“Don’t die!! Please, don’t die on me…!!!”
I can hear Phil’s desperate voice.
I want to respond, but excruciating pain has taken over my entire body. It’s too much.
The agony is unbearable, and I feel like I’m about to lose consciousness at any moment.
That day, when I was appointed as Phil’s guardian, I was truly happy.
I could always be with Phil, no matter where or when, and I felt more trusted by him than anyone else.
On countless battlefields, standing beside Phil, we mowed down countless soldiers.
Most of them were bandits, and there wasn’t a single opponent who could match me.
Today was supposed to be an easy mission—just scouting the bandits’ hideout.
I thought it would be over quickly, and I was excited about getting a reward…
But look at me now.
I think I got too cocky.
I clearly heard Phil’s voice telling me to stop.
But even so, I fell into a trap.
It was something called a “landmine,” and it blew my right leg to smithereens.
Blood gushes out without any sign of stopping.
…I think this is where I’ll die.
“…I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize!!”
Fighting through the haze of fading consciousness, I manage to force out some words.
If I close my eyes now, I know I won’t open them again…
“…Phil… bought me…”
“Enough, don’t talk anymore…! It’s okay, if we hurry back to camp, we can still save you.”
Phil runs while carrying me, my right leg gone.
Fortunately, it seems the enemy isn’t pursuing us.
“…Leave me behind…”
“There’s no way I’d do that!”
“…But I’m useless now… I can’t help anymore…”
There’s no way to bring back a leg that’s been blown to bits.
What use is a guard who can’t walk?
If I’m just going to become a burden and be discarded someday…
Maybe it’s better to just… let go.
“It’s okay, we can fix it.”
“…Really?”
Phil’s gentle lie.
He’s always so kind, always thinking of others.
“C-come on, hang in there!”
“…Phil…”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Thank… you… for everything…”
My vision starts to fade into white.
Ah, good.
I managed to say thank you…
―
――
―――
――――
“Gold coins… paid…”
“I understand… mining rights… deed…”
Is that Phil’s voice?
And another man’s voice too.
What happened to me?
“…Phil?”
“Ah! You’re awake! Thank goodness!”
Phil stands beside me, looking relieved.
An older man, stern-looking, sits nearby, watching me.
“…What happened to me?”
“It’s alright now, everything’s fine.”
“…What do you mean?”
I have no idea what’s going on.
But one thing is certain—I survived.
“With me here, all wounds are as good as gone.”
“…Did you heal me?”
The stern old man speaks with confidence.
“That’s not entirely accurate. I haven’t healed you yet—I will soon. Your master is the one who kept you alive.”
“…You’ll heal me?”
I sit up and look at my right leg.
It’s still gone, just as I feared.
How does he plan to fix this?
“I’m an expert in synthetic magic. I’ll generate and synthesize a new leg compatible with your body, and you’ll be able to walk again.”
“…Such a miracle…”
“I’m a man capable of far more miracles than the saints of the church, though they refuse to acknowledge it.”
The old man’s voice drops.
He must dislike the church.
“Will I… still be useful to Phil?”
“Yes, we’ll always be together.”
“…Thank goodness… thank goodness…”
Tears of joy well up in my eyes.
I can still stand by Phil’s side!
“Well then, I’ll need to begin the procedure. Could you step outside?”
“Ah, yes. Hang in there, Rize.”
“…Yes!”
With that, Phil leaves the room.
As soon as we’re alone, the old man smirks.
“So, your name’s Rize, correct?”
“…Yes.”
“You’re remarkable. Among the plains barbarians, known for their superior physical abilities, you’re especially outstanding.”
“…”
Plains barbarians.
That’s what the people of this country call our homeland.
It irritates me a little.
“Do you know how much your master paid for my miracle?”
“…No, I don’t.”
“Five hundred gold coins.”
“…What!?”
Even a count wouldn’t be able to easily gather five hundred gold coins.
Why? How did he…?
“He apparently sold his mining rights to gather the funds. Thanks to such a massive amount, you should consider yourself lucky.”
“…Yes, I suppose so.”
Because of my carelessness, he gave up the mine…?
How am I supposed to repay him…?
“You don’t feel the need to repay him?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Oh, nothing. My synthetic magic is truly miraculous. Restoring a lost limb is just a small feat—it’s capable of true miracles.”
“…Miracles…”
What is he trying to say?
The old man’s eyes widen with excitement.
“For example, I can synthesize a demon’s limbs onto a human body.”
“…Such a thing…”
Demons…
Superior beings far above humans.
Powerful entities that require thousands of soldiers just to drive away.
Synthesizing their limbs…?
“It’s possible. With your body, it will undoubtedly succeed.”
“…Really?”
“It’s true. However, it will come with unimaginable pain and suffering.”
“…If I do this, will I be able to…”
“Repay your debt? Of course. As a guard, imagine how invaluable you’ll be with even a fraction of a demon’s power. It’s worth far more than the mining rights he gave up.”
Repaying my debt…
All the countless favors he’s done for me.
He kept me alive, gave me purpose.
When my spirit was dying, when my body was broken, Phil saved me both times. If I can repay him for that…
Then I’ll endure anything.
Pain doesn’t matter.
“…Please, do it.”
“Heh, the contract is sealed. Oh, don’t worry about the extra cost. Consider it a service from me.”
If it’s for Phil, I’ll do anything.
For him, I’ll become anything—even a monster.
