to hurry up with the bandage, but instead, I just nodded and let it pass.

“I can see… I can see! And my body doesn’t hurt!”

“We won’t bill you, so rest assured. It’s purely out of goodwill.”

There’s nothing less believable than Jeanne’s goodwill, but Ice Water, who truly didn’t expect me to be able to heal, remained frozen for a moment.

During that time, I finished healing the second person, completing the treatment for the critically injured.

“Ah… forgive me.”

She finally returned to her senses.

It didn’t seem like something that warranted such surprise, but perhaps there was a reason.

“And my apologies. Thank you very much for your help.”

Ice Water, who earlier looked at me with suspicion, now approached me seriously and apologized.

“It’s fine. Given my appearance, it’s understandable.”

“By the way, how old are you?”

“I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

Age hardly means anything.

Not to mention, gender is ambiguous too.

Inside, I’m male, but outwardly, I look like a girl.

Ice Water looked somewhat troubled and glanced at Jeanne.

“She looks as young as she appears. Don’t try poaching her.”

“I won’t do anything to make you an enemy. Again, thank you for taking care of my comrades.”

Completely different from our encounter in the teleportation room, she saw me as a fellow magical girl.

She gave off a cold impression, but perhaps she’s fundamentally kind-hearted?

“It’s fine. I’m doing my job. Now, could you show us the next place? The ladies could still use some rest.”

The magic girls who were healed rejoiced and cried.

Just like in Miguria, these were injuries that couldn’t be treated without magic.

Without magic, arms and legs would remain irreparable.

Furthermore, without Jeanne, they wouldn’t have been healed so quickly.

I fully understand what the Demon once said.

If Jeanne hadn’t been here, what would have happened?

I don’t know about the second-in-command without me, but it’s clear things would have gotten overwhelming.

The number of battle-ready magic girls would decrease, and witches might slowly lead to their own extinction without needing to do anything.

As a side note, I couldn’t enjoy some good coffee, so I’m truly glad she helped.

While chatting lightly, we walked down the hallway and reached the door of the room where the patients were.

“By the way, Lily seems to be healing pretty quickly. How does she do it?”

Before Ice Water opened the door, Jeanne asked such a question.

The recovery magic I use differs from others’ methods.

I’ve seen a few people actually casting magic; some scatter light, others shine their hands and cast spells.

Sometimes I make the tip of my staff glow and heal that way, but mostly I use magic circles as substitutes.

“Like the volunteer event, it’s just using magic upon entering and finishing. Everyone should be thoroughly healed.”

“I see. Indeed, with you, it’s possible… may I watch you perform it?”

“It’s fine.”

Ice Water, who had been listening to our conversation, opened the door cautiously while looking worried, so first, I… and Fleur entered, followed by Jeanne.

“Invitation to Paradise.”

Before anyone could speak, I took out my staff and swiftly chanted the spell.

A magic circle spread, glowing white, and the treatment was complete.

I told the somewhat flustered Fleur to leave the room and exited with Jeanne.

“Um, what was that light just now?”

Ice Water, who had left the door open, looked at us as we came out and asked.

“That was the light from the magic Lily used. Anyway, could you guide us to the next patient?”

Ice Water peeked into the room before replying.

She didn’t seem entirely convinced but closed the door.

“How exactly did you heal them?”

“Lily is skilled with magic circles and can heal everyone at once.”

“…It’s certainly unconventional, or perhaps an extraordinary magical girl?”

If common sense could defeat monsters, then maybe it would matter, but thinking about common sense is just a waste of time.

The existence of magical girls itself defies common sense, so if you can do it, just do it.

“Well, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Understood.”

At Jeanne’s prompting, Ice Water started walking toward the rooms where the patients were staying.