The surviving Lizardmen all retreated into the forest, and finally, the chaotic battle came to an end.
The Lizardmen are a species that originally live in swamps and lakes, so they don’t often come into contact with humans. However, they are not hostile by nature. Those that attack humans are typically those who have lost their place due to a lost sovereignty or those who, for some reason, have run out of food and try to take it from humans. It seems that, like humans, there are even some robbers among them who don’t feel any guilt.
The twilight covered the area, and the forest sank into an even deeper shade.
A few people went ahead to secure a camp, and after treating the wounded, the rest of the group moved together.
There were many injured, and people gathered around those who could use recovery magic, some holding their sides, some limping, and others supported by their comrades, seeking treatment.
“I was saved by a potion from Iriya-san! I’ll use this one too,” Valen said, instructing someone to bring a potion from the carriage. I immediately stopped him, as it would be a waste to use it now.
“No, I’ll use recovery magic, so please don’t use it yet.”
“Iriya-sama can use recovery magic!?” the elderly secretary next to me exclaimed, his eyes wide in surprise.
“Yes. It’s not a very advanced technique, but with this Asclepius’ staff, I believe it will be quite effective,” I replied.
The staff was a tall, roughly oval-shaped wooden rod with a mithril carving of a serpent spiraling around it—a staff of recovery magic. The two of them stared at it, clearly impressed, as they’d never seen one like it before.
“I’ll cast a wide-area recovery spell that can heal multiple people at once. Could you please gather everyone around the carriage and stop the current treatment?”
“That’s reassuring! Please do!”
The butler immediately ran off to notify everyone.
Once I was told that everyone had gathered, I took a deep breath and began the incantation.
The other healers, Valen, and some of the guards who had been tending to the wounded stood around watching. Reeni had told us not to overexert ourselves, but I probably wouldn’t need to worry about that.
“The full moon hangs in the sky, casting a pale light. It rests on the dark bed of night, seeking a brief respite. Ah, the quiet of the evening, where even the sound of insects fades, and the darkness falls to the ground. The moon is proud, and my dwelling is in the moss of the rocks.”
I confirmed that a soft silver glow was descending upon everyone and activated the spell.
The light floated softly, and everyone looked around in wonder.
“Fufira Lune!” I intoned.
For a moment, the world was blinded by a brilliant light, and everyone instinctively closed their eyes. When I cautiously opened my eyes, the inside of the tent had returned to its normal color, and even the deepest of wounds had completely healed.
“Ah… that wound… was healed in an instant!?”
“Unbelievable! It’s more effective than an intermediate potion!”
“And you healed all of us at once!”
Cheers erupted from the crowd, and I felt a sense of pride from the magic’s effect, which I hadn’t performed in a while.
“Wh-What was that? What kind of magic was that!?” Reeni asked, grabbing both my shoulders and leaning in close. Her forceful approach startled me.
“Y-Yes!? That was Fufira Lune. It’s a recovery spell, and I’m using this staff for assistance,” I explained.
“That’s amazing! I want one of those staffs too!! And that magic…!”
Reeni said excitedly, her hands clasped in front of the staff as if in prayer.
Valen and the secretary also seemed fascinated by the staff.
“Unfortunately, it’s not easy to get one. After all, it was made from Yggdrasil,” said Belial, who was sitting in the carriage and shrugged nonchValently.
“Yggdrasil!? You used such a rare, top-tier material to make the staff!?” Valen exclaimed, shocked.
“Is it really that rare?” Valen asked, clearly knowledgeable, being a merchant.
I remembered receiving the staff when I was practicing magic. My attack magic had passed, but my recovery magic still had a long way to go, so the staff had been given to me casually.
“Iriya-san! Yggdrasil is an extremely rare and sacred giant tree, thicker and taller than any other tree. There’s only one in the world, and cutting it down is forbidden! When branches are trimmed, only the cut branches are auctioned off. Some countries even buy them as national policy…! And this snake, too, the mithril carving, and the gold decorations with blue diamonds in the eyes…!” Valen explained, his eyes burning with seriousness.
I averted my gaze, feeling slightly uncomfortable under his intense gaze. Looking at Belial, he wore a calm smile.
Ah! He revealed the material now to explain the value of the staff! As always, he’s so sly.
“R-Right… I will take care of it,” I managed to say, not sure how to respond. I decided to change the subject.
“By the way, that was a high-level shadow magic, so it’s still too early for you, Reeni.”
“Huh!? Shadow magic can be used for healing too?”
“Just a little bit. Since it’s night, I used shadow magic. It’s a spell related to the moon.”
Reeni murmured, a bit disappointed. Now that I thought about it, I had taught magic to Esume but never to Reeni.
“I’ll teach you a spell to enhance your attack power. It’s called Exaltation. It won’t require much magic power to cast on three people,” I offered.
“Wait, that was your magic, Iriya?” Reeni asked, surprised.
It seemed she hadn’t realized that. Since I didn’t often enhance attack power once combat began and she was mainly a healer, it might have slipped her mind.
But she looked so happy, so I was glad I could help.
