The Ice Witch (4)
With our side sorted out, I called Parania back in.
It had been over twenty years, but if the pain was still there and she could feel the absence of her severed ear so vividly, then I figured Ashu's powers might heal it.
Of course, I could only think that because I knew the capabilities of Ashu, who was called a saintess.
"I've heard the rumors, but this is the first time I've seen Vice President Parania's missing ear. You should have told me sooner."
"I'll be honest with you two. I have my pride, so I couldn't bring myself to do it."
She just didn't want anyone to see her severed ear. She'd been using her hair as a makeshift cover, after all.
Maybe it was like a bald guy hiding his thinning hair. Ah, better not say that out loud. Bad analogy.
Ashu stepped behind Parania and cupped her ear gently.
With a reverent expression, Ashu took a deep breath and softly closed her eyes.
"Kalderan, I, Ashushikara, who always gazes upon you, beseech your grace."
"Grant the light's compassion that raises life upon the darkened earth and breathes vitality into frozen air."
⟨ Prayer of Restoration ⟩
It was the longest prayer I'd ever heard from her. It felt like she was reciting from a holy book. I could tell it required immense focus and mana.
Her bracelet was glowing, drawing out every last drop of her mana.
The wound was small in size, but after twenty years, reversing it demanded extraordinary power. Priests must have some special intuition for these things that's hard to explain.
"….As you have wrought, may your single ray of light unfold in brilliant sparkle."
"When darkness encroaches upon us, the sun warms us all tenderly. I, Ashushikara, pray for a new miracle here."
Ashu's prayers were remarkably fluent in the ancient tongue, better than most mages. Did mages just not recognize fluent ancient speakers right in front of them?
Was it like watching Christians chant hallelujah and amen without knowing the meaning? Hey, elementary school dictation level, Vice President?
While I was lost in thought, a small but intense light bloomed in Ashu's hand—not glowing, but flickering like a flame.
As she caressed the severed ear with that hand, it began regenerating, molten metal pouring from a mold to form a red-hot sword. The ear took Ashu's hand as its mold, sprouting light like heat as it formed.
"Hoo… Once more, I witness the glory made manifest in prayer. I give thanks that you are with us always."
Ashu finished her prayer, sweating and staggering. I caught her carefully.
It had been a grueling healing. Even more taxing than when she'd saved Suhl.
"……."
"…Sister."
Paranil stared wide-eyed at Parania's dazed face.
Flutter flutter.
It looked like some part of Parania was trying to escape reality and fly away.
"Sister, look!"
Flutter flutter... flutter flutter...
When her brother held up a hand mirror, her ear was flapping furiously, as if her head might detach and soar off.
"Ah…."
Parania mumbled incoherently before covering her face with both hands and collapsing to the floor.
Overwhelmed by joy and emotion with no way to express it, her mind had short-circuited and shut down.
Even so, her ear kept moving, wiggling this way and that like a newborn baby testing its limbs.
Someone who'd been bald would want to try slicking back newly grown hair or parting it every which way. I got it.
Yeah, the analogy's off again, but I can't think of a better one.
Paranil helped his sister up and thanked us profusely.
"Neither my sister nor I know what to do. For now, please come to our home."
"I'm sorry, but we'll head back and rest today. I want to recover in familiar surroundings."
I figured I should speak up first.
Ashu didn't seem to want any more interruptions today. She was gripping my left hand tightly. It hurt.
The next day, after politely declining Paranil's invitation and returning to our lodging.
Ashu, who usually rose before me to get ready, was still buried under the blankets.
I lifted them to check if she was asleep, and her eyes opened, gazing at me.
There was always a reason for unusual behavior.
"Something wrong?"
"…Just."
Ashu didn't answer fully and burrowed into my arms like a winter cat, curling up quietly.
Was she exhausted from yesterday's intense healing?
She radiated an aura of not wanting to do anything, clinging to me under the covers. So I lay still with her.
Occasionally, I'd pull her closer as she fidgeted or stroke her hair, just enjoying the moment.
As time passed, her thoughts seemed to settle, and Ashu spoke first.
"Yesterday's events have left my heart in turmoil. It's not your fault—it's my own issue…"
Vague words. If yesterday confused her, it had to be that adventurer talk. We'd compromised, but maybe deeper reflection stirred unease.
What exactly was bothering her?
"It hit me that I'm not the only one who wants to hold onto you like this. Thinking that makes me hate the idea of leaving here. Ominous thoughts keep creeping in."
I knew the concept of adultery between men and women was extremely rare in this world.
Ashu's birth alone made it complicated to discuss.
But jealousy existed.
Was Ashu jealous right now?
"......."
It was too hard to ask directly.
Ashu had wanted me to mingle with influencers for her goals. She believed my rising fame would bring more support.
She'd never complained about my letters to others before, but some shift had occurred in her heart.
Was this good or bad? I was conflicted too.
"……."
"……."
Somehow, we ended up brooding together.
Screw it!
Enough with these headache-inducing, unanswerable worries.
She was just fretting because she liked me that much!
At times like this, pressing our bodies together was best. Sweat made it even better. With resolve, I rolled toward Ashu beside me.
"Wh-what? I'm worrying because of you, and in broad daylight…."
Ashu pouted, but she didn't turn away.
That's when I had my trick: checking the Status Window.
Status Window
Ashu's Resistance: None
Confirmed no resistance. I lightly covered her pouting lips and pulled her waist against me with one hand.
When she subtly lifted her hips to make it easier, that was the green light.
With our bodies pressed tight, I released her lips.
Ashu wrinkled her nose slightly.
"Really, Kirgil, sometimes you make me feel like a fool. …I love that about you."
Now it was Ashu's turn. She seemed ready to overpower me. Status Window again…
Bang!! Bang!!
"Hero Kirgil!! Saintess Ashushikara!! I, Parania, have come to repay your grace!!"
Ashu and I turned toward the door in unison.
With extremely annoyed expressions.
"…Not right now."
"Couldn't agree more."
"Oh my, we didn't even invite you, yet Vice President Parania visits in person."
Ashu, neatly dressed after taking her time, greeted the guest with a bright smile.
That expression screamed, 'Can I refuse your thanks?'
Normally, that much of a hint would make someone say they'd return another time.
"How could I sit idle after such a profound debt? I wanted to throw a feast right away, but I came to hear your wishes first. That's why I came myself."
Her ear flapping as she spoke was visually irritating too.
No more hair plug now. She'd let her long hair down fully, twisting only the ends behind into a princess style.
Making her ear way too visible.
Annoyingly so.
“We apologize for the unexpected visit, Vice President. It would have been wonderful if you had sent a servant or a letter in advance. This humble place is far too modest for such a distinguished guest.”
Ashu was basically asking, 'Can't you read the room and not drop by unannounced?'
It got through to her brother Paranil, at least. He tried to say something to her.
"No matter! I don't care about such things. Tell me what you desire, anything at all."
She declared it confidently, even puffing out her chest.
I knew she meant no harm. She genuinely wanted to repay us.
I also knew she treated us as equals—practically a duke's princess in status—by coming in person.
But the timing was awful.
"Please… grant us time and space to prepare properly, Vice President Parania."
I could hear the unspoken 'Get out.' And Paranil heard it too—his face paled.
Standing like a secretary, he grabbed his sister's shoulder.
Finally, her tact circuit had kicked in.
"Wh-what? Why is everyone acting like this?"
Now she noticed her brother's grave look and our silent stares.
"Don't tell me… I did something hate-worthy again?"
Impressive. She had some self-awareness?
I'd heard the Vice President nickname before.
Outwardly unknown, but she had a talent for bursting those around her. How about Archmad Witch?